I just love clever college kids. I hope this picture makes the rounds on the internet and somehow finds its way back to Phelps.

All I see is a clever red x that denotes nothing is there. Got a link that works?

The pic that was here had Phelps holding his hate signs and standing between two guys. Evidently at the last minute, the guys ripped open their shirts to reveal HE IS written on one and GAY written on the other. It was pretty funny.

Interesting story of how Fred Phelps got me back into church. He and his group of haters were schedule to protest University Baptist Church here in Austin on what turned out to be two days before 9/11 and I decided to attend church that Sunday as my own way of protesting him. Little did I know that more than 2,000 other people would do the same (the usual church attendance was around 400). The sanctuary was filled from the lower seating area to the balconies. I look back now and remember how truly awesome that was and the love I felt there that day. Turns out that the more liberal congregations all across the city had urged some of their members to attend to show support for UBC. During that service, I knew then and there that I had found a church home. Oh, as for Phelps, his group's connecting flight from Dallas was grounded because of a thunderstorm. I guess God had the last word on that.

[ July 17, 2005, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]

The website changed its design the past few days, and the URL along with it. Here's the updated version:

This man disgusts me like no other. How dare he speak for God. God loves EVERYONE, including fags. Another case of someone thumping the Bible so hard he forgot to read what is inside. What poetic justice is it that Fred will spend eternity with Satan.

Phelps is so rabidly anti-gay, that the rest of the extreme right GOP can then be seen as moderate in comparison. That's why he is still seen so much.

Kind of like saying Pol Pot wasn't so bad as he only killed 2 million, and Hitler killed 12 million.

[ July 18, 2005, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: Lksimcoe ]

I have struggled with what purpose the man has on this earth. Part of me wouldn't mind seeing him dead. However...his existence horrifies even staunch conservatives. Phelps hates Jews, gays, and America. Lately they've taken to praising the deaths of American GIs in Iraq, and have messages of thankfulness over the London bombings.

I think his venom actually drives those most likely to dislike homosexuality toward moderation. I think some of that has to do with the cumulative effect of all his various hatreds. Plus, he advocates death penalty for divorcees and gays alike. He's just so off the deep end, that even conservatives flinch at his message.

Sometimes I wonder how many conservatives are actually changed by hearing Phelps' message. It would be an interesting survey.

Phelps is the most vile, repugnant person I have ever seen in person. And he has a whole clan with him. That said...everytime he rears his ugly head, something positive usually happens for our side. Bills and ordinances wind up being passed. Funding usually gets approved. Our leaders need to find a more effective way of linking him to those who oppose our rights.