Westboro Baptist Church Protest Protested

[Delvo]

[qimg]http://www.skepticreport.com/images/jref/phelps0001.jpg[/qimg]

NSFW - Clauspic1

[qimg]http://www.skepticreport.com/images/jref/phelps0002.jpg[/qimg]

NSFW - Clauspic2

[qimg]http://www.skepticreport.com/images/jref/phelps0003.jpg[/qimg]

NSFW - Clauspic3

[qimg]http://www.skepticreport.com/images/jref/phelps0004.jpg[/qimg]

NSFW - Clauspic4

[qimg]http://www.skepticreport.com/images/jref/phelps0005.jpg[/qimg]

NSFW - Clauspic5

[qimg]http://www.skepticreport.com/images/jref/phelps0006.jpg[/qimg]

NSFW - Clauspic6

[qimg]http://www.skepticreport.com/images/jref/phelps0007.jpg[/qimg]

NSFW - Clauspic7

[qimg]http://www.skepticreport.com/images/jref/phelps0008.jpg[/qimg]

Sorry, but the image-editing job in those pictures is just a bit too obvious...

...no living person's face could look that much like a skull.

 

[tyr_13]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6AJSVnzX_g&feature=related

Can't help but read the comments too. Kind of sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDyALOdw5eM&feature=related

This one is the best counterprotest ever.

Yes, but some of the quotes are priceless as well.

"I do believe in freedom of speech. That's why I'm going to call you a ****," says herrogelo2.

Free speech counters free speech. But why haven't these morons been charged with harassment?

 

[Ixion]

Fixed.

I thought about typing "would" instead of "could" when I first wrote it, but decided that I would let everyone read the original article and come to their own conclusions.

 

[rikzilla]

The PGR only show up when the families ask them to.

I've ridden with PGR for 7 funerals at Arlington. No Phred Phelps, no engine revving,...
These things aren't fun to attend, but it is rewarding as an anonymous American
to pay respect to these families and these soldiers.

It hits pretty hard when you see one of these things. The cost of war...is not trivial.

-z

 

[River]

For those that dislike what westboro is up to, check this out.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...e-westboro-baptist-church-hate-group/DYf3pH2d

 

[AvalonXQ]

For those that dislike what westboro is up to, check this out.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...e-westboro-baptist-church-hate-group/DYf3pH2d

Can you explain what this is supposed to do, exactly?

What does it mean to "legally recognize" a group as a "hate group"? What effect does it have on the group's right to protest or protection under the law?

Is the petition basically just asking the President to issue a statement condemning the Phelps protests?

 

[patchbunny]

It seems Fred Phelps and his gang decided to protest several locations in Omaha, Nebraska. The article is unclear as to what provoked the latest protest from WBC, but they did draw a counter protest from students at the high school they were marching at. This resulted in the members of Westboro Baptist Church fleeing after students began throwing food at them, since police could not protect them from the hundreds of student protesters. Story from the Omaha World-Herald Newspaper here.

Although I don't think that a situation that could escalate to violence is the answer, I am glad to see one of WBC's protests going awry. I despise them.

I hate to ask, but any word if they're dumb enough to protest in Newton?

 

[commandlinegamer]

Apparently, Anonymous has posted contact information for WBC members so the public can get in touch and tell them how that might not be such a good idea.

 

[Ixion]

I hate to ask, but any word if they're dumb enough to protest in Newton?

Some sources are saying that they plan to picket.

Story here: http://www.zimbio.com/Westboro+Bapt...sl/Westboro+Baptist+Church+picket+Connecticut

 

[Puppycow]

For those that dislike what westboro is up to, check this out.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...e-westboro-baptist-church-hate-group/DYf3pH2d

Pointless gesture.

The thing to do is ignore them.

ETA: If Anonymous wants to have fun with them, that's fine. Officials should just ignore them. Counter protests are pointless too.

 

[triforcharity]

Puppy, I have to disagree. Counter-protests are quite effective. Recently, there was a military funeral here in my town, and a group of people got together to organize a counter protest.

The outpouring of support from the community was HUGE! The crowd of people was no less than 5,000 people, and lined the sidewalk on the side of the funeral home for almost 1/2 a mile. Westboro fools never even got out of their vehicles. The parked, saw the enormous croud, including PGR, and decided to leave. We stayed, supported the family by showing our gratitude and support. They came out and thanked us for coming.

So, sometimes, not always, counter protests can be effective.

 

[jhunter1163]

Me, in another thread, but apropos here;

They have the right to express their opinions. Just like I have the right to express mine by throwing flaming bags of dog **** at them. I live in Connecticut, and I'm feeding my dog extra Kibble just in case. It's all about free expression, you know. Eat up girl!

 

[funk de fino]

Puppy, I have to disagree. Counter-protests are quite effective. Recently, there was a military funeral here in my town, and a group of people got together to organize a counter protest.

The outpouring of support from the community was HUGE! The crowd of people was no less than 5,000 people, and lined the sidewalk on the side of the funeral home for almost 1/2 a mile. Westboro fools never even got out of their vehicles. The parked, saw the enormous croud, including PGR, and decided to leave. We stayed, supported the family by showing our gratitude and support. They came out and thanked us for coming.

So, sometimes, not always, counter protests can be effective.

This is excellent. As much as many want to protect free speech. To stand by and say "ignore them" is equally abhorrent to me. Everyone has a right to let those scumbags know their nonsense is not acceptable.

 

[jhunter1163]

To my mind, we have an obligation to let those scumbags know their nonsense is not acceptable, not just a right.

 

[Caper]

This is a serious question. Is there anyway they can be exciled?

 

[leftysergeant]

Maybe the gay communitties coulld start organizing kiss-ins at every WBC ortest. Surround them with kissing, fondling couples, dressed as the weather permits.

 

[Monketi Ghost]

To my mind, we have an obligation to let those scumbags know their nonsense is not acceptable, not just a right.

Freedom of expression, what's good for the goose and all! Rotten eggs.

 

[AvalonXQ]

This is excellent. As much as many want to protect free speech. To stand by and say "ignore them" is equally abhorrent to me. Everyone has a right to let those scumbags know their nonsense is not acceptable.

Except that they feed on the negative attention. People aren't saying to ignore them out of respect - people are saying ignore them because that's the one thing they can't fight against.

 

[ehcks]

Except that they feed on the negative attention. People aren't saying to ignore them out of respect - people are saying ignore them because that's the one thing they can't fight against.

They're trolls. They are the best example of a non-internet group fishing for negative attention. That's all they do.

The best way to fight attention-seeking trolls is to ignore them. It's not just that they can't fight against it, it's that you're actually denying them their goal. If everyone ignores them, they lose. They'll get bored and do some other stupid thing.

 

[Ladewig]

Maybe the gay communitties coulld start organizing kiss-ins at every WBC ortest. Surround them with kissing, fondling couples, dressed as the weather permits.

I like it.

I'd go one step further and get some signs made up in the exact style and wording as Fred's. Have some guys carry them around for a while and then start making out.