Fred Phelps group to picket slain Tim McLean funeral
August 9, 2008 · By Charles Anthony
These followers of Fred Phelps are evil. Even though they are just visitors to Canada and their only purpose is to spread their own brand of evil, I do believe they have the right to protest and demonstrate as they wish. If Tim McLean was my son, I am not certain how I would respond to these protesters. However, I am certain about one thing: there is no reason to criminalize free speech.
With respect, this is no libertarian dilemma at all. Obviously, a basic lesson in true libertarianism is overdue. There is only one true libertarian “punishment” and it is ostracism. Here is how it works: they should be permitted across the border. Upon entry into Canada, they are photographed or identified as best as possible (name, license plates, etc.) with this information widely published and following them wherever they go in Canada. Every service center, gas station, corner store, grocer store, etc. in Canada is then encouraged to deny them service. That should give them a taste of true freedom and what it means to respect free speech.
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(Sunday, August 10th, 2008 morning) UPDATE: Well, will you look at this:
Even without a conflict, they claimed victory.
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Where the Kansas-based protesters could have been was a subject of intense speculation along Westwood Drive. Some suspected the group had members watching the church. A rumour also emerged that a handful of Westboro members had picketed briefly with signs in Osborne Village.
Gee, who would have thought the libertarian strategy of ostracism could actually work???
If anybody comes across a group of weird Southern American tourists that happen to look like these people, do not sell them any gas, do not sell them any water, do not let them stay at your motel and do not even give them the key to the washroom. Just tell them to go to hell.
I probably do not have to make that call-out but just in case there are still some confused socialists in Canada left who do not have the good sense to rely upon themselves to resolve their differences with other people, I figured I ought to pitch it out there. Some people have to be dragged kicking and screaming to see how much power they actually hold in their own hands.
Free speech is one thing but promoting hatred is another. The WBC are Hate Mongers with too much time on their hands and yes they have the right to free speech but I do not want their Hatred in my country. I think they should be charged with hate crimes for their spread of their messages of hate. As a society we tolerate too much of this. All around the world we see genocides and murders because people are “different”. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!! They are entitled to their opinions but they are not entitled to spread hatred and to disturb peace!
They are doing more than exercising free speech. No reasonable person would say that free speech makes it okay to yell ‘fire!’ or ‘bomb!’ in a crowded theatre. I hope Phelps and his gang get arrested for inciting violence.
Where does vigilanteism fall into libertarianism. Can we band together, remove protesters from the funeral as free citizens and possibly kick some ass?
Libertarians never have any dilemas. That’s why they’re libertarians.
They just rely on the rest of us to take action.
For the sake of the family in question, these demented loons should be prevented from protesting anywhere within sight of the funeral. Let them stage their hateful freak-show elsewhere in town.
Mr. Jim,
In a libertarian sense, these protesters would be considered trespassers — assuming they do not have the consent of the property owner of the land upon which they are standing.
Libertarianism hinges upon private property rights. Public property does not exist in a libertarian sense. As such, all crimes are violations against property. Nota Bene: your body is your rightful property. Crimes such as assault, rape, kidnapping and murder are just different forms of property assaults.
There is no reason to treat “vigilanteism” differently from either:
1) ordinary assault or property crime.
2) exercising your right to eject somebody from your property.
You can certainly band together, remove the protesters from the funeral as free citizens and kick some ass so long as you have the permission of property owner of the funeral home.
There are only two types of property: privately owned and abandoned. Socialists — including confused and ignorant ones who label themselves as Progressive — have trouble understanding libertarianism because they can not accept the concept that “public” space does not exist in any libertarian sense.
Absurd and illogical “crimes” such as “inciting violence” are redundant. These protesters are trespassing which is a violation of the land-owner’s property rights. The land-owner has a right to eject them. Simple as that.
Keeping people intent on committing crimes in Canada out of the country isn’t “criminalizing free speech.” The Phelpspawn aren’t being charged with anything, nor threatened with jail or fines. They’re simply being kept out of Canada. Get a grip.
I’m confused… what exactly are they protesting?
The believe that the wrath of God has been brought down on Canada because of this country’s gay marriage and abortion laws.
They want us to know that if we hated gays as much as God does, we wouldn’t have people getting their heads cut off on buses, or soldiers dying overseas.
I was across the street from the church today at a niece’s B-day party. What a turnout. People everywhere, literally… walking up and down sides streets, on hand-held radios and cells, including bikers (they’re a regular participant in the states, protecting soldiers families when these freaks show up at their funerals). Police where highly visible, including on the roof of the church. People were quiet and respectful. One of those scenes that reaffirms pride in our country.
Scott, thanks for sharing that. I felt pretty confident the people of Winnipeg would come out to protect Tim’s family from these sick monsters. I’m so relieved that they failed to pull any stunts. My heart goes out to the McLean family - I can’t even beging to comprehend what grief they must be enduring right now.
This cult is using loopholes in the law to torment people and get away with it. I think its time for the justice to go over the laws and ‘amendments’ and think of as many situations, even redicilous ones to prevent these idiots from doing this.
They are ONLY doing this for money, yet their methods have corrupted their minds into that of demons. They no longer think normaly, and its only a matter of time when one of them (or hopefully ALL of them) are killed.
Its funny how that bitch shirley said that if Tim was true in his beleifs on god, he wouldnt be beheaded…..Hmmm, well what about John the Baptist shirley? HE was holy, HE was just in his faith and HE was also a friend of Jesus, yet he was…get this in your stupid thick skull bicth….. BEHEADED!!!!!
Man, that cult pisses me off….I say kill them. they wont be missed.
rest in heaven Tim.
Burn in hell Westboro “Baptist Church”! (or should I say “Wost Blasphemous Cult”)
Charles, how much property do I have to own to become a state?
Mr. C,
As soon as you claim the divine right to control somebody else’s property, you are a state. Next silly question?
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Mr. Dudley,
Can you derive some comfort in knowing that this latest expedition by this Worst Blasphemous Cult is clearly failing without any need to resort to the convoluted legal system?
“Nota Bene: your body is your rightful property.”
“You can certainly band together, remove the protesters from the funeral as free citizens and kick some ass so long as you have the permission of property owner of the funeral home.”
“As soon as you claim the divine right to control somebody else’s property, you are a state.”
Why isn’t the funeral home a state?