Video: Wisconsin students chase Westboro nuts off their campus
posted at 10:34 pm on April 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Another spirited counterprotest, this time minus the Rickroll. I found the clip surprisingly hard to watch at times; one’s natural sympathy for a small group surrounded by an angry mob makes the moral focus blurrier than it should be. If you find yourself succumbing to the same instinct — and knowing our readership, most of you won’t — let this straighten you out. That was what drew the Phelpsies to campus. Not so blurry anymore, is it?
The Wisconsin kids don’t pull any punches with their insults, so please observe this, your official content warning.
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I’m not sure what that story has to do with Westboro getting exactly what they deserve. They get absolutely ZERO sympathy from me.
JetBoy on April 10, 2008 at 10:39 PM
They would never do that if they had brown skin, or were Muslims though.
Riposte on April 10, 2008 at 10:42 PM
+1 JetBoy
Roebuck on April 10, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Not in our house indeed.
lowandslow on April 10, 2008 at 10:43 PM
I was told about this last night by my best friend, whose brother and his girlfriend go to Stout. I would have been there myself if I could have made the trip.
They should have been in the crowd, as far as I know. I think I say the girlfriend for a second.
Yeah, we may have a ton of liberals in Madison, and sprinkled throughout, but you don’t screw with UW students. Had there been no police presence there, those people would be headed straight to the hospital.
MadisonConservative on April 10, 2008 at 10:45 PM
From the news story I gathered that they were 3 pretty normal kids. Is it just someone dieing tragically now that draws the Phelps loons out? Those people have some serious problems. And as we all know, as far as being Christians goes, they’re not even close.
My heart goes out to the families.
Kowboy on April 10, 2008 at 10:47 PM
The counterprotesters don’t seem to care that these people protest miliatary funerals, they just don’t like the anti-gay ideas.
Odds are if this was an anti-war protest it would be the same people standing hand in hand singing Neal young songs.
Rbastid on April 10, 2008 at 10:50 PM
AP, the only thing I felt was swelling pride when the crowd first rushed the Phelps clan, chanting “Go home…” As an evangelical Christian myself, I find the existence of the Westboro church embarrassing.
sondiehl on April 10, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Wonder if we could convince the Westboro congregation to protest and condemn The Packers? Especially if they could be convinced to stage the protest a little further North.
Oldnuke on April 10, 2008 at 10:51 PM
The whole thing is ridiculous. The Phelps clan should be ignored like a homeless guy rubbing his own snot in his hair. A gentleman’s protest should be reserved for something which is open to debate.
thuja on April 10, 2008 at 10:51 PM
What was the problem?
In any case, I wonder, if Westboro Church didn’t attack the Military, and anything related to it, for whatever reason and with whatever mean they chose, will anyone ever care about them?
Indy Conservative on April 10, 2008 at 10:51 PM
As long as these kids stay smart and don’t touch anyone, what they did is fine with me. I’d like to know what their motivation is. I’m not sure it would be the same as mine, but I’m not going to quibble over it.
Go home! works for me.
Connie on April 10, 2008 at 10:52 PM
They were there to tell the students that their three friends died because God is punishing America. I thought protesting the military funerals was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen, but this may be even worse.
I think I can speak for the rest for the rest of the country when I say “yeah, we’d totally kick their ass too”. I’m almost glad they didn’t because then the Phelps asswipes could get on TV and spin the whole thing.
malan89 on April 10, 2008 at 10:52 PM
On the contrary…they should be confronted everywhere they show up. Every time.
JetBoy on April 10, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I feel a little sympathetic for the Westboro….
Nope, just gas.
I’m not exactly sure what species the creatures at Westboro are, but “homosapien” isn’t it.
amerpundit on April 10, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I think this is why God created assault rifles. Terrorists and people who celebrate the deaths of innocent children. Yeah, that seems about right.
malan89 on April 10, 2008 at 10:56 PM
“As and evangelical Christian myself…” You don’t need to qualify yourself like this. The Phelps group is NOT evangelical. Evangelical means someone who believes that Christians should believe the Bible and share the gospel of Christ with others. The Phelps group obviously does not believe this. Don’t be embarrassed because you are part of the same identity group as them….you are not.
p40tiger on April 10, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Amen.
SouthernGent on April 10, 2008 at 11:04 PM
These guys get a police escort through the crowd, but try to get through the Pinko crowd at the Berkley recruiting center and the police just stand there and tell ya they don’t want to take sides.
Brad on April 10, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Yeah, they used to antagonize funerals of gay people before they branched out to doing it at military funerals, I don’t think a lot of people outside of gay circles knew about them. I had a gay friend who told me about them doing this crap during…I’m thinking Matthew Shepherd’s(sp?) funeral.
doubleplusundead on April 10, 2008 at 11:10 PM
I think what I’m saying is people would pay attention to them, but probably because of their shenanigans with the military, they got on the map a lot quicker.
doubleplusundead on April 10, 2008 at 11:13 PM
I don’t know. I loved watching these people get driven away, but I wouldn’t want to start a scene like that at a military funeral. The chaos would onlydistract from honoring the heor’s who were killed. I know these loons came to my city for a protest of a funeral, and a huge counter protest was held. It was a silent one though because every one wanted to respect the soldier.
eski502 on April 10, 2008 at 11:19 PM
As a Christian (in heart anyway, not neccessarily practicing) it is hard to feel sorry for a person toting a “fag’s doom” sign.
Today it seems, bad free speech was overriden by more bad free speech.
God bless America.
awake on April 10, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Also, I heard more anger from the crowd over the fact that their signs were anti American than the fact that they were anti gay. Several “What, you hate Americans?” and “Aren’t you Americans?” were coming from the crowd. I think I heard a “Go back to Canada” too.
eski502 on April 10, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Yes. It wouldn’t be appropriate to do a loud counter protest at a funeral. Do the Phelps’ get a permit for their protest? If not, couldn’t a large, silent, crowd just stand between them and the funeral (facing the funeral, not the Phelps), and then in unison step back, and then another, and then another, thereby “pushing” the Phelps group back and out of shouting range? Maybe that would be illegal. I don’t know.
p40tiger on April 10, 2008 at 11:24 PM
If they cant be raptured can they be a little ruptured?
BL@KBIRD on April 10, 2008 at 11:27 PM
The Phelpies got off easy. Way to go Wisconsin
students. Way to go.
Texyank on April 10, 2008 at 11:27 PM
What were they thinking,heheheheh,Hey I got a great
idea let’s go to a university where were outnumbered
about 200 to 1,and protest how anti-American our
church is!
And I think Westboro Church needs sensitivity training
as well,a free ticket oneway to thier Muslim counrty
of their choice,the choice: Iran or Syria!
canopfor on April 10, 2008 at 11:28 PM
oops,that should be country,not counrty.
canopfor on April 10, 2008 at 11:30 PM
It was “Go back to Kansas” not Canada.
I think I have mixed emotions on this. Not because of the outnubmered thing, but just that this is the same thing these college students do when its conservatives counterprotesting anti-war jackasses.
So … I don’t know. Phelps is scum, complete and total scum. But we’ve respected the free speech rights of scum for a very long time in this country.
I’m not certain that’s something that should be encouraged to change via mob enforcement.
apollyonbob on April 10, 2008 at 11:31 PM
This is not the worst reception these asshats have gotten. Check out THIS video.
mram on April 10, 2008 at 11:37 PM
And a large percentage of conservatives/conservative blogs didn’t care what the Phelps were doing until they started protesting at military funerals. As long as they were just harassing the gays, it was fine with them.
Works both ways.
SnarkVader on April 10, 2008 at 11:39 PM
My sympathy for the Phelps cult can be found in the dictionary between s**t and syphilis.
Sekhmet on April 10, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Showing up to masturbate to the death of three students in a fire.
I’m disappointed that none of the students had the moxie to take a swing at the freaks and curb stomp them into mounds of bleeding, stinking waste meat.
Nevertheless, good show by the youngsters driving the Phelps Phaggots off their campus. I salute them.
Misha I on April 10, 2008 at 11:45 PM
SnarkVader-
So the “a large percentage of conservatives/conservative blogs” are anti gay (”it was fine with them”)?
Prove it, b.s. slinger.
profitsbeard on April 10, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Nice try.
I didn’t say they were anti-gay. I said they didn’t care what the Phelps were doing until they started protesting at military funerals. They were apathetic about it.
SnarkVader on April 10, 2008 at 11:48 PM
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Raise her glowing flame
Stand, Fellows, let us now
Salute her name!
How cool would have it been if two gay students walked infront of those crazy psychos and started kissing? I’d love to see a video of the Westboro reaction.
WAY TO GO BADGERS! It is damned refreshing to see some positive video. Isn’t it great how conservatives can protest without throwing paint or fake blood all over the place? No violence, no “don’t taze me bro” moment.
Again, WAY TO GO BADGERS!
cannonball on April 10, 2008 at 11:49 PM
G*D bless the kids who stood up to that crap.
NOT IN YOUR HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(And if the Phelps nuts or the NeoNazis attack my alma mater, I’m going to stand in their way as the man did against the tank in Tiananmen Square.)
HotAirJosef on April 10, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Motion seconded, WAY TO GO BADGERS!
HotAirJosef on April 10, 2008 at 11:52 PM
This ought to be done EVERYWHERE the Phelps clan shows up to protest! Maybe they’d get the idea then.
kippras on April 11, 2008 at 12:01 AM
To all you “Go Badgers” folks….the kids at UW-Stout are Blue Devils, not Badgers. UW-Madison is the home of the Badgers.
malan89 on April 11, 2008 at 12:05 AM
That Channel 3000 story was the reason they showed up to protest? I don’t get the connection. Did these s.o.b.’s come out to say these people deserved to die in a house fire? That’s just despicable. As a UW alum myself (Madison), I’m glad to see people show up in those numbers . UW Stout only has about 8000 in enrollment–seemed like a lot of those showed up that day.
BryanS on April 11, 2008 at 12:13 AM
I wonder how they liked it?………
There is hope for the United States, after all……..
Seven Percent Solution on April 11, 2008 at 12:14 AM
I’d like to third that, but the sea of red at 3PM on a Saturday clogging up Johnson St. to the point that my car can barely move kills my team spirit.
MadisonConservative on April 11, 2008 at 12:16 AM
The Phelps clan is ugly and powerless. The muslims are powerful and are supported by our beautiful people. If we can’t bring ourselves to ignore the insane out of politeness, how about ignoring the insane in order to devote our limited resources to actual threats?
thuja on April 11, 2008 at 12:22 AM
You could always hitch a ride on Mayor Dave’s trolley.
BryanS on April 11, 2008 at 12:23 AM
“It was fine with them” indicates that they knew and approved. Not exactly the same as apathy. You couldn’t prove your assertion so you changed your position, and hoped nobody would notice. Nice try.
smellthecoffee on April 11, 2008 at 12:23 AM
“It was fine with them” means they knew and didn’t care. Was there some outrage that I missed? I don’t think so.
SnarkVader on April 11, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Ehh.. RicKRoll was better..
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 12:30 AM
This was an “Angry mob mentality” exactly what WBC is looking for..
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 12:30 AM
I’m with you. If Daniel Pipes went to speak there, he’d get a similar reception. Fewer students, but it would be inside, and so the effect would be similar. Did you listen to some of the elistist, lefty snobbism coming out of those little pukes mouths? If I said these people deserve each other, I’d be over stating the case, but I will say that I didn’t get any satisfaction from watching that little demonstration of lefty mob rule. Next it’ll be the Boss getting the same treatment–and NOBODY wants to see that.
smellthecoffee on April 11, 2008 at 12:31 AM
I just heard of a group called the Patriot Guard Riders. It is a group of Harley riders that show up at funerals that the WBC plans to protest. They protect the families by forming a wall of men, motorcycles, and flags. Sounds like a great group if you ask me!
You can read more here: http://www.patriotguard.org
Dr. Conservative on April 11, 2008 at 12:34 AM
…is that Bryan Schimming??
MadisonConservative on April 11, 2008 at 12:35 AM
What’s really pathetic is that someday someone is really going to put the boots to these nuts, and perhaps that’s what is needed for them to stop trampling on the grief of others — picketing at funerals is just too much.
Richard Romano on April 11, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Nope. Another Bryan S. Figured that conservatives in Madison are a rare enough breed that I had to give a shout out to a “comrade in arms” so to speak.
BryanS on April 11, 2008 at 12:42 AM
I’m very familiar with Westboro and hate their behavior. Their action scoffs at the apostle Paul’s guidance inspired by God.
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; – 1 Peter 3:15
It is wretched sin and Allahpundit is correct to remind us of their actions.
But I’d like to point out two things.
1) The students were giving them what they wanted. Now WBC thinks they are martyrs.
2) The student’s motives come from the same place that Westboro’s motives come from. That being their wicked and arrogant hearts convinced of their own moral superiority over the other and hence their justification for acting in such way. It’s even likely that some of these students consider themselves non-religious. That doesn’t matter. Every man falsely compares their own heart with another man’s.
Satan wants this. He wants us distracted from what we should be comparing our hearts with. The righteousness of the one holy God. If we step into the light where our evil deeds are exposed we will truly see who we are before Him.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. – John 3:20
Do you, the reader of this comment, think that you are morally better than Westboro Baptist Church or perhaps the students?
Here’s a shocker, it doesn’t matter if one is better than Ghandi or worse than Hitler,
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, – Romans 3:23
For He is a just God and hates evil. And our hearts are evil.
we ALL justly deserve the wrath of God. No one deserves eternal life.
But a day is coming when we will either die or Christ Jesus returns. On that day, how will you stand?
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
- Revelation 6:15-17
shick on April 11, 2008 at 1:11 AM
Y’all are soooo awesome! The way you sit behind your laptops talking about how you would go beat up, spit, and cuss out a few nuts holding signs you disagree with (backed by a large group, of course). I guess you do this frequently with the local insane sidewalk preachers? Wow! What courage!
In the meantime we’ll have a mosque and madrassa on every corner in a few years. Most of you don’t have the nuts to protest islamic creep, and most won’t even protest a radical rascist Marxist just about to take over as POTUS. You really let them have it at the Minnesota madrassa with your tempered anonymous comments.
Way to prioritize and display the strength of the union of the conservative HA brotherhood and college libs against Westboro!
nottakingsides on April 11, 2008 at 1:17 AM
Being that I am a Patriot Guard Rider, PGR probably would not have come unless the WBC were protesting the funeral, not the actual campus. The PGR would extend a hand to the families, and in many cases now, the families call us for support and especially for help if the WBC should show.
Patriot Guard Riders are not just motor cycle riders. They are people from all walks of life, who are Patriotic and Respectful to the Service Members and Families of the Military Branches. But this is also extended to those who are Police, Firefighters and at times other tragic events for Family Members who need help and support.
I am a Cager, I drive a truck, but that doesn’t exclude me from helping.
It is a great organization and everything donated is given back. Something worth while. And if you ever go to a Funeral with them… expect a hug from other members, to cry when you see the casket or hear the sound of the bugle and when the family members come out to thank you for being there. I always wear my sunglasses!
upinak on April 11, 2008 at 1:27 AM
I forget to mention we are only there on invitation. We can not go unless a Family Member invites us.
But either way, it is one of the few things that makes you feel like a true American. If you don’t believe me, go help out at one in youe State. You surely won’t ever forget the experience or the Family you helped that day!
upinak on April 11, 2008 at 1:30 AM
Thanks for the info! As I said, I just learned about your group (yesterday in fact) and think that all of you are wonderful!
My understanding is that all ride motorcycles to the funerals that the group is invited to. Is this not correct? I was kinda bummed because if that is a requirement, I am definitely excluded! Is there anything that the general public can do to help further the group’s cause?
Dr. Conservative on April 11, 2008 at 1:34 AM
I was a bit nervous at first because in the past I have seen the children of these WBC people among the adults carrying their awful signs…I’d have hated to see children in the middle of something that would surely have terrified them as much as this scene.
Wonder if now these dispicable people will “note-to-self” about making sure to always have the little ones along on these goulish field trips.
surrounded on April 11, 2008 at 1:35 AM
NO that is NOT true. You are more then welcome to bcome a PGR member. You do not even have to own a vehicle or a “scoot” as the Motorcycle riders call them.
I have a Explorer and I drive it to all the Missions in my State that I can get too. I do not discriminate one who drives what, or how they get to the mission. I appreciate anyone who goes and stands in a Flag Line!
All States do have their own way of doing things. Some are easier going then others. BUT all we ask is you show respect to the Family, that is first and formost.
email me cmahnken2003@yahoo.com if you have any other questions.
upinak on April 11, 2008 at 1:43 AM
Wonder if now these dispicable people will “note-to-self” about making sure to always have the little ones along on these goulish field trips.
surrounded on April 11, 2008 at 1:35 AM
They are under investigation for child abue. Shirely Phelps-Roper told her son to kick a flag on the ground and was arrested. Here is the Link.
upinak on April 11, 2008 at 1:50 AM
I don’t know why you would assume conservatives knew. It’s not like we tend to run in circles where we’d hear about it, and nothing like that ever made my local news, nor the national that I recall.
I never heard of Phelps until I got godhatesfigs.com in my DMOZ queue, probably in the early 2000s. That’s not a typo, that’s figs, as in the fruit. It was a pretty good parody of the Phelps disgusting website. It didn’t make sense until I saw godhatesfags. Nobody I knew at that time was aware of Phelps, either – when I told them, they were appropriately horrified. Anybody else here heard of Phelps until after 9/11?
Snark, your outrage about our lack of outrage is misplaced.
Laura on April 11, 2008 at 1:55 AM
U of Wisconsin College Students 10
Faux Christians 0
Send ‘em back to Kansas.
Those children are fearless, relentless and brainwashed beyond a reasonable doubt, unfortunately. Shirley Phelps Roper has 8 sons and like 4 daughters, her siblings all have tons of kids, and those kids are starting to have kids.
It’s tragic.
AprilOrit on April 11, 2008 at 1:57 AM
Well yes it is tragic…wish there would be some way to raid their places of residence and take away their kids like what is happening in Texas right now with those FLDS pedophile dickweeds. Give innocent victims of this stuff a decent chance at life.
surrounded on April 11, 2008 at 2:02 AM
Fred Phelps abused Shirley and her siblings in the 50s and 60s. He had 12 kids, 2 girls and 2 boys are estranged and have told their stories of his abuse. I think he also drank. He’s a mess.
JFK JR mainstreamed him in George Magazine, I never quite got why he did that, why he gave this man a platform.
AprilOrit on April 11, 2008 at 2:03 AM
AprilOrit on April 11, 2008 at 2:03 AM
God only knows. The Phelps creep me out. Like someone who is a sexual predator you know. That look gives them away!
upinak on April 11, 2008 at 2:05 AM
Oh yes, thanks for the link Upinak!
surrounded on April 11, 2008 at 2:06 AM
The good news is they can only marry people within the church, so those inbred SOBs will die out sooner rather than later.
Laura on April 11, 2008 at 2:10 AM
More info.
Some interesting trivia on the nutjob – he was also a suicidal drunk & drug addict –
Has thirteen children, fifty-two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Except for four of his children (Dorothea, Kathy, Mark, and Nate), all of them are members of the Westboro cult based in Topeka, Kansas.
Despite being awarded a special honor by the NAACP for his practice of civil rights cases in the 1970s and 80s, he has been recorded by news crews and private citizens on numerous occasions screaming racial expletives at crowds of blacks and civilians. Members of the NAACP have stated in recent years that Phelps would not have been given the award had they known that he was using the civil rights cases as a front for extortion crimes.
Permanently disbarred from practicing law in 1987 for slander, libel, extortion, and harassment. The motion for Phelps’ disbarment was signed by every federal judge in the state of Kansas. Phelps accepted disbarment on the grounds that none of his children, six of whom were also listed in the motion, would face the same fate; three of them (including Fred Jr. and Margie Phelps-Roper) were suspended for libel, slander, and harassment.
In 1968, weighing nearly 300lbs, he was rushed to the hospital after overdosing on a cocktail of barbiturates, amphetamines, and alcohol. He remained in a coma for nearly a week; upon release from the hospital he placed himself on a stringent liquid diet and dropped to 135lbs in less than three months.
In 1994, a woman attempted to murder him by running him over in her car after he allegedly shouted sexual obscenities at her during a picket. Phelps declined to press charges when the Topeka district attorney informed him that doing so would be essentially admitting that he was guilty of inciting violence, and he himself would be arrested and tried.
Accepted to West Point at the age of sixteen. He dropped out before attending any classes.
Featured in the June 11, 1951 issue of TIME magazine for his efforts to make kissing in public a criminal felony in Pasadena, California. His crusade came to an end after he was arrested for assaulting a police officer who informed him that he did not have permission to picket at John Muir University.
Part of a failed mission to convert Mormons in Vernal, Utah, with fellow students from Bob Jones University in 1947. After delivering a sermon condeming the Mormon religion, the mission leader was asked a theological question he did not know the answer to; Phelps responded by attacking the man who’d asked the question, resulting in a near riot.
Attended Bob Jones university for two years (1946-1948) before dropping out. He cited racial issues as the reason for his departure; in 1994 Rev. Former college employees told the Topeka Capital Journal that Phelps left after being given an ultimatum that he either seek psychiatric counselling or be expelled.
John F. Kennedy, Jr., ranked him #5 on his list of “The Most Interesting People in Politics” in George Magazine.
Fred Phelps is a registered Democrat in Kansas, and has even ran for the Democratic primary for governor three times (1990, 1994, and 1998).
AprilOrit on April 11, 2008 at 2:17 AM
The WBC may have the “Right” to spew their garbage but thankfully the students of UW exercised their Rights and drove those bastards off their campus. My sympathy to the victims of the fire but I also must express some sympathy for the police officers who were assigned to protect the WBC fanatics. I guess they must’ve drawn the short straw that day.
Yakko77 on April 11, 2008 at 3:11 AM
Like Jim Gilchrist was driven off? Nonie Darwish, Walid Shoebat, David Horowitz, Bill Kristol and others are routinely blocked from coming at all, or harrassed off the stage when they do. I enjoyed the video, I admit it freely. But I can’t support it. There has to be a better way.
Laura on April 11, 2008 at 3:19 AM
All of you sign-wavers and shouters were interesting to watch for a few minutes. I mean it. But we’re trying to read here, so now we want you to take your nonsense somewhere else. See this? It’s pepper spray. Take your protests and your counter-protests out of earshot, or we’ll give you something to scream about.
Kralizec on April 11, 2008 at 3:25 AM
Those WBC scumbags don’t realize how often they test their luck, because one of these days, they’re going to show up at the wrong funeral/memorial/what have you and the reception will be far less cordial than this.
I firmly believe these cretins have a deathwish.
SuperCool on April 11, 2008 at 5:04 AM
Yup, you were right.
flipflop on April 11, 2008 at 6:36 AM
I got the opportunity to view the WBC freak show live when they came to Camp Lejeune to protest the Marines a while back. The Jacksonville police (city adjacent to Lejeune) closed off traffic and didn’t allow us to get anywhere close to them. 5 WBC moron’s showed up to protest. We had several hundred counter protest them directly, and several hundred more at pro servicemember rallies at two locations in town away from the freak show.
WBC is chock full of laywers who support themselve through lawsuits where they sue people for everything under the sun and use “protests” like this to give them a opportunity to sue people.
It’s already happened, enjoy: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZGKx2pTBQc
Hog Wild on April 11, 2008 at 6:52 AM
Agree. Peaceful communication of people’s displeasure with hateful people is always a good thing. Not sure how I felt about the level of moblike, profane atmosphere, only because I was trying to imagine someone else that liberal students disagree with – say a conservative author in for a speech – “confronted” like this. OTOH have NO sympathy for the Phelpses to start, and even more so after reading about why they came and the students’ reaction to these despicable people was understandable.
What I don’t get though is why TV people keep having them on. They have a Contitutional right to make themselves look terrible on the streets. Why invite them on TV to give their hate more publicity?
inviolet on April 11, 2008 at 7:20 AM
I hope they do this for the Code Pink and 9/11 Truther protest also on their campus.
JeffinSac on April 11, 2008 at 7:26 AM
The westboro group is detestable and my guess is there is some very sick and dysfunctional behavior under the surface. My guess is, however, that most of that crowd will go to the voting booths next year and vote for barry and his reverend. Not in our house was an appropriate ending, the unspoken caveat of post modernism.
peacenprosperity on April 11, 2008 at 7:30 AM
If my child were killed in action and these cretins showed up at his/her funeral, they would not be afforded this treatment by myself or my friends. Their behavior is not excusable! EVER! Our best and brightest are losing their lives in defense of their country and this nation owes them better than this! Every time!
sabbott on April 11, 2008 at 7:40 AM
The Westboro a**holes are being treated far more civilly than they deserve.
Dave Rywall on April 11, 2008 at 7:47 AM
It is truly refreshing to see the Phelps Cult (there is NO WAY I am ever calling this bunch of loons a Baptist Church) finally getting the full recognition they richly deserve. If anything, they should be truly thankful………that they got off that campus in one piece.
pilamaye on April 11, 2008 at 7:47 AM
I love this clip. These people are getting what they deserve, I guess people are finally getting wise to their crapola. Nope, didn’t feel bad for them at all.
4shoes on April 11, 2008 at 7:48 AM
I hate it when haters hate haters.
TheSitRep on April 11, 2008 at 7:51 AM
Where’s Janet Reno when ya need her. The Phelps family needs a Waco/David Koresh style Bar-B-Q courtesy of the U.S. Government. I approve this message……….
adamsmith on April 11, 2008 at 7:52 AM
The Badgers need to work on their chants, though. Maybe we can get some Ring of Honor wrestling fans to hold a seminar.
GET THE F*CK OUT…
*clap clap clapclapclap*
YOU’RE GONNA GET YOUR F*CKIN’ HEAD KICKED IN
*clap clapclapclap clap clap clapclap clapclap*
and for Shirley Phelps-Roper…
SHE’S A CRACKWHORE
*clap clap clap clap*
fusionaddict on April 11, 2008 at 7:59 AM
Both groups usually make me want to puke.
JiangxiDad on April 11, 2008 at 8:08 AM
Time was, vermin like this would be tarred, feathered and ridden out of town on a rail. Same with child molesters.
Or they would simply disappear.
But we’re much more civilized now. We allow insects like this to dance on the graves of the dead and for perverts to molest children and enter “treatment”.
Much more civilized.
Thank you lawyers.
NoDonkey on April 11, 2008 at 8:28 AM
Libs shouting at Libs!!!
Golfer_75093 on April 11, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Best comment I have read so far. The day is near when the same reaction will occur with true christians(if it has not already), not these posers.
JVelez on April 11, 2008 at 9:33 AM
The story isn’t to make you feel sorry for the Phelps but rather the opposite. What AP is saying is that if you feel inclined to feel sorry for them because they are outnumbered, then read this story to learn what the Phelps were protesting.
Esthier on April 11, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Dude, really? How about a 9/11 joke to finish?
Mark Jaquith on April 11, 2008 at 9:55 AM
It doesn’t matter to God, and it doesn’t matter for salvation. But you are incorrect to say that it doesn’t matter.
Even Jesus, while admitting that all sins are equal before God, spoke of different sins in different manners. And of course, only one sin caused Him to lash out in violence.
Esthier on April 11, 2008 at 9:59 AM
“if you feel inclined to feel sorry for them”
There is nothing in the world that could make me feel sorry for WBC protesters.
They deserve far worse than they’ve ever got.
And their lawyers deserve to be boiled in oil.
NoDonkey on April 11, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I hear what you’re saying, Laura, and I wish there was a better (as in more effective) way too, but you’re wrong to compare them to Shoebat, Kristol, Gilchrist et al. For one thing they were invited to share their opinion, they did not impose themselves on somebody against their wishes.
And, in a more general sense, whereas the Phelpses certainly have a right to hold their retarded, disgusting opinions and whereas they certainly have a right to express it, they do NOT have a right to express it wherever or however they please.
Does a racist scumbag have a right to consider black people, for instance, spear chucking n*****s? Yes, he does, even though I’d privately hope and pray that he’d fall off the top of a tall building. But he does have that right. Does that give him the right to show up in the middle of, say, a black church and shout his slimy, swinish profanities at the congregation and expect to escape with all of his teeth still in his mouth? No. It does not.
Actions AND words have consequences, and if somebody shows up, uninvited, and verbally assaults and abuses innocent people, then there is absolutely no reason why they should be exempt from what follows, nor will I ever have an iota of sympathy for them, no matter what is done to them.
Misha I on April 11, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I always think of that quote from one of Phelps’s estranged children, saying he’s “addicted to hate.” This is just what he wants. And he sure knows how to get it.
Jim Treacher on April 11, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I assumed they were on campus legally – they are a family of lawyers and tend to dot their i’s and cross their t’s. Is that not the case?
Laura on April 11, 2008 at 11:17 AM
The “rotund one” likes to refer to us as the…
Perhaps he was just trying to diss the Madison Campus?
J_Gocht on April 11, 2008 at 11:34 AM
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