"I Don't Agree With What You Say..."
"...but I'll defend to the death your right to say it". These noble words are frequently used by those of us who believe in the supreme importance of the First Amendment, and are frequently put into action by members of the U.S. Military. I've always subscribed to this axiom, but I think I'm willing to make an exception for this group.
(Update 1840 05 July: Welcome, Iowahawk readers. I think Iowahawk might have been wanting to link to this post that has actual pictures of asshat Fred Phelps and his "protest" at Cpl. French's funeral... or maybe not. He, after all, is the genius of satire, and I'm just a lowly submarine blogger. We now return you to my original post.)
Fred Phelps and his group of asshats from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas (I won't link their hate-infested site, but you can find it at the top of this Google page if you want to see their idiocy for yourself) are coming to S.E. Idaho tomorrow to protest at the funeral of Idaho National Guard Cpl. Carrie French, killed a week ago in Iraq by an IED. Now, I'm sure there may be some protestors there demonstrating against the war, but this group isn't like that. As you can see in their announcement of their protest, titled "Thank God for IEDs" they intend to say that God killed Carrie French, along with all American military personnel in Iraq, because God hates the U.S., and in retaliation for someone "bombing" their church building.
I've contacted the veterans I know here in Idaho, but I don't know if there's anything planned (the Phelps group doesn't announce their plans very much in advance) and don't even know if the family wants to draw attention to these nutjobs by having a counter-demonstration. If they do, though, I'll try to be there...
Thanks to John from Castle Argghhh!!!, via Grpyhmon, for bringing this to my attention... he's got some thoughts on the matter as well...
Update 1842 14 June: Via Michelle Malkin, I found a left-leaning website whose owner is trying to set up a meet-up location to coordinate anyone who wants to counterprotest. I'm not sure if it will work out, but if we could have Kos-linking Democrats standing arm in arm with military bloggers to mock and belittle the asshats from Topeka, maybe that will convince some of these nutjobs that they're fighting the wrong fight. OK, actually it won't (these Phelps followers seem to be complete jerks) but it might be fun, and might convince some people that not all people in Idaho are black-helicopter conspiracy theorists...
Update 2010 14 June: Still nothing from the local paper, but here's an article from the Seattle P-I that has more background on Phelps' past activities in Boise.
posted by Bubblehead at 11:00 AM
11 Comments:
As far as I know, there is no insanity exception (nor should their be) to First Amendment protections. This guy is as detestable as desecrators of our flag, which represents the exact sacrifices as Cpl. French's unfortunate death. Phelps is just the latest leader of another, misguided cult. He needs treatment urgently. That a flock follows any religious leader like this, may be a sign of grave societal ills. Women used to be America's safety check. Since confiscated into the workforce by business, the sanctity of homes is AWOL and almost everything is about money. Once the most spiritual gender, women have morphed into male wannabes. Church attendance is down; cult membership may be up.
Real women will be back!
6/14/2005 4:06 PM
As a conservative evangelical Christian, I find whack jobs like Phelps alternately amusing, infuriating, and deserving of pity (that is, when I'm not making fun of them).
Unfortunately, they would view a counterprotest not at an indication that they might be wrong, but as reinforcement that they're indeed right on track. Good natured ridicule works much better, since groups like that tend to have a humor-deficiency - it messes up their world view.
6/20/2005 7:54 AM
Funerals are generally held on private property so you can get a court order restraining them from protesting within sight or sound of the funeral.
6/20/2005 11:10 AM
This guy is the picture defintion of a nutjob. I know this from having grown up in Kansas. But to equate him to the Anti-war crowd is totally wrong. He isn't Anti-War, he's Anti-Gay? Why? Because he hates gays THAT much! This isn't the first funeral, but maybe the first military one. I personally think that he is secretly gay. That or he has fewer working brain cells than terri had.
6/20/2005 10:14 PM
The Patriot Guard Riders DO NOT, AND DO NOT SUGGEST COUNTER-PROTESTING! We actually ignore, turn our backs to, and drowned out the sounds of the idiotic chanting by the Phelps Followers. We only attend if invited by the families themselves. We only shield the families from the protesters. There is enough sorrow, and these families need support, not ridicule. As a Viet Nam Era Veteran, I really have to hold back sometimes. There is a part of me that would love to go to jail for assault, but what good would that do? I can't ride my bike, sleep with my wife, or cuddle my grandchildren. I also feel sorry for the Baptist Religion. To have a man like this spouting hatred in the name of God is simply idiotic, ludicrous, sick, and several other adjectives. Our attention should not be on Phelps, but on the sanctity of paying respect to the fallen and their families. Respect for them is why the Patriot Guard are wherever we are needed. And we shall be, anywhere, anytime, and in full force forever! They try to push our buttons, but we are strong and have a will beyond this world. They will not disrupt or disrespect the funeral of any Brother or Sister that has paid the ultimate price for their country. IT WILL NOT HAPPEN EVER AGAIN! We are strong and getting stronger everyday. We are on a mission of respect.
12/31/2005 3:11 PM
Fred Phelps is a pornographer. I wouldn't give him the time of day, let alone let him preach his porno gospel to me. Check it out: http://www.geocities.com/antiphelps/
6/02/2006 9:39 PM
Like it or not, the 1st Amendment does give Phelps and the WBC the right to do what they do. There are people who would like to "stop" (censor/kill) Phelps and his church but that is against all of which the US supposedly stands for. When you start putting limitations on free speech, except in cases of defamation and harassmenet, the whole concept becomes meaningless and you might as well become a dictatorship. You either have free speech or you don't, you either support it or your don't. It really is that simple.
5/10/2007 4:20 AM
Like it or not, the 1st Amendment does give Phelps and the WBC the right to do what they do. There are people who would like to "stop" (censor/kill) Phelps and his church but that is against all of which the US supposedly stands for. When you start putting limitations on free speech, except in cases of defamation and harassmenet, the whole concept becomes meaningless and you might as well become a dictatorship. You either have free speech or you don't, you either support it or your don't. It really is that simple.
5/10/2007 4:20 AM
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Why didn't I say the things I needed to say
How could I let my angel get away
Now my world is just a-tumblin' down
I can say it so clearly but you're nowhere around
1/11/2012 7:09 PM
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1/12/2012 2:36 PM
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4/28/2012 8:13 AM
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