Counter Protest Draws "Almost Opposites" Together (Phelps again)

[icymist]

PORT ORCHARD

Some were young, some old. Some had mohawks and lip-rings, some had veteran patches and Marine Corps caps.

They waved flags, held signs and outlasted and outnumbered the protesters they came to counter by about 20 to 1.

What brought together such traditionally disparate people at a chilly intersection in Port Orchard Friday, pro-military and pro-gay, were a handful of followers from a Kansas church that believes that U.S. solders are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan because of divine retribution for the U.S. tolerating homosexuality.

"It is actually quite ironic," said Shawn Jones, 20, of Port Orchard, who came with friends and hand-painted signs showing support for the family of Sgt. 1st Class Johnny C. Walls and gay rights. "It's sort of like they are bringing people together. They're unifying two almost opposite groups."

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church went to the corner of SE Lund Avenue and Bethel Avenue to demonstrate at the funeral of Walls, 41, a 1985 graduate of Bremerton High School. He was killed Nov. 2 while serving in Afghanistan and his family and friends were gathering about a half-mile away for his funeral. The leader of Westboro Baptist, Fred Phelps, was not on hand. The group has been noted for its phrase, "God hates fags."

Jones held a sign that read, "God hates Fred."

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[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. they are bringing together people!

When a Marine thanks some punk rockers for coming, when another Marine says that he's a Republican but pro-gay rights---wow. Glad to see all kinds are viewing the Phelps freaks for what they are.

[icymist]

2. Phelps is the talk all over town these days.

I live and work in Port Orchard, a small town across the little bay from the Bremerton Naval Base and shipyard. A lot of folks have been asking me what I thought about this protesting group.... they never heard of Fred Phelps and his Westboro protest idiots. When I told them that Phelps just lost an $11 million dollar lawsuit over protesting a funeral, they were amazed that he was doing it again. Phelps is playing with dynamite when he comes to a small town, thanking God for the deaths of it's young people.

[DCKit]

3. That this level of blatent hatred could unite groups that would otherwise be at cross-purposes...

Can't be a bad thing.

Fred, we despise you, but thank you very much for all you have done.

[galileo3000]

4. Phelps is like those aliens in 'Independence Day'.

...Where are those great World Heroes like Bill Pullman, Randy Quaid, Will Smith, Judd Hirsch and Jeff Goldblum. ...God I'm such a nerd...

I will now return to the deep end of the crazy pool and swim back to the kiddie pool.

[icymist]

5. Why should I care about the misguided Phelps people bringing people together?

The DU is hunkered down about Chavez. As if that's really going to matter in American politics. Does the DU really want to know what's going on in America? Judging from the most popular posts, what happens in Venezuela is much more important that our own yard! Why do you so called 'progressives' care more about Hugo Chavez that what is coming together because of the audacity of Fred Phelps?

[Blue-Jay]

6. Ah, the "so called progressives" card!

Well played!

Ten points for that, plus two extra points for the excellent threadjack.

:thumbsup:

[icymist]

7. Not going to argue with you. Just said what I thought.

If you want to read more into that, then fine.

[Blue-Jay]

8. Not looking for an argument.

It just makes me laugh when DUers (over)use that phrase. It's like you're saying that people can't be progressive unless they have the exact order of priorities as you. That's kind of ridiculous, if you think about it. I can be a progressive and still be capable of talking about more than one or two important subjects.