Fred Phelps comes to my town. He spurs crossburnings against CHURCHES.

[Lex]

First, my county is a very blue county in a sea of red. We have a high school here dedicated to the Arts, and it put on a play called "The Laramie Project" about Matthew Shepherd.

Fred "godhatesfags" Phelps' group shows up at the high school and spews their hatefulness against gays to the high school kids and their families.

A quote from the Phelps family in our local paper was that we "had no *real* Christian churches in town" or they would be protesting along with Phelps. He called certain churches out by name as "not Christian enough."

Fast forward 2 weeks to last night's cross-burnings in town:

-----------------------

"The first (cross)burning was reported at 9:19 p.m. outside St. Luke's Episcopal Church near Interstate 85.

A second was reported at 9:54 p.m. about a quarter-mile south of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. The cross was positioned atop a large pile of dirt near an apartment complex construction site. (edit: This is near an AIDS group home.)

The third was reported at 10:28 p.m. at a downtown intersection. (edit: This is near another Episcopal Church in town.)

St. Luke's was one of several churches picketed early this month by members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., as part of a protest against the performance of "The Laramie Project" at Durham School of the Arts.

The play is about the murder of Matthew Shepard, and the Westboro protesters carried anti-gay signs with slogans including "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for 9/11."

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/05/052605kkk.htm

[wicket]

1. Disgusting

I'm a Christian- Fred Phelps is NO CHRISTIAN. He's a freakin' bigoted lunatic :grr: :grr:

[FreedomAngel82]

40. He wears the name Christian on his sleeve

so he can go around and do his anti bigoted messages and to get other people to blindly follow him just because he wears the name on his sleeve.

[POAS]

65. More accurately he blasphemes Christ n/t

[getmeouttahere]

2. I don't suppose there is any video footage....

of these alleged atrocities? That is beyond warped!

[Lex]

8. No video footage, but the local news

has shown some still pictures of the burnt crosses.

Our Mayor is African American and he moved here in 1968 and he says he can't ever remember this happening in our town since he's been here.

I just know Fred Phelps is behind this.

His group caused a lot of ruckus when they were here protesting "The Laramie Project" a couple of weeks ago.

We had a lot of churches here that condemned Phelps' message of intolerance and that seemed to really piss off Phelps' group.

[FreedomAngel82]

42. If you've never had trouble before

in the town history I betcha it's because of him.

[William769]

3. Fred Phelps is sub-human

[Skittles]

13. he is a certified lunatic

he is a poster-boy for heavy medication and therapy

[Misunderestimator]

4. Like neo-nazis protesting a performance of "The Diary of Anne Frank"

[comsymp]

5. I was shocked to hear about the cross burnings this morning on WUNC

Particularly surprised because of Durham's racial demographics. Had just assumed (yeah, I know) that it was a racial thing and hadn't even considered the Phelps connection. This certainly seems to suggest otherwise.

Sick phux.

[noonwitch]

6. When he came to Ferndale, MI....

The kids from the youth groups of two of the churches he was protesting (St. James Catholic and the UMC church) got together and scrubbed the sidewalk where the haters protested.

St. James is a gay-friendly catholic church. The city of Ferndale has a large gay population and has been struggling with legal issues-the progressives want to add sexual orientation to their anti-discrimination laws.

[CRK7376]

7. Once again my state is getting slammed

by idiots of the Right...Too much negativity in NC these days...

[Lex]

9. I guess they are going to come harass us liberals in the state

and harass us at our places of worship too.

Disgusting.

[lectrobyte]

10. Things are really polarized now. It seemed like prior to * that

there was a lot of good natured political discussion, and tolerance, and all that, now I'm getting neighbors all up in my face over a bumpersticker.

[FreedomAngel82]

43. And a lot of anger and hatred

I don't get it. :shrug: Shouldn't they be a bit happier?

[formerrepuke]

11. Phelps is an old f*cker.. when he finally dies, there should be

a large 'Phelps is dead' celebration..held at -and during- his funeral. Something disruptive, rude, disrepectful..just like he would have done.. his legacy and his family have it coming.

[AntiCoup2K4]

16. Why not a bunch of picketers at Fred's grave

GOD
HATES
FRED
PHELPS

FRED
IS IN
HELL!!

[ronnykmarshall]

19. Count me in.

I'll be happy to piss on that mother fuckers grave.

[DS1]

27. I'm not gay, but I'd hold your dick if it meant pissing off his ilk

that much more :toast:

[DinahMoeHum]

22. How about "God Don't Like Ugly" ???

n/t

[ComerPerro]

23. I would be glad to do that

"Satan welcomes Fred Phelps"

"Fred Phelps burns in hell"

I'd even be willing to contribute to the building of a monument commemorating his entrance into hell

[xmas74]

52. I'd gladly join in.

I hate that man and I truly hate very few people. He is one of the few.

[Roland99]

12. Coincidence? I think not.

[lectrobyte]

14. Wow I saw that on WRAL's web site this morning

http://www.wral.com/news/4534087/detail.html

Thanks for the additional information, I'll do what I can to get the word out...

[Lex]

15. The Durham community right now is organizing vigils to show support

.
for tolerance and against the crossburnings and the hate.

The vigils will likely be held at or near where the crossburnings were.

If you would like, I could PM you (or anyone here who is local) with the details.

[lectrobyte]

21. Yes, thanks.

[Lex]

24. Done.

Check your PM box--I just sent the info. I have on the vigils at this point.

Lex

[Richard Steele]

59. Please send me details also.

Just PMd you for info.

Thanks in advance.

[Ioo]

17. He is in fact the most un-christian group alive.

Right now, the gods are building a special place in "hell" for him and his family.

I got into it once with his ilk at Gay DAy in Mickey Mouse Land, I told him Jesus preached love, you sir do not know Jesus.

His reply, you are going to burn in hell fag...

So I thought of his hell, endulge me while I tell you about it.

Here is what I hope it is...

------------------------------------
Music: "Is's raining men"

Setting: His own Church, Wanesboro

Actions: Gay dance party, w/ buffet

Features: Jesus is having a blast with the gays, as well as some of the higher ups in his faith, Phelps is locked in.

His son is getting cornholed in the corner, and screaming "give it to me daddy"

Every hour on the hours his church catches on fire, and all the gays leave in a calm orderly way, he burns to death, along with his family...

then it starts all over, for ever and ever
----------------------------

I am a pagan in life, and I would not want to have the Karmic dept this guy has, I hope he gets the hell he has created.

[FreedomAngel82]

44. I wouldn't either

I'm sure he's just asking for his karmic debt.

[Tyler Durden]

18. The coward didn't show HERE.

Local HS did "The Laramie Project," Phelps said he was coming and we were there to protest HIM.

He never showed. Stinking cowardly fuck.

[getmeouttahere]

20. See, stand up to them....

and the scurry away like the frightened vermin they really are!

[FreedomAngel82]

45. Hilarious

He can talk big and cry like a baby but when confronted he's just like W and runs away. Haha bitch!

[Richard Steele]

57. It was some FINE antiPhelps protesting in Durham! (And a great play, too!)

I'm abit skeptical of any DIRECT link between Phelps and these cross-burnings last night, though.

I think it's pretty obvious by now that ALL of the cretinous hate-mongers in our nation are becoming emboldened, and beginning to occasionally scurry out from under their damp rocks.

Whoever did this was LOCAL.
I think I'll go to one of those vigils tonight.

[MadHound]

25. Hmm, I wonder. Any chance of bringing a civil suit against Phelps?

After all, if this man is whipping people into such a frenzy that they're torching crosses in front of the specific churches that Phelps mentions, then Phelps should be held responsible in part.

Just a thought.

[Lex]

26. Exactly.

I know some hate groups that have caused damage or deaths have been sued and the plaintiffs have won--it bankrupted the group so bad (having to sell off its property and liquidated all its assets) that it disbanded.

I think that civil rights lawyer Morris Dees was involved in bringing suit in some of those cases.

http://www.splcenter.org/center/history/dees.jsp

[LibertyLover]

31. Fred and lawyers

Old Fred figured that one out a long time ago. He and most of his family are lawyers, although he is disbarred. They bring civil suits against anyone they don't like or disagree with and keep appealing or filing motions in order to keep the suits going and the defendents paying steep legal fees in order to contest the suits. They truly are an evil group of people.

[ultraist]

29. There should also be CRIMINAL charges for a hate crime

I hope they catch the sick fucks that did this. I heard on CNN that there have also been recent cross burnings in NY, Oregon and one other state (some NW state). Probably all Phelps related.

[xmas74]

53. You are right.

Doesn't that make him an accessory before the fact?
I wonder if legal action could be involved.

[Parche]

28. phelps

I never condone violence, but he is one of the people that I might
consider it on,

[Cleita]

30. Isn't the threat of arson against the law?

At least the real thing is, isn't it? Call the fire department and then press charges against this wierdo.

[bumblebee1]

32. Man......

Fred Phelps and his merry band of morons wouldn't know a real Christian if one kicked him squarely in the balls. I refuse to give him the title of Reverend. He doesn't deserve that kind of respect. These people need to get a life of their own instead of worring about gays. I'm a straight woman, but, I'd kiss another woman just to piss these mfers off.

[Initech]

33. I'm surprised people pay attention to this nut.

Really, Fred Phelps makes Falwell and Robertson look like saints.

[Lex]

35. Well when he comes to town and starts harassing your town's teenagers

at their high school play, people do start paying attention.

Or, when he sends his thugs a couple of weeks later to burn crosses at your town's churches that he deems not acceptable.

I just hope we can figure out how to solidly tie his hate group to these cross burnings.

[Initech]

41. There should definately be a way.

Dont get me wrong, I'm not defending Phelps, Robertson, Falwell or any of these hate-mongerers.

But really, Phelps should be arrested for this. Either that, or the guy needs to find a hobby.

[paineinthearse]

34. Phelps' crew is heading to Massachusetts June 4-6

See post in the Massachusetts forum.

[FreedomAngel82]

46. Why do they always go where they aren't wanted?

:shrug: I wonder what it would be like if he went to NYC. That would be interesting.

[Strawman]

36. Let Phelps be the spokesperson for all homophobes

I can't help but think that when this ignorant lunatic and his inbred family roll into towns with their viciousness, they actually serve to advance the cause of tolerance toward gays. It's hard to deny the ugliness of homophobia when it's right there in front of your face spewing out pure unadulterated hate. Go ahead, vote Republican, be anti-gay and stand with this vile, disgusting, and ignorant man. I don't think your average swing voter or Soccer Mom or Security Mom or whatever the hell they're calling them nowadays is comofrtable being linked with a guy like that.

[Lex]

37. For locals: TIME & PLACES of Vigils to be held TONIGHT in response!

All are being held at or near the places of the cross-burnings:

DOWNTOWN VIGIL: 6:00 community dinner and discussion on the cross burnings and the communty's response, 7:30 pm Vigil: Meet for both at the Durham Main Library parking lot, at 300 N Rosboro, between Holloway and Liberty streets. The dinner will take place within walking distance of the library. The vigil will likely take place near the site of the cross burning, 2 blocks away at the United House of Prayer on Dillard and Holloway.

WEST DURHAM VIGIL: 8:00 pm At or near ST. Luke's Episcopal Church near Hillandale and I-85. The Church pastor and neighborhood and community groups are involved in the planning.

SOUTH DURHAM VIGIL: 8:00 pm on the sidewalk on South Roxboro Street, near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in front of the site of the cross burning. The plan at present is to have everyone gather on the sidewalk at the site of the burning on South Roxboro Street tonight at 8 pm and bring a candle "to shine some light in this moment of darkness." Churches and civic organizations are being contacted and fliers are being printed up.

[lectrobyte]

55. Thanks for passing this along.

I'm sending it to my Durham friends.

[FreedomAngel82]

38. Thank God for 9/11?!

Sick bastards!

[paineinthearse]

39. Attn: Atlantic coast states between NC and Massachusetts

If Phelps is in North Carolina now and heading to Mass June 5-6, he will be passing through YOUR communities over the next several days.

Be on the lookout; inform the investigative unit of your state police.

[Az_lefty]

47. Isn't this a form od demestic terrorism?

Where the hell is Homeland Security or the FBI??

:mad:

[Lex]

54. Yes it is. It's religious fundamentalim of the Christian variety sparking

terrorist activities.

Religious fundamentalism is dangerous regardless of whether it's the Taliban brand or the Fred Phelps brand.

[Tigress DEM]

48. Should be arrested for "inciting to riot" for his mouth's part in..

the encouragement to condem those churches and providing targets for hatred.

[Pacifist Patriot]

49. This is insane!

[sarcasmo]

50. This guy is one hateful human being. All should remember

What comes around goes around.

[mahina]

51. My son's high school put on the Laramie Project too.

They will be interested (and educated) to read of this, thanks. So sorry we suffer these hateful people, they are no kind of Christians at all.

[Bouncy Ball]

56. In a strange, backfiring sort of way, Phelps and his ilk

actually cause increased awareness of how gays are treated by people who previously didn't pay much attention to the issue. It's ironic, isn't it?

Don't get me wrong--he's an insane motherfucker who deserves everything that big karmic cosmic wheel of justice is going to dole out on his ass. But I watched a documentary on TV once (Dateline? Nightline? Can't remember) and he and his group came to an Oklahoma town to do their usual twisted un-Christian shit and before he showed up, one gay teen in particular was getting a bit of shit from the community and several people were interviewed AFTER Phelps left town and they expressed outrage at Phelps and said it helped them to understand how it must feel to be gay, to be treated like that. It caused them to examine their own behaviors and attitudes.

Still, he needs to die a slow, painful death soon.

[Nothing Without Hope]

58. KEITH OLBERMANN WILL TALK ABOUT THIS IN HIS SHOW TONIGHT

His show is broadcast live at 8 PM ET. This is from his emailed newsletter today:

Three large crosses were burned in separate spots around Durham, N.C. during a span of just over an hour, and yellow fliers with Ku Klux Klan sayings were found at one location, police said. Mayor Bill Bell said he couldn't recall a cross burning in Durham since he arrived in 1968. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7987906/

It will be only one of a number of stories covered - it is the fifth in a list of stories, but it will be mentioned. The MSNBC link in his newletter comment is to the Associated Press story:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7987906
N. Carolina Cross-Burnings Investigated
The Associated Press
Updated: 10:06 a.m. ET May 26, 2005

DURHAM, N.C. - Three large crosses were burned in separate spots around the city during a span of just over an hour, and yellow fliers with Ku Klux Klan sayings were found at one location, police said.

The cross burnings Wednesday night marked the first time in recent memory that one of the South's most notorious symbols of racial hatred has been seen in the city.

(snip)

Burning a cross without the permission of the property owner is a misdemeanor in North Carolina. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that, under the First Amendment, cross burning could be barred only when done with the intent to intimidate.

(snip)

Bell said he couldn't recall a cross burning in Durham since he arrived in 1968. He said his office had not received any correspondence suggesting someone might target the city with cross burnings.

[Nothing Without Hope]

60. It is very good that this is in the news - I believe a strong national

movement is beginning which will repudiate the agenda of the extremist RW fundies and their pets of the Bush Administraton. This is one reason why McCain has positioned himself as a GOP that is NOT beholden to them - it is going to be a much stronger political position than one like Frist's, a man who is obviously totally in the pockets of the fundies and will do ANYTHING to appease them. McCain is without honor, but he is a canny politician and he sees the trends.

The vast majority of Americans are utterly appalled by this kind of thing and sooner or later will lay responsibility for it - correctly - at the door of the Bush cartel and their enablers. KKKarl chose unwisely when he was putting together his collection of supporters - it has worked all too well for a while, but the majority of Americans are waking up to the fact that it must be openly opposed, for it has led the country into disaster with only worse in sight.

[wicket]

61. WaPo link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/26/AR2005052600272_pf.html

[Lex]

62. UPDATE. I went to one of the vigils with my SO

this evening (there were 3 in town--each at a crossburning location). There were about 150 people there at this particular one--most all with candles.

Someone donated a crepe myrtle tree and we planted in the ground, right in the burned spot. Many of us took turns digging the hole together--black, white, young, old, gay, straight . . .

Some community members spoke about being so horrified and surprised that this would happen in Durham.

My friend, whose father was instrumental in the civil rights movement locally said, "Dogs don't chase parked cars."

I think Durham has those cretins riled up precisely because we ARE tolerant and liberal and we are pushing their hateful buttons.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

63. Thanks for posting an update

Actions such as theirs often have the opposite effect from what the perpetrators intended.

Thankfully most bigots have very limited foresight. I suppose that's one of the side effects of being a small minded imbecile who's driven by hatred.

[Roland99]

64. Kick

[NMMNG]

66. Phelps is certifiable

He needs to be locked up before he infects more people and causes more harm.

[DanCa]

67. I am not a violent man

But I just want to take the jaw bone of an ass and blungeon Phelps over the head with it. Hmm theres a load of irony in that sentance isnt there. All's I know is that the god I worship loves everyone the same regardless of orientation political affilation and stance on reproductive issues. I just dont know what more I can say except I dont want to be him come the final judgment.