Westboro Baptist Church Whines Some More
Saturday November 17, 2007
From the Pagan/Wiccan news files, an update on Fred Phelps and his cronies at Westboro Baptist Church. You may recall they were on the losing end of a $10M judgment, thanks to their overwhelming need to protest homosexuality in the venue of funerals for American soldiers killed in the Middle East. Phelps and his gang of bullies were ordered to pay up after Albert Snyder, the father of a fallen Marine, filed a lawsuit.
Now, a couple of interesting tidbits from the Baltimore Sun. On November 14, the church's financial assets were made public. Phelps and two other Westboro leaders have a combined net worth of less than a million bucks, yet still seem to be able to travel around the country protesting at funerals and spreading their message of hatred. Their contention is that the $10M judgment is out of proportion to what is actually affordable for Phelps.
The day before the financial issues were made public, Phelps' attorneys filed requesting a stay of the initial judgment, claiming that it's unconstitutional. Albert Snyder's attorney, Sean Summers, says Phelps and his daughters have lied about their financial status, and failed to disclose income and assets.
Now, a couple of interesting tidbits from the Baltimore Sun. On November 14, the church's financial assets were made public. Phelps and two other Westboro leaders have a combined net worth of less than a million bucks, yet still seem to be able to travel around the country protesting at funerals and spreading their message of hatred. Their contention is that the $10M judgment is out of proportion to what is actually affordable for Phelps.
The day before the financial issues were made public, Phelps' attorneys filed requesting a stay of the initial judgment, claiming that it's unconstitutional. Albert Snyder's attorney, Sean Summers, says Phelps and his daughters have lied about their financial status, and failed to disclose income and assets.
I wouldn’t be surprised that they’d lie about their finances to escape the fine. They must have a bit more tucked away than they claim…travelling around the States isn’t cheap and they put in a remarkable amount of travelling each year to bring their message of hate to people already suffering with the loss of their loved ones.
If they can’t pay (or won’t pay as the case seems to be), commute it to a jail sentence instead. If you commit a crime, you have to pay the price for it, if not in money, then in time.
Though, I absolutely agree with you Decca concerning this hate group going to jail if they can’t / won’t pay, but this was an order from civil court (not a fine, but rather a payment for pain & suffering caused by the group) not criminal (meaning they were not convicted of a crime). I do believe that federal criminal hate crime charges should be brought against this group. They are not exercizing their constitutional rights of freedom of speech / religion, they are promoting hate. Sadly, since they haven’t touched anyone in this process there really is nothing anyone can do to them at this time, like the KKK & skin heads. These hatemongers will ultimately be charged with crimes like fraud, lying under oath, tax evasion… I also think that in the end they will also lose their church standing and non-tax status (hopefully, sooner rather than later).
These people deserve to be punished and deserve to pay. I don’t care what they believe in it is their choice, but I do care that they push so hard to get their hateful message across. People need to stand up to these bullies and let them know they are not taking this any more. These families have enough to deal with. The cemetaries should be putting a fence of some kind around them covering their hate and push them as far back as they can away from the service. Also, others should go out and protest them and someone should video tape their hate demostrations, I am sure if you look closely you will find laws being broken, helping to put an end to them!
May the Goddess help heal the pain & suffering for all hurt by these hatemongers and find peace at a time when it is so well hidden. So mote it be!
In the Service of The Mother Goddess,
~Valarie
I have been a follower of Christ since 1979 (age 13). I refuse to be called a “Christian” because so many “Christians” behave so absolutely hateful & despicable. There are true followers out here that believe you do not attack anyone. It is sickening that Mr. Phelps (not deserving the title Rev.) has done such inhumane things to grieving families. Jesus would NEVER have done such a thing! Anyone that says he would is lying. These people dishonor these fallen soldiers, their families, this country, and the Lord they “claim” to serve! I am disgusted by Phelps’ behavior. Gee, I wonder why so many people ridicule the Christian faith when you have morons like this spewing ungodly filth and stench.
Be Blessed.
Morgan
It seems to me that if they can’t afford to pay what the court is ordered then they need to pay all that they can and get a job to make installment payments on the balance. Perhaps a few decades of honest work would help them “see the light”.
The Phelp family are a group of laywers, they have the money to travel all over spreading their hate. And they have the money to pay the judgement. I (unfortunately) live in Topeka, Kansas and know all about this hateful family. In addition, Fred Phelps the leader of this insane group had a son who was gay. This is what set the family off on this “Power Hate Trip”.
If Mr Phelps & Co, do not have the money to pay for their infractions, perhaps it would behoove them to keep their nasty little comments to themselves. I see no reason to go easy on them financially, as they themselves showed no mercy to their victims. I applaud the follower of Jesus above for seeing this as an issue much greater than religion, it is an issue of humanity vs inhumanity. They can put their money where their mouth is or hush… aka put up or shut up. May the families of our soldiers be protected and comforted in their times of need.
I live in Topeka,Ks. and have to put up with Fred and companys nonsense.I think the judgment filed against him and his cohorts was just. However, I think they should have been arrested on Hate crimes and gone to to Federal Court for the same.
DDT Radio recently interviewed Shirley Phelps Roper (http://view.break.com/547636)
she was interviewed by comedian Lee Greenfield – it’s worth a watch, if only for the video!