Westboro Baptist at it again

[Kathi OD]

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2011/01/fallen_nj_soldier_faces_one_mo.html

Westboro Baptist plans on protesting at the funeral of another American soldier, this one killed in Afghanistan last week.

I don't really want to argue their religious beliefs or politics, but I do have a couple of questions...

Do they protest at the funeral of EVERY American soldier? If not, how do they determine which soldier's funeral to protest?

 

[mlynn]

I think these "people" need to take a long walk of a short pier. I don't know how they are called a church. They are a hate group!

 

[Tuffcookie]

If the media wouldn't give them any notice maybe they would go away!

TC

 

[bicker]

If we wouldn't pay any attention to the media talking about them, then maybe the media wouldn't give them any notice.

b

 

[FireDancer]

Every time the news reports on them and their protests they are getting what they want. Why can't people learn to just pretend they aren't there.

 

[Kathi OD]

Every time the news reports on them and their protests they are getting what they want. Why can't people learn to just pretend they aren't there.

My guess is because of the pain they cause the loved ones of the deceased soldiers. I know in this case, it was a friend of the soldier's family that alerted the media to church's plan.

Still curious to know if they send representatives to the funeral of every US soldier, and if not, how they decide who is "worthy" of protest.

 

[ThisIsJason]

Just going to say this:
How have some of these "members" not ended up in a ditch somewhere yet?

 

[FireDancer]

My guess is because of the pain they cause the loved ones of the deceased soldiers. I know in this case, it was a friend of the soldier's family that alerted the media to church's plan.

Still curious to know if they send representatives to the funeral of every US soldier, and if not, how they decide who is "worthy" of protest.

I'm sure it is difficult but they are going to protest one way or the other so you might as well not bow to their level. If they want to come protest one of my family member's funeral they are welcome. It won't change how I felt about my deceased love one at all. It might not be easy but in the end the only options are to let them bother you or ignore them since they are going to do it anyway.

You can't control what other people do but you can control how you let it effect you.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

They're threatening this in NJ. Not a good state to do this in. It could turn ugly.

 

[Mermaid02]

I wish somebody would drop a house on them.

 

[Shmily1]

As a part of the Patriot Guard Riders, I've seen them several times. They do post on thier website that they are going to protest at every funeral but rarely ever show up. It requires a lot of planning on their part to pull it off but it does serve to put fear in many families' lives when they really don't need anything else to think about. Many local governments have very strict rules about protests and many law enforcement agencies work together to enforce the laws. Many times when they do show up, the families don't even know they are there because of all the other things going on at the time and/or the enforcable distance that they have to stay from the service. The first time I ever saw them, it was in the paper the next day where the reporter asked the mother of the soldier what she thought about them showing up and she asked the reported if they actually did show up.

 

[Kathi OD]

I'm sure it is difficult but they are going to protest one way or the other so you might as well not bow to their level. If they want to come protest one of my family member's funeral they are welcome. It won't change how I felt about my deceased love one at all. It might not be easy but in the end the only options are to let them bother you or ignore them since they are going to do it anyway.

You can't control what other people do but you can control how you let it effect you.

This particular soldier's family's mantra is: "Please honor Ben by ignoring and minimizing the out of town voices, they mean nothing! Forget them."

I am so impressed by their ability to stand strong and maintain dignity at, what must be, such a difficult time.

 

[Cat0727]

I wish somebody would drop a house on them.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The more the media and the general populus gives them attention, the more free publicity they get on their cause.

 

[Rumpus]

As a part of the Patriot Guard Riders, I've seen them several times. They do post on thier website that they are going to protest at every funeral but rarely ever show up. It requires a lot of planning on their part to pull it off but it does serve to put fear in many families' lives when they really don't need anything else to think about. Many local governments have very strict rules about protests and many law enforcement agencies work together to enforce the laws. Many times when they do show up, the families don't even know they are there because of all the other things going on at the time and/or the enforcable distance that they have to stay from the service. The first time I ever saw them, it was in the paper the next day where the reporter asked the mother of the soldier what she thought about them showing up and she asked the reported if they actually did show up.

Thank you for the good work you do as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. I have attended two funerals in which these true patriots were invited and provided a welcomed escort.
With regard to the Westboro Baptist Church. I don't believe that they are a "church" at all, but a cult headed by and comprised by many lawyers looking for an opportunity to sue anyone who assaults them or violates their "rights".

 

[mlynn]

As a part of the Patriot Guard Riders, I've seen them several times. They do post on thier website that they are going to protest at every funeral but rarely ever show up. It requires a lot of planning on their part to pull it off but it does serve to put fear in many families' lives when they really don't need anything else to think about. Many local governments have very strict rules about protests and many law enforcement agencies work together to enforce the laws. Many times when they do show up, the families don't even know they are there because of all the other things going on at the time and/or the enforcable distance that they have to stay from the service. The first time I ever saw them, it was in the paper the next day where the reporter asked the mother of the soldier what she thought about them showing up and she asked the reported if they actually did show up.

Thank You for being a Patroit Guard Rider!! I have nothing but respect for all of you

 

[ckdsnynt]

There were three young children (4, 3, 1) that died recently in a fire in their motor home where they were living in OKC (actually in a suburb of OKC). Westboro said they were going to show at their funerals to protest but they did not.

About two months ago, they appeared at a soldier's funeral in a small town in SE Ok. There were so many townspeople there, the Westboro people couldn't get close but their tires were slashed while they were attempting to be disruptive. No one in the town would repair their tires and they had to call wreckers (so I have been told) to take their cars to a town far enough down the road the people there didn't know the soldier.

I AM NOT ADVOCATING VIOLENCE OR CONDONING VIOLENCE. I AM JUST TELLING YOU WHAT HAPPENED.

 

[Rumpus]

There were three young children (4, 3, 1) that died recently in a fire in their motor home where they were living in OKC (actually in a suburb of OKC). Westboro said they were going to show at their funerals to protest but they did not.

About two months ago, they appeared at a soldier's funeral in a small town in SE Ok. There were so many townspeople there, the Westboro people couldn't get close but their tires were slashed while they were attempting to be disruptive. No one in the town would repair their tires and they had to call wreckers (so I have been told) to take their cars to a town far enough down the road the people there didn't know the soldier.

I AM NOT ADVOCATING VIOLENCE OR CONDONING VIOLENCE. I AM JUST TELLING YOU WHAT HAPPENED.

I recall that, and I remember thinking, it couldn't have happened to more deserving people.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I had some freinds for the 20th ENG BN come home this weekendthumbsup2) and I was with their parents at the coming home ceremony...these idiots(excuse my language on the DIS) came up in a conversation and we were all in agreement....It would be the BIGGEST mistake in their lives to show up to my husband's or any other soldiers' we know funerals......FOR REAL...flame if you want but I'm sorry

 

[Dolce27]

I don't think they're truly religious - I think they keep a church name for tax exemption purposes. They're media *****s and nothing more. If, as others suggested, the media would ignore them they'd go away.

I know someone who is a Patriot Guard Rider as well. Thanks for what you guys do.


(oops. I got *** - but the *** is appropriate for those *insert a not so nice word of your choice here*)