Westboro Baptist Church — you know the so-called church in Kansas that spews venom at the drop of the hat and protests the funerals of soldiers, sailors, Marines and anyone else they deem unworthy — is a group that I unfortunately have had to deal in the past.

They were again in the news week, when Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley signed into a law that places a 1,000-foot — roughly two blocks — buffer between protestors and any funeral within in the state. The measure, clearly in response to Westboro’s ventures into Alabama, is one everyone applauded.

While working in Alexander City, my newspaper covered the solemn funerals of a soldier and a Marine killed while serving in the war on terror. The events were emotional, heartbreaking, while at the same time inspiring.

These two young men gave their lives in the service of their country and defending the freedoms we all hold dear.

And in each case, this group — a group I almost refuse to call a church — celebrated their deaths by faxing hate-filled messages to the newspaper. It was enough to … tick anyone off.

How could anyone — especially those who claim to spread the word of God — take joy in the horrific pain of others? How could anyone — especially a group that would call themselves Christians — mock the families of those killed?

It was mind-boggling, and to this day, my blood boils every time I hear of their protests or read one of their disgusting faxes sent to our newsroom.

While in Washington D.C., I had an opportunity to attend a Veteran’s Day parade — a parade honoring the millions of brave men and women who have honorably served our country. And still, this group, who’s right to protest was made possible by veterans — those who came home and those who didn’t — was there cussing them, bemoaning their sacrifice and belittling their service.

With all of that said, I still fall back to this famous quote by Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

The men and women who serve our country do so knowing that not everyone approves of their service. They know there are those in this country who are a opposed to any military action abroad and there are even those who will continue to cuss the very person in uniform defending their right to free speech.

I am in an industry that is built upon and strongly defended by the language in the First Amendment, the very amendment that gives these yahoos the right to send their hateful message out.

I have to remember that no matter how much I despise their actions, how much their words make me physically sick, that they do have the right to say what they say. I’m just glad Gov. Bentley and the Alabama Legislature made them stand a little farther away while they do it.