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Home Front: WoT
Bush bans anti-gay funeral protests
2006-05-29
US President George W. Bush signed a law that bans protests at military funerals, in a bid to counter a group that has staged anti-gay demonstrations at ceremonies for soldiers killed in Iraq. Mr Bush signed the law, already passed by Congress, as the US marked Memorial Day, a national holiday devoted to commemorating the country's war dead from all conflicts. The White House said Mr Bush had signed the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, which follows months of controversial protests by a hardline group of Baptists from Kansas. The group has turned up at scores of funerals across the country holding banners saying the war dead are "God's wrath" at US tolerance for homosexuals. Politicians and veterans groups have expressed disgust at the protests.

The new law "prohibits certain demonstrations at cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery, and provides for punishment of such demonstrations as misdemeanours," the White House said. "I'm pleased the president has acted so quickly to sign this bill so that we can ensure families are able to honour their heroic loved ones in peace and with the dignity they deserve," Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said in a statement.

The measure bans protests within 100m of the entrance of a national cemetery and 50m from a road into the cemetery. The ban applies an hour before until an hour after a funeral. The law allows for a fine of $US100,000 ($132,000) and up to a year in prison for violators. It does not name any group but is clearly aimed at the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, which has achieved worldwide notoriety through the protests.
Posted by:tipper

#13  I told my brother and buddies that if I get whacked in Iraq and these assholes show up to my funeral they are to quickly and quietly set down my casket and commence the ass kicking of a lifetime on these jokers. Once said ass-whipping has been dealt out then said ceremony should reconvene as if nothing ever happened. That will be written into my will.
Posted by: Broadhead6   2006-05-29 23:41  

#12  Personally, I think the lost art of tarring and feathering should be brought back (including any ACLU pukes who try to interfere.) If that fails, then I ditto Frank.
Posted by: PBMcL   2006-05-29 21:01  

#11  simply remove the police presence and don't respond to calls. Once every one of these geniuses suffers from fatal axe-handle headache , call in the ME. "They're dead, Jim"
Posted by: Frank G   2006-05-29 18:24  

#10  Let me get this right. Judges have issued restraining orders on spouses and on groups protesting around abortion clinics, but the legislative branch can't do basically the same thing? Something is wacked here [Yeah, I know, the judiciary and the ACLU]. I expect his new law to be enforced about as effectively as our border security. It'll take 'vigilantes' to get the government to do their job.
Posted by: Elmineger Shineck4988   2006-05-29 17:48  

#9  Should have signed a law allowing the use of baseball bats on moonbats protestors. Could call it the MFP (Moonbat Funeral protestor) hunting season. DV could bag his limit plus a few reportrs for good measure.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2006-05-29 17:39  

#8  Sea, could be an interesting case for the Supremes. Will the Roberts' court try to make new law or simply interpret it (as in accordance with the Constitution)?
Posted by: Captain America   2006-05-29 16:18  

#7  C-low, the act doesn't cover the situation you describe. See DarthVader's suggestion at # 4. :)
Posted by: GK   2006-05-29 15:33  

#6  Colorado has a new law that went into effect May 26, 2006. The law requires protesters to stay back 100 feet from a funeral and people using bullhorns could be kept 150 feet away. It makes interfering with a funeral a misdemeanor punishable by three to 12 months in jail and a fine of $1,000. Each mourner can also sue to recover damages up to $1,000 plus attorney fees.

Seafarious,the ACLU in Colorado said it won't challenge the law until authorities try to enforce it. They went after Kentucky over a similar law earlier this month. So you're right to expect Phelp's buddies to work their way to up to SCOTUS.
Posted by: GK   2006-05-29 15:20  

#5  Wonder if this law will also apply to the lovely Code Pink freaks that protest outside the VA with ourageous signs?
Posted by: C-Low   2006-05-29 14:48  

#4  Just shoot the assholes and be done with it.
Posted by: DarthVader   2006-05-29 14:35  

#3  There protests are a way for Phelps and his spawn to make money. All 6(?) of his brood are lawyers and were licking their chops at the thought of citizens going off on them. With this law, Phelps is now place under financial jeopardy. Best that can be hope under the circomstances.
Posted by: ed   2006-05-29 14:11  

#2  Bah. This will go all the way to the Supreme Court. And Fred Phelps will win, with his new buddies, the ACLU.
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-05-29 14:09  

#1  Well good, but WTF? Is a law necessary? I'll take Deacon, Ace and friends.
Posted by: 6   2006-05-29 14:02  

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