Florida approves penalty for military funeral protesters

[82Rigger]

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (AP) ? A Florida House Criminal Justice Committee has approved a measure that would increase the penalty for anyone who protests at military funerals.

It's part of a national effort to insulate the funerals from demonstrators who have been picketing the services for soldiers killed in Iraq.

Military funerals are "a time of absolute respect and should be presented as such and protected as such," said Rep. Stan Jordan, R-Jacksonville.

The measure (HB 7127) would increase fines to $1,000 and raise jail time to one year for anyone who disturbs military funerals.

More than 25 states have introduced legislation to either ban or curtail the protests.

In Florida, the bill has one more committee stop in the House, but so far doesn't have a Senate companion bill.

Folks, this bill passed the Florida House Criminal Justice Committee UNANIMOUSLY.

I have no doubt this was a result of Fred Phelps and his bunch.

[82Rigger]

Here is an INCOMPLETE list of states which have passed legislation or have legislation pending to ban, penalize, or restrict protesting at military funerals:


Wisconsin

Michigan

Florida

Illinois

Kansas

Indiana

Missouri

Oklahoma

Nebraska

Maryland

South Dakota

Kentucky

Pennsylvania

Minnesota

West Virginia

Iowa

Vermont

Virginia

Georgia

Mississippi

Please feel free to update this list if you have additional info.

[darrels joy]

Kentucky Legislators have passed and Governor has signed a similar bill.

[SuperScout]

It is a sad day indeed when legislation is needed to protect the dignity of a service that honors our beloved warriors. We have some good ol' boys here in Texas that would love to visit with Phelps and his bunch of degenerates should they happen to show up at a funeral.

[Advisor]

Sounds great until someone appeals to 9th fed circuit court. How long before someone tests this?

No to far off probably. But agreewith superscout indeed a sad when legislation is needed to proctect the dignity of solider who has lost his life for his buddies, and his country.

[82Rigger]

Per Advisor's post...

People are ALREADY making noise.

Phelps & Company have stated that they will contest it and will play the PR angle of it for all its worth. They know the media will be all over it.

Others (ACLU maybe?) are complaining that it isnt "fair" because the protesters "may be protesting against a politician or somebody AT the funeral...not the funeral ITSELF".

Still others are complaining about how far the protesters should be kept back from the funeral. 90 feet? 300 feet?

Brice's suggestion...that some burly citizens "meet" with these people and "explain" to them the impropriety of their ways...sounds like a good idea.

If patriotic law enforcement officers would take their donut break about that same time would be helpful also.

[Advisor]

Maybe some whupass will take care of the problem.

[82Rigger]

When I lived in Houston, I met some cowboys at Gilley's that could solve this problem very efficiently.

[MORTARDUDE]

Just curious. Does anyone remember a similar outrage happening during the Vietnam War ? I don't. Thanks.

Larry