Who else thinks people who protest at soldier's funerals should go to jail?

Question

I'm all for freedom of speech people but there's a time and place for it. I've seen actual footage of people with posters saying all kinds of heinous, mean things at the funeral of soldiers. I don't care if you protest the war or not - it's incredibly mean and disrespectful to disrupt a funeral of anyone. These families are already grieving the loss of a loved one and then they have to deal with war protesters being completely disrespectful of their loss? I think it's HORRIBLE and I can't believe Congress hasn't passed a federal law against it. They have to stay a certain feet away but to me, that's not enough. I hope everyone on here writes their senators to complain. War protesters should be able to protest - that's their freedom - but do they have to do it at a funeral? NO CLASS. Ok - I realize there's not really a question here so much as me venting. Sorry! :)

To BOOKISH: yes, it's happening. See this article from CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/06/btsc.lavandrera.funerals/index.html

Answer 1

It absolutely disgusting what these people do. And how is freedom of speech (hate speech at that) protected at a private family function???

I truly do not understand this. If these folks can do this when people are burying their dead family members, why can't they disrupt weddings, and any other private family function in the public domain???

Truly, we need a group of people to get together and just take it to these nutjobs.

You know if these folks were Klansmen doing these things at African-American funerals, we would be outraged and it wouldn't be allowed.

These folks need to be treated for the hate mongers that they are.

Answer 2

I am pretty sure that the state of Missouri has a law now on the books that it is against the law to protest at the funeral of a serviceman. Freedom of speech is okay but not this, your hurting too many people and not respecting the flag the uniform or the people who gave up their lives!

Answer 3

I am all for Free Speech too and while I supprot this War and the Troops, I recognize ones right to oppose it and stuff but Protesting at a Funeral is not Free Speech, it is offensive to the dead Soldiers and their Families who have come to mourn their loved one without hearing Political statements favoring or opposing Republicans and Democrats, and without hearing any other Political statements.

Yes those who protest at Funerals should be in Jail for the crime if disrespecting the dead, and while in Jail they should be told "how would you like it if this happened at your own Funeral or the Funeral of your loved one?"

Answer 4

Go to the following website so you can be part of those who counter those PHRED PHELPS PHOOLS from westboro baptist 'church' (check out their sickness by doing a google search on them) in Topeka Kansas.
Do a google.com search on PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS. Very interesting!
Actually, several states have laws against protests/demonstrations at military funerals held in veterans' cemeteries. There's a Federal Law for Arlington National Cemetery. I believe it only allows protests/demonstrations at ANC 1 hour before and 1 hour after and about 50 yards away. Kind of takes the 'fun' out of protesting at ANC.
If the funeral is at a non-veterans' cemetery, it's up to the city to issue a permit for PHRED PHELPS' PHOOLS. Last summer in Seaford, DE they were at a funeral, and the towns people took it into their own hands to demonstrate what they felt about those WBC creeps. It was caught on tape by a WBC nut and you can find it on line, too.
To be a PGR, you don't have to be a biker or a vet. There is no membership fee, no dues and no meetings. You just have to be willing to 'stand for those who stood for us.'
Check out the Photo Gallery.
(USN, retired/proud Patriot Guard Rider)

Answer 5

my much beloved cousin Richard was killed in Iraq. We are from the hills of east Tennessee...... we don't tolerate disrespect or fools.
we head they were coming.....
some of the family and his friends. packed guns.He had been policeman most of his life. He loved people and making a difference.
We were ready.; they were warned to leave;
they started and some of us took out some guns....
The Canine patrol was there . ]
we protested their presence. there.
They got the message.
We had a intense moment of fellowship
the current sheriff was one of his best friends
he offered them a room with a view. they ungraciously declined the invite so the guns came out and the dogs had a early lunch.
People have the right to protest the war.
That was not the time or place.

that is their freedom. we have the right to bury our dead in peace and privacy.
we have the right to bear arms and defend our own.
There were people lined down the road for miles to honor Richard.

We have the right to free speech and to bear arms.........
we exercised our rights.
they were running.... and jumping and screaming!
they left town in a hurry.......... we continued with our funeral with the p all bearers all bearing arms .
We laid him to rest a hero....
That didn't make the news. that is so disrespect full of the dead and their loved ones................

Answer 6

I think they should get soem kind of punishment. The ironic part is that soldier, and many more before him/her, died so those idiots could stand out there and protest without being punished. Freedom of speech is a right that every American has but some just screw it up big time.

Answer 7

We should collect money.. Let them think they won a cruise..

Give them "said" cruise, then get picked up and plucked in the middle of Baghdad.
Of course in finely written ink which they happily sign away at and never read is the clause
"you cannot run to or approach a member of the American Military for help"
and "you are on your own, make friends with those insurgent's and have a last known address available"

Answer 8

Excuse me, but is there really a lot of protesting going on at military funerals? I'm unaware of that. I'm against the war, but I'm against it because it is killing the soldiers, and nobody who feels as I do would ever protest at a funeral.
I'm adding: could someone please give me some links to news reports about protests at military funerals before you all go out and start a lynch mob over something that might not even be happening?

Answer 9

Protesting at any funeral is not freedom of speech. It is down right ignorant and very disrespectful.

Answer 10

Once you are a soldier you do what you are told. If you get orders to go you go. So what do protesters get out of this. Yes there should be some at least steep fine for this.