Expect violence when Phelps clan protests at Jackson's funeral.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court handed the odious Westboro Baptist Church a victory by refusing to consider a Missouri court's order barring the state from enforcing its new law restricting protests near funerals.  To Fred Phelps and his shrill band of homophobes, this was an Anything Goes permission slip allowing them to continue imposing their unique brand of hatred on grieving families across the country. 

I wonder if WBC realizes its members will soon be placed in an explosive situation that might easily result in violence - and possibly bloodshed.  (I do hope they're not stupid enough to put their children in harm's way.)

In the wake of Michael Jackson's death, the Phelps clan - no doubt emboldened by this recent SCOTUS decision - has been busily making plans to protest the legendary pop star's funeral.  WBC just announced that church members will rally on July 7th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to denounce the singer's "sinful life" and "Praise the Lord" for sending him to hell.  If past demonstrations are any gauge, they'll be milling around with their cheap megaphones and offensive signs and tacky tee-shirts, shrieking their outrage at the United States of Sodom.  They will be loud and aggressive.  (Their main purpose, after all, is to inflict pain on those who have suffered the loss of a loved one.) 

Westboro's press release reads:  WBC TO PICKET FUNERAL OF FAG MICHAEL JACKSON AT THE STAPLES CENTER, 1111 S. FIGUEROA STREET, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA  (Tue., July 7, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.) 

God Hates Fags, Fornicators, Pedophiles, Adulterers, Icons.  MICHAEL IS IN HELL.  DEAL WITH IT. 

The protest is unlikely to go unnoticed by hardcore Jackson fans, some of whom can be excitable in their devotion to the singer.  When Jackson's followers see that first "Michael Is Burning In Hell For Being a Fag" poster, there won't be enough police officers in the state of California to prevent the violence that will erupt. 

Will the television cameras will be rolling?

This proposed rally is insane on so many levels.  But looking at the situation logically - or as logically as one can look at a situation involving Westboro Baptist Church - it might be that the Phelpses are actually hoping for violence.  If one of their demonstrators is injured, WBC will be able to sue the city for not protecting them.  And since the group's financial problems are abysmal, they just might feel that the pain is worth the gain.

Comments

[Gaina]

Why aren't the entire Phelps clan in a psychiatric unit already? I sincerely hope they get beaten to a pulp.

[Aggie]

I went to the link for Westboro that ya had there, and in the words of Velma, "Zoinkies!". I mean, I've been around a long time, grew up in D.C., lived in the Middle East, taught in Russia, India... I've been around. I've NEVER seen anything quite as batsh*t insane as what's on Westboro's page. Multiple pathologies, there. There's a great karmic trainwreck, just waitin' to happen.

[Daniel]

get whats comin to them.

[TheGabe]

These are the people who give Christianity a bad image.