Hatred Rears its Ugly Head

Not sure if any of you have been following this series of stories, but CNN has had quite a few articles lately, including this one, on anti-gay protests at the funerals of fallen US soldiers. The protests are led by Fred Phelps, a Baptist pastor from Kansas. From the article: "He and his family have picketed and heckled military families at more than 100 funerals since June. They say the soldiers are fighting for an army that represents a country that accepts homosexuality....They blame homosexuals for the destruction of America." In response to these protests, a group called the "Patriot Guard Riders" has formed to help shield the families involved in the funerals from the protesters and show their support for the US troops.

I've been extremely disturbed after reading each of these articles. I do believe in the freedom of speech, but I think that there is an appropriate time and place for such protests. It is incredibly disrespectful to the families of the fallen soldiers to protest at their funerals. Not only have these poor people just lost a son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, etc., but now they have to deal with protesters who are calling into question the duty that these soldiers performed for their country and died for. If these individuals want a policy changed so badly, there are certainly more effective ways to go about it. On the flip side, I think what the Patriot Guard Riders are doing is so kind. They help the families mourn in peace and show their support in defiance of the protesters. We need more of that kind of compassion in this country and much less of the hate dished out by Fred Phelps and his associates.