I find it interesting that these filthy, loathsome christian pieces-o-crap seem to have free reign to just harass, insult, threaten people, disturb the peace, & cause all sorts of comotion out in public without ANY consequences. Not even so much as a goddamn citation!

But if an otherwise harmless mentally-ill man is "thought" to be urinating behind a tree, he's beaten to death.

Maybe THIS is what people mean by "Keep Portland Wierd"?

Freedom of speech is a bitch when it's used to express views contrary to your own, ain't it.

It sure is Thomas, it sure is...

"Freedom of speech is a bitch when it's used to express views contrary to your own, ain't it."

Brother, you don't know the half of it!

Phelps, along with a number of those in his organization (pretty much all of them members of his family), is a lawyer, and the WBC knows exactly where the limits of the law lie with regard to their tactics of harrassment and intimidation. That's how they get away with their shenanigans. The best approach to dealing with the WBC is to just let them do what they do and allow their crazy ideas to illustrate just how misguided these people are.

I agree with Tommy! These people want one thing and one thing only: attention and they certainly know how to get it. I chose not to participate in the counter-demonstration and I urged my friends to do the same. The best way to get back at the Westboro Baptist Church would be to leave them standing outside alone with their awful signs, because nobody cares what they have to say.

Well it's not only knowing the limits of the law. But because they're christians, they have a protected "status". THAT helps too.
Besides, pushing the limits [however careful not to over-step those limits] still doesn't mean you won't get a vicious smack-down by the cops. The police could've easily given WBC a hard time, if they WANTED to.
Once again, christians (no-matter how utterly demented & revolting some of them may be) covet protected status in this country.

Can I get a A-men!