More Phelps Sh-nanigans

[Borstalboy]

More Phelps Sh-nanigans#0

Posted: 8/29/05 at 11:16am

This didn't really happen, did it?

According to the Associated Press, members of a church who believe that God is punishing American troops because their country tolerates homosexuality protested over the weekend at the funerals of two soldiers killed in Iraq.

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas -- which is apparently comprised mostly of the family of a man named Fred Phelps, but which echoes, albeit in a slightly uglier fashion, some of the wisdom of Jerry Falwell -- turned out for the funerals of Tennessee National Guard Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, the AP reports. With shouts and signs, the AP says, the church members conveyed messages like "God hates fags" and "God hates you."

Proving Justice Louis Brandeis right once again -- which is to say, showing that the solution to stupid speech is "more speech" -- hundreds of local residents gathered outside both funerals to stand up to the anti-gay zealots. According to the AP, counterprotesters at one of the funerals turned their backs on the church members until the time expired on their protest permits and they went home to Kansas.

"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them," Danny Cotton, 56, told the AP. "But for them to come during the worst time for this family -- it's just wrong."

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

[Unknown User]

re: More Phelps Sh-nanigans#1

Posted: 8/29/05 at 11:21am

Yes, I'm afraid it did. But it's not very surprising considering the source. It DID make me feel good to see the other people's reaction to it, though.

[BlueWizard]

re: More Phelps Sh-nanigans#2

Posted: 8/29/05 at 11:40am

Were the two fallen soldiers even gay, or was this a completely random occurrence?

BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

[Unknown User]

re: More Phelps Sh-nanigans#3

Posted: 8/29/05 at 12:14pm

Blue - no, they weren't. His whole point is that they are in the fighting force of a country that is moving toward condoning this behavior, and are therefore partially responsible for the moral meltdown he perceives.

[papalovesmambo]

re: more phelps sh-nanigans#4

Posted: 8/29/05 at 12:29pm

i thought this was gonna be about more michael phelps drunk driving issues. what a gyp!

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