"Westboro Baptist Church, the controversial group that just won a free speech Supreme Court case related to picketing soldiers' funerals, says it is planning to protest at the funeral for seven Perry County children who died in a fire Tuesday night." - Anthony Citrano

:( That is also unconscionable. - Anne Bouey

Of course they are - they want the publicity and hatred to flow :( Sorry your family has to think about that on top of everything else. - WoH: Professor MOTHRA

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... - Kristin

"The church has threatened to picket military funerals in Perry County before, Chenot said. They did not show up to those funerals, and Chenot says he hopes that this, too, is an empty threat. "I suspect this is just to get attention," he said. "That’s the only reason I can think they would want to attend this funeral. This group doesn’t include soldiers or homosexuals -- the groups they are usually barking about." Still, a police presence will be assembled, just in case. "Will there be some vigilante justice? I hope not," Chenot said. "But I think the potential is there." - Anne Bouey

On the one hand I'm glad that I live in a country where they are allowed to voice their opinion, on the other stupidity should be illegal. - Shannon - GlassMistress

Yeah.. ‎on one hand, I was reluctant to post this because I don't want them to have any more publicity... aside from the fact that this tragedy impacted someone very close to me, their insanity really needs to be showcased. - Anthony Citrano

Its already so terrible (all the funerals they picket) I cant figure out what makes them feel its right to do so...or how one WACKO is able to round up so many like minded people. - Shannon - GlassMistress

It's a hard call, Anthony, but I think you are right. They want to spread this message of hatred but reporting it fully means that people can see what they really are. It's a terrible infringement of privacy and grief and I'm sorry they have to go through that on top of everything else. - WoH: Professor MOTHRA

*heavy sigh* ~ it's about the money. Their WHOLE game is a con. A diabolically brilliant grift that loopholes the 1st Amendment. Until a cap is placed by the courts to limit their ability to sue cities/states/police departments/individuals...they WILL keep up their scheduled picketing protests. http://kanewj.com/wbc/ Stop the cash cow, they will fade back into backwater obscurity. - Prosey BUTTONS!

I think the people that started the "angel wings" thing against them were really on to something. It's a great thing and I would volunteer for it. - Heather

Shannon, most of the church members are members of his family. - Anne Bouey

So, here's a question. Why don't people start picketing the Westboro Baptist Church? - Kevin (aka ThreadKilla)

Kevin, that's kind of what the angel wings are. But instead of amping up the tension and conflict it was about shielding the funeral attendees. To me, that's what matters. If you cut off their attention, the WBC is likely to fade away. - Heather

*nod* For the time being, peaceful counter-protests (silent) are the most obvious maneuver. I had a question that I finally asked Nate (the estranged son) about their own funeral rites (if they had any). The answer is YES, they do. Thing is, there hasn't been a death in the family for many years...so there is no recent personal identification with grief of loved-ones lost. Gramps Phelps is convinced (supposedly) that he's (and the family is all) being "kept alive" until Christ's return...or some such nonsense. SOOO...when Gramps' card is punched, I strongly suspect there is going to be a HUGE outpouring (nationwide) of peaceful protest in response to their hypocrisy when Gramps' funeral transpires. The last funeral that Nate was aware of: http://members.shaw.ca/alyzza... - Prosey BUTTONS!

@Rene- why aren't they counter-sued? - Andrew C (✔)

(Note: His explanation of the theology and its evolution was fascinating to me...and at some point, I plan on trying to write up about it, based on his explanation...with his permission, of course.) - Prosey BUTTONS!

Andrew: They are...regularly. And, because many of the flock are attorneys, they are quite skilled and adept at what they do. (I'm Denise, by the way, lol...Rene's away from his computer - I need to update my name again...) - Prosey BUTTONS!