Phelps' gay/funeral antics getting him banned in states

[SushiFan]

Some DUers prob. know Indiana was the 1st. And, A REPUB of all people now guides a bill banning Phelps' in Mo. too! Now, if all the states would ban GWB from the USA, we'd be in business! :)

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stcharles/story/625D83F9BFE1480F862570FC001E9262?OpenDocument&highlight=2%2C%22Fred%22+AND+%22Phelps%22

Fred Phelps, a virulent anti-gay preacher who pickets military funerals with colorful, expletive-laden signs, is drawing attention from Missouri legislators who want to pass a law banning his otests.

Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, has proposed a bill that bars protests at a church, funeral home or cemetery for one hour before and after a funeral. Shields admits he can't think of any purpose or the bill besides banning Phelps but says protecting families from the protests is reason enough.

Shields' bill has already been approved in committee and will go to a full vote of the Senate. Phelps, a 76-year-old disbarred lawyer who leads Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., has verseen more than 70 anti-gay protests at funerals from Texas to West Virginia.

Calls to Phelps' church were not answered.

[MnFats]

1. did that sumbitch ever show in W. Va. for miners' funerals?

He was threatening to do so....but he often claims he's going to demonstrate here or there, then sits back in his barcalounger and reaps tons of free publicity.
i figured if he went to W. Va. he would surely get his ass kicked....

[Botany]

3. I wanted him to go to W. V.

I really did and not just to the "big city" of Buckhannon but up into the hills to
Tallmansville, West Virginia. One road leading in and it dead ends @ the mine.
The locals there would have strung him up and gutted him and the local police
and town folks would have seen nothing.

but I think he skipped going even to Buckhannon.

[Liberal Veteran]

7. You know, I'm not big on mob justice, but I wouldn't be surprised

...if one day Phelps isn't going to picket the wrong funeral and the police that are in that town will start looking at the sky while the funeral attendees take care of the Phelps clan.

[bluestateguy]

2. I'd like to know what the definition of a protest is

Wearing a peace button while quietly attending a funeral? Making a controversial speech at a funeral? This law may be designed for Phelps, but it can easily be used to silence anti-war protestors.

[Retired AF Dem]

6. Have you ever been to his website?

I agree with an above poster, hang him upside down and gut him.

http://www.godhatesfags.com/

[kevinbgoode]

11. I have a concern too. . .

what if it is a long-term gay partner whose spouse has died and, because of the fuc*ed up hetero-supremacist "family" laws in a state, he/she is denied attendance at the funeral of his partner?

Is it a protest if he/she stands outside and protests this. . .?

[channa18]

4. Thats all ? Ban him??

I was hoping they would pass a law ALLOWING anyone to beat the shit out of Phelps.

(half joking)

[f-bush]

5. I wished he would have shown up in W. VA

I would have loved to have seen those minor's families kick his intolerant ass!

[insleeforprez]

8. Banning someone's speech

is a very dangerous first step. Sure, I'd be honored to place a bullet in Fred Phelps' brain, but a government banning someone from speaking makes me weary.

And in any case, it helps the Progressive movement to have Phelps protest things. He always inspires more sympathy for whatever he's picketing, rather than agreement for his hateful sermons.

[SushiFan]

9. Oh Phelps can still picket, inslee...

It's just that he'll have to do it from a certain distance so as not to disturb the funeral events.


Too bad these kinds of measures weren't in vogue when Phelps verbally assaulted the people at Matt Sheperd's services. But they really ARE a step in the right direction, as far as the public getting tired of religious fundi extremists.


Like if a bunch of kids decided to hop scotch in the middle of a funeral procession. They'd be shooed away with not a word otherwise. Why is Phelps any different? He's as stupid mentally as any gradeschool kid is, agreed??

[Meldread]

10. Phelps does nothing but help us...

...his hate is so open and extreme that he does nothing but turn people pro-gay once they actually get a dose of him. Personally, I wish he'd get his own TV Show and replace Pat Robertson. He says all the things Robertson thinks, but lacks the balls to actually say. I'd give him two episodes before America recoils from him and overwhelmingly embraces gay marriage.

Look at what he did down there in Topeka, Kansas. They rejected anti-gay rhetoric... mostly BECAUSE of him. He may be a vile excuse for a human and a waste of flesh, but he makes a very useful tool.

[NMMNG]

12. rAmen

At least now mourners can have some peace while they lay their loved ones to rest, and that whackjob Phelps will get less publicity. Hopefully more and more states will enact this legislation. Free speech is necessary, but Phelps is going too far. Let him protest another time.

[pro_blue_guy]

13. I'm not one for making opinions about people I don't really know, but

Fred Phelps is a dumbass.