We need more people like this

[netviper13]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/02/21/fun....ap/index.html

FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky (AP) -- Wearing vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls around the country from one soldier's funeral to another, cheering respectfully to overshadow jeers from church protesters.

They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and they are more than 5,000 strong, forming to counter anti-gay protests held by the Rev. Fred Phelps at military funerals.

Phelps believes American deaths in Iraq are divine punishment for a country that he says harbors homosexuals. His protesters carry signs thanking God for so-called IEDs -- explosives that are a major killer of soldiers in Iraq.

The bikers shield the families of dead soldiers from the protesters, and overshadow the jeers with patriotic chants and a sea of red, white and blue flags.

"The most important thing we can do is let families know that the nation cares," said Don Woodrick, the group's Kentucky captain. "When a total stranger gets on a motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold a flag, that makes a powerful statement."

At least 14 states are considering laws aimed at the funeral protesters, who at a recent memorial service at Fort Campbell wrapped themselves in upside-down American flags. They danced and sang impromptu songs peppered with vulgarities that condemned homosexuals and soldiers.

The Patriot Guard was also there, waving up a ruckus of support for the families across the street. Community members came in the freezing rain to chant "U-S-A, U-S-A" alongside them.

"This is just the right thing to do. This is something America didn't do in the '70s," said Kurt Mayer, the group's national spokesman. "Whether we agree with why we're over there, these soldiers are dying to protect our freedoms."

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a daughter of Fred Phelps and an attorney for the Topeka, Kansas-based church, said neither state laws nor the Patriot Guard can silence their message that God killed the soldiers because they fought for a country that embraces homosexuals.

"The scriptures are crystal clear that when God sets out to punish a nation, it is with the sword. An IED is just a broken-up sword," Phelps-Roper said. "Since that is his weapon of choice, our forum of choice has got to be a dead soldier's funeral."

The church, Westboro Baptist Church, is not affiliated with a larger denomination and is made up mostly of Fred Phelps' extended family members.

During the 1990s, church members were known mostly for picketing the funerals of AIDS victims, and they have long been tracked as a hate group by the Montgomery, Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project.

The project's deputy director, Heidi Beirich, said other groups have tried to counter Phelps' message, but none has been as organized as the Patriot Guard.

"I'm not sure anybody has gone to this length to stand in solidarity," she said. "It's nice that these veterans and their supporters are trying to do something. I can't imagine anything worse, your loved one is killed in Iraq and you've got to deal with Fred Phelps."

Kentucky, home to sprawling Fort Campbell along the Tennessee line, was among the first states to attempt to deal with Phelps legislatively. Its House and Senate have each passed bills that would limit people from protesting within 300 feet of a funeral or memorial service. The Senate version would also keep protesters from being within earshot of grieving friends and family members.

Richard Wilbur, a retired police detective, said his Indiana Patriot Guard group only comes to funerals if invited by family. He said he has no problem with protests against the war but sees no place for objectors at a family's final goodbye to a soldier.

"No one deserves this," he said.

[Zelda_fan]

I think someone should just shoot Fred Phelps and his family as well. I hear if you do anything against him he'll just sue so so might as well knock him off to get rid of any chance of that happening.

[netviper13]

I have the unfortunate displeasure of living about 20 miles away from him and his wacko family. They know the local, state, and federal laws better than probably 99% of lawyers out there, so they are pretty much unstoppable through any means other than violence. I would feel no sorrow if Fred Phelps died tomorrow.

[UDawg]

I don't get people like Fred Phelps. What he and his followers do really makes me sad. I don't know what to do about people like him but condem him and his followers in the strongest possible terms as I have done in the past.

These people are so twisted and lost in thier hatred towards one group of people.

/shakes his head

[tieros]

This is just an extreme case of what happens to people when they are taught you don't need evidence to support your ideas. They can pull the most unsupportable, unacceptable, vile, violent, and corrupt ideas straight out of their asses and use scripture to justify their behavior.

I wonder how many people agree with what he is doing? It would be great if it was restricted to his little inbred cult, but I wouldn't be surprised if more than a few religious extremists hop on his perverse little bandwagon. This kind of thing is right up Pat Robertson's alley. In fact, I'm surprised he hasn't sued Phelps for stealing his idea

[grey_1]

This is just an extreme case of what happens to people when they are taught you don't need evidence to support your ideas. They can pull the most unsupportable, unacceptable, vile, violent, and corrupt ideas straight out of their asses and use scripture to justify their behavior.

True, but nothing in scripture supports this sickness.

[UDawg]

Originally Posted by tieros

This is just an extreme case of what happens to people when they are taught you don't need evidence to support your ideas. They can pull the most unsupportable, unacceptable, vile, violent, and corrupt ideas straight out of their asses and use scripture to justify their behavior.

I wonder how many people agree with what he is doing? It would be great if it was restricted to his little inbred cult, but I wouldn't be surprised if more than a few religious extremists hop on his perverse little bandwagon. This kind of thing is right up Pat Robertson's alley. In fact, I'm surprised he hasn't sued Phelps for stealing his idea

That was uncalled for and a smear. Pat Robertson is many things but a Fred Phelps he is not.

[Ancient]

If there is a god and any justice whatsoever to this existence I fervently hope Fred Phelps and family all get sent to homosexual hell spending eternity strapped face down, naked; with an unlimited supply of ribbed condoms on one side and grape jelly on the other.

Props to the Patriot Guard Riders for helping people through a difficult time.

[General Lee]

F*CKIN A! I salute the Patriot Guard and those who ride with them. This is the kinda thing that makes me get all misty. I don't know what else to say...Phelps and his gang render me speechless, but these guys render me speechless with the other side of the coin. One group preaches hatred, the other, love.

[LORD-eX-Bu]

Originally Posted by Ancient

If there is a god and any justice whatsoever to this existence I fervently hope Fred Phelps and family all get sent to homosexual hell spending eternity strapped face down, naked; with an unlimited supply of ribbed condoms on one side and grape jelly on the other.

Props to the Patriot Guard Riders for helping people through a difficult time.

gonna have to write that one down

[betterdan]

Yep there are lots of members of that group on the Harley forum I frequent. I have been thinking about joining up myself. I salute them.

[Zelda_fan]

Originally Posted by UDawg

I don't get people like Fred Phelps. What he and his followers do really makes me sad. I don't know what to do about people like him but condem him and his followers in the strongest possible terms as I have done in the past.

These people are so twisted and lost in thier hatred towards one group of people.

/shakes his head

I would be willing to bet a lot of money that Fred Phelps has had some form of gay sex in his lifetime.