Blunt disappointed in appellate court's decision in Westboro Church of God case

Gov. Matt Blunt issued the following statement today after the Eighth District Court of Appeals ruling allowing members of the Westboro Church of God to protest at military funerals:

"I am deeply disappointed in the court’s decision. To suggest that this action ‘will not cause substantial harm to others’ is inexcusable. This action will not only cause substantial harm, it will cause irreparable harm to the families and friends of those military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and are denied a peaceful, dignified funeral service.
"We enacted this important law in response to the hate-filled protest of Specialist Edward Lee Myers, who died serving his country in Iraq, and whose family experienced the harm that the court so readily dismisses.
"I signed the law sending a strong message that Missouri not only supports our military members at home and abroad, but that the sacrifices they make are valued, respected and important to a grateful state and nation for whom they fight and serve, and I am deeply troubled the court would open the door to protests of a fringe group that acts with hate and causes pain to those who are mourning the loss of a military hero.
"This ruling must be appealed with vigor. I hope the Supreme Court will not repeat this tragic interpretation."