Will Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church picket any dead soldiers funerals in August?

I'm going to say no. Not because I don't think he'll do it, but because I'm hoping the media won't give him the platform to spew further venom and thus just won't cover it.

He posts on his website (the address is to vulgar to type on here) where he is planning on protesting.

jenni> so if it's not reported by "the media" even though it happened (see comment #2) this will settle asNO?

No, I think if he posts on his site that he has protested somewhere we could settle using that. (Bah) Will flag to verify though.

Usually whenever he protests a military funeral the local media reports on it, so I think we will be able to find the information.

kk....thanks

Ugh. Found the website. Need a shower now.

Jenni's right, if there's info available for settlement on his website, we can use that.

@Jenni - GHF website makes me want to use hot Clorox bleach applied with a steel brush afterward. 8 >(
I have looked at their website in an effort to understand these people - didn't work.

Westboro Baptist Church is a small group of related attorneys, using "religion" to promote an angry message of hatred in hopes of inciting violence. They take out a city issued permit prior to "protesting" at any event. If there is any violence, they sue the city and the perpetrator, to collect legal judgments due to having their right to free speech violated.

Patriot Guard Riders have had a positive effect in stemming their activities, although WBC is reluctant to admit it.

Because the WBC pulls a permit prior to any event, they must stay within certain boundaries established as part of the permit process. PGR stands between the protesters and attendees of soldiers funerals, while holding American Flags. The flags obstruct the view towards the protesters, so that their outrageous signs are not seen by the grieving family of the dead soldier.

Patriot Guard only attends when they are invited by the family. Patriot Guard refers to WBC members as UG's or Unwanted Guests, in an effort to limit the publicity they receive. On the following link, you can see photos from 5 different missions I have attended with the PGR. (Click on any thumbnail image to see more photos.)
http://www.motorcyclemaniac.net/WebPages/Photos_Motorcycles/index2.html

As if my last comment wasn't long enough, here is a little more.
The clearest photos of Westboro Baptist Church members's offensive signs, is on the first 4 frames of this webpage:
http://www.motorcyclemaniac.net/Pictures/PatriotGuard31106/index.html

WBC will claim plans on attending any and every funeral that is announced, but in reality, they seldom show up. I have seen them at less than 20% of the "PGR Missions" that I have attended.

@chatarra - That is absolutely beautiful. I had not heard of the PGR (honestly I turn the TV off when they report on the WBC people) and it warms my heart to see that long line of flags protecting the grieving family. Thank you so much for sharing that.

I was going to say how proud I was to know that you're my 'friend' when I realized we weren't! Hopefully we will be soon? :)

@Jenni - I am honored to have you as a friend!

Glad you friended me a while back chatarra ;) My mom told me about these people awhile back after attending a funeral... They are disgusting, and after reading your post it seems that they get the most offensive signs they can in order to fish for lawsuits.

@chatarra - awesome pictures of the PGR. I had not heard of them before. Thanks for those great links.

My thanks to the creator of this question!
(. . .even if I am not crazy about your choice of screen names - LOL )
Fred Phelps is obviously a personal subject for me, and probably others as well.

@Ironman - Absolutely right!
I wish I could have heard your mother's comments. I am betting she had some choice words to use. The first time you see this happening, it is a "jaw dropping" moment indeed.

@NotableNotices - PGR doesn't get as much recognition as I would like. It is a volunteer organization, that is free to join, and you do not need a motorcycle to belong. They have nearly 150K members currently. I have shared some of my pictures and experiences on other forums and felt really proud, when a couple of people said they were starting to see motorcyclists in a new light because of our discussions.
http://www.patriotguard.org/

Any George Carlin fans (besides me. . .) in here.

Religious zealots to picket Carlin's funeral
http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2008/06/28/6987/religious_zealots_to_picket_carlins_funeral

It is a worthy cause. It reminds me a little of the pictures I have seen of the Rolling Thunder ralleys in Washington DC - another group of patriots who ride. Unfortunately, I don't ride, but these groups have my admiration.

By "these groups" I mean Patiout Guard Riders, and Rolling Thunder - not Westboro and Phelps!

"Phelps and crew" now claim to be going to both Democratic & Republican conventions.

@NotableNotices - You don't HAVE to ride a motorcycle to assist the Patriot Guard. They always need and appreciate support vehicles, which carry the American flags and bring other items like cold water, in thermos chests filled with ice.

I noticed on Phelps' website, he was going to be at a funeral in St. Charles, MO last week...no mention in the press, however.

Their website is full of sh1t. I used to preview it before going on any missions with the Patriot Guard and usually they would have announcements of planned appearances at our missions. I have seen them on only 2 out of 6 missions, even though they said they were going to attend, and we live in a neighboring state, where simple logistics would be easier.

I believe they have slowed down on doing soldiers funerals, because the Patriot Guard is so focused on not allowing any violence to the demonstrators to occur. After all, that is how they make their living. They still do some of the soldier funerals, but just not as many and not nearly as many as their website claims.

nice article chatarra!

"Last year, the church, set up by Fred Phelps and his two daughters, was ordered to pay almost $11million in damages and compensation over its picket of one funeral, reduced to $5million on appeal."

They won't be in Canada! http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2008/08/08/6387441.html

Bernie Mac's Funeral [to be] Picketed by Westboro Baptist Church

"God Hates Bernie Mac" Says Fundamentalist Christian Sect

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/957387/bernie_macs_funeral_picketed_by_westboro.html?cat=8>

Wow! This guy must be friends with Rev. Jeremiah Wright!

Yeah, he and Jeremiah Wright ought to move to Iran (or Columbia University), where that kind of vitrol is mainstream.