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Protesting the Westboro Baptist Church in San Francisco

"The ONLY bad part about that is.. while the sickos had a "right" to be across the street shouting obscenities, everyone else did NOT have the right to beat their asses.. which IMO, is what they deserved in the very least. Unfortunately, it would have been the decent people who would have gotten arrested and charged.. and that is screwed up, IMHO." - TheGirlNextDoor

I read a rather in-depth article some years ago regarding Fred Phelps and this group of "people". It seems that when their outrageous behavior results in some retaliation against them--regardless of how understandable or righteous that retaliation may be...they sue.

This seems to be how they are able to support themselves by suing everyone they come into contact with. Fred Phelps was a practicing lawyer until he was stripped of his liceanse to practice for litigation abuses (I think that was it...it's been several years since I read the article and my memory ain't what it used to be). Today, his kids are lawyers and do all of the suing for him and their "church".
 
Non-violent "punking" is the best way to deal with these freaks! Just make them look even more foolish, and mock them, maybe eventually they'll get the message and give up. If people start riots, then they are just playing into the hands of this insidious cult of nutjob Nazi wannabes. Maybe some enterprising lawyers could set up a non-profit organization to counter the lawsuits emanating from the Phelps clan.
 
"The ONLY bad part about that is.. while the sickos had a "right" to be across the street shouting obscenities, everyone else did NOT have the right to beat their asses.. which IMO, is what they deserved in the very least. Unfortunately, it would have been the decent people who would have gotten arrested and charged.. and that is screwed up, IMHO." - TheGirlNextDoor

I read a rather in-depth article some years ago regarding Fred Phelps and this group of "people". It seems that when their outrageous behavior results in some retaliation against them--regardless of how understandable or righteous that retaliation may be...they sue.

This seems to be how they are able to support themselves by suing everyone they come into contact with. Fred Phelps was a practicing lawyer until he was stripped of his liceanse to practice for litigation abuses (I think that was it...it's been several years since I read the article and my memory ain't what it used to be). Today, his kids are lawyers and do all of the suing for him and their "church".
If that's the case, that they sue for profit, then that would be easy to fix, countersue for slander, libel, harrassment(everyone who suffered at a funeral protest and is a non-public figure can), emotional distress, pain and suffering.
The Phelps clan could easily be sued into oblivion and I don't think a jury in the U.S. would pass up the chance to be the one's to do it.
 
If that's the case, that they sue for profit, then that would be easy to fix, countersue for slander, libel, harrassment(everyone who suffered at a funeral protest and is a non-public figure can), emotional distress, pain and suffering.
The Phelps clan could easily be sued into oblivion and I don't think a jury in the U.S. would pass up the chance to be the one's to do it.

I really doubt that. I've done enough research on them and they are basically a family of lawyers who were beating state of Kansas in courts long before most of us on the forum were born. Do a little research on Fred Phelps, the guy was a legal savage. Going to court and fighting for the legal rights of blacks in his state in a time where people were being lynched for a lot less.
 
I really doubt that. I've done enough research on them and they are basically a family of lawyers who were beating state of Kansas in courts long before most of us on the forum were born. Do a little research on Fred Phelps, the guy was a legal savage. Going to court and fighting for the legal rights of blacks in his state in a time where people were being lynched for a lot less.
Yeah, I figured the guy had some decent legal skills if he was pulling crap against a legally conservative state, I commend his actions fighting for blacks and civil rights, but this guy is trading one past good for a bunch of very bad, not excusable in my book.
 
"If that's the case, that they sue for profit, then that would be easy to fix, countersue for slander, libel, harrassment(everyone who suffered at a funeral protest and is a non-public figure can), emotional distress, pain and suffering." - LaMidRighter

I'm with ya but there's that whole "freedom of speech" thing...

Remember, their lawyers...they walk a very fine line.
 
I really doubt that. I've done enough research on them and they are basically a family of lawyers who were beating state of Kansas in courts long before most of us on the forum were born. Do a little research on Fred Phelps, the guy was a legal savage. Going to court and fighting for the legal rights of blacks in his state in a time where people were being lynched for a lot less.

I normally don't wish ill on anyone. However, the world will be a better place when the Phelps clan is dead and buried.
 
The Baron;1058534116 I'm with ya but there's that [I said:
whole[/I] "freedom of speech" thing...

Remember, their lawyers...they walk a very fine line.[/SIZE][/FONT]
I know where you're coming from, but it's been set by legal precedent that not all speech is protected, that which harasses, incites to violence, obscene, etc. A good civil lawyer could really give the Phelps cult a headache.
 
I know where you're coming from, but it's been set by legal precedent that not all speech is protected, that which harasses, incites to violence, obscene, etc. A good civil lawyer could really give the Phelps cult a headache.

There's a precedent against obscenity?
 
I'm glad to see them called a clan or a cult. This is just a family, not even as big as the Duggars, They don't have followers.

Oh dear! with all those kids! "Jedidiah brings home a boyfriend" on this weeks Duggars, 26 kids and counting. :shock:
 
There's a precedent against obscenity?
Absolutely. Most of the cases date from the early to mid 1900's. I forget the case, as it's been a while since I had to learn this stuff, but there was a case around, I believe the 1930's that set the parameters of protection for speech. What the SCOTUS basically stated was that there are three spheres of protection, political speech(greatest sphere, completely protected), Conversational(?, basically social speech), which has a great sphere of protection, but not as much so as political, and obscenity(minimal protection). The Supreme court applied a test to protection, if something has serious literary, political, or artistic merit then it is certainly protected.
 
Well, tell me I'm completely wrong, but aren't they just an unnatural extension of far-right attitudes? I'm sure I've heard Falwell's crowd come out with some stuff that's not a million miles away from what Phelp's muppets mouth.
 
Well, tell me I'm completely wrong, but aren't they just an unnatural extension of far-right attitudes? I'm sure I've heard Falwell's crowd come out with some stuff that's not a million miles away from what Phelp's muppets mouth.
You're wrong. Fallwell wasn't a model citizen, but he was no where near the level of Phelps.
 
Rightwingers are never going to accept soldiers being insulted at their gravesides by the Phelps famiy.

They are hated by everyone equally.
 
Rightwingers are never going to accept soldiers being insulted at their gravesides by the Phelps famiy.

They are hated by everyone equally.
Absolutely right. Oh, and WHO DAT!
 
I am intrigued, how come these WUMs manage to picket military funerals and never get attacked? Freedom of speech is a great thing and I applaud those who defend it, but at a funeral? I think of myself as basically a pacifist, but one that has never really been put to the test. Were it the funeral of my nephew or brother, I'm really not sure how I'd restrain myself.
 
I don't know, I've met people like that before, I think these are true believers and not necessarily attention seekers.

Oh they are true belivers. My Grandad was a true believer too.
He believed he was Napolean.

But he wasn't of course.




Napolean was shorter.
 
I am intrigued, how come these WUMs manage to picket military funerals and never get attacked? Freedom of speech is a great thing and I applaud those who defend it, but at a funeral? I think of myself as basically a pacifist, but one that has never really been put to the test. Were it the funeral of my nephew or brother, I'm really not sure how I'd restrain myself.

That is what has always mystified me. I know in my own family there are more than a couple who would have no problem with police present or not going after scum like this.
I would love to see a relative just go ballistic on these botton dwellers.
 
That is what has always mystified me. I know in my own family there are more than a couple who would have no problem with police present or not going after scum like this.
I would love to see a relative just go ballistic on these botton dwellers.

The thought of criminal charges, and being sued gives enough people pause I guess.
 
The thought of criminal charges, and being sued gives enough people pause I guess.
Be nice if the police decided to look the other way in that particular incidence. The Phelps cult needs a good beating.
 
Be nice if the police decided to look the other way in that particular incidence. The Phelps cult needs a good beating.

While I think everyone who has ever lived would LOVE to see these people beaten, if the cops did it the Phelps clan would be able to play the victim card. What needs to happen is some grieving mothers just need to flatten them. No one can out play a grieving mother in a victim card battle.
 
While I think everyone who has ever lived would LOVE to see these people beaten, if the cops did it the Phelps clan would be able to play the victim card. What needs to happen is some grieving mothers just need to flatten them. No one can out play a grieving mother in a victim card battle.
I hear you. What I'm getting at is the cops don't "see anything" and neither do the witnesses.
 
No way...I was looking through the pictures and one of my best friends from college was there.
 
I would love to see a relative just go ballistic on these botton dwellers.

NObody wants to start a fight at a graveside. It's a very strong taboo.
And thats what they use.
 
NObody wants to start a fight at a graveside. It's a very strong taboo.
And thats what they use.

A fight couldn't be anymore uglier than having someone laugh while you bury your son.

Even with the police there I know many who would go after the protestors.
My own grandfather shot and killed a sheriff and I know there are other family members I have who would not find law enforcement present to be a deterrent to going after one of them.
 
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