Arizona passes law to ban the Westboro Baptists from protesting at the funerals of the shooting victims
I can’t even begin to express the disregard in which I hold the Westboro Baptists. This is the group of people who go around the country under the guise of Christianity and protest at the funerals of our heroes who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, claiming that these deaths are retribution from God because of the United States’ acceptance of gays and lesbians.
While our heroes are being laid to rest, these despicable human beings shout slogans such as “God hates fags,” as well as “thank God for dead soldiers,” and “God hates the USA.” Siting their first amendment rights to free speech, the freedom of religion, and the right to peacefully protest as justification for their intolerant and despicable acts, they continue to interrupt these funerals as distraught family members try to mourn their loved ones.
What these christians fail to remember is the simple fact that those whom they are protesting died defending the rights of the Westboro Baptists to conduct such a deplorable protest in the first place. Technically they are not doing anything that is not within their rights, but I would argue that just because you have the right to do something, that doesn’t mean you should do something. This isn’t an issue of rights–much like the Ground Zero Mosque–these people have the right to do what they are doing–but rather an issue of common decency, and that is what these people are missing. In my opinion, these people should be protesting in Washington, not at the private ceremonies for fallen heroes.
But now the Westboro Baptists are planning to expand their protests.
The Westboro Baptist Church–claiming that God sent Jared Loughner to kill in Arizona–had planned on protesting the funerals of the victims of the Arizona shooting. Shortly after the Arizona shooting the Westboro Baptists released a flyer on its website which read: “THANK GOD FOR THE SHOOTER — 6 DEAD!” And it didn’t stop there:
Your federal judge is dead and your (fag-promoting, baby-killing, proud-sinner) Congresswoman fights for her life. God is avenging Himself on this rebellious house! WBC prays for your destruction–more shooters, more dead carcasses piling up, young, old, leader and commoner–all. Your doom is upon you!
I was happy to learn that earlier today the Arizona legislature passed a bill which Jan Brewer will sign that will bar the Westboro Baptists from protesting within 300 feet of the funeral services. (That isn’t far enough in my opinion, but it will have to do.)
As an originalist and a constitutionalist I fully understand how my happiness about this ban may seem duplicitous, but I also fully believe that one person’s rights end when they intrude on another’s, and in this case that is exactly what I feel is happening if this “religious” organization were allowed to protest at these funerals.
The victims of this horrific act–regardless of what the Westboro Baptists would have us believe–were the innocent victims of a madman and their families deserve to be able to mourn their loved ones in a peaceful manner without disruption, and I am glad to learn that they will now be able to do so.
America's Watchtower 
Just a slight correction if I may – the bill is not aimed directly at Westboro Baptist Church, it enacts a “funeral protection zone” that disallows all protests within a certain distance from a funeral. I wanted to make that distinction Steve because if it targeted the Church specifically, then that is obviously a writ of attainder and wholly unconstitutional.
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A great point Fleeceme, I should have explained the bill a little bit better!
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They are sick, twisted puppies but they have freedom of speech. It’s worth noting that Fred Phelps, the founder, is a former Democrat who ran in Kansas Democratic Party primaries five times and supported Al Gore.
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Yeah, I know they do and I am always torn when I see laws passed that curbs free speech but they can still make their point from 300 feet away.
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They sound like a cult. And you know how cults usually end up. No surprise they support a crackpot like Loughner.
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They seem to support anyone who kills Americans.
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It is amazing to me that we have to create a bill in order to ‘help’ people do what should come natural? What the heck is happening to people!
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It sure it, just a little common decency is all we are asking for.
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I agree 100%, Steve. I believe in the 1st Amendment, but that does not give you, me, or anyone else the right to infringe on the freedoms of anyone else, just because we have freedom of speech.
For what it’s worth, the state legislature is not the only ones springing into action. I am putting the finishing touches on my own article about this, but the citizens of the state are planning to put a stop to this themselves.
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I am looking forward to that post!
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I’ve got to agree with Dominique. Next thing you know, we’re going to see laws requiring people to use toilet paper after using the toilet.
Someone once told me that manners are the lubricant that enables human interaction. Say what they will about their twisted understanding of the Bible, these clowns are violating one of the major commandments because every time they put on one of their demonstrations, they’re bringing shame on the memories of their mothers and fathers, not honor.
Have a happy new year, and may God bless us all!
The Georgia Yankee
Frostbite, Georgia
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Wow, we are already in agreement on two issues this year! You may be in Frostbite Georgia, but we have gotten two feet of snow here today and it is still coming down.
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I heard this morning that Brewer signed it. I wonder how long before the ACLU takes up their cause. No, really, I don’t wonder.
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That is good news! And I have a message for the ACLU, but I will refrain from saying it here.
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My son serves in the U.S Marine Corp.Jesus would not do the things these people do.Why doesn’t the Baptist church rebuke openly what they are doing.Maybe people need to start protesting in front of their church,shouting and disturbing their services.
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Because honestly speaking, no true Christian would claim that it’s a free exercise of religion to stand outside someone else’s church and disrupt their services.
Al Quaeda types might feel comfortable doing so, but I don’t think we want to import one evil to fight another . . .
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Good point TGY!
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Thank you for the service of your son and the sacrifices that you make to support him.
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