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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBetter things to do than picket the Fred Phelps funeral
BY ALEXANDRA PETRI
March 20 at 2:57 pm
On March 19, Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church passed away in the night. Who will picket the funeral of the man who picketed so many? Lets hope, no one.
First because there may be no funeral to picket, and second because well, were better than that. I know the urge to celebrate his passing is strong. But as Funny Or Die quipped, Feels weird to celebrate Fred Phelps death considering that sort of thing was basically his favorite hobby. Instead, lets celebrate all the good he accomplished in his life completely inadvertently.
Its a fitting conclusion to the life of someone who, in the course of committing himself so loudly and grotesquely to hate (it was even on his bumper stickers), wound up proving again and again how much love there was in people. He would show up at a funeral with his family and their hideous signs, and others would rally. Even the KKK showed up. When the KKK Imperial Wizard comments that, compared to you, he is not a hate-monger, and says he thinks that its an absolute shame that [the WBC] show up and disrupt peoples funerals well, need you say more? Its like a twist on the old Churchill analogy about Hitler invading Hell.
A lot of people who set out to do good and advance the cause of love dont accomplish this much. Thank you to Mr. Phelps, in a strange, strange way, for proving us right. Hate is well-publicized, but small. Love was bigger. He showed up with his signs, and people responded with a Wall of Love. He kept achieving the opposite of what he set out to do. He faxed tons and tons of complaints about they passed a law against fax harassment. He showed up at funerals with his Hateful Signs, and people gathered to shield the mourners, or the Patriot Guard riders showed up, or even the KKK did. He tested our commitment to free speech, even extreme and ugly speech, and yup, it is still strong.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2014/03/20/better-things-to-do-than-picket-the-fred-phelps-funeral/?wpisrc=nl_popns
steve2470
(37,457 posts)I understand many disagree with me.
CBGLuthier
(12,723 posts)Never speak his name never mourn him never mention him again. His legacy is dust.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)We would rather be shouted at than completely ignored. Strange but true.
LadyHawkAZ
(6,199 posts)to be at the party, but nah.
I can't promise that, if I'm ever out that way, I won't take a girlfriend along and go make out on his grave though. And take selfies. And post them on the internet. Because sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.
If people want to put the time and effort into protesting his funeral, I really can't say I blame them.
Democracyinkind
(4,015 posts)Vincardog
(20,234 posts)Prisoner_Number_Six
(15,676 posts)Never heard of him. All I see is just an empty suit.
Nothing more.
Behind the Aegis
(54,057 posts)I personally will not mourn him or "thank" him for jack shit! If people want to love their enemy, they are welcome to it. I will not be joining them.
LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)Farewell, Fred.
No loss. Done.
Behind the Aegis
(54,057 posts)LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)If you want to or need to, please do. I think I understand.
I wouldn't be upset if the practice died with him. It won't. And that's the saddest part of his sad life.
Behind the Aegis
(54,057 posts)But, I will not do as so many articles and posters are suggesting and "thank" him, or mourn is passing as just another lost soul.
LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)They're telling us to thank him? good god in heaven, there is a limit.