Fred Phelps is coming to town on Tuesday.

[Chichiri]

He's picketing some poor cop's funeral, I have no idea why. I'll be working during the actual protest, sadly, but can anyone suggest any other actions that I can take as long as he's here?

[Fovea]

1. a paintball tournament?

[Skittles]

2. OK

when will a friend or relative of the people whose funerals this sick bastard pickets RIGHTFULLY BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF FRED PHELPS ???

[Fridays Child]

3. The great big sign I'd love to see (waved by a male) at a Phelps event:

"Fred, last night was magical. Call me."

[Bouncy Ball]

4. OMG. I laughed out loud.

Whew. I'd be a little afraid for that guy. The Phelps family is INSANE.

[theHandpuppet]

5. Here are some suggestions from previous protests

http://www.eatromaine.com/laramie/angel_action/angelaction.html
http://www.inkstain.net/fleck/archives/001708.html
http://www.lgbtcampus.org/faq/hate_preachers.html

[Chichiri]

7. Good ideas. I wonder . . .

How good a response would I get from DUers if I set up a pledge drive like what Keith Orr did -- people pledge a certain about of money for every minute that Phelps protests?

[theHandpuppet]

8. Consider the event, however

Raising money at a funeral might not come off as appropriate. I always thought the angels idea was quite moving and would be more respectful to the family of the deceased.

[Nevernose]

6. The cop who helped prostitutes somewhere up North/back East?

It was on CNN the other day. Great man, doing the right thing.

[Nevernose]

9. Could this be the protest (as reported in LBN)?

Church Members To Picket NC Marine's Funderal In Minnesota"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1665654

http://www.wfmynews2.com/news/local_state/local_article.aspx?storyid=46148

Lovely people, I'm sure:
The church blames the US government for a bomb that exploded on its compound in 1995.

The Westboro Baptist Church says it was bombed to stop its anti-gay preaching.

Church members say they protest at soldiers funerals to tie the deaths to the church bombing.

At a soldier's funeral in Oklahoma last week, the group carried signs that said "America is Doomed" and "God Hates Fags."

[OneBlueSky]

10. if there is a hell, there's a special place reserved for this . . .

poor excuse for a human being . . . that I don't believe in hell in no way negates my wish that it becomes his eternal home . . .

[Ladyhawk]

11. Can you schedule in a mooning?

Have all the mourners drop their pants in Phelps' general direction?

Yeah, I know, but it's a nice thought. It makes me happy.

[Ms. K]

12. You want to know the worst thing you can do to Phred?

Ignore him.

Give him no publicity.

Refrain from giving his merry band of hatemongers the time of day.

When my hometown had a KKK rally in the middle of town when I was in high school, every church in the area banded together and had a peace rally at the fairgrounds.

The only people that showed up to the KKK rally were the Klan Knuckleheads and the police. Everyone else in town either stayed home or went to the fairgrounds.

The Knuckleheads were pissed because they didn't get what they wanted, which was a bunch of people showing up to protest them and draw attention to them. And the rest of us were glad that we didn't have to deal with the assholes.

So, giving Phred no publicity at all is the exact opposite of what he wants. He WANTS people to show up to counter-protest, it brings spectators that he can play to. He WANTS people to show up to counter-protest, so he can claim that they are either harassing his group of freaks, or are assaulting his group of freaks (and Phred is big on the lawsuits). By nobody showing up, he doesn't get what he wants. And that's important.

It's all a matter of psychological warfare. And you have to be willing to do it better than Phred.

Of course, I also like the idea of angel winged counter-protestors not saying a word. If Phred ever protests anywhere in driving distance to me, I'm going to counter-protest with whoever is willing to counter-protest with me. I'm getting sick of hearing about those smug assholes.