Rest in Peace Law

[nick_318is]

On a more serious note, this is horrible, who does that, we all need to respect what these people are doing for us and the country. I'm so greatful that there are people willing to go into the armed forces to protect my ass and my country cause i really dont want to have to goto battle unless I have to. For gods sake i'm with you guys with the shooting people, this is soooooo fucked up they should be greatful for these people and not protesting the war at a funeral there are better venues for it. We should take those protestors over and put them in harms way, maybe they would respect what these people do a little more, and then maybe one of them could die and have their funneral protested and see how their faimily would like it.

I know thats harsh but why dont some people just get real.

[Hoppy]

give these guys a god damned medal! http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060221/..._motorcyclists

By RYAN LENZ, Associated Press Writer
Tue Feb 21, 6:11 AM ET



FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Wearing vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls around the country from one soldier's funeral to another, cheering respectfully to overshadow jeers from church protesters.

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They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and they are more than 5,000 strong, forming to counter anti-gay protests held by the Rev. Fred Phelps at military funerals.

Phelps believes American deaths in Iraq are divine punishment for a country that he says harbors homosexuals. His protesters carry signs thanking God for so-called IEDs — explosives that are a major killer of soldiers in Iraq.

The bikers shield the families of dead soldiers from the protesters, and overshadow the jeers with patriotic chants and a sea of red, white and blue flags.

"The most important thing we can do is let families know that the nation cares," said Don Woodrick, the group's Kentucky captain. "When a total stranger gets on a motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold a flag, that makes a powerful statement."

At least 14 states are considering laws aimed at the funeral protesters, who at a recent memorial service at Fort Campbell wrapped themselves in upside-down American flags. They danced and sang impromptu songs peppered with vulgarities that condemned homosexuals and soldiers.

The Patriot Guard was also there, waving up a ruckus of support for the families across the street. Community members came in the freezing rain to chant "U-S-A, U-S-A" alongside them.

"This is just the right thing to do. This is something America didn't do in the '70s," said Kurt Mayer, the group's national spokesman. "Whether we agree with why we're over there, these soldiers are dying to protect our freedoms."

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a daughter of Fred Phelps and an attorney for the Topeka, Kan.-based church, said neither state laws nor the Patriot Guard can silence their message that God killed the soldiers because they fought for a country that embraces homosexuals.

"The scriptures are crystal clear that when God sets out to punish a nation, it is with the sword. An IED is just a broken-up sword," Phelps-Roper said. "Since that is his weapon of choice, our forum of choice has got to be a dead soldier's funeral."

The church, Westboro Baptist Church, is not affiliated with a larger denomination and is made up mostly of Fred Phelps' extended family members.

During the 1990s, church members were known mostly for picketing the funerals of AIDS victims, and they have long been tracked as a hate group by the Montgomery, Ala.-based Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project.

The project's deputy director, Heidi Beirich, said other groups have tried to counter Phelps' message, but none has been as organized as the Patriot Guard.

"I'm not sure anybody has gone to this length to stand in solidarity," she said. "It's nice that these veterans and their supporters are trying to do something. I can't imagine anything worse, your loved one is killed in Iraq and you've got to deal with Fred Phelps."

Kentucky, home to sprawling Fort Campbell along the Tennessee line, was among the first states to attempt to deal with Phelps legislatively. Its House and Senate have each passed bills that would limit people from protesting within 300 feet of a funeral or memorial service. The Senate version would also keep protesters from being within earshot of grieving friends and family members.

Richard Wilbur, a retired police detective, said his Indiana Patriot Guard group only comes to funerals if invited by family. He said he has no problem with protests against the war but sees no place for objectors at a family's final goodbye to a soldier.

"No one deserves this," he said.

[DEATH2000]

^^ Wow, those guys rock. Its a shame there are people out there who protest at funerals. if i was at a funeral and protesters showed up id start cracking heads. Im Canadian and i have the utmost respect for those fighting in Iraq.

[jms]

being former military I can tell you that it changes most people. You can't be willing to die for and protect values you do not believe in. Some people are in the military because they had few other options and some just want free college. But these people find their way out and the remainder are people who truly believe in these values. I'm actually suprised that these idiots don't get the crap kicked out of them by the soldiers friends and family.

But it is nice to see some people who are willing to fight this particular brand of lunacy. Thank you Patriot Guard.