Something Scared Me Today

[ThomWV]

Just after noon I was listening to NPR in the truck. The commentator said Bush gave his Memorial Day speech today, at Arlington National Cemetery I believe. The commentator mentioned that in his speech Bush suggested that there would be swift enforcement of some recently enacted law prohibiting demonstrations at some military funerals. In the next breath the commentator went on to point out that the law targets a group of people who have been demonstrating their hatred for homosexual people, for some godforsaken unknown reason at military funerals.

Ok?

I knew about the anti-homosexual protesters. I think what they are doing is abhorrent. I suspect an awful lot, probably a majority, of other Americans feel about the same way. I did not know a law was passed targeting their activities though.

1st Amendment?

Set the Constitution aside for just a moment if you will. Just consider this - our Government has passed a law targeting what at most could not be over a hundred or two people. If they can target one group that small they can target any group that small.

So that's all. I have not heard his speech, I have not read the law. I haven't looked up the name of the protesting group or tried to find out how many of them there are. I've just got this very uneasy feeling and this time, for the first time, it scared me.

[RagingInMiami]

1. I don't agree with the nuts who protest at funerals

But I don't agree with a specialized law to forbid them from protesting. That can only lead to more laws being inacted. Before you know it, nobody will be allowed to protest anywhere.

[Waya]

2. I think that is the ultimate goal.....

....no more protests of any kind, anywhere, against anything.....

Hello Police State.....

[ThomWV]

5. Yes, There Is That Aspect of it too, and also this one

If they can make it apply only at military funerals then they can make a law apply to paramilitary funerals too. What's that company in Virginia, Backwater, or Blackwater, something like that? Really scary one there. How about giving them a full range of Governmental protections and privileges not afforded to the everyday man? It appears they already seem to have all they authority they require to shoot down people on the streets in Iraq, why not Boston?

[babylonsister]

3. You're not alone in your concern and fear:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1307064

And this, posted by kpete:

Bush bans protests at military funerals Updated at 7:55 AM

Bush bans protests at military funerals
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush, marking Memorial Day with a speech paying tribute to fighting men and women lost in war, signed into law Monday a bill that keeps demonstrators from disrupting military funerals.

In advance of his speech and a wreath-laying at America's most hallowed burial ground for military heroes, Bush signed the "Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act." This was largely in response to the activities of a Kansas church group that has staged protests at military funerals around the country, claiming the deaths symbolized God's anger at U.S. tolerance of homosexuals.

The new law bars protests within 300 feet of the entrance of a national cemetery and within 150 feet of a road into the cemetery. This restriction applies an hour before until an hour after a funeral. Those violating the act would face up to a $100,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

Monday's observance at Arlington National Cemetery was not a funeral, so demonstrators were free to speak their minds at the site.

And several did.

more at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060529/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

[Bucky]

4. It bothers me, but I reluctantly support this law

I can certainly see the potential for the abuse of this law. But protesting at somebody's funeral is beyond the pale; it's barbaric. No one has the right to destroy that solemn moment when the dead are being laid to rest. The living have the right to say goodbye and make their peace with their loss. I don't care how you feel about the war, some kid's private funeral is not a public forum for debating the issues.

I hope to God no antiwar groups would ever consider such inhumane conduct as aggravating people as they bury a son, husband, brother, father, or friend. This is categorically an invasion of their privacy in a moment of their deepest grief. People like Fred Phelps may no get that. Dammit, we should.