Five people in Delaware face charges after a scuffle with members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka who were picketing a military funeral.
Was it any surprise that this would happen, sooner or later? It’s lucky no one was seriously hurt.
That very real potential for violence is one argument for the state laws being passed to keep Fred Phelps and his goon squad at a respectful distance from grieving family members.
On a federal level, Congress passed this week and President Bush is expected to sign today a law barring disruptive protests at national military cemeteries. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said the families of fallen veterans have the “right to mourn without being thrust into a political circus.”
For that matter, don’t all grieving families?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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63 Comments
The Kansas legislature had an opportunity to help families here in Kansas but they were afraid of a lawsuit. I think it would have been worth it.
The men and women that have stood up to protect us deserve our respect and their families should be able to put their son or daughter to rest without having the Phelps show up and turn it into a circus.
It is ridiculous that the ACLU is joining the Phelps in other states that had the courage to pass legislation allowing the families their rights. If the ACLU and the Phelps want to protest that is fine but you do not have the right to invade the privacy and during a time of mourning the loss of your son or daughter. They can do it from a distance.
Where is the protection for the family members? Make phone calls to your legislator and tell them they need to get the job done and protect these families’ rights. They protected dogs this year so why not the families that are putting to rest their son or daughter that died to protect the freedoms we have here?
“They protected dogs this year so why not the families that are putting to rest their son or daughter that died to protect the freedoms we have here?”
That’s a little different issue. First Amendment rights are for everybody, not just people we like. Personally, I think the Phelps clan sucks, but they have rights just like the rest of us. When their rights are taken away, your rights won’t be far behind.
German Shepherds and fire hoses are the appropriate response to these scumbags.
Seriously, as much as I feel for military families forced to endure the Phelps clan, don’t ALL Americans deserve the same? Why are just the military ones being singled out for protection?
On the event of Fred Phelps death:
As he stands out side of the gate a booming voice echoes in his ears, “WELCOME MY FATEFUL SERVANT, YOU HAVE DONE MY BIDDING WELL! YOU HAVE TURN MANY TOWARD MY WILL AND WILL RECEIVE YOU JUST REWARD. COME IN….COME IN! THERE ARE THOSE THAT HAVE ADMIRED YOUR WORK AND WISH TO WELCOME YOU TOO! ADOLPH, JEFFERY, TERRY ALL WISH TO WELCOME YOU TO YOUR ETERNAL REWARD!THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU HERE…… IN HELL!”
Said the Devil as he opened the gates of damnation.
Writerdog,
I am going to assume you lumped Terry Fox in there with Phelps when you said Terry.
By what standard to you think Terry will be in hell?
I have asked you once before about your problems with the man, I am asking you once again.
Violence and legal attempts to address these miscreants are just what they want. You can bet they will seek civil action against the good folks who had the courage to attack them. They’ll bankrupt those good folks and use the money to further their sick cause.
On another thread, a poster offerred a solution to the Phelps gang on ebay. I do not have the $5000 opening bid. It WOULD be interesting to know what that solution was.
Yes of course even the most unpopular, sick and evil free speech must be allowed.
But as these folks are so offensive and cruel there must exist an idea among the 99.9% of people who see the Phelps as something much less than human to address them.
Let the record show that it’s RIGHT-WING religion that’s disrespecting the fallen soldiers, not the left-wing, who have never disrespected the troops, then or now.
Fred Phelps is about as right-wing as you are.
Everyone has the right to free speech, but not to assault others. Let those assholes do their protesting, but at a different time and from a distance so the families don’t have to witness it.We are supposed to enjoy equal rights in this country, so the law should be applied evenly to all families who have lost their loved ones, not just the ones with fallen soldiers and it should be applied to all cemetaries, not just military ones. There is nothing wrong with a law that protects respect and privacy for grieving families.As far as the Phelps, they do a service to our country by illustrating just how ugly bigotry and hatred can be. It’s hard to sit on the fence after you’ve encountered them. Many people I know are speaking out more against intolerance and hatred because of their example, and their actions have only served to unite those of us who disagree with them.
Well then Damoon let the continued counter movement you mention be fueled further with Phelps LATEST antic.
I heard that today, Memorial Day, Phelps and company demonstrated outside Arlington singing “God Hates America”
I wish there was a way to kick people off the planet.
It just goes to show how much civil society depends on society being capable of acting civily towards one another. Social problems, like being disrespectful or intolerant, cannot be solved by laws. I think there are inappropriate places to protest, but it is true you are violating the intent of the 1st amendment if you only let people protest in places they will not be heard (like at the recent political conventions).
I think that we can all agree that Phelps is not sane.
I feel the reason he’s doing such outrageous things is he’s seeking punishment, much in the same way that a suicide threat is a cry for help.
Religious fundamentalism is driven by an overwhelming sense of guilt, so oddly enough he’s asking that he be noticed, not for the indicated reasons, but rather to bring attention to some raging transgression { in his mind } that needs punishment, or, as you will, atonement.
I’m not suggesting that he be cut any slack, but behavior is interesting and he makes a great lab-rat.
I agree, Ed. I’d still love to see him get his ass kicked!
Ditto
The state of Kansas wont do anything to stop the Phelps, it actually employs three of them, so our tax dollars fund their activities. Where does Margie find the time to always protest, personal time vacation? I wish i had that much time off. As for the violence in Delaware it worked the Phelps canceled a later protest, so my solution more violence, unlike the WE editors I don’t care if someone is seriously injured if it is one of the Phelps’s
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2006/05/24/dm/central_delaware/dsn04.txt
Freedom isn’t free. It comes with a “Phelps and a “Bush.”
“Let the record show that it’s RIGHT-WING religion that’s disrespecting the fallen soldiers, not the left-wing, who have never disrespected the troops, then or now.”
What a total crock of mindless bullshit.
We’re talking about a pack of nutcases here. It’s not any-wing religion, it’s people who are mentally unstable using religion as a cover.
Nobody cared when the Phelps Christians picketed gay funerals. Interesting that they are so upset now.
Probably because most people rightfully think vets and their families deserve better treatment, especially when they’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.
NO ONE deserves to have the funeral of their loved one used as a forum for a protest. That we were not aware of the Phelps picketing funeral before is the failing of the press. It is also the reason the Phelps’s switched to the funerals of soldiers.
The outrage must be extended to protests at ANY persons funeral. If not, the Phelps’s will deliberately attempt to top themselve. Next it might be a child who died in a car crash or fire.
Commiting violence against Phelps is not wise. (I wouldn’t mind busting him in the mouth myself)
I believe that the Phelps Gang hopes someone will attack them so that they can sue and have more $$ to provide for future “picketings”.
NoJo, I’m with you, although I think a “bust in the mouth” might be a little light. The Phelpses are mostly lawyers for a reason. Wait for the lawsuits over this latest incident.
I wonder if there is some non-injurious way to deal with the Phelps’.
Dropping live skunks into the middle of them comes to mind.
Although, skunks might not spray their own kind . . .
Stop putting them in the spot light but support small bands of counter protesters like the vets. They only do it because it gets their message out; however, sick their message is. And the media for all their feining outrage feeds on it too.
The best way to stop the Phelps crew is to ingnore them. People like that thrive on notoriety and controversy and without it they lose their motivation, simple.
Viva La Raza Blanco!!!
Let Phelps sue, what jury is gonna side with him. Same with the ones charged with crimes against them, I would acquit them. A good lawyer would turn the tables on on the Phelps and put them on trial.
This is a re-post of one I made in another WE blog site.
Concerning the protests in SEAFORD, Del.
With Phelps & his hateful family (98% of that “Church?” is nothing but his family.) going around the country & disrupting funerals of HEROS, what in the name of what ever God you have fath in do you expect? Milk and cookies?
Five people out of 1,000.00 attacking that hateful bunch of nuts IS NOTHING! One of these days, it will be the whole 1,000.00 going on the attack and this time there will be deaths. Mostly all of the Phelps hate cult will die and some good cops will die as well just trying to protect those hateful fools and those fools ARE NOT WORTH IT!
Anyone with an ounce of brains can see the hell coming where Phelps and his hate cult are concerned. Phelps and his hate cult need to be shut down for good and all.
I am proud of the five that did attack those fools and let them know that they were and are OUT OF LINE and NOT WANTED THERE AT ALL! I just wish I could have been there to help them and if that bunch of fools ever shows up in Minneapolis where I can get my hands on them, I WILL HAND OUT A CHOICE ASSORTMENT OF LUMPS, BROKEN BONES AND BRUISES!
If the State of Kansas will not (Or are too cowardly to.) stop them, I will do my best to stop them myself. And you can bet your last dime that there are others around the country that feel the same as I do.
The time of letting the phelps hate cult run loose and harm anyone that does not agree with their hate and then ducking behind the Bible and the First Amendment for protection are over.
If Kansas is to cowardly to do anything about phelps, I say it is high time for the American people to declare war on phelps and his hate cult and do whatever it takes to close them down HARD and PERMANENTLY!
What is it you think “the State of Kansas” is supposed to do about Phelps?
I just wanted to take this opportunity to agree with Ian on something.Well, except for the Viva thing, whatever that is.
Todd, I think the State should find a way to permanantly move their ‘church’ to San Francisco.
Maybe that would keep them busy somewhere else.
May Fred, Marge and the rest of the Phelps and congregation become a victims of and IED. Rest in Hell Fred and Marge.
Let’s find some old law and put him in jail. No bond and take forever to let him out. Then find another old law and go through extradition to another State, but have another State demands extradition to yet another State, well, you get the picture.
There is a way to STOP Phelps, and it won’t destroy any property,or cause injury to anyone. But it will cost you some money to pay me to tell you.
We could, say, declare him to be an “enemy combatant” for no reason. Then…
“Let’s find some old law and put him in jail. No bond and take forever to let him out.”
Isnt that what they do at gitmo? Or the secret prisons in europe? And why is haliburton/KBR building detention centers here?
For fred? heheh. I think not.
“Let’s find some old law and put him in jail. No bond and take forever to let him out.”
Heheheh. We can only hope that the preznit and dead eye dick will join their crony kenny boy lay in such circumstance.
hee hee lefthook
“Although, skunks might not spray their own kind . . .”
Would that also be why lawyers are safe if they fall into a shark tank?
KFG – I like your idea of declaring them enemy combatants. Send them to Guantanamo forever!
Every now and then I get asked about them by clients wondering about Kansas. I have to explain that we are not ALL such nutcases. Got to see Kansas mentioned on BBC News last night. Great PR for the state!
Turner, you’re a con. I notice how many bids you got on eBay.There’s an idiot born every minute. You’ve had your minute.
what can the state of kansas do to stop the phelps’s? First of quit giving them state jobs. Then fire Margie, Fred Jr from their high paying taxpayer funded jobs. How long before the Kansas economy suffers, because when the rest of the country finds out that many of these scumbags work for the state I think people will boycott Kansas businesses.
JR..They have been singing that for months now. Most recently, I heard them singing God Hates America a week ago in August at the funeral for CWO Totten. The family could not hear or see them, however, because we were there, over 300 of us.
And no, we will not attack them, especially not at a funeral. We (Patriot Guard) are not a counter protest group. We will not degrade a soldier’s last service by turning it into a brawl, and we will not tolerate those who try.
We are a human shield to honor and respect those who have fallen in service to their country. Once fred the pharisee gets legislated out of the game, we will still be there at the invitation of the families. We are not there for the cameras, the publicity or the cult..we are there to respect and honor those who have given their lives in service to our country.
Augusta. (typo..sorry)
Raptor and Patriot Guard,THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!I truly wish that the need for you wasn’t there but with Phred and his ilk I for one am glad that you are.Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“what can the state of kansas do to stop the phelps’s? First of quit giving them state jobs. Then fire Margie, Fred Jr from their high paying taxpayer funded jobs.”
Uh, yeah. Meanwhile, back on planet Reality….
i got info for fred phelps……….God hates no one.that includes child molesters ,rapists ,murdering ,abortionists ,gays or Fred’s family for that matter !
But he hates the sins of all the above
raptor – I second Julie’s “Thank You!!!!!”
The best way to stop Phelps is to bring our soldiers home today.
Certainly not because of him, but because of them. We owe them, not to be used by the likes of Bush or that small group, about the size of Phelps, which is making the decisions to cause them to be killed.
As True Americans were owe our troops the best and they’re not getting anywhere close to that.
They are being betrayed.
Lady Donna,As much as I dislike Phelps, I have to admit that he’s done more for gay rights than all those Pride Parades! Because their disgust of him, more and more people have come forward and embraced gay rights issues than ever before. He has shown them, in no uncertain terms, the true face of honophobia and hatred.I really believe that the gay community ought to award Phelps with an engraved plaque for his contribution to the gay rights movement! Now there’s a stone that might actually hit two birds.
They could adopt him as their mascot.
Infernal B two words LAW SUIT
Your talking trash could get you sued,for lible then I’d have the money to stop this joker. I’m sorry you can’t see a simple way to stop him without writing more laws finding loopholes etc. I have a plan and like I said it will cost you.
Turner–You can go to hell, along with the Phelps.Sue me for that, you ASS.
This “Turner” guy cracks me up. What a con artist…
Mr. Turner,
If this plan of yours is so hot and will stop phelps and his hate cult LEGALLY! Why do you not implement it for the good of this country rather then trying to get rich off of it and the people he is hurting!
If all you can think about is MONEY rather the welfare of your fellow human, you are no better then the phelps hate cult!
Infernal B…conTracy……..ASSraptor……. con artist
All these false accusations,sounds just like Phelps to me. Put your money where your mouth is,cowards.
Lady Donna Marie Royce
Yet another who knows me not yet judges me. Gee Ms. Royce must be nice to be so secure.
Mr T?
(And now I am dealing with a mental picture! I bet everyone else is too. I’m sorry I like shorthand. That isn’t a shot. It is funny. Your last initial is comedically unfortunate)
What you don’t do public service? If this plan of yours is so hot why not put it up for discussion? Or is the money you ask for to pay for the plan. You could at least volunteer that?
Turner–You can go to hell, along with the Phelps.Sue me for that, you ASS.
Okay have your lawyer contact mine you trolling twit.
Like G.W. Bush said, BRING IT ON!!
JR fair enough, the money needed is to pay for the cost of implementing it and time it will take to set it up, I’m not trying to get rich just pay the bills.
Tracy why the cut and paste, nothing new to say ?
Tracy put up or shut up you mental midget.
Mr. Turner,
RE #1: Your statement of. “Yet another who knows me not yet judges me.” I have not and NEVER WILL judge another. That is not my job. I leave that to whatever God anyone worships.
I am simply saying that if this thing of your’s is so hot and will work WITHOUT BREAKING LAWS. Then implement it without charging as a public service. And it WOULD BE A PUBLIC SERVICE to shut that bunch of freaks down!
OK, You will not see any money from it, but you would have the huge satisfaction of knowing that you shut down a very nasty hate cult along with the bragging rights that YOU WERE THE ONE THAT SHUT THEM DOWN! Perhaps even the entire country would know that you were the one that shut them down.
RE #2: Your statement of. “Gee Ms. Royce must be nice to be so secure.” If you mean secure as in money, then you can forget that. I live on a piddley little $500.00 a month in SSI/RSDI from Social Security Disability. I just have the common sense to do what is right when it needs doing.
So, There you have it. I do not judge and I only suggest a course of action. What you do from there is up to you and if you can live with yourself if you do not take the correct course of action.
By the way. I can not stand sarcastic people. So I would appreciate it, if the next time you respond to my messages, PUT A CORK ON THE SARCASMS!
Lady Donna
Lady Donna good point, I called the paper the plan with any luck will be in the news shortly.I’m sorry but by the tone of you earlier message,you seemed quite secure, I right now would kill for a $500 income.