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Step too far for Phelps

That is incorrect.

OK: I'm willing to admit I'm wrong about this.

It's my instinct to consider it plausible that one person may be nuts, but a group of educated adults working together is more likely a scam.

I went with my first impression on this one, and it looks like it was an error.
 
OK: I'm willing to admit I'm wrong about this.

It's my instinct to consider it plausible that one person may be nuts, but a group of educated adults working together is more likely a scam.

I went with my first impression on this one, and it looks like it was an error.

I've done a lot of reading about this from various sources over the past year or so. And I spent a lot of time in Topeka about 14 years ago. Without having to re-google for all my sources, or try to contact people I worked with in Topeka....

Some are lawyers in private practice (hard to imagine who they get for clients). Some work for the state (pretty much impossible to get fired as long as you make some attempt to do your job), etc. At the time (and probably still now), there are college students in the extended family, although I don't recall what they study. One particularly sad one, who I think was on the Louie Theroux (sp?) special, was a girl in college, who was quite cute. I felt so bad for her, to think of all that she was missing out on because her parents chose to brain wash her. Dances, boyfriends, shopping with girlfriends, sports, cheerleading, etc. Really sad.
 
The Patriot Riders always offer to attend a funeral that the Phelpses are threatening to picket, to shield the mourners from the sight of those scum. But they always ask the family first.
They're good guys.

Hope I'm not repeating info that's already been posted--I didn't see it, but could have missed it--but the Patriot Guard does not ask the family.

The family must request and invite them. And they act primarily on behalf of military personnel and families.

They are the good guys though, and I'm glad they exist. :)
 
Hope I'm not repeating info that's already been posted--I didn't see it, but could have missed it--but the Patriot Guard does not ask the family.

The family must request and invite them. And they act primarily on behalf of military personnel and families.

They are the good guys though, and I'm glad they exist. :)

And they have a statement on their web page:

TRAGEDY IN TUCSON, ARIZONA

We have received many inquiries regarding our presence at the memorial and funeral services of the victims of this terrible tragedy.

The Patriot Guard Riders are not a counter protest group. We have a very specific mission statement that focuses on our Fallen Heroes that have served our country and citizens. As a non-profit organization we are bound by law to adhere to our mission statement. Violating that could prevent the organization from continuing to honor our fallen military and first responders.

We understand the sorrow these families are experiencing and offer our condolences in their loss and hope that no protesters will attempt to twist their pain for some media exposure. The best way to prevent these folks from attending funerals is to deny them media coverage and attention. That is the only reason they would be there.

http://www.patriotguard.org/
 
I wonder how well a dude puckering up and leaning in toward Fred Phelps for a kiss would go...
 
Actually, the best response to Phelps I have seen was the one at ComicCon last summer.......
 
While the law is laudable, it's not going to keep Phelps away. This is window dressing, and the Arizona State Legislature knows it. I'm not saying it's bad, but it is what it is, and what it is is unenforceable.

I fully understand the rage this moral, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual imbecile creates. I know it well, feel it well, and can't wait until Phreaky Phred is dead. This monster has done more harm with this cruelty than he'll ever imagine.

The problem is that you're not going to get the media to leave it alone. They love a good story, and this one is a doozie. EVIL PASTOR PICKETS FUNERAL OF MURDERED CHILD! It evokes a gut response, (including vomiting), which is what Phelps wants. That, we've established.

And, yes, I know he sincerely believes he's doing "god's work," as I'm sure he believed as he insisted on placing a "monument" commemorating the "descent into Hell" of Matt Shepherd. This is one very vicious, hateful old man with nothing to commend him.

Nate Phelps has posted here. From what I've read from him, and about him, he's a decent man, and a strong one. It takes serious courage to leave that kind of an environment, to move on and build a good life for yourself. The more I read of Fred Phelps, this vile embarrassment to the human race, I'm reminded there's some good that still came out of it. He has kids who looked at him and said simply by their actions, "Go to Hell." While I wish there were a way to do this at these funerals, there doesn't seem to be one.

As I said, the media loves these stories. I just choose to not click, tune in, listen to, or read about this kind of self-indulgent sludge. I don't patronize the businesses who support the media that publicize Phreaky Phred, and while I don't engage in letter writing campaigns or other silliness, I do make mention to managers and owners when it comes up. I don't have to get in anyone's face. I just have to make it clear I'm not going to play the game.

I figure if Nate Phelps - who went through it and emerged a good man - can do it that way, I can do the same. Who needs this crap?
 

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