Posted on 05/29/2006 7:53:26 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
By LARRY MARGASAK, Associated Press Writer 11 minutes ago
As throngs came to the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery to honor the fallen on Memorial Day, a handful of protesters from an anti-gay group stood across a four-lane highway from a conservative group supporting the troops.
The two groups, separated by a line of police cars, were faced off about 300 feet from the entrance to the cemetery. They held signs making competing arguments. But because of noise from approaching motorcycles and cars, they could not hear one another.
A small group of members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., who have been demonstrating around the country at military funerals, sang "God hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America" and held signs that read "God is America's terror", "Thank God for dead soldiers", "You're going to hell", and "Bush killed them."
Across the street, a handful of people from the conservative group known as FreeRepublic.com held a large sign saying, "God bless our troops, defenders of freedom, American heroes." Other signs said, "God does love our defenders of freedom" and "This Memorial Day, thank a soldier for your freedom."
As people walked to the cemetery past the Westboro church group, many looked at them and scowled and several shouted insults.
"Shut your mouth," one woman yelled at them, and a man passing by said, "Read your Bible." A spokesman for FreeRepublic.com, Kristinn Taylor, said his group showed up to demonstrate because they knew the church group was coming. He said they have staged counter demonstrations on several occasions when Westboro protesters disrupted military funerals.
"They're out of line," Taylor said. "Their hateful message isn't welcome here. Many of us have loved ones buried here."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Thank you, Kristinn.
Miss all of you guys and gals and sorry to send the vermin of the great State of Kansas to dishonor America and more importantly living and dead veterans lying in peace after giving up their lives to preserve, protect and defend all of the rest of us.
GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA.
A huge heartfelt shoutout to the DC chapter, wish I could have been there. Thank you.
thank you kristinn!
from just one of those with
family members buried there.
bless you!
From the article:Margie Phelps, spokeswoman for the Westboro church group, said the group was protesting because "Congress doesn't have the power and can't pass enough laws to stop the wrath of God" against homosexuals.Huh?"America is doomed because she has institutionalized sin and exalted homosexuality," she said.
More...
Many people in cars and on motorcycles honked and gave friendly waves to the FreeRepublic group as they drove by.There ya go! J
We will.
Thank you Kristinn and D.C. Chapter for getting this message out.
The DC Chapter has a special place in the book of freedom.
Thanks to all of them and their families and friends.
Thanks to all the Freepers upholding the morals and values that our military fights to keep. Thanks for standing between my dad's resting place and these low-lifes. They have no shame.
bump. although you are not serving as a soldier in our military, you are engaged with our internal enemies and for that I again salute you and the DC Chapter with the
George W. Bush Memorial Day 2006 "Citizen, Not Spectator" Award
God Bless Free Republic, and God Bless the DC Chapter.
Hope to see you again soon, Kristinn.
Kudos to Larry Margasak of the Associated Press for a well-written and balanced story, a rare nugget from the AP these days. And, of course, thank you to the patriots of the DC Chapter. We stand with you in spirit, as always.
Good for our side!
Thank you Kristinn and God bless you and all the DC FReepers. You guys are warriors too!
I was in the car at the top of the hour when Fox News Radio had their news report. It mentioned Free Republic was there protesting against the loons.
These church members are a disgrace to Christianity. I disagree with them completely and feel they are turning people away from Christianity instead of leading them to salvation. They are doing the devil's work, not the Lord's.
Thanks D.C. Freepers!
Normally, Larry Margasak is a left-wing toady for the DNC.
Given that he failed to mention (or investigate) the fact that Fred Phelps is a registered Democrat and friend of Al Gore is a glaring omission that reveals his true motives.
Thank you.
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