I have attended two funerals of my fellow service members who have fallen in Iraq and Afganitan and protesters showed up and burned the American Flag and screamed some pretty verble remarks. How is this ok? Why is this not being stoped? I makes me wonder how I can defend that sort of thing. I am outraged!
2007-01-02 01:01:30 · 17 answers · asked by Jason R 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I don't know about any of the other states but here in Illinios they passed a law making it illegal to protest at military funerals. Finally they actually did something right.
2007-01-02 01:06:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, yes, it is freedom of speech. However, they're supposed to remain a certain distance away from the funeral.
What kind of protesters were they? Were they the kind who said that God is punishing the US Army for having homosexuals in their ranks, or were they war protesters?
Next time you have to attend a funeral for a fallen service member (heaven forbid) there's a group that can guard the service to make sure protesters can't get through. I think it's the Minutemen, but I could be mistaken.
You could also contact your local VFW. I'm sure those guys would LOVE to help out!
2007-01-02 01:20:48 · answer #2 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they are exercising their first amendment rights:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
I often think that these protests are an attempt to get us so pissed off that we lose sight of this right and agree to alter the first amendment. We have the right to disagree with these people, so lets at least use and keep the 1st Amendment intact, and not lose sight of how important it is. The "Biker Patriots" - " Minute Men" are doing a good job of countering these protests (The right way, by exercising that same right to protest THEM).
2007-01-02 01:14:42 · answer #3 · answered by twostories 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These people you refer to are members of the WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH in Topeka, KS, a hate group. They only want to prod someone into doing something so they can sue. There are many lawyers in their group...made up of at least 80% of Fred Phelps' family. What they do may be legal, but it is unethical. There have been laws passed in many states and by the federal gov't concerning demonstrating at military funerals. A group was formed in August of '05 to counter them. The Patriot Guard stands between the mourners and those phools to protect the mourners. The Guard cannot take any direct action against them. I will not post the web site for the WBC so you'll have to google them on your own. You can check out the Patriot Guards by going to the following link. To be a member, it costs nothing but your time, there are no meetings, and you don't have to be a vet, you don't have to be a biker. Stand for those who have stood for us.
2007-01-02 06:00:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are demonstrating their freedom of speech. This is what those sevice members died protecting. Is it ok for them to do that at a funeral...I say no because it is disrespectful. Could it have been stopped...yes. Someone could have called the police and have them removed for disturbing the peace.
I am currently in the military and have been deployed. With that said, those who are willing to disrupt a funeral to push their political views are disgusting people. Their actions are misplaced and misguided. I hope I am never in a postition to witness such behavior.
2007-01-02 01:35:31 · answer #5 · answered by Raptork9 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunatly this falls under the first ammendment and the freedom to assemble and protest stuff, It is definatly bad taste though, very bad taste, both of those things are totally uncalled for, myself i would prob get in trouble after the funeral
2007-01-02 01:08:22 · answer #6 · answered by lethander_99 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First, I am truly sorry you have had to witness such behavior, especially as a serviceman.
As one of the other posters said, many states, including here in Ohio have passed laws making sure they at least have to keep their distance. I'm sure the laws have helped, but I think at least as much credit, if not more, needs to be given to groups such as Patriot Guard Riders. They have truly made a difference. God bless them.
And God bless you for serving.
2007-01-02 05:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by NavyMomSS 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree with them showing up at funerals.
The soldiers family is the one that has to hear the bull the chant. It does no good for us to speak up and say get out of here. I support the soldiers 100% they are doing a job the same as you and I do. I am military and they better not show up at one of my fellow soldiers funeral are someone will be getting me out of JAIL.
God Bless each soldier and family.
2007-01-02 12:27:23 · answer #8 · answered by buddy95 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They do it because they dont respect the reason that the funeral is happening in the first place. Yes, there are the people who are like that but there are also others who understand and appreciate the sacrifice that others have made.
2007-01-02 02:02:53 · answer #9 · answered by kookooreno 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they are religious freaks. No better than muslims strapping bombs to the chests of little children to blow up themselves. I am also in the military, and if i saw them at a funeral, i would go nuts. I would kick at least one of them in the teeth, and im sure i would not get in trouble.
2007-01-02 02:36:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋