stever, (1/5/2009 7:25:13 PM)

The folks at Westboro need to take some time and read the Bible sometime. Studying how to act with Grace, as Jesus taught, would be a start. But I guess they'd have to learn to read first ... and that would take an average IQ that they would not have the ability to achieve.

Bullhead, Nicut (1/5/2009 7:32:20 PM)

These people are a bunch of nuts. I'm a Baptist but I would have no part of this. Regardless of how they or I feel about any one of these things they are picketing, the Bible clearly tells us to obey the laws of the land. It also tells us not to cram our belief down anyones throat who does not want to hear it. I hope the Bill passes and these people are put in their place.

DB Troubadour, T-town (1/5/2009 7:36:54 PM)

Good advise Bullhead. Nobody should cram their beliefs down others throats.

This should just be a simple matter of respect for the deceased and their loved ones. I respect Westboro's right to express their opinions, as unhinged as they may be, but they should pick a different time and venue.

R U 4 Real?, GREATER TULSA AREA (1/5/2009 7:39:17 PM)

Another group of inbred idiots and morons that spew hatred in the name of God. Maybe they need to be exiled some place like, I don't know, maybe Gaza.

Ignatz, Broken Bow (1/5/2009 7:47:31 PM)

It is truly amazing at how crazy "religious beliefs" can make some people. You see these people on tv and they look like normal Wal Mart shoppers. I don't get this craziness at all. Since their "protests" are not directed to the friends/loved ones of the deceased but merely to draw attention to themselves and their nutty cause maybe if the news outlets would pool and agree with the leader of this cult to picture them on the news briefly they could show up after the funeral/services. I'm surprised they haven't had their lights punched out by now.

Big Harp, Florida (1/5/2009 7:55:03 PM)

The Local Veterans and a few Motorcycle Groups kept these idiots away from the funerals when they came to Jacksonville last year.

I agree with you R U 4 Real.

Ayo, T-Town (1/5/2009 8:04:20 PM)

Like probably everyone on this board, I don't understand these people. How could anyone do that to a family who has suffered the loss of a loved one. I do not understand.

golfwife, (1/5/2009 8:16:12 PM)

I do hope Senator Gumm's bill is passed and sent to the Governor's office then signed immediately.

Sam Stein, Owasso (1/5/2009 8:38:19 PM)

I thought that Christians believed that Jesus died for the world's sins. If so, why do soldiers need to die for these "sins" as the protesters claim? Seems like the protesters aren't very Christian...

James, Weatherford, Weatherford, OK (1/5/2009 8:53:39 PM)

Although I completely disagree with the message of Westboro Baptist Church members, Freedom of Speech is a "yes or no" question. We either have it, with its attendant annoyances, or we don't. I don't want anyone's speech restricted, no matter how much it is counter to my beliefs. We have seen enough restriction of speech in the last eight years to last us for a while.

OutPickMyNose, (1/5/2009 8:59:02 PM)

James, I think our freedom of speech will still be intact even after we regulate moron's like these people to picket at a funeral. That isn't freedom of speech, it is freedom of stupid.

Caitlin, Tulsa (1/5/2009 9:10:31 PM)

"Freedom of stupid" is unfortunately a byproduct of freedom of speech sometimes... I agree with James. You can't technically arrest or restrict these people under the 1st Amendment until they break the law or get within the legalized limits of a funeral procession. It's a frankly grotesque misuse of the First Amendment, but a use of it nonetheless.

Let Darwinism take care of these people. They might deny its existence, but it's coming for them.

R U 4 Real?, GREATER TULSA AREA (1/5/2009 9:23:12 PM)

I do not want to take away this group freedom of speech. This is one of the reasons why I serve. I believe that this church has the right to protest and demonstrate. I just believe that they should do so in a respectable manner.

Has anyone been to a funeral and had this group show up? They are obscene and disruptive.

They could send a louder message with out words by turning their back to the funeral procession than screaming and yelling some of the crap they yell and scream.

I am all about freedom of speech but I am not about freedom to hate.

To be honest nothing would please me more than to have a come to Jesus meeting with some of there members.
In the military circle come to Jesus meetings are often called wall to wall counseling.
If you do not know what wall to wall counseling is please ask.

Hijinx, (1/5/2009 9:31:33 PM)

Topeka? Lets extend that bill to about 239.68 miles.

Skeptic, Tulsa (1/5/2009 9:32:50 PM)

James, I do see your point and have to say in theory I agree with you. It's a slippery slope when we try to say what speech should or should not be allowed. It is so subjective.

I really think that in time these vermin will die off, as they are an inbred group feeding off the hate of their patriarch, Fred Phelps. I've seen them in action here in Tulsa and visited their disgusting website. These folks are crazed fanatics with one message...Hate for anyone who is not one of them.

Why hasn't the Baptist church at least pulled their name from this "franchise"? And why hasn't the legislature or IRS pulled their tax exempt status? Why are other churches letting these nut jobs be the "example of Christ" in the community?

I hate what they stand for, they are distasteful and disrespectful, their messege is wrong spirited, but I'm with you James and not ready to limit theirs or any other group's free speech because it's distasteful to the community.

Skeptic, Tulsa (1/5/2009 9:55:55 PM)

Great post Dempsey. I agree 100% that if there is legislation put forth, it should apply to all funerals and not just military.

They are a vile cult.

Wizzened Old Timer, (1/5/2009 9:55:59 PM)

As much as I dislike what these protesters choose to say and when they choose to say it, they are free to say whatever they like, so long as no physical harm is done. That right is what our servicemen and women are dying to protect. Get used to it people, and get a thicker skin.
ACLU, get ready to help us dumb Okies appreciate what we have - again.

Bun-E, T-town (1/5/2009 9:59:47 PM)

Ya gotta love those Baptists.
While in the military, I kept my sanity by saying I was fighting for freedom from religion and freedom of speech. I really wanted the right to say what I thought about being sent to fight in the jungle if and when I finally got home.
I can share a little bit of that freedom with these "Wal-Mart shoppers", no matter what I think of their religious views, if that's what it takes.

tbgalileo, Tulsa (1/5/2009 10:10:57 PM)

Skeptic, the way I read the story, it will apply to all funerals, not just military funerals. I am sure that the bill's author thought about that when he wrote it. In fact, to restrict the law to banning protest for some funerals and not others would make it far more vulnerable to a 1st amendment, and possibly a 14th amendment, court challenge. It is a lot stronger if it applies to all funerals universally.

Dempsey, I understand your frustration. The gay community has been dealing with this chuch now for nearly two decades. When Matt Shepard was very brutally murdered in Wyoming, this chuch showed up at the funeral and yelled at his parents that their "f** son" was burning in hell as they entered the chuch for his service. What a lot of people don't realize is that the very core of this church's motivation for doing this is their hatred of gay people. Just check out their website... godhatesf**gs dot com (you fill in the missing characters). Thier website names says it all.

Even though this law was needed then and not taken up by legislators, I do think we can be thankful that it is now coming up. Any funeral, regardless of who died or why they died, should not be interrupted by protest. Sure, this law is overdue, but let's just be grateful that it is now coming to light.

tbgalileo, Tulsa (1/5/2009 10:19:20 PM)

I'm also not sure that this law is running afoul of the 1st amendment. Free speech is not an unlimited, consequence-free ability in our society. I am not allowed to threaten someone, incite riots, yell fire in a theatre, etc. There are legitimate and legal restrictions on free speech and those have been held constitutional by the courts.

Their speech is not being controlled. They are free to promote their ideas, however, they do not have a right to disrupt a funderal service while doing it. Their goal is not speech... their goal is disruption and to degrade family members. Setting completely reasonable restrictions on proximity barriers at funerals is not a violation of the 1st amendment. They can still protest, but not if that protest infriges on others' rights.

toyourdismay, Tulsa (1/5/2009 10:23:24 PM)

Some of the absolute worst people in the world. Really hope this passes.

Mr. Brown, Tulsa (1/5/2009 10:29:52 PM)

Showing up to disrupt a funeral is not only vile,
but stupid, when you think of how emotional and
unstable the mourners may be.
That being said, nothing good can come from passing legislation gutting the 1st Amendment, when all is needed is a family sized fist fight and some ripped up signs. LOL

R U 4 Real?, GREATER TULSA AREA (1/5/2009 10:38:14 PM)

Dempsey,
"Our servicemen and servicewomen are NOT dying in Iraq to protect us here in the USA. The war in Iraq has no connection with the freedoms of US Citizens living in the United States and its Territories."
I beg to differ. Anytime a service member dies it is the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, regardless of where the service member is located. We are ready to defend this Nation, the Constitution and our freedoms every minute of everday, and everywhere.
thank you for your opinion. I appreciate it.

Mr. Brown, Tulsa (1/5/2009 10:40:59 PM)

Roscoe
That'd be quite an episode of "Law and Order".
Some funeral disrupter gets found in an alley, with a funeral sign rammed into his gut. If the
defendent claims temp insanity, would the jury let him off?

Carlos, Tulsa (1/5/2009 11:05:57 PM)

I guess if you don't have the talent to become famous, you can always have the mouth to become infamous.