SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) - Members of a church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq.
The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They chased the church members cars' down a highway, waving flags and screaming "God bless America."
"My husband is over there, so I'm here to show my support," 41-year-old Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears came to her eyes. "To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no matter what your beliefs are."
The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps' children, grandchildren and in-laws.
The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God hates fags" and "God hates you."
About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland City. Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the nation.
The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of the Tennessee National Guard.
Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro Baptist members brought.
So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that police, sheriff's deputies and state troopers were brought in to control traffic and protect the protesters.
The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time expired on the protest permits.
"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them," Danny Cotton, 56, said amid cries of "get out of our town" and "get out of our country."
"But for them to come during the worst time for this family - it's just wrong."
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These people are much reprehensible than Code Pinkos. They target funerals of dead GI's. It's the "GodHatesFag.com" blind man, Phelps.
Why the law would even tolerate anyone who protests a funeral for whatever reason is rather puzzling.
It's a safe bet that the salt of Kansas do as good of a job at tolerance as does most others elsewhere.
It's not like anything the Phelps Klan does, represents anyone but their hateful kind.
Anywho; that still doesn't excuse the typical liberal from confusing tolerance with acceptance.
tough love wrote:Why the law would even tolerate anyone who protests a funeral for whatever reason is rather puzzling.
It's a safe bet that the salt of Kansas do as good of a job at tolerance as does most others elsewhere.
It's not like anything the Phelps Klan does, represents anyone but their hateful kind.
Anywho; that still doesn't excuse the typical liberal from confusing tolerance with acceptance.
The plant is but a symptom of the earth it takes root in.
Why is it that anytime someone says something even remotely insightful, there's always this uninspired lamer ready to yell "POTHEAD!!" as if he were the Frenchie who exposed Lance Armstrong?
BSmack wrote:Why is it that anytime someone says something even remotely insightful, there's always this uninspired lamer ready to yell "POTHEAD!!" as if he were the Frenchie who exposed Lance Armstrong?
The next time you say something "remotely insightful" will be the first.
A plant is not a "symptom" of soil. Literally or metaphorically.
BSmack Wrote:
Why is it that anytime someone says something even remotely insightful, there's always this uninspired lamer ready to yell "POTHEAD!!" as if he were the Frenchie who exposed Lance Armstrong?
Stop confusing tolerance with acceptance, then you can talk about insightful.
as if he were the Frenchie who exposed Lance Armstrong?
BSmack Wrote:
Why is it that anytime someone says something even remotely insightful, there's always this uninspired lamer ready to yell "POTHEAD!!" as if he were the Frenchie who exposed Lance Armstrong?
Stop confusing tolerance with acceptance, then you can talk about insightful.
as if he were the Frenchie who exposed Lance Armstrong?
There's no confusion. When you act like these freaks, you are not demonstrating either tolerance OR acceptance. This is hardly the first time off the deep end for these people. Or, for Kansas.
BSmack Wrote:
There's no confusion. When you act like these freaks, you are not demonstrating either tolerance OR acceptance. This is hardly the first time off the deep end for these people. Or, for Kansas.
There most certainly is a confusion within the liberal take on tolerance, and no one is saying that the Phelps Klan rate a second thought.
Perhaps liberals should understand the difference between Acceptance and Tolerance before they paint everyone who does not condone degenerate behavior with the same brush.
mvscal wrote:When you have little or no idea of what the fuck it is you are attempting to discuss, you lack the understanding necessary to offer any OBSERVATIONS on the subject.
I have understanding in abundance bitch. And I've certainly waded through enough of your shit posts to know that you're playing to your usual poor form.
Now, onto our little friend from up north....
I suggest formulating a take that Matt Stone and Trey Parker haven't helped you with. Seriously. I saw the Tolerance Museum episode of South Park too. This is different.
Now, I know you live in a igloo in Manitoba or something, but down here in the United States there are people who are decidedly NOT TOLERANT. If you don't believe me, might I suggests rolling around the deep south with a pink triangle t-shirt. Or a Kerry sticker on your car. You do realize we have anti-lynching laws for a reason?
BSmack wrote: You do realize we have anti-lynching laws for a reason?
It was has probably kept you alive up until now. Judging by the stupid drivel you post here, you have no future other than being becoming a Darwin Award winner.
I'm still laughing my ass off over this:
BSmack wrote:
The plant is but a symptom of the earth it takes root in.
tough love wrote:Whatever, B; is still doesn't change the fact that the typical liberal seems to think that tolerance and acceptance are the same thing.
tough love wrote:Which would explain why you can't let this go. :roll:
FACT: The typical dipshit mistakes a response on a bbs for "caring".
FACT: Typical Liberal confuses tolerance with acceptance.
Hey, no biggie B, it's just the way they is.
There is no such thing as a "typical liberal" any more than there is a "typical conservative". There are even liberals who are against gay marriage. Tying to pigeonhole everyone who disagrees with you is failing you miserably.
