WTF are they thinking

[cf2112]

On Saturday as I was smoking cigars with a few CS brothers there was a funeral for a local man killed in Iraq. The funeral drew protesters not protesting the war but homosexuality, they say the deaths of our servicemen is God's punishment for Americas tolerance of homosexuality.

12-16 protesters were trying to disrupt the funeral because of a loophole in a recently passed law banning such activities. Since the funeral ws not a church, funeral home or cemetery they were allowed to protest.

200+ supporters lead by a group of motorcyle riders showed up and parked thier cars and motorcyles all along the shoulder and held up a huge American flag and signs so the family of this hero didn't have to see the protesters or their signs.

I don't care if you support the war or homosexuality but to protest at the funeral of fallen serviceman should not be allowed. The irony here is this man and all other servicemen killed were fighting for the rights of these idiots to protest.

God Bless America and those protecting our freedom.

[Suburbahick]

hmm... if it wasnt 200+ bikers I might have said something about it if I saw it happening.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

To an extent I agree with you cf. From one end of the spectrum in addition to your comments above these service were also following orders and so had go and fight (even though they most likely went willingly). To many times the protestors see the individual servicemen and women as the targets of their hostility not realizing that they are only doing their jobs (which happens to be protecting all of us). It is a very sad state of affairs that a fallen hero is disrepected in such a way.

On the flip side though take heart. I bet 10 to one that that fallen hero and all of our fallen heroes smile down on every protest no matter how whimsical and ludicrous it may seem and say... "We created the environment that allows them that, whether they realize it or not."

For every protest I ever see no matter how ridiculous or even mad it makes me I really have to step back and take pause, realizing that I thank God that they/we can do that. And I acknowledge that without the sacrafices so many have made. We'd likely be rallying to sing 'All hail the King'.

[LT Rich]

CF, where did this happen? I have seen a TV show or news story about the bikers that do that. I would love to do that when i get home if they have it in my area. After all, i fought for my right to shut the stupid protesters up!

It is sad that a familly should be put through both the trauma of loosing a loved one while over seas, then having a bunch of anti-gay people marring the funeral by doing stupid crap like that. A military funeral is a beautiful thing, and a cerimony which deserves the highest respect. It is one of the things that keep the soldiers fighting so hard, they know that if they fall in combat that they will not be left behind and they will be honored in one of the most time treasured ceremonies that we have.

The fact that a bunch of men that are so insecure about their own manhood that they have to show how not-gay they are by marring a military soldiers funeral is despicable. I agree with you, stogie, that their right to protest is one of the great things about this country, but these people should be shot. (IMHO)

I have seen a number of anti war protests, even one while i was on leave. While i am a little more informed than the ignorant sons-a-b!tches that are standing on the street corners with picket signs and therefore I disagree with them, i still respect their right to protest and their first amendment rights. The thing is, even the ignorant street protesters know that there is a time and place. Using a fallen soldiers funeral as a ploy to gain publicity for your sad @$$ point of view is plain wrong. They should be shot.

I have nothing more to say on the subject, but i am pissed off now, i think im going to go run.

LT

[pistol]

Rich, I'm with you, they reserve the right to protest, well I reserve the right to follow the officer appointed over me... You guys may have seen this cartoon, but I'll post it again, hopefully it'll lighten the mood in this thread a little
-Pete

[Hammerhead]

My friend is a Viet Nam vet, and member of the group you're thinking of. The bikers are in the Patriot Guard, an organization that defends the memory of fallen soldiers and shields their families during a time of duress.

I find it revolting that some people will go to these lengths. Funny how they defile the ceremony in the name of "free speech" that these soldiers gave their lives to defend. Disgraceful.

[LT Rich]

Pistol, thats too funny man, thanks for the laugh.

LT

[Suburbahick]

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

My friend is a Viet Nam vet, and member of the group you're thinking of. The bikers are in the Patriot Guard, an organization that defends the memory of fallen soldiers and shields their families during a time of duress.

I find it revolting that some people will go to these lengths. Funny how they defile the ceremony in the name of "free speech" that these soldiers gave their lives to defend. Disgraceful.

wait, so the bikers and protesters were different things?

[WooferBearATL]

Originally Posted by Suburbahick

wait, so the bikers and protesters were different things?

The members of the Patriot Guard show up at the funnerals to drown out Fred Phelps group. Sick group of bastards Phelps group is.

[LT Rich]

Yes, the bikers and the protesters are two different groups. The bikers show up and try to block out the protestors and show support for the famillies of the soldiers. They are the anti-ignorant.

LT

[SeanGAR]

I can't believe that people would have the sick, twisted gall to protest at the funeral of a soldier. I know it would be bad form to throw buckets of shit at them ..... but thats what they deserve. Big thumbs up for the patriot guard.

[Jeff]

I would love to see how those anuses would feel if protesters came around to their mother's funeral. I'm sure they would feel differently then.

[cf2112]

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

My friend is a Viet Nam vet, and member of the group you're thinking of. The bikers are in the Patriot Guard, an organization that defends the memory of fallen soldiers and shields their families during a time of duress.

I find it revolting that some people will go to these lengths. Funny how they defile the ceremony in the name of "free speech" that these soldiers gave their lives to defend. Disgraceful.

Yes it was the Patriot Guard and this happened in Eugene/Russellville MO.
I beleive you have the right to protest but using a funeral for the express reason of publicity (who would come if they just planned a weekend protest) is just wrong.

I think it was here in another thread I saw my new favorite saying "Stupdity should be Painful" I think it applies here.

[vic_c]

Originally Posted by cf2112

On Saturday as I was smoking cigars with a few CS brothers there was a funeral for a local man killed in Iraq. The funeral drew protesters not protesting the war but homosexuality, they say the deaths of our servicemen is God's punishment for Americas tolerance of homosexuality.

12-16 protesters were trying to disrupt the funeral because of a loophole in a recently passed law banning such activities. Since the funeral ws not a church, funeral home or cemetery they were allowed to protest.

200+ supporters lead by a group of motorcyle riders showed up and parked thier cars and motorcyles all along the shoulder and held up a huge American flag and signs so the family of this hero didn't have to see the protesters or their signs.

I don't care if you support the war or homosexuality but to protest at the funeral of fallen serviceman should not be allowed. The irony here is this man and all other servicemen killed were fighting for the rights of these idiots to protest.

God Bless America and those protecting our freedom.

Protesting at a funeral is total BS...If that had happened at a funeral I was attending there would be protesters missing some teeth!

[ghostrider]

Just a note on the Patriot Guard, they only show up at funerals where the family has either asked them to, or has approved of them being there. Unlike the protestors, they are don't just show up for the publicity.