Fallen Heroes Funerals Protested

Posted By Blackfive

This is so wrong and sad.  While SSG Christopher Piper was laid to rest properly and honorably (thanks to the Marblehead Police)...

Protest at Soldier's Funeral Brings a Massachusetts Town Together
A big turnout and police bagpipes drown out a Kansas group opposed to homosexuality

By Elizabeth Mehren
Times Staff Writer

MARBLEHEAD, Mass. — This proud old seaport, whose sons and daughters have fought in every American war, was grieving for Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Piper. The 43-year-old Green Beret died after his Humvee hit a roadside bomb June 3 in Afghanistan.

When word got out that demonstrators from Kansas planned to disrupt Piper's funeral Monday, residents vowed not to let them interfere with the tribute to their hometown hero.

"I was worried that it would fester anger," said Louise Moore, 39, fighting back tears and waving a small American flag. "Instead it got everyone together."

The 14 demonstrators from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., picketed Monday on a corner near the Old North Church, a Congregational parish founded in 1635, soon after Marblehead was settled. The followers of the Rev. Fred Phelps, who blame American tolerance of homosexuality for the Sept. 11 attacks and the resulting U.S. military casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, have targeted Massachusetts for protests because it is the only state where same-sex marriage is legal.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a lawyer for the Kansas church, said Monday that the funeral demonstration was nothing personal against Piper, who was not gay.

"We are protesting the sins of this nation," Phelps-Roper said. "That doesn't exclude him."

The group also has demonstrated at high school and middle school graduations across Massachusetts, contending that school curricula promote homosexuality.

On the corner of a narrow street lined with Colonial-era buildings, the Kansas contingent tried shouting its anti-homosexual message at mourners who overflowed from the church. But every time demonstrators spoke out, the 14-man Boston Police Department bagpipe band broke into thunderous sound....

This is the same group that protested Carrie French's funeral.  If you haven't been to Bubblehead's before, please see the link to understand the evil this group represents. 

It is a "church" led by Fred Phelps (his wife is their lawyer).

Phelps and his ilk have been spewing hate for a long time and this is one way of getting their message across and getting press.  Normally, I would say ignore them because that will irritate them more.  The Marblehead Police are to be commended for the bagpipe idea.  Good thinking, fellas.  I think you protected and served the rights of everyone.  I think this is the beginning of creative countering of Phelps.

But unfortunately they are making the families suffer indignities that should never be allowed.  SSG Piper and CPL French deserve better, too, but they would probably be more worried about the pain this causes their families.

Patrick from Gryphmon (who comments here occasionally) had a post about this for Carrie French.  He knows about Phelps and knows that the way to squelch Phelps is to ignore him.  Patrick has a very good post about the history and the evil of Phelps.

I call your attention to all of this for one reason - be vigilant.  More than likely, there will be more protested funerals.

If anyone knows of his groups plans in Chicago, please let me know.  We'll mount a peaceful but interesting psyops mission...I can think of 100 ways to drive Phelps crazy...Think of a truck breaking down on the street in front of the protesters... blocking their view...and, maybe...just maybe the truck will be painted with a giant "Phelps is Gay" sign (and someone should "own his site" with that, too)...and maybe inside the truck will be...

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Comments

[Dave]

Count me in if they try to protest a soldiers funeral in Chicago. It's a disgrace so many groups ride the sacrifice that these brave soldiers and families pay for thier own agendas.

Let them be put to rest in peace.

[Dana]

"We are protesting the sins of this nation," Phelps-Roper said. "That doesn't exclude him."

"He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at [him] first." To execute such judgment on another human being, when each of us is flawed, is simply horrible. Doesn't the Bible also say to hate the sin, but love the sinner? Protesting at a funeral, of all places, demonstrates lack of respect and a lack of love.

There is a time and a place to revolt against the sins of the world - a funeral is certainly not appropriate. Frankly, is is my opinion that these quacks aren't Christians at all...and if they are...we certainly aren't reading the same Bible and worshipping the same God.

What a sad story...

[Former MP]

As a Christian, I do believe that our country (including myself) has sin. I also think that God is not fully blessing us (or even perhaps protecting us) because of this sin. However, the funeral of a fallen soldier is neither the place, nor the time to bring up the sins of a country. Unfortunately, Christians tend to do a couple of self-defeating things. First, they shoot their wounded. Secondly, they point fingers at others’ sins, while ignoring their own. This behavior is exactly what Jesus was teaching against in Matthew chapter 7.

I ask that you do not think that these folks represent all Evangelical Christians. WE are to comfort the hurting, not insult them.

[Blackfive]

Former MP - "Unfortunately, Christians tend to do a couple of self-defeating things. First, they shoot their wounded."

WTF? That's the most ridiculous statement yet...it's amazing that all these Christian wounded have made it home alive. Amazing.

[Rita]

I think we should block the street with a manure spreader right in front of Phelps. So sad that such a thing could happen at a heroes funeral. Phelps should talk, he is a sin....

[Beth]

Blackfive, I believe he's using that as a metaphor. Evangelical Christians who stumble and fall in a struggle with an "obvious" sin (i.e. addictions) or who screw up publicly are often metaphorically described as "wounded" in the life battle against evil. And all too often they are ostracized and berated instead of comforted and supported as they try to "heal" and remove the sin from their lives. I think that's what he's referring to.

[Blackfive]

[Blackfive pulls out grease pencil, writes "manure spreader idea from Rita" in aviator's notebook]

[Beth]

(I think I was unclear. My above comments referred to treatment by their fellow church members.)

[Blackfive]

Thanks, Beth.

[HomefrontSix]

I love the way you think.

[Phelps]

No relation.

[Blackfive edit: Blackfive uses grease pen in notebook, "Everlasting Phelps is not related...could still use a manure spreader, though. ;->]

[Improbulus Maximus]

"...the way to squelch Phelps is to ignore him."

I think beating him into a coma would send a far clearer message.

[Omnibus Driver]

Count me in, too.

[Not A Lawyer]

I dunno, Matt, you might want to get legal counsel on board before you do anything like paint "Phelps is Gay" on truck. It'd be funny, sure, but it sounds like trouble to me.

[Russ]

I'm definitely in the "he needs an ass-whuppin'" school of thought.

If someone were to interrupt the funeral of one of my family or friends with a damn-fool protest, I'd probably end up in jail. And I don't think I'd mind one bit.

[Robert Modean]

I must respectfully disagree with your assessment Blackfive, the best way to squelch Phelps is to hold him underwater until he stops squirming. The man and his "church" aren't just a bunch of nut jobs and religious crazies - Phelps is downright EVIL.

I had the misfortune of being in Wichita one summer, about seven years ago, when he and the congregation were protesting something - they're always protesting something - and he physically accosted a couple in front of me. His son John - a genuine psychopathic chip of the old block - started ranting at the woman about her being a whore and what he'd do to her because she wanted it so bad, while Fred was physically blocking her husband, interposing himself between the man and his wife while shouting obscenities about fags and hellfire the entire time. I stood their dumbfounded for about a second, then I ran across the street and pulled the woman away from the lunatic son. He came unglued, got right in my face and started screaming at me, so I hauled off and nailed him. By then the cops were involved, so I got arrested for assault. I also became more familiar with the Phelps family than I ever wanted to be as I was sued by them three times over the next two years. I won the law suits but it cost me nearly $11,000. Still, for a chance to haul of and knock that little bastard down again? I'd gladly pay that price. So if they come to Chicago let me know - I'll fly up there just to beat Johnny and the old man down and spend my night in jail. Heck, my lawyer needs a new Jag anyway.

[SK]

Is there a way to start a legal fund for the next person who nails this sick s.o.b.? However they want to do it... some of us aren't really picky.

[Former MP]

Beth was right in what I was trying to say. It is a real shame (actually far worse than a shame) when Christians behave in ways that dishonor Christ. And yes, Blackfive, many don't make it home alive. That is why Christians seem to be the worse advertising for Christianity. But shooting their wounded is not what Phelps is doing. It sounds like he’s dropping anchors into life rafts.

[Juliet]

I can't make it to Chicago, but I'll send bail for anyone who might let their fist slip.

[devildog6771]

First I must strongly disagree that Phelps is a Christian. No offense intended but he doesn't believe in the Christ I know about. He is a radical nut case caught up in his own self importance. Second, maybe a fund would be best if set up to take contributions to legally find a way to block the a$$ from interrupting another honored American's funeral. Great coverage, by the way.

[brogonzo]

FYI - Law Enforcement Command, the battalion under which HHC Garrison (my company) falls, is tasked with providing soldiers for funeral details all over the region, with pairs of soldiers travelling as far as Michigan to render military honors at veterans' funerals.

A friend of mine told me yesterday he'd just gone to a briefing on funeral detail, and the subject had been this collection of whackos. The soldiers were told that members of the congregation are either lawyers or have familiarized themselves with the law on "aggression." If members of a funeral detail encounter these hateful freaks, the guidance is to ignore them completely.

But I can see how that would be hard to do when they're carrying around signs that say "THANK GOD FOR 9/11."

[brogonzo]

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a lawyer for the Kansas church, said Monday that the funeral demonstration was nothing personal against Piper, who was not gay.

"We are protesting the sins of this nation," Phelps-Roper said. "That doesn't exclude him."

Well, if you visit the group's hate-filled site, it seems they DID have something personal against SSG Piper. One of them has written a so-called "epic poem" about their trip to Marblehead, which includes this verse:

Tell them he had pipered straight into the bowels of hell
Where he’d walk the streets with those who defied God as well
Paying for the sins of a rebellious stiff-necked house
Not to mention he himself, a three-time married louse

The clumsy poem also includes passages that thank God for IEDs.

[Harvey]

It would be SOOOOoooo wonderful if at his next appearance, Phelps and his group were met and blocked by squads armed with paint ball guns -- "PRESENT! . . . "

[Rick]

FYI,
I heard this guy really doesn't care about anything he's protesting. It is simply a scam where he and his cronies go around and try to egg people into physically assaulting them (see email above from RM).

Then they sue anyone who does...
This makes it even more dispicable (doing all of this for money), and makes me REALLY want to kick his ass, but I don't want to see good people get sued b/c of this prick.

Just a heads up...

And RM, I'd have done the same thing.

[airforcewife]

Where is it posted that these guys will appear at funerals? If we had some kind of heads up with the people from all areas of the country that read this, there may be bagpipes or choirs that show up at all of them, along with big signs saying "We Love You" and "Thank You" to block the sight of those shitheads from the family and let them know we care.

I know that I could have several people to help with that around our area.

[BloodSpite]

Rita can vouch.

I have the perfect, beat up, worn out old farm truck that will look like it literally DIED in front of The Misanthropic Reverand.

And having manure in the back of it, just so happens to be what it is completely used to hauling. As well as hay, pitch forks, rakes, hoe's and other implements of destruction.....

If someone fronts my gas money, hell, I'll bring my whole damn tractor.....

[Patrick]

Phelps has been picketing the funerals of soldiers for some time now. Apparently he feels that 9/11 was God's punishment to America because of its "wickedness".

Which is basically what Pat Robertson of the 700 club and Falwell said as well. (Later retracted). Dobson of Focus on the Family has also said similar things in the past, that God had removed his hand of protection from America because of its wickedness and allowed terrorists to strike on our shores. I always wonder how survivors of Pearl Harbor felt about that.

These are the people that Karl Rove and other White House staffers, if not the President himself, have a conference call with every week to discuss "strategy". It's a true deal with the Devil.

And now that the Presidents polling numbers have slipped up a bit, I bet we soon will start to hear more trumpeting from the GOP as a whole about moral values, etc. to get the base fired up. Even in the President does not face re-election, Congress surely does.

Phelps is one of the consequences of that. When more moderate and sensible-sounding people push the envelope as far as prejudice or intolerance goes, then those on fringe feel more emboldened in their own actions.

I have always found Phelps to be an abomination, but then I've been seeing him at friends and others funerals since the early 80's. And of course, he is often the sick clown that shows up at a parade.

Christians have often told me over the years that Phelps, or Roberston, Falwell etc. do not represent their views and the views of Christianity itself.

I agree that Phelps does not represent true Christianity. However where I disagree is whether he is a spokesperson for Christ. He certainly is. But not because of the loudness of his words or any skill in his preaching. Rather its because of the far too many good Christians who stand silent and let him and others have the center stage. He's the spokesperson for Christ all right, but only by default.

[That 1 Guy]

*rubbing hands together and giggling maniacally* Count me in, Matt... count me in!

[Rosemary]

Dear Matt,
I am a Southern Baptist Christian, and on behalf of myself and everyone who knows better, I apologize for this ignorance.

There is no excuse for this. None. I won't even through in a but. It is disgraceful. Please, don't hate us all. Most of us know better. I'm sorry.

[Brendon Carr]

Instead of "Phelps is Gay" as a declarative, use the interrogatory: "Is Phelps Gay?"

[NIN]

Crikey, Matt, I have room at my house. Marblehead is only about 90 minutes, and the rest of Mass, too, if these knuckleheads are gonna remain down there.

Guy I know is a Vietnam vet, and is originally from Gloucester or Marblehead (I can never remember which). He got so angry when he heard about this, I'd never seen the guy so riled up. He'd have taken his truck down there and driven right up over the curb and mowed those morons down if he thought it would do some good...

But if the Windy City needs some more ops folks, I've spread a bit of manure in my life. We can be VERY creative. SWA takes me direct to Midway for cheap money, too..

[Jonathan Murray]

SO... one group of deviants protesting another, and trying to make a mess out of a respectful ceremony to honor a fallen soldier.

I love this country! (I just hate the assholes I have to put up with as a condition of that love)

[Robert Modean]

Having had a while to think about this I have to say that I have no desire to confront the Phelps Family Freak Show when they're protesting a soldier's funeral. I know if I'm anywhere near these jerks again, I'm getting arrested for assault, again, and the main reason they're there is to cause a commotion and draw media attention. So why should I help them?

Heck, that's the last thing we should assist them with, especially at a soldiers funeral. It's disrespectful to the soldier's family and I believe it's ultimately disrespectful to the sacrifice the fallen have made in service to their country.

So I figure if I know where the bastards are going to be, and I can get there in time, I'd just choose my own battle field so to speak. That way I can express my distaste with their antics on Johnny before they get to the funeral - no harm, no foul - and after all, it's only money.

[Mad Dog]

Never one to wish some one ill will, just mabey
good old Fred might run across a brother from
saudi land with this large waste belt looking
for his 72 virgins, big bang a 2-fer OR with
any luck a 3-way with Ward Curchill in the mix.
Ahhhhh...Life is good, Hey it was just a thought
If old Phelps comes out my way I have a size 12
just waiting for him...

[billhedrick]

Here is the way to answer him. Simply tell him that God forgives his sin and loves him despite his attempts to be righteous. Remind him that with what judgement he judges he will be judged and if he does not forgive his neighbor his sins God has said that God will not forgive him his sins. All these points are clearly scriptural. Smile at him and offer him a hug. He is so primed to be hated that true evangelical love will shame him if he has half a brain.

[kc2ixe]

How about we get a group together and go to his CHURCH, and counter protest - right in the middle of service...........

[Bram]

I’m a veteran from Mass. now in the NJ National Guard. Because Mass produces so many ultra liberal politicians, people mistakenly think we are all limp wristed liberals. I deployed to Desert Shield / Desert Storm with a Marine Reserve Infantry battalion from New England and headquartered in Mass. These Devil Dogs were not peace loving Kennedys.

There are many many veterans in Mass. The Mass State police is predominately former Marine and I’m sure that there are many Vets in the other police departments.

If I was attending the funeral of a fallen comrade and protesters showed up, the violent reaction would be immediate. These protestors are going to get their asses severely kicked and the cops are going to look the other way.

[Ma Deuce Gunner]

At it again is he...how bout we buy this guy a ticket to North Korea...or, say..Tibet...somewhere where he will then understand when he is missing his freedoms that he abuses with such bravado.

[seawitch]

I am so appalled by these people. And it was a great thing that the police did to drown out their message of hate, stupidity, and homophobia.

[alice]

Phelps is supposed to be coming to Plattsburgh NY this weekend to protest outside our churches, not for a funeral though.(Thank God) I just hope we can all completely ignore him. I wish our newspaper had ignored him too, instead he's on the front page. More publicity is just what he wants. It is bringing our city together though - everywhere you look there are signs that say 'stop hate'

[Todd]

Matt, anything like that happens in the Chicago area, count me in too - Indy is only a three hour drive away. And if they dare come to Indy...I'll be calling out for help too.

Cannot believe someone would disrespect anyone who has made the ultimate sacrifice..I'd be willing to spend the 24 hours or whatever in jail if I had to, to protect their honor.

[Blackfive]

No violence, guys. That's what they want so they can SUE you and take away everything you own. Don't let that happen.

But there are many ways to counter them - politely and accidentally blocking their view and drowning them out is just one...and, of course, we need to be respectful to the fallen soldier's family. No need for riots.

Knowing where they'll be ahead of time will help too.

Perhaps they can be countered before reaching the funeral...I know some tow truck guys (this IS Chicago after all) that would be more than willing to help.

[april]

Personally I think that the only thing that this guy wants is attention. He has no respect for anyone and he is the lowest form of life that i have ever seen. He doesn't even deserve to be called human. To "thank God for IED's" is about the most ass-holeish thing i can think of anyone to thank God for. My sister was involved in an accident back on April 22 in which her best friend was killed when he shieled her from, not one, but two, IED blasts. If they would have been at his funeral and I would have been there... I would have tried everything in my power not to deck him. He just really pisses me off and the more i hear about this uneducated-whatever (can't call him person/human) man i just want to take a couple of swings at him. But i think for now i will just ingore the fact that this unsympathetic, low-life even exsists. All he wants is the attention that comes from what he does and personally i don't think he deserves any of it. I think the only thing that we can do is figure out where he is ahead of time and then somehow block their vision whether it be with trucks or one really hugs brick wall. I will be more then willing to come out and help build one :)

I really shouldn't even be posting this now because i haven't had much sleep and so my emotions are over taking this post. So i am just going to stop now and pretend that i never even heard this idiots name. As far as i am concerned he doesn't exsist!

[april]

and by the way hugs should be huge. really huge brick wall.

[Val]

Our soldier didn't die so there will be no protests at her funeral.

She is hooked on morphine, still has no cast on her broken leg and there was no news notice of the mortar attack on her barracks in Baghdad.

To follow her and other wounded from the wars see
http://forwardho.blogspot.com/2005/06/isnt-one-too-many.html

[recondoc]

I'm so amazed that there are actuall assclowns out there that would do this kind of thing. The fact that they are allowed to say it is what we all go and fight for though. It doesn't mean we have to pay them any attention.
As far as counter protest ops go, another source for some good folks is Protest Warrior. They have chapters throughout the country and are always willing to jump into the frey to help out when it comes to coutering morons who demand to be heard whether there is any substance to what they say or not.
Doc
Semper Fi! Corpsman Up!

[Graumagus]

Matt: I will be personally offended if such an operation takes place in the Chicago area and you do not contact me so I can be involved.

[Jim]

One of the smartest things I've ever seen done to somewhat muzzle these types of assclowns* is as simple as this:

*effective on EarthFirsters; the whole general patheticpatchoullipunk brigades.

Arm a few key, quick-handed people with a can of black Krylon Flash-Dry spray paint. Amazing how that messes up the objective lens of a Phelpsian video camera.

Take their cameras away, and you take a lot of their motivation to agitate right along with it. Yeah, they'll get pissed, but now they can't capture on tape the...umm..... persecution they so self-pityingly decry.

And so richly deserve.

In respect to Matt's wishes, I won't describe said persecution.

One other thing I saw which was devestatingly effective against some wannabe skinheads once.....

....Laugh at them. Get the whole anti-Phelps crowd out there, coach 'em well, and at the appointed time, just point and laugh uproariously at those brain-imploded turd surfers.

They thrive on the anger of others? Fine. Let's see how they handle contempt,derison, shame and scorn.

Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[Graumagus]

Oh yeah, I'm thinking whoever is in that broken farm truck should be wearing leatherboy gear, complete with assless chaps, and the sides and back of the truck should read "Bruce's Gerbil Farm"....

[BloodSpite]

Ok I'll bring the truck, but your gonna have to find some other sucker fot the ass-less chaps

[Shelley]

I live in Topeka and have the extreme displeasure of having this bad of idiots terrorize my church every single Sunday, in any type of weather. What is more disturbing is that they have young (as young as 5 or 6) standing with them holding their signs. I just want you all to know that not everyone in Kansas is that mentally disturbed and that they make us want to do things to remedy the situation (like "lose control" of the car). I am sorry that they have taken their hate-filled crusade to other states. I was disillusioned into thinking they would just stick around and bother their own neighbors.

[phil from texas]

Sad that these pieces of crap feel the need to inflict their hate filled bullshit on families that have already lost so much.
It seems to me that the best answer is to turn their tactics against them. Hit them with so many law suits that they are tied up in court for the next 50 years,help the families file charges against them for libel,trespassing,spitting on the sidewalk,whatever. Find out where they have their law licenses and call the board and file ethical grievances against them. Protest their tax expempt staus with the IRS.Tie up their phone lines.Protest their filthy wesites to their internet provider.Call the local CPS and report them for child endangerment.Figure out way to papermill them to death.Bury them

[Geoffrey]

I was there. Several interesting events took place. First, they required police protection. A few groups showed up for the sole purpose of delivering an ass whooping. As I walked by, their was a group of mounted police with their horse's asses pointed towards the protestors.

[Marcus Aurelius]

Supposedly Fred & his gang were up in Antigo (central Wisconsin) a week or two ago to protest at a military funeral as well.

The Cult of Fred.

[Lisa Gilliam]

This Hypocrite needs to be taught a lesson in manners and class in the worst way.I actually despise people such as this and I to am a Christian,but either Phelps hasn't read his Bible much or he has twisted it into something else.He is doing nothing but making a mockery of the Word of God,and it is time Christians tell him so.Mr. Phelps start doing more produtive things with your time and actually learn what the good book says instead of behaving like some ignorant apostate yahoo.

[Rita]

I still think the manure spreader is the best idea; S**T on S**T...no hurt, no foul. The spreader misfired.

It is painful to see that we have such idiots as Phelps protray themselves as the "saviors" of sin. I am sure they will enjoy their eternity in Hell....forever getting sprayed by a manure spreader.....

[Hope]

I just read the story about Adam Harting funeral and the Protest. Adam was only 21 years old. I am so sorry and so sad, that there was a protest and other problems these people casued at Adam Harting funeral and for his family and friends and the things these people have done at other people funerals.

I have been aware of Fred Phelps and his group for the things they have done at funeral protest over the years. It is very sad and very sick and it is getting even more out of control.

I do rember when Fred Phelps group where going to baby funerals and protesting when babies died from AIDS, the babies got aids from blood transfusions.

There are a few things the US goverment can do, have the IRS check Fred Phelps churches...501 c 3 records. Where are they getting the funds to go to these funerals to protest?

Fred Phelps and his group for years have walked on the rights and feelings of other people. They have used there churches 501 c 3 tax free as a way to raise money. I do not think the US goverment has checked on does Fred Phelps legaly have a church? Under the IRS rules and regulations of what is legaly a church?

Let the IRS deal with Fred Phelps and his group and then Fred Phelps will not have the time or the funds to protest funeral's.

[Nav Intel]

Good point. It takes money to do the kind of thing the Phelps group does. It would be nice for some investigative journalist to find out who the money is coming from and "out" those people in a very public way.

[Alan]

Wow, I'm not the most religious person in the world. But I know there is a line somewhere in the bible that goes sorta like "may he without sin cast the first stone" I'm sure that has some bearing here. Who is shirley to judge anyone, or to even point out what she thinks they are doing wrong?