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In reply to the discussion: Newtown: Firefighters Form Human Wall To Block Westboro Baptist Church [View all]csziggy
(34,136 posts)119. They get their money by goading people into attacking them
Either verbally or physically. Then one of the WBC clan lawyers sues - and they win far too often. From the Southern Poverty Law Center report on WBC:
Topeka: A City Bulled into Submission by the Westboro Baptist Church
Intelligence Report, Spring 2001, Issue Number: 101
<SNIP>
And then there are the lawsuits. Phelps himself is a disbarred attorney who was long known for massive litigation; at one point, he personally had almost 200 lawsuits pending in federal court. Although his congregation includes only about 22 adults, at least 14 of those have law degrees.
The church has its own law firm, Phelps Chartered, which is staffed by church members and which has repeatedly filed suit against its perceived enemies (see Halting Abusive Lawyers).
In addition to suing the chief of police and various Kansas judges and politicians, it has sued one district attorney three times for "malicious prosecution." Even private citizens who filed criminal complaints against the picketers found themselves embroiled in lawsuits or, perhaps by coincidence, with roofing nails littering their driveways.
"We should stand up and be counted against this hatred, but I can recognize a moral dilemma to being courageous," concedes Randy Austin, former head of the Concerned Citizens of Topeka, a group established to counter WBC.
Page 2 of the article: http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2001/spring/a-city-held-hostage?page=0,1
Intelligence Report, Spring 2001, Issue Number: 101
<SNIP>
And then there are the lawsuits. Phelps himself is a disbarred attorney who was long known for massive litigation; at one point, he personally had almost 200 lawsuits pending in federal court. Although his congregation includes only about 22 adults, at least 14 of those have law degrees.
The church has its own law firm, Phelps Chartered, which is staffed by church members and which has repeatedly filed suit against its perceived enemies (see Halting Abusive Lawyers).
In addition to suing the chief of police and various Kansas judges and politicians, it has sued one district attorney three times for "malicious prosecution." Even private citizens who filed criminal complaints against the picketers found themselves embroiled in lawsuits or, perhaps by coincidence, with roofing nails littering their driveways.
"We should stand up and be counted against this hatred, but I can recognize a moral dilemma to being courageous," concedes Randy Austin, former head of the Concerned Citizens of Topeka, a group established to counter WBC.
Page 2 of the article: http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2001/spring/a-city-held-hostage?page=0,1
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Newtown: Firefighters Form Human Wall To Block Westboro Baptist Church [View all]
madfloridian
Dec 2012
OP
When WBC goes to another state with minor children... Where's that state's CPS?
TheBlackAdder
Dec 2012
#1
Yep. He trolls for lawsuits, but I'm sure a couple of Forensic Psychologists would uncover abuse.
TheBlackAdder
Dec 2012
#66
They should be considered terrorists trying to incite violence, as well as child cruelty. n/t
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#3
If it's an attempt to restrict someone's right to say what they want where they want, then actually
Bucky
Dec 2012
#115
Very unlikely. They're as competent with that as they are with their bigotry.
Posteritatis
Dec 2012
#24
I think it would be much more straightforward and I'd have to get away with it
jsmirman
Dec 2012
#18
Now thats what I call "beyond call of duty". You guys/gals are all heroes in my book.
CarmanK
Dec 2012
#28
AS long as they can show that they are a religious Org. the FEd. Gov. can not.
Lady Freedom Returns
Dec 2012
#52
Note to self: Make sure that you hit the right word in the spell check!
Lady Freedom Returns
Dec 2012
#61
Because the Bike Guys took their glory away with their efforts to shut them up.
Lady Freedom Returns
Dec 2012
#89