Anti-abortion protesters show up at Tiller vigil, face off with supporters of slain doctor

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — About 10 anti-abortion protesters gathered across the street from a downtown Wichita vigil where supporters of George Tiller remembered the slain abortion provider.

The protesters outside Sunday's vigil were from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, which also pickets military funerals. The protesters held signs emblazoned with such messages as "Abortion is bloody murder" and "Baby killer in hell."

The protesters and about 20 Tiller supporters shouted at each other. A large number of police officers stood by to make sure the scene stayed under control.

The vigil was attended by a couple of hundred people.

Read more: http://www.kfsm.com/sns-ap-ks--tiller-vigil,0,6952333.story

[rockymountaindem]

1. Stay classy, people...

[47of74]

3. Don't sink to their level

[leekirkpatrick]

14. Dr. Tiller's Death

We do need to "stay classy". I worked for many years at Aware Woman Center for Choice in Melbourne, FL and this is bringing back all of my bad memories of the day Dr. Gunn was murdered in Pennsacola. I was working at the clinic on that day and our perennial group of anti-choice demonstrators/fanatics quite literally danced in the street in front of the clinic when they heard the news. We MUST NOT sink to that level. Let's all wear our white armbands tomorrow and remain calm, peaceful and implacable in our dedication to Women's Right to Choose. Dr. Tiller was a phenomenal man, and I know he would want us to behave in a way that puts the antis to shame.

[rockymountaindem]

19. I was only remarking sarcastically on the willingness of anti-choice types

to clash directly with people who are publicly mourning. I didn't read the whole article and I didn't notice the people in question are the Phelps clan, of whom no more need be said. They are a byword for their own brand of insanity.

[RainDog]

2. these people are insane

I hope the backlash destroys their movement once and for all.

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. Nah, it's just Phelps

Everyone EXPECTS batshit insanity from his little cult. And since this just happened to be in their own back yard, of course they had to show up. Give 'em another hour and they'll find a way to blame it on the "fags" like they do the Iraq war, 9/11, Katrina, and every other fucked up thing the Chimp did for the previous 8 years.

[Downwinder]

11. Better for RICO or Domestic Terrorism. n/t

[HowHasItComeToThis]

22. IT IS A RACKET, SHOULD BE CHARGED UNDER RICO

Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Consciousness Studies

[defendandprotect]

36. Decade or more ago, women's groups tried to do RICO on this . . .denied.

[martymar64]

41. Good luck with that

Our government is weak-kneed when it comes to prosecuting RW domestic terrorists. The FBI is on the side of the anti-choice folks. GWB/Cheney saw to that. They may go after the individual that steps over the line but they'll leave the underlying organization in place so the next atrocity can happen.

Justice is dead in this country.

[BlueJazz]

4. The Anti-Choice people were a strange lot.

[eShirl]

5. ah yes, the very same "God Hates Fags" ghouls

sounds like something they'd do

[and-justice-for-all]

54. If Jesus or god was real...Westbourgh idiots would get the express

ride to hell.

[Raine1967]

6. Westboro. It figures.

RIP Mr Tiller.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[countmyvote4real]

9. These are the people that want to force pregnancy under any circumstances.

They claim to be pro-life, but here they are celebrating a cold blooded murder. And yet, I don't know of anyone on either side that celebrates an abortion. Their hypocrisy disgusts me.

[jennygirl]

60. Why Don't Anybody Suggest Their Fostering these Fetuses Once they are Born?

Since they want to force rape victims to have there babies. Along this line, since they don't want welfare women to have, why don't these anti-abortion people step up to the plate and foster or adopt a breathing outside the womb special needs baby (not FETUS)that often make these abortions necessary and they will get a check from Uncle Sam per child to boot. Maybe being so occupied will give the less time on their hand from their stupidity!!

[xchrom]

10. recommend

[JerseygirlCT]

12. Oh, them again

They'll go anywhere or do anything for a little attention.

[rpannier]

32. It's why I say in a later post

They should only get a headline if they're NOT protesting at a funeral

[JerseygirlCT]

46. LOL. Yes, I could happily agree to that! nt

[tomm2thumbs]

13. Groups like these who protest soldier's funerals help Repub moderates become Democrats - thanks WBC

The Westboro clowns are slowly undermining the far right's standing in the eyes of most Americans, so the more they pull these stunts, the better in the long run for Democratic causes like women's freedom of medical choice, etc - I'm surprised Rush hasn't joined their Church yet - or has he?

[pipoman]

16. Problem is

the Phelps phreaks all claim to be Dems..several have run for public office as Dems.

[newspeak]

59. right they're Democrats

;) Sure, they are--they seem to think if they keep telling the public their Democrats, everyone will believe them. Well, my democratic friends and family have as much in common with the Phelps as Limpballs has in common with Bernie Sanders.

[Seldona]

15. So they were there as the 'pro-murder' counter to this vigil?

Such a lovely group of people these Westboro cultists are.

:freak:

[pipoman]

17. Don't try to make sense of it...

[Seldona]

23. No sense to be made here, I am afraid.

Just my attempt at clarifying what I thought their message was, in this particular instance.

That picture is so sad.

[pipoman]

27. Their position isn't rational

their message isn't clear, they talk in circles, they justify with riddles, they are pathetic examples of cultism at it's worst. I have seen them 'protest'..they are despicable beyond words.

[shadowknows69]

33. Freaking Manson's "family" was probably saner

These people would be out slaughtering "sinners" if they weren't in fact bullies and cowards. Sadly 1 in 1000 of them aren't afraid to.

[Justitia]

40. well, they certainly weren't as inbred. -eom

[Seldona]

39. Sure they are irrational.

That does not warrant dismissal of their message, however repulsive and idiotic it is. Not that I care to internalize it in any way.

I believe it is past time to start listening very closely to what these people are saying. Obviously last year's report isn't cutting it.

[pipoman]

42. I'm not following

I have listened. I have decided I have heard enough. I have seen young children carrying hate signs and screaming hate messages. I have worked with one very visible Phelps family member. There is no other option for me but to dismiss these vermin as having a message I will not pollute my mind with. I will celebrate the day Fred Phelps gasps his last breath, hopefully it is a slow painful death that involves much screaming in agony. There isn't another living being on the planet I would wish this on..including his brainwashed children or followers.

[Seldona]

51. I am thinking in terms of actions we can take to prevent his from happening.

Listening to their message should be Step 1 in this effort imo. If people are TELLING YOU they are supportive of what amounts to domestic terrorism to further their political goals, it might warrant paying attention to. No?

The only reason I care about the message is to see if there anything to pass on to law enforcement, if warranted.

[pipoman]

57. Only if there aren't

more than 30 related people who make up this cult. Jim Jones enticed as many to drink the kool aid...no, I can make up my mind pretty quickly the merits of someones crusade. I'm not saying they don't have a right to do what they are doing, only that I have a pretty good grasp of what I find offensive.

[No Elephants]

45. Right. Their message warrants dismissal of their message.

[myrna minx]

18. 'Pro Murder" seems apropos to describe these husks of people. n/t

[uppityperson]

20. My 1st thought was "that wasn't very bright", then I saw it was Phelps gang

what a group of assholes

[pattmarty]

21. Don't these morons have any morals at all? Oops, they don't have brains.

[LongTomH]

24. Jesus is ashamed of you, Mr. Phelps!

Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild.........protect us from your followers!

Can I get an amen?

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

25. "The vigil was attended by a couple of hundred people.".

was this written by a professional writer?

[shadowknows69]

35. The standards are pretty pathetic aren't they?

I don't think there are editors anymore in the press.

[Blue_Tires]

47. no decent ones, at least

the halfway competent reporters and copy editors all got forced out so papers could go dirt cheap hiring unfinished talent straight out of J-school...:argh:

[shadowknows69]

48. I was a better writer just out of J-school than some of the hacks working today

Even some of the veteran hacks.

[regnaD kciN]

26. I must admit I'm amazed...

...that the Rev. Phelps is still alive.

With the inflammatory positions he puts himself into (such as picketing funerals of soldiers, declaring that they're "burning in hell" because America is too gay-tolerant :eyes: ), I would think it would only be a matter of time before some outraged family member, who just happened to be exercising his or her Second Amendment rights, was so outraged by the Branch Fredphelpsians that he or she suffered a bout of temporary insanity and sent Rev. Phelps to meet his maker a bit earlier than he had planned.

Note that I'm not calling for the killing of Fred Phelps as retaliation for Dr. Tiller. That should be reserved for Randall Terry. <-- :sarcasm:

[Buns_of_Fire]

56. I don't think Phreaky Phred shows up in person at these things anymore.

Come to think of it, I haven't heard of Phreaky Phred showing up ANYWHERE in person recently. Maybe he's already stoking the fires of hell (as well he should be), or scared shitless (as well he should be).

[sofa king]

28. I hope someone photographed every one of them...

...And puts those photos for all to see on the Internet. Now that most people in most states can be fired for any reason (thanks to the protesters' masters) or for no reason at all, I should think that companies looking to downsize will be interested in seeing their employees doing such things.

That, of course, is assuming that such people can hold jobs. The last right-wing authoritarian who popped off was angry because his food stamps were cut off.

[rpannier]

34. It's Fred Phelps' clan

They want pictures taken and they want them on the internet.

[cascadiance]

29. Did anyone report these *terrorists* assembling to Homeland Security then?

I sure as hell would have!

[Withywindle]

30. They discredit every "cause" they latch onto.

I bet a lot of anti-choice people are facepalming over the Phelps Snake Oil'n'Hate Road Show taking up their banner.

[rpannier]

31. Oh...Westboro Baptist Church. They only way they should get headlines is if it was

"Westboro Baptist Church NOT Protesting Outside a Funeral."

[fireheart800]

58. protest!

Hey I heard there's a protest going on tomorrow. It's supposed to be really big! I'm definitely going.
Here's the site: Seattleoutprotest.org
and the facebook event group: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=87328597583

[farmboxer]

37. Those sick bastards!

Murder is one thing they believe in.

[BrklynLiberal]

38. "Westboro Baptist Church" is not a church...it is an organization that attracts the

sickest and vilest people to its midst....like a garbage dump attract flies and other carrion.

[pipoman]

43. There are actually very few non-family members

involved with Westboro. The church building is surrounded by the homes of the family. They have systematically purchased all of the real estate in the area.

[BrklynLiberal]

50. Does the word "inbred" ring any bells?

[peacebird]

44. where does Fred Phelps "Westboro 'church'" get the $$$ to travel to all these protests?

[David__77]

49. Their members do work. And all their money goes to their little "movement."

Small cadre organizations, of the secular or religious variety, can project far beyond their numbers, if they have a dedicated membership.

[piedmont]

52. By suing people they provoke at these "protests." It's a racket. nt

[and-justice-for-all]

53. The protesters logic: "We dont kill our unborn...

we need them to grow up and fight our wars." Marilyn Manson. "We're From America"

[proteus_lives]

55. Hey WBC! trust me, when you die you'll see Jesus.....

He'll be waiting at the crossroads...


With a baseball bat.


Think about your life of hate when he knocks you into Hell's outfield.


(Seriously, protests at funerals for any reason are awful.)