Media coverage also to blame, AG says

? Even as he had a news conference Thursday to discuss legislation aimed at the Rev. Fred Phelps Sr. and his Topeka church, Atty. Gen. Phill Kline expressed frustration about the attention they receive from news organizations.

Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church are known for their public crusade against homosexuality. They picket the funerals of soldiers, arguing that deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God’s punishment for America’s tolerance of homosexuality.

Kline told reporters that restrictions on funeral picketing – including limits on how close they can get – were reasonable.

“It might make your guys’ satellite trucks drive another block to put the hatred on television,” Kline said. “I do believe if the media would stop covering the Phelpses, that would help, but that continues.”

Shirley Phelps-Roper, an attorney and Westboro Baptist member, said church members weren’t driven by the media attention they receive but by their duty to preach and serve God.

“You know that we’re not going to stop,” she said in a telephone interview. “We don’t give a rat’s ass what you do.”