Protesters absent from memorial service for Marine (westboro bc)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

WELCOME, Minn. - A group that had planned to protest at Saturday's funeral for a Marine killed in Iraq said it decided not to attend - but a new law restricting such protests wasn't the reason for its absence.

Margie Phelps, an attorney for Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., said the group got so much publicity in advance of the funeral for Lance Cpl. Robert Posivio III that it decided to protest a funeral in New Hampshire instead.

The group, consisting of family and supporters of preacher Fred Phelps, believes that God is punishing America for accepting homosexuality. At past demonstrations, picketers have carried signs with messages such as "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "God Hates Fags."

A new Minnesota law bans protests within 500 feet of a funeral. The bill gained quick support from lawmakers after Phelps' supporters demonstrated at a February funeral in Anoka for an Army corporal who died in Iraq.

more: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/state/14734070.htm

[Julius Civitatus]

1. Short film pokes fun at these wackos... and Dick Cheney too...

"Dick Cheney's Birdshot Mountain," now playing at the Huffington Post:

http://birdshot.cf.huffingtonpost.com

It is a parody of "Brokeback Mountain," mixed with political satire. It follows the adventures of two righteous fundamentalist cowboys, Adam and Steve, as they carry their fanatic crusade to the West Village in NY, only to discover a certain "affection" for each other along the way. Don't miss the stellar appearance of a certain VP as he daydreams of applying his brand of "compassionate conservatism" to the passionate cowboys.

Enjoy!!!