Life Westboro Baptist Church to picket vigil for victims of CT shooting - Page 5

**007** · 12-16-2012, 11:37 PM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_2312186.html

The Westboro Baptist Church, the controversial group known for protesting outside funerals of slain U.S. service members, announced that it will picket a vigil for the victims of Friday's Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the second-deadliest school shooting in American history.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a spokesperson for the group and, like most members of the organization, a relative of the group's founder, Fred Phelps, announced on Twitter on Saturday the group's plan "to sing praise to God for the glory of his work in executing his judgment."

It is unclear when the group plans to protest, although a tweet from Margie Phelps implied that it would be during a vigil that will be attended by President Barack Obama on Sunday evening.

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church say that America is being punished for its acceptance of gays and lesbians. In recent days, Phelps family members have sent tweets about the Connecticut shooting that have said "God sent the shooter."

Not surprisingly, the group's announcement was met with resistance online. A Change.org petition asking for Connecticut officials to prevent the group from protesting has been launched, and users of the social news and link sharing site Reddit have been discussing ways to stage a counter-protest.

A Facebook event that calls for "counter-activity" to "keep any hatred from touching" the grieving families has over 10,000 attendees, but because of a bomb threat in Newtown on Sunday, the event has been cancelled.

Anonymous, the loosely affiliated group of Internet "hacktivists," said that it had hacked the group's website and released personal information about the group's members, according to The Inquisitr.

The Southern Poverty Law Center calls the Westboro Baptist Church "arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America," while the Anti-Defamation League calls it "a small virulently homophobic, anti-Semitic hate group."

In 2011, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church, saying that the right to picket funerals was protected under the First Amendment. President Obama earlier this year, however, signed legislation that said that protests must be held 300 feet from military funerals.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story indicated that WBC members would picket Sandy Hook Elementary School. The vigil is at Newtown High School. Additionally, an earlier version of this story called the shooting "the second-largest mass killing in American history." It is the second-deadliest school shooting.

**loochy** · 12-17-2012, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

Hey, if someone wants to deal with them physically, that's fine with me. I'm not going to shed a tear as well. But with that being said, we don't need to resort into violence when it comes to it. There's too many of that stuff going on, and I'm tired of it already.

What I like to do is, (if I had any kind of governmental powers), reclassify them as a "hate" group and make some back door deals with the courts to reject their motions. I'm tired of having to hear about this trash of an organization.

And while they didn't commit any terrorist activities in terms of killing or crimes, can you classify an organization if they are terrorizing a certain targeted groups, mostily psychological terrorism? I mean, there's plenty of things to be labeled as is. Financial terrorism. Warfare terrorism, etc. etc.

Nah, I think they have a right to do what they do. Hate what you hate, say what you say, but be prepared to get what's coming to you.

Strongside · 12-17-2012, 09:28 AM

I loathe these people more than any group of individuals on the planet. They are a hate group/cult...not a religious group. They wallow in their own immorality and take pleasure in gaining publicity through the pain & suffering of others. Why can't they just drink the Jonesboro juice?

**loochy** · 12-17-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongside

I loathe these people more than any group of individuals on the planet. They are a hate group/cult...not a religious group. They wallow in their own immorality and take pleasure in gaining publicity through the pain & suffering of others. Why can't they just drink the Jonesboro juice?

or why can't the psycho kids go nuts on THEM?

Strongside · 12-17-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

or why can't the psycho kids go nuts on THEM?

This would be ideal. I feel like the motorcycle groups or "Freedom Riders" that block these people from being seen by families at funerals and protests are the only thing that's kept them from being shot at by now. Marines/soldiers in general don't take well to these people degrading and disrespecting their fallen brothers. The world would be a better place without Fred Phelps and his douche bag family being unproductive plagues on society.

Radar Chief · 12-17-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongside

This would be ideal. I feel like the motorcycle groups or "Freedom Riders" that block these people from being seen by families at funerals and protests are the only thing that's kept them from being shot at by now. Marines/soldiers in general don't take well to these people degrading and disrespecting their fallen brothers. The world would be a better place without Fred Phelps and his douche bag family being unproductive plagues on society.

Patriot Guard Riders.

http://www.patriotguard.org/

Edit: unfortunately it doesn’t look like they’ll be attending the services at Newtown.

ndws · 12-17-2012, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bump

they are simply attention whores. It doesn't matter who dies, if it makes headlines, they will be there.

It does matter. If emotions run deep, they stand a chance to file suit against someone who threatens them or damages any of their property. The large number of lawyers in their family isn't by chance. Its probably one hell of a lucrative business for those bastards.

**Rausch** · 12-17-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndws

It does matter. If emotions run deep, they stand a chance to file suit against someone who threatens them or damages any of their property.

Wait, so the more people hate you the more profitable you are?...

**loochy** · 12-17-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Wait, so the more people hate you the more profitable you are?...

potentially, yeah.

they are trying to bait people

**hometeam** · 12-17-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndws

It does matter. If emotions run deep, they stand a chance to file suit against someone who threatens them or damages any of their property. The large number of lawyers in their family isn't by chance. Its probably one hell of a lucrative business for those bastards.

I believe I saw a new story one time saying this exact thing. They finance the whole thing by suing the bejesus out of anyone who messes with them.

I still feel like them being beat DOWN. Not just hit, a couple times, but really beat the hell down is a-ok

**loochy** · 12-17-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometeam

I believe I saw a new story one time saying this exact thing. They finance the whole thing by suing the bejesus out of anyone who messes with them.

I still feel like them being beat DOWN. Not just hit, a couple times, but really beat the hell down is a-ok

if they are all dead then they can't sue anyone, right?

**hometeam** · 12-17-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

if they are all dead then they can't sue anyone, right?

Didn't see a thing.

**loochy** · 12-17-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometeam

Didn't see a thing.

we need more judges and police chiefs like you

ndws · 12-17-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometeam

I believe I saw a new story one time saying this exact thing. They finance the whole thing by suing the bejesus out of anyone who messes with them.

I still feel like them being beat DOWN. Not just hit, a couple times, but really beat the hell down is a-ok

Yup, this exactly. Just like any ambalamps chasing lawyer, they found their niche. I'm sure their is some ego and power trip drive behind it too. They are ****ing nuts.

If memory serves me correctly (and most likely I'm wrong) but I think they went to either Rushville or Weston to picket a few years ago, and they left early. They felt unsafe, above and beyond whatever they normally hear. If this is true, whatever "methods" the locals used should get passed around to EVERYONE that has to look at these shitheads.

Chiefnj2 · 12-17-2012, 10:29 AM

I recall at one protest site the locals found out where they were staying. The morning of the event some rude people just happened to park their cars in front of the potential picketers and they couldn't get out of their spots. By the time police responded with tow trucks the funeral was over and the cars had just been moved.

**Dartgod** · 12-17-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I recall at one protest site the locals found out where they were staying. The morning of the event some rude people just happened to park their cars in front of the potential picketers and they couldn't get out of their spots. By the time police responded with tow trucks the funeral was over and the cars had just been moved.

Wasn't that in Joplin?

12-16-2012, 11:37 PM
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14020126 VARSITY	Westboro Baptist Church to picket vigil for victims of CT shooting http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_2312186.html The Westboro Baptist Church, the controversial group known for protesting outside funerals of slain U.S. service members, announced that it will picket a vigil for the victims of Friday's Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the second-deadliest school shooting in American history. Shirley Phelps-Roper, a spokesperson for the group and, like most members of the organization, a relative of the group's founder, Fred Phelps, announced on Twitter on Saturday the group's plan "to sing praise to God for the glory of his work in executing his judgment." It is unclear when the group plans to protest, although a tweet from Margie Phelps implied that it would be during a vigil that will be attended by President Barack Obama on Sunday evening. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church say that America is being punished for its acceptance of gays and lesbians. In recent days, Phelps family members have sent tweets about the Connecticut shooting that have said "God sent the shooter." Not surprisingly, the group's announcement was met with resistance online. A Change.org petition asking for Connecticut officials to prevent the group from protesting has been launched, and users of the social news and link sharing site Reddit have been discussing ways to stage a counter-protest. A Facebook event that calls for "counter-activity" to "keep any hatred from touching" the grieving families has over 10,000 attendees, but because of a bomb threat in Newtown on Sunday, the event has been cancelled. Anonymous, the loosely affiliated group of Internet "hacktivists," said that it had hacked the group's website and released personal information about the group's members, according to The Inquisitr. The Southern Poverty Law Center calls the Westboro Baptist Church "arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America," while the Anti-Defamation League calls it "a small virulently homophobic, anti-Semitic hate group." In 2011, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church, saying that the right to picket funerals was protected under the First Amendment. President Obama earlier this year, however, signed legislation that said that protests must be held 300 feet from military funerals. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story indicated that WBC members would picket Sandy Hook Elementary School. The vigil is at Newtown High School. Additionally, an earlier version of this story called the shooting "the second-largest mass killing in American history." It is the second-deadliest school shooting.
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12-17-2012, 09:28 AM	#62
Strongside Mahomes or GTFO Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: KC Casino cash: $5984282	I loathe these people more than any group of individuals on the planet. They are a hate group/cult...not a religious group. They wallow in their own immorality and take pleasure in gaining publicity through the pain & suffering of others. Why can't they just drink the Jonesboro juice? __________________
Posts: 13,198

12-17-2012, 10:29 AM	#74
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7873688	I recall at one protest site the locals found out where they were staying. The morning of the event some rude people just happened to park their cars in front of the potential picketers and they couldn't get out of their spots. By the time police responded with tow trucks the funeral was over and the cars had just been moved. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,394