SwiftVets.com

[Guest]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/06/22/bereaved_kin_testify_on_sex_offender_bill/

An antiwar group from Kansas that has praised the 9/11 attacks plans to protest at the funerals of soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan, a spokeswoman said yesterday. The Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka said several members will attend the funerals of Marine Captain John Maloney of Chicopee and Green Beret Staff Sergeant Christopher N. Piper of Marblehead. In a phone interview, Margie Phelps, the church's spokeswoman, called the funerals ''death events to glorify the American military and to wave the flag." Asked whether she worried about adding to the pain of the families, Phelps said: ''I'm not interested in adding to their pain. If those boys are in hell, there's no adding to their pain."

WHERE'S MY BAT?

[MarineBrat]

If this were the funeral of my brother or sister there would not be enough protection in all of God's green Earth to keep me from throwing out the trash!
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God Bless Our Veterans Of The USA! Thank you for your service!
If you can read, thank a teacher. If you can read in English, thank a Veteran!

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

That man is sick, sick, sick, sick, SICK.

And his "parishioners" surely do not know a crumb of the mercy of God.

I will say this for them, though - they are equal-opportunity haters.

I guess they weren't getting enough attention picketing the funerals of gay men and women or attacking Catholics and Jews.

Truly, this bunch is right up there in the top ten nutjobs of the country. A visit to their web site (if you can stomach it) will tell you all you need to know about their theology of hatred.

Now, what can we do to counter this vile plan? Who's in or near Topeka?

It seems to me that a group of veterans could easily be gathered from the nearby population that would demonstrate a tremendous silent unity and respect for these fallen ones.

That would show the IRreverend Phelps' little band for the inconsequential nothing that it is.
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~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[GM Strong]

I should think a VFW or Legion "Honor Guard" of younger vets might dissuade them.
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8th Army Korea 68-69

[Uisguex Jack]

I regularly go thru Dover AFB and am disgusted when I hear media outcry, they are not allowed thru the gates. I wonder if this might have something to do with why no press are allowed at dover.



note: edited to lessen horizontal scroll/me#1

[LewWaters]

Not the right reverand Phelps again

Hasn't he stirred up enough trouble with his "God Hates Fags" nonsense? Now, are we to believe God hates everyone but Phelps?

He is way beyond sick.
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Clark County Conservative

[Rdtf]

Why oh why are people like this allowed to enjoy living under our 'flag?' This freedom of speech abuse is completely played out and used up. Time for an ammendment.

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Ohmigosh, no way! I understand your anger, but let's not mess with the Constitution. It ain't perfect, but it sure is the best government on the planet. Look at where other countries have gone with attempts to limit free speech - even Bible quotations can fall into the "hate crimes" department.

Better that we have to deal with occasional fruitcakes like PHelps than have anyone be denied the right to speak freely and assemble peacefully within the law.

However, the funeral will be held on private property, so the families will have every right to prevent the Phelps bunch from entering.

They'll still be able to picket in the street, but they will not be in a position where they can disrupt the services.

I do hope that the local VFW or vets group has gotten wind of this news by now and that someone is already circling the wagons around these poor families. As if they haven't borne enough already.

Dear God, the cruelty from this bunch is truly sadistic!
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~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[Rdtf]

Navy why on earth would you feel it necessary to defend our Constitution and government, to me??
I am sorry to disagree, but the abuse of our freedom of speech is what is threatening us the most, and something needs to be done. If it takes an ammendment, then so be it.

[LewWaters]

No need to amend the consitution, I feel. They can still spread their gospel of hate and people can freely counter it. Who knows, maybe a hearse will accidentally drive over them?

Seriously, the best way to deal with looney's like this is head on. Passing or amending standing laws just pushes it underground, where it can do even more harm.

If we amend the constitution to limit their speech, if they regain power, they can amend it to limit ours. Sometimes, the best way to stop hateful speech is an old fashioned fist in the mouth.
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Clark County Conservative

[Rdtf]

Lew you are absolutely right. But we have to find a way to put a stop to it. It just seems that even in other democracies they wouldn't dare to step as far over the line as they do here. Some older European countries have a sense of patriotism so strong, centuries deep, that they wouldn't dream of it. I don't know, maybe the exception is the British tabloids.

[LewWaters]

Rdtf, the only way I can see to stop it is by educating the public and setting the record straight about Veterans and what our country really stands for. Even then, there will always be a few that think they know better. They've been around all throughout history and will be until the end of time.

We only ourselves to blame for too many years of silence as these loons steamrolled over common sense. It's going to take a long time to set it back like it should be.

One way to stop, or at least slow them down, is by the pocket book. Maybe some decent attornies could help families subjected to this mistreatment sue the pants off Rev. Phelps or his church. Another might be that no one in the media pays any attention to him and his followers wither up and drift away.

The ACLU has wanted a piece of him ever since his anti-Gay days, maybe they would be willing to go after him? (Lord, did I actually suggest using them? )
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Clark County Conservative

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

[Rdtf]

I have an idea - Is it possible for all of us that are interested to contact the Baptist church national organization and see if they will take a stand against this church? Can't they kick them out, so to speak, if they wish? It's a start.

[Rdtf]

I am not sure who would be the right one to contact- but here is one:

http://www.cbamerica.org/