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[Jeffahn]

Kansas group to spew hate at local soldiers' funerals

By O’Ryan Johnson

Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - Updated: 05:39 AM EST

A radical Midwestern hate group plans to protest at the funerals of two local soldiers killed in action, claiming the slain heroes ``were cast into hell to join many more dishonorable Americans.''

The Westboro Baptist Church, proclaiming ``thank God for IEDs'' or roadside bombs, claims the 9/11 attacks and American deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God's vengeance on a nation that is tolerant of homosexuality.

``It's going to shock and enrage every person who sees it. That is our goal,'' said Margie Phelps, daughter of WBC leader Fred Phelps. The group is based in Topeka, Kansas, and has made headlines protesting homosexuality at school events, graduations and mainstream churches.

But when told about the group's plans, John Maloney, the father of slain Marine Capt. John Maloney, said his son died in Iraq to protect free speech, no matter how offensive.

``He fought and died for their right to do what they do,'' he said. ``I may not agree with what they do. This is still the United States of America, isn't it?''

In addition to protesting Maloney's funeral, the group also plans to protest the Marblehead funeral of Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, a Green Beret, killed in Afghanistan.

``This kid was an American hero,'' Marblehead veterans service agent David Roberts said. ``I don't understand people like that. Any disrespect shown towards him and his family is beyond my imagination.''

Margie Phelps said her father is a self-declared prophet.

``He hasn't been sent to save. He's been sent to condemn,'' she said, adding that group members have protested the funerals of 11 slain soldiers across the nation in the past two weeks.

Phelps said the protests may be disruptive to family members but ``as long as it's being made into a public ordeal, then all bets are off.''

She added, ``Thank God for the mortar. Thank God for the shell that came from the gun. Thank God for the fact that it killed the fruit of America to punish it for its sins.''

But Maloney, still grieving for his son, said simply, ``I think they're misdirected. I'll pray for them.''

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=90258

...

 

[BobbyRobby]

But when told about the group's plans, John Maloney, the father of slain Marine Capt. John Maloney, said his son died in Iraq to protect free speech, no matter how offensive.

This guy fuckin rules.

 

[whytemyke]

this is the kind of situation where if, say, a carbomb took out every last one of those protestors, I'd giggle with delight.

 

[WrathOfOtaibah]

This happened an hour away from me.

 

[Excess Poo Flakes]

What a bunch of dicks

 

[ChrisReid]

Eh, I wouldn't have the same composure that marine's dad does. I'd be more than ready to kick some protester ass after the funeral.

 

[Zaptruder]

You know, I too was thinking how wonderfully ironic it would be if people killed those people (send them to hell rather) for been so blatantly moronic and generally inhuman... but that comment by the marine's dad really is a class act.

I mean, alot of the time, liberals will doubt the high road that they're supposed to take; if they could resort to the treacherous acts that some of the scum on the otherside pull off, then they could push their agenda too...
Only problem is that the liberal agenda tends to betray itself, if you try to spread it through unscrupulous means; in the end, the best strategy would be to bring the common denominator up, which requires the kind of patience, thickness of skin and general compassion that has been shown by the marine dad.

 

[KingGondo]

As said above by many others-- the dad is quite the class act. These loonies clearly want a reaction, yet the only reaction they get is "it's their right." Amazingly, this is actually a feel-good story.

 

[tedtropy]

Boy, you can just feel Christ's love bubbling over in these guys. Did they get pissed when the KKK turned down their applications and splinter off into their own group?

 

[Zensetsu]

Ugh. There goes the daily "faith in humanity".......Usually it lasts until midafternoon at least.

 

[calder]

Is it just me, or are they get somehow crazier? Phelps is a prophet now, which I think is just one or two steps away from a fortified compound out in the hills. Their old homophobic bullshit like picketing the funerals of openly gay people was total nonsense but this protest doesn't even make that much sense.

 

[Minotauro]

The Phelps are fucking nuts. They used to protest my friend's sister's orchestra performances because there were males in the orchestra and they believe that makes them homosexual.

 

[temp]

John Maloney, the father of slain Marine Capt. John Maloney

The dad from Fraiser?!

 

[Justin Bailey]

"I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -Voltaire

I think that's a fitting quote for this story. God speed, soldiers.

 

[White Man]

"I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -Voltaire

I think that's a fitting quote for this story. God speed, soldiers.

Except Voltaire didn't say that. Thus it is completely invalid.

 

[sonicfan]

These idiots came here to Santa Fe this spring and protested a bunch of churches in town. Why? Because they said they are gay friendly. How do they know this? Because they are in Santa Fe of course, and everybody knows who lives in Santa Fe.....

 

[B-B-Bomba!]

``He fought and died for their right to do what they do,'' he said. ``I may not agree with what they do. This is still the United States of America, isn't it?''

PROPS

 

[LegendofJoe]

Words cannot express my irrational hatred of these conservative nut jobs. I am at a loss for words.

 

[temp]

Words cannot express my irrational hatred of these conservative nut jobs. I am at a loss for words.

No kidding?

 

[RiZ III]

 

[Cubsfan23]

Since when do people want free speech at a funeral? It's not about you, morons.

 

[demon]

These soldiers died in Iraq because God hates gays and America.


....

 

[Error Macro]

I do believe these protestors will be going straight to Hell. That's not quite enough to please me in this lifetime, but still.

 

[fse]

I bet the Phelps have a gay family member

 

[Joates]

Am I the only one who feels these people should be killed by any means necessary? This is why America is fucked up. Not just this, but I think it has a lot to do with it.

 

[Matlock]

Will they play "Dust in the Wind?"

 

[iapetus]

But why does God hate America?

 

[Hyoushi]

Aha, Westboro is at it again. They're just a bunch of attention whores, the entire Westboro Baptist Church has < 50 members. They're also the ones that own the snazzy interweb page that is www.godhatesfags.com.

Just ignore them. Heh.

Edit: Hehe, I forgot about God Hates Sweden :lol

 

[sc0la]

These soldiers died in Iraq because God hates gays and America.


....

I remember when a poster on this board got offended by that exploding head avatar because they thought it was supposed to be george bush :lol

 

[Nintendo Ate My Children]

Aha, Westboro is at it again. They're just a bunch of attention whores, the entire Westboro Baptist Church has < 50 members. They're also the ones that own the snazzy interweb page that is www.godhatesfags.com.

Just ignore them. Heh.

Edit: Hehe, I forgot about God Hates Sweden

Isn't the whole church mostly Phelps family members?

Also, I can't believe God Hates Sweden isn't satire. I mean, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since these people are quite literally insane, but fuck...

And Holy Shit, these guys are even picketing the funeral of a soldier who committed suicide after his brother was killed in Iraq.