Anti-gay group pickets service of Reno soldier killed in Iraq, Gets owned.

Roach · 01-31-2008, 04:28 AM

Associated Press - January 26, 2008 7:05 PM ET

RENO (AP) - A small group of anti-gay protesters gathered today outside a funeral service for a Reno soldier killed in Iraq, but later became surrounded by more than 150*(supposedly over 220) counter-demonstrators.

The anti-gay protest was the latest sponsored by the Westboro Baptist Church based in Topeka, Kansas, which claims God kills soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to punish America for condoning homosexuality.

Washoe County sheriff's Lieutenant Dean Spurr says there were no problems after three anti-gay protesters became surrounded by counter-demonstrators across the street from Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, where the service was held for Army Staff Sergeant Sean Gaul.

The 29-year-old Gaul was among six soldiers who died January 9th in Sinsil, Iraq, after an improvised explosive device, commonly known as IED, detonated during combat operations.

Counter-demonstrators showed up with American flags and made it difficult to see anti-gay protesters' signs that read "God Hates Fags" and "God Loves IE-Ds."

The Westboro Baptist Church has sponsored similar protests across the country.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Also, keep in mind that the soldier wasn't even gay, these people are just hate mongers.

Sources:

http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7778931
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/SPECIAL01/80126014&oaso=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/NEWS18/80126008&oaso=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews

JeepinGirlCT · 01-31-2008, 04:39 AM

I can't believe this-someone dies protecting our country, and these people say it's because we have gay people in this country? OMG, get a life! That poor soldier's family has enough grief-they certainly didn't need to see that! Kudos to the guys and women that stepped in to block them.

St.Patrick · 01-31-2008, 04:44 AM

I saw these bikers on 60 min or something. They do the right thing. They mean a lot to the people that have lost someone. As a vet myself I am greatfull that this country has good people like these guys. I also found out some of them are vets and/or have lost someone in the war. the people from that crazy *** cult should be shot for messing around at a funeral. Thanks to our troops and those who support them.

**talonegress** · 01-31-2008, 05:29 AM

Thumbs up to those counter protesters!!!!!

**CoriolisSTORM** · 01-31-2008, 06:54 AM

Good for the bikers, but I thought somebody had finally beat the hell out of the protesting bastards, or at least a few of them, I walk away slightly disappointed, but very endeared to the bikers.

EvilM0nkey · 01-31-2008, 08:17 AM

I will buy a Harley, grow an enormous beard, and buy an enormous American flag just so I could so that.
Glad those guys are around!

PJL · 01-31-2008, 08:18 AM

That's a pretty poorly written article. First off, not enough credit is given to those bikers. If it's the group I'm thinking of, they make it their business to travel around the country and go to soldiers' funerals where the Westboro Baptists say they'll be. So it's not like it was an off-the-cuff or spontaneous thing. They often will act as a human barrier between those idiotic, hate-mongering *******s and the grieving families. Second, the article doesn't mention (and I think it's germane) that the Westboro Baptists recently lost in a Maryland court to the tune of $11 million after being sued by the father of a fallen soldier whose funeral they picketed.

I can't wait until Fred Phelps dies, then we can all go surround them and picket his funeral.

**BLS33** · 01-31-2008, 08:36 AM

Something needs to be done about Phelps and his followers. Obviously bankruptcy wasn't enough, there has to be something that can be done to stop these horrible people.

**Matt Gertsch** · 01-31-2008, 08:43 AM

My dad rides with the Patriot Guard, which is a group of vets that does funeral escorts and welcome home parties. Recently they've been involved in the 'Missing in America' program. The Missing in America program finds the remains of vets that have been abandoned and ensures that they receive the proper military funeral that they deserve.

They're an awesome bunch of guys and really, they're just out there to give vets the respect that they never got when they came home from Viet Nam.

PJL · 01-31-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLS33

Something needs to be done about Phelps and his followers. Obviously bankruptcy wasn't enough, there has to be something that can be done to stop these horrible people.

I think counter-protesting and legitimate law suits brought by the families of KIA soldiers/dead gay people are the only way to go. Even idiocy, no matter how repugnant to anyone with a brain, is protected by the First Amendment. And it should be.

**BLS33** · 01-31-2008, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJL

I think counter-protesting and legitimate law suits brought by the families of KIA soldiers/dead gay people are the only way to go. Even idiocy, no matter how repugnant to anyone with a brain, is protected by the First Amendment. And it should be.

Would it be possible to sue individuals in the group rather than the group as a whole? Hasn't precedent been set that they are causing mental and emotional damage by protesting funerals? If you singled out the people actually doing the protesting at the specific event couldn't you make a much bigger impact?

I agree that they are protected by the first amendment to have their opinions and express them but when they are doing damage they should face repercussions.

**TellyDSP** · 01-31-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoriolisSTORM

Good for the bikers, but I thought somebody had finally beat the hell out of the protesting bastards, or at least a few of them, I walk away slightly disappointed, but very endeared to the bikers.

Agreed. I was really hoping they got what they deserve.

ohh well, I'm sure someone has some poopy pants after being outnumbered 3 to 220.

No where did I put that bike?

PJL · 01-31-2008, 08:59 AM

That issue is up in the air right now, actually. They lost at the trial level in MD, but it's being appealed (especially since $11 million is a LOT more than the total assets of their church) on 1st Amendment grounds, so we might see it go before the USSC in the next 2-3 years. That suit has been the only successful one against them as far as I know. Also, MD has some law that makes funeral services "private" for legal purposes. We'll see if that statute holds up on appeal. The Westboro Baptists argue that they were on the sidewalk outside the cemetery, so they weren't actually encroaching on the funeral itself. This suit COULD set a tremendous legal precedent, yes, but it'll take a couple years for it to play out completely.

Roach · 01-31-2008, 04:29 PM

Here's a nice video of WBC flee'ing another memorial service
http://www.break.com/index/westboro_baptist_church_chased_away.html

trailblazer2003 · 01-31-2008, 05:49 PM

I have seen a couple tv stories on the WBC people, and for the most part they do their research. The know the laws, and exactly where they can and can't go. Guess they got it wrong in MD. While the counter protesters didn't respond with violence, that is exactly what WB wants to happen. I read it somewhere that that is how they make their money. They picket, get roughed up or have their rights violated, and then sue for large sums to fund future expeditions. Bunch of sick ****s if you ask me. The big shame is the **** they have instilled in their children. It's one thing when you knowingly and willing engaged in such behavior. But to be born into it, and think there is absolutely nothing wrong because you are so sheltered from reality is another thing.

I have no fear that someday they will get what is coming, and it won't be a lawsuit.

01-31-2008, 05:29 AM	#4
talonegress Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alamogordo, New Mexico Posts: 309 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thumbs up to those counter protesters!!!!! __________________ 2009 Nissan Titan SE 4x4 1995 Jeep Wrangler Rio Grande (wish I had never sold it) Air Force Jeep Club #1

01-31-2008, 05:49 PM	#15
trailblazer2003 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 70 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have seen a couple tv stories on the WBC people, and for the most part they do their research. The know the laws, and exactly where they can and can't go. Guess they got it wrong in MD. While the counter protesters didn't respond with violence, that is exactly what WB wants to happen. I read it somewhere that that is how they make their money. They picket, get roughed up or have their rights violated, and then sue for large sums to fund future expeditions. Bunch of sick **s if you ask me. The big shame is the ** they have instilled in their children. It's one thing when you knowingly and willing engaged in such behavior. But to be born into it, and think there is absolutely nothing wrong because you are so sheltered from reality is another thing. I have no fear that someday they will get what is coming, and it won't be a lawsuit.