Wow.

I'll admit it.  I'm absolutely, horrendously, obnoxiously, gruesomely, monstrously, seriously terrible at keeping up on current events.  Until very recently (as in three months ago) I had probably not picked up a newspaper to actually read the headlines for a good ohhh.....five years.  Maybe more.  Maybe I haven't picked up a newspaper to actually read the headlines for my whole life.  I guess it's pretty important though.  Especially with so much going on in the world now, especially in the Middle East. 

Well, last night as I was perusing BBC's website I came across the story about the Supreme Court's decision on anti-gay funeral protests.  This sickens me.  I am appalled that, first of all, an act such as this is considered okay in our country and, second of all, I am appalled that these people of Westboro Baptist church call themselves Christians.

Now, I really try to refrain from judging people.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I'm allowed to judge this.  What group of people, in their right minds, especially a group labeled as a 'church', feels that it's perfectly fine to protest 1,000 feet from a funeral of a man who honorably served the United States of America, a man that they do not even personally know?

I do somewhat understand the Supreme Court's decision.  Under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, Westboro Baptist Church does have the right to freely speak their minds, assemble in a peaceful manner, and petition.  But does this mean that we can disregard the emotional distress that this puts on Lance Cpl Matthew Snyder's family and friends?  I'd say they're already going through enough. 

What happened to the golden rule of the b-i-b-l-e?  Does Westboro Baptist Church not read this verse in the bible?  Do they just skip over it?

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." -Matthew 7:12

I'm pretty sure that Fred Phelps, aka "Gramps", would not appreciate people picketing at his funeral, or funerals of his family members or friends.

Where is the Christianity in this?  Someone please tell me, because I'm just not seeing it.  Maybe I'm too simple-minded.  Maybe I think that everything should just be easy, that everyone should just get along.  Is it really so hard to love your neighbor as yourself?  I dream about a world where everyone can just get along, dang it.  But no, people's differences are often times more important than kindness and respect towards others.

The sole dissenter on this Supreme Court case, Justice Alito, had some incredibly profound statements in the latest New York Times article about this.  I am in complete agreement with the following:

“In order to have a society in which public issues can be openly and vigorously debated,” he wrote, “it is not necessary to allow the brutalization of innocent victims.” 

“Our profound national commitment to free and open debate,” Justice Alito wrote, “is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case.”  

Thank you, Justice Alito.  Alright, that's enough of my ranting.  Here are some links to the articles I've been reading:

New York Times - Justices Rule for Protesters at Military Funerals 

BBC News - US Supreme Court allows anti-gay funeral protests 

BBC News - America's Most Hated Family 

Now, for something that will make you smile...

:)

Here's something else...I have these two absolutely adorable fluff balls laying on my bedroom floor...they are so much fun and so darn cute that I can't help but post pictures of them.