Heath Ledger's funeral to be protested

[Planogirl]

These people are representative of what's truly evil in our world IMO.

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

Yeah, why is it that the good ones always are taken too soon, and the mean ones always get to live a loooonnnnnggg hateful life? This man has lived far too long, wish he would just drop dead already. I know that's horrible to say, because I really don't wish death on anyone, but seriously, I can't help it. This family is just horrible. I think we should start a collection up and make it country wide, so anytime a family member of one of the fallen soldiers "reacts" and hopefully rips the tongue out of one the phelps family members, and they try to sue them, we can cover their fees. I know I would donate for that!

 

[LukenDC]

They had signs that I wouldn’t want anyone under 18 to read and dragged and spit on the American flag.

What is so ironic is how they rant about how "disgusting" gays and lesbians are, yet they carry signs with pornographic pictograms and explicit language. The Phelps clan really is a bunch of sickos and I feel so sad for the children who have been dragged into that and exposed to such hate and filth.

 

[nataliela]

What is so ironic is how they rant about how "disgusting" gays and lesbians are, yet they carry signs with pornographic pictograms and explicit language. The Phelps clan really is a bunch of sickos and I feel so sad for the children who have been dragged into that and exposed to such hate and filth.

Exactly


It also amazes me the disrespect they show to the country (by stepping on the flag and protesting soldiers) that gives them the right to do this.

Freedom of speech does not come cheaply

 

[kt_mom]

Really? What was their problem with Falwell?

Because although he spoke openly about homosexuality being sinful, he said that God loves everyone. At least I think that's what it was about. I guess Dr. Falwell wasn't "religous" enough for them. Their God is one of hate. Dr. Falwell's isn't.

 

[shovan]

Really really sad. Like his poor family doesn't have enough to deal with, they have to put up with that.

 

[Deb in IA]

Plus, they're all as dumb as a bucket of rocks.

Actually, they are not. They are all LAWYERS, who look to provoke people with their outrageous protests, claiming protection under the First Amendment. And they make their living by suing people who assault them.

Someone is going to hurt them someday

That's what they want.

Is this protest going to be at the Frank Campbell funeral home? I know that's where he was brought.

I heard that is where the private family viewing is today, and the memorial will be in LA. Then Heath's father will accompany the body back to Australia for burial.

Man, that WBC is a hateful misguided bunch.

I don't think so. I think they are calculating, attention-seeking, self-promoting, and evil, pure evil. I don't think they are really religious Christian conservatives either, but rather, they are hiding behind that to gain attention and media coverage. And potential liability judgements, of course.



Sadly, Iowa is relatively close to Topeka, Kansas, and we have had more than our share of Fred Phelps and his band of genetic abominations.

Here is a clip of the aforementioned Shirley Phelps-Roper on the Sean Hannity show, defending their protest of an Iowa servicemember. Now, I know a lot of you are not exactly Hannity fans, BUT, he actually does a great job here. Give it a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UMP3AK5jwo


Fred must be getting old, because it seems that Shirley is becoming his mouthpiece more and more.

As much as you folks want to hurt these slimeballs, DON'T DO IT. You will be playing right into their hands. They will turn right around and sue you for assault and infringement on their First Amendment rights, and THEY WILL WIN - they have before.

So what to do?

IGNORE THEM. That's what really bugs them. They can't stand to be ignored.

And I hope more lawsuits are filed against them. If they can get hurt in their pocketbook, that will affect them.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I hope they will have a nice long flight to Perth Australian's will not take a liking to them, and will be very clear I suspect.... Having been there multiple times, they are rather more outspoken than we are here in this country.

I wish we were more outspoken.

 

[Ride Junkie]

So, these people are protesting a funeral of an ACTOR because he played a gay character?! Heath Ledger took a huge risk in taking on that role, and his performance was so moving and heartbreaking that it touched a lot of people. What a way to honor him...bunch of chumps.

I agree that ignoring this group is a good idea. I'm sure they feed on the fact that they get under people's skin. Why give them more fuel?

 

[WDSearcher]

I think we should start a collection up and make it country wide, so anytime a family member of one of the fallen soldiers "reacts" and hopefully rips the tongue out of one the phelps family members, and they try to sue them, we can cover their fees. I know I would donate for that!

Isn't there also a group of motorcycle guys -- all vets of foreign wars or something -- who park outside the churches of these "protests?" I remember seeing something about a group of vets on bikes who plant themselves outside the funerals of fallen servicemen and women and gun their engines at an enormous volume when the mourners are arriving at or leaving the churches or funeral homes so that they can't hear the hateful (and, face it, ridiculous) chants and yells of the group. THOSE guys -- the motorcycle guys -- THOSE guys I'll give money to!

As for the patriarch of these horrible "protests" -- my greatest wish is that someone comes up with some hard and fast proof that he himself, or one of his followers, is gay. Because THAT would be an interesting interview to watch.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Isn't there also a group of motorcycle guys -- all vets of foreign wars or something -- who park outside the churches of these "protests?" I remember seeing something about a group of vets on bikes who plant themselves outside the funerals of fallen servicemen and women and gun their engines at an enormous volume when the mourners are arriving at or leaving the churches or funeral homes so that they can't hear the hateful (and, face it, ridiculous) chants and yells of the group. THOSE guys -- the motorcycle guys -- THOSE guys I'll give money to!

I believe you are correct.

 

[debster812]

I believe you are correct.

Yep.

The Patriot Guard

http://www.patriotguard.org/

 

[lovemygoofy]

Isn't there also a group of motorcycle guys -- all vets of foreign wars or something -- who park outside the churches of these "protests?" I remember seeing something about a group of vets on bikes who plant themselves outside the funerals of fallen servicemen and women and gun their engines at an enormous volume when the mourners are arriving at or leaving the churches or funeral homes so that they can't hear the hateful (and, face it, ridiculous) chants and yells of the group. THOSE guys -- the motorcycle guys -- THOSE guys I'll give money to!

As for the patriarch of these horrible "protests" -- my greatest wish is that someone comes up with some hard and fast proof that he himself, or one of his followers, is gay. Because THAT would be an interesting interview to watch.

Yes, it's called the Patriot Guard. They are great group that goes everywhere trying to protect families and funerals from the Phelp's family.

Now, I don'[t mean this in any disrespect to the Patriot Guard but sometimes they just make it worse. The Phelp's family shows up, the PG people show up, then you have the other people showing up and of course the news people and it turns someone's funeral into a circus. Family members can't get parking spots and you hear constant chanting from both sides of the issue and it just causes more hardship for these heartbroken, mourning families. Can you tell Ive seen this a time or ten?

 

[Fitswimmer]

Yep.

The Patriot Guard

http://www.patriotguard.org/

They showed up at a funeral in the town where I work. A soldier was being buried and the Phelps clan had vowed to show up, but oddly failed to appear after a massive showing by the Patriot Guard. Great guys, people were trying to give them $$ to help defray expenses for their trips and they would not accept it.

 

[Deb in IA]

Yes, it's called the Patriot Guard. They are great group that goes everywhere trying to protect families and funerals from the Phelp's family.

Now, I don'[t mean this in any disrespect to the Patriot Guard but sometimes they just make it worse. The Phelp's family shows up, the PG people show up, then you have the other people showing up and of course the news people and it turns someone's funeral into a circus. Family members can't get parking spots and you hear constant chanting from both sides of the issue and it just causes more hardship for these heartbroken, mourning families. Can you tell Ive seen this a time or ten?

I agree. Although well-intentioned, their presence just adds fuel to the fire and gives Phelps - you guessed it - MORE PUBLICITY.

Really folks, if everyone just ignored them, pretended that they didn't exist, that would drive them crazy.

 

[eclectics]

Yes, it's called the Patriot Guard. They are great group that goes everywhere trying to protect families and funerals from the Phelp's family.

Now, I don'[t mean this in any disrespect to the Patriot Guard but sometimes they just make it worse. The Phelp's family shows up, the PG people show up, then you have the other people showing up and of course the news people and it turns someone's funeral into a circus. Family members can't get parking spots and you hear constant chanting from both sides of the issue and it just causes more hardship for these heartbroken, mourning families. Can you tell Ive seen this a time or ten?

I admire someone who has the fortitude to contain themselves and ignore those scum, but I agree with you. Without any publicity, they might put their tails between their legs and go home. However, it takes a strong person indeed who can ignore such vile hate without comment or demonstration of some sort.

 

[ducklite]

Yep.

The Patriot Guard

http://www.patriotguard.org/

What a wonderful thing they do.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I admire someone who has the fortitude to contain themselves and ignore those scum, but I agree with you. Without any publicity, they might stick their tails under their legs and go home. However, it takes a strong person indeed who can ignore such vile hate without comment or demonstration of some sort.

I thought the whole idea of the Guard was to protect the family. I thought they acted as escorts for the procession-that's what they did here. The bikes flanked the limo and the hearse so that had the Phelps people shown up, the family would not have been able to see them because the bikers would have blocked the view.

 

[eclectics]

I thought the whole idea of the Guard was to protect the family. I thought they acted as escorts for the procession-that's what they did here. The bikes flanked the limo and the hearse so that had the Phelps people shown up, the family would not have been able to see them because the bikers would have blocked the view.

Oh, I'm not putting them down in any way whatsoever. What they do is applaudable. It's just that unfortunately the Phelps scum double their efforts to "out do" them sometimes, making the whole scene even worse. I don't have a solution other than banning The Phelps altogether, which of course is impossible.

 

[Mr Man]

The "Rev" Phelps is a pig. Pigs like to wrestle in the mud. Noone should wrestle a pig in the mud, because you just get dirty and the pig enjoys it. (I paraphrased this quote from someone else.....not sure who.....)

As hard as it would be to ignore their provocations, it is the best thing to do and agree with all on this thread who have said the same.

I emphatically agree the "God is Love" response. The Phelps family serves the "Dark side".

Regards,