SEIU and the Let Them Rest in Peace Act
Little time to blog this week but below from Mark Gordon's Bloggers brief.
You'd think SEIU would be a little flexible about something offensive to the vast majority of us. Certainly there is a clever way to draft the law keep SEIU happy.
Skeeter, give us some ideas please.
It’s fair to say that Lt. Governor Pat Quinn and Senate Republicans don’t find themselves on the same side very frequently.
But, Senate Republicans have been strong supporters of a Quinn-backed effort to protect the families of veterans from disruptive protests at funerals. In recent days, both Quinn and Senate Republicans have become more vocal in their support after
Senate President Emil Jones put a brick on what was generally considered to be a
non-controversial plan.
House Bill 4532 – the “Let Them Rest in Peace Act” – is a bipartisan initiative backed by Lt. Governor Pat Quinn that would prohibit loud and inflammatory protests within 200 feet of all Illinois funeral services beginning 30 minutes before a funeral, during a funeral, and 30 minutes after a funeral.
According to news reports, the Senate Democrat leadership has bowed to the demands of the Service Employees International Union, which wants to be able to picket at funerals. Both Quinn and Senate Republicans have warned that any attempt to exempt union picketing would likely make the bill unconstitutional.
State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) has filed a motion to discharge the bill from the Rules Committee; but so far the Senate leadership has refused to allow a vote on his motion, which would move the bill directly to the Senate for a vote.
The measure was inspired by actions of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, a fundamentalist group who recently became known for picketing the burials of soldiers and Marines killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
UPDATE: CLTV was reporting this AM that SEIU's problems with the bill have been resolved and its expected to pass today. Certainly SEIU wasn't planning on picketing at funerals but was concerned the bill would inadverntantly restrict their right to picket during their own strikes.
That's a legitimate beef on their part but something I thought lawyers could protect in the bill.
I was dismayed SEIU would threaten to hold it up instead of seeking a solution.
I was dismayed SEIU wasn't threatening to show up at funerals and counter picket this obscene protestors. That's what Balanoff should have been out front saying.
I was in the Steelworkers Union in the 70s and remember his Dad although I was in a different local. He was a Veteran and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He would have acted differently here I think.
19 comments:
Funny what happens when the religious right is allowed to take that slippery slope of hating gays all the way down to the bottom of that sewage pit.
If only our conservative friends could be more accepting of *all* Americans and not just the chosen heterosexuals they like.
Could someone explain how a vote on a motion to discharge be blocked under the rules of the Illinois Senate? Thank you.
Don't know about the Senate rules, but, in the House, the Speaker decides when, if ever, a discharge motion is called.
So let me see if I understand correctly. Sen. Emil Jones doesn't want this bill to pass?
NW Burbs,
Religous right doesn't hate gays. No more so then the religous right doesn't hate people who have sex outside of marriage, or divorce, or do anything contrary to a traditional sexual ethics.
The great mistake gay activists have made is not advocating more for gays in the military, and especially not confronting some of the univerities who are driving out ROTC because of "don't ask don't tell".
Gay activists should be demanding ROTC everywhere as part of the struggle against radical Islam who would dispose of gays in short order. They should be letting everyone know their are plenty of gays today in Iraq and Afganistan in the services, defending America in Iraq and Afganistan and throughout the world; despite "don'task don't tell" which would allow them an easy out.
It's dumbfounding gay activists can't rally around the flag when so many gays can serve despite the current policy.
And its dumbfounding SEIU can't overcome whatever obstacles they have with this law.
There was a time when American Unions would have demanded a place as honor guards at such funerals, or offered to drive these bastards away.
Democratic senators are choosing union picket lines over the honorable burial of our fallen soldiers and their grieving families?! The SEIU wants to be able to picket military funerals?! This makes me SICK! What the heck is wrong with these people? JBT and other Republican candidates should take this issue to the voters this fall.
ilvoter, try getting the whole story before freaking out.
The SEIU does not want to picket military funerals. The SEIU represents cemetary workers who do not want to lose their ability to picket their employers as a result of this legislation.
As stated earlier, the bill is in response to a bunch of wacked out gay bashers who have been protesting military funerals. Military families have nothing to fear from the SEIU.
Military families have nothing to fear from the SEIU.
CBM,
Nice to know Military families have nothing to fear... can they expect support?
Maybe SEIU should say these protestors can expect to be treated as the worst of scabs who cross picket lines?
Maybe Military families should expect a little direct action for SEIU in support.
"The SEIU represents cemetary workers who do not want to lose their ability to picket their employers as a result of this legislation."
- They won't, cbm. According to the "whole story" they just have to keep 200 feet from funeral services beginning 30 minutes before a funeral, during a funeral, and 30 minutes after a funeral. There is plenty of space in cemetaries to accomodate the 200 feet. The only reason they would need to be closer is to disrupt funeral servies of the recently deceased.
"the bill is in response to a bunch of wacked out gay bashers who have been protesting military funerals"
- So why is the SEIU opposing it? Becase they want that same ability to protest at funerals, military or civilian. I don't care if its gay bashers or disgruntled workers. It's SICK and senate Democrats should be ashamed!
I'm gald to hear that the SEIU has chosen to do the right thing and support the bill. Kudos to their acknowledgement of decency and civility during a very difficult time for the families of the deceased. The fact remains though that the senate Democrats were willing to bow to such ridiculious demands from a union. If the SEIU hadn't changed their position, senate Democrats would continue blocking the bill. A clear example of politics over people.
Larry,
Here is a site with info on Quinn's bill.
I don't see how it could be turned on Cemetary Workers. I think SEIU's lawyers and lobbyists over reacted.
Somehow that seems symbolic of the labor movement to me. Passion for a fight for Liberty, and standing up to those who would obscenely protest the funerals of the fallen, has been over taken by lawyers wrapped up in the fine print.
Old Balanoff would be ashamed.
Bill-
Asking why doesn't the SEIU support the military/patriotism in this discussion is akin to asking those who oppose AllKids why they hate children.
SEIU had very valid reasons beyond the simple free speech/assembly rights. Oh but aren't we as a society quick to ban speech we find distasteful until it happens to be our speech someone else wants to ban.
Gish,
You bet I'm quick. I'd go after this Reverend for sedition.
If I witnessed his protest, I'd assault him... do the crime and do the time... there was an age when labor would have done the same.
Bill
Bill-
There has always been people in this country that seek to prevent others from exercising their freedom to speak out their views. They aren't heroes, patriots or anything else worthy. They are simply thugs.
I vehemently disagree with what Phelps and his ilk believe but it letting them express it is part of what being an American is about. It is a part of what those soldiers died for. How debasing for the dead to use their deaths to erode the very reasons they fought and died.
Apparently, during lunch, I lose the ability to write properly.
Delte an 'it' and add a 'for which' where demmed appropriate.
We'd all flunk if judged on typos.
Free Speech doesn't confer a right to assault a family at a funeral and tell them their loved one died for an immoral war in an immoral cause and as an act of God's just vengence.
That's not Free Speech. It's a cruel vicous assualt on people.
They can go stand anywhere else in America and protest, but they can't go throw this in the face of grief stricken people.
Balanoff ought offer a cordon of intimating cemetary workers with picks and shovels to encircle these contemptable people instead haggling over the law.
I protested the Nazi demos in Skokie back in the 70s. Same thing.
Bill,
Have you seen the Simpson's episode where Homer takes Bart to a steel mill? Was your steelworker experience anything like that? Read on here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer%27s_Phobia
I worked at Harrington-King perforating on West Fillmore in the Island. It's the only factory left there. Hotpoint, Victor Gasket, Pheoll Screw all gone and buildings torn down.
Bill-
I have already stated that I think Phelps message and tactics are despicable.
I just find this situation to be a 'reasonable' erosion of a fundamental right (Free Speech/Assembly). I don't agree with it. I am not a veteran nor was my father. However my grandfather was a decorated veteran and I don't think he would had found it justified. The situation is too emotionally charged.
I link this concept to a gradual erosion of anything. Firearms always makes a good example. First we reasonably ban such and such and then it progresses from there. Every step is small and 'reasonable' until you eventually see how much has been eroded.
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