Posted on 11/30/2006 5:57:27 PM PST by MotleyGirl70
Notice the backs of their t-shirts: God Hates America
It's only a matter of time before one of those maggots get seriously hurt or worse.
FRANKFORT - A federal judge has temporarily barred the state from enforcing portions of a new law that keeps protesters at least 300 feet away from a funeral.
Issued yesterday, U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell said there is a "strong likelihood" the law will run afoul of the First Amendment's free-speech protections.
The law, passed unanimously this spring by the General Assembly, was designed to stop a Kansas-based religious group from staging anti-gay protests at military funerals. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka believe that U.S. soldiers are being killed in Iraq because God is punishing America for tolerating homosexuality.
Several other states and the federal government have passed similar laws. Legal challenges have also been filed in Ohio and Missouri, but no rulings have been issued in those cases, said Lili Lutgens, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union.
Lutgens is representing Bart McQueary, a Harrodsburg man who has participated in protests at military funerals.
"We're very pleased," Lutgens said. "We believe that Karen Caldwell reinforced the importance of freedom of speech."
Attorney General Greg Stumbo said yesterday that an appeal is under consideration. "I believe that society has an important interest in honoring its war dead," he said in a statement. "Funerals are times of sacred and solemn reflection which must be protected from aggressive disruption."
Lawmakers who co-sponsored the bill were flabbergasted by Caldwell's ruling, which said a 300-foot restriction is likely too large.
"I'm extremely disappointed that the will of the people will be thwarted by the ACLU once again," said Rep. Stan Lee, R-Lexington. "I vehemently disagree with the court's ruling and I grieve for our military families."
State Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, said he wanted to implement a 1,000-foot ban, but agreed to 300 feet because that is the same distance the state bans electioneering around polling places on Election Day.
"I think it is most unfortunate and I feel sorry for the judges that make a ruling like this," Buford said. "It's a sad situation."
Caldwell took issue with the law because it restricts all expression of speech within the buffer zone, including activities along nearby streets or inside homes.
"It prohibits such activity whether the persons involved in the activities are visible to funeral participants or not and whether they are making any sound that funeral participants can hear or not," Caldwell wrote.
Westboro Baptist members have protested military funerals in Kentucky since the law passed, including a memorial service honoring three fallen Iraqi war veterans at Fort Campbell last month. At the time, the group's attorney said politicians created a toothless law.
"They're a bunch of incompetent, blundering idiots," Shirley Phelps-Roper said.
These people give God a bad name. They are a tool of the Devil.
"They are the PRECISE equivalents to the Islamic Jihadists/"
The big difference is that they cannot backup what they are doing from their bible. The poor little children who are being dragged out to these protest will be ruined for life...At least as far as their faith is concerned.
I was just looking at their website. These people hate everything. I think that homsexuality is horribly wrong. But they only bring support for it by doing this. They hate America too...so why don't they go to Canada....Oops They hate that too.
I've just got to see this series. Thanks for the info.
Of course. The Phelpsholes live for press attention. Their second-favorite activity is filing lawsuits, which helps fund the first. Bringing camcorders along for the ride helps with both.
Glad to do it; too few people saw the show in its original run. It's a Western set in space, and does both genres proud.
There are times that people like that make me hate the court system in this country; or that is, what our courts have done to our society. You can't have a dang Christian thing anywhere within 50 feet of a human being on public property but these horrible, vile, anti-christian people can do whatever they want.
At least their "church" has been thoroughly exposed as a hate group.
Their families and loved ones do not deserve the crap doled out by these freaks>
Also please read post #35.
OK I'll read up in the next day or so. Post 35 Phelps ties to Slick Willie and Gore I remember that one from previous threads on the despised family.
I'm not so sure the Lame Stream Media is doing enough to really "out" this cult. People who love this country and the men and women who fight to defend us know who these people really are. But, I fear there too many in this country who sympathize with these crazies.
Need location please if anyone has it.
I just wish someone would chase them off with automatic weapons fire.
These people should not be recieving police protection.
The Bible does not say, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." It says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23:7). And that God hates "all workers of iniquity" (Ps 5:5). "The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man" (Ps 5:6). Also "the wicked and the one who loves violence [God] hates." (Ps 11:5). Further, "The face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (Ps 34:16). God "loves righteousness and hate[s] wickedness (Ps. 45:7).
Here is some reading material...
http://www.lo-l.com/P/nicerthangod.htm
http://www.lo-l.com/P/Judgerightly.htm
Fault the Westboro on a number of things, but don't be fool by others that God is just a pushover on sin.
Our God is a Jealous God too...
Firefly bump.
BTW I can now swear fluently in Chinese.
Too bad I'm going to the Special Hell.
I'm not quick to rush to the defense of the MSM, but I can't fault them for denying the Phelpsholes the attention they so desperately crave. They live to stir outrage. If they get people to love them, they win. If they get people to hate them, they win.
The only way the Phelpsholes lose is if they're ignored altogether, or if their shouts are met with silence. That's why I have vast respect for the Patriot Guard Riders and their resolve to confront, but not engage. They're not only doing the right thing, but doing it the right way.
Keeping media attention and public reaction away from the Phelpsholes is like keeping oxygen from reaching a flame. Deny them what they crave, and they will fade and die.
People who love this country and the men and women who fight to defend us know who these people really are. But, I fear there too many in this country who sympathize with these crazies.
I had the same fear. But in their nationwide "campaign," the Phelpsholes have rarely recruited more than a half-dozen local sympathizers. And not for a lack of trying. No, most of their "protesters" are from their own little inbred cult and cottage industry.
I think two sisters are. And cold witches they are. I saw them on TV when the Amish girls were buried. I can't imagine God calling the Amish girls little whores like these cold, calculating, cultish criminals did. I hope they like hot weather because where they're going (unless they repent), they'll need to.
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