Westboro Baptist to picket Amish girls funerals: Rendell mocked us

[Bluebear]

Kansas church plans to picket girls' funerals
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
BY IRVIN KITTRELL III
Of The Patriot-News, Penn-live.com

Members of a Kansas-based church that has picketed funerals of fallen American soldiers are expected to protest at the funerals of the Amish girls killed Monday in Lancaster County, according to a news release issued by the church.

The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka blamed Gov. Ed Rendell for the mass murder of the five girls in a one-room schoolhouse because he ridiculed the church on a national television news show, the news release said.

http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115992961467770.xml&coll=1

[Junkdrawer]

1. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse for that community....

:mad:

[VeggieTart]

18. Just when you thought the Phelps family couldn't get any worse

They go and pull a stunt like this. If it were worth the airfare to Kansas, I'd want to get a contingent together after Phelps kicks it and picket his funeral with signs that say "God hates BIGOTS." And I'm an agnostic.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

21. I am almost shocked to speechlessness.

Not in my worst dreams could I have imagined this.

[RoBear]

73. I'm ready for Phred's funeral...

Sign will say "Fred Phelps burns in hell."

[Red Right and BLUE]

79. I understand the temptation completely

But Fred Dread needs to die alone, with only some of his nutjob family around him.

DROP DEAD, FRED

[madmusic]

87. Either that, or support the ACLU

Not always an easy choice.

[Initech]

123. I'm booking the first flight out to Kansas when that happens!

I really believe these fuckers should get a taste of their own medicine.

[JPZenger]

97. Update: Protest Cancelled in Return for Free Radio Time

Protesters drop plans to picket Pa. Amish funerals
10/4/2006, 1:42 p.m. ET
The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Kansas church group that routinely pickets military funerals has dropped plans to demonstrate at funerals of five Amish girls fatally shot in an attack on their one-room schoolhouse.

Instead, members of the Westboro Baptist Church issued a statement Wednesday saying a representative will appear on a nationally syndicated radio talk show. The Web site of show host Mike Gallagher indicated that the group was offered an hour of airtime on Thursday morning in exchange for dropping the planned demonstration.

In preparation for the demonstration, Gov. Ed Rendell said earlier Wednesday that he would ask Amish elders if they want state police protection, and appealed to the Topeka, Kan.-based group to allow the Amish to conduct their funerals in privacy.

In a statement on its Web site, the church blamed Rendell for the deaths of the Amish children because of comments he made about the Westboro group on national television several months ago.

"They're insane," Rendell responded when asked about the group's statement.

In June, Rendell signed legislation into Pennsylvania law designed to restrict Westboro Baptist Church's picketing by making it a crime to demonstrate within 500 feet of a funeral or memorial service in Pennsylvania."

[mcscajun]

118. This has its good and bad points

On the one hand, Mike Gallagher has bargained Phelps into dropping his planned protest; on the other, he's gotten just what he was after: National Exposure (once again) for his hateful views.

On the minus side, also, Right-winger Gallagher gets to play "hero". You know Phelps wouldn't have dropped his protest to appear on a totally unfriendly (read LIBERAL) talk show.

Rendell is right: "They're insane." Yet they are not dumb.

[LTR]

125. I agree

I absolutely loathe Gallagher. He's just a hack Rush clone.

But the way I see it, not that many people listen to him anyway. And the types of people that listen to Salem talk stations are wingnuts anyway. So in effect, Phelps is instantly ghettoized.

I have mixed feelings about all of this. I'll admit Gallagher did a good thing in avoiding a truly appalling thing, especially since the Amish community has already dealt with enough turmoil and just want to be left alone. At the same time, it just feeds the attention whore that is Phelps.

[acmavm]

Every member of that 'church' (yeah right) that shows up at

those funerals (and I mean man or woman) deserves a severe ass whipping. There are some actions that are just so dispicable that putting a hurting on the doers is actually called for.

[Red Right and BLUE]

9. I can't help but agree in this case. nt

[xchrom]

14. i think a whole crew of folk would line up for that.

i'd even pay for an airline ticket for me and friend for that.

i want to see them beat within an inch of their worthless lives -- and i'd turn around and pay to see that on pay per view.

[patcox2]

71. I hope a whole bunch do line up for it.

I for one enthusiastically endorse violence in this case.

[blondeatlast]

42. I can't believe I'm doing it, but I completely agree.

The adults from Westboro are lower than snakes and then some.

[MrScorpio]

2. These "Christians" are nutjobs

I've said once before, I'll say it until the cows come home

[Junkdrawer]

6. Ya think?

:shrug:

[rfranklin]

11. They are the core of the Republican Party...

Bush should give them the Medal of Freedom.

[marshall]

54. Unfortunately he calls himself a Democrat

http://www.motherjones.com/welcome.html?dest=http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1999/03/lauerman.html

It's been posted and discussed before, but he has in fact run for office (and thankfully and understandably did not get elected).

[ComerPerro]

109. He gave money to KS AG Phil Kline (R)

[marshall]

111. He is just crazy

I'm quite sure nobody wants to claim him. I'm surprised he hasn't been kicked out of the Baptists, but then I'm not sure if Baptist ministers can be kicked out so long as they don't cheat on their wives (that's the only reason I've ever heard of one being disfellowshipped or whatever they call it).

[TAPat]

3. Oh, good Lord...

Oxygen thieves. :grr:

[bigluckyfeet]

100. They are going to be in my city Saturday

For the funeral of a Soldier.People here will be on the side of roads with flags to welcome the family and the dead soldier as they pass thru town.

[Kierkegaard]

4. Sick motherf*****s.

What the fuck is going on in this country? Did I die and wake up in hell or something?

[July]

5. Phelps = attention whore.

Whatever tragic deaths are in the news get his attention, and then he ends up in the news.

[Red Right and BLUE]

7. Bunch a freakin' nuts.

The irony and stupidity kill me.

[Waya]

8. If there's a God......

...he will strike Phelps and his crazies for being an insufferable piece of rubbish.........

[Kutjara]

10. Fucking touching.

I guess the WBC gang skimmed over that bit in the Bible about forgiveness. They also seem not to realize that Jesus would probably take a dim view of anyone who "prays for worse punishment" than the murder of innocent children.

The WBC actually perform a valuable service to the athiest community. Their continued existence is proof positive of the non-existence of God, because any sane deity would have smited these bastards to a smoking hole in the ground years ago.

[JerseygirlCT]

12. The entire community just needs to practice a bit of

"shunning" with regard to Phelps and Co.

Such an attention whore that man is.

[acmejack]

13. A bunch of non christians need to show up with ax handles

and show them some non christian "love". These "people" are a blight. Talk about a plague of vermin.

[Junkdrawer]

15. Impalement on pitchforks would be more appropriate in this case n/t

[JerseygirlCT]

25. Seriously, that's what he hopes for

then he gets more attention, and a few lawsuits to increase his bank account.

What he really hates is to be completely ignored. Which is exactly what needs to happen.

[peaches2003]

37. Beg to differ

Picketing the Amish funerals is sooo appalling I think everyone would turn against this freak if they knew about what he and his followers are doing. Publicity in this case would hurt him.

[TornadoTN]

41. To Phelps, all publicity, negative or otherwise, is beneficial

That's just the facts of how the man operates. He doesn't care that the entire nation was enacting laws to keep him away from soldiers funerals, it only propelled his cause further. In this case, the only thing he has to do is show up now that this has hit the press for his goal to have been achieved. Everything else is unimportant or irrelevant in the eyes of his cause.

I have heard that they get a lot of money from donations attributed to far right-wing militant groups and devoted extreme fundamentalist followers. Therefore, it follows that the more they raise a stink, the more support they can count on from the fringe that enables them.

*Edit to add detail for clarity*

[jberryhill]

55. Who isn't?

I think everyone would turn against this freak

You mean, out of the thousands of his enthusiastic supporters?

They thrive on the negative publicity. It's not a matter of "everyone turning against him", since there is nobody outside of this mentally ill clan that likes them anyway.

[JerseygirlCT]

103. He can't have a fight if no one is paying him any attention

Truly, his MO is to try and stir up attention. Then, hopefully, to get people so pissed they do something he can sue them about.

He's not important. Really. And you'd see when his group shows up that it consists of his immediate family. That's it. It's a handful of hateful nutjobs, but they've managed to seem far more important than they are by being so incredibly ugly.

[acmejack]

44. I know but damn...

I'm really not into hurting people, I'm actually not an ax handle kind of guy. Phelps and his disgusting gang of religious piss ants are just so disgusting in their exercise of freedom of religion. I guess it has to be protected, but we can't even protest except in "Free Speech Zones"!

Arrgh! I must be crazy!

[MuseRider]

46. It works.

That is exactly what we did but unfortunately that is the reason he branched out into the rest of the world. Sorry.

[TornadoTN]

34. Sadly enough

Our definition of Christian vs. Non-Christian love has been skewed by the current state of affairs in our country and the leadership that has redefined "Christianity". It surely is a sad state of affairs for all of the devoted Christians that just want to live their life according to their beliefs only to see it hijacked by nutjobs and neoconservatives.

It would probably shock most Christians (not all, but a good portion of todays breed) that Jesus was closer to liberalism than even the most liberal scholar.

[Rocknrule]

102. Why just the handles?

[Renew Deal]

45. They should be shunned with shotguns.

These fuckers deserve a beating.

[Kittycat]

64. I agree, not to violance, but to stand locked with shotguns to keep them

from descrating her funneral, and the causing anymore pain to the families that lost their children. What's worse, these are Amish, they're about the most innocent of all americans. For god's sake, let that man be striken dead in his tracks.

[sandnsea]

107. Yeah, that would totally respect the Amish Community

They'd love for people to show up and shoot and beat people. What the HELL are you thinking???

[mtnester]

16. The worst of this is the Amish probably do not even know who this puke

is...who is going to tell them in advance why that asshat is there?

What a contradiction it will be...The Amish community has already FORGIVEN the shooter, and then this wack job shows up who has no IDEA about being a religious man.

May I please go be sick now? Thanks.

On edit - if ever the motorcycle vets/riders were needed to form a human shield around the Amish for this one...I hope they turn out in droves....by the thousands to keep this creep from coming within 1/2 mile from these grieving families.

[never_get_over_it]

48. I hope the motorcycle vets/riders show up too

This is beyond disgusting - my God what a tragedy this is - and the Phelps freak is such a disgusting pig - my heart bleeds for this Amish community....

[Marnieworld]

85. They are the Patriot Guard

My hubby is a member and has now been on a few missions to soldiers' funerals. Last weekend he went to one of a 21 year old girl killed by a suicide bomber attacking her barracks while she slept. So tragic and yet inspiring to see all the support and solemn respect from the riders.

I have let them know about this but unless they get an invite from one of the AMish familes they won't go. They only go when they are invited. Yet, it's not like those familes have phones to call or read the internet to even know what's coming. I'm in PA. Maybe we'll go on our own to protect or protest the protesters.

I am choking on rage about this.

[never_get_over_it]

93. Oh man

is there anyway you can get one of them to invite them - I'm sure the Amish don't know about this BS oh my God it will be so tragic if there is not a buffer between these freaks and the mourners...this is SO WRONG - I totally believe in free speech for everyone including these freaks - but not at funerals for the love of God have they no shame....

[Marnieworld]

94. The Guard is officially "standing down" on this one

They only go with an invite and there hasn't been one. They aren't counter protesters and more importantly they point out that the protesters won't be able to get to the funerals because they will be on private property (people's homes) and they won't be able to trespass.

It's so sad that they would torture this group of people at this time.

[TorchTheWitch]

53. Most of the people who live there aren't Amish

This is a very tight community where Amish and non-Amish are closely associated. If these asshats show up to protest, they're in for a world of hurt local "mountain man" style.

You need to understand this is "Nowhere" PA. There's only about 2000 people in the entire township, and local law enforcement and court tend to settle disputes their own way (actually, I don't think there even IS local law enforcement)... the kind of area that makes for tv comodies where justice comes into play. They aren't going to give a rat's ass about free speech rights out there. If I'm not mistaken, this is the jurisdiction where the entire court consists of one judge with one part-time secretary... in TOTAL.

[JPZenger]

77. Rural Area in Fast-Growing County

The murders happened in a very rural agricultural part of a fast-growing county. The county probably has about 9 full-time judges, but there are few local police in the immediate area. The State Police provide the primary protection. There are larger suburban communities about 10 minutes away, whose police would be happy to deal with the Phelps. Maybe we can get them classified as enemy combatants so they can "disappear" without hearings or lawyers.

[TorchTheWitch]

126. Thanks

I knew it was around that area where the court size is so laughable. Works for them though... they really don't need more than one judge, and even he doesn't have enough to do. I wish I could remember exactly what court that was, but I know it's around that area. Can you imagine a court with just ONE judge with a part-time secretary? Blew my mind! First and only time in my life I had to deliver papers to a judge that was puttering about in his garden during the regular work day. REALLY nice guy, too... and he grows such lovely tea roses.

[malaise]

17. These people are truly disgusting

:puke:

[liberaliraqvet26]

19. I really think that we should ban all funeral protests.

I know some folks might see a free speech issue here but this is truly sick. There is no reason I can think of to allow nutballs to protest at funerals.

[chemenger]

20. Just let word of this get out to the bikers in this area

Harley Davidson's plant is in this area. As soon as the bikers hear of this they will turn out in force.

[hlthe2b]

49. Maybe in honor of the Amish.... they should assemble on

horses-- draft horses exuding considerable "gas," if ya know what I mean!

[Vinca]

22. This is just sick. Those poor people have suffered terribly

and this bunch of crazies should be kept away from them.

[liberal N proud]

23. I hope someone stops these creeps

What a horrible way thing anyone can do. How in the hell can these monsters call themselves Christians, protesting at funerals?

[pooja]

24. I wonder what the Amish response would be. They are a peaceful

people. Would it teach us a lot if they were to cross the street and say simply "join us in our prayers". I wish someone would. They piss people off. Push buttons at the momment of highest grief and stress. Personally, I think someone needs to show them what Christian really means. But it would be hard to put that aside when you are so down.

[mcscajun]

26. CNSNews is almost as despicable as Phelps

They're the first ones to jump up and give the man the publicity he seeks and craves.

[Junkdrawer]

27. It's also in the Central PA papers...

Phelps would be well advised to stay away...


http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115992961467770.xml&coll=1

[mcscajun]

33. I'd expect local coverage, and I notice the marked difference in tone

and amount of text (none) given to Phelps' quotes.

I might even make a trip to PA myself to counter Phelps and his ilk.

[Bluebear]

31. Not a problem, I changed the sourcing

[mcscajun]

36. Thanks.

:)

Reading Phelps' bile makes me ill, and it's just too early in the A.M. for that.

[Bluebear]

38. Not a problem!

:hug:

[JPZenger]

76. How About a Ban on Motor Vehicles?

How about if the police cordon off all the roads within a 3 mile radius, and only allow horse-drawn buggies in? That will keep the fat-assed Phelps out, as well as the media circus. Then a few well-armed farmers and their bulls can make sure that Phelps don't cross their fields to try to get close to the funeral.

[wicket]

28. There's a special place in hell waiting for Fred Phelps

:grr: :grr: :grr:

[OzarkDem]

29. GOP religious fanatics are truly un-Christian

How these people can claim to be Christian is beyond me.

[shadowknows69]

30. I'm a pacifist but....

there's a rapidly growing list of people that I'd have no problem taking a fucking bat to.

[verdalaven]

66. This is a serious issue

but that comment made me LOL!

And I am with you. I never thought I'd advocate violence, ever, but lately.....

[TornadoTN]

32. The Amish will handle this the right way

They will turn the other cheek. They are closer to the true definition of "Christianity" than these Westboro/GOP bigots will ever dream of being.

Now for those of us who aren't of the Amish faith, I would like to see a a counter protest against these morons that would keep them away from the Amish as they have their ceremonies. I hear that they are very simple, short, and to the point as per their customs. They deserve peace to grieve and to bury their dead, so that they may try to find some closure and solace in their situation.

Westboro chumps are attention whores to the largest degree, but this just goes way too damn far.

[mcscajun]

35. I'd be willing to take a long drive over to Lancaster to counter

Phelps and his minions.

There's always a possibility, though, that Phelps won't be able to get anywhere near the funeral, as the Amish ARE so private, and the services will in all likelihood take place on private, not public, property. If they do, that would be enough for the local police to be able to keep them out. One would hope, anyway. "Phelps Arrested On Trespassing Charge" -- what a lovely headline.

[TornadoTN]

39. That's very true

The Amish lands are usually under private control and they are very private, yet friendly and warm, people.

When I visited Amish country when I was finishing my Masters at Penn State, I remember how friendly, welcoming and warm they were. I had a long conversation with one man who told me that they would never turn a visitor - or Englisher - away. Such admirable people that are so often misunderstood as "backwards" or "conservative". I just hope that they are able to bury their loved ones in peace and move on without this circus freak show coming to town.

*Edit for Spelling*

[mcscajun]

40. "Circus freak" says it all

He brings the circus with him wherever he goes.

[YOY]

58. They don't always do that...

I have lived and worked around them. You don't make fun of them. You don't harass them...especially the young men who are strong as can be from working in the fields and full of pent up testosterone.

They can, I believe: "Kicketh some ass, English."

[TornadoTN]

59. I wouldn't blame them if they did!

They certainly are stout, that's for sure. I wouldn't want to cross one on a bad day.

I was speaking in terms of their belief system and the general way that they operate in their life and in their businesses.

[YOY]

60. Phelps fishes for lawsuits

I really think it would be funny if he tried to sue some simple Amish folks for handing his family's asses to them on a silver platter.

He also tends to harass those who heckle or confront them by taking down license plates and sending out massive numbers of faxes to them. Rather tough to harass someone without a fax or a phone...

[kestrel91316]

112. And the young men, not being actual members of the church,

wouldn't get in big trouble for acting. They WOULD be frowned upon, lol.

[Ganja Ninja]

43. I really believe Fred Phelps has a death wish.

Seriously, the man is hoping someone will show up and shoot him and his family and some day it's going to happen.

[shadowknows69]

47. I wish more of the "holier than all" fundies

would want to become martyrs. Ritual suicide is really the most honorable way to do it Fred.

[noonwitch]

50. Okay, lurking freepers, here's an issue I agree with you all on

These guys are tactless chickenshit scumbags and if there is any way to prevent the amish from having to deal with them while they are grieving, feel free to do as you will without any judgement on my part. Just don't kick the shit out of them in front of the amish, that would be wrong, too. But if you get them before they get to the funeral, it's a whole different matter.

Although, I know that the amish would not want anyone to retaliate against these idiots on their behalf and I do respect their pacifism.

[shadowknows69]

51. I think we should call any "Hells Angels" friends we all have

and give them Fred's itinerary.

[baldguy]

52. There is pure evil in this world.

Its name is Fred Phelps.

[YOY]

56. Contrary to popular belief, the Amish do not take shit

If you don't believe me try making fun of one. Especially the young men who know how to throw down if someone is having fun at their expense.

I'm rather hoping they know how to quarter Russian style...

With four strong horses and some rope...and four directions.

[lonestarnot]

57. Woohoo. Somebody may get their ass kicked over this one!

[kestrel91316]

113. Just curious - why would one ever be so nasty as to make fun

of a young Amish person???????? That's lower than low. I certainly hope YOU don't have any experience doing it.

[YOY]

116. Nopers...but I've seen it once

At an Arcade that I frequently visited when I was about 12. Some young tough Camaro driving redneck (mullet and all) was talking some smack to an Amish farmboy who was playing a video game (Crossbow...an Arcade classic) and minding his own business. This was apparently an escape for the Amish as I had seen him there several times. It was the usual teenage tough guy smack talk to/about people who are different: "Freak, Fag, Pussy..."

The Amish kid just clocked him (I don't think the redneck was expecting it). He knocked him clear on his ass and probably broke his nose (he bloodied it, that was for sure.)

The owner of the place threw out the dirtbag and didn't say anything to the Amish kid. The redneck punk skeedadled.


I really didn't do anything more than witness.

Nastiness and unacceptance is not my bag. I don't mind watching bigots get their clocks cleaned though...

[kestrel91316]

120. During rumspringa, the period before young Amish make the

decision whether to join or not (90% join), they are allowed a LOT of freedom. Some own cars (that they sort of "hide" from parents,lol), drive, drink, have otherwise unacceptable outside jobs, and generally explore the "english" world. That way they know what they are getting into when they make their decision either way.

I find it interesting that 90% stay Amish. Can't be TOO bad.......

And the punching that guy...........would NOT have happened if it was an adult church member. Strictly verboten!

[YOY]

128. Well aware of most of that...I've seen young guys with boom boxes blaring

Metal as they buggy on down the road. I've heard about the drinking but the hidden cars? Wouldn't surprise me too much but I'd have to see it to believe it!

Yep, if there was an adult (or even possibly an Amish girl of similar age) it probably wouldn't of happen, but I remember what I saw and that punk got laid out and I don't blame the Amish kid in th least!

[kestrel91316]

129. Have the Amish you have seen been in Lancaster County PA? I hear

because of their huge population and its proximity to big cities, there are more "problem" youth. I think the more isolated totally rural Amish are a lot less likely to engage in the wildest behavior.

Yep. Hidden cars. The parents just look the other way and grumble, apparently. Because the kids aren't church members technically.

[YOY]

130. No, North East Ohio and Northern NY.

Where I'm originally from.

[kestrel91316]

131. My Amish ancestors were from Holmes Co, OH, which is

actually a larger community than Lancaster, PA now.

They left in the mid-to-late 1800s, though. It took some research to find out about them, lol. My g-g-grandfather was an itinerant Brethren preacher in the Midwest - Brethren are Anabaptists akin to Mennonites, I think.

[YOY]

132. I know of the Brethren

They're in Washington state now I think as well. They're a little fundie as I recall hearing.

[kestrel91316]

133. Wouldn't surprise me. My grandfather was raised REAL

STRICT (borderline abusive) but not church-y religious. I think the strictness was a holdover from the Anabaptist heritage.

[lonestarnot]

124. I'm with you!

[lonestarnot]

122. Woops

[LibertyLover]

61. Good old Westboro Church -

they can always be counted on to make sad occasions even more horrible for the families to bear, but this is a new low even for them. I am truly having a very difficult time trying to reconcile my belief in freedom of speech with WBC's actions in this instance. I know that the Amish will react to this latest blow with dignity and grace, which is more than Phelps and his crew would do were the situation reversed, but I hope that the non-Amish community in Lancaster makes sure that the WBC protesters are kept far away from any of the funerals and the grieving families.

[Syncronaut Seven]

63. Phelps is a bully, He thinks the Amish are weak.

I say we all look the other way while the good amish folks draw and quarter.

You do know that Phelps couldn't do this without explicit administration approval.

[LibertyLover]

83. If Phelps thinks the Amish are weak

I hope that he and his group get to have a nice conversation with several of the young Amish men in the community who work in the fields and on the farms without benefit of electricity, modern farming machinery or the gas engine. He'll find out how weak they are right quick. Of course, Phelps, bully that he is, doesn't understand that the Amish have a strength of character and a moral compass derived from their deep faith which he can only dream of attaining.

[progressoid]

62. WTF is wrong with those people?

I hope the police lock them up.

[Dorian Gray]

65. They're disgusting.

Absolutely disgusting.

[Hepburn]

67. Well, I hope...

...that the same bikers who have come out and kept Fred and the assholes at a great distance from the funerals of our soldiers who gave their lives in Iraq, show up for the funerals of those beautiful, innocent children and stand up and make a line between those creeps and the Amish families and community who have suffered these horrible losses.

I grew up in the East in what is known as Amish Country. These are quiet, proud people. They take as little part in the govrenment as possible and live truly religious lives.

What in the hell is Fred Phelps and those jackasses thinking? Never mind ~~ I should have known better to use the word "thinking" in any sentence about those evil bastards.

[MADem]

68. The only time I saw those fuckwads run like rabbits is when Michael Moore

in his program on BRAVO, The Awful Truth, brought a bus full of student/actor "sodomites" in all sorts of assorted costumes to counter-protest them. They got right up in their faces, half naked, kissing, embracing, to catchy disco. It was quite amusing! Read about the episode here: http://gaytoday.badpuppy.com/garchive/entertain/041999en.htm

Moore, you see, is a married heterosexual who doesn't mind if people think he's one of the unthinkables. He and his gang dress up like gay stereotypes. His Sodomobile is decorated in fashionable leopard skin wallpaper and adorned with pictures of Oscar Wilde. Signs on its exterior read: "If the Sodomobile's a Rockin' Don't Come a Knockin" and "Buggery on Board." Background music is courtesy of Madonna and The Village People.

Accompanied by student actors pretending to be gung-ho gay activists, Moore calls on Westboro Baptist Church's Rev. Fred Phelps of God Hates Fags fame, picketmeister at Matthew Shepard's funeral and, most recently, at the trial of one of his killers. While Michael chats on camera with Phelps—showing him a big-print Bible-- his student-activist entourage jumps out of the Sodomobile dancing around and flirting with the minister, handing him reading material about the joys of anal sex.

Phelps, natch, gets caught in the crossfire of Michael's camera-guerilla tactics and when he realizes he's being had starts quoting Bible verses in a vain attempt to ward off Satan's 'evil' spells. But it's too late. The Awful Truth poignantly captures the Rev. Phelps in all his finest Baptist buffoonery.

"Our goal wasn't to slander Phelps or really hurt him but to bring out the ignorance of his protests," said one of The Awful Truth's student actors, "Michael brought out how sad it really is."

[GliderGuider]

91. You beat me to it

I was going to post a link to this video, too.
(http://throwawayyourtv.com/2006/06/michael-moore-vs-fred-phelps.html)

If any of you haven't seen this yet, take a few minutes and do so.
There is nothing so heartwarming as seeing Phelps (*spit!*) run scared from a few guys in a rockin' pink RV.

And it is the love of fun, the strength we gain from humour, the light of laughter that will banish their darkness and ensure we win in the end.

[MADem]

95. I agree--WATCH THAT VIDEO!!!! It's a total hoot!!! NT

[RamboLiberal]

69. They better not mess with the PA State Police at the moment

I imagine many of the troopers who were at that school will not be in a very good mood. My heart aches for the trooper who held one of the girls for what story said was an hour as she died.

I'm betting the community will turn out in force to shield the Amish families from these whack jobs.

[Greeby]

70. Paging the Patriot Guard Riders

http://patriotguard.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Guard

[Bluebear]

92. Word!

[Bluebear]

105. .

[Catherine Vincent]

72. Those idiots have always pushed the limit.

They all need to be thrown in jail.

[Gregorian]

74. You can't beat beliefs out of people.

I read this and wanted to beat the shit out of them. Then I went outside and walked around.

I suddenly realized how much it feels like the Bush administration in it's method. And how it would only strenthen them. It's not their actions that need to be changed. It's their beliefs. And that can only be done with (see my sig line) love. As much as we want to do otherwise, it is only love and understanding that can change anything. Once they look inside. Once they see what they are doing. Then they will realize how wrong it is.

I know that's wordy. But even that is the abbreviated version.

[gauguin57]

75. These freaks are the embodiment of evil.

I live in Lancaster County -- an extremely heartbroken area right now, where we're all wandering around, shaking our heads and shedding tears over this horrible tragedy. This Westboro shit needs to stop before it reaches this county again (we had them in the area during a military funeral recently)

The Amish have already publicly forgiven the shooter, as dictated by their faith, and are teaching their children to do the same.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/04/amish.shooting/index.html

Would that the Westboro "church" could understand in such a deep way what being a follower of Christ is all about.

Members of area churches, a Christian motorcycle group and others are already making plans to stand between these freaks and the funerals, according to our local papers.

The Amish are the very last people on Earth who should be subjected to a circus because of these freaks.

[Marnieworld]

78. Motherfuckers

Time to call up the patriot guard.

In case you don't know of the guard it's a group of bikers, mostly Vets that have been riding in support of fallen soldiers and to protect the funeral processions from these sick creepo so-called protesters. My hubby has been to a few, one last week in PA. I will forward this to him. They will not get away with this.

[Beelzebud]

80. I can't wait to protest Fred's funeral.

I'm going to do it.

When this bastard dies, they'll see signs that say:

GOD HATES FRED

[Bluebear]

89. Good deal. nt

[LostInAnomie]

108. That'll be hella sweet

My sign will say: FRED'S GETTING SODOMIZED IN HELL

[Vinnie From Indy]

117. I'll sell maps to the grave site so people can go by and piss on him.

I figure he deserves it.

[Bill McBlueState]

81. religion motivates people to do the most sickening things

We hear so much about how there's no morality without gods. But who can we always count on to pull off the most morally offensive stunts imaginable? Preachers and their little cults. I'mm sick of this crap.

[Javaman]

82. Can someone kick that fucktard in the nuts, already? nt

[KamaAina]

119. Probably not, unless someone is a VERY accurate kicker

I'm guessing the targets are the size of BBs -- maybe.

[BurtWorm]

84. I sometimes wonder if people like this are doing some elaborate

dirty trick, pretending to be the vile shit turds they seem to be just to make any sane person develop hatred for that side of the political spectrum.

Most of the time, I accept that they're just vile shit turds.

[ileus]

86. Where is a real terrorist when you need one.

[RamboLiberal]

88. Statement from Rendell - Asks everyone to Respect Amish Privacy

Gov. Ed Rendell is asking the public to respect the Amish community's desire to carry on with their funerals in private. "Do not try to intrude upon their privacy," he said.

He said his request applies to the public, the media and members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas, which has announced it plas to picket the funerals.

The Westboro group is blaming Rendell for Monday's mass murder of five girls in the Lancaster County one-room schoolhouse because he ridiculed the group on a Fox news show, the church's news release said. On the show, Rendell was talking about legislation he signed into law limiting protests at funerals.

Rendell didn't mince words in describing his view of the group's reason for their planned protests.

"They're insane," Rendell said at a morning news conference. "This is the same logic that says we're losing American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan because we're too lenient on gays in America."

Rendell said he is trying to contact elders in the Amish community to ask whether they want state police presence to make sure the protesters demonstrate far enough away from the funerals to prevent them from interfering.

http://www.blogs.pennlive.com/default.asp?item=201133

I hope the Amish accept the state police presence. I grieve for their loss and for the circus they've had to endure these last several days. Phelp's bunch is totally sick. I wish they'd get some sense knocked in to their thick skulls by the quiet, forgiving nature of the Amish people.

BTW, PA passed a law because of these creeps, Rendell intends to enforce it. They have to be 500 feet from a funeral.

[Bluebear]

90. Good for Rendell. nt

[MADem]

96. I like his plainspoken assertion--They're INSANE! Good for him. NT

[Bluebear]

106. Word, MADem.

[Matariki]

98. What does this guy do, just look for painful situations to mock?

what an absolute sadistic creep.

[YOY]

99. In a word: Yes.

That is exactly what he does. His goals are to get his creepy POV out like an insane attention whore and to possibly sue someone who might want to kick his worthless ass/fail to protect his worthless ass.

[Rocknrule]

101. Pharasees protest Christians

[FredScuttle]

104. You know who we need?

John Book!




Eli Lapp: It's not our way.
John Book: It's my way.

[kestrel91316]

110. If somebody will pay for my plane fare I will be more than happy

to go to PA and solve that fundie crackpot's problems personally. With glee.

[karlrschneider]

114. Tucker will be talking about in a few minutes (ca 1530 CST)

I rarely watch him but he's sorta interesting today. ;-)
Just finished showing Faux's putting the 'D' by Foley's name.

[cynatnite]

115. There is only one way to deal with these people...

Laws won't do it.

The press should not cover them at all. No pictures, no cameras, no questions and so on. I know this is unlikely, but some reporter will probably give them some kind of voice by printing their hatefulness.

The only way to legally silence these people is by ignoring them altogether.

[Initech]

121. Wow, this is a new low, even for them.

:puke:

[spanone]

127. These are the sickest puppies to come down the road in a long time.

[Generator]

134. I don't get this but I don't think I'm supposed to

Crazy ass people. If they get to picket the dead, can I picket their right to exist? Seems fair.