Congratulations to the Mr. and Mrs. Corwood Industries and Li'l Sphere!

Happy birthday Strega!

This pisses me off to the point where all I see is red: [link]

What's completely ironic about the whole thing is that the soldier is from Perry County, and the funeral and burial will be in Perry County. It is not a bastion of liberal thinking by any stretch of the imagination. 98% of the county is registered Republican. They support the war, and most other conservative ideals. Yet these idiots from Westboro Baptist are going to protest. Let the family bury their son and mourn in peace.

Phelps-Roper said she has no sympathy for Dunkleberger's family, which she said "is in full rebellion against God."

"They did that to themselves," she said. "They are the ones who turned that child, who they were responsible for, over to be raised for the devil."

******

On its Web site, the church attributes ills that befall America -- including the Sept. 11 attacks, war and natural disasters -- to what it considers to be the country's acceptance of homosexuality, adultery, fornication and idolatry, among other "mighty sins."

Since the start of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the church has protested at service members' funerals. "God is killing these soldiers for the sins of America," the church says on its Web site.

Whatever happened to love thy neighbor as thyself? Do unto others as they would do unto you? Forgiveness? Tolerance? Acceptance? Right, they've been replaced by fear and the appropriation of faith as a tool of hatred.

I think the appropriate response to that is "Go sell your crazy someplace else, hon." Or possibly. "Wait, some old guy just died down the street! Go protest his heart attack as a sign of the coming apocalypse!!"

sara, are you telling me that the weather sucks and it will be treacherous?

Kat, I don't know. Keep an eye on it, is all I'm saying. Mom mentioned a storm coming through our area, but that's like tonight, and mountains only, really. My mother is a worrier and I keep telling her not to. But she was talking in one ear, so I relayed. So. And Mr. Funny would be AWESOME. I'd meant to get some for them (because I described them to dad and he was all "so they work exactly how? Oooh, super cooled?" and whatnot,) but procrastinated ordering online until too late.

I'm at my dad's office waiting for him to return from a memorial service for a colleague killed early this week. Freak gust of wind caught him on a bike and threw him.

I was earlier trying to find luminaria supplies and so far have struck out. Damned globalization. Used to be you'd pick up your flat or three of candles and bags at the local Albertsons. Now they are like "huh"? It's a travesty. Next thing you know, they won't even carry green chile.

There's a guy down the hall I've helped from work. I feel like I should go introduce myself, but that would be kinda weird, you know? "Hi, I'm that person in the box that gave you instructions a few times this year. I think. What's your email again?"

I think the appropriate response to that is "Go sell your crazy someplace else, hon." Or possibly. "Wait, some old guy just died down the street! Go protest his heart attack as a sign of the coming apocalypse!!"

There is a group of bikers who are mostly veterans that volunteer to escort the funeral procession and keep the whackjobs out of earshot and sight. Bless them, for the crazy is drowned out by the growl of Harleys.

I wonder if they've even considered the fact that they're just another one of this country's "ills."

YAY! Mr. Funny is a good gift then! Fun thought? I have less than 1 hour and 30 minutes left.

That is a good thought.

Being in my dad's office reminds me of when I was little and sick. He'd set up a cot for me in the corner and I'd raid the vending machines, kitchen and play with all the weird shit in his office. Like the large (bigger than a basket ball) hard plastic balls that were used as faux bombs for targetting on the missile range. They bounce and make a very satisfying thonk sound.

I still have not identified a panda-part.

I am, however, leaving for the day now, and may or may not be able to get back here over the weekend-- so have a lovely holiday everyone who holidays whis weekend!

I believe the Phelps had a little difficulty when they pulled that stunt in Southern Utah. They were arrested for arson--of their own cars. Seems a couple of their vehicles went up in flames while they were protesting. Well, obviously the only people who'd want to make so much fuss and draw so much attention to themselves at such a time would be the Phelps themselves, so they obviously torched their vehicles . . . and trailers with all their supplies . . . never mind the local cop with highway flare . . .

I don't approve of that sort of thing, but damn, the Phelps really push my limits on "let them be hoist on their on petard by themselves without any help"

The Phelps make me angry and pissed off, but because of them there is the Patriot Gaurd Riders [link] , they are at funerals and attend as honor guards. They make a blockade between the family and the protesters. If there are protesters. They also go to funerals where they are invited and are very respectful. A local soldier died recently and members of the Patriot Guard were at the funeral even though there were not protesters.

Before I even read your entire post, Maria, the second I clicked on the link and saw the headline, I was already guessing it was Phelps or one of his spawn. Hence,

Whatever happened to love thy neighbor as thyself? Do unto others as they would do unto you? Forgiveness? Tolerance? Acceptance?

are all excellent questions, but totally pointless with the Phelpses. They and theology, scholarship, and reality have long, long since parted ways.

ION, I still hate UPS.