Fred Phelps showed up a local funeral today. Bikers block them >pics

[KyndCulture]

These are the pics from this morning in Fargo, North Dakota (bout 40 miles from me) sent to me by my friend Jay... this was the funeral of 22 yr old Spc4 National Guardsman Michael Hermanson, killed by a road side bomb in Iraq 2 weeks ago. The assholes from the Westboro Baptist Church decided to show up... HOWEVER they were met by the "Patriot Guardian Riders" a biker group from Minnesota and North Dakota who surrounded the church and stood tight side by side with American flags and blocked the protest from the view of the mourning family. Bless these men and women for doing this....

This is a beautiful Lutheran church in a very quiet neighborhood with kids and playgrounds and it just sickens me this kind of hate polluted that today.

[sakabatou]

1. Phelps is anti-American

His minions are letting the flags touch the ground!

[ceile]

2. Sickos

Is that a little girl holding one of those signs?

[proud2BlibKansan]

99. Oh he has a million grandkids and they are always in his protests

I have a couple good friends from Topeka and they say that several Topeka residents have even reported this as child abuse but the state authorities refuse to go near it.

[MADem]

3. Amazing how they will herd protesters into a free speech cage for the

Monkey, but they do nothing to protect the families of the fallen...those who actually SERVED.

It stuns me.

It also amazes me that there are people that crazy in this world. I know they exist, but I just can't fathom the depths of their mental illness. The sick smiles, the small children, as they disrupt a funeral. Mind-blowing.

[thecrow]

4. God hates fags? Thank god for IEDs??

Wasn't' this a serviceman's funeral?

*WHO* are these people protesting?

[arcane1]

7. their "reasoning" is thus:

America is too gay-friendly, and it pisses God off, so God is paying us back with 9/11, IED's in Iraq, etc

it's all about gays with this bunch

[SallyMander]

9. These douchebags

think that 9/11 and the military deaths in Iraq are God's retribution against the U.S. for supporting and accomodating the homosexual lifestyle... because gays are treated so well here... and that makes so much sense anyway... :sarcasm:

[Quantess]

43. Fred Phelps and his followers

are certifiably, howling-at-the-moon insane! They're as batty as it gets. Abso-freakin-lutely NUTS!

Cute name, Sally Mander. Welcome!

[Rocknrule]

45. No, according to them

9/11 and Iraq's deaths are God's punishment for not throwing all homos in gas chambers
:mad:

[wryter2000]

49. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[Kerrytravelers]

64. This is who these sickos are.

http://www.godhatesfags.com/

This site is just unreal. Be sure you haven't eaten too soon before viewing, as you may vomit all over your keyboard (and that is so difficult to clean up.)


http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/Picket_Information.html

This is their schedule for the next month. If they're in your area, take a flag and block them from the family's view.

[proud2BlibKansan]

100. Now that is a new deal - announcing their protests ahead of time

They used to be quite secretive about their plans.

[Barking Spider]

108. They NEED to announce their protests.

From what I understand, they usually announce their presence ahead of time by flooding the target city with fliers and propoganda. That causes an uproar in the target city and more often than not, the Phelps clan starts collecting hate mail and the death threats. They collect and save all of this and present it to the local authorities in the target city as PROOF that they need protection. Their right to protest is guaranteed by the 1st Amendment afterall, and the police cant sit around while someone's life has been threatened. The local law enforcemnet then HAS to work for the Phelps, to protect them in light of the death threats. So if anyone in the Phelps clan is hurt or the protest is disrupted, the Phelps clan will sue the shit out of the local law enforcement for not providing due protection. The Phelps clan are ALL lawyers. Diabolical.

What would be best is if noone were to respond to the Phelps or show up for a counter protest. THen it would be just a bunch of assholes standing on the corner. The Police wouldn't need to be there to shut down the street, and then some terminally ill guy could pull a Jack Ruby, do the world a big favor, and plow his pickup truck right through the middle of their group.

[proud2BlibKansan]

110. I found out recently that there is only ONE lawyer in the family

who has not yet been disbarred. That's why the called the ACLU here in KC for help.

We have been ignoring them here for years. The local media NEVER covers their protests. And the result is that they went nationwide with their protests. They still protest in Topeka and they were here in KC last weekend for the Gay Pride festival. But they get zero press coverage here. We just see them all over the national media. :cry:

[Pachamama]

129. Thanks for the warning! I looked at their site and their "beliefs"...

Whoa...these are some really really sick puppies....Maybe Fred Phelps fathered Ann Coulter?

What unbelievable hatred and un-christian, ugliness....They have signs like "Thank God for Dead US Soldiers" "Thank God for IED's" "Thank God for 9/11"

Scary and sad that there is such hate and ugliness in the world....

Wow...I'm so sickened and in disbelief....

[AspenRose]

5. "God Hates Fag Enablers"

:eyes:

Good for the bikers.

[CottonBear]

13. Phelps has a new sign: 'Biker Cowards' He & his clan are insane.

I'd like to see Phelps try and wave that sign at some Hells Angels or another such biker club.

[KyndCulture]

17. Yeah the bikers here are pretty sedate...

I think they need to bring that sign out more often... say in North Carolina or Georgia?

[CottonBear]

28. I'm in GA and the Patriot Guard group protected a funeral from Phelps

her in my town last week. They are non-violent and non-partisan. That said, there are plently of biker groups who would not take kindly to Phelps Biker Cowrd signs. The Hells Angels would kick his ass.

[KyndCulture]

30. Hate to say it but...

but somebody should.

[butterfly77]

115. I'll say it ..

KICK THEIR SILLY ASSES TO HELL!!!

[bunkerbuster1]

126. Was that last sunday?

We saw a HUGE procession of bikes on Sunday morning, on route 400, they were headed north and what was odd was

1) they had a police escort, to the point of closing off an entrance temporarily so the bikes could stay together, and

2) there were all kinds of bikes, all brands, from scooters to cruisers to tourers to sportbikes. You never see them all riding together.

(I'll PM this as well, but figured someone else might know somethin'.)

[CottonBear]

132. The funeral I spoke of was in Athens, GA.

GA 400 leads to North GA (Dahlonega) and not to Athens. I would imagine that Atlanta area bikers would have come over on GA 316 East to Athens from Atlanta. NE GA bikers would come down US 441 to Athens. Maybe there was another funeral in GA that weekend.

[bunkerbuster1]

133. Dunno. We asked around...

There was a big rally in Helen that Sunday, and some of the bikers at my church seemed to think there was a charitable event going on behind it.

[YOY]

92. Part of Phelps strategy (I'm pretty sure) is to get physically attacked

He and a good part of his family/congregation are lawyers. They surely are looking to

1. make a few bucks from any physical attacks.
2. look like they are being persecuted for their beliefs
3. gain publicity from any such attacks.

[MamaBear]

101. Or "martyred"

The religiously insane always have a hankering for that.

[YOY]

106. Can you say 'Zarqawi'?

I knew you could! :evilgrin:

[proud2BlibKansan]

104. Oh he will

See the cops in that picture? Thery seem to come to all of the Phelps clan's protests these days.

[Burma Jones]

6. My Alma Mater, Knox College, had some students that attended

an Iraqi Vet's funeral that was picketed by this piece of garbage's minions. They positioned themselves between the human sewage and the bereaved family.

We just need to make sure that when Phelps is identified in the media, he's identified as the Fundamentalist Right Winger that he is...

[AllNamesHaveBeenUsed]

86. Careful...

Phelps ran as a Democrat. He is registered as a Democrat. He was a Gore supporter. If you want to be accurate, Phelps is neither a right or left winger. He is a piece of human waste. God hates Phelps and Phelps enablers!

[robbedvoter]

94. "Gore supporter?" smells like "C-Span Lifetime Democrat" to me.

Next time you'll tell me he is an environmental activist. How did you come by that intriguing kernel of infrmation? Any link to support it?
And how is this in line with Fox News saying Coulter is a moron "because Conservatives care about facts"
Is today "distancing" day?

[proud2BlibKansan]

120. Here you go

Phelps is definitely a registered Dem.

http://www.rslevinson.com/gaylesissues/features/collect/phelps/bl_phelpsmain.htm

There also pictures of him and Al Gore and Bill Clinton. Phelps was important enough in the Dem party to get invited to the 1992 Pres inauguration.

[Mike Daniels]

121. He supported Gore and held fundraisers - Invited to inaugural ball

From Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Phelps

Political affiliations
In the 1980s prior to Phelps protesting at funerals,<17> the Phelps family were supporters of then-senator Al Gore's Presidential aspirations. The basement of Fred Phelps Jr.'s law office supposedly acted as Gore's Kansas campaign office, and the Phelps hosted a fundraiser. Numerous photos exist on the Internet of Fred Phelps Jr. and his second wife, Betty Phelps-Schurle, posing with Al and Tipper Gore. Phelps Jr. also served as a Gore delegate on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta in 1988. <21>

During Bill Clinton's presidential campaign, Fred Phelps Jr. and members of Westboro campaigned for Gore, though simultaneously attacking Hillary Clinton. In January 1993, Fred Phelps Jr. and Betty Phelps-Schurle were invited to the inaugural ball in Washington, D.C.<22>

In the ensuing years leading up to Clinton's second presidential campaign, Gore and Clinton took stances increasingly in favor of gay rights. Consequently, Westboro turned against Gore, who nevertheless invited Fred Phelps, Marge, Fred Jr., and Betty back for the 1997 inauguration; they responded by bringing the entire Westboro congregation to the White House and picketing on the front lawn during the ball, <23> with signs proclaiming that Gore, Clinton, and both men's families were going to Hell, not necessarily for their stances on homosexuality, but because they had "betrayed" Westboro. <24>

In 1998, Westboro picketed the funeral of Gore's father, screaming vulgarities at Gore and telling him "your dad's in Hell." <24>

Westboro signs with politican messages have read:

AL GORE FAMILY VALUES (with a cartoon of two men having anal sex) <25>
GO HOME (with a cartoon of Bill Clinton)
BABY KILLER (with a cartoon of Hillary Clinton)
BABY KILLER (with a cartoon of Bill Clinton)
FAG GORE
Phelps has failed in numerous Democratic primary elections for governor of the overwhelmingly Republican state of Kansas, in 1990, 1994, and the last time in 1998, when he came in second with 15,000 votes out of a total of over 103,000 votes cast, or 15%.<26>

In the aftermath of the election, in an incident that would be repeated years later when Phelps circulated a fuzzy petition to outlaw homosexual work protection, many of the Kansas Democrats who had cast votes for Phelps came forward to express their distaste for him. They claimed that Phelps had lied about his intentions to numerous constituents, using double-talk and fuzzy language to confuse them; neglected to mention his stances on race, religion, and homosexuality, and campaigned mainly on the platform of a "good ol' boy" Southern gentleman and retired lawyer unfairly prosecuted by the system. <27>

More recently, Phelps was the subject of nationwide controversy when his family proposed, in a referendum, the removal of workplace protection for homosexuals in Topeka. The measure was defeated, fifty three percent to forty seven percent. Also in 2005, Phelps' granddaughter Jael was an unsuccessful candidate for Topeka's City Council; Jael was seeking to replace Tiffany Muller, the first openly gay member of the Topeka City Council.

Phelps has repeatedly championed Fidel Castro for Castro's stance against homosexuality; in 1998 Harper's magazine published a letter Phelps sent to Castro in which he praised Castro and lambasted the U.S. In 2004, when a pro-homosexual Cuban refugee announced plans to travel to Cuba, Phelps sent another letter to Castro "warning" him of the man's plans and requesting travel visas for a group of WBC congregants so that they could follow the refugee around Havana with signs bearing anti-U.S. and anti-homosexual slogans. Castro also ignored that appeal.

In 2003, before the fall of Saddam Hussein during the Iraq War, Phelps wrote Hussein a letter praising his regime for being, in his opinion, "the only Muslim state that allows the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to be freely and openly preached on the streets." Furthermore, he stated that he would like to send a delegation to Baghdad to "preach the Gospel" for one week. Hussein granted permission, and a group of WBC congregants traveled to Iraq to protest against the U.S. The parishioners stood on the streets of Baghdad and heavily patronized Baghdad establishments holding signs reading what they always read.

Phelps mourned the fall of Hussein's regime and has consistently criticized the invasion of Iraq, citing, "IRAQ+USA=SODOM." He also keeps a toll on his webpage celebrating the death of every American soldier killed and pronounces loyalty to Iraq.

[AllNamesHaveBeenUsed]

150. Don't shoot the messenger...

While others have already granted your request (supportive and otherwise interesting information):

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?sid=184
1978
In one of several civil rights cases filed by Phelps, an area school district pays almost $9,000 to Evelyn Rene Johnson (and over $10,000 in legal fees to Phelps) to settle a discrimination case.

Another Phelps case results in a settlement for blacks who were illegally searched by police at a party.

In 1986 and 1987, Phelps will receive three awards for his civil rights cases, including one bestowed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.


1984
Phelps sues President Ronald Reagan for sending an ambassador to the Vatican, alleging violations of the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion.


1988
Phelps provides rooms for Democrat Al Gore's presidential campaign workers. Though the Phelps-Gore connection will grow increasingly distant, Phelps' oldest son, Fred Jr., is invited to the first Clinton-Gore inauguration in 1993.

By 1998, Gore will be seen as such an enemy by WBC that its members picket the funeral of Gore's father.


1990
Phelps, undertaking a run for governor of Kansas, begins disseminating flyers attacking his gubernatorial competitors and other state politicians in unusually personal terms. He loses the Democratic primary, but garners 11,634 votes, 6.7% of the total.


1992
Running for the U.S. Senate, Phelps gets a remarkable 30.8% of the ballots cast in the Democratic primary even as he terms his opponent a "bull dike" .


http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=3424
Democrat bolts party after creation of LGBT caucus

The formation of a Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender caucus as part of the Kansas Democratic Party created a backlash amidst two party members. One party member switched her party affiliation to Republican over the formation of the caucus. Meanwhile, one of the state’s most notorious anti-gay critics, himself a registered Democrat, used the announcement to position himself as a candidate for governor.

“I’m very concerned that the leaders of the Democratic Party have embraced a radical group’s agenda,” Shawnee County Treasurer Rita Cline, who switched her party affiliation in protest, said. “I will not be a part of any organization that promotes and condones the breaking not only of Kansas law, but also God’s law.”

Anti-gay critic the Rev. Fred Phelps said the formation of the caucus “virtually guarantees my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2002.”

[BR_Parkway]

96. Phelps IS one of those "pro-family KKKristians" like Dobson,

Falwell, AFA, Concerned Women and the rest of the Hate Gay Industry.

I don't give a shit what he's registered as (I still have my Repug registration - lets me vote in their primaries here)

He is the same as those gay hating Pharisees - just a little less polish and political manuvering.

[myrna minx]

97. Do you have a link to support your assertion that

Phelps was a Gore supporter? I find that difficult to believe...

Welcome to DU.

[Barking Spider]

112. Questionable source, I know...

But the pictures don't lie. The basic facts are true: Gore and Phelps did have a political relationship in the '80s. They have since distanced themselves from each other.

http://www.logcabinwa.com/archive/200010251159.shtml

Also read through (look for Political Affiliations):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Phelps

[myrna minx]

114. Through the links provided,

"Phelps being an Al Gore supporter" is a bit deceptive...per wiki...

"In 1998, Westboro picketed the funeral of Gore's father, screaming vulgarities at Gore and telling him "your dad's in Hell." <24>

Westboro signs with politican messages have read:

AL GORE FAMILY VALUES (with a cartoon of two men having anal sex) <25>
GO HOME (with a cartoon of Bill Clinton)
BABY KILLER (with a cartoon of Hillary Clinton)
BABY KILLER (with a cartoon of Bill Clinton)
FAG GORE
Phelps has failed in numerous Democratic primary elections for governor of the overwhelmingly Republican state of Kansas, in 1990, 1994, and the last time in 1998, when he came in second with 15,000 votes out of a total of over 103,000 votes cast, or 15%.<26>

In the aftermath of the election, in an incident that would be repeated years later when Phelps circulated a fuzzy petition to outlaw homosexual work protection, many of the Kansas Democrats who had cast votes for Phelps came forward to express their distaste for him. They claimed that Phelps had lied about his intentions to numerous constituents, using double-talk and fuzzy language to confuse them; neglected to mention his stances on race, religion, and homosexuality, and campaigned mainly on the platform of a "good ol' boy" Southern gentleman and retired lawyer unfairly prosecuted by the system. <27>"

On edit---thanks for the response. Welcome to DU. :hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

125. Read the ENTIRE Wikipedia entry, especially the part above what

you posted. It details his involvement with Al Gore.

He was definitely a Gore supporter. He was very active in the KS Dem party for years. We Kansans can attest to that.

[myrna minx]

130. OK. I read the entire wiki post.

Phelps is an even bigger freak that I have ever known. I do understand that Phelps was a Gore supporter in the past, but he obviously isn;t now. Why on earth would Gore accept his support?

[proud2BlibKansan]

131. He probably didn't realize what a sick fuck he is

Phelps didn't really go all out with his protests until after he was part of the Gore campaign. He was definitely not a household name back then, not even here in Kansas.

Here is a thread I just started on Rev Fred. More links >

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1382460&mesg_id=1382460

[myrna minx]

139. Thanks. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

123. Here is a whole book about Phelps

http://www.rslevinson.com/gaylesissues/features/collect/phelps/bl_phelpsmain.htm

And from Wikipedia

Political affiliations

In the 1980s prior to Phelps protesting at funerals,<17> the Phelps family were supporters of then-senator Al Gore's Presidential aspirations. The basement of Fred Phelps Jr.'s law office supposedly acted as Gore's Kansas campaign office, and the Phelps hosted a fundraiser. Numerous photos exist on the Internet of Fred Phelps Jr. and his second wife, Betty Phelps-Schurle, posing with Al and Tipper Gore. Phelps Jr. also served as a Gore delegate on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta in 1988. <21>

During Bill Clinton's presidential campaign, Fred Phelps Jr. and members of Westboro campaigned for Gore, though simultaneously attacking Hillary Clinton. In January 1993, Fred Phelps Jr. and Betty Phelps-Schurle were invited to the inaugural ball in Washington, D.C.<22>

In the ensuing years leading up to Clinton's second presidential campaign, Gore and Clinton took stances increasingly in favor of gay rights. Consequently, Westboro turned against Gore, who nevertheless invited Fred Phelps, Marge, Fred Jr., and Betty back for the 1997 inauguration; they responded by bringing the entire Westboro congregation to the White House and picketing on the front lawn during the ball, <23> with signs proclaiming that Gore, Clinton, and both men's families were going to Hell, not necessarily for their stances on homosexuality, but because they had "betrayed" Westboro. <24>

<skip>

Phelps has failed in numerous Democratic primary elections for governor of the overwhelmingly Republican state of Kansas, in 1990, 1994, and the last time in 1998, when he came in second with 15,000 votes out of a total of over 103,000 votes cast, or 15%.<26>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rev._Fred_Phelps#Political_affiliations

[AllNamesHaveBeenUsed]

151. See above...

Again, I don't think his party affiliation is important. Even though he may vote as I/we do, the man is a monster - regardless of party.

[Ganja Ninja]

144. I think Fred knows what kind of political poison he is.

The man knows he's universally hated. Being seen with him is the kiss of death for any politician. He probably hangs out with the Democrats to sabotage their campaigns by his very presence. Besides what could he possibly have in common with any Democratic candidate?

[CottonBear]

8. The Phelps terror gang showed up in my town last week to picket a funeral.

They protested at the funeral of an African-American solider at a historic black church in a historic, black, intown neighborhood here in Athens, GA. The Patriot Riders came and protected the family and friends as best they could from the horror of the Phelps.

I know that the Phelps have free speech rights but they are such awful, awful people. If there is a god that punishes evil people, then they are the ones who will burn in hell. :grr:
I can only hope that many conservatives will turn away from gay bashing because of encounters with the Phelps.

[Book Lover]

10. Thank you riders!

The Patriot Guardian Riders are my heroes.

[Hoping4Change]

11. Why doesn't someone start a "GOD HATES HATERS" counter

demonstration?:think:

[buff2]

12. That is a wonderful thing those people are doing

Blocking the rightwingnut hate mongers from that funeral is great.It breaks my heart to see this kind of disrespect shown for our soldiers and their families. What a sad and pathetic country this has turned into. How can ANYONE be so cruel? RIP Spc4 National Guardsman Michael Hermanson.:patriot: :cry:

[ComerPerro]

65. I woulnd't even give those bikers the time of day if I saw them

they are not great heroes, they are not brave, they aren't doing a great thing.

They are simply pretending to take a stand so they can feel good about themselves. Why? Because its easy!

You would have to look long and hard to find Americans who agree with Phelps' stance on fallen soldiers. Especially now, with all the "rah rah support the troops" crap being pushed everywhere by everyone.

So the stance of the bikers couldn't possibly be an easier position to take.


What I want to know is, where were these "heroes" when Phelps was picketing the funerals of hate crime victims, and harrassing the families?

EDIT: posted by someone who loathed and hated AND DISRUPTED Phelps before it was cool...

[KyndCulture]

67. You are nuts.

At least they are doing SOMETHING and I can tell you those bikers in these pictures are dems and liberals, not some rah rah support the troops horseshit.

Get over yourself.

[ComerPerro]

69. You don't know that for sure. I've heard interviews with those bikers

and many of them, if they weren't in opposition to Phelps for his picketing of military funerals, would be standing right alongside him at a protest of the funeral of a homosexual...

[KyndCulture]

70. Wanna bet?

I do know that for a fact. I know about 25 members of that club that was there. This is my town these pics came from a friend of mine.

[ComerPerro]

72. Were they standing up to him before?

I doubt it

[Maru Kitteh]

75. What a load of horseshit.

Somebody doing a good thing who didn't do it quite fast enough for YOUR PERSONAL satisfaction, does not nullify the fact that what they are doing is in fact a good thing. You may find it upsetting that your personal certification is not required but you'll just have to learn to live with that.

[ComerPerro]

77. As soon as Phelps backs off funerals, watch these brave bikers vanish

Building a monument to Matthew Shepard's entrance into hell? Hey, that's fine, we don't like gays either!

Harassing the family of a gay teenager who was brutally murdered by a bunch of kids in his high school, or a gay teen who took his own live after years of confusion and harassment and rejection? Not their problem, he was just a fag. No one cares.

Blocking traffic and creating a crowd on a college campus because they believe the University, for admitting homosexuals, is godless and should be punished? I take offense to that, but only because they are in my way...

[Maiden England]

142. They go to all military funerals - not just the ones protested by Phelps

At least have the respect to do some research before sprouting off anything as fact and yes, we are not there to protect gay rights. We are there to show support to a grieving military family, who has lost a loved one in the war. That is our purpose. We are not there to make some kind of quasi political event out of the death of a soldier. We are there to STOP that very thing from being witnessed by the family. Deal with it.

[Occulus]

102. Wait a moment.

Let me reframe the question in less offensive terms:

Has this group ever, to your knowledge, protected the funeral(s) of persons known to be gay, instead of being servicemen/women?

I don't recall news of this group of bikers prior to the Phelps' ploy of protesting military funerals. I very well may be wrong, and if I am, please, provide a link.

[proud2BlibKansan]

118. No you are right

[proud2BlibKansan]

116. No this isn't about personal satisfaction

It is about watching this sick fucking family for YEARS and NO ONE coming forward to say how wrong they are. You all here on DU are just now becoming aware of Phelps. We here in Kansas have been nauseated by him for a LONG TIME now. Comer and I and MuseRider and Mabus and a ton of other Kansans can tell you a lot about Fred Phelps. And you don't even know how outraged we are by his sick protests. You have no idea what we have tried to do to stop him. But I am SURE it is far more than any other DUers have done. Comer has every right to be outraged. I am too.

[proud2BlibKansan]

117. Were they at Matthew Shepard's funeral?

[proud2BlibKansan]

113. No you get over YOURSELF!

Comer and I live in Phelps country. We have watched these sick bastards for well over a decade and NO ONE has come forward as an organized group to counter protest against them until now.

The fact that soldiers deaths are somehow more important and worthy of defending is twisted. Comer is right. Where were these bikers when Phelps disrupted gay funerals?

[Maiden England]

145. Good. Grief. People

Yes its a sad fact that when Phelps disrupts a military funeral that gets more press coverage. That the biker community has always had strong ties to the military. That they would be the ones to stand up to Phelps at this point in time. That's where this country is today. Thats just a fact you have to deal with. Nobody has ever stopped anyone from organizing a group to protect people from the ugliness of Phelps' free speech. Yes it would have been more than appropriate, and yes you are probably right when you think it wouldn't have had the same turnout as the PGR has to the military funerals. Especially in the states where there is a lot of bigotry toward anything gay.
But to denounce the PGR just because they didn't exist is just pathetic. Its a start in getting populist support against Phelps. Its a start in being able to denounce such bigotry against gays. Its a foothold into the mind of the average American, to show them what Phelps is up to. Seeing such hatred can often spark a conciliatory understanding and compassion for the subject of that hatred. Take it for what it is, work with it and use it. But don't be so ignorant as to try and work against it, when it could help bring your cause to public attention.

[proud2BlibKansan]

146. As soon as those bikers show up at a gay funeral I will issue an apology

[DoveTurnedHawk]

149. Wild Applause

I simply do not understand the vitriol directed at the riders. Doing good is doing good, even if it might have been later than some might have preferred.

DTH

[proud2BlibKansan]

111. Hey I am with you on that Comer!

Not a real popular position but I hear you 100%. I like the idea of the bikers drowning out the Phelps clan by revving their engines, but they sure didn't seem to care when the Phelps idiots were protesting only gay funerals.

Did you see my other post in this thread telling that Phelps has asked the ACLU to fight the new anti-protest law in MO? Turns out that now only one lawyer in the clan has not yet been disbarred so they need the ACLU.

[Dr.Phool]

14. Better they should be visited by Hells Angels

On a national run, with a lot of tequila.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

15. THE ANTI-GAY AGENDA...

Why hasn't anyone yet made the observation that Bill Fist, Rick Santorum, and all of the rest of the ''Sanctity of Marriage'' crowd are all on the same page as this nut, Phelps.

It's all just a matter of degree.

[me b zola]

57. Yeppers. I agree

Phelps wouldn't exist w/o the nuts in Congress who give voice to homophobia.

The hatred of the Phelps clan should be the rebutal to homophobes who use the ridiculous slippery-slope talking point when spewing their garbage. The REAL slippery-slope, it should be counter argued, is that Phelps IS THE RESULT of intolerence & bigotry that is touted from the halls of Congress.

~or~

It could be argued that elected officials whom pander to religious extremists are the "gateway drug" to more dangerous religious extremists. :D

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. Fred is skating on thin ice. Better keep Pat Robertson's # on speed dial

Fred may be needing some prayers if he keeps his stupid shit up.

[malaise]

18. Who pays for him to travel?

Look at that stupid child with the thank god for 9/11 sign -one more brainwashed evil moran adult coming up.

[KyndCulture]

21. his lawsuits

from what I understand, he's sue happy

[malaise]

27. I see

what a sicko. Wish he'd tangled with those bikers. Might have been his last protest.

[mark11727]

34. So sue 'im back....

...class action suit from all 2500+ Families of the Fallen vs. Westboro Bullshit Church of a Vengeful Gawd --- deliver unto that hateful asshole a mighty smack-down, now and forever, amen.

:evilgrin:

[Robb]

19. "Bikers = cowards" sign clear indication

...they're there to provoke. Kudos to the Patriot organizers who had everyone under control. Bikers aside, ANY group needs to be disciplined enough not to take a swing at these assholes.

Which is clearly what they want. Sorta like a buddy of mine who had a t-shirt back in the day, read "Hey fascist, ever use that gun?"

:patriot:

[BlackVelvet04]

20. These supposed Christians make me ill......

they give Christians a bad name and I resent it.

[Xenotime]

25. what makes them any different than any other?

[BlackVelvet04]

33. Some of us have some sense. n/t

[KFC]

38. They are not Christians

I don't carewhat they call themselves

[KyndCulture]

39. exactly!!

[smitty]

22. Fred Phelps is protected by the First Amendment but

so are the bikers. The actions of the bikers were a spontaneous response to Phelps and his lunatic hatemongers.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

23. I Think That Was An Awesome Idea And Good For Them!

Those are great pics, thanks. It's a shame they have to even go to those lengths though, cause of those friggin wackos.

[opihimoimoi]

24. Poor Fred..misguided and misled...they should be at the WHITE HOUSE

Doing this shit///

Why the BandAid? get the CURE...go for BUSH

He is the reason for all these deaths

[Warpy]

26. Some day I hope the police neglect to show up

and simply allow nature to take its course. I hate myself for thinking that way, but it's something that should have happened years ago.

Unless we can get rid of the GOP, we won't be able to open the books on Phelps's religious scam (which is what his church is, a tax dodge) and find out just who is funding him.

[KyndCulture]

29. As a Mom, it sickens me... for this soldiers mother...

that her goodbye to her flesh and blood had this vomit stain of hate on it....

[SeattleGirl]

31. That last picture is awesome

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[greekspeak]

32. But the 1st amendment says Freddie P can do that...but so can the bikers

This kind of spontaneous counter-protest is an American way to handle things. The laws are, I beleive, mostly well intentioned, to help those coping with loss keep hatemongers from hampering their mourning processes. I am sure that the protests also bring attention to an illegal war, and many will support the laws to keep the publicity away--must've been a consideration.

[MikeNearMcChord]

35. I think more families, like that Mr. Snyder, who lost his Marine son

in the war ought to sue Phelps.(I also include those who lost their partners to AIDS, and had their funerals picketed by this odious group, to sue this bastard also.)

[beyurslf]

36. Notice the young children standing by the street who they force to hold

the signs. You have to feel sorry for them that they will grow up in this cult of hate and never know it is wrong.

[KyndCulture]

37. that pic of the little girl...

just makes me sick.

[Generic Other]

51. Why isn't that considered child abuse or something?

Shouldn't a kid be in school? And isn't it endangerment to put her into a potetially dangerous situation? Wow.

In spite of their savagery, their hate is cartoonish. Yuck.

[proud2BlibKansan]

105. The family has been hotlined repeatedly here in Kansas

and frankly, I don't understand why they haven't been investigated.

[melnjones]

59. I think phelps has a son who completely disagrees with him...

I read that somewhere today. He's an adult though, not a child.

[proud2BlibKansan]

127. TWO sons have broken away from the family

They live in California.

[KyndCulture]

40. "God is your enemy"

that's the sign that really gets me....

[Theres-a]

63. And the smiling woman holding it.

Beyond the pale.

[grace0418]

98. Someone should stand behind her with a sign that depicts god making the

the cuckoo sign with one hand and pointing at her with the other.

I remember photos of those college students who stood among the people holding a "vigil" for Terry Schiavo and held a sign that said "These people are idiots" or something like that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

134. You mean this?

[grace0418]

152. That's the one! Thanks.

That is a truly classic way of letting the air out of a bunch of gasbags.

[Minnesota_Lib]

41. You notice that none of the adult males held up the "Biker=Cowards' sign..

...They gave it to a little girl to hold. Err, just who are the lowly cowards?

[jmowreader]

61. It's not "Biker = Cowards"

It's divided into red, white and blue thirds.

The red one contains "Biker"

The blue one contains "Cowards"

The white one contains two stick figures having gay sex with some red lines behind them.

I'd love to see some of the guys in THESE clubs turn out to help blockade Phelps in:

http://bikersmag.com/html/glbt_motorcycle_clubs.html

Just imagine: a couple of veterans' clubs, a club like the Angels, and a GLBT club. Phelps' head would explode.

[spanone]

42. Jeez, that one sign says 'thank God for 9/11' ...

These folks need some help.

[KyndCulture]

44. How sick is that???

and there are children holding those signs.

[Rocknrule]

135. And they say we're the ones who hate Murka and love terraists?

:wtf:

[eppur_se_muova]

148. Well, "God" = "Allah", so clearly she supports fundamentlaist terrorists.

Where, or where is DHS when they're really needed? They need to be renditioning this woman.

[Crabby Appleton]

46. If God hates "fags"

why did she create so many of them?

[wryter2000]

52. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[arcane1]

53. so that His followers would be able to enjoy hating them

[Qanisqineq]

47. those people are just sick, sick, sick

I have to admit, if my husband had been killed in Iraq and these idiots showed up... I'd probably scream my fucking head off at them. Someone would have to hold me back. I have a temper and I swear like a sailor normally. It would not be pretty.

I was just in Fargo a couple weeks ago (ND being my home state) and it was so pretty and green there. I miss it. :cry: I like Korea but it is too crowded.

[mogster]

48. They pollute their kids too

How sad to grow up in such an environment of extremism and hate.





http://www.godhatesfags.com/photos/thisyear.html

What's the matter with these people? :spank: Kids should not be brainwashed like this. Isn't there some kind of law against that or something?

[Qanisqineq]

50. Another sad note:

2 North Dakota soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. Hope Phelps doesn't show up at their funerals, too.

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=129228§ion=news

Two North Dakota National Guard soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Associated Press
Published Wednesday, June 07, 2006

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Two North Dakota National Guard soldiers doing military police work have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.


The soldiers were members of the Security Forces of the 188th Air Defense Artillery, which is based in Grand Forks and has a battery in Bismarck, Guard officials said. The unit was mobilized last Dec. 1, and arrived in Afghanistan on March 23, Guard spokesman Rob Keller said.


<snip>

Ten North Dakota Guard soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 2004. A total of 14 U.S. service members from North Dakota or serving with North Dakota military units have died while on duty in the two countries.


National Guard Spc. Michael Hermanson, 21, of Fargo, was killed in Iraq on May 23. Prior to that, the last death of a North Dakota Guardsman happened in November 2004, when Spc. Cody Wentz, 21, of Williston, was killed in Iraq.

[high density]

54. I don't get the purpose of these protests at funerals...

Are they saying that all of the soldiers who are dying are gay? I guess it's not making any sense to me, but that shouldn't be a surprise.

"Thank God for the IEDs" --"GOD sent the IEDS" --- HUH????

[melnjones]

62. they think

that IEDs and 9/11 are God's punishment to us for being a gay-friendly nation.

[Ilsa]

55. Are their any funerals in the Westboro Baptist Church we could go

protest? I'd love to give these self-righteous heartless bastards a taste of their own medicine. We could all carry signs saying the deceased is going to hell for being a Jesus-hating unforgiven sinner.

I wish the families and media could intentionally misprint the dates for those funerals in that region of the country. The families could have the funerals the day before to piss off the Phelps crowd. What an ugly group they are, harassing grieving families, saying they "know" the deceased "by their actions" in serving the country in the military. Maybe we should all be watching for deaths in their church and go harass them at their funerals.

[proud2BlibKansan]

128. They protest DAILY at their church in Topeka

and at several other Topeka churches.

Counter protesters are routinely harrassed by Phelps. The Phelps clan traces the tag numbers of their cars and launches a hate campaign that continues for YEARS. So not many people here in Phelps country counterprotest anymore.

[High Plains]

56. Gee, maybe we should be working on not providing Phelps the

opportunity to go to military funerals. Ya think?

I mean macho fantasizing about kicking their asses is fun (if juvenile), but it's Bush's war that is providing them constant opportunities...

[Odin2005]

58. GET OUT OF MY TOWN YOU HATEFULL FUCKS!!!!!!!!

:grr:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

60. My fantasy

is to have a bunch of people of different faiths get right beside the Phelps crowd and start chanting, singing, and praying. Wiccans could put salt around them, to enclose their dark energy. I'd chant zkr and kirtan and Native American protection songs. It would be interesting to see if they could take this since they are so interested in dishing it out. Bet they wouldn't like being out chanted and sung--and all our signs would say, "God/Goddess blesses you-may you find peace" and stuff like that.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

89. Oh, that's a great idea!!

make their hating little heads explode!

[CornField]

124. I adore your thinking

If they ever come to Iowa, I'll be happy to walk around them with a sage stick and request to expel their negative energy. I know of about 100 more pagans who'd also like to circle them and pray for the release of the goodness in their souls.

[ComerPerro]

66. Screw the bikers. I hated and stood up to Phelps before it was cool

[KyndCulture]

68. Nobody said they were trying to be cool

You have issues.

[ComerPerro]

71. They are self-promoters, and they don't impress me

Oh, wow, gasp! They stood up to Phelps on something that most of the country opposes him for.

What are these bikers going to do next? Come out and say they oppose the American Nazi party?

[KyndCulture]

73. Were you here today?

Didn't think so.

[ComerPerro]

74. Listen: I've encoutered some of these bikers. This is Phelps central

And they hate liberals and gays as much as they hate Phelps.

Maybe not all of them, but a lot of them do.

And, honestly, I don't think these people are deserving of credit for taking such a popular stance.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ComerPerro]

78. Well, congratulations. Just don't tell the others you support gay rights

might upset some of the other bikers.

[Maiden England]

141. I am extremely open in my non-bigoted-ness

I also prefer to educate others about my beliefs instead of hiding them. So far I've never upset anyone, nor had any threats, nor had anyone not want to be my friend. I am kind, compassionate and open-minded.
I learned long ago, if you project hate, you get hate back. It is also possible to be incredibly bigoted without hating 'gays' or 'blacks' or 'jews'. In fact the very definition, according to dictionary.com is

One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

This attitude being projected against the bikers could be misconstrued under that definition as a form of bigotry. So I would encourage you, instead of tarring all the motorcycle riders in the world, with the brush of what seems like a long ago personal encounter with some random person on a motorbike, try learning a little bit about their beliefs and aims and ideals at www.patriotguard.org

[Quantess]

79. But, they deserve credit

for not allowing these obnoxious lunatics to disrupt a funeral of a troop. Phelps & his crazies are disrespecting the fallen soldiers, and that ain't cool.

[ComerPerro]

80. I am so tired of everyone everywhere fawning over these bikers

[KyndCulture]

81. Well get your ass out here and do something then.

You are insulting people in my community and I am royally pissed off. Not all these bikers were from other places in the country they are from right here and this is a VERY liberal place and they don't hate gays or whatever spew you are talking about.

You are talking out of your ass and insulting people that you don't even know.

[ComerPerro]

82. Try living an an area surrounded by Bushbot bigots sometime

[KyndCulture]

83. Try being a bisexual woman in Florida...

yeah been there done that for 38 years...

Next?

[ComerPerro]

84. Well, if you come to Kansas, where we see Phelps several times a year

you might want to be careful when you see those same groups of bikers. They hate you just as much as they hate Phelps.

[RebelOne]

119. If it's South Florida, bisexuality is pretty much accepted, at least

it was when I lived there. I had a few bisexual and homosexual friends and never considered their sexual preferences as anything bad.

[proud2BlibKansan]

136. And you don't know what Comer HAS DONE

You are insulting the wrong DUer. He is most definitely NOT talking out of his ass.

[Qanisqineq]

85. you know *this* particular group of bikers?

or are you just grouping all the bikers that do this (block Phelps at funerals) into one big lump? These particular bikers are from the MN and ND area. From what I have read, correct me if I am wrong, it is NOT a group of bikers from the MN and ND area that travels all over the US to block Phelps at all funerals but several different groups. Does that mean none of these bikers are homophobic? No, but broadbrushing a group of people is just ignorant.

While I understand your point, I am tired of you lumping everyone together and assuming that they are homophobic. Were they at Matthew Shepard's funeral in WY? I'm sure none of them were. However, I had never heard of Fred Phelps or his antics until I saw the movie (The Laramie Project - ?) and I remember Shepard's story quite well as it played out in the news. And then I heard of Phelps again when he started protesting at troops' funerals. Don't assume someone is homophobic because they didn't show up in Laramie.

[ComerPerro]

87. My central point: There is nothing remarkable about opposing Phelps now

[Bridget Burke]

93. I don't think these Bikers are trying to be "cool"....

What new, hipper cause have you adopted, now that the lower classes have co-opted "your" cause?

[Maiden England]

138. At least we are doing something

that protects the families AND the first amendment rights of even low lifes like Fred Phelps. Its a highly democratic position and I think it is naive to assume that because someone rides a motorcycle they are automatically bushbots, anti-gay rights, pro-war, etc, etc.
It is a stereotype which is simply false in todays circle of bikers. Many, many of us are quite liberal minded.

To denounce an entire group based upon a stereotype is entirely the opposite of what liberals everywhere stand for.

[Maiden England]

140. Yes, you've encountered one here on the DU - ME

I am a PGR rider and I take exception to being told most of us hate liberals and gays. Its just plain untrue. Its also incredibly offensive to make such a sweeping generalization based on a false stereotype.
You should also check out the website - www.patriotguard.org
There you would learn that we bikers are not trying to "take credit" for our stance, we are simply doing something pro-active instead of sitting around griping about things on an internet forum (well even though we have a forum too, for erm sitting around and griping :spank:)

[KyndCulture]

88. Show some RESPECT for this soldier PLEASE.... and stop this crap

North Dakota National Guard Spc. Michael Hermanson, Fargo ND.

[NYdemocrat089]

90. "He sold expensive baby carriages on a layaway plan to poor, young couples

and then immediately filed lawsuits against them when they were so much as a day late."

"He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished."-Proverbs 17:5

"Phelps' sons Nate and Mark, who claim that they were among the most abused, each suffer from permanent debilitating injuries consistent with their accounts of Phelps beating them with a mattock handle. According to the boys, he woke them one Christmas Eve in the 1970s while under the influence, bent them over a bathtub, and struck them nearly 300 times with the mattock handle."

"Phelps also wrote a book in the 1980s with his son-in-law, Brent D. Roper, called The Conspiracy. In the book, Roper and Phelps claim to possess evidence that AIDS was spontaneously generated in Africa; Truman Capote contracted the disease during an orgy with African tribesmen; Capote then gave the disease to John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe by playing football with them; and that the CIA assassinated all three to prevent the spread of the disease. Phelps published and distributed the book himself; it was also sold in the back of Peter J. Peters catalogue of extremist literature, and thus became a widely circulated text among such groups as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Brotherhood, and Christian Identity."

"Thou Shall Not Lie"

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." -Matthew 7:1

What a fucking asshole. I suggest reading the wikipedia article. Shows what a jerk Phelps is (although I'm you knew that already). Some of the things in there are shocking.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Phelps#_note-addict6

[Julius Civitatus]

91. Short online film criticizes these fundamentalist wackos

"Dick Cheney's Birdshot Mountain," now playing at the Huffington Post:

http://birdshot.cf.huffingtonpost.com

It is a parody of "Brokeback Mountain," mixed with political satire. It follows the adventures of two righteous fundamentalist cowboys, Adam and Steve, as they carry their fanatic crusade to the West Village in NY, only to discover a certain "affection" for each other along the way. Don't miss the stellar appearance of a certain VP as he daydreams of applying his brand of "compassionate conservatism" to the passionate cowboys.

Enjoy!!!

[Bridget Burke]

95. That's they way to handle Phelps.

If Phelps & his minions protest on public land, their 1st Amendment Rights must be respected. (Gag, choke, puke, retch.)

But the Bikers have the same rights. And there are more of them.

[proud2BlibKansan]

103. Something else to disturb you

Last night, an attorney at our DFA meeting told us that Phelps had called the local ACLU. Missouri just passed a very restrictive anti-protest law and he is asking the ACLU to defend him. She said this is their worst nightmare, come true.

I am part of another group challenging this law. It feels downright strange to be on the same side as Phelps. yeck

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

107. He will be in Greensboro on June 13 and 14

thanks for this post.

I went to his nasty website to see the protests he has scheduled,
and Greensboro NC is on the list.

I called the Greensboro PD and confirmed that Phelps will be
picketing in G-Boro.

Do not know if there is an upcoming funeral for soldier
killed in Iraq.

I am contacting media and veterans groups.

[Barking Spider]

109. Stop playing into his hands!

He wants you and the media to show up so he can get his ugly mug on TV. STOP!!!!
Just walk away and ignore him. Stop calling everyone you know. Stop calling the media. Don't give him the attention he wants.

[Bake]

122. Phrom Phred's site: (puke alert)

St. Michael's Hall 509 W. Walnut St. This is for the funeral of Marine Cpl. Richard A. Bennett. The trumpet sounded in Girard, KS when the Lord your God took your best and dashed him to pieces, dashing his AH-1 Cobra gunship out of the sky! The Marine's have put their hand against the servants of the Living and True God whose name is jealous - so don't you dare open your mouth to attribute the glory of this event to another! GOD killed your son, Cpl. Richard A. Bennett! If you give the glory of that event to another, you will further anger your God and put more of your children in harms way! Perhaps you have noticed the beating the Marines have been taking of late! Well - listen up you dolts! You Marine Mutts made a terrible miscalculation when you raised your evil hands against the servants of your God! Your God had mercy and compassion upon this evil nation, sending his servants rising daily for over 15 years now. You would not listen to us, so in his wrath and fury, God is now killing your children - dashing them to pieces, JUST LIKE HE PROMISED HE WOULD! WHY DIDN'T YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF THE LORD YOUR GOD?? He said that if you would not obey his voice and keep his commandments that he would dash your children to pieces BEFORE YOUR EYES! We run around this nation trying to help you connect up the dots and what do the Marines do? You idiots, showing your true colors come out to our pickets and shed our blood! How stupid - how brutish!! What a dumb thing to do! We serve the God that is killing your dumb asses!! Do you think that he was kidding when he said - touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm? Now, he has twisted you up into so many knots that you will NEVER recover!! Every day - he exposes you for the brute beasts and perverts that you are!! Every day you take a beating in the press because you are a bunch of filthy, God hating, knuckle dragging Neanderthals! You don't have a clue!! As if it were not bad enough that you raised your brats to be brutes, and God hating dolts - now you add to your sins that you would mess with the peaceful, kind-hearted servants of your God! Don't you ever listen?? He said that when you mess with my people, you have messed with the Apple of My Eye! Oops - your bad!! Well boys - listen up - this is not going to get better for you! You are a fag Marine Corp and you are fighting for a fag nation and you are NEVER going to win that war! You would do better to simply lay down your weapons and surrender! America is DOOMED!

http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/Picket_Information.html

One sick mo'fo'. He should come to Mississippi and protest HERE. Yessir, c'mon down, Phreddie.

Bake

[proud2BlibKansan]

137. He's been to Mississippi

He was born and raised there. He's one of Mississippi's exports.:)

And Kansas would LOVE to send him back.

[jackstraw45]

143. Come to New York or DC with those signs...

I doubt this "moran" would be smiling then...

[Roon]

147. Just so you all know

Phelps can't have a messageboard or a chat room at his sight because of me and a couple of others. We used to go into his website and post the stories from his estranged kids on how he abused them while they were growing up. They really hated those stories being shared with their supporters, so they yanked the message board!

Just for fun, I sent an email asking why they yanked it. They told me it was for "security purposes" LOL!