Protesters square off at Ky. GI’s funeral

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Demonstrators squared off Saturday outside a funeral home where a service was being held for a solider, the first such scene in Kentucky since a judge suspended a state law that required a 300-foot buffer zone for protests at military funerals.]

Dozens of demonstrators surrounded London Funeral Home, waved American flags and exchanged shouts for more than an hour before the service with members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., which tours the country protesting at military funerals.

Church members held signs across the street that read, “America is doomed,” “Thank God for 9/11,” and “Thank God for dead soldiers.”

The family of Sgt. 1st Class Charles Jason Jones had invited a half-dozen groups to wave full-size American flags, express their support of U.S. soldiers and honor Jones after hearing about the church’s plans to protest the funeral, according to military officials.

More than 200 mourners, including Gov. Ernie Fletcher, filled the chapel to pay tribute to the 29-year-old Kentucky National Guardsman, who was found dead in his quarters in Iraq on Sept. 20 from causes not related to combat. The military is investigating the death.

Little was said of the demonstration during the funeral, though the Rev. Charles Taylor told mourners that the presence of the Westboro protesters was “a dishonor.”

“I feel sorry for them,” he said, adding, “I appreciate the folks holding the flags.”


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[Pagan]

Disgusting.

[cnc66]

The family of Sgt. 1st Class Charles Jason Jones had invited a half-dozen groups to wave full-size American flags, express their support of U.S. soldiers and honor Jones after hearing about the church’s plans to protest the funeral, according to military officials.

I would be so honored to carry Colors like they did...

[Lobofin39]

Originally Posted by Pagan

Disgusting.

I sat and tried to think of something that really captured how this made me feel. I think Pagan actually nailed it. This is disgusting......

Thank God for 9/11?
WTF

I think it's time to wait for this whacko church to be in service and start landing UAV into the side of it....

[finfansince72]

Really these protesters should be stopped for their own good. Usually Im pretty much an allout supporter of any kind of speech whatsoever, but this crosses the line into things like 'citing a riot' or the like. Its only a matter of time before someone just goes nuts on this group and mayhem insues. And if I was on that jury Id never convict a single one of em.

[Dolphan7]

Just so it is clear, although this church claims they are a christian church, they in no way follow or represent Christianity when they take these positions or act in this manner. This is an isololated sect run by a man who runs this church based on his own beliefs, not those of God as found in the bible.