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Westboro Meets Its Match: Thousands Sign Retaliatory Petitions

Say what you will about Westboro (and what you'd say is probably correct), but the Klan is a much graver threat than the Westboro Baptsist Church has ever been or ever will be. And if the Klan is counter-protesting, it's only to make themselves appear 'reasonable' and 'moderate' in comparison - and consequentially more attractive than they are at present.
 
Ask the people who agree with this view. Not saying that I agree, but I view it as an interesting question.

Who agrees with it? There is no right to speech free of consequences.
 
Say what you will about Westboro (and what you'd say is probably correct), but the Klan is a much graver threat than the Westboro Baptsist Church has ever been or ever will be. And if the Klan is counter-protesting, it's only to make themselves appear 'reasonable' and 'moderate' in comparison - and consequentially more attractive than they are at present.

yeah... that's kind of how I see it. As a recruiting tool.
 
Well, I don’t think any church should have tax free status unless they meet the same conditions as other non-profit organizations. Such as having to give back a specified percentage back to the community. I find it hard to believe WBBC does that. So strip the f**kers.

I like this idea. It may even make those right wing extremist churches understand what they are actually suppose to be doing
 
Well, needless to say, I strongly disagree with the prevailing view in this thread. Singling out this one group makes no rational sense. I find the very idea of these petitions abhorrent. Oh well.
 
How in the hell would this constitute a 'suppression of free speech'?

Because people have the right to run their mouths, to assemble, associate, and protest. Even if their protest is completely retarded.
 
McDuc - How can expressing your opinion through perfectly legal means without threatening or harassing people be 'abhorrent'? It's not as though they are attending funerals and mocking the dead.
 
Because people have the right to run their mouths, to assemble, associate, and protest. Even if their protest is completely retarded.

And they continue to do so!! But if they don't fit into the IRS guidelines for a nonprofit? I think the expression is "too bad so sad."
 
Because people have the right to run their mouths, to assemble, associate, and protest. Even if their protest is completely retarded.

and how is that being 'suppressed'? Are they not allowed to do it any more? Has the government stepped in and squashed their freedom of speech?
 
And they continue to do so!! But if they don't fit into the IRS guidelines for a nonprofit? I think the expression is "too bad so sad."

I think that if we start using that, then the government will start using it to bully anyone it can. Scientology has tax exempt status, and they're nothing but a big, obvious scam and a complete insult to the collective intelligence of the human race. WBC is just a bunch of inbred hicks.
 
and how is that being 'suppressed'? Are they not allowed to do it any more? Has the government stepped in and squashed their freedom of speech?

It's backdoor bullying using the government and threats against purse. It's what a ***** does.
 
I think that if we start using that, then the government will start using it to bully anyone it can. Scientology has tax exempt status, and they're nothing but a big, obvious scam and a complete insult to the collective intelligence of the human race. WBC is just a bunch of inbred hicks.

They either fit the criteria for a nonprofit or they don't. One can't just say, "We're nonprofit." There are rules and guidelines to get that status. I don't think anyone is saying it should be done illegally, but if a petition causes the IRS to look at it more closely? That's a good thing. (I'm not saying they should just disallow it . . . only if they don't fit the criteria.)
 
damn... I hate WBC as much as anyone... but don't sign me up for approving of this petition crap.

due process means something in our system... ****ing use it.
don't believe you have the power to strip groups of their rights or benefits just because you do not like them or their message.

the IRS has a hotline you can call if you feel a group is not holding up their tax exempt bargain...use it.... don't go grabbin' pitchfork and torches.... use the ****ing system we have.
 
Suppression of free speech. Though their speech is inflammatory and they shouldn't be surprised if they get popped in the mouth.

This. WBC persists because of modern media coverage. In previous decades before live worldwide TV they would have gotten their asses kicked for being so unspeakably rude as to interrupt a familys grieving. Public discourse is in the toilet, and the WBC are the nuts in the turd.
 
Well, needless to say, I strongly disagree with the prevailing view in this thread. Singling out this one group makes no rational sense. I find the very idea of these petitions abhorrent. Oh well.

What makes the Westboro Baptist Church a church? Other than that they filed a petition to make it so?
 
They either fit the criteria for a nonprofit or they don't. One can't just say, "We're nonprofit." There are rules and guidelines to get that status. I don't think anyone is saying it should be done illegally, but if a petition causes the IRS to look at it more closely? That's a good thing. (I'm not saying they should just disallow it . . . only if they don't fit the criteria.)

Apparently they can. If Scientology can have tax exempt status, then so can WBC, We cannot use it as a bargaining chip, or a method through which we can apply torque to the system. Then we are using government to preferentially seek out the religious expression we want while punishing that which goes against the norm. All or nothing.
 
It's backdoor bullying using the government and threats against purse. It's what a ***** does.

So the front door legal bullying of the WBC is protected, making their hate speech have no consequences. That doesn't seem better.
 
So the front door legal bullying of the WBC is protected, making their hate speech have no consequences. That doesn't seem better.

They ain't the government.
 
Apparently they can. If Scientology can have tax exempt status, then so can WBC, We cannot use it as a bargaining chip, or a method through which we can apply torque to the system. Then we are using government to preferentially seek out the religious expression we want while punishing that which goes against the norm. All or nothing.

Ikari, you can't know that. You aren't intimately involved with either of these "religions." A close look could do no harm. I'm sure these kinds of audits are done all the time. Time for one on Westboro. The government uses the IRS in criminal investigations all the time. They don't make stuff up. They just look behind the curtain. How about the people get to put it in motion through petition?

I personally have no problem with it. Whether a petition means a damned thing is something for the IRS to decide. It's really not much different than an anonymous tip...and those are investigated regularly.
 
Ikari, you can't know that. You aren't intimately involved with either of these "religions." A close look could do no harm. I'm sure these kinds of audits are done all the time. Time for one on Westboro. The government uses the IRS in criminal investigations all the time. They don't make stuff up. They just look behind the curtain. How about the people get to put it in motion through petition?

I personally have no problem with it. Whether a petition means a damned thing is something for the IRS to decide. It's really not much different than an anonymous tip...and those are investigated regularly.

I can know it because I have eyes, and I can read, and I can take measurement. And from that Scientology is a scam, and absolute, intellectually numbing, insulting scam. You just don't like what WBC says and you want to use government to harass them. I don't support that is all. The People are not limited, the government is.
 
We should have got a "that's what you get" clause when we gave up the right to use force.

Too many act like assholes because the law protects them.

Westboro actually profits from their inalienable right to be obnoxious, disrespectful assholes.

There's a time and place for speaking your mind.

Some need to be taught when and where that is with a two by four.
 
Westboro actually profits from their inalienable right to be obnoxious, disrespectful assholes.

'Tis a price of freedom. There are going to be assholes who take advantage of that freedom.
 
'Tis a price of freedom. There are going to be assholes who take advantage of that freedom.

No doubt.

The penalty for punching an obvious asshole should be less than punching an innocent, that's all.
 
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