Posted on 06/06/2007 3:03:10 PM PDT by SoldierDad
Westboro Baptist Church Member Jailed In Nebraska
Terri June 6th, 2007 In The News
I’m a Kansas native and I join most of my fellow Kansans in being totally disgusted with the activities of the Westboro Baptist Church, who go out of their way to protest the funerals of our Fallen Troops, and gleefully sing praises about their deaths. So, when I saw the news about Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps, I did a couple “happy dances” myself this morning.
The members of this church, much like al-Qaeda and the jhidists in Iraq, have taken religion and twisted it to suit their own perverted and twisted beliefs. And, much like al-Qaeda, they’ve chosen to use their twisted, vile and disgusting beliefs, as fuel for their hatred against our Country, against our Troops.
According to the Beatrice Daily Sun in Beatrice, Nebraska, Shirley Phelps-Roper was arrested on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, after allowing her 10 year old son Jonah to stomp on US Flag. Phelps-Roper does not deny this, readily admitting that she allowed her son to stand on the flag. Bellvue, Nebraska police Captain Herb Evers said that a Nebraska state statute enacted in 1977, makes it illegal for a person to trample the flag.
“The officer present observed what happened, and instead of putting a 10-year-old in jail, we put her in jail,” Evers said.
Phelps-Roper claims that the law is against her rights as protected in the US Constitution and dared the Sarpy County Attorney to prosecute her. She was arrested close to 10am yesterday, processed and allowed to post a $150 bond, before being released. She claims that her church has protested at over 280 military funerals and that this one was the first time that anyone had been arrested. Phelps-Roper said that her son intentionally stood on the flag. She also claimed to encourage his behavior, but says she didn’t break any laws and claims that the Nebraska state law should have been repealed years ago.
“Every symbol of the rebellious, doomed America must necessarily be disrespected,” she said. “We did our duty today to our God and fellow man. Our job is to cause this nation to know her abomination. The thing they worship, the flag, is worthless. It’s a piece of cloth.”
“Those rogue cops cooked up this scheme,” she said, “and now the question is whether the person who sits in the office of the prosecutor has character. If they pursue this, our next stop will be federal court in Nebraska to challenge that unconstitutional statute.”
I for one am extremely pleased to hear about this and glad that Nebraska has this law. I feel that more of our states and cities should enact similar laws. Perhaps if these people were arrested each time they protested at the funerals of our Fallen Heroes, they’d think twice about such behavior. I’m thankful for the police officer who stood up to these sick, twisted people and did what was right. The full context of the Nebraska flag law is this:
“A person commits the offense of mutilating a flag if such person intentionally casts contempt or ridicule upon a flag by mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, or trampling upon such flag.”
Violating the law is a misdemeanor punishable by three months in jail and a $500 fine.
Beatrice Daily Sun
Sicko/Whacko ping!! I’m happy to know that Nebraska doesn’t put up with these people.
Should lock her up with Paris Hilton.
Jailing one of ‘em is a start.
I’d like to see her locked up with Rosie O’Donnell.
Give me a break. As disgusting as these people are, arresting them for something like this just gives them more publicity. It’s obviously their first amendment right to trample on the flag, just as it would be to burn it. It’s non-violent (albeit reprehensible) hate speech that should be protected by the Constitution.
Beyond Thunderdome.
I have an idea where to stick the flag pole...
the best news I’ve heard all day
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. We’ll see if this gets overturned upon appeal. Until then, she was arrested and faces penalties according to the Laws of Nebraska. IMHO these people should all be arrested (but that’s just MHO).
Good day, when that rat is jailed.
I doubt if this sticks. Practically the whole Phelps clan are lawyers looking to sue if their rights are violated. I am sorry to say this but they are good at suing. The will appeal if they lose locally.
“...but says she didn’t break any laws and claims that the Nebraska state law should have been repealed years ago.”
Sort of like the bankrobber here in Seattle area: “I didn’t rob the bank, and if I did it was in protest to the war.”
THANK YOU Nebraska!
I remember the interview with Julie Banderas. Julie earned my respect that day!
Evil/Vile people.....and they are the epitome of what the Commandment....”Do Not Take The LORD’S Name in VAIN”! They are doing EVIL and doing it in the Lord’s Name!!
I don't appreciate the Phelps wackos, and find their message reprehensible - but trampling a flag shouldn't be illegal. It's political expression.
Just ignore the Westboro folks, and they'll slink away. They thrive on stuff like this.
LOL!!
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