whatever happened with Westboro Baptist Church [Archive]

iris lily

4-6-13, 8:45pm

I recall that some time ago there was a petition to have them classified as a hate group based on their actions. I was doing a short search so I saw they seem to be still exercising their version of free speech, but so is the KKK. Anyone keeping up on that?

(this is my first time I think on this part of the forum, )

The White House had some sort of petition up on their website like that you mention, but LOL at the idea that a bunch of emails can take away someone's rights. I don't know the true purpose of the petition though I can think of several things to do with a bezillion legitimate email addresses.

puglogic

4-6-13, 9:20pm

Westboro Baptist Church.....what a pestilence. Already listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. There are very few people whose demise I would cheer, but seriously, there would be a huge party at my house if all of them were to die in a fiery car crash on their way to picket, say, the Newtown funerals. There would be beer, and music, and dancing, and great merriment all around. It would, to me, be proof of a benevolent and loving God who finally says, "Okay, that's quite enough out of YOU." (splat)

Speaking of which: http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/newtown-police-fire-motorcycle-group-among-do-gooders-preventing-westboro-funeral-picket/news/2012/12/19/56888

creaker

4-6-13, 9:53pm

BayouGirl

4-7-13, 3:23am

It is heartening to see how so many people, from so many diverse groups have come up with ways to deal with this hate group's demonstrations, in essence turning them into the butt of many jokes. There have been groups who dressed like zombies to thwart their protests and added a comical touch which simply made the wbc look like the fools they are: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/07/westboro-church-protesters-confronted-by-zombies/ .

Here is an article about 10 other ways that the WBC has been thwarted by others who will not allows this hateful "church" get away with their campaign of hate.

http://news.yahoo.com/10-nonviolent-ways-thwart-westboro-baptist-church-protest-063800626.html

These are effective, noviolent and amusing ways to deal with the WBC and to keep them harassing the innocent victims that they wish to inflict their hate upon. It is truly heartwarming to see such creative and humorous ways to deal with them and to block their hate and turn it into a situation where the WBC look like the hateful small minded fools that they are.

Spartana

4-9-13, 1:40pm

Nonprofit buys house across from Westboro Baptist Church and paints it colors of gay pride flag
Planting Peace bought the house directly across the street from the notoriously anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. and painted it the rainbow colors of the pride flag. It will be used for volunteers helping with the nonprofit’s anti-bullying initiative.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/rainbow-painted-house-rebukes-westboro-msg-article-1.1292955 I LOVE this!! I hope they don't classify WBC a hate group (even though that is what they are) and ban their right to protest. The right to free speech and assembly is a right everyon should have irregardless of how distasteful it is. I'm in the "I hate what you're saying and it makes me sick, but I'll completely defend your right to say it" camp.

BayouGirl

4-9-13, 1:50pm

As disgusting as the WBC is, they have actually had a positive impact because so many people have untied against them which has to annoy them to no end. They preach their message of hate, their membership is only about a few dozen and yet hundreds and thousands of people stand up to them and block them, thwart them and create a spirit of fun and unity against them. If anything, WBC is bringing awareness and empathy to the very groups they protest against. They are kinda like a huge pile of manure which the good people have used as fertilizer to grow flowers.

bae

4-9-13, 2:19pm

I hope they don't classify WBC a hate group (even though that is what they are) and ban their right to protest.

Is there even a legal mechanism for doing so in the United States?

The right to free speech and assembly is a right everyon should have irregardless of how distasteful it is. I'm in the "I hate what you're saying and it makes me sick, but I'll completely defend your right to say it" camp.

Exactly.

peggy

4-9-13, 2:26pm

No there isn't. The US doesn't 'ban' anyone from their say, no matter how hateful it is. And there are some groups with some pretty hateful stuff to say. The Nazi's seem to always incite riots and such, and this 'church' has come pretty close, although as Bayougirl pointed out, many have made it a point to trivialize them to lessen their impact.

But no, no one is banned from hate speech. If anyone has implied otherwise, to their own end, it is false and a misdirect.

bae

4-9-13, 2:30pm

Then there's the Jake & Elwood response:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTT1qUswYL0

Zoe Girl

4-9-13, 3:19pm

Here is what I can find, if you are defined as a hate group you can still exercise free speech. The KKK has free speech, hold parades, promote their agenda. The difference comes when you advocate, encourage or commit violence. Then the crime can be judged and held accountable in a different way than just vandalism for example. I have a friend whose step-daughter vandalised a church, this was in her case considered a hate crime and she had some required counseling in addition to whatever community service or other consequence. This is only based on a quick internet search so chime in with more information

peggy

4-9-13, 8:07pm

Then there's the Jake & Elwood response:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTT1qUswYL0

LOL...Illinois Nazis! The worst kind!
:laff::laff::laff:

iris lilies

4-9-13, 10:53pm

...But no, no one is banned from hate speech. If anyone has implied otherwise, to their own end, it is false and a misdirect.

Perhaps you could comment on the intent of the White House in hosting a petition to [do something] about the Westboro Baptist church?

Here's commentary I found amusing:

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/the-white-house-petition-site-is-a-joke-and-also-the-future-of-democracy/267238/

On one hand, kudos to the White House for bringing new technology to the national political discourse, but Facepalm to the actual results. I can't see how this is a success or really even a good idea out of the gate. I guess it's all about feelings and making sure everyone "feels heard" and giving all an opportunity to "feel involved" even if it is completely ineffectual.

Remember that awful White House website that was devoted to reporting the President's enemies, what they were saying about him, where and when?

Seems like a lot of missteps in the world of Web to me.

peggy

4-10-13, 8:35am

Perhaps you could comment on the intent of the White House in hosting a petition to [do something] about the Westboro Baptist church?

Here's commentary I found amusing:

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/the-white-house-petition-site-is-a-joke-and-also-the-future-of-democracy/267238/

On one hand, kudos to the White House for bringing new technology to the national political discourse, but Facepalm to the actual results. I can't see how this is a success or really even a good idea out of the gate. I guess it's all about feelings and making sure everyone "feels heard" and giving all an opportunity to "feel involved" even if it is completely ineffectual.

Remember that awful White House website that was devoted to reporting the President's enemies, what they were saying about him, where and when?

Seems like a lot of missteps in the world of Web to me.

Hmm...I wonder if you actually read that link you provided. Cause if you did, you would have learned that it wasn't the White House or President Obama who put up that petition. That site is there for WE The People to petition the government, and get an actual response if enough people sign a petition. Unfortunately, plenty of people put up petitions, like a petition to build a Death Star, or recognize Bigfoot as a protected species. But, I find it a bit odd that you would ridicule the White Houses efforts to actually connect with, and answer to the people. But then you also ridiculed him for being a community organizer, so, whatever...

I also just LOVE how you turn his efforts to dispel lies and rumors about him and his administrations into some sort of 'enemies list'. Ironic, and classic, all in the same breath as THAT is one of the nasty rumors they were trying to dispel!

But I guess you can expect that from a President who is a Kenyan born socialist who wants to bring everyone before a death panel and take everyone's guns away!;)

Gregg

4-10-13, 9:45am

But I guess you can expect that from a President who is a Kenyan born socialist who wants to bring everyone before a death panel and take everyone's guns away!;)

You forgot Muslim.

puglogic

4-10-13, 9:53am

You forgot Muslim.

LOL :)

I hate Illinois Nazis too.

I wish there were some sort of national comedy network that could dispatch some hilarious counter-demonstration whenever these kinds of yahoos start strutting their hate around. Kind of like the Patriot Guard, only funny. Then we'd actually look forward to their stupidity, just so we could see the creativity in the response.

iris lily

4-10-13, 10:10am

Hmm...I wonder if you actually read that link you provided. Cause if you did, you would have learned that it wasn't the White House or President Obama who put up that petition. That site is there for WE The People to petition the government, and get an actual response if enough people sign a petition. ..

As I said, the White House is hosting the petition and others like it started in September 2011. For what end? The White House is going to "respond" to the petition. What does that mean? "Hey guys, that's good idea to hate on the Westboro Baptist Church! Thanks for sending me your email address before election campaigning begins hot and heavy, I appreciate it!".

Spartana

4-10-13, 1:14pm

Is there even a legal mechanism for doing so in the United States?
.Yeah I actually do know that their freedom of speech and assemby won't be denied even if labelled a hate group as long as they don't incite or do violence. And it shouldn't be. I agree with Bayou girl that the more they spew their hate-filled rhetoric, the more people will come together by various (peaceful) means as a community of tolerance to counter that hate. I see that as one of the great positives of even hate filled freedom of speech.

ETA: I never understood the rationale they used when ranting at the furnerals of troops who were killed in Iraq or Afganistan. Saying they were glad they had died and were going to hell, or whatever... Were they protesting the war this way or was it something else?

bae

4-10-13, 1:30pm

ETA: I never understood the rationale they used when ranting at the furnerals of troops who were killed in Iraq or Afganistan. Saying they were glad they had died and were going to hell, or whatever... Were they protesting the war this way or was it something else?

My limited understanding is that they are protesting homosexuality. God is punishing us by killing our troops because we tolerate The Gayz in our society. I have trouble understanding irrational behaviour though, so I may be off.

The rational reason I've heard proposed is that they are a nasty nest of civil rights lawyers, and make their money off people oppressing them, so they've chosen to be as outrageous as possible, in hopes of attracting winnable, profitable lawsuit possibilities.

flowerseverywhere

4-10-13, 2:59pm

The rational reason I've heard proposed is that they are a nasty nest of civil rights lawyers, and make their money off people oppressing them, so they've chosen to be as outrageous as possible, in hopes of attracting winnable, profitable lawsuit possibilities.

That would be even more despicable than just being haters

peggy

4-10-13, 7:57pm

As I said, the White House is hosting the petition and others like it started in September 2011. For what end? The White House is going to "respond" to the petition. What does that mean? "Hey guys, that's good idea to hate on the Westboro Baptist Church! Thanks for sending me your email address before election campaigning begins hot and heavy, I appreciate it!".

They are hosting the site, and anyone, including you, can put up any goofy petition you want. If you want to make tomorrow national 'talk to your iris' day, you can put up a petition to that effect.
But, I suppose ANYTHING this president does is going to be suspect to folks like you/Fox watchers. I realize it doesn't actually register on this (your) type that this man IS, IN FACT, THE PRESIDENT of the country, and may just want to connect with the people. No matter what he says, or does, you will find some underhanded, nefarious reason for it.(while idolizing and canonizing LOBBYIST like Grover Norquist and Wayne Lapierre!) Whatever....Again, the far right built a whole nasty anti-Obama campaign on the fact that HE WAS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER! Oh the horrors!

Gregg

4-11-13, 9:29am

Gregg

4-11-13, 9:38am

They are hosting the site, and anyone, including you, can put up any goofy petition you want. If you want to make tomorrow national 'talk to your iris' day, you can put up a petition to that effect.
But, I suppose ANYTHING this president does is going to be suspect to folks like you/Fox watchers. I realize it doesn't actually register on this (your) type that this man IS, IN FACT, THE PRESIDENT of the country, and may just want to connect with the people. No matter what he says, or does, you will find some underhanded, nefarious reason for it.(while idolizing and canonizing LOBBYIST like Grover Norquist and Wayne Lapierre!) Whatever....Again, the far right built a whole nasty anti-Obama campaign on the fact that HE WAS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER! Oh the horrors!

I get it now. I just didn't realize that to question the sincerity of a Presidential petition (not to mention the man's desire to rub elbows with the commoners) it was necessary to be a Fox watchin, gun totin, homophobic, right wing nut job. Whew. Thanks for clearing that up.

The rational reason I've heard proposed is that they are a nasty nest of civil rights lawyers, and make their money off people oppressing them, so they've chosen to be as outrageous as possible, in hopes of attracting winnable, profitable lawsuit possibilities.

I hadn't really considered that angle (hadn't given the whole thing much consideration if the truth be known), but it seems plausible given how our society works these days. It also plays to an interesting variety of stereotypes all in one shot.

iris lily

4-11-13, 11:03am

I hadn't really considered that angle (hadn't given the whole thing much consideration if the truth be known), but it seems plausible given how our society works these days. It also plays to an interesting variety of stereotypes all in one shot.

I seem to remember that they got money, either from judgements or from out of court settlements, against cities that have kicked them out. It's their cottage industry.

peggy

4-11-13, 7:33pm

I get it now. I just didn't realize that to question the sincerity of a Presidential petition (not to mention the man's desire to rub elbows with the commoners) it was necessary to be a Fox watchin, gun totin, homophobic, right wing nut job. Whew. Thanks for clearing that up.

I hadn't really considered that angle (hadn't given the whole thing much consideration if the truth be known), but it seems plausible given how our society works these days. It also plays to an interesting variety of stereotypes all in one shot.

So, now it's a PRESIDENTIAL PETITION? Wow! Where does he find the time? Do you wanna give the proof you have that the President put up that petition? Links maybe? Cause, yeah, only in Fox country is a petition put up by who knows who (anyone, really, as I pointed out) suddenly a PRESIDENTIAL PETITION. I guess they took down that web site to dispel myths a little too soon!
So, if someone in your business puts in the suggestion box to chain the workers to their desks, upside down, with only breaks for coffee and pee (to be preformed simultaneously) we can then tell everyone that GREGG is seriously considering chaining the workers to their desks, upside down, with breaks only for coffee and pee, to be preformed simultaneously?
See, this is classically Fox, whose audience is classically low information (probably clinging to their guns and religion since Fox has told them that Obama is trying to take them both away!). Other than right wing radio, Fox IS the propaganda arm of the GOP. It is their main delivery of misinformation. Where else would IL get the idea, (and you, apparently) that this petition site is where the White House puts up it's petitions, or that ANYTHING the President of the United States does/says is somehow suspect.
I know your only reference to how a President should act is the totally clueless and completely unconnected to the People President, George W., but it isn't really a stretch to imagine that a man who actually worked to better his community before he became President would see the US as HIS community and want to engage with it.
Or maybe you would rather he were aloof and indifferent and acted with total disregard for us like the majority of republican congressmen. Then you could really criticize him, and...wait, never mind.;)

iris lily

4-11-13, 9:36pm

peggy, you might be happy to learn that I consider the followers of the President to be as shady in this deal and probably more so than he is.

'Though we've established that the petition doesn't accomplish much of anything, it creeps me out a little that so many people seem to be enamored of the idea of no due process, throw the Westboro cads into the river based on a lynch mob bunch of signatures. So many people who are Obama followers. hmmm...

peggy

4-12-13, 8:42am

What makes you think the ones signing this petition are Obama followers? Are liberals/democrats the only ones who dislike the Westborough Church? Or maybe you are just classifying all liberals/democrats as gay tolerant and all republicans/conservatives as anti-gay?

I think most of the petitions put on this site are just goofy troll types (maybe with humor on some) who have way too much time on their hands. Actually, I think most of the sillier ones are put up by people who dislike the President and want to 'prove' how silly this web site is, sort of forcing a self fulfilling prophesy in their anti-Obama zeal.

This 'church' has been declared a hate group, as they are, by the Southern Poverty Law folks, and that is fine.
What I was objecting to was the 'suggestion' that the President could somehow deny them free speech, (or wanted to) trying to blame him for something he could never/or wanted to do. Kind of how the NRA is trying to accuse him of wanting to take their guns away, or put all gun owners on some kind of hit list, or in jail or something. This kind of misinformation is lying, period, but apparently effective as a certain segment is so willing to believe any evil Limbaugh/Norquist/Lapierre/Fox tell them.

Even though the President can not/doesn't want to take away free speech/your guns/your religion/your business, etc...he is 'guilty' of these crimes simply because these liars keep saying he is over and over.
Apparently it works.:(

Alan

4-12-13, 8:51am

. I guess they took down that web site to dispel myths a little too soon!
Do you mean the Attack Watch site? It's still around https://my.barackobama.com/page/s/report-an-attack and still encouraging likely donors to provide their email addresses in order to report someone else's emails, public statements or recorded phone calls. I didn't see an option for reporting Fox News watchers, although I'll bet they'll accept your allegations of same if you want to report your neighbors.

Gregg

4-12-13, 9:26am

So, now it's a PRESIDENTIAL PETITION?

I was just responding to the line where you said, "But, I suppose ANYTHING this president does is going to be suspect to folks like you". Rather than wasting time trying to find the pigeon hole that folks like me fit into, I just went with the fact that you inserted the President in the discussion about petitions. If it makes you feel any better I'm happy to amend my statement to reflect undisputed points. I just didn't realize that to question the sincerity of a Presidential initiative it was necessary to be a Fox watchin, gun totin, homophobic, right wing nut job. Whew. Thanks for clearing that up (again).

See, this is classically Fox, whose audience is classically low information (probably clinging to their guns and religion since Fox has told them that Obama is trying to take them both away!).

Just a heads up, folks like me don't watch much TV so they dropped cable when digital antennas came around. As far as I know you can't get Fox (or MSNBC) that way. Other than weddings and funerals I haven't been to church since the 70's so there's not much to grab there either. Maybe he'll still get the chance to pry the gun out of my cold, dead hand.

goldensmom

4-12-13, 9:48am

Oh... peggy....oh, peggy....oh, peggy.

iris lily

4-12-13, 11:28am

Oh... peggy....oh, peggy....oh, peggy.

awwww, she's so fun to wind up!

goldensmom

4-12-13, 1:06pm

Oh... peggy....oh, peggy....oh, peggy.

awwww, she's so fun to wind up!

:)

AnneM

4-12-13, 4:10pm

It has been quite entertaining to follow this thread. I don't watch much tv, but I do read a lot of online news sources; CNN, (Fox News gasp!), Reuters, Huffington Post, Wilson's Quarterly, New York Times and Post, among others. It is good to get different perspectives, Fox News included. I wasn't aware that I was all of those things Peggy described, since I read Fox News content. Who knew!

ApatheticNoMore

4-12-13, 4:28pm

It would never have occured to me to see the White House Petitions as being done by Obama or exclusively Obama supporters, it's so unclear on the concept, it's almost akin to not grasping any other feature of the web: "oh I thought facebook was just for posting pictures of your face, you mean it's used for things besides that?".

Now I've never signed one of the White House Petitions, they are too invasive and nosey (much like fb :)), you have to setup accounts and everything. The idea is a way to petition the president directly and so on, I think it's mostly distraction, diversion, and delusion, to convince us we have more of a voice in our government than we do. Petitions that are too controversial ocassionally seem to vanish, and if that doesn't work they raise the threshold on them. They don't necessarily address that which they really dont' want to address.

peggy

4-12-13, 6:53pm

Oh... peggy....oh, peggy....oh, peggy.

What?! IL implied the President, or the White House is responsible for this goofy petition, and I objected.

Gregg-I didn't 'inject' the President into this discussion. IL did, by implying that the President put that petition up and DEMANDED I explain the WHITE HOUSES petition! I just pointed out that the web site was for anyone to put up a petition. OK, well, maybe you don't watch Fox, but I 'm sure I didn't list ALL of the sources of misinformation. I just named the usual suspects. If you want to say where you got the idea it was a PRESIDENTIAL petition, then great. Do so. Otherwise, YOU are the source of misinformation.

IL perpetuates some misinformation, I tried to set the record straight and I'm the one getting flak!

(sigh) You know, if you people were actually paying attention, and not just pulling crap out of your southern regions in some desperate attempt to discredit this President and his administration, you would actually have stuff, real stuff, to complain about! There is some actual, scary stuff coming down...but if you all want to rather talk about community organizers, and teleprompters, and Kenyan socialist, Muslim posers, fine....whatever...

Frankly I'd rather talk about how the right is ruled by lobbyist like Norquist and Lapierre, and how it seems they are the ones dictating, and controlling policy in Washington way more than any community organizer.
Background checks? God no! Don't want to stand in the way of any nut job and his gun. Heaven forbid if we prevent anyone from exercising their rights, like that fellow who shot Gabby Giffords, who was, after all, just exercising his 'second amendment solution', as some here champion. Gotta keep that tyrannical government in check..

iris lily

4-12-13, 7:10pm

What?! IL implied the President, or the White House is responsible for this goofy petition, and I objected.

sweetheart, I meant to imply (but apparently was too subtle) that the Prez doesn't give a chit about the subjects raised in petitions up on his Whitehouse website, Westboro or otherwise.

peggy what would we do without you to inject passion in to these discussions? >8)

And just to reiterate, I don't have cable tv, I don't watch Fox news, I never know what the topic of the day is on Fox.

peggy

4-13-13, 8:53am

Perhaps you could comment on the intent of the White House in hosting a petition to [do something] about the Westboro Baptist church?

.

Your words Iris. In response to me asserting that the White House can't take away their freedom of speech. And your attempt to push the meme that this President and White House are evil...EVIL I tell you, strong arming their way through the constitution, willfully denying everyone's rights.
What I was responding to.

If what you wrote is not what you intended, I can't be held responsible for that. But it was actually a pretty clear path in the discussion. However, if you insist on going back and changing the direction, and intent of this discussion, it kind of makes all responses moot.

Here's a thought. Instead of trying to tar this President with totally bogus 'crimes' (Muslim, Kenyan, teleprompters, community organizer, anti-gun, anti-religion, vacations, socialist, etc...) why not criticize him for something REAL. Something he has actually done, or is responsible for, or has power over.
Or maybe you don't have anything real to criticize him for? I can think of a few things, but I'm not helping you there.

iris lily

4-13-13, 11:05am

peggy I repeat my question phrased slightly differently:

What do you think is this President's intent in hosting petitions such as anti-Westboro or pro National Iris Day?

You entirely mistake my opinion on this. While you're correct that I think this petition hosting is some version of bad, I didn't for a moment think that President Obama would direct the Attorney General of the United States to yank anyone's civil rights if that petition reached the magic number of signatures. He's not stupid.

peggy

4-13-13, 4:53pm

no, he isn't stupid. But he is subject to bad ideas, like anyone else.
On the face of it, I'm sure it sounded like a good idea when someone (probably one of his advisers) suggested it. I'm thinking he saw the frustration of the public in feeling disconnected from those in Washington, and he asked his advisors what they could do. someone said let's set up a web site for the public to petition the government and we will respond to those that seem to get lots of response. I'm sure they weren't thinking of all the mischief some with way too much time on their hands would cause.
He isn't the first President searching for a way to connect with the people without physically knocking on every door. If folks actually took the site, and it's intention seriously, it isn't a bad idea, but...well, we see what happened. So it's back to the drawing board for them. No harm no foul, except for those who want to use it as a giant stick to beat him over the head with. The teleprompter/Muslim/socialist one is wearing pretty thin!

I really don't think there is some nefarious reason behind it. He doesn't have to be 'sneaky' to get people's names and e-mail addresses anymore than Disney needs to 'sneak' the word boob into cartoon clouds to, I don't know, corrupt youth! Both of those are handled everyday pretty much straight up and forward!
He didn't know what kind of petitions people would put up, and I'm sure there are some serious ones, worthy of consideration, but they are lost in the goofy junk.

Kestrel

4-13-13, 5:33pm

Generally speaking, Peggy, you have my support! People here like to bait you, and I'm sorry you often fall into their little traps (which they intended), but I do know where you're coming from. Here are some "thumbs up" for you: :+1: :+1: and some virtual hugs: {HUG HUG}

Which is why I stay out of these discussions ... :~)

edited to add: Blue Girl in a Red State ...

peggy

4-14-13, 9:59am

Thank you Kestrel. I don't think this was a 'trap' actually. I think Iris just shot out some goofy talking point she heard somewhere and I called her on it.
I know I should just let it go, and I'm actually getting better about that, but I just get so tired of the ridiculous things people keep accusing this President of. From the Kenyan teleprompter socialist, to the latest where he somehow is responsible for/connected to Jay-Z and Beyoncé going to Cuba, all for evil purposes of course!

You know, we saw W. as an idiot puppet, and pretty much said so with examples and links, but never did anyone question his patriotism, record of birth, teleprompter use, or (incredibly enough!) build a whole negative campaign on him being a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER! It just gets so tiresome. But you are right. I need to back off and do other things.>8)

Kestrel

4-14-13, 4:14pm

Peggy, thank you for fighting the good fight. I wish I were as knowledgeable and eloquent as you are so I could jump in and support you. But I do know nonsense and baloney and BS when I read/see/hear it!

Gregg

4-15-13, 9:36am

{{{peggy}}} Don't back off too far. It would be boring here without you.

peggy

4-15-13, 7:31pm

{{{peggy}}} Don't back off too far. It would be boring here without you.

Oh dear! Am I that predictable? :|(

Funny, I don't really consider myself that 'rabid' of a liberal, but sometimes I just can't resist!
If you all knew me in real life, you probably wouldn't even know which side of the 'isle' I voted on! In fact, I think Iris and I could be good friends, talking irises and old houses and gardening in general, without touching on politics at all. And Gregg, I can't help thinking you and Alan and I could certainly enjoy a margarita on the dock while fishing. (although I would watch as I like watching more than fishing)

I'm really not a fist-pumping, sign waving activist. My real passions concern art and poetry and architecture and sustainable food forest. Politics is just a hobby...;)

Alan

4-15-13, 9:48pm

Oh dear! Am I that predictable? :|(

Yep, but it's that predictability that makes me chuckle with each post. We used to have a dozen or so regulars who could be counted on to entertain us with a low information, Fox News watching, homophobic, religious bigot spiel every time someone said something they dis-agreed with. These days, we're pretty much just left with you. :devil:

I agree with Gregg, wouldn't want you to back off too far as this chucklehead does enjoy a spirited discussion.

If you all knew me in real life, you probably wouldn't even know which side of the 'isle' I voted on! In fact, I think Iris and I could be good friends, talking irises and old houses and gardening in general, without touching on politics at all. And Gregg, I can't help thinking you and Alan and I could certainly enjoy a margarita on the dock while fishing.

I'd enjoy that too, especially if you had space to park a motorhome for a few days (is that asking too much?)

peggy

4-16-13, 8:24am

Gee... I guess it would seem I'm not the ONLY predictable one around here!
Thanks for answering Alan...just as I would have predicted!

Gregg

4-16-13, 10:39am

Gee... I guess it would seem I'm not the ONLY predictable one around here!
Thanks for answering Alan...just as I would have predicted!

Ahhh, family.

goldensmom

4-16-13, 11:18am

Gee... I guess it would seem I'm not the ONLY predictable one around here!
Thanks for answering Alan...just as I would have predicted!

Generally speaking we are all predictable. If you read enough of any one persons posts, you will see a pattern. I don’t see this forum as a place to change anyone’s mind (although it might happen) but a forum to exchange ideas, offer support as needed, to express opinions and just see what others are thinking. For me it is informational and fun. I am not offended and I hope others are not offended by statements made by people who have no impact on their real lives.

Spartana

4-16-13, 1:24pm

goldensmom

4-16-13, 2:22pm

Oh please don't cancel "The Peggy and Alan Happy Hour" show - it's the only reason i come to this forum :-)!

From a random Peggy and Alan website: "Alan was finally able to convince Peggy that boys didn't have cooties."
There is a cooties shot that one can get. RE: “The Big Bang Theory“, Season 2, Episode 10 where Stephanie gives Sheldon a cootie shot. That should help.

peggy

4-16-13, 7:59pm

Oh please don't cancel "The Peggy and Alan Happy Hour" show - it's the only reason i come to this forum :-)!

From a random Peggy and Alan website: "Alan was finally able to convince Peggy that boys didn't have cooties."

And what did Peggy show Alan, Spartana, she-rah, princess of Power? Or did she just fade into the kitchen to mix the drinks and do the dishes?

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

creaker

4-16-13, 8:32pm

Rumor has it they are coming to Boston:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/16/westboro-boston-marathon_n_3091174.html

Westboro Baptist Church Threatens To Picket Funerals Of Those Killed In Boston Marathon Explosions

Maxamillion

4-16-13, 10:35pm

I appreciate you, Peggy. You put things into words much more eloquently than I ever could.

Also, WBC...ugh. Terrible people.

redfox

4-17-13, 12:16am

Anonymous hacked their FB page. Screamingly funny.

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/04/anonymous-hacks-westboro-baptist-church-facebook-boston-marathon

Spartana

4-17-13, 1:47pm

There is a cooties shot that one can get. RE: “The Big Bang Theory“, Season 2, Episode 10 where Stephanie gives Sheldon a cootie shot. That should help. I think the cootie shot only works on nerdy boys, not conservative republican boys like Alan. Not sure what will work there - maybe Holy Water :devil:! just teasing Alan. As a sometime-conservative, sometime-liberal yet always confused Independant I can only touch the stuff on the left side of my body. On the right side it burnssssss usssss precioussss..... :devil:

Spartana

4-17-13, 1:51pm

And what did Peggy show Alan, Spartana, she-rah, princess of Power? Or did she just fade into the kitchen to mix the drinks and do the dishes?

The more things change, the more they stay the same...Ha ha - and don't forget to wear that low cut, skin tight dress and 4 inch stilletos and have your hair do and make up perfect while cooking, serving and cleaning - and smile, smile, smile :-)!! But seriously, I do enjoy reading both your and Alan's opposing comments, and enjoy the diversity of views from all the forum members when it comes to discussing politics.

peggy

4-17-13, 7:26pm

Ha ha - and don't forget to wear that low cut, skin tight dress and 4 inch stilletos and have your hair do and make up perfect while cooking, serving and cleaning - and smile, smile, smile :-)!! But seriously, I do enjoy reading both your and Alan's opposing comments, and enjoy the diversity of views from all the forum members when it comes to discussing politics.

You forgot the pearls...Must...have...pearls...!

Spartana

4-19-13, 2:36pm

You forgot the pearls...Must...have...pearls...! Oh my how rude of me to forget those. I must have been thinking about politics rather than my looks. Mustn't let that happen again :0!! Now Peggy, be a dear and bring me my slippers and a dry martini, shaken not stirred :devil:

OK joking aside. I really do enjoy the back and forth banter that everyone brings here. Sometimes it can get snarky and rude and resort to name calling but not often. I even learn a lot even if I don't always agree with someone's position on a tropic.

BayouGirl

4-20-13, 11:39am

Spartana

4-20-13, 1:22pm

i think the best way to deal with them is to simply ignore them, not give them press and to outnumber them if they do show up and minimize them. They do wish to create publicity and hate so it is always refreshing to see how people deal with them from the volunteer "honor guards" who show up to protect people at funerals from even seeing these morons or the other groups such as the zombies who surrounded them wearing zombie costumes and reducing them to a laughable mockery. WBC wants to spread hate but luckily, the opposite has happened as strangers band together to stand against them. Yeah I love the reaction they get. A great way to protest against them and make a statement of solidarity. But I'm still confused. I don't really understand their rationale between applauding the deaths of soldiers with a "God-is-pissed-off-at-gay-people-and-is-punishing-straight-soldiers-for-it-and-we're-happy-they-died" anti-gay statement. I don't see logical connection.

BayouGirl

4-21-13, 3:06pm

Yeah I love the reaction they get. A great way to protest against them and make a statement of solidarity. But I'm still confused. I don't really understand their rationale between applauding the deaths of soldiers with a "God-is-pissed-off-at-gay-people-and-is-punishing-straight-soldiers-for-it-and-we're-happy-they-died" anti-gay statement. I don't see logical connection.

It's all about publicity and being offensive and saying offensive things. This nets them publicity and even money. One of their tactics is to file lawsuits like this one: http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_14780513 (This story first appeared online on March 29, 2010. Spring Garden resident Albert Snyder got a bill for $16,500 on Friday -- the latest result of his ongoing legal battle with the Westboro Baptist Church.
Church members are seeking to recoup costs from federal appeals court, which dismissed Snyder's lawsuit against them. Snyder's lawyer, Sean Summers, said the court declared last week that Snyder was responsible for the costs, which were for copying and processing fees.)

Here is a link with more about how they operate: http://kanewj.com/wbc/

"Fred Phelps does not believe what he is doing. This is a scam.
It's a business. They travel the country, set up websites telling you exactly when they'll be there, and using the most inflammatory statements all over the place, just to get someone to violate their rights for profit. Then they sue the military, the police force that was to protect them, and everyone that is around them for money. This is a sham, and it is a trap to get people sued. Every member of his family is an attorney. Phelps does not break the law. What he does is try to make you break the law by trying to punch your sensibilities about everything you hold dear, and then sue you and everyone municipality around him to the max.
This is a scam.
Whether he believes his posters or not is irrelevant.
He's using this as a moneymaking scheme.
Lay one finger on him, do one thing that violates him, and he will sue you, and more importantly, the city, the police department, the US Military, and any private property owner he happens to be standing on to make money off of it."

This explains a lot about them.