A group named Westboro Baptist Church have taken to campaigning at funerals of Iraq casualties, claiming that, because God hates those of LGBT persuasion and the countries in which they live, He is actively causing US personnel to die during warfare.
The group, who also run the website GodHatesFags.com, have campaigned at the funerals of several fallen service members and appear to be preparing to do so tomorrow at the ceremony of a fallen soldier in Novato, California. In previous public appearances, the group has held signs and banners that have ranged from offensive slogans to outright mockeries of the decedent.
Regardless of how each of us feel about the war, morality or sexual preference, I honestly cannot see how anyone could actively cheer for the death of another human being, let alone one of our friends, our neighbours, our siblings. And while the right to protest or campaign is Constitutionally protected from criminal or civil repercussion (as it should be), I believe that groups that openly spew hate and praise violence should not be protected from the public scrutiny and ridicule they deserve.
I ask the members of the DK community stand with those that have lost loved ones and against hate. If we are ever going to get anywhere as a nation, this needs to not happen.
If you are in northern California and want to do something about this particular instance, please contact Patriot Guard Riders for more information.