Westboro Baptist Church:Picket AZ victim funerals

[floridayankee]

Jan 10, 2011 9:33:34 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Easily done without wide spread publicity.

True, one call to the Patriot Guard Riders will take care of the WBC.

[billisonboard]

Jan 10, 2011 9:35:32 GMT -5 floridayankee said:

Jan 10, 2011 9:33:34 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Easily done without wide spread publicity.

True, one call to the Patriot Guard Riders will take care of the WBC.

You know they monitor the WBC website. Wouldn't even take a call.

[floridayankee]

Jan 10, 2011 9:42:29 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

You know they monitor the WBC website. Wouldn't even take a call.

I believe it would. The last I knew, the PGR does not show unless invited by the family.

[billisonboard]

Jan 10, 2011 11:00:17 GMT -5 floridayankee said:

Jan 10, 2011 9:42:29 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

You know they monitor the WBC website. Wouldn't even take a call.

I believe it would. The last I knew, the PGR does not show unless invited by the family.

Wasn't aware of that little factoid. Thanks. Okay a phone call.

[Tennesseer]

Bills-Do you need to use my cell phone?

[floridayankee]

Jan 10, 2011 11:02:06 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jan 10, 2011 11:00:17 GMT -5 floridayankee said:

I believe it would. The last I knew, the PGR does not show unless invited by the family.

Wasn't aware of that little factoid. Thanks. Okay a phone call.

I think it is out of respect for the family. I would guess they don't want to be considered as big of a nuisance as the WBC idiots.

The mission statement on their website.....

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:

• Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
  
• Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.
  

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.
www.patriotguard.org/

[Deleted]

I do not think Tucson will allow the funerals to be disrupted. All the area churches should send hundreds of people to guard the funerals from these crazy people as a silent protest against these idiots. Due to our winter weather we have lots of biker groups in AZ. I am confident Tucson will make sure these people are buried with dignity. At least I hope so. There are bound to be guns around. There are always guns around, but aside from the druggies and gangbangers shooting are rare here. I would think there would be a strong police presence, also, considering the nature of everything going on right now.

[mmhmm]

Jan 10, 2011 6:17:57 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

Anybody can get a reaction with obnoxious behavior. It is a secret that every 12-year old has mastered.

Heh. Every 12-year-old and a surprising number of much older message board posters! ;D

[billisonboard]

"I do not think Tucson will allow the funerals to be disrupted."

The WBC gang understands well that if they "disrupt" they can be charged so, from what I understand, that is not their standard operating procedure. What they do is make a big show of planning to attend so that they can get the media to pay maximum attention and then maybe show up once in while and stand around just to keep the "threat" alive.

[Deleted]

In a flier posted on its web site, the controversial church writes, "THANK GOD FOR THE SHOOTER -- 6 DEAD!"

I'm a big believer in the freedom to worship any way you want to. On the other hand this church group should be treated the same way as you would a rabid animal because that's what they are.

[Deleted]

All the peaceful Christians in the world, not bothering anyone, and nuts like these fuel the fires against Christianity. At least most people seem to understand that these are not your average Christians, just like most people understand that most Muslims are not terrorists. To me it has always been important to speak out when I see things about these guys, because I am a Christian, and to me it seems important that Christians denounce these idiots. But that is just my opinion.

[Deleted]

Are this the God Hates homosexuals church? If so, they aren't worth the time it took me to write this message. And then edit it for typos.

[floridayankee]

Jan 10, 2011 13:03:43 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Are this the God Hates homosexuals church? If so, they aren't worth the time it took me to write this message. And then edit it for typos.

You missed.....

[Deleted]

God Damn it!!!!!!!

[floridayankee]

Jan 10, 2011 13:39:37 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

God Damn it!!!!!!!

Sorry Arch...I'm not known for my proofreading and/or spelling skills (ETA: or typing skills) which is why I almost never point these things out.

But since you left the door open....well, you know how it goes.

[ronbuck]

Jan 9, 2011 14:48:30 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

They are who they are..as long as they don't desrupt..put off in some coner..just ignore as one ignores a itch on the nose..it quickly goes away.r

I'm thinking more like a boil on the butt, but yes, I agree.

[chiver78]

they are a classy bunch of assholes, eh? they publicized that they were coming to a high school near where I live last month for a HS drama production of The Laramie Project (about Laramie in the year after Matthew Shepard was killed) but only 3 or 4 of them ended up showing up.

google "metrowest daily news" and "laramie project" to find the local coverage of how my neighbors got the better of them. I wish the residents of Tucson love and peace, and a little luck in doing the same.

as far as the WBC, google "nate phelps" and take the time to read his intro. he's an estranged son of the WBC founder. I was appalled at the things I read, although sadly not really surprised.

[comokate]

Incorporated in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization, WBC considers itself an “Old School (or Primitive)” Baptist Church. WBC’s leader is Fred Phelps and several of his children and dozens of his grandchildren appear to constitute the majority of the group’s members. WBC has no official affiliation with mainstream Baptist organizations.

www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/WBC/default.asp?LEARN_Cat=Extremism&LEARN_SubCat=Extremism_in_America&xpicked=3&item=WBC

These people have no shame. At least they were outnumbered. To put grieving families through this is horrendous.

www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7605409-westboro-baptist-church-outnumbered-at-elizabeth-edwards-funeral

[floridayankee]

Jan 10, 2011 18:57:49 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

they are a classy bunch of assholes, eh? they publicized that they were coming to a high school near where I live last month for a HS drama production of The Laramie Project (about Laramie in the year after Matthew Shepard was killed) but only 3 or 4 of them ended up showing up.

Well, there's only so much room on the short bus.

[ChiTownVenture]

Arizona Legislature To Announce Anti-Westboro Law To Protect Shooting Victims

Arizona's state legislature has announced a legislative effort to combat the infamous Westboro Baptist Church's plans to picket the funerals of the shooting victims in Tucson over the weekend.

"We're going to try to protect the families from undue harassment," State Rep. Daniel Patterson (D), one of the leaders of a bipartisan group of legislators, told Talking Points Memo Monday.

While the Topeka-based congregation has been best known for their incendiary anti-gay, pro-dead soldier messages, they have now decided to take their insensitive protest to the services of victims -- including a 9-year-old girl and a 30-year-old Giffords aide who was set to be married -- killed by Jared Lee Loughner on Saturday.

The chair of the Pima County GOP, for one, has since said that he thinks such a law is a dangerous infringement on free speech laws.

"I don't know what's in the law, but I do think it's indicative of always looking to the law to solve problems," Brian Miller told TPM in a later interview. "We will not sign on or advocate any policy that limits free speech."

Miller tells TPM that there are plans to enact a non-legislative, 1st Amendment-preserving blockade to the agitating religious group:

The county GOP and the Pima County Democrats plan to work jointly to stage a counter-protest that Miller says will "block" Westboro and its infamous leader, Fred Phelps, from getting close to the mourners.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/11/arizona-westboro-baptist-church_n_807232.html