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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House voted Tuesday to restrict demonstrations at military funerals, a measure aimed at a Kansas church group that has carried its anti-gay message to the last rites for those killed in Iraq.
"We will not allow the repugnant acts of a few to define who we are as Americans," said Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer, R-Ind., before the 408-3 vote on the "Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act." Buyer spoke at a news conference joined by motorcyclists who attend military funerals to shield families from the anti-gay protesters.
Protesters, led by the Rev. Fred Phelps of Topeka, Kan., claim that U.S. military deaths in Iraq are a sign of divine punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuals.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...MPLATE=DEFAULT

I'm glad the House got off it's butt to do something. This has nothing to do with free speech, and everything to do about a hate group.

DarrylS

As much as I agree with this bill and the need for it, do not understand how it will stand up in the Supreme Court as it seems to violate 1st amendment rights. This group is apparently well funded as it travels all over the country, maybe this is the way to get to them... I think this bill will only fuel them and whoever supports them more, another law will not make them go away.

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

Patters

Why only military funerals? Westboro Baptist Church also picketed Matthew Shephard's and Ronald Reagan's funerals. Seems to me even the funeral of a mass murderer shouldn't be protested, since the only victims of that protest are those in mourning. But, GJAJ15 is probably right, they probably do have a constitutional right to protest.

Turd Furguson

They do but is it conceivable that what they write and shout be considered "fighting words" if a confrontation starts?

Sometimes things arent a matter of whether or not they could but whether or not they SHOULD.

Harry Boy

I am amazed that somebody hasn't killed one of these dogs.

Have there been any Pony Tailed ACLU lawyers blubbering about their freedom *****?

wistahpatsfan

That's gonna be the real test!

PatsFanInEaglesLand

You and Fred Phelps are both in agreement on this issue , so I wouldn't be going around throwing insults at other people. Both of you are anti-war POS, who use vile and insulting language to get your message across.

Harry Boy

If my son died in the Military and those dirty pieces of ***** showed up at his funeral I would be spending the rest of my life in prison.

I would find some way to KILL ONE OF THEM.

Patters

I know I said this before, but when gay marriage was made legal in Massachusetts, the Westboro Baptist Church contingent showed up to picket outside of Cambridge City Hall. They had two particularly memorable signs: "Thank God for 9/11" and "God Blew Up the Space Shuttle." They're so off the wall that it's hardto take them seriously.

Harry Boy

Do away with money and religion and you would be living in paradise.