« Go back a post || Return to G-A-Y homepage || Haul tail to next post »

06/06/2007

God Hates Flags

by Jeremy Hooper

 Good As You Images Picture-21-3Westboro Baptist's Shirley Phelps-Roper was reportedly arrested today in Omaha, NE, for allowing her 10-year old son to stomp on an American flag.  Since Nebraska has a state law against trampling on a flag in such a manner, Shirl was nabbed on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Hmm.  So one hand, we can't help but bellow a hearty laugh and warn Shirley not to drop the soap.  Let's get real: Westboro's sorta earned the Schadenfreude.

On the other hand, however, we can't help but feel a little uncomfortable with what seems to be an unwarranted limit on speech and expression.  Flag desecration is always tricky.  The parenting element adds another dimension.  Regardless of their message, Westboro members do have rights.  Rights we support in full.  

So like many issues involving Westboro, we're once again conflicted. But one thing we are sure of: How much we pray to the Gods of YouTube that SOMEONE caught the video of Shirley in the cuffs, ranting all the way!! 

FULL STORY: Phelps’ daughter arrested for son’s actions [AP via LJWorld.com]

**Note: Phelps-Roper, who is out on bond, has indicated that she'll challenge the arrest and statute all the way up to the federal level, if need be. So since it looks like she'll be focused on your state for a bit, Nebraskans, we do want to offer up a warning: Should you experience any sort of natural disaster, tragedy, or other negative aspect of life for the next 5-10 years, be prepared for Shirley to chalk it up to God's wrath in reaction to her arrest. And no, we're not joking!

**UPDATE, 6/8: Shirl responds.

space gay-comment gay-G-A-Y-post gay-email gay-writer-jeremy-hooper


Your thoughts

Poor, poor Nebraska. Wait a minute...aren't they a red state? Should I wish her on them? I must say, I'm a bit conflicted here.

Posted by: Donald | Jun 6, 2007 5:33:20 PM

Why oh why OH WHY do I find myself more and more frequently sympathizing with these nuts? OF COURSE the Phelps' should have the right to protest their government by desecrating the flag. We do still believe in free speech, don't we.

Oh, wait. We already decided we don't like free speech when we said the Phelps' couldn't protest funerals. Ughh.

The irony is that probably the only folks who will leap to the Phelps' defense are The Liberals and The Fags.

Posted by: Timothy | Jun 6, 2007 6:21:05 PM

You're very right, Timothy. Just like Barney Frank was one of the only members of Congress who spoke out against the funeral protest bans.

Posted by: G-A-Y | Jun 6, 2007 6:35:29 PM

comments powered by Disqus

G-A-Y Comments Policy


 
Related Posts with Thumbnails