Heroes

My heroes for today are the residents of Weston, Missouri who worked together to block Fred Phelps and the rest of the people from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka. They are the group that travels the country attending the funerals of soldiers who have been killed in action. They "protest" holding signs that supposedly make the point that there are consequences for sin. Their point is specifically that the soldier's death are God's punishment for homosexuality in America.

Their signs don't make that point at all. Most of them are really just designed to shock and create a reaction. As a Christian, I understand that name--Christian--to mean one who follows the teachings of Christ. I somehow can't imagine Jesus making the point that homosexuality is wrong by violating the mourning moments of a family who has just lost a loved one....even if Phelps' argument wasn't completely incongruous with any form of logic.

Back to the heroes. Phelps and his crew say they are exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. In America, you have the express right to be a complete idiot. While you do have the right to say whatever you wish, you don't have the right to be heard. The residents of Weston exercised their First Amendment right to make their own point and block Phelps.

I like seeing people take action instead of just complaining. There was no violence or need for violence. Just a well thought out plan. Not unlike the Patriot Guard Riders, members of a motorcycle group who travel to soldier's funerals to show respect and block out people like Phelps. They don't get the media attention that a troublemaker like Phelps does, but they are an example of how America works at its best. Good people rising above bad.