Westboro Baptist at VMI tomorrow

[AF6872]

Who thought of this training schedule?

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/29/137454...talk-to-agents

[bruno]

Originally Posted by surgicalghost13

Its ironic how they use the luxuries of the American system but then curse the same system that allows them perform their "religious practices". Underlines the idiocy of their "organization".

They ended up not showing up; however, the turnout for support was inspiring. There had to be over 400 people just standing outside the church ready to take peaceful action if need be. Cheers to Rockbridge County

That's excellent to hear and exactly what I expected out of the good citizens of Lexington & Rockbridge.

[osdad]

Three words: Patriot Guard Riders

[dc67]

I spent 6 years in the Marine Corps defending the rights of idiots too. I guarantee if that was my child's funeral, I would be going to jail. I am not advocating organized violence at all, I am stating what I would do. They are shameful.

There are plenty of other groups I firmly disagree with also, like all the occupy bastards, but they have the right to be wrong also I suppose.

Free speech is definitely a double edged sword.

[LineInTheSand]

Remember, the First Amendment protects people from the GOVERNMENT'S abridgment of free speech, not from a punch to the mouth from their neighbor. That's what laws are for.

Telling someone to shut up isn't curtailing their rights. Slapping them isn't either. It is, however, illegal.

[tpg]

I prayed that they would not show up and am grateful that they did not. I know that Rockbridge County is not that much different than the County that my Wife’s family is from. The good people of that area are extremely values oriented. They have a definitive right from wrong belief and are not afraid to tell you if you are wrong. They are also not afraid to stand up for their beliefs no matter the consequences. They have a strong sense of civic duty, especially regarding military service. They are especially protective of their own. As a result of this, I actually feared the potential bloodshed that could have occurred if they had shown up. And while I would not shed a tear for WBC, I would feel sorry for the person who now would suffer for his/her actions.

In this case, I could literally see a member or two of WBC getting killed.

Even in my neck of the woods of Virginia, it is not a matter of WBC right to free speech. It is about what is right and wrong at a funeral. The good people around here will tolerate the speech …. in the appropriate setting. A funeral is not one of them.

[sprog]

Getting angry is not the answer.

Of course, we would all be angry in that situation. I would try to channel that anger into something else. Indeed, if it was my son being buried (or friend, classmate, father, etc.), my reaction would probably be a big smile. It would affirm to me, in a time of great pain, that my loved one died for a country that values personal liberty. That is, the presence of the WBC would prove that his sacrifice enabled these clowns to say ridiculous things without governmental censorship of their political speech. A smile and a wave, with a "thank you for excercising your freedom" would be the LAST thing those a$$holes would want to hear. I would conclude with a perfectly legal extension of the middle finger in their direction, with a finishing comment of "now let me excercise mine."

I know that it might be hard to conceptualize that, but not only is the response perfectly legal, it's both a tribute to the fallen and the exact opposite of the reaction WBC wants.

[bruno]

If you want to know a little more about 1LT Prasnicki- this thread tells you a little more: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/...565#post260565

LT Prasnicki had been in Afghanistan 3 days when he was killed and had volunteered to go out on this first patrol. He was married 7 months at the time of his death.

[goaliedad]

What surprises me is that I haven't read about an organized effort to take the protest back at WBC (I don't count anonymous' hacking activities as organized protest).

WBC has made a lot of enemies over the years. You'd think there would be enough riled up groups with enough $$ to keep a perpetual protest going outside their facility. They could take it those who do business with WBC (make their lawyers pariah and only scum with money will use them).

Heck, GLBT groups could hold PDA protest events outside their facilities to really agitate them. Why should the good people of the world have their blood pressure raised when you can turn the tables?

[USNA2016Dad]

A lot has been written about WBC's right to protected speech. But as I have taught my children, exercising rights comes with the notion of exercising those rights responsibly. If the folks at WBC choose not to exercise their rights responsibly and cause action to be brought upon them, then I hope they won't mind if I LMFAO if someone reminds them in a way they can't interpret as neighborly.
Cheers...