Counter Protest - Westboro Baptist Church Monday 2:00pm

[mikegideon]

Laser pointers

[Guest .45packer]

May God bless this fallen Hero and his family!

Why have I not seen any articles about mass protests at a funeral of one of the Westboro's own? Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing to do? Give them a taste of their own tactics. In fact circle their "church" with protests as often as possible. Make their lives as miserable as they do others!! Just LOTS of noise and distraction would be sooooo "comforting" to those that have endured their wrath. Free speech is a two way street and it's time to march down THEIR street......

[Ebow1]

I've wondered the same thing about that lot, why no one protests their funerals. From what I've heard none of the main family invovled in the WBC have died yet.

[MrDigitaL]

Here's a recent update.

Counter Protest update information

Nashville Marine Sgt. Kevin B. Balduf has died for our county. his family is in our thoughts and they need our help.

*****************

UPDATED JUNE 9TH 8:30AM: Per several sources:

The Church of the Redeemer at 920 Caldwell Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, 37204 is allowing counter protesters to use their parking lot as a staging area. (this is less than a half mile from Woodmont Hills Church.

Due to the overwhelming response it is asked that you arrive at 9:15am on Monday morning. This will help the organization of such a large group.

The Patriot Guard is an organization that is very accustom with dealing with this group and has experience in being effective against such outrageous acts of lunacy. I ask that we all take the lead from the Patriot Guard organizers and act professionally no matter how much your emotions tell you not to.

It is very sad that these steps are necessary to protect a mourning family of a brave soldier, but I want to thank you for taking a stand against this group of maladjusted people.

[daddyo]

How long before someone deals with those people?

We're all supposed to have patience and wait on God for vengeance is his.......I'll be happy when he decides to deal with these people.

I bet they'd stop this crap if someone would organize a good old school rumble..sticks, chain,s bats, and golf clubs. Remove a few teeth from the mouths that spew this filth and that end that. Having the right to protest anything and say anything is their right and I won't hear of a law that would change that because it would just open the door for MORE "laws in the best interest of.." but I wouldn't begrudge a little vigilante bludgeoning.

This would be a good plan except for the fact that they would have "someone" up on charges of assault and battery.

[Guest db99wj]

This would be a good plan except for the fact that they would have "someone" up on charges of assault and battery.

Of course they would, but it sure would be entertaining. Sure wish a good old fashion'd arse whooping was considered "free speech"!

Anyway, reality is, they have the right and thankfully the Patriot Guard and others have exercised their rights to block these asshats, and seem to be quite effective.

[Caster]

This would be a good plan except for the fact that they would have "someone" up on charges of assault and battery.

Can't have a trial without a witness.

It's what they want though. The publicity of a trial.

All I can say is, it's a matter of time before they cross the wrong one. It'll likely be some Marine whose lost his best friend and he will walk the area many times before he makes the spirit of "Gunney White Feather" proud....ohh say 800 yards to be modest.

[mikegideon]

This would be a good plan except for the fact that they would have "someone" up on charges of assault and battery.

That's their SOP. They'll never "find" the guy that did the thumping in Mississippi. I'm thinking it's a lack of enthusiasm on law enforcement's part :-)

[Curiousgb]

One of the problems with these wackadoodles is they are all lawyers and they are begging for a reason to sue. I am truly amazed that someone or group of someone's has not offed them.

[Alleycat72]

Jury nullification. It’s a wonderful thing.

[eapking]

I wonder what obtuse little verse from the Bible they have hijacked to give credence to their evil? No better than the Taliban. Religious extremism is very dangerous.

[Farman]

Here's a link to a cool story of some guys from Colorado.

Charley Barnes and Motorcycle Buddies Go Behind Enemy Lines at Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas - K99

[vontar]

Jury nullification. It’s a wonderful thing.

I fully understand that word, however one might best not use that option, sit on jury and vote not guilty if WB had a civil suit for money against someone IMHO. Keep in mind, I am not a lawyer.

[Defender]

What has happened with this? How did it turn out? A co worker today told me that some Westboro protesters were arrested, but the evening news I watched didnt mention that...all they said was that a LOT of people showed up, lol. Anyone know for sure the details?

[Worriedman]

Hundreds attend memorial for fallen Nashville Marine - WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather and Sports |

Police escorted the Westboro members away from the funeral. No confrontations disrupted the cerimonies.

[Defender]

Hundreds attend memorial for fallen Nashville Marine - WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather and Sports |

Police escorted the Westboro members away from the funeral. No confrontations disrupted the cerimonies.

I guess my coworker must have gotten the "arrests of the Westboro clan" from the mention that they were led away or escorted away by the police...

[BigPoppa]

What has happened with this? How did it turn out? A co worker today told me that some Westboro protesters were arrested, but the evening news I watched didnt mention that...all they said was that a LOT of people showed up, lol. Anyone know for sure the details?

I was there. I haven't heard of an official estimate, but I'd say 1500-2000 people. Sgt. Balduf's family members were circulating through the crowd shaking hands and giving out hugs. Clearly, they were moved and appreciative by the show of support.

I don't think the WBC crew (6 or so) were arrested, but they were swiftly moved out of the area by Metro Police as soon as their assembly permit expired.

[Guest bkelm18]

Kenneth Johnson said, "Everybody that is young, that's serving today, has earned that right to have people stand up for them."

That about about sums it up right there.

[Guest brandon_pitt]

I'd like to personally thank everyone that showed up. Semper Fi

[Guest ArmyVeteran37214]

Organizers Hope To Block Protest By Church - Nashville News Story - WSMV Nashville

Westboro Baptist protesters have tires slashed, leave funeral site after 10 minutes | The Tennessean | tennessean.com

Edited June 14, 2011 by StreetWK05

[Ebow1]

I was honored to be there and to watch those nutjobs run back to Kansas with their tails between their legs.

[bluedog]

According tithe Tennessean they were only there 10 mins. Love the pics of his grandma circulating through the crowd. Thanks to those who were there. Looks like you did a great job!

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110613/NEWS01/110613024/Westboro-Baptist-protesters-tires-slashed-leave-funeral-site-after-10-minutes-?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

[Oh Shoot]

Why do those nuts go to other states to do their thing? Aren't there enough military funerals in Kansas?

Or they just can't get away with there?

- OS

[bluedog]

Piss off more people and get more attention this way I guess. Can't imagine any other reason for them doing it.

[Guest WyattEarp]

This would be one occassion, I'd actually support some gangbangers doing a drive by and ridding the Earth of these pieces of trash. Be more fitting if it was captured on live tv too while the whole nation watched. I'm sure there'd be about as much celebration of their deaths as there was Osama Bin Laden's. Where's some good old fashioned gangbangers when you need 'em?

Piss off more people and get more attention this way I guess. Can't imagine any other reason for them doing it.

money. here's an interesting read on Phelps and why they do what they do

Fred Phelps is a Con Man

Fred Phelps does not believe what he is doing. This is a scam.

It's a business. They travel the country, set up websites telling you exactly when they'll be there, and using the most inflammatory statements all over the place, just to get someone to violate their rights for profit. Then they sue the military, the police force that was to protect them, and everyone that is around them for money. This is a sham, and it is a trap to get people sued. Every member of his family is an attorney. Phelps does not break the law. What he does is try to make you break the law by trying to punch your sensibilities about everything you hold dear, and then sue you and everyone municipality around him to the max.

This is a scam.

Whether he believes his posters or not is irrelevant.

He's using this as a moneymaking scheme.

Lay one finger on him, do one thing that violates him, and he will sue you, and more importantly, the city, the police department, the US Military, and any private property owner he happens to be standing on to make money off of it.

Let's look at the ways he's trying to get you up in a tizzy to violate his civil rights for profit:

• He says God Hates Fags, God hates the US Govt., that God hates the US Military, God Hates you, and God justifies the killing of others.
  Phelps knows that saying 'God' and 'Hate' in the same sentence gets people worked up. He knows that. He knows that people have a knee jerk reaction to that.
  
• He says that the US Govt. and the United States are evil.
  This is another hot button with people who love their country. It is intentional. It is designed to make you take a swing at him. He wants $50,000 from you. He wants a Powerball winner to swing at him so he gets 100 million dollars. It's that simple.
  
• He goes after homosexuals, he goes after people who are making sacrifices. Phelps intentionally targets people that are being victimized, or good people doing their jobs to create more outrage. He kicks people when they're down. He does that so someone will come up and defend them. Then he will sue you.
  
• His boards are laminated on hardwood, because he pulls them out of trucks at least five times a week. He also puts them in bright colors for attention, and makes absolutely sure that you can read them at all time. He's phishing you. Everyone must know that.
  

The most telling tale about all of Phelp's behavior is the schedule he keeps, and the company he keeps as well. The parties sometimes split up and go to two separate state funerals to maximize the profitability of them. There are, at maximum, twelve members to the party. They never stay more than thirty minutes (I assume they realize that someone will do something to them the MOMENT they come out of the vans, and really, after that, they get their camera shots to cause the outrage for the next stop, and then they move on) to maximize their profits, because time is money, and really, they're not interested in the message, because they're just interested in the lawsuit.

See? They don't believe this stuff. If they did, they wouldn't have come to Coretta Scott King's funeral. Because in their doctrine, they don't believe that G-d hates black people who tried to promote Christianity. So why were they there? They were there to make a buck when someone slipped up. They were there to petition the police department for a right to protest, and if they didn't get it, take them to court over it.

Basically, Phelps is playing the Ken Lay, Karl Rove, "Smartest Man in the Room" game where he is willing to do anything (if it be lying or stealing, or telling you God hates you) to make himself rich and powerful. This is his scheme, and admittedly, it's clever, but just downright evil to promote so much hatred in the world.

Tell all your friends about this.

This man is a con artist, and he's not a man of religion whatsoever.

After all, he makes everyone around him a lawyer.

That should tell you right now he is not anything.

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

How do I know that Fred Phelps is suing people? I can tell you I just have too much experience around him. I am a journalist in Nashville, TN, and work at a television station that works the Ft. Campbell area. As a television photographer and journalist, I have been trained in all of the rules of private property, verbal conversation, what is legal and what is not legal, etc. (what you can and cannot say, what you can get away with). Honestly, in the last few months, I have seen waaay too much of Mr. Phelps and his crew. Since the war began, I believe they think this is the moneymaking source of a lifetime.

So how am I sure? After the third run in, and not one slip, not one piece of paperwork out of line, I knew something was fishy. My newsman skepticism left me with the idea later that something was more phishy than fishy.

I will tell you where I got this truth about Phelps. I looked him in the eye. I saw that he was way too calm and collected for what he looked like in the media. I noticed that he never made personal statements against a person, which is verbal assault, and an out against a lawsuit. Also, for a religious fanatic, a group of people who pride themselves on personal attacks, he was running a protest so terribly by the books that I was impressed by it. He will not bait a person, ever. He will not make personal attacks. He will make blanket statements. He will look at a person in the crowd that he thinks is gay, walk over to his stack of signs, pull out the appropriate, well designed, easily read, laminated bright board, and hold it up and loudly proclaim that "gays are going to hell" or some such nonsense, and make eye contact, but he will never cross the line of telling that person that they're going to hell. That would be the part that would screw up the lawsuit. He just wants to get them after him, but wants to appear utterly blameless for damages.

They run too tight of a ship to slip up, and at that point, I realized that the objective of the group was not anything religious at all. Someone told me along the way that they were all turned into lawyers after he got disbarred. After that, the stench was just too intense for me. He makes money off of this. He does this so much he has everyone around him do the legal legwork so he doesn't have to pay anyone else.

The last time confirmed everything I suspected about them.

A few weeks later, I saw them again (they LOVE to come to big name funerals) and after I saw the laminated signs change for the audience, I knew EXACTLY what they were doing.

His 'crew' isn't a 'church' as you and I would know. The 'church' are more of a motley crew of family members. Some of them are six year old children that are doing what they're told. I have spoken to them, and they have a lawyers sensibility on them on how they speak to the public. They never make personal attacks. They never verbally assault anyone. For a group of people that are accusing damn near every group of people around them for going to hell, wouldn't that seem odd to you? Do you know any religious fanatics that don't make personal attacks? I don't.

They also don't stick around after the cameras roll. They have an itinerary like a semi truck driver. For them to get cleared for all of these press event protests they're doing, then they have to have someone at home doing all of the setup. For you to get the press clearances by the prescribed times? That's a lot of professional legwork. I should know, I've coordinated a newsrooms credentials when the President comes to town, and that's a lot of phone calls and faxes.

They probably file a load of civil rights violation lawsuits. If a police department looks them up and says, "we're denying your protest right," BOOYah. They just got to sue a police department for the very thing that Americans can't stand, rights violation. I am assuming that this is where they get almost all of their money.

See my previous post. Their beliefs are so riddled with inconsistency. The 'real inconsistency' is that every position that contradicts every other of their beliefs is designed to maximize the number of people that they offend. You cannot be saved to them. You are evil in their beliefs, no matter who you are, and God will punish you like the evil gays/soldiers/innocent people/people who love America/people who are black/everyone else we can think of.

Here's the proof. Who in the world makes a poster that says, "Thank God for IEDs" (Improvised Explosive Devices, aka Roadside Bombs). They are saying God is with the terrorists. Then they say God hates you. And homosexuals. Then when they see you looking patriotic with your American flag shirt, they point the sign at you and say, "Americans are going to hell for supporting this country!" and look you in the eye. NOTICE THOUGH, they never say, "You're going to hell." (That would give a judge an out to deny them their claim.)

here's a special that aired on 20/20 about these cult zealots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50r0CnKq7_k