Fred Phelps-0 Mississippi-1

[Archae]

:rofl:

Westboro Baptists take on Mississippi
COinMS print page
Wed Apr 20, 2011 at 10:59:47 AM EST

The folks from Westboro Baptist showed up in Brandon, Mississippi to protest at a military funeral for a local soldier killed in the line of duty. Turns out, the people of Brandon got wind of the plan to protest and did some planning of their own.
They succeeded in thwarting the protest, but the winner is yet to be determined, no doubt in a court of law. Westboro Baptist has legal representation and are not shy about using it. For Brandon, it may be a case of winning a battle but losing the war, if a large settlement is awarded to Westboro.
(The following is reposted.)

From an Ole Miss sports message board, a tidbit of information...

A couple of days before, one of them (Westboro protestors) ran his mouth at a Brandon gas station and got his arse waxed. Police were called and the beaten man could not give much of a description of who beat him. When they canvassed the station and spoke to the large crowd that had gathered around, no one seemed to remember anything about what had happened.

Rankin County handled this thing perfectly. There were many things that were put into place that most will never know about and at great expense to the county.

Most of the morons never made it out of their hotel parking lot. It seems that certain Rankin county pickup trucks were parked directly behind any car that had Kansas plates in the hotel parking lot and the drivers mysteriously disappeared until after the funeral was over. Police were called but their wrecker service was running behind and it was going to be a few hours before they could tow the trucks so the Kansas plated cars could get out.

A few made it to the funeral but were ushered away to be questioned about a crime they might have possibly been involved in. Turns out, after a few hours of questioning, that they were not involved and they were allowed to go on about their business.

http://thehayride.com/2011/04/westboro-baptist-church-goes-to-mis sissippi-and-loses/

[northoftheborder]

1. a community coming together and using their brains to protect one of their own

:) :toast:

[cleanhippie]

2. Nice!

[Botany]

3. Sweet!

"county pickup trucks were parked directly behind any car that had Kansas plates" :rofl:

Why Jim have you seen the keys to your pick up?

Well J.T., I think I might have dropped them at the diner when I was getting some eggs and grits I walk over there and check for 'em.
Gotta take my time and look real good if you know what I mean.

I can just see some big old policeman calling to those good Christians from Kansas ......
"Hey, boy why don't you all come w/ me I got some questions for you."

[blondeatlast]

27. Edit--replied to wrong post. nt

[LiberalAndProud]

4. I gotta say, if there is a lawsuit, it should be televised.

There's more entertainment potential in this story than Dancing with the Survivors, by a factor of 10.

[rfranklin]

5. Of course, if this was done to anti-war protestors we would see it differently...

wouldn't we?

[Kurovski]

20. Well DUH

But it WASN'T and it WON'T ever be, because more than four adults and a handful of straggling, confused children attend war rallies.

Their rights are very well protected. way better than mine, to be mother-fucking certain.

If the nuns taking a starter out of a Nazi's car in the Sound of Music brings waves of laughter to an audience, why not this? the tragic Phelp's clan owes us a laugh or to. So what if it's extracted, so to speak.

They are in no danger whatsofuckingever of losing their rights, so let it go for once.

The divisiveness and diversion they create is far too valuable to the powers that be, and the republican/corporate owned SCOTUS know it.

[rfranklin]

38. this is the same type of thing that was done to civil rights activists...

except that it usually ended up in murder.

[Kurovski]

40. The courts didn't fucking protect them in the south for generations.

There was institutionalized racism in this nation. Murdering blacks was allowed in the south, and so was the murder of anyone who supported their rights. Jews were murdered. it was government sanctioned terrorism. it was openly approved of in the south, and as I recall the feds had to finally step in. Your equivalence is false and shot full of shit.

The Phelps' will be just fine. They have been protected and make sacks of cash from the courts for plane fare to their little adventures in acting out their mental illness and abuse traumas on the general public. For fuck sake. enough with the drama queen pleading for a dilemma that doesn't exist for the P clan.


Great gosh amighty.

[Kurovski]

72. ...I also find the claim that a Phelps was "beaten" to be questionable

if that was the case, they would have high-tailed it to a hospital to gain documentation for another one of their happy-fun-time-fuckhead lawsuits.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

35. Yes we would and that would be correct.

Wouldn't it?

[Kurovski]

50. Yes, and Garfield would eat their lasagna and piss their pillows.

Let 'em frickin' sue over that. *Gak!*

[Javaman]

6. While I don't defend what the westboro halfwits believe...

I do support their right to say it.

Using small town "justice" to quell freedom of speech solves nothing.

These were the same type of tactics used against African Americans in the South when they wanted to vote.

So it's okay to use these tactics against someone who we deem a "nuisance"?

All this action did was further support the right wings agenda at taking away or limiting our rights, but done under the guise of "popular support".

A clever person would find something within the legal system to stop them.

Anyone that supports these types of actions against any group of people should be ashamed of themselves and shouldn't all them a Constitution supporting American.

[Botany]

8. Please

Those assholes drove hundreds of miles in order to make the family and friends
of the dead soldiers feel worse on the day of his funeral. So the good people
of Brandon Mississippi stepped up and protected their own.

And yes it did solve something .... it kept the Phelps clan from hurting people
who already are in real pain from losing a family member or friend.

I have been to a funeral of somebody who was KIA during Vietnam .... a good
friend's older brother .... the sadness and pain felt by all of us was massive and
the hurt was very real.

[Javaman]

9. Freedom of speech...

you want to start limiting who can say what and when?

have fun with that.

I will stick with the constitution.

[alphafemale]

14. Well...you seem to be wanting to limit the citizens of Brandon.

Being shouted down or having your signs blocked from view by motorcycles or people wearing angel wings so you can't harass some grieving family to your evil-hearted intent isn't a loss of constitutional rights.

There is no such right to being impeded in your attempt of free speech by someone else using their right of free speech.

It just means the government can't stop your free speech.

Newspapers and websites are also under no obligation to publish the rantings of every random nut case either. Though plenty of people claim their "free speech" is being limited there too.

Yeah, sure. You know what? They could buy a copy machine pretty cheap nowadays, then stand on the corner and hand out copies.

[Kurovski]

21. +10

[blondeatlast]

28. Well said, af! Thank you. nt

[Javaman]

46. they are also allowed freedom of assembly via the constitution.

Like I stated in my original post. I don't agree with these people, but I do believe in the constitution.

The Constitution is for everyone, not just certain people.

If we are to uphold what is left of it, we can not make define how and where it is to be used.

Once that happens, then it won't stop there.

We got bent out of shape because of the "free speech zones" during the repuke convention.

What makes this any different?

So sad how far we have fallen as a nation.

Even assholes like the westboro church are covered under the constitution.

[EC]

18. I know the Phelps family hasn't evolved very much..

but they still have feet. Their rights were still in force, they could have walked to the funeral. The ones questioned must have looked suspicious.


You're right about these methods being used against others that we would not have approved, but this was a good cause with no other remedy. The Supremes did say that the other side also had the right to free speech, I'd say these good folks spoke.


As far as free speech is concerned aren't they only guaranteed that the government can't stop you from speaking? I didn't see any government official telling them they had to leave or not allowing them to speak.

[Botany]

44. And what about the Constitutional rights of the ...

.... GLBT Americans that Phelps are working 24/7 to keep from becoming the law
of the land? You know that sticky little 14th amendment about equal protection
under the law.

This is a perfect case of working to the spirit of the law vs the letter of the law.

[Javaman]

47. The GLBT Americans have every right to protest just like

the westboro church. where did I say they couldn't?

People are misconstruing my statement as being in support of the westboro assholes.

I support the constitution. period.

Once we start defining who and when people can protest, then we all suffer. Where does it end? Do you want "free speech zones" back? I don't.

[Botany]

49. I am so glad that your world has perfect black or white ...

... distinctions. I fail to see any deep Constitutional questions in this case but if you
see this as a test case about the 1st amendment "mount 'em up and go get 'em."

[Javaman]

57. wow.

So there are gray areas of freedom of speech.

have fun with that.

:eyes:

[Raster]

53. Tell ya what... when your significant other dies and the phelps hatemongers show up to the funeral..

...to scream at you and wave their "god hates whatever" placards in your faces, let me know how that turns out. How far will you then support their "freedom of speech"?

Yes, I support the constitution. I also support a sense of decency, something the clan phelps seems to lack.

The clan phelps hiding behind "freedom of speech" is akin to wives of Goldman Sucks executives taking bank bailout money to play the credit markets. Maybe technically correct, but oh-so wrong on many other levels.

[Javaman]

58. again, I don't support them.

I never said I did. don't put words in my mouth.

I support the constitution.

If we limit freedom of speech from these assholes, where does it end? Tell me.

[alphafemale]

62. Again. They have no protection under the constitution from ME or anyone conteracting their speech.

Because my speech is just as protected as theirs.

The government can not stop them from speaking.

I or anyone am within the OUR rights of FREE SPEECH to counteract and try to confront them with any means legal.

Why are you not understanding this?

Free speech only means you're not confronted by the government and you can't be arrested.

It doesn't mean you can't be harassed and humiliated by your neighbors for stating an unpopular opinion.

[Javaman]

64. did you even read any of my posts?

Again, don't put words in my mouth.

In my original post, I stated, "A clever person would find something within the legal system to stop them."

Harass all you want if that's what gets you off. I'd like to think Dems are better than that. But I have seen plenty in this thread that proves otherwise.

You want to resort to tactics that the westboro church can use against you, go crazy, but count me out.

You know what? we done. If you must feel the unquenched desire to get in the last word, help yourself.

This ridiculous conversation is at it's end.

[Logical]

15. So freedom of speech only applies if YOU like the speech? Wow! n-t

[madmom]

26. No one stopped them from speaking, they can walk or speak in the hotel parking lot. But they can

still speak to their hearts content!

[alphafemale]

37. It gives me chuckles to no end when someone asserts that "Freedom of Speech"

...means that they can say whatever they want...whenever they want and that no one can also use their "Freedom of Speech" to counteract them.

And how about this?

"Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Read more: http://quotationsbook.com/quote/8293/#ixzz1K5qJFaVv
on Quotations Book

[Javaman]

48. It cracks me up to no end when people don't understand what is actually going on...

1) I don't support the westboro church

2) I support the constitution.

3) Of course freedom of speech don't cover anything I want to say, however, a sane person also knows not to yell fire in a theater.

4) If you have done any reading on the tactics of the westboro church, you will know full well they are heavily lawyered.

5) There permits to protest could easily be denied, but usually aren't because a) they protest on public land. b) don't interfere with right of way

As I stated in my original post, instead of denying them their rights, we should beat them at their own game, by using the legal route.

[Logical]

52. It cracks me up you do not realize they were not saying illegal? You just don't like it. n-t

[blondeatlast]

30. False equivalency. Do anti-war protestors harrass people at funerals?

That would be a big, fat no.

[Javaman]

45. Most of their protest take place at least 100 yards from any funeral.

but I guess that detail doesn't matter to you.

Also they have the right to assembly also guaranteed in the Constitution.

[cliffordu]

67. They don't have the absolute right to police protection at their little hatefests....

I say, let them protest wherever they want to, unprotected.

Freedom of speech and all.

[Javaman]

68. Exactly right. Freedom of Speech for all. :)

Cheers!

[mzteris]

54. the only thing they "believe in" is suing people for $$$!

They aren't religious

They aren't political

They don't give a damn about any rights, any sexual orientation, any religion...

They ONLY want to get people so pissed off enough they assault (the clan) so Phelps can sue them. They only want local govts to deny their permits so they can sue them. They only want to stir up trouble so they can profit off it it.

that is all.

edit for clarity

[Javaman]

59. While all that may be true...

they are still covered by the constitution, whether we like it or not.

[bullwinkle428]

7. It troubles me that if perhaps the Phelps Klan had made the same

trip to a small Mississippi town to protest the funeral of a GLBT, non-military person, they might have received a police escort to lead a ticker-tape parade to celebrate that person's death.

[Cid_B]

42. The average citizen...

... identifies with service members, especially as most people believe that the SM was working for the collective good of the nation (on some level, different to everyone).

That connection to the large public is lacking with others, which is why the Phelps moved on.

[tosh]

10. My cousins!!!

B-)

[Keith Bee]

11. Good for Mississippi

It gets so much bad press. This is refreshing.

[NeedleCast]

12. We're not really going to celebrate mob-rule tactics to circumvent free speech, are we?

[Blue-Jay]

13. If we restrict freedom of speech, we'll never know who the assholes are.

[Kurovski]

22. They did it in Madison to Sassy crackpot sarah P.

Free speech met with more free speech.

[NeedleCast]

69. So not the same thing

In one scenario, others, executing their own right to free speech drowned out Palin. In the scenario in the OP, a physical attempt was made to limit or obsctruct free speech. I hope you can see how these are totally different animals.

[Kurovski]

71. .You just about got me there, NeedleCast..

Protesters often know ahead of time they will be arrested and/or fined for their actions. I mentioned later in the thread here that fines were in order.

Money is often raised ahead of time to pay for the legal transgressions in protests that choose to break laws.

Putting vehicles in their way is a counter protest that should be fined.

[NeedleCast]

74. I agree that there should be fines

But it's a little alarming to see the reaction of some on this thread who don't seem to have thought it through further than "bad things happened to the Phelps' clan so that must be good!"

As happens all to frequently, if the roles here had been reversed, if a bunch of local yokels in Mississippi had blocked anti-war protesters from attending a rally DU would be gnashing and wailing and calling for the offenders to be strung up by their balls. Its a scary knee-jerk reaction. DU should be better than that, but usually isn't. Post a thread where some random GOP toad has criticized Chelsea Clinton and a shit storm will break out. Post a thread about the Bush girls underage drinking and most of DU will be happy to pile.

It's an ugly double standard.

[Kurovski]

76. I don't know how knee-jerk it is. This has been going on for many years now.

The Phelpsies have made it an art. Lots of time for everyone to mull it all over.

[Logical]

16. Not sure we should be celebrating this. Could work against us someday! n-t

[Kurovski]

23. Oh honey. The American people are "worked against" every fucking day

of every fucking calendar year.

[Logical]

25. So next time you want to protest Walker maybe the police will detain you. n-t

[Kurovski]

41. Maybe they will, but it won't be because I can't get to my car, as in the Phelps case.

I give a mother-fucking shit. get on the goddamn cell and call a cab.

[TacticalPeek]

17. Right on.

By preventing these bastards from promulgating their inflammatory "fighting words", a much larger violence may have been prevented.

:evilgrin:

[Kurovski]

19. Human error. Parking ticket and fine. Case dismissed.

Daddy Phelps can go back to terrorizing his emotionally crippled clan in the privacy of their own personal hell, may God have mercy on their depleted and violently abused souls.

[Vinnie From Indy]

24. I agree that we must all protect the right of free speech for everyone

I also agree that the people of Westboro were not physically removed from participating by the local government. They were simply inconvenienced. They could have walked or taken a cab or bus.

[Bake]

29. Y'all come back, now, y'hear?

Southern hospitality just warms my heart!

I know some of those good ol' boys in Brandon! Well played!

Bake

[msanthrope]

31. Bless their hearts.

No, really....Bless Their Hearts.....

[Botany]

43. Bingo!

Why gee I just plumb don't know where those darn keys to the F-150 pick up are ....

BTW I have been to a funeral of a young soldier who was killed in battle and the
emotional devastation to the family and friends is overwhelming. It has been 40 + years
now and I can still recall parts of it like it was yesterday .... anybody who would drive
the 607 miles from Wichita, KS to Brandon, MS in order to make people feel even worse
on one of the toughest days of their lives is human scum.

The Phelps can vent their idiocy 24/7 so this is not a case of freedom of speech or
protecting Constitutional liberties this is a case of neighbors who know how to make
things happen in order to show that they care about each other. Besides the Phelps
are trying to stop the legally protected constitutional rights of GLBT Americans becoming
the law of the land.

[xchrom]

32. Awesome.

:applause: & :rofl:

[Morning Dew]

33. Sounds like fantasy.

Westboro doesn't show up two days early.

[Ikonoklast]

39. Doesn't pass the smell test.

Westboro nutjobs would love it if this really happened, they are a small army of lawyers unto themselves that live to litigate things exactly like this...it's what they HOPE will happen.

[Terra Alta]

34. Bravo to the good folks of Brandon, Mississippi!

Standing up to bigotry and hatred is always a good thing. I hope other towns do this, as well -- something sure needs to stop the Westboro idiots.

[blondeatlast]

36. Helpful hint--KS plates have the county indicated and Westboro is located in "SD"(Sedgwick).

On the other hand, I have about 2 dozen damn good Democratic relatives in Sedgwick County.

[Julesr]

79. Not in Sedgwick

Actually the "church" is located in Topeka, not
Wichita, so the county would be Shawnee. 

[xmas74]

51. We just had a soldier from our town pass away

while in Afghanistan. I've heard a number of people (meaning sharp shooters and expert backwoods hunters) state that if WB were to show up at his funeral (always a possibility, since they could make the drive in a couple of hours) there would "be a reckoning".

I suspect that "reckoning" might mean open hunting season.

[Kurovski]

55. I hope that's just swagger.

And the fact that they continue to endanger their own children by dragging them along is unconscionable. People toss projectiles at them out the window. I would bring them up on child endangerment if possible.

In a documentary One mama Phelps admits it happens regularly. In the flick a kid got dinged with a large soda cup by some a-hole from a moving car.

[xmas74]

56. I'd bet it would be swagger.

Then again, you never know about a few of the young men around here.

Someone at work already made a comment about how everyone needs to call DFS and hotline them if they make it anywhere near our town with their children. If the phone lines were flooded someone would have to go out and investigate the welfare of the children. They've pulled children out of homes for quite a bit less around here-I can see them attempting to make a case against endangerment if the children were knowingly brought into a situation where the threat of violence existed. (In this case, numerous young men threatening an "open season" on a group.) Yes, the people making the threats are at fault but wouldn't the instigators also be at fault when it comes to bringing their children into a situation that could knowingly become violent at any time?

[Kurovski]

60. That's a good question.

In at least one film, you have an admission that cars racing by (with license plates covered) and hurling projectiles from the car is a regular occurrence.

[xmas74]

61. I just read my local paper

and the soldier's funeral will not be held in this town. He will be buried in another state per families request.

Still, I know if they ever come to this county the plan has always been to hotline the hell out of them the moment we see them with any child. I'm surprised that this isn't done everywhere. They'd have a hell of a fight on their hands and it would no longer be just a little town. A hotline situation would be from the entire state. The state (pick your state of choice) could confiscate the children and put them in protective custody, if they thought that there was a significant risk of them getting hurt. And there are nightmare stories about how long it can take to regain custody of a child once it has entered the system.

Could they fight with an entire state? Or even multiple states? How many years could that be tied up in court? Could they afford it? And would they still go do what they do, knowing that every public action will be watched, making it less likely to regain custody of their children?

If anyone wants to get them to stop, this seems ideal.

[Paradoxical]

63. Not gonna lie. I enjoy the thought of WBC members getting their asses beat.

Not saying it's right. Not saying they deserve it. I'm just saying that I take pleasure in the thought.

[CBGLuthier]

65. They studied under Bush I take it. Sounds like free speech zones all over again

I really hate those assholes but it IS true the same tactics can be used to stifle other speech.

Also sounds like some of the shit they pulled when them "northern agitators" would come to town.


To summarize, a man gets beat up while crowds of witnesses do nothing and people get arrested just for being from out of state.

Nothing to applaud here.

[Javaman]

66. Completely agree...

Look up thread at the flame war I had to endure with those who seem to have no problem with limiting our freedom of speech.

Sometimes I have to ask myself if I'm still on DU.

Cheers! :)

[Kurovski]

70. "Free speech zones" were created to keep abortion protesters away from the door.

The Phelps' are likewise placed in a "Free Speech Zone"

[Liberal_in_LA]

73. awesome

[Kurovski]

75. 26, 000 views? 100 views an hour?

Geez, now I'm sorry I used all them swears. My apologies.

Greetings Brandon! :hi: Oh, and a big "howdy" to the Phelpses. Please leave the little ones at home. :hi: Hope you break free from your daddy once he kicks.

[Kurska]

77. If god wanted them to protest he would have miracled the cars aways.

So quit whining, it is clearly what god wanted. What? God can part a sea, but can't move a few pickup trucks, bullshit.

[Kurovski]

78. An interesting addition in the comments section.

"Isaac Rosenbloom 2 days ago in reply to Patrick Malone

Patrick, if you look at it realistically nothing illegal was actually done.

First, One of them was supposedly beat up in a store parking lot. This is the first time I have heard that and I am a Rankin county resident ( 1:14 in the video is where they pass my street.) and an EMT in the area. But, if it did happen, at most it was simple assault and didn't break up a legal registered assembly, so, won't be found in violation of the First Amendment.

Second, private citizens blocked their cars in a way that would never be proven to have been done to violate their rights. Remember, the tow company was to busy. Good luck proving they weren't or even finding the names of the truck owners. It COULD have happened accidentally. Reasonable Doubt is a powerful tool when used right.

Third, the reason the they were arrested was because they didn't realize they church where the service was is a 35,000 Sq.Ft. building on a 170 acre campus. My wife and kids go to church there. The area they had applied and been approved to protest was the closest intersection, the corner of Hwy 25 and Luckney Rd. This is private property at all four corners and the property owners had them removed.They got pissed, so they went to the cemetery where the burial was going to be about 10 miles away and were arrested for trespassing which is a completely legitimate charge. They were released without being charged a few hours later which is a completely reasonable and normal time frame for an OR (own recognizance) release. They could have been fined $5000 for assembling without a permit but they weren't.

There is no First Amendment case against anyone that would hold in court and I know a little about those, Google my name. I am normally an avid defender of the First Amendment and would have no problem with any other group assembling in my area for any other reason, even if I hate their message."

[Kurovski]

80. It looks like it's visitors from the tweetisphere, or whatever it's called...

:kick: