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07 February 2008

This happened this weekend, at a shopping center I frequent, a few miles from my home. I've been in that store. Now Westboro Baptist Church wants to picket the victim's funerals. →[More:] What the FUCK? I'm so angry and disgusted.

post by: viachicago at: 14:25 | 33 comments

The Westboro folks really seem to be spiraling out of control lately, which is saying a lot when the starting point was "crazy as a fucking loon."

posted by BoringPostcards 07 February | 14:31

That's nonsensical and terrible. Can we wall them into their homes?

posted by pokermonk 07 February | 14:37

They announced plans to picket Heath Ledger's funeral, too. Must be extra desperate for attention.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 February | 14:38

What the F***?

posted by rainbaby 07 February | 14:40

The WBC folks have never seen a funeral they don't want to picket. Apparently EVERY death by anything other than natural causes is conclusive evidence of an angry, vengeful god visiting retribution on his wayward flock.

posted by pieisexactlythree 07 February | 14:49

The dark underbelly of the First Amendment.

This is reprehensible, but I am sitting here thinking that there is no way the govt (us) can stop them, without the effort having unintended ripples down the line.

posted by danf 07 February | 14:50

I'm cynical. I think they know this is just a cheap way to get publicity.

On the other hand, there seems to be nothing other to their cause than getting offensively cheap publicity.

posted by dhartung 07 February | 14:53

There's a very loose organization of motorcycle clubs that call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders - at the request of families, they have been riding before and after military funerals to shield the funeral from potential WBC interruptions. Organizations like the PGR should get more publicity - they've been spreading their reach to non-military funerals whenever the family invites them.

posted by muddgirl 07 February | 15:03

One of these days, they're going to choose the wrong funeral. Some family that just doesn't give a shit about lawyers and lawsuits, and are just looking for a reason to snap. And rage will take over.

And then we'll all get to picket the Westboro family's funerals.

posted by ColdChef 07 February | 15:04

Oh good god. I really hate those people. The only consolation is that they're pretty much universally despised, but that's cold comfort.

posted by mudpuppie 07 February | 15:07

From the Patriot Guard Riders FAQ (U.G. = "unwanted guest" ie, protesters):

HOW DO WE SHIELD THE MOURNERS FROM U.G.s?

If protestors are in attendance we simply hold our flags with our backs turned to the protestors. We, in no way, engage the protestor either verbally or physically. We may sing, rev our engines or say the Pledge of Allegiance but that is strictly up to the direction of the SC/RC. Take your cues from them.

WHAT DO I DO IF AN U.G. ATTEMPTS TO PROVOKE ME?

Stand with your back to them and ignore them. Your only function at the mission is to pay your respects to the fallen hero and his/her family.

Sounds like the only sensible way to deal with the WBC: ignore them and exercise your own right to free speech.

posted by muddgirl 07 February | 15:16

Something tells me that Hell is going to have a lot of fun with the Westboro Bapts.

posted by pokermonk 07 February | 15:17

Pokermonk has the right idea.

I think these people claim they are gonna protest a lot of funerals just for the publicity. If newspapers would simply quit finding them newsworthy they would shrivel like an earthworm on an Arizona sidewalk.

posted by bunnyfire 07 February | 15:22

Wait...so stores shouldn't sell "plus-size" clothes because they might be worn by transexuals and transvestites? Are you effing kidding me? What kind of deep-rooted soul sickness do these people have? Seriously. They're like really stupid performance artists or something. Pathetic.

posted by jrossi4r 07 February | 15:24

And rage will take over.

I doubt it will be lethal rage.

They seem pretty impervious to any criticism or negative reaction, judging by the Louis Theroux show on them. The bird, yelled obscenities, even a soda in a paper cup thrown at a kid -- and that's in their hometown where they're a fixture.

Illinois does have a 200-foot limit (because of them) around funerals, but because a federal appeals court recently upheld a stay of the law in Missouri it's unlikely to be enforced.

posted by dhartung 07 February | 15:25

What the hell!? I don't like giving these idiots any attention, but it would be so easy to spin this as "Westboro church says 'plus sized women go to hell'" since they're picketing the funerals of a Lane Bryant store shooting victims. AAARGH!

posted by dabitch 07 February | 15:28

I doubt it will be lethal rage.

Actually, at some point it almost certainly will be. Emotions run high at funerals, and if they keep it up long enough, eventually someone will snap and seriously injure or kill one of them. Maybe this makes me a bad person, but I don't think I would feel all that sorry if it happened.

posted by King of Prontopia 07 February | 15:33

Damn, dhartung. You beat me to the Louis Theroux video.

Anyone who hasn't seen it should take a break and watch it.

Louis Theroux is my very bestest boyfriend. Please don't tell my girlfriend.

posted by mudpuppie 07 February | 15:36

People say ignore them, but ignoring them hasn't worked. I say destroy them with fire.

posted by Astro Zombie 4 07 February | 15:43

*fights mudpuppie for the hand of Louis Theroux*

*wins*

posted by essexjan 07 February | 16:40

I say it's time to go all zen on their asses and declare officially that having your funeral picketed by the Westies is a badge of honor. They should be responded to with a ceremonial non-obscene gesture, like a stiffly-executed parade wave without smiling. It will also remind them of the British Royal Family, and, when done by men, look oddly effeminate. That may be enough to make their heads explode.

I want them to protest at my funeral. A sign I've done something right. (I'm talking too much about death today; but then, I am feeling like Death Warmed Over, so if I don't comment here or at MeFi for over 48 hours, just call the San Luis Obispo County Coroner and tell him to go to the last unit on the right at Hillcrest Ranch off the 101. Thank you.)

posted by wendell 07 February | 16:51

Sorry Wendell. It looks like I've given at least three of you the flu over the internet : (

posted by pieisexactlythree 07 February | 16:56

Color me dingbatty but I don't get it. Why would they picket a funeral?

posted by chewatadistance 07 February | 18:44

chewatadistance: They're crazy. And, they're litigious. And, they like publicity (and they get a lot of publicity). Check out their Wikipedia article for more craziness.

They started by targeting Military funerals in Oklahoma (I think), saying that God was punishing America for being so sinful by killing our soldiers. I guess their branching out to other objectionable funerals now.

There was a case recently where a young boy shot and killed his entire family. I heard the WBC is going to "protest" that funeral as well.

posted by muddgirl 07 February | 18:49

I forgot to mention that the primary sin the US is committing, in the eyes of the WBC, is homosexuality and the promotion of a Homosexual Agenda. Disgusting. They are the epitome of what is wrong with America, and should be publicly shamed for their behavior.

posted by muddgirl 07 February | 18:51

Oh, ok - thanks muddgirl. This is a different crowd from the Fred Phelps loonies or the same ones?

posted by chewatadistance 07 February | 19:01

nevermind. I just got my lazy ass over to the wikipedia link.

posted by chewatadistance 07 February | 19:02

Wow, I ran out to do some errands right after I posted this. Lots of responses. Yeah, they're pretty much batshit insane. My friend and I are going to counter-protest, in the peaceful manners suggested above. Getting in trouble for beating one of them with a padlock doesn't sound so bad, either, though.

And muddgirl, thanks for that link above. We had run into that information on them, and we plan on making a call to them, despite that we aren't family of the fallen. I think their shit is deplorable, I'm not looking forward to them being here.

posted by viachicago 07 February | 19:10

I went to a counter protest holding a sign that said, what else, Pi is Exactly Three (2 Chronicles:2); Repent Ye Geometers!

posted by pieisexactlythree 07 February | 19:17

More counter-protesters.

Seriously, what could be less Christian than staging a protest at someone's funeral?

posted by bmarkey 07 February | 19:28

He's the guy that did the show on the Nazi twins, right?

I've got this one running right now. I just don't understand people like that.

At least, since the girls aren't marrying, we can hope it'll die out soon.

posted by deborah 07 February | 20:28

Look, Westboro Yo-Yo's, if you leave these people alone, you're welcome to picket my funeral. There'll be all kinds of weirdos and perverts there, you'll have a blast.

posted by jonmc 07 February | 21:24

On January 15, 2006, Westboro members protested the memorial of 2006 Sago Mine disaster victims claiming that the mining accident was God's revenge against America for its tolerance of homosexuality.[25] Footage of the protest, including several members dancing, was later shown on Fox News.

Someone needs a hobby.

Like playing the ukelele. Or collecting stamps.

Those are fun!

posted by jason's_planet 08 February | 02:25

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