[suebee]

Originally Posted by Rufusboi

Even though I dislike what they do and say as long as they are not being physically violent, bombing gay bars etc I see them as harmless. The worse of the worse are the crazies that kill abortion doctors and bomb clinics. Phelps knows what lines to stay behind. And I dislike Phelps as much as anyone, but I'm on the side of free speech on this. The worse thing we can do is limit speech. I think the Arizona law is far far worse than Phelps. I think DOMA laws are far far worse than Phelps. Phelps' message is actually lost on most people who can't follow his weird logic. He's become a public nuisance but outside of that he doesn't warrant much attention. Phelps doesn't threaten physical safety. He hurts emotionally, he makes statements about us and about God and he shows up where he's not wanted, but none of that is illegal. If we make Phelps' pickets and banners illegal then next thing we know gay pride parades are illegal. Think about how many people are offended by Pride parades and by our banners. If we stop Phelps then they stop us.

Rufus

There are always examples of more harmful behavior Rufus. But I doubt that those grieving families who have had to endure the picketing of their loved one's funeral would call their COMPOUNDED emotional pain harmless. And I think of our sisters and brothers who are not yet out, who come across a web site called "God Hates Fags". Then I think of the suicide rate in our community - especially among adolescents. I have a hard time classifying what the Phelps call "free speech" and "God's work" as harmless. Sorry, I can't agree with you on this one.

Glad Canada told them they weren't welcome here.

Sue