Anti-gay protest targets soldier's funeral

[ck4829]

A nationally known group of protesters is planning to use the funeral of fallen Prattville soldier Pfc. Stephen Bicknell as a public forum for their anti-gay message.

The Westboro Baptist Church, which claims that God is punishing American troops for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality, was last in Alabama in September 2005 to protest at the funeral of Sgt. Christopher Taylor in Opelika.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061025/NEWS/610250335/1001

[DinahMoeHum]

1. "Patriot Guard Riders" to the rescue! "Mission Confirmed" !!

Here's the link for details:
http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/271829/view/topic/Default.aspx

:patriot:

[zbdent]

3. Are those folks in any way allied with the "American Legion"

which promised to kick the living daylights out of someone desecrating a soldiers' funeral by "protesting"? I wonder how many of those anti-gay protesters got their teeth kicked in ...

[DinahMoeHum]

6. Only the motorcycle club branch of AL is involved. . .but then again

so are a lot of veteran's organizations and their motorocycle clubs.
There is no political litmus test to be a member of PGR.

Check out their Mission Statement:
www.patriotguard.org

Remember: although they do their work through legal and non-violent means, the PGR is NOT a protest group.

:patriot:

[noahmijo]

7. Wow hats off to these guys

We need more of this. Not lookin for a fight not lookin to sway anyone politically just a call for respect of the fallen whether or not the cause they died for is one you agree with.


No doubt the majority of these guys are probably at a minimum moderate republicans I'd still ride with them if they ever came around here. Politics wouldn't mean shit it's all about respecting the fallen who were sent off to fight a war so that I wouldn't have to. That is the way I see it even though I despise this war and the people running it, it's about the men and women whose families will never see them again because they sacrificed everything so that people like me wouldn't have to.

:patriot:

[Marnieworld]

10. It doesn't get political

My hubby is no fan of the war believe me. It is always about respect for the soldier and supporting the families. He is a VET and you'd be surprised how they feel about the war. We also marched with Vets for Peace in DC the first week of the invasion. We all knew there were no WMDs, that there would be an urban civil war, that it was a giant mistake. But we stood together one day to focus on peace because that's all you can do.

[Marnieworld]

9. My hubby is a Patriot Guard rider

And I am so proud of him. They won't let anyone get away with this shit. When they don't hav eto protect they still have such an honorable procession, so respectful that it really helps the grieving families. The Patriot Guard rocks! :patriot:

[greeneyedboy]

2. they are always threatening to protest, and 9 times out of 10 don't show.

hope they know what's best for them this time. i am happy to say i did once have the opportunity to counter-protest when they showed up at a church. there are like 12 of them, all related, and all completely batsh*t crazy.

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. They misspelled "bigoted, ignorant, religious-based hatred"

Calling them "anti-gay" is far, far too polite.

[Wcross]

5. Why do these wackos feel that a funeral is the place?

They would be welcome to protest on the National mall in D.c. as often as they wanted. They could protest anywhere. Why do they feel that its appropriate to go to a funeral for our fallen soldiers. One day there will be a violent reaction to their stupidity. If I am on the jury at the trial for the person who does it, I doubt I would be able to find them guilty of anything.
My question; Is this the first documented case of "group mental illness"? The whole Phelps family seem to be "touched". I never knew mental illness was genetic.

[Change has come]

8. Here is a wonderful video

of a furious mob confronting these monsters. Enjoy! :patriot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZGKx2pTBQc