This may not be the most appropriate place for this post, but I know there are many of you who care deeply about the passing of President Hinckley.

The nutzos at the Westboro Baptist Church have announced that they intend to protest President Hinckley's funeral once the time and location is revealed. As some of you may recall, these loons are the ones who protest at the funerals for fallen U.S. soldiers with messages like, "God Hates Fags." They believe, apparently, that the Iraq war is God's punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality. This despicable conduct is also the subject of a federal law under consideration that would bar protests from military funerals.

*Warning* The press release is quite offensive toward President Hinckley and the church, so you may not want to view it. Indeed, the the very URL (owned by Westboro Baptist Church) on which the release was posted is itself offensive:

http://www.godhatesfags.com/written/fliers/20080128_gordon-hinckley-funeral.pdf

But to summarize, the Westboro Baptist Church crazies claim that that President Hinckley and Mormons generally are "gay enablers" and that therefore, "Gordon Hinckley is in Hell." How they came to this opinion is a mystery, as we all know the church is bashed constantly by the powerful, pro-gay lobby for its firm opposition to homosexuality.

In fairness, I believe that these people do not represent mainstream Bapstist practice. I personally know many, many Baptists and consider them good people. But it is beyond my comprehension how these particular people can call themselves Christians, or how they can believe their tactics are justified. This is truly mind boggling, and makes me literally sick to the stomach. Whether you believe in Mormon doctrine or not, it is beyond dispute that President Hinckley was an honest, upstanding citizen who worked tirelessly to bring about much good in the world. Such characteristics command respect from normal people. Alas, these people are clearly not normal. I just hope that if these protesters actually show up to the funeral, those members in attendance do not lash out or retaliate. That would only lend credence to their twisted message.

The irony is that President Hinckley is probably weeping from beyond the veil for these poor, misguided souls. I wish I had his compassion.

This is so pathedically sad. These people should get jobs to occupy their time so all their kids can get off welfare.

I feel guilty (partially) for saying this, but I wish some type of physical harm on the leaders of these people. They do not deserve to live in our country.

it is so hard to not want to knock every one of their teeth out, must...force..self...to..be...Christlike

There is absolutely no reason that these people should not be obliterated! I understand the whole freedom of speech spiel but lets get real. This is hate and there is no room for hate here. This is the funeral of one of the finest men to ever walk this planet. All he did his whole life was serve the Lord and all humanity. Anyone who knew anything about President Hinckley will be disgusted with this. Yes we are suppose to turn the other cheek but by dam if I am in the area Saturday and see these turds it is on!

I don't get it either. There is standing up for something and then there's these kooks.

Up here in Idaho they had some POW Bikers (sorry I don't know the name of the official group) but they actually put themselves between the protestors and the family of a fallen soldier during a funeral to give the family as much peace as possible through the events. Would love to see the Y football team between them and the funeral proceedings and doing the HAKA.

i checked it out on wikipedia.

Patriot Guard Riders
The Patriot Guard Riders is a motorcyclist group comprised primarily of veterans who attend the funerals of members of the U.S. Armed Forces at the invitation of the deceased