Justices Refuse To Hear Case Over Protests At Soldiers' Funerals (Westboro Baptist)

[babylonsister]

http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/29/justices-refuse-to-hear-case-over-protests-at-soldier-funerals/

Justices refuse to hear case over protests at soldier funerals
Posted: 12:35 PM ET

By Bill Mears
CNN Supreme Court Producer


WASHINGTON (CNN) — A small Kansas church that has gained nationwide attention for protesting loudly at funerals of U.S. service members killed in overseas conflicts received a temporary victory from the Supreme Court over their free speech rights.

The justices Monday rejected an appeal from Missouri officials over their efforts to keep members of the Wichita-based Westboro Baptist Church from demonstrating at least 300 feet from memorial services and burials.

The church, led by pastor Fred Phelps, believes God is punishing the United States for “the sin of homosexuality,” through events including soldiers’ deaths. Members have traveled the country, shouting at grieving family members at funerals and displaying such signs as “Thank God for Dead Soldiers,” “God Blew Up the Troops” and “AIDS Cures Fags.” A lower court had granted an injunction blocking enforcement of the law until it could be challenged.

[kestrel91316]

1. It's time to start picketing that church. Nonstop. And their homes.

[zbdent]

3. actually, it's time to start researching who actually attends that church

and send letters to where they work (and frequent) saying that you will no longer do business with that place due to the psychos there ...

[SoCalNative]

5. Anyone in Topeka with the last name of Phelps or Roper

it's all family. There are no outside members.

[kestrel91316]

7. Local businesses need to tell these folks they are not welcome on

the premises. The old "We Reserve The Right To Refuse Service To Anyone" bit.

[YOY]

9. Exactly. The news always fails to point it out.

It's all one big gigantic family. If anyone from outside of that family goes to that church it's a mystery to me.

[cherokeeprogressive]

16. BS

Um, just BS.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Because?

:shrug:

[rvablue]

8. It's not really a "church" in the generally accepted definition of "church."

Not even sure if there is an actual building, but I do know the only "congregants" of this "church" are Phelps' offspring, their offspring and the extended family.

[TrogL]

15. A Church (sic) is not a building, a church may be

Phelps' outfit is neither - it's a cult.

[zbdent]

2. sad day in Justice ... in other news ...

Supreme Court rules that you CAN scream "FIRE" in a crowded theater ...

[KansDem]

4. Let me see if I understand this...

This pack of loonies can "protest" soldier's funerals, shouting at grieving family members and the Supreme Court, the same court who gave us the "Bush v. Gore" and the "can't sue Saudis over 9/11" rulings, says what Phelps is doing is okay; yet, doctors can stand up at Sen Baucus health-reform hearings and question why there aren't any public-plan advocates on his panel of "expert witnesses," and are immediately ushered out of the chambers by police?

Do I have this right?

[cliffordu]

6. It's my understanding that someone in the ICU can't protest anything.

Just sayin'

:shrug:

[LiberalFighter]

10. Put them on the do not fly roster

Have their credit cards poisoned with super high interest rates.

Fill their gas tanks with heroin.

Vandalize their bullhorns.

Give them parking tickets over and over.

[HillbillyBob]

11. I m just as offended by their protests at Veterans funerals

but hardly anyone said a damned thing when it was just gays funerals.
I was at Pedro Zamoras funeral, where they picketed, they also picketed several of my dear friends funerals just after that. My aunt lives in Topeka not too far from them..she says they are not popular, but everyone is afraid to do anything or say anything because all of their money comes from suing people who object to their heinousness.
I do have it on good authority that they are not even liked at the bank they do business with..that another customer chased the old bastard down the side walk with a truck...missed him unfortunately.....
These people make me lose my cool. I can be reasonable most all the time but not with these son of a bitches.

[Echo In Light]

12. Only the lowest of the low, the shittiest of the shitty "protest" at ANYONE'S funeral

[TokenQueer]

14. I couldn't agree more with your post...

These fuckers making my head feel like it's going to pop off!

:argh:

[damntexdem]

13. What wonderful CNN reporting: Wichita-based!

Westboro Baptist Church is Topeka-based! Were that not true, then it's zip code wouldn't start 666.

;-)

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. Patriot Guard riders anyone?

They provide audio and visual screening from those kind of excrement

[TokenQueer]

18. Sadly, only for soldiers' funerals.......

...they don't seem to disagree with Phelps' stance... only as it pertains to soldiers. Wonder what they do when the funeral is for a gay soldier?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

21. My understanding is that they maintain strict policial neutrality, a good thing IMO

I believe they would support any military funeral and I though rI had heard of them supporting civilian ones as well, but they may have been veterans.

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. Free speech is free speech

I abhor Phelps and his hateful message but I am glad to see this. I also protest in MO and this law would have impacted me.

We either have a first amendment or we don't.