Disrespecting soldiers

I want to call attention to the story that is (as of this writing) featured at the top of the Blue's News list on the right sidebar: Illinois law would set a barrier for protests at military funerals: Bill prompted by Westboro Baptist Church actions by Leo Shane III Stars and Stripes Mideast edition 12/05/05.

Blue's News amplifies the headline to make it clear what sort of protesters were involved in the "of noisy and obscene protests" that prompted consideration of new regulations, i.e., hardline antigay Christian activists.

This is the kind of story that, in a few months or years (or maybe even right away) will be translated into folklore as "antiwar protesters disrespecting soldiers and their families by protesting at military funerals". You have to read all the way down to the seventh paragraph to see that the protesters were radical rightwing Christians, or maybe we should call them Christian extremists inspired by radical clerics.

If you read far enough, the article explains what kind of Christianity and American patriotism these people practice:

The move comes in response to the actions of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, whose members in November picketed several military memorials for troops killed in Iraq.

The group, which has protested at servicemembers' funerals nationwide, claims veterans "have no honor" because "the nation and the military have been taken over by [homosexuals]," according to its Web site.

At a Nov. 29 funeral service in Northlake, Ill., for Army Pvt. Christopher M. Alcozer, members of the church shouted at mourners and held up banners reading "God is America's terror" and "Thank God for dead soldiers."

[Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat] Quinn called the protest shameful and offensive.

"To hurl that at a mom or dad who is grieving is beyond the pale," he said. “They have a right to free speech, but the families also have a right to conduct their religion without disruption."

Westboro Baptist Church is led by the notorious Fred Phelps. Their Web site can be found at www.godhatesfags.com. Don't ask me what weird thought process gets them from there to "Thank God for dead soldiers" and protesting at soldiers' funerals.

They probably hate Christmas, too.

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