Fred Phelps is planning to protest at the NIU Memorial Service Sunday.

[Critters2]

God, I hate this asshole. Like these people haven't suffered enough!!

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Fire Walk With Me]

3. Would he be upset if he received the same treatment he give to others?

[Critters2]

4. I've decided to join the counter-protest.

I sent out an e-mail to parishioners about 45 minutes ago, and already have a group of 15 or so planning to go. We want these families to know we love them more than Phelps hates gays.

[Westegg]

6. Thanks. Good for you.

[tigereye]

11. good to hear!

:thumbsup:

[Cabcere]

16. Awesome.

:thumbsup: I honestly don't know what's wrong with that piece of shit to make him think that it's OK to do this awful stuff, but it's good to know that people like you and your parishioners will be there to support the families. :hug: I can tell you from personal experience that it is a great comfort to have a group of supporters to stand in their way - Fred Phelps & his gang didn't come to my friend's military funeral last year, but it was wonderful to have the Patriot Guard Riders there, anyway. :pals: Peace.

[KitchenWitch]

23. If I lived near you, I would join you.

:hug:

[Name removed]

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[Critters2]

9. I've thought this for years.

About him and a lot of other gay-haters. Good ol' fashioned reaction formations.

[Lex]

13. Oh screw you. Does that mean racists really want to be black?

nt

[Critters2]

15. Two words: Ted Haggard. nt

[Lex]

17. So that means all racists want to be black?

Hmmm.

[Critters2]

18. No. It means many anti-gay fanatics are closet cases. nt

[Lex]

19. Most are straight homophobic assholes.

In fact.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

32. no. you're wrong. most are straight people. the gay closet cases just stand out more

and get more media attention because of the sheer absurdity

[Critters2]

37. Self-delete. No point in continuing this diversion from my OP

[Critters2]

38. delete. I'm an idiot. nt

[Orsino]

64. Straight, but unsure enough about the matter to feel threatened?

Perhaps not all that straight.

[southlandshari]

10. Can't you post a picture of Phelps' head on a snail's body?

Or something goofy like that, if you want to talk about that peckerhead in the Lounge?

Otherwise, well....

[Critters2]

12. I debated whether this was Lounge-worthy material,

but wanted to bitch to some friends. And, well, this is where my friends hang out.

My friends are too much fun to be in GD or, God forbid, GD-P. :)

[southlandshari]

14. I understand

Still...

blech.

;)

[KitchenWitch]

20. How the heck does this become a flamewar?

I am sorry critters...There is a special place in hell for Phelps and his ilk.

:hug:

[southlandshari]

21. Maybe when it was posted in the Lounge?

:shrug:

[KitchenWitch]

22. I posted a similar thread in the Lounge re: Phelps planning to protest Heath Ledger's funeral

No flames there...

I think we all just need a hug.

:hug:

[Shell Beau]

25. I was shocked myself to see all of the deleted messages!

What is there to flame about? He is an asshole!

[KitchenWitch]

27. Asshole is an understatement!

:nuke:

[Shell Beau]

30. There really aren't any good words to describe a hypocrite like him!

[Critters2]

36. Some of the deleted posts were about what people would like to do

to Phelps, given the chance. Maybe deleted for violent imagery or something? I wondered why anyone would've alerted on 'em. But I've done a lot of wondering "Why?" in the last few days.

[SacredCow]

31. No doubt....

But taking the position that "he's an insane homophobic wack job, ergo he must be closeted-gay" is a rather nasty slap in the face to the gay DU'ers here- particularly any who have lived (or are currently living) a closeted lifestyle. Implying that this loon is the way he is because he's deep in the closet makes for a VERY unfair blanket assumption.

And this isn't directed at you, KitchenWitch- It was just a logical place to post this since you asked about the flamewar! :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

33. Ahhh

Got it.

:hug:

[DS1]

44. that wasn't it

someone wished he'd get a bullet through his head, and a few others including me agreed most vigorously. I was probably seen as a death threat towards that Phelps turd.

[KitchenWitch]

60. Okay, thanks

It seemed strange to have all the deleted messages in this thread.

[DS1]

43. It wasn't a flamewar

[LeftinOH]

24. I would have thought he and his family would be financially tapped out

from that long trip to Perth, Australia to protest Heath Ledger's funeral, which he promised they would do. Of course, they went, didn't they?...they wouldn't commit the sin of LYING!!!!

:sarcasm:

[KitchenWitch]

26. I think they did not get an embossed invitation!

:sarcasm:

As they say, the spirit was probably willing but the flesh is weak.

[quip]

28. My only comment about a sack of shit is

that it is squishy, it stinks, and isn't really worthy of discussion.

That is all.

[theredpen]

45. Perfect comment

I look forward to the day when we're all desensitized to this and Phelps stops getting the attention he craves. Then he'll just have to think of something new. Right now, the headline-grabbing fucker is international news.

On edit: I'm not saying that we should stop caring about bigotry, but this clown is using that righteous outrage to keep himself in the news. Laughter is the best medicine — point and laugh at this clown show.

[krispos42]

29. Bring back tarring and feathering

Dip him in boiling tar, then throw him in a cage full of falcons. Let GOD decide what the falcons do.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

34. These assclowns already hit one of the funerals. Article from local paper.

Small group of protesters fails to disrupt funeral services
By Jameel Naqvi | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 2/19/2008 12:09 AM

The funeral of Ryanne Mace, a 19-year-old student killed in last week's shooting rampage at Northern Illinois University, went off without a hitch Monday -- despite the efforts of the Westboro Baptist Church.

The Topeka, Kan.-based church, which mainstream Baptist denominations do not recognize, earned national notoriety for protesting the funerals of slain U.S. soldiers.

Church members protest funerals across the country because its members believe the deaths are God's punishment for America's acceptance of homosexuals.

Three members of the church gathered in Baker Memorial Park Monday afternoon -- across the street from Mace's funeral at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church.

Members of the Westboro church said they spent about $1,000 to fly to Chicago for the funerals and had protested the memorial service for Catalina Garcia, another NIU shooting victim, earlier Monday in Cicero.

"When this is what you do as your hobby, as your leisure time, this is what you spend your money on," said Paulette Phelps, daughter-in-law of Fred Phelps, pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church. "This is our vacation. This is our fun time."

In spite of their inflammatory signs, including one that read, "God sent the shooter," their protest took place almost without incident.

The only exception was when a mourner shouted at the protesters from behind a police barricade before being led away by police.

The presence of several dozen police officers from departments throughout the county seemed to effectively prevent any confrontations between the Westboro Baptist Church and mourners.

A row of St. Charles snowplows formed a physical and highly visible barrier between the park where the protesters were assembled and the east entrance of the church.

About 40 officers from the Kane County Mobile Task Force, in riot gear, stood guard around the park to protect the mourners from the protesters.

"They have the ability to express their freedom of speech," St. Charles Police Chief James Lamkin said. "We wanted to make sure there was nothing that would disrespect the funeral."

About 15 students from around the suburbs were on hand to express their disgust for the protesters' message.

Scott Callan of Morton, an NIU senior, stood at the back of Baker Memorial Park with a sign that read, "WBC abuses free speech."

"They're pretty much making a mockery of our school," Callan said. "I don't know how they can even call themselves a church."

Across the street, Richard Corns of Tinley Park stood with a few other students and armed with the lyrics of patriotic songs.

"We wanted to sing, but we don't want to give them more attention," Corns said. "It just shows disrespect for human beings in general."

The protesters said they might return to the Chicago area later this week to protest the funerals for the other victims of last week's shooting.

[FloridaJudy]

35. I almost wished I believed

In hell whenever Phelps and his toadies (parishioners is too good a name for them) start another of their vile demonstrations. Is there no grief so devastating that these pitiful excuses for human beings won't try to make it worse? I must confess to being a very bad Buddhist when I see these jerks, and fantasize about being on the jury when some one finally loses it and punches the fertilizer out of them ("Your Honor, we find the defendant overwhelmingly not guilty").

[Critters2]

39. Sunday night fights: 1st Congregational UCC vs Westboro Baptist!!

I already have 7 parishioners + me going to counter-protest. I expect more to sign up.

Those Westboro crazies are about to find out what a REAL church looks like!! :mad:

[SocratesInSpirit]

41. Give 'em hell!

:thumbsup: (No pun intended.) (Okay, maybe it was intended a little.) :)

[Critters2]

46. Two of my confirmands, one of whom has two moms,

have signed up. They were REAL excited about the possibility a fight might break out. We had a long discussion about peaceful protest and not letting the crazies push one's buttons.

[SocratesInSpirit]

49. Peaceful protest is definitely preferable...

getting involved in shouting matches just lowers oneself to their level.

There was a great scene in The Laramie Project where counter-protesters dressed like angels silently stood around Phelp's group. Very powerful scene...

[SocratesInSpirit]

40. Hmph...

Just when I thought Fred Phelps couldn't sink any lower, he gets out a shovel and starts digging. Bastard. :grr:

[theredpen]

42. If people would just accept that God hates fags, this could all be over!

What? Wrong side? Uh oh...
:hide:

[Critters2]

47. theredpen!!

You're a brave soul, if not a smart one. :)

[theredpen]

48. The Few, The Brave, The Stupid...

[greatauntoftriplets]

50. Sigh....

Last Sunday, on my way to the triplets' house for dinner, I passed by the funeral home where Catalina Garcia's wake was being held.

This is a new funeral home with an enormous parking lot. So many people were there, that they were using the parking lot of the landscaping company across the street to handle the overflow. Lots of young people going for visitation. The local police were on hand, to protect the people crossing a fairly busy street.

Thank the gods that no one was there at that time causing a ruckus like Phelps plans to do at the memorial service.

This was a terrible tragedy. I hope that NIU can somehow stop Phelps. I am certain that they don't want that kind of sideshow.

[Critters2]

52. A colleague e-mailed to say Phelps was at the funeral

of Ryanne Mace in Carpentersville. Several churches and others in the community up that way held a peaceful counter-protest. She said they held some kind of banners that kept those entering the church from seeing the Westboro people. Maybe something like what you describe. Not sure. She says we'll be doing the same thing Sunday in Dekalb.

I just don't understand these people.

[greatauntoftriplets]

53. I don't understand them either.

Catalina Garcia's wake was held with dignity. Maybe it was the cop cars with lights flashing and the presence that kept them away. I live in a very liberal and diverse suburb. Maybe Phelps and company knew to stay away from here.

[Critters2]

56. According to this, they were at least planning to picket Catalina Garcia's funeral

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=137028&src=143

excerpt:
"According to their Web site, they plan to protest the funerals of Catalina Garcia and Ryanne Mace today because Northern Illinois University once hosted a conference featuring by a preacher who did not share their views."

I assume they did, then, though I haven't found any coverage of it.

[Roon]

51. No one cared when Phelps protested aids victims' funerals in '93

It wasn't until he started protesting the soldiers' and other funerals that people started caring.

[Critters2]

54. That's true, I know. And it's wrong.

They picketed our church's national convention in KC in 2001, which was the first time some of my colleagues became aware of him. I'd been active enough with the glbt community that I knew full well who he was and what he did. But many were completely unaware. Indeed, that's why he started picketing soldiers' funerals. This is all about publicity, and he figured out how to get it.

You're right to be angry that no one cared when he picketed AIDS victims' funerals. He was wrong and evil then, and he's wrong and evil now. It's too bad it takes this to bring his evil to light.

[Roon]

59. Thanks for your post.

:-)

[mwdem]

55. They should, as always, be totally ignored.

It's hard, but they need no publicity.

[Critters2]

57. The counter-protest is to stand as a barrier between them

and those entering the memorial service. I actually feel compelled to do this because I have no direct connection to NIU. I did my undergrad at ISU. I'm doing this so that those who want to memorialize the dead can do so unmolested. It's the least I can do.

[mwdem]

58. You are doing a great thing, then.

The more publicity they get, the more powerful they feel. What you are doing is wonderful, and I applaude you!

[bleedingheartIL]

61. Info from NIU LGBT folks...

>>> LGBT 2/21/2008 9:10 AM >>>
Please Distribute Widely via email, Facebook, listservs, etc. to NIU
students and our friends and supporters:

Responding to Hate: A Message about the Hate Protests at Northern
Illinois University

Word has spread rapidly about the fringe "religious" group (the
WBC) that is bringing its agenda of hate and homophobia to our community
as we grapple with the tragic events that happened on our campus.

Many students and others have come together through the Internet to
voice their outrage and plan responses to the protestors. We understand
that many people are angered and hurt by this blatant homophobia and the
appalling attempt to capitalize on the NIU tragedy. The university is
heartened and warmed by the outpouring of support from our students and
community friends who share our outrage at this intrusion during this
painful time.

We want everyone to know that the university's response to the
tragedy includes careful planning for managing the presence of any
protestors. We ask everyone's cooperation in supporting the
university's coordinated response.

A trained group of NIU students and supporters have organized and are
working with law enforcement agencies to peacefully shield our grieving
community from the presence of any hate protests by blocking the view of
the small group of protestors who may be present.

The university requests your assistance in the following ways:

● If you are not a member of the trained team of shielders, please
DO NOT come to the Convocation Center on Sunday, February 24 with the
intent of "counter protesting." The university asks that you help
us by not giving the hate protestors the attention, publicity, and
credibility that they are aiming for. As much as you might want to
physically show your opposition to hate such as this, direct
confrontations and "counter protests" only serve the purposes of
this hate group.

● Instead of attempting to "counter protest," please join our
community at the Memorial Program to celebrate the lives of our fallen
students, pay tribute to the injured, support our grieving families, and
begin the process of moving forward. Please help us keep this occasion
a peaceful, calm, and dignified evening of remembrance and healing.

● Encourage your friends, colleagues and others at the Memorial
Program not to give their attention and emotional energy to the
protestors, but to ignore them and move inside the building for the
program. Please do not engage with the protesters in any way as this
will only encourage them and attract more attention.

● Also be aware that protest groups such as this use pickets and
an array of intimidating tactics to upset people, instigate violence and
create scores of lawsuits that fund their work. Don't become a victim
of their tactics.

Please help us spread this message among your friends. We do not want
the protestors to overshadow the true purpose of our gathering.

We also encourage everyone to remember that it was violence that
brought us to this moment, and that despite how appalled we are by the
actions of this hate group, responding with violent words and actions
does not help our community heal. We must not be seduced into
responding to hate with hate. We call upon all in our community to not
let this hate group shift our focus from our mourning, our grief, and
our healing. We call upon you to channel your outrage into action for
justice wherever you live, study, and work.

For some ideas about how to channel your emotions into other, more
productive channels, please visit our website at
http://www.niu.edu/LGBT/tragedy/RespondingToHate.shtml <http://www.niu.edu/LGBT/tragedy/RespondingToHate.shtml> for more
information.

[mcscajun]

62. Thanks for the info, and Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Pushed To The Left]

63. Does the Patriot Guard know about this?

I know they have been very active against Phelps during military funerals.