Yay for these kids!

[Selena]

Now this (http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1020190.html) is what I call inspiration. Instead of spewing all that hatred back, they took a proactive way of dealing with these asshats! ::yay::


If the lessons were tolerance and peaceful political action, it was clear Thursday that hundreds of people had signed up for the course outside Shawnee Mission East High School.Upon learning that members of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church planned to protest at the school, students acted quickly — and on their own — to mount a counterprotest showing their disdain for the church’s anti-gay message.

[lavender r dragon]

why was the church going to protest at the school?
b/c of the gay homecoming king?

it talked all about the kids planning a counter protest but didn't say why the church was protesting there to start with...

[Selena]

why was the church going to protest at the school?
b/c of the gay homecoming king?

it talked all about the kids planning a counter protest but didn't say why the church was protesting there to start with...

Yes, according to the "church's" schedule. Read the pdf file here (http://www.westborobaptistchurch.com/written/fliers/20090131_shawnee-mission-east.pdf)if you feel like puking. Ick!

[LdyJhawk]

They were interviewed on local news. They talked to the crazy she-tard who tends to be the voice of the WBC Shirley whatsernut..her reason for doing it NOW rather than when it actually happened?

it was 70 degrees in KC yesterday so. "it's a nice day. My kids are out of school and they REALLY wanted to do it today so..we chose today!"

[Gemdrite]

I find it fascinating that they quote Deuteronomy on that flyer, when the verse specifically talks about God's retribution and not human retribution. Nowhere in that verse does it mention that WBC should do anything except hide their heads, which I think we all greatly wish they would do.

[daBaroness]

My brother graduated from Shawnee Mission East. My dad and his wife live about 5 blocks from the school. The Shawnee Mission School District is considered one of the finest in the country and East has a great reputation. It also had a very high median income of the families whose students attend there and its residents are generally highly educated. The parents and students at the school have always worked on issues of diversity, tolerance and acceptance. My former OB-GYN and his wife - my dentist, who are black, sent both of their daughters there and they have excelled. My brother's father-in-law is a retired teacher and basketball coach who taught at SME. My brother's brother-in-law is currently a teacher and head football coach at SME.

People in the Kansas City area are sick of Phred Phelps and his congregation of ignorant hatemongers. As I've said before, it has been alleged he has fathered his own grandchildren. He's a sick man and he's raised a sick family. Most of his congregation are family members.

That said - I'm so proud of the SME and Prairie Village communities. Although PV is a well-to-do suburb, it's managed to maintain a small-town sense about itself. I'm really happy that small town sent a unified message to Phred and his Phreaks.

[Rue]

The counter protest was very well publicized on facebook. I found out about it from there, and a lot of students here at my school (in Newport, RI) were planning on going. If it actually happened, I have no idea.

[daBaroness]

I watched the news last night and apparently the Prairie Village residents and Shawnee Mission East students were joined by the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group as well. The Patriot Guard Riders is a group of bikers (mostly Vietnam-era vets) who organized in response to Phreddy's Phreaks' protests at the funerals of Iraq War soldiers. Like the rest of us, the organizers were appalled that the Phreaks began turning up at funerals of military members and foisting their sick and repugnant views that these brave young men and women are dead as punishment from God because God hates America for it's tolerance of gays and lesbians.

I know, WTF?!

Anyway, I'm always happy to see the Patriot Guard protecting these families - and so are the cops.

It just mushes my brain how one group of sick people have stirred up so much pain and hatred - all the while twisting the law and the constitution so they don't get into legal trouble. They're not stupid - they're just a twisted waste of flesh. They know that if counter protesters get violent with them - they can turn it around as proof that it's the rest of us who are wicked. With all the protesting they've done at churches - they know that the congregations just have to take it or they'll prove Phelps' sick point.

But - most churches I know of (including my former church who not only welcomed gays and lesbians, but ordained gay and lesbian ministers) always knew when they were going to be picketed and worked with their congregations to greet the Phreaks' hatred with love and kindness. We even took plates of food out to them and prayed for them (out loud) when they'd protest at our church. They always refused the food and it freaked them out when we'd pray for them. But it worked - they really haven't protested at many churches in the last number of years because they weren't involking the kind of response they wanted. That's why they started in on the funerals of fallen heroes.

I know it's not good karma - and that he and his lot will reap what they've sown in the cosmic order - but I can't help but wish one of his own congregants would "off" him in some hideous, public way. Then we could all attend his funeral with signs saying things like, "only G-d can judge you now," or "Paybacks are a mother ... signed Satan."

I found a "fun" site - www.killfredphelps.com you might find interesting.

[Gemdrite]

Are churches considered private property? Or do they not get onto the actual property to protest? It's a pity they can't nab him for something stupid like that and throw the whole book at him.

[daBaroness]

They don't set foot on private property. They're very savvy about being hateful. Many of the family members are attorneys (albeit several, including Phred himself, have been disbarred). They're very careful to follow laws so they can't be arrested. Some communities and states have even passed legislation to keep the group away from funerals at least.

[Isabelle Warwicke]

Are churches considered private property? Or do they not get onto the actual property to protest? It's a pity they can't nab him for something stupid like that and throw the whole book at him.

That's the issue. They picket across the street where the funeral homes and churches can't touch them. They stay on the sidewalks and don't enterthe streets. They've figured out how to twist the common laws to suit their hatred.

I for one adore and applaud the schools response. I heartily suggest that everyone start doing the same thing. Counter-protests against Phuck-nut and his wretched followers have been on the rise and are the best weapon against him.