Milbloggers and e-mailers are buzzing about this story of how Pennsylvania’s moonbat Lieutenant Governor, Democrat Catherine Baker Knoll, reportedly showed up uninvited at a Marine’s funeral and voiced her anti-war views:

The family of a Marine who was killed in Iraq is furious with Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll for showing up uninvited at his funeral this week, handing out her business card and then saying “our government” is against the war.

Rhonda Goodrich of Indiana, Pa., said yesterday that a funeral was held Tuesday at a church in Carnegie for her brother-in-law, Staff Sgt. Joseph Goodrich, 32. She said he “died bravely and courageously in Iraq on July 10, serving his country.”

In a phone interview, Goodrich said the funeral service was packed with people “who wanted to tell his family how Joe had impacted their lives.” Then, suddenly, “one uninvited guest made an appearance, Catherine Baker Knoll.” She sat down next to a Goodrich family member and, during the distribution of communion, said, “Who are you?” Then she handed the family member one of her business cards, which Goodrich said she still has.

“Knoll felt this was an appropriate time to campaign and impose her will on us,” Goodrich said. “I am amazed and disgusted Knoll finds a Marine funeral a prime place to campaign.”

Go to Blackfive for details about the Marine and contact info for Pennsylvania’s governor, Ed Rendell.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette could not reach Lt. Gov. Knoll:

Knoll was traveling yesterday, away from the Capitol, and couldn’t be reached. But an aide said she “extends condolences to all families who have lost loved ones” serving in the military.

Without having talked to her, the aide, who asked not to be named, said, “The family members of fallen soldiers are in our hearts and prayers. Our prayers go out to their loved ones in their hour of grief.”

Asked to comment on Goodrich’s complaints about Knoll’s conduct at the funeral, the aide said that “would be inappropriate.”

Knoll has some explaining to do and better make time to talk to the press and address the Goodrich family pronto. If the family’s account is accurate, it is an unforgivable disgrace–and voters will make their feelings heard. Greg at
Rhymes with Right writes:

This woman needs to be driven from office by the people of Pennsylvania and loyal Americans everywhere — whether they be supporters or opponents of the war in Iraq. Some things are simply beyond the pale. Dishonoring a dead Marine and distressing his family falls into that cetegory, and must be reason to end her career.

LargeBill’s bottom line:

The office of the Governor of Pennsylvania is entitled to take any stance it wants regarding whether the War on Terrorism is worth fighting, but a Marine’s funeral is not the place to make those views known.

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7/25/05 Update: The Funeral Crasher