Vilsack takes aim at funeral protests

[CornField]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060418/NEWS10/604180385/1001&lead=1

The governor, in the Mideast, enacts a bill he hopes will help an Ogden family burying a soldier today.

...The new (Iowa) law bans disorderly conduct, such as loud, abusive language or disruptive behavior, within 500 feet of a funeral, memorial service, funeral procession or burial. It marked the first time Vilsack has enacted legislation while not in the country, aides said.
...
Shirley Phelps-Roper of the Westboro church said the new law would not impact the protesters' message, noting they typically keep some distance from memorial services and the ban should not affect their protest.

"I don't care what (the governor) did. We're on our way," she said. "We'll obey the law. . . . It will change exactly nothing. If they think that law has any success at stopping the punishing hand of God on this nation, then the next thing they need to do is pass a law that abolishes hell."
...
Phelps-Roper said the law, passed by Iowa's "legislature Taliban," is unconstitutionally targeted at them and noted last week's tornado that hit Iowa City as an example of God's anger with Iowa.
(more)

Ogden, Iowa is a mostly farming community of about 2,000 people. Today's funeral/memorial service will be held in the only place large enough for it: the high school.

[MARALE]

1. I was watching the news today

they were talking about these protests, but they made it sound like the protesters were against the war, not psycho right-wingers. They were saying there were going to be groups there for and against the war. I got so mad; this is not a against the war protests, these are hate groups against gays! they need to have this in the short blurbs, not that these protesters are against the war. I think they like to have our soldiers die so they can have a place to spread their hate.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[rodeodance]

9. lazy, ill-informed reporting/reporters.

[izzie]

2. Seems an odd thing to do to a man who dies while under orders

I see they are here in Maine also. No class at all with some people. I seem to not understand some things, like saying we have more people die each year in car accident than in Iraq, I just feel I am not on the same moon beam as some people. Up setting people who just had some one killed seems really odd.

[acmejack]

3. In many of these "Redneck" States

One would be hard pressed to find a jury that would convict mourning relatives who kicked the crap out of a group of jerks disrupting a funeral of a loved one.

[CornField]

4. Iowa = "redneck" state ?

I think, since your profile says you are from Texas, that you'd be hard-pressed to find a redneck here.

[acmejack]

5. I was referring to my own state.

Obviously it doesn't apply to Iowa since you folks feel you need a law to deal with the problem, which is probably the better method. If it was my kin in the box, I would lose it totally, I suspect.

don't get all wound up & insulted about Iowa, btw-no slight was intended...

[CornField]

6. No -- wasn't offended at all

Afterall, I'm a native of Oklahoma. ;) When I first read your post, I assumed you were from somewhere north -- someone who had never had opportunity to view a true redneck. You'll find lots of farmers and country people in Iowa, but I haven't seen many rednecks.

Also, for what it's worth, I completely agree with you. If this type of thing happened in my Okie hometown, there'd be some folks getting their ass kicked (law or no law, jail or no jail). I think that's why the Westboro Wimps choose to come north instead of visiting funerals in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.

If there was a God who had his hand in the world, inflicting pain on those going against his word, he'd have a twister light on the roof of their church -- daily.

[Book Lover]

10. We do pretty well in that regard in the blue states, too

Seems to me the actions of Phelps' church anger everyone across social boundaries, conservative and liberal alike.

[saltpoint]

7. Let's take Ms. Phelps-Roper up on her suggestion.

Let's do draft legislation to ban Hell.

It sounds like kind of a nasty little place anyway. Who'd miss it?

[mac56]

8. What the hell does it say about our culture

that it has become necessary to ban disorderly conduct...

at a funeral?!

Isn't it just common decency to not be disorderly at a funeral?!

The world is insane.

[madmark]

11. i have no problem with laws limiting speech at private events involving

non-public figures. Phelps obviously thinks these soldiers are public figures on account of their military service and the location of the funeral part of the public square. I can see some of his argument, about 30% of it; which isn't enough for me to find the law unconstitutional. With respect to a standard of decency (independent of the law) he obviously has none and is a total scumbag. And if God has any kind of sense of humor, he will arrange for Phelps upon his passing to star as a power bottom in a gay gang bang in hell for eternity.

[CornField]

12. Phelps doesn't care

He and his "church" have been known to picket funerals of non-military, scholarship awards ceremonies, art exhibits and probably just about everything else you can think of. He's just an ass who can't stand the fact that others live according to their own personal preference and not his.

[brentspeak]

13. Phelps himself appears completely mentally ill

I've seen him interviewed on TV; his detachment with reality is apparent, and he might be also be suffering from Alzheimer's. For all anyone knows, his "God hates gays" beliefs might simply be the result of brain damage or mental illness.

But his followers have no such excuse. They're like a cult that doesn't want to believe their guru is a lunatic.