Letting Them Rest
The House of Representatives recently advanced a bill that would limit protesting at funerals. Protests would not be able to take place within 300 feet of the ceremony. Thirty-two states already have laws like these in place, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
But more needs to be done.
The bill was introduced after members of a Kansas-based Baptist Church protested several military funerals by dragging American flags on the ground and carrying signs saying "Thank God for I.E.D's." I.E.D's are the homemade bombs that frequently kill soldiers in Iraq.
As with most bills born after the beginning of the war in Iraq, this one swells with controversy. Families argue over their right to grieve in peace while protesters feel it's their First Amendment right to express their opinions at that particular time.
The Senate has already approved the bill. The House will continue its legislative process Friday.
It is very disconcerting that people who call themselves Americans have the audacity to disturb the final resting place of individuals who gave their lives for them. It's one thing to be against the war... but to bring those arguments to a funeral is not only distasteful, it's inhuman.
This bill has been called an infringement on the First Amendment's Freedom of Speech clause. But where is the line drawn? When does protesting become an invasion of privacy?
Defending such protests as Freedom of Speech is ridiculous. It's taking advantage of an overly generous law for the purpose of expressing extremist, chauvinistic opinions.
And being labeled as an extremist in this country is not a good thing. They are the kind of people who plot the destruction of the free world and plan for the deaths of millions of innocent people.
This legislation needs to be passed; but more steps need to be taken out of respect for the men and women who give their lives for this country. Protesting should be banned altogether from taking place anywhere near military funeral services.
No grieving family should have to deal with the scornful opinions of soulless protesters at a time when silence is needed most.
The House of Representatives recently advanced a bill that would limit protesting at funerals. Protests would not be able to take place within 300 feet of the ceremony. Thirty-two states already have laws like these in place, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
But more needs to be done.
The bill was introduced after members of a Kansas-based Baptist Church protested several military funerals by dragging American flags on the ground and carrying signs saying "Thank God for I.E.D's." I.E.D's are the homemade bombs that frequently kill soldiers in Iraq.
As with most bills born after the beginning of the war in Iraq, this one swells with controversy. Families argue over their right to grieve in peace while protesters feel it's their First Amendment right to express their opinions at that particular time.
The Senate has already approved the bill. The House will continue its legislative process Friday.
It is very disconcerting that people who call themselves Americans have the audacity to disturb the final resting place of individuals who gave their lives for them. It's one thing to be against the war... but to bring those arguments to a funeral is not only distasteful, it's inhuman.
This bill has been called an infringement on the First Amendment's Freedom of Speech clause. But where is the line drawn? When does protesting become an invasion of privacy?
Defending such protests as Freedom of Speech is ridiculous. It's taking advantage of an overly generous law for the purpose of expressing extremist, chauvinistic opinions.
And being labeled as an extremist in this country is not a good thing. They are the kind of people who plot the destruction of the free world and plan for the deaths of millions of innocent people.
This legislation needs to be passed; but more steps need to be taken out of respect for the men and women who give their lives for this country. Protesting should be banned altogether from taking place anywhere near military funeral services.
No grieving family should have to deal with the scornful opinions of soulless protesters at a time when silence is needed most.
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