In the United States Constitution, Article VI:

….This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding….

HB 170, introduced in the Missouri House yesterday:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 170

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES GUERNSEY (Sponsor), CURTMAN, JOHNSON, HINSON, KOLKMEYER, SMITH (120), NEELY, HIGDON, DAVIS, WILSON, SHULL, LOVE, PHILLIPS, ROWLAND, RHOADS, MILLER, FOWLER, LANT, CRAWFORD, BROWN, REDMON, FRANKLIN, KEENEY, REIBOLDT, FITZPATRICK, PIKE, LAIR, BRATTIN, DUGGER, FITZWATER, BURLISON, PARKINSON, ELMER, MCCAHERTY, CONWAY (104), HOUGHTON, BERNSKOETTER, LICHTENEGGER, ZERR, FLANIGAN, ALLEN, SCHIEBER, KELLEY (127), HICKS, RIDDLE, WALKER, HANSEN, WHITE, NETH, MUNTZEL, REMOLE, GATSCHENBERGER, FREDERICK, SPENCER, MOLENDORP, MCGAUGH, HURST, COOKSON, ROSS, POGUE, LEARA AND THOMSON (Co-sponsors).

0894H.01I   D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 571, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to firearms, with a penalty provision and an emergency clause.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Section A. Chapter 571, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 571.048, to read as follows:

           571.048. 1. It shall be unlawful for any officer or employee of this state, or any political subdivision, or any federal firearms dealer licensed under 19 U.S.C. Section 923 to enforce or attempt to enforce any act, law, statute, rule, or regulation of the federal government relating to a personal firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition that is owned or manufactured commercially or privately in the state of Missouri and that remains exclusively within the boundaries of the state of Missouri.

           2. Any official, agent, or employee of the federal government who enforces or attempts to enforce any act, order, law, statute, rule, or regulation of the federal government upon a personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is owned or manufactured commercially or privately in the state of Missouri and that remains exclusively within the borders of the state of Missouri shall be guilty of a class D felony.

           3. Any person in violation of a federal law relating to the manufacture, sale, transfer, or possession of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition owned or manufactured and retained exclusively with the boundaries of the state of Missouri may request the attorney general to defend him or her for such violation.

           4. Any federal law, rule, regulation, or order created or effective on or after January 1, 2013 shall be unenforceable in the state of Missouri if the law, rule, regulation, or order attempts to:

           (1) Ban or restrict ownership of a semi-automatic firearm or any magazine of a firearm; or

           (2) Require any firearm, magazine, or other firearm accessory to be registered in any manner.

           Section B. Because immediate action is necessary to protect the rights of the citizens of this state the enactment of section 571.048 of section A of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace, and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and the enactment of section 571.048 of section A of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.

“….Any official, agent, or employee of the federal government who enforces or attempts to enforce any act, order, law, statute, rule, or regulation of the federal government upon a personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is owned or manufactured commercially or privately in the state of Missouri and that remains exclusively within the borders of the state of Missouri shall be guilty of a class D felony….”

“….Any federal law, rule, regulation, or order created or effective on or after January 1, 2013 shall be unenforceable in the state of Missouri if the law, rule, regulation, or order attempts to: (1) Ban or restrict ownership of a semi-automatic firearm or any magazine of a firearm; or (2) Require any firearm, magazine, or other firearm accessory to be registered in any manner….”

You and what air force?

Just more tenther twaddle. Jobs bill, anyone?

Previously:

HB 162: Tenthers and guns, what could go wrong? (January 15, 2013)

Today, via twitter, on relief for Hurricane/Super Storm Sandy:

MrJM ‏@misterjayem

RT @ForecastFacts Every R in AZ, CO, GA, IA, ID, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NV, OR, SC, SD, TN, UT, WI, WY voted against #Sandy relief. 8:15 PM – 15 Jan 13

The vote in the U.S. House of Representatives:

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 23

     H R 152      YEA-AND-NAY      15-Jan-2013      7:25 PM

     QUESTION:  On Passage

     BILL TITLE: Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes

               Yeas     Nays   NV

Republican 49      179      4

Democratic 192     1        7

—- YEAS    241 —

Clay

—- NAYS    180 —

Graves (MO)

Hartzler

Long

Luetkemeyer

Wagner

—- NOT VOTING    11 —

Cleaver

Emerson

[emphasis added]

In your backyard:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): What, no hot meals? (May 26, 2011)

….Homes and businesses in Sedalia, Missouri, in the 4th Congressional, were damaged in yesterday’s tornado outbreak. The 4th Congressional District is represented by freshman Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) who has been silent about House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (r) demand for budget offsets as a condition for the approval of disaster relief in Joplin, Missouri after Sunday’s devastating tornado.

Lo and behold, via Twitter:

@RepHartzler Rep. Vicky Hartzler

Just talked to Dave Clippart, Pettis Co.Emergency Mgmt. Dir. He confirmed substantial damage from today’s tornado & some injuries. 21 hours ago

@RepHartzler Rep. Vicky Hartzler

I have offered whatever help I can after the tornado. I stand ready to help. Will continue to pray for all Missouri storm victims. 21 hours ago

“…I have offered whatever help I can after the tornado. I stand ready to help…”

Does that include advocating for federal disaster relief? Or just a hot meal? Just asking.

Others are, too:

@Psyched55 Dr. Connie S.

@RepHartzler I hope your help includes votes that keep aide intact for those who are suffering rather then putting stipulations on such aide 20 hours ago

@aprillivings April Livings

@RepHartzler: Does that help include making sure that all aid is offset by spending cuts? Aid should not be held up by politics. 15 hours ago

Really, without the republican majority’s insistence on budgetary reductions in times of need we wouldn’t be able to protect those windfall tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. And that wouldn’t be fair at all, would it?

And, the representative from Joplin?:

A Foe Of Big Government Seeks Aid For Joplin

by Frank Morris

September 23, 2011 12:01 AM

Billy Long is a Tea Party stalwart who ran for Congress as a man fed up with Washington.

Long won in a landslide and now represents Joplin, Mo., where he fired up a Tea Party crowd in April pretending to auction off the national debt.

Five weeks later, Long was back in Joplin, this time in the dark and rain, surveying the aftermath of an apocalyptic tornado. And this time, the federal government was his friend….

….What followed, Long says, has been a superb relief effort.

“The president came in, he was great. [Homeland Security Secretary] Janet Napolitano came in, she’s been great,” he says. “[House Minority] Leader Pelosi came up to me on the floor, hugged me and said, ‘Billy, anything the people of Joplin need they’ll have.’ ”

And that’s just what they’ve gotten: FEMA has spent close to $100 million on the cleanup, and an additional $19 million plus on rent and home repairs….

It must depend on where your backyard is.

The republican controlled Missouri House is keeping busy. HB 162 was introduced today:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 162

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES SOMMER (Sponsor), SPENCER, MCCAHERTY, WOOD, BERRY AND FITZPATRICK (Co-sponsors).

0819L.01I         D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 21, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the Missouri firearms freedom act.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Section A. Chapter 21, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 21.755, to read as follows:

           21.755. 1. This section shall be called and may be cited as the “Missouri Firearms Freedom Act”.

           2. The general assembly declares that the authority for this section is the following:

           (1) Amendment X of the Constitution of the United States guarantees to the states and their people all powers not granted to the federal government elsewhere in the Constitution and reserves to the state and people of Missouri certain powers as they were understood at the time that Missouri was admitted to statehood. The guarantee of those powers is a matter of contract between the state and people of Missouri and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Missouri and the United States;

           (2) Amendment IX of the Constitution of the United States guarantees to the people rights not granted in the Constitution and reserves to the people of Missouri certain rights as they were understood at the time that Missouri was admitted to statehood. The guarantee of those rights is a matter of contract between the state and people of Missouri and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Missouri and the United States;

           (3) The regulation of intrastate commerce is vested in the states under Amendments IX and X of the Constitution of the United States, particularly if not expressly preempted by federal law. Congress has not expressly preempted state regulation of intrastate commerce pertaining to the manufacture on an intrastate basis of firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition;

           (4) Amendment II of the Constitution of the United States reserves to the people the right to keep and bear arms as that right was understood at the time that Missouri was admitted to statehood, and the guarantee of the right is a matter of contract between the state and people of Missouri and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Missouri and the United States; and

           (5) Article I, section 23, Constitution of Missouri clearly secures to Missouri citizens, and prohibits government interference with, the right of individual Missouri citizens to keep and bear arms.

           3. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall mean:

           (1) “Firearms accessories”, items that are used in conjunction with or mounted upon a firearm but are not essential to the basic function of a firearm, including but not limited to telescopic or laser sights, magazines, flash or sound suppressors, folding or aftermarket stocks and grips, speedloaders, ammunition carriers, and lights for target illumination;

           (2) “Generic and insignificant parts”, includes but is not limited to springs, screws, nuts, and pins;

           (3) “Manufactured”, creating a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition from basic materials for functional usefulness, including but not limited to forging, casting, machining, or other processes for working materials.

           4. A personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Missouri and that remains within the borders of Missouri is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce. It is declared by the legislature that those items have not traveled in interstate commerce. This section applies to a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured in Missouri from basic materials and that can be manufactured without the inclusion of any significant parts imported into this state. Generic and insignificant parts that have other manufacturing or consumer product applications are not firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition, and their importation into Missouri and incorporation into a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition manufactured in Missouri does not subject the firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition to federal regulation. It is declared by the legislature that basic materials, such as unmachined steel and unshaped wood, are not firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition and are not subject to congressional authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition under interstate commerce as if they were actually firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition. The authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce in basic materials does not include the authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition made in Missouri from those materials. Firearms accessories that are imported into Missouri from another state and that are subject to federal regulation as being in interstate commerce do not subject a firearm to federal regulation under interstate commerce because they are attached to or used in conjunction with a firearm in Missouri.

           5. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:

           (1) A firearm that cannot be carried and used by one person;

           (2) A firearm that has a bore diameter greater than one half inch and that uses smokeless powder, not black powder, as a propellant;

           (3) Ammunition with a projectile that explodes using an explosion of chemical energy after the projectile leaves the firearm; or

           (4) A firearm that discharges two or more projectiles with one activation of the trigger or other firing device.

           6. A firearm manufactured or sold in Missouri under the provisions of this section shall have the words “Made in Missouri” clearly stamped on a central metallic part, such as the receiver or frame.

[emphasis in original]

We’ve seen this before:

Department of Redundancy Department: Jason Smith (r) and HB 1506 (January 12, 2010)

Jobs bill, anyone?

The House, 241 to 180, approved an additional $50.7 billion in federal aid for states affected by Hurricane Sandy. Only 49 Republicans voted for the bill; 179 voted against(quoting the entry from the DailyKos).

Let’s hope there is no natural disaster in Missouri.  

Here is where the results are.

Yeas in Missouri — Clay.

Not voting — Cleaver.

Neas in Missouri — Hartzler, Graves, Long,

Luetkemeyer.  

For those of us in the KC area, Representative Skinner Dipper Yoder was also a nea.

Ten-country comparison suggests there’s little or no link between video games and gun murders

Posted by Max Fisher on December 17, 2012 at 1:51 pm

….Looking at the world’s 10 largest video game markets yields no evident, statistical correlation between video game consumption and gun-related killings….

No, that’s not it.

Maybe this is (October 2003):

SCIENCE BRIEFS

Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions

Studies provide converging evidence that exposure to media violence is a significant risk factor for aggressive and violent behavior.

By Craig A. Anderson, PhD

….Further research will likely find some significant moderators of violent video game effects, because the much larger research literature on television violence has found such effects and the underlying processes are the same. However, even that larger literature has not identified a sizeable population that is totally immune to negative effects of media violence….

….Cartoonish and fantasy violence is often perceived (incorrectly) by parents and public policy makers as safe even for children. However, experimental studies with college students have consistently found increased aggression after exposure to clearly unrealistic and fantasy violent video games. Indeed, at least one recent study found significant increases in aggression by college students after playing E-rated (suitable for everyone) violent video games….

But, if you tax the bullets at $5,000.00 each…

HB 157, introduced yesterday:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 157

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE FRANKLIN.

0923H.01I     D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 144, RSMo, by adding thereto three new sections relating to violent video games, with an emergency clause.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Section A. Chapter 144, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto three new sections, to be known as sections 144.1020, 144.1022, and 144.1024, to read as follows:

           144.1020. As used in sections 144.1022 and 144.1024, the term “violent video game” means a video or computer game that has received a rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board of Teen, Mature, or Adult Only.

           144.1022. 1. In addition to any other sales tax provided for by law, there is hereby levied upon sales of all violent video games an excise tax based on the gross receipts or gross proceeds of each sale at a rate of one percent.

           2. The rate provided for in subsection 1 of this section shall not affect any county or municipal sales tax imposed pursuant to law.

           3. The revenue generated by the additional tax imposed under this section, less any reduction allowed under section 149.021, shall be deposited in the state general revenue fund and appropriated solely for the treatment of mental health conditions associated with exposure to violent video games. The revenues derived from the tax imposed under this section shall constitute new and additional funding for treatment of mental health conditions associated with exposure to violent video games and shall not be used to replace existing funding as of July 1, 2013, for the same or similar funding for treatment of mental health conditions associated with exposure to violent video games.

           144.1024. 1. In addition to any other tax provided for by law, there is hereby levied upon persons storing, using, or otherwise consuming within this state, tangible personal property purchased or brought into this state, an excise tax on the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of all violent video games, based on the gross receipts or purchase price of such property at a rate of one percent.

           2. The revenue generated by the additional tax imposed under this section, less any reduction allowed under section 149.021, shall be deposited in the state general revenue fund and appropriated solely for the treatment of mental health conditions associated with exposure to violent video games. The revenues derived from the tax imposed under this section shall constitute new and additional funding for treatment of mental health conditions associated with exposure to violent video games and shall not be used to replace existing funding as of July 1, 2013, for the same or similar funding for treatment of mental health conditions associated with exposure to violent video games.

           Section B. Because immediate action is necessary to protect the mental health of individuals exposed to violent video games, the enactment of sections 144.1020, 144.1022, and 144.1024 of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace, and safety, and the enactment of sections 144.1020, 144.1022, and 144.1024 of this act is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and the enactment of sections 144.1020, 144.1022, and 144.1024 of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.

[emphasis in original]

The sponsor:

Rep. Diane Franklin, a Republican, represents parts of Camden and Laclede counties (District 123) in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to her first two-year term in November 2010.

In addition to her legislative activities, Rep. Franklin is a third-generation small business owner, presently in health care, and a fifth-generation farmer. She has served on the Camdenton R-III School Board from 1993 to 1999 and as a Board Representative to Career and Technical, Parents as Teachers and to the Dorothy Blair Scholarship Fund.

Rep. Franklin is a member of the National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation and Missouri Farm Bureau. She is also a member of the American and Missouri Trap Shooting Associations where she is one of four women on the Missouri State Trapshooting Team. She is a member of Lake Area, Camdenton and Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of Canopy Church. Rep. Franklin has served as both president and vice president of the Lake Masters Area Gardeners.

Rep. Franklin is a 1974 graduate of Camdenton RIII schools, a graduate of Ozarks Technical Community College and has completed course work at Southwest Baptist University and Truman State University.

[….]

Probably not a fan of Chris Rock’s solution.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C001135 01/15/2013 A BETTER MISSOURI WITH GOVERNOR JAY NIXON Ameren Missouri PO Box 66892 Saint Louis MO 63166 1/13/2013 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

Why, that’s more than enough to finance a road trip to the Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa in September. We manage to pull that off for the price of a tank of gas and junk food.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: oh, they see (January 13, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Who’s next? (January 11, 2012)

Campaign Finance: jumping on that bandwagon to who knows where (January 6, 2013)

Campaign Finance: it’s not a Hemi (January 2, 2013)

Campaign Finance: dialing for dollars (December 30, 2012)

Campaign Finance: no difference, then? (December 23, 2012)  

Blue skies, cold air, can’t lose

Perhaps “it’s cold at the inauguration is a first world problem”. Ok, it is. Plus it warmed up to 24 degrees. Plus our hearts were warmed as Senator Tom Dempsey underestimated the capabilities of a bell denoting 12 Noon (Dempsey came to stage after 8 chimes, only to hear the 9th).

The Inaugural speech clocked in at a brisk 12 minutes. Speaking of the current split government and comparing it to an opposite split from 1987. Then talking about the Civil War. Then a brief summary of the last four years (the auto industry is back, natural disasters). Before going into a future without limits in regards to education, science, business, agriculture and conservation. Then noting the bold pioneers of the past and future and closing by noting that he took his oath to a variety of people (waitresses pulling double shifts, veterans, farmers).

Of course the realist and cynic would note the problems ahead. But then again, those problems have always been around since 2009, aside from the veto-proof super majority and all. But it’s an inaugural speech, reality will be known later.

So some photos of the inaugural events taken from the blue section of the South Lawn:

Governor Nixon arriving on the scene with his wife Georganne

The match of the statewides



Attorney General Chris Koster being sworn into office

Treasurer Clint Zweifel being sworn into office

Secretary of State Jason Kander being sworn into office

Lt. Governor Peter Kinder being sworn into office

Governor Jay Nixon being sworn into office

Governor Nixon speaking during the Inaugural Address

…in the real world.

The price of gas keeps going down:

This afternoon, in west central Missouri.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): not especially prescient (January 9, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): strange silence, still (December 19, 2012)

Quick, blame Obama! – part 3 – trickle down (December 8, 2012)

Quick, blame Obama! – part 2 (December 5, 2012)

Quick, blame Obama! (December 1, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): make it stop… (November 18, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): the price keeps dropping and we’re running out of gas puns (November 15, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): on an express elevator… (November 12, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): wait, wait, don’t tell me (November 8, 2012)

Vicky Hartzler (r): it’s so quiet when the price keeps dropping (October 31, 2012)

Vicky Hartzler (r): What’s that? Did you say something? Apparently not. (October 29, 2012)

Vicky Hartzler (r): the sound of silence (October 23, 2012)

The past, the gas, and isms (September 24, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): let’s pass the gas – part 2 (June 6, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): let’s pass the gas (May 27, 2012)

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C001135 01/13/2013 A BETTER MISSOURI WITH GOVERNOR JAY NIXON OptiCare Vision Company, Inc. PO Box 7548 Rocky Mount NC 27804 1/11/2013 $20,000.00

[emphasis added]

We don’t get to, yet.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Who’s next? (January 11, 2012)

Campaign Finance: jumping on that bandwagon to who knows where (January 6, 2013)

Campaign Finance: it’s not a Hemi (January 2, 2013)

Campaign Finance: dialing for dollars (December 30, 2012)

Campaign Finance: no difference, then? (December 23, 2012)  

Free speech for me, but not for thee?

The American President (1995)

….America isn’t easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, ’cause it’s gonna put up a fight. It’s gonna say “You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours….

The First Amendment and free speech don’t appear to be as absolute with some Americans as other single digit amendments.

At the White House petition site:

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Legally recognize Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group.

This group has been recognized as a hate group by organizations, such as The Southern Poverty Law Center, and has repeatedly displayed the actions typical of hate groups.

Their actions have been directed at many groups, including homosexuals, military, Jewish people and even other Christians. They pose a threat to the welfare and treatment of others and will not improve without some form of imposed regulation.

Created: Dec 14, 2012

Issues: Civil Rights and Liberties, Human Rights, Veterans and Military Families

Signatures needed by January 13, 2013 to reach goal of 25,000 0

Total signatures on this petition 316,998

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Investigate the IRS Tax-Exempt Status of the Westboro Baptist Church

The Westboro Baptist Church is better-known for homophobic displays, suing people and picketing funerals than for providing Christian care to a community. Due to their harassment and politicking, their IRS tax-exempt status should be immediately investigated.

Created: Dec 16, 2012

Issues: Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, Human Rights, Veterans and Military Families

Signatures needed by January 15, 2013 to reach goal of 25,000 0

Total signatures on this petition 77,641

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Revoke the tax exempt status of the Westboro Baptist Church & re-classify Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group.

Westboro Baptist Church is legally recognized as a religious organization and therefore receives a tax exempt status under our laws. The Phelps family and their supporters use these tax exempt funds to finance a country-wide campaign against any person or group they feel promotes values that do not meet with their own. Most prominently they are anti-gay.

The members of this hate group make a practice of targeting funerals to make their case, routinely inflicting further pain and anguish onto the mourning families of deceased soldiers and, even worse, the victims of tragic crimes. They hold signs thanking God and celebrating the deaths of these people. They wave these signs in the faces of the families.

By granting their tax exemption WE ARE FUNDING THEIR HATE. This must change.

Created: Dec 16, 2012

Issues: Budget and Taxes, Human Rights, Veterans and Military Families

ignatures needed by January 15, 2013 to reach goal of 25,000 0

Total signatures on this petition 72,056

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Remove the Westboro Baptist Church’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and make it retroactive.

The Westboro Baptist Church operates as a tax-exempt church. While it speaks volumes that many Americans value their right to free speech, this does not mean that we have to pay for their vitriol.

The WBC is not and should never have been considered a legitimate church for tax-exemption purposes, and this could be declared so either directly or with legislation affirming any or all of the following:

1) The WBC does not engage in any charity comparable in scope to their public image. They are only known for hate.

2) The WBC is not inclusive of its surrounding community, restricting membership. It is regarded by some as a tax shelter for its family’s law operations.

3) The WBC uses invective speech under its name, actively denigrating classes of people – soldiers, homosexuals, and others

Created: Dec 16, 2012

Issues: Budget and Taxes, Civil Rights and Liberties

Signatures needed by January 15, 2013 to reach goal of 25,000 0

Total signatures on this petition 53,950

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Define the Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group due to promoting animosity against differing cultural demographics.

The Westboro Baptist Church has surpassed the point of free speech and has crossed into the realm of harassing citizens. They vocally promote hate against every demographic that they are not a part of. Their own website URL is made of obscenities that directly carve out a specific demographic: “www.godhatesfags.com”. They even picket military funerals – when our soldiers and their families are at their lowest. The hatred is clear and they fit the definition given by the SPLC with no deviation. The only possible reason to exclude them would be the extent of the effect that they have had on society, but the legal “hate group” designation will prevent further damage and harassment before it has to happen.

Created: Dec 14, 2012

Issues: Civil Rights and Liberties, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, Human Rights

Signatures needed by January 13, 2013 to reach goal of 25,000 0

Total signatures on this petition 39,345

Actually, the constitutional way to counter free speech is with more free speech. This tactic has been successfully applied to the Westboro Baptist Church pickets in the past.

A hate group, the First Amendment, and a funeral in a small town (November 23, 2010)

“…Maybe the good thing is that good people showed up today to speak out…”

Previously:

Proposition 8 rally in Kansas City (November 15, 2008)

Proposition 8 rally in Kansas City – more photos (November 16, 2008)

“God hates fags”–according to the Westboro Baptist Church (November 9, 2009)

Where to start? (November 23, 2010)

A hate group, the First Amendment, and a funeral in a small town – part 2 (November 29, 2010)