redblueamerica.com

What a great bunch of people these are. My wife and I attended the funeral for one of my USAFA classmates whose remains had just been discovered in VietNam. THe military does know how to honor its own, with all due pomp and the gut-wrenching "missing man" flyby. But it was the silent vigil of the Patriot Guard, some 50 strong, that still brings tears to my eyes. Afterward we tried to thank each of them individually, but they all said the same thing: that it was their privilege and honor.

I would like to see the Kansas "church" leaders get to know the Patriot Riders a little better. Preferably in a dark alley.

Sandhillguy

Instead of so-called "violating ones first amendment rights" by shutting these people up. How about those being shouted at or mourning be allowed to express their second amendment rights without fear of government retribution as well? Just a thought... or perhaps just let those at the funeral beat the tar out of these jackasses without legal recourse... just a thought again.

How about a law saying interfering with a soldier's funeral is felony TREASON during a time of war. Let's do that.

How about making these cemetery's technically a "military base" with the soldiers just being "re-assigned"? Only those with the proper clearance or permission be allowed to enter just like any other base?

First amendment?? Do these dopes realize how much sweat and blood was shed to allow them to have the first amendment in the first place?

Frankly, this is a political church, it should have its non-profit status revoked.

There is nothing that upsets me more, is someone that claims to be Christian, hides under the veil of being a Christian, and never ever acts like like one. Yet justifies their behavior by claiming it's Christian, which it is not. How is what they are doing showing love towards your fellow man? How is making a parent or child cry more about their dead loved one, whilst these clowns shout hate at them, considered a "Christian act of love?"

Besides, Jesus, even in the very act of being crucified never said to rise up and picket the Romans. He did say "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's..." In other words, be a good citizen, as well as a good Christian.

What jury in this country would put a father in jail for beating protesters tarnishing the name of his dead son?

I'm a free speech absolutist but I think this issue can be solved with property rights.

If the funeral home or city cemetery lies on public land, even the hateful have the right to protest. Sorry, but that's the law and that's how it ought to stay.

But if it's on private land, they ought to be able to dictate the terms of the property.

Let me just say, though, for the record, that if I ever see something like this go on, I'll kick the protesters ass and take my chances in court.

Chuck Johnson is a student at Claremont McKenna College. Feel free to contact him.

I am a 25-30 male and I agree. Government needs to back off a bit and let people solve their own problems.

I am a 50+ year old male, and I remember a simpler time long before our government engaged in the stupidity of inventing hate crime. In those simple days, if you used racially offensive language in the wrong place, someone would punch you in the nose, and you learned a valuable lesson.

So what does this have to do with protesting at funerals ? It is very simple. We do not need laws that water down the first amendment. People should have the right to protest at funerals. However, if some soldier friends of the fallen hero happen to beat the hell out of the protestors, then the protestors will have learned a valuable lesson.