My opinion regarding freedom of speech usually does not waver. I consider myself to be 100% dead-set for it. I even consider it a responsibility for every American to tolerate speech that they disapprove of, countering it with their own free expressions, rather than trying to legally stifle the ones who caused the "offense". I am tested, however, on occasion. I have never been more tested than I was this morning.

Oddly enough, this isn't about Ann Coulter OR NAMBLA, usually two of the better reasons to think twice about free speech. This is about the Reverend Fred Phelps, my Asshole of the Year for 2006. I know, we're barely into March, but I have a busload of faith in this guy. I'm sure you will, too, if you look at this.

This fine and oh-so- Christian fellow and his congregation at the Westboro Baptist Church (which consists mostly of his relatives) believe that America has turned it's back on God by harboring homosexuals. By "harboring" he of course means not arresting and executing them, as he feels God would prefer. This is the God of the Old Testament, all vengeance and flaming sword, although the sword he uses now consists of  improvised bombs, and He's using them to slay the soldiers that defend this haven of queers, this modern Gomorrah. This isn't a war, it is righteous vengeance, claims the Reverend and his band of merry nutjobs. So they've taken to holding protests at the funerals of our soldiers who died in action.

These aren't quiet protests. The, ummmm, "flock" will get as close as possible and scream to the bereaved that their loved one was slain by God for defending "fags" and are burning in Hell for crossing God's will. That, I gather, is one of the nicer things they scream, as no news agency I found was willing to quote anything else they chanted, although most pointed out that it is always rude. One report used the word "profane". The church claims that they are "proud to preach God's hate." They hold signs that say "Thank God for Dead Soldiers", "Thank God for IEDs" (Improvised Explosive Devices) and of course, "God Hates Fags."

Think that's weird? Go to their site and see how they tied the tsunami to God's fury toward Sweden. No answer yet on whether they run a day care.

Some states have countered them by passing laws that keep protests hundreds of feet away from the mourners. As far as limits to free speech, that one is tolerable, expecially when it involves a church that is being tracked as a hate group.

It turns out that something better happened. Enter the Patriot Guard Riders , a group of motorcyclists that go to the funerals to counter the protests.They stand between mourners and the Assholes of the Year, waving flags and saying supportive and patriotic things, making sure that Phelps and his ilk aren't heard. Sometimes they even use their Harleys to drown them out. They only go where they are invited, because of this thing they have called "respect", but people know when to invite them since Phelps lists his itinerary on his website. These guys are using responsible freedom of speech to counter irresponsible, perhaps even evil, use of the same freedom. They show that the freedom CAN be absolute, unless people become afraid to speak out, or afraid of allowing others to.

So there you have it. The church folks are the Anti-American bad guys, the bikers are the Patriotic Good Guys. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper could not be reached for comment. Or at least, I assumed they couldn't.

I'm going to make a sign of my own now. It will say "Thank God for Outlaw Bikers".