VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church

VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (Full Version)

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SusanofO -> VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 3:10:36 AM)
Wow, I sense a Darwin Awards moment coming. This could be big news for their awards committee, I think. *Never missing an opportunity to take advantage of a complete and utter tragedy, Fred Phelps, and his gang of Westboro Baptist Church haters, have announced they will be picketing, one by one, at the funerals of those killed in the VA Tech tragedy. These are the folks whose picket signs say things like: "God hates crippled faggotty soldiers" and "Semper Fi - Semper Fags", etc. Their basic premise is that homosexuality is a sin, and God hates all homosexuals, and they should all burn in hell, etc. Take a look* (but it might really piss you off. Click on the bottom of the first page, where it says ENTER): www.godhatesfags.com Frankly, I am starting to half wish that some "faggotty soldier" who is really adept at the use of fire-arms, would just off all of them, so I won't have to read about their nastiness anymore (I am not a violent person, but they are really testing my patience. They are very active in my state, and really, truly annoying). This issue they seem so concerned with, has nothing whatsoever to do with this tragedy, and yet they will be in its midst anyway, promoting their stupid POV, complete with rants and screaming (albeit from across the street). **And at a moment that should, at the very least, be treated with respect and peacefulness for the families involved, I would think. I don't get it, but I suppose this kind of freedom of speech, for the truly bizarre weirdo with a cruel and pointless mind, is what makes us such a great country? - Susan

GoddessDustyGold -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 3:26:04 AM)
Well, that made Me nauseous. Next time, Susan, could you give us the link to the article? I had to google it and I am really tired right now...Wink

SusanofO -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 3:27:50 AM)
I got one link (finally) attached (it wasn't the one I wanted, but it's something). - Susan

pahunkboy -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 3:40:09 AM)
wtf does college kids have to do with gay or war? nothing. this man has violated RICO statutes, Good doessnt hate fags. god hates those who deccieve others.[thos who do so and never remorse] Phelps is a clown- exponennntiaally, sillier then Ronald McDonald.

SusanofO -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 3:45:28 AM)
This guy is regularly monitored by the Anti-Defamation League. And to answer your question, it has nothing to do with it (of course). But - it is his supposed "right"' as a free citizen, so I suppose it might not have to - still, I wonder how he has the nerve to call himself and his followers a church, and be so blatantly disregarding of the obvious emotinal distress of these families. There is a time and place for anything, and whether anyone agrees with him or not (which I don't) this isn't the time for loud protests to be taking place - especially on something so un-related. I find him, and his gang of socially mis-adjusted malcontents, to be alternate sources of amusement, and headache. I have no doubt there are others who find their existence down-right painful. I just wish he'd disappear. - Susan

pahunkboy -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 3:49:14 AM)
caausing haavok at a funrreral is distuurbiiing the peace. free speech is not a right to harrass faamilies!!! [recall yelling fire in a crowded theator]

SusanofO -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 3:51:34 AM)
He's a complete idiot, IMO. I hope he gets arrested, although it never seeme to stop him. He pickets and protests from a "safe distance" (like a block away) but always, always makes a huge, loud scene. I've seen him on the news enough around my home state, to just make me think that there are people who indeed take "free speech" too far. I can't help but think his purpose on the planet, is to help others develop a bigger sense of tolerance - because he certainly seems to know how to test it. - Susan

SusanofO -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 4:11:07 AM)
I just think there should be some bigger law against him doing this kind of thing, especially considering the magnitude of this tragedy. He is adept enough to not get arrested, as often as he does get arrested. The concept he is "Disturbing the peace" doesn't seem to cut it, in terms of law enforcement, to quell his nasty message, or his tactics. I know the Anti-Defamation League has tried to accuse him of Hate Criming, but he seems to know, down to the last detail, exactly what his "rights as a free citizen are", and can quote them down to the letter. He is just too much, IMO. Remember when the Rev. Jerry Falwell claimed, at the beginningof the AIDs crisis in the early 1980's that AIDs was a "sign" that God wanted homosexuals to repent and was in general unhappy with the behavior of humans, etc? Fred Phelps is like that, X 1,000. Anyway...End of my little rant. Thanks for listening. - Susan

Satyr6406 -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 4:24:09 AM)
One of my favorite subjects because I am a HUGE proponent of free speech (even when I violently disagree with what's being said). So many people want to run around, screaming about free speech but, they forget that with liberty comes, inherently responsibility. I remember, quite a few years back, when there was a bunch of people that were making a big deal out of burning the American flag (I still have an issue when actions are considered speech but, that's a little further down). Unfortunately, my beliefs told me that I could not, in all good conscience, speak out against someone burning our flag, in protest but, lighting a fire is an act. On top of that, I used to counsel people (In a very furtive whisper) that any "free speech" that caused a riot/disturbance wasn't, necessarily, "protected" (and then, I start whistling and walk away because it wouldn't have done well for me to be seen, in uniform, near such a disturbance). I won't even click on the link. I'm sure these people would turn my stomach. I can only hope that some of the local law enforcement are well practiced in the art of street justice. My heart goes out to the families. Peace and comfort, Michael

SusanofO -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 4:27:35 AM)
Wow, good point, Maybe someone will start a riot in protest of his protest. That might get him to think maybe it doesn't always work so well. The cops (in most places I've noticed anyway) are on to this guy. I know they will be watching him with an eagle eye this time, too. Good. - Susan

StellaByStarlite -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 5:03:23 AM)
Phelps is good at getting the public's attention, that's for sure. I wonder how his group would react if everybody just ignored them for the fruitcakes they are? I bet they would just slither off eventually, lol. I think Phelps is very well aware of how effective negative press can be when it comes to recruiting. It makes you wonder how many closet fruitcakes donate money to his cause because their attention was caught by all the publicity.

SusanofO -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 5:22:38 AM)
Yeah, that's a good point, because actually his is a very small church, as far as memebership - it has fewer than 100 members, but they manage to remain highly visible. I bet it has a lot of "closet" donors. Because he seems to have an unlimted amount of free time to travel, and also for things like, signs, food and hotel costs, etc, for his followers that protest with him. His contention this time is that this tragedy at VA Tech would not have happened at all, if God was not very unhappy with humans, and that God has been extra-disappointed in them generally, ever since the Clinton "Don't ask, don't tell" policy was initiated in the armed services in the US, as far as allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve. IMO, he and his followers are right up there with Jim Jones and his suicidal Kool-Aid-drinking followers, in terms of being delusional. The only reason this guy has organized into a "church", is that if he was in just organizing a regular, every day sort of special interest group, he'd have been hanged from the highest tree years ago, for his intense brand of rabble rousing, IMO. But since his opinions are all supposedly backed up by God, he gets away with more. I seriously think this guy needs intensive mental health care, and quickly. - Susan

LadyEllen -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 5:40:31 AM)
The problem with Phelps and his followers is that they bring along their junior members to these protests. Some might call that irresponsible, given the inevitiable hostility they provoke. Others on the other hand, might see a human shield of 6 year olds as a wise precaution. E

SusanofO -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 5:44:56 AM)
Good point, *Lady Ellen.* He really believes in what he is doing. You'd think the fact he has less than 100 followers, world-wide, might tell him something. I am just plain sick of him, he is on the news a lot, in Nebraska. - Susan

Vendaval -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 5:49:11 AM)
DAMN IT!!! [:@] That guy is just asking to start a riot and get his group's collective ass beaten.

subbecky -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 5:51:02 AM)
I don't find these people amusing. I find them dangerous.

cuckfla -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 5:51:30 AM)
These idiots have been protesting military funerals for sometime now. A group called Patriot Guard Riders formed in response and now attends those funerals and forms a line of flags between the protestors and the family, so the family don't see the protestors. The Patriot Guard has also been behind bills in many states restricting protests at funerals, keeping them back several hundred feet. As sickning as Westboro is, they do have their right to free speech. Most of their members are lawyers, just waiting to sue someone. They love the publicity. Hopefully they will be ignored during the funerals of these innocent people.

SusanofO -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 5:53:48 AM)
Well most people think he's nuts. I can't believe that he made it through law school (even though he did), and he has been dis-barred in the state of Kansas, but he can still take federal cases. I know everyone has a right to free speech - they do, I suppose. Personally, I think he is a raging homophobe. By his own admission, despite the fact he has children, he admits he's never been attracted to women, and has almost no sexual desires (or so he says). I wouldn't even think that is relevant, if he wasn't making it his entire reason for living. I read about the motorcycle guys (Patriot Guard Riders) who protect the people's families at military funerals against his followers, and himself - maybe they will show up at these funerals too (I hope). I just think protesting at these funerals is going too far, even for him. These families are in enough grief as it is. Their plight has nothing* to do with homosexuality, or his agenda, regardless of the flimsy connection he seems to think exists. It just makes me mad (but I realize he has his rights). I hope the police capture him for doing somethng really over-the-top, and cart him off to Bellevue, where he remains on hold for an indefinite "evaluation period" in terms of his sanity. - Susan

favesclava -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 6:00:46 AM)
if one my kids had been a victim of the shootings or a soldier coming home feet first, bet your ass i would be on a grassy knoll with a high powered rifle, a scope and plenty of amunition. 100 total? plenty of weapons can take care of that in a hurry. the six year olds will learn the meaning of consequences. just aim high.

imthatacheyouhav -> RE: VA Tech funerals to be targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (4/19/2007 6:02:28 AM)
it pains me more then i can say that the name Baptist is associated with this at all..... i was raised Baptist and i can assure you not ALL Baptist are like this....their are mean people everywhere, church should be the exception but it is not

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