I had to post this awesome story that I am sure will please a few folks out there. This town organized their efforts to counter the Westboro Baptist protesters and were able to protect the funeral of a fallen Marine. I am grateful for what this town did and I certainly hope it catches on throughout the US. In fact, what would really be cool is a non-profit organization designed to protect funerals like this, using strategy and tactics that can defeat scumbags like this. Such a group would be immensely popular with veterans and the families, and I am sure folks would donate to this cause.
The other reason why I like this, is this is an example of the people ‘taking matters into their own hands’. Obviously this country or even the states of the US are not organizing to protect these funerals because of freedom of speech issues. I cherish the right of freedom of speech, and will defend that right with my life. But I do not support protesters at funerals, and I don’t think most Americans support that concept. So this is the gray area of law and the common good, and in this case, I support the people doing what they have to do to smother the Westboro voice and protect funerals. Call it ‘doing the right thing’ and protecting the sanctity of our fallen warriors.
Here is the video of the funeral and it is a hard one to watch. The tribute song is awesome. Semper Fi Staff Sgt. Jason Rogers and rest in peace. –Matt
A couple of days before, one of them (Westboro protestors) ran his mouth at a Brandon gas station and got his arse waxed. Police were called and the beaten man could not give much of a description of who beat him. When they canvassed the station and spoke to the large crowd that had gathered around, no one seemed to remember anything about what had happened.
Rankin County handled this thing perfectly. There were many things that were put into place that most will never know about and at great expense to the county.
Most of the morons never made it out of their hotel parking lot. It seems that certain Rankin county pickup trucks were parked directly behind any car that had Kansas plates in the hotel parking lot and the drivers mysteriously disappeared until after the funeral was over. Police were called but their wrecker service was running behind and it was going to be a few hours before they could tow the trucks so the Kansas plated cars could get out.
A few made it to the funeral but were ushered away to be questioned about a crime they might have possibly been involved in. Turns out, after a few hours of questioning, that they were not involved and they were allowed to go on about their business.
Link to Ole Miss Sports forum post here.
