Biker escorts for our Troops...

[Jerrys1]

I am copying this from a previous post, but i feel it necessary to repost it, having had an almost run in with these whack-jobs. The morning of my friends funeral I was told by his widow that those people were planning a protest... for what ever reasons they didn't show, but the neighboring construction site heard about the planned protest and decided to show their own support. Godbless anyone who in the shadow of stupidity, decides to act decently ---original post----You know this might sandbag my chance at becoming the most popular person on the interweb, but I support the freedom that our service men and women, through out the history of this great nation) have provided us. With their sacrifice, loss of life, and dedication to an idea that freedom is a right guaranteed to everyone. I support those people who speak out again and again when the popular opinion says shut up. I support those people who feel so motivated that they feel compelled to speak their opinion. I shure as hell Suffer those people who think that what they have to say needs to be said. I suffer people like Natalie Maines who make an off hand comment that sparked a rash of outrage. I suffer those people like Fred Phelps jr.and the rest of his Westboro cult, who feel compelled to misrepresent the love of God. I suffer those people because things like "free speech zones" negate everything everyone of those people in the armed services died for. Knowing that once any freedom is taken or given away, it is almost impossible to get back, it is our duty as citizens of this country to SUFFER those fools that have not the dignity nor the education to know where it is appropriate to make their opinions heard. Not to hijack this thread, but my point is, that once we start our "witch hunts" to stamp out those offensive comments ( i.e. the mass anti-dixie chicks demonstrations, where you can clearly see children destroying cd's) what is to stop us from burning those "offensive" books. Legislating protesters away from funerals may seem like a decent thing to do, but if you do that, then you miss out on those random acts of American spirit, like what happened at the funeral of Pfc. Eric Woods.
When the neighboring construction site learned that there was to be a protest by the Westboro squad, They decided to show their contempt for people like that, and their support for the fallen, buy lining the street where they worked at, holding flags, hands across their hearts. Actions of true american citizens brought out because of the threat of idiocy. Without the freedom granted to idiots like Fred Phelps or the dixie chicks, we would have no Patriot Guard Rider. There I have said my piece, and that freedom was given to me by God, and protected by the lives of all who have and do serve in our nations armed forces.

I have been riding with the Patriot guard since the beginning and have been to more soldiers funerals than I care to remember so please dont preach to me about free speach. I have seen this so called church in action on several occasions and thankfully the state goverments in many states have now enacted laws prohibiting their protests at soldiers funerals in the beleif that it is also the famlies right to bury their loved ones in peace. Also I dont know how many of you have been following this whole saga but recently a federal jury awarded a family in york Pa. 11 million dollars in a judgement against the Westboro baptist church citing invasion of privacy and emotional distress of the family involved. This is a huge victory and I hope many other famlies follow suit since the only way to truly hurt this group is to take away their ability to operate by tieing up all of their funds in these type of suits.

Also dont rant about witch hunts when it comes to a situation like the Dixie Chicks they chose to make statements that went against everything that their fanbase believes in so why would it surprise anyone when those same fans exercised those same free speach rights and revolted against them. Thats not a witch hunt its simply both sides showing the other how they feel! No one tried to silence their statements but they did in a huge way show them that now matter how big they thought they were they are still accountable for their words. We all have the right to free speach but with that right comes the expectation that we are also accountable for those same words too many today forget that last statement and think they can hide behind this right when they are asked to be accountable.

I would encourage all of you to attend a ride with the patriot guard they have a simple statement that is " Its not about us" no one cares what you ride or if you ride at all it is simply about showing respect to these families whos loved ones have paid the ultimate price. I can also gaurantee that you will take away much more from this experience than you could ever give! The first time a family member takes the time out of what has to be the worst moments of their life to walk up to you give you a hug and thank you for being there in support of their loved one is an experience that will change you forever.

I know this is long winded but I do have one final request please take any pictures of the Westboro group out of this post and any others. They live for publicity and go out of their way to get it. If you look at the patriot guard site you will find almost no mention of this group in the effort to not give them what they are looking for. You may sometimes see a post which talks about "they or Them" but never mentions their name. While attending a service we turn our backs to them and never acknowledge their presence for these same reasons.

 

[Big Red]

I am glad we have the first amendment to protect our free speech but these cretins have no virtues and no respect. God Bless our great country and the citizen soldiers that put their lives on the line for us... even for these mindless, spineless and maggots.

 

[HRHDi]

As far as I'm concerned, they don't have any rights to do shiet. If I was at my sons funeral and saw that going on, I think I would be very willing to go to jail just to tear into those people, I am very surprised that they receive so much protection from the police. Just like that POS that microwaved her little baby, why should she have any rights at all, there are boundaries. Dammit, now I need to go jogging to settle down.

Unfortunately, if people like these protestors or the woman who microwaved her baby had no rights, it would erode the rights of everyone else. Yes, anyone who is so obviously evil or wrong doesn't deserve these rights, but just think if someone similarly irrational were the one to decide who's deserving of rights and who isn't. That's a significantly worse situation. Just ask the Iraqis who lived under Saddam's regime.

I completely see your point and on a certain level agree with you. But I'm concerned that unless we protect everyone's rights, we will have no rights.

 

[Ranger]

Unfortunately, if people like these protestors or the woman who microwaved her baby had no rights, it would erode the rights of everyone else. Yes, anyone who is so obviously evil or wrong doesn't deserve these rights, but just think if someone similarly irrational were the one to decide who's deserving of rights and who isn't. That's a significantly worse situation. Just ask the Iraqis who lived under Saddam's regime.

I completely see your point and on a certain level agree with you. But I'm concerned that unless we protect everyone's rights, we will have no rights.

I agree, the whole principle just agitates me, but like Jerry1 said above, if you give in your civility to them, they have just evoked the reaction they wanted, and that just fuels them on. Give them Bastids no press, no recognition.

 

[Vigosama]

Jerry!, I think you misunderstood my rant, or maybe it was the few whiskey cokes that i had before banging out that post in remembrance of a good friend.
I totally support and will if given the chance, proudly ride with those escorts.
I understand that most of the people spouting "free speech" are unwilling to accept the consequences of their free speech.


"Also dont rant about witch hunts when it comes to a situation like the Dixie Chicks they chose to make statements that went against everything that their fanbase believes in so why would it surprise anyone when those same fans exercised those same free speach rights and revolted against them. Thats not a witch hunt its simply both sides showing the other how they feel! No one tried to silence their statements but they did in a huge way show them that now matter how big they thought they were they are still accountable for their words."

I called it a witch hunt, because i remember seeing the news clips of kids not teenagers, smashing dixie chicks cds, and making anti-dixie chicks remarks. Now am i a fan of said band, nope... my musical tastes learn toward more of a heavier nature, but when anyone takes an off hand remark spoken on stage, and blows it out of proportion. I have to wonder, how long till something I say is blown way out of proportion.

I am just wary legislating common sense and decency.
-vigo-

 

[Bird Hunter]

Do you ride with this group? If so where at in central California?

Map..

I have not ridden with them.. I just wanted to put it out there in case someone here was able to make a commitment to ride with them or help them out, and to let everyone see what a great group of people they are..

 

[Bird Hunter]

Thats too cool Bird, thanks for the info

 

[MR X]

Man, I watched some of those videos with them Westboro Baptist church nuts. I don't think I would be able to contain myself if I was somewhere that they were protesting. Just makes my blood boil. Go Patriot Guard Riders.

I am against voilence ...But I Would Put My Foot So Far Up Their ASSES.

 

[MPH 200]

Registered w/ about 8 others here in Austin.

 

[bigmac0331]

I am a registered patriot guard rider here in KS....My dad is a Guard rider in PA....

"We Stand for those that have fallen":unclesam:

 

[skydivr]

After I retire (in 3 weeks ) I'm thinking about signing up.

 

[Bird Hunter]

:war:


Good on all of you for helping out... What a great country we have....