MA Iraq Soldier's funeral picketed by Phelps people

[TayTay]

http://www.salemnews.com/

This is just so sad. At least the editorials in the paper identify the Phelps groups as people who "hate gays and hate the United States."

Kort: Despicable display of free speech
By Allan Kort
Thursday, June 23, 2005
http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/news/view.bg?articleid=9441&format=

It is a shame that a bunch of religious kooks from Kansas plan to picket the funeral of a fallen Marblehead hero, Special Forces Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Piper. It is a crying shame.

Marblehead is more than just the home of this fallen hero; it is the veritable cradle of liberty in this country, being the birthplace of the American Navy and harboring such symbols of liberty as the famous Spirit of '76 painting.

Because of its history and that of this country, the people of Marblehead will respond the only way they can to this outrage and silently ignore the protestors from the Topeka, Kansas Westboro Baptist Church, who will stand on sidewalks in the historic Old TownMonday as a flag-draped community gathers to honor one of its own.

So, as these Kansas cashews hold signs that read "America Is Doomed" and "Thank God for IEDs," (the roadside bomb which killed Piper and two others), all the good people of Marblehead can do is angrily bite their collective lips and remind themselves that this is what Chris Piper and so many others have given their lives for: the uninalienable rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States - of which freedom of speech is one of the most revered.

[MuseRider]

1. Do not give them power.

Do not give them what they crave. They don't care how anyone feels as long as there is press and yelling. Just let them know that they have no power there. It will not stop them and it will not make anyone feel any better, everyone and their brother wants to wipe the floor with them, but that is what they want, power and attention.

Be gone, they have NO power.

[DinahMoeHum]

2. "Kansas cashews" - ROFL !!!

Turn your backs and "drop your pants" on these bozos.


:evilfrown:

[kerrygoddess]

3. Thanks Tay Tay!

Hat Tip to you on LUTD for this info -
http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=1167

[TayTay]

5. I'd like to say it was my pleasure, but

this is just so sad. I'm just happy that the people of Marblehead and from elsewhere in the state showed up to show the family their respect and appreciation.

The protests are aimed at MA because it is the only state that has legalized Gay Marriage. What really struck me was how many of the mourners respected the right of the protesters to Free Speech, while condemning the sentiments expressed utterly. Way to go 'headers.

[aquart]

4. I'm so confused.

They are picketing this soldier's funeral because god is mad at the United States for giving civil right to gays?

Do I have that right? Who paid their bus fare?

[Say_What]

8. Yep... that's the Religious Right Bush supporters for you

nuts, eh? Not to mention scary. Makes one wonder how many of these sick f*cks are out there.

:scared:

From the Salem News article:

By pre-agreement, the protesters were confined to a small, fenced-in area, where they loudly shouted insults to the mourners. Based in Kansas, they combine hatred for gays with hatred for the United States and those who serve the country.

From the Marblehead article:

The Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, proclaiming "thank God for IEDs" or roadside bombs, claims the attacks on September 11 and American deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God's vengeance on a nation that is tolerant of homosexuality.

....The group is based in Topeka, Kansas, and has made headlines protesting homosexuality at school events, graduations and mainstream churches. Representatives of the hate group have said they would protest at the funerals of two Massachusetts soldiers who were killed in action because the slain heroes "were cast into hell to join many more dishonorable Americans."

Margie Phelps said her father is a self-declared prophet.

http://www2.townonline.com/marblehead/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=273702&format=text

[hughee99]

10. This went too far for some...

My brother is somewhat religious, and certainly to the right. He was "horrified by these assholes" (his words not mine).

In his opinion, there are many more people who support the troops and have respect for those who have given their lives for our country, then will support these assholes who will take any opportunity to push their petty agenda. This does nothing but give "people of faith" a bad name.

Since I can't resist an opportunity to get him going, I had to ask him "What do you think those people would do if Jesus came back, and he turned out to be gay?"

(Edited for spelling)

[Say_What]

13. "people would do if Jesus came back, and he turned out to be gay?""

Oh, that a good one. HAHAHAHAHAHA

Peace!!

[Say_What]

6. TayTay--link to Salem News

If you right-click a Salem New article and select "Open this Frame in New Window" you'll be able to provide a link that remains live after today :-) I'm using Netscape, IE, etc., may be slightly different.

http://www.ecnnews.com/cgi-bin/05/snmain.pl

Peace!!

[TayTay]

7. Thank you!

I appreciate the help.

[Say_What]

9. No problemo...

:-)

[calimary]

11. When you see photos of these protestors, just remember

you're seeing the faces of people who will be going to Hell when they die. To the deepest levels, no doubt.

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. We need a counter protest. I say DUers put up some

"God hates haters" banners around the Phelps fanatics.

Or maybe just big black sheets to try and block them from view.

[ComerPerro]

14. When that old bastard Phelps dies, I'll be at his funeral

With a sign stating boldly that he is now in Hell, and I will be glad to express how happy I am that he is dead.

I'd even propose building a monument in Topeka celebrating his death, and his descent into the depths of Hell.