Bush Signs Law to Bar Military Funeral ProtestsBy Nathan Burchfiel
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
December 27, 2006
(CNSNews.com) –
President Bush has signed into a law an amendment to U.S. law protecting military funerals from protests like those staged by a controversial Kansas church that characterizes soldiers’ deaths as divine punishment for homosexuality.
The new amendment prohibits protestors from demonstrating within 150 feet of a funeral and within an hour of the memorial service. It provides a year in jail and/or an undetermined fine for violators.
The rule applies to funerals at non-federal cemeteries, joining legislation passed in May 2006 that bans demonstrations at national cemeteries such as Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C.
Wild Thing’s comment……..
It is more than past time. it should have never taken this long if the powers that be truly had the respect they should for these fine men and women.
I really don’t think we need a law barring protesters, like the inbreeds at Westboro Baptist Church, from military funerals. I believe while the family of the fallen GI mourns, the friends of the fallen GI should take care of the protesters “American” style by kicking the living crap out of them. It would also help if law enforcement was on the other side of town looking for J-walkers or speeders. A good old fashoned ass-whopping would do more to put an end to this than any law.
I wonder, are they going to enforce this law like they do the immigration laws?
Jack H. I agree. I do realize that it could be shot down in regards to free speech. But to me free speech should not apply to people that bash our military like they do and especially when it is at a funeral for one of our troops. The line has to be drawn and this Bill Bush signed does that. I hope it sticks.
Bob, (applauding what you said for them to do) that would be great.
Bobf, I totally agree. Once while in a predeployment ceremony in Yakima, Wahington in 1968, some war protesters were heckling us, a couple of our men stepped back, took care of the hecklers then got back into formation as if nothing had happened. The heckling stopped and no police intervened, if they had, there would have been in excess of 180 men and their families involved in an all out fracas. I’m 100% for street justice, starting with the press, they have preyed on us long enough.
Finally, a good law. Too damn bad there is even a need for it. And Yes, I also support street justice in this situation.
Whatever the merits of this law, we need to remember that the fallen soldier fell in defense of Iraqis. All well and good, but every day Bush ignores the defense of America by failing to defend out own borders, the defense of Iraqis becomes a mockery of defense policy as a whole. How about signing a border law which would be consistent with the soldier’s sacrifice?
What Jack and BobF said. Law enforcement just go have a donught and coffee. Check back later. They won’t kill anyone, but the protestors will keep a healthy distance from then on out.
Bah… those protestors did such a good job of reminding people that all things Christians are not automatically good.
Suricou, that is really an idiotic remark. Christianity is reviled every day, and you do a pretty good job of it yourself. Get serious.
And who is this jerk pastor who claims to talk for God? Does he not remember that in the Bible it says, “Vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord.”? And Jesus spoke that we should love one another? It’s not for this man to choose whether God loves someone–God is all forgiving and loving. We are his children and he loves us all–all colors, races, religions, orientation, all. He is the one creator of this wonderful planet. He is our Father.
God also said to watch out for false prophets.
Tom, yes, it is sad to me that we even need a law like this. That there are people that even exist that make it where we have to have this law is heartbreaking.
Lynn, exactly, the first time I found out about that pastor and his church I wouldn’t believe that there were people like that. I had to see him on TV and then I saw his website for me to actually realize there are people like that in this world. It made my skin crawl.
Rhod, that is a great idea..”How about signing a border law which would be consistent with the soldier’s sacrifice?”