Some sense in AZ legislature

[73sbVert]

Thank goodness SOMEBODY's trying to head these morons off at the pass.

From: Arizona To Take On Westboro Baptist Church In Wake Of Shootings | TPMDC

Arizona To Take On Westboro Baptist Church In Wake Of Shootings
Evan McMorris-Santoro | January 10, 2011, 6:53PM

TUCSON, AZ -- The Arizona state legislature is planning to limit ability of members of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church to disrupt the funerals of victims of Saturday's deadly shooting, an area state Representative tells TPM.

In one of its first acts since a gunman attacked a constituent event hosted by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), a bipartisan group of state legislators is expected to push through a bill this week that would deny the Westboro Bapist Church -- the Kansas-based congregation led by Fred Phelps best known for protesting military funerals -- some of media spotlight the group seems to crave.

Rep. Daniel Patterson (D), whose district covers southern Tucson including the city's downtown, told me this afternoon that legislators are currently working on a way to keep Phelps and his crew away from the funerals that's Constitutional.

"We're going to try to protect the families from undo harassment," Patterson told TPM.

Westboro announced its plans to protest outside funerals for those killed in the shooting in a press release. The group plans to haul its well-known signs to the memorial service for Christina Green, the nine year-old victim of the shooting.

Arizona House Democratic Caucus aide Sara Muench told TPM that as soon as Westboro's plans became public, leaders from both parties in the state legislature -- which kicked off its new term Monday -- got together to work on a way to prevent the church from harassing mourners.

The final language for the bill has yet to be written, but Muench said it will be modeled on laws aimed at limiting Westboro passed in other states.

"It's definitely going to happen," Muench told me. "Hopefully this week."

A federal appeals court last year ruled that the picketing was free speech protected by the Constitution, and a lawyer for the group appeared before the Supreme Court in October to argue the issue. The Court has yet to issue its ruling.

Ryan J. Reilly contributed to this report.

[JustinStrife]

I wish that group would disappear in a black hole...

[MrPeabody]

Maybe they should just go ahead and let them do it. I mean, it seems like down there, some nut might just go crazy and start shooting. Just sayin.

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

Maybe they should just go ahead and let them do it. I mean, it seems like down there, some nut might just go crazy and start shooting. Just sayin.

Wooden bother me if they did.....

[VITE1]

How about several thousand locals come out and stand between the scum and the family of the little girl? If they cross the line I hope the police are called away for a domestic disturbance.