Phelps and his followers. From Associated Press:
FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky (AP) -- 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.
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, Kansas-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, Alabama-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.
These guys need to be taken out ASAP
Moderator: Dictators in Training
Someone should organize a movement that will let this fella know that they will bring as many people as they can to protest/boo/laugh at his funeral, then dance/sing/piss on his grave when his time eventually comes. I'll bet thatll be a comforting thought to him on his deathbed. =p
-Yamori
AKA ~~Baron Boshie of the Nameless~~
AKA ~~Baron Boshie of the Nameless~~
And from that you challenge reality? I dunno I'm from the east coast. They're here they're queer and they got an olympian named Johnny Wier...welcome to the real world. I find in difficult to belive I'm talking to people that don't accept homosexuals as a norm. I find that really fucking hard to belive on this board, or any other.
Geezuz am I in 1951?? No that can't be I wasn't born yet. I'm not gay, and I don't give a fuck if you are. I feel sorry for anyone that does.
Geezuz am I in 1951?? No that can't be I wasn't born yet. I'm not gay, and I don't give a fuck if you are. I feel sorry for anyone that does.
God made man! But a monkey supplied the glue...
So this Rev. Phelps guy wants us to deport homosexuals or something? How the hell does that make any sense? How can he even think that?
If you don't agree with homosexuality, great! Don't fuck guys. If two guys down the street do it, how does that effect you? It doesn't. What gives you a right to intrude in their personal life? Nothing. Why would you want to? Because you have mentality close to that of Hitler, thinking that there is one right way to be and if you're not it, you're less than human and like some problem that needs to be "solved."
What a wonderful world we live in!
Well the world don't move to the beat of just one drum...
What might be right for you might not be right for some~
If you don't agree with homosexuality, great! Don't fuck guys. If two guys down the street do it, how does that effect you? It doesn't. What gives you a right to intrude in their personal life? Nothing. Why would you want to? Because you have mentality close to that of Hitler, thinking that there is one right way to be and if you're not it, you're less than human and like some problem that needs to be "solved."
What a wonderful world we live in!
Well the world don't move to the beat of just one drum...
What might be right for you might not be right for some~
The Kizzy wrote:But they are not accepted. Why do we nto have same sex marriages as some other countries. Where you even paying attention to the last presdential debate?
Same sex marriage is a legal question, and not one of acceptance or anything else. Most countries do not have same sex marriage.
Most American's do not want to change the institution of marriage, thus it should be a legislative issue. Where most people have problems is when the courts try and legislate on things that are not constitutional, a la marriage.
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.
I agree with this
What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.
– C. S. Lewis
– C. S. Lewis
lyion wrote:Most American's do not want to change the institution of marriage, thus it should be a legislative issue. Where most people have problems is when the courts try and legislate on things that are not constitutional, a la marriage.
HAHA If only!
You think the majority (most) Americans actually know the difference between the branches of government and not only that, they know enough to find it troublesome when the courts legislate? You're giving the rednecks far too much credit. Gays are bad yuck. That's a little closer to reality there chief.
But while you're talking about things that aren't constitutional, you mind telling me why gay marriage should be made illegal without involving any particular religion, which would be unconstitutional?
Right..the constitution only applies to the other guys...I always forget that one.
Gay marriage NT debate number 76, starting....NOW!
I don't think the issue is support of homosexuality. The issue is these asshats disrupt funerals and the riders are trying to do something to counter it.
and Sorina. homosexuals are not gernally accepted as mainstream. If they were then Brokebuttbackass Mountain would not have been a big deal.....
it is more accepted than it was 20 years ago, but there is still deep prejudice in the US towards the GLBT population.
and Sorina. you are not smart. or funny. or original. "a sad and beautiful world" is a genuinely ignorant statement.
and Sorina. homosexuals are not gernally accepted as mainstream. If they were then Brokebuttbackass Mountain would not have been a big deal.....
it is more accepted than it was 20 years ago, but there is still deep prejudice in the US towards the GLBT population.
and Sorina. you are not smart. or funny. or original. "a sad and beautiful world" is a genuinely ignorant statement.
Mindia is seriously the greatest troll that has ever lived.