sad
Honest to Pete, if it wasn't so sad it would be funny.
By BETH RUCKER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 32 minutes ago
SMYRNA, Tenn. - Members of a church say God is punishing American
soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought
their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee
soldiers killed in Iraq.
The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They
chased the church members cars' down a highway, waving flags and
screaming "God bless America."
"My husband is over there, so I'm here to show my support," 41-year-
old Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears
came to her eyes. "To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a
family, no matter what your beliefs are."
The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends
that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God
for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not
affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps'
children, grandchildren and in-laws.
The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God
hates fags" and "God hates you."
About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church
and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland
City. Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the
nation.
The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna
and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of
the Tennessee National Guard.
Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other
soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro
Baptist members brought.
So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that
police, sheriff's deputies and state troopers were brought in to
control traffic and protect the protesters.
The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in
Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time
expired on the protest permits.
"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them,"
Danny Cotton, 56, said amid cries of "get out of our town" and "get
out of our country."
"But for them to come during the worst time for this family - it's
just wrong."
By BETH RUCKER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 32 minutes ago
SMYRNA, Tenn. - Members of a church say God is punishing American
soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought
their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee
soldiers killed in Iraq.
The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They
chased the church members cars' down a highway, waving flags and
screaming "God bless America."
"My husband is over there, so I'm here to show my support," 41-year-
old Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears
came to her eyes. "To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a
family, no matter what your beliefs are."
The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends
that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God
for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not
affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps'
children, grandchildren and in-laws.
The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God
hates fags" and "God hates you."
About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church
and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland
City. Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the
nation.
The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna
and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of
the Tennessee National Guard.
Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other
soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro
Baptist members brought.
So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that
police, sheriff's deputies and state troopers were brought in to
control traffic and protect the protesters.
The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in
Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time
expired on the protest permits.
"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them,"
Danny Cotton, 56, said amid cries of "get out of our town" and "get
out of our country."
"But for them to come during the worst time for this family - it's
just wrong."