Don’t they have something better to do?

An effigy to burn somewhere, perhaps? Quiet reading and reflection on some of their favorite vitriolic, spiteful literature? Maybe a panel discussion on how civil rights, the Bill of Rights, and human rights in general have corrupted American culture? It all sounds like such fun.

As does anything that diverts the Westboro Baptist Church from parading its xenophobic and homophobic propaganda around the funeral of a fallen soldier. Church members stuck their ugly heads back into Maine on Wednesday, as a pair of them picketed the funeral of Spc. Angel Rosa of South Portland, who died in the Al Anbar province of Iraq last week.

Last summer, this same freakish group caused an upraod by threatening to demonstrate at the funeral of Sgt. Corey Dan of Norway. Then, Westboro’s promised picketers failed to appear, which only painted its worshipers as nothing but a bunch of spineless cowards.

Most infuriating is their hateful use of a valued right – freedom of speech – outside the celebrations and tearful remembrances of those who paid the ultimate price to protect it.

As a newspaper, we thrive on the principle of freedom of speech. It’s a sacred tenet of American society, valued so highly as to make the giggling idiocy of an Alaskan teenager – who unfurled a banner proclaiming “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” during the 2002 Olympic torch run – an issue for the Supreme Court to review.

But if there were ever a group deserving special congressional revocation of its First Amendment eligibility, it’s the Westboro church. Even Thomas Jefferson would want to put duct tape over their mouths, we think.

In lieu of a muzzle, we support a fence. Sen. David Hastings, R-Fryeburg, proposed a 1,000-foot limit on demonstrations outside funerals, in the wake of the planned Sgt. Dan protest. If enacted, demonstrations would also be prohibited for two hours before, and after, funerals.

A 2006 federal law now allows for a 300-foot limit, and one-hour prohibitions. The Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a work session on Hasting’s bill, LD 246, on March 16.

It’s a wise compromise, preserving First Amendment rights while diffusing potentially dangerous situations, such as what could occur if the Westboro brotherhood does something besides empty threats or meager showings.

We urge enactment of LD 246, to further protect the solemnity of funeral services of all Mainers, and further repudiate the Westboro Baptist Church. Their misguided shepherd, the Rev. Fred Phelps, and his flock of black sheep aren’t welcome in Maine. They do, though, have a constitutional right to speak.

And Maine should make it from as far away as possible.