Human wall planned to block rumored protest at soldier's funeral in Corvallis

[sara..... 371]

Oregon State University junior Matt Enloe looks over the OSU Supports Cody Patterson Facebook page Friday afternoon outside the Kerr Administration Building. (Amanda Cowan | Corvallis Gazette-Times)

20 hours ago • By Theresa Novak, Corvallis Gazette-Times

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• Westboro Baptist Church flier

‘Cody, we have your 6’: Thousands vow to block rumored protest at memorial for Philomath Army Ranger Cody Patterson

Rumors that a Kansas-based hate group plans to demonstrate at Sunday’s memorial service for Army Ranger Cody Patterson have prompted thousands to pledge they will attend a counter-demonstration.

“I saw an email that said they were coming,” said Matt Enloe, 19, organizer of the Facebook-based “OSU Supports Cody Patterson” event.

Enloe said he launched the Facebook page after he read an emailed flier Thursday purporting to be from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka. It stated that the group will “peacefully preach” the message — in “lawful proximity” to the Patterson service — that “military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy ...”

Westboro members appear at military and other notable funerals around the nation, preaching that “God hates America” because of the nation’s failure to condemn homosexuality. Their protests at military funerals are peppered with jeers and anti-gay slurs. The group’s protests have survived court tests as protected free speech.

No one from the Westboro church replied on Friday to phone messages and emails from the Gazette-Times.

But because of the flier, at least three groups launched Facebook pages to organize counter-demonstrations. They begin at 1 p.m. at LaSells Stewart Center at OSU — an hour before Patterson’s scheduled memorial.

Enloe said that when he read the flier, his reaction was “I thought it was wrong. I thought, No; not here at OSU.”

By late Friday afternoon, more than 1,500 people had pledged to attend the counter-protest organized by Enloe. Other Facebook events included “Time to Mobilize” and “Human Wall to Protect Cody Patterson.” In all, they attracted nearly 2,000 replies.

Among the many postings of support was a frequently posted red block with the words, “Cody, we have your 6,” a military phrase that means “We have your back.”

The counter-protesters’ plan — used at other military funerals where Westboro members has shown up — is to form a human wall to block the Westboro group from the view and hearing of mourners and friends. The goal is to keep the focus on honoring Patterson rather than allowing the funeral to become a venue for the Westboro group.

A 2007 graduate of Philomath High School, Patterson was captain of the football team and the winner of the Mr. PHS pageant, in which he raised more than $3,000 for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland.

Patterson was serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan when he was killed in action on Oct. 6. along with three other military personnel, while in pursuit of a suicide bomber.

Gov. John Kitzhaber announced this week that flags in Oregon would fly at half-staff Sunday in Patterson’s honor. Patterson’s memorial service is to include full military honors and a gun volley.

Those planning to form the wall outside the memorial include a contingent of Army Rangers from Washington state, and The Patriot Guard motorcycle group, whose members have been known to rev their engines to drown out anti-gay shouting at other military funerals.

OSU is ready for a large crowd at the event, according to Steve Clark, the university’s vice president of university relations and marketing.

Additional rooms in LaSells will be outfitted with video feeds to accommodate any overflow crowds.

And to ensure that both safety and free speech are protected, a number of Oregon State Police and Corvallis police will be on hand for any demonstration, although Clark declined to specify how many. And while any protest will be allowed outside, across the street from LaSells, Clark said that doesn’t apply to the memorial going on inside.

“Anyone who disrupts the memorial will be escorted out,” Clark said.

Theresa Novak is the city editor and opinion page editor at the Corvallis Gazette-Times. She can be reached at theresa.novak@lee.net or 541-758-9527.

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/headlines/human-wall-planned-to-block-rumored-protest-at-soldier-s/article_8d696ede-3867-11e3-a141-001a4bcf887a.html

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

“military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy ...”

Mind boggling.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

They are a really hateful group who thinks God will reward them for their hateful actions.

[Novembro 1,763]

The WBC are a huge joke. I would assume that even they know that and are milking their idiocy for the press it garners them. Karma will have her way with them.

[Jacque67 7,328]

Funerals!

[Danno 1,228]

The WBC are a huge joke. I would assume that even they know that and are milking their idiocy for the press it garners them. Karma will have her way with them.

No actually, anyone who has read five minutes worth of history knows EVIL people often escape any Karma.... at least in this world.

In fact, it is rare that these people see any karma.... which makes one wonder why so many people believe in it with so much evidence before us.

Who is the most hated man in the Western world? Adolf Hitler, what was his Karma, he owns responsibility for the death of countless millions, in the end, he eats a meal, marries his mistress and decides when and where he exits this world.

Stalin,

Pol pot,

Mao Zedong

Castro

Lennin

Genghis Khan

Most of them died in bed of old age.

On some rare occasion we see a person lynched or executed but it happens so infrequently as to destroy any hope in a principal known as "Karma."

Savor the moment.

[Novembro 1,763]

Sorry danzig, couldn't say that I hoped they all "died of a gunshot" because I got suspended once for that and I have learned my lesson.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

They are a really hateful group who thinks God will reward them for their hateful actions.

I wonder if they are just attention whores or they are really that messed up.

I have attended some Southern Baptist churches in which the rhetoric got close.

Heard a teacher in one of the biggest classes in the church, of one of the biggest churches in Macon Ga,scream God hates faggots.

I never understood that churches obsession with Gay people.They actually thought Homosexuality was destroying Marriage in america.

[Danno 1,228]

I never understood that churches obsession with Gay people.They actually thought Homosexuality was destroying Marriage in america.

There is such a thing as something we might call "social environment"

... in other words if littering was not acceptable anywhere..... far less people would throw trash on the ground, even those who want to. (see scandinavia).

This is because most people yield to the acceptable social environment, be it good or bad.

Simply look at historic divorce rates, once it became acceptable it became an avalanche.

Can anyone say with a straight face that changing divorce laws in the mid 60's did not kill family stability and then require a much bigger Gov't?

As laws change societal environment changes.

When all sorts of configurations called "marriage" are the norm, it will, without a doubt lend to the effect of diminishing

traditional marriage.... simply by "un-defining it."

Soon, when love is the only requirement needed to justify and define marriage, it will be an interesting time...... and it will of course, justify even bigger Gov't.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

I wonder if they are just attention whores or they are really that messed up.

I have attended some Southern Baptist churches in which the rhetoric got close.

Heard a teacher in one of the biggest classes in the church, of one of the biggest churches in Macon Ga,scream God hates faggots.

I never understood that churches obsession with Gay people.They actually thought Homosexuality was destroying Marriage in america.

Here in Texas, and I know I'm going to get it for mentioning Texas, I have heard the radio priest saying kids out of wedlock will all go to hell and have no chance to inherit the kingdom of God as well as people who divorce for reasons other than adultery.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Here in Texas, and I know I'm going to get it for mentioning Texas, I have heard the radio priest saying kids out of wedlock will all go to hell and have no chance to inherit the kingdom of God as well as people who divorce for reasons other than adultery.

Is there a person in Texas known as - "the radio priest"? Coz...Coughlin died in 1979. Has someone picked up the marketing shtick?

[Danno 1,228]

Here in Texas, and I know I'm going to get it for mentioning Texas, I have heard the radio priest saying kids out of wedlock will all go to hell and have no chance to inherit the kingdom of God as well as people who divorce for reasons other than adultery.

And I saw a website once that claimed......

Actually I look for kooky stuff on the am dial when making long distance trips, sometimes you find the best obscure music or the quakiest stuff.

One guy was hawking "All seeing eyes" and for just a little bit more he would include a special solution to make it see into the future even better (In case you are wonderring if you spouse is cheating or when you might die).

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Is there a person in Texas known as - "the radio priest"? Coz...Coughlin died in 1979. Has someone picked up the marketing shtick?

Not the "radio priest," but there are preachers in Texas that broadcast their sermons, especially in smaller areas. You not have to believe me, turn on your radio.

And I saw a website once that claimed......

Actually I look for kooky stuff on the am dial when making long distance trips, sometimes you find the best obscure music or the quakiest stuff.

One guy was hawking "All seeing eyes" and for just a little bit more he would include a special solution to make it see into the future even better (In case you are wonderring if you spouse is cheating or when you might die).

When you are riding on a highway alone, you can find the strangest stuff on the radio. Reminds me of Jeepers Creepers.

[Darnell 8,479]

Anyone that says this?

"military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy ...”

Well, my responce will always be -> "F**K You" ..

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Anyone that says this?

"military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy ...

Well, my responce will always be -> "F**K You" ..

I didn't know people were having sex at funerals. The last time I checked people were passing out and crying.