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A Show of Force Supports Troops
Fayetteville Observer ^ | 17 July 2008 | Laura Arenschield

Posted on 07/17/2008 6:47:56 AM PDT by BufordP

On one side of Bragg Boulevard on Wednesday, American flags whipped in the wind, from toothpicks, from veteran’s hands, from the top of a pole attached to a pickup.

On the other, American flags were being dragged on the ground.

On one side, Army wives, veterans and bikers held signs that read "I Love My Soldier," "Our Husbands, Our Heroes," and "God Loves The World."

On the other, four members of Westboro Baptist Church — including a 22-year-old woman and 7-year-old boy — held signs that read “God is Your Enemy” and "America is Doomed." The child’s read: "God Hates the U.S.A."

The two sides were there for just an hour, but it was clear that more than six lanes and a median separated them.

The church sent a handful of members from its headquarters in Topeka, Kan., to Fort Bragg to preach that the death of Spc. Megan Lynn Touma, the pregnant soldier found in her hotel room last month, was prompted by God’s wrath against the United States.

The church, a small group made up almost entirely of a single family, believes that natural disasters and murders are God’s way of punishing the U.S. for the country’s acceptance of homosexuality, the war in Iraq and the worship of symbols such as the American flag. The church has attracted national publicity for picketing the funerals of homosexuals and of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dannell Shafer, whose husband is a combat medic in the 82nd Airborne Division, wanted the members of Westboro Baptist to know they were not welcome here.

She posted messages on the Internet and sent out e-mails. The word spread. Her friends — Army wives, mostly in their early or mid-20s, got together and painted signs.

(Excerpt) Read more at fayobserver.com ...


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Culture/Society; US: North Carolina
KEYWORDS: fredphelps; ftbragg; westboro; wot
Posting this on behalf of PatrioticMarineMom. Kudos to her!
1 posted on 07/17/2008 6:47:57 AM PDT by BufordP
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To: 1 Olgoat; 103198; 10Ring; 11Bush; 1stbn27; 2ndClassCitizen; 2SterlingConservatives; 2yearlurker; ...

DC Chapter ping. Phelps and the Westboro inbreds at it again outside Ft Bragg.


2 posted on 07/17/2008 6:49:39 AM PDT by BufordP (Had Mexicans flown planes into the World Trade Center, Jorge Bush would have surrendered.)
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To: BufordP

The last paragraph in the article, a quote from Ms. Shafer:

“I’m so excited,” she said. “I had no doubt in my mind that Fort Bragg wives would be here to support this. I said that, when I heard (Westboro Baptist) was coming, I said, ‘Dare them. Dare them to come here.’”


3 posted on 07/17/2008 6:58:11 AM PDT by fredhead (4-cylinder, air cooled, horizontally opposed......THE REAL VW!!!)
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To: BufordP

It seems to me that travelling to all these funerals to protest would be an expensive proposition. Where do Phelps & Co get the money?


4 posted on 07/17/2008 7:19:40 AM PDT by knittnmom (...surrounded by reality!)
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To: BufordP

Thanks Buford for the kudos but the real kudos go to my brother-in-law Dave. He is a 100% disabled vet living in Fayetteville. He knows how passionate I feel about our troops and sent me the link. He is so disgusted by the anti-war groups. Especially now that his son is on his 3rd tour in Iraq.
My prayers go out to the wives and families of those that had to see the bottom dwellers.


5 posted on 07/17/2008 7:32:48 AM PDT by PatrioticMarineMom (I'm Free because He Fights! He deploys August 2008.)
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To: 80 Square Miles

It’s my understanding that a few of the inbred church members are slip-and-fall attorneys. The Phelps family I hear are notoriously prone to slipping and falling.


6 posted on 07/17/2008 7:34:05 AM PDT by BufordP (Had Mexicans flown planes into the World Trade Center, Jorge Bush would have surrendered.)
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To: BufordP; All

Please help with a show of force at Youtube

For those who haven’t seen the FReeper made video with quotes by Free Republics ArmyMarineMom please stop by and show your support.

A combination of videos and photos showing the Democrat and the Media position on the war in Iraq as our troops become the victim of politics.

Our Media, Democrats and our Troops in Iraq

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MfDa5MbxBk


7 posted on 07/17/2008 7:40:08 AM PDT by april15Bendovr (Free Republic & Ron Paul Cult = oxymoron)
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To: 80 Square Miles

Paging Mr. Soros. Mr. Soros, please pick up the red courtesy phone.


8 posted on 07/17/2008 7:51:01 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Drill Here! Drill Now! Pay Less! Sign the petition at http://www.americansolutions.com/)
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To: april15Bendovr

Yes, that is an excellent video! I saw it about a month ago. Very well done.


9 posted on 07/17/2008 8:09:33 AM PDT by BufordP (Had Mexicans flown planes into the World Trade Center, Jorge Bush would have surrendered.)
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To: BufordP
Thank you

I am glad to see these patriotic bikers are shaking up this group of mentally deranged protesters. Makes me proud to be an American

10 posted on 07/17/2008 8:19:20 AM PDT by april15Bendovr (Free Republic & Ron Paul Cult = oxymoron)
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To: BufordP; All

Thanks BufordP for publishing this. I spent most of 1967 with the 82nd. They were fine people then and they are fine people now.

Even finer are the wives, and patriots who countered the cult which has more in common with the islamic fascists then anyone else.

Thanking the Ft Bragg patriots for their activist approach.


11 posted on 07/17/2008 1:16:01 PM PDT by kburi
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To: BufordP

Great story. Thanks for pinging me.


12 posted on 07/18/2008 1:42:11 AM PDT by onemiddleamerican
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