Topekans React to Phelps Verdict

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Topekans React to Phelps Verdict

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Posted: 10:21 PM Oct 31, 2007
Last Updated: 2:28 PM Nov 1, 2007
Reporter: Rae Chelle Davis
Email Address: RaeChelle.Davis@wibw.com

32 comments

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Many people told 13 News they were shocked that a verdict like this had been reached. They also said that they don't believe this is the end of the road.

Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten says he thinks people in Topeka will be happy with the verdict. He says that the Phelps have been picketing at funerals for a long time and if they had to stop it would be a good thing. He also says that the money the Phelps must pay still does not change what was done to the Snyder family.

Other Topekans say the Phelps family needs to pay the money. One woman who wishes to remain anonymous says that Freedom of Speech only goes so far and picketing at a funeral isn't a private event.

To hear other comments you can click on the video links above this article.

We also invite you to leave your own comments on the issue below.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Gomez Location: At Home... on Nov 7, 2007 at 09:42 PM
Try picketing in front of the "Compound" in Topeka and see what happens to you. Fred's getting old, he won't be here long. Once he's burning in hell the rest of the clan will fold...And the world will be infinitely better off...

Posted by: Anje Location: Topeka on Nov 4, 2007 at 06:39 AM
I really hope that justice prevails and that the Phelps finally get what is coming to them. I believe you should be able to stand up for what you believe in, but what has happened to respect for the common person. The "Gay lifestyle" is not what is killing our soldiers. Anyone's acceptance of this lifestyle is not damned to hell. Maybe the Phelps need to sit down and really read the bible. Isn't being a Christian all about having compassion, love and forgiveness in your heart!! Freedom of speech can only take you so far before you have to realize that you have crossed the line.

Posted by: unknown Location: Topeka on Nov 3, 2007 at 08:42 PM
My cousin was killed over seas and he and his clain was there pickiting like always, it was really hard to go threw it all. To know that one of my own was over there fighting for our freedom of speech, Phelps freedom of speech and to see them awful people there pickiting it was as they was cheering that he died. HOW DARE THEM!!! Our soilders are over there fighting for us to have a freedom of speech and they are saying thank god for the dead soilders, well if it was not for them soilders they would not be able to do what they do. Isnt it aganist the law to hang the flag upside down? How do they get away with it? And i agree we all should stand up to him. maybe if all the families would sue we could stop them. To the Snyders my deepest sympathy i know whats its like to see these awful, horrible people do the hayness things they do. I am glad that someone has stood up to them. I know that it wont bring your son back but Thank You for having him, Thank You for teaching him good things.

Posted by: Carolyn Location: Anywhere on Nov 3, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Elizabeth is right, these young children are abused and that's where we should focus stopping this family. Read of the abuse Fred gave his own children and you will understand why these children really are abused. It's a long story, but told by two of his sons. A true look at this family. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/michael_haggerty/expose3.htm

Posted by: Annie Location: Topeka on Nov 3, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Free speech ends where other people's rights begin. The signs that the Phelps carry are pornographical and exposes children to things that should be the parents' decision as to when to talk to them about such things. If a billboard went up by anyone else with the pictures that they show, the community would have made sure that the pictures were removed immediately. The Phelps have been abusing free speech and hiding behind the church for too many years. No one has the right to intentionally inflict emotional pain on others. I am glad that someone finally sued the Phelps. I hope that every family that has been traumatized by the Phelps picketing at their child's funeral takes the cue and sues them. I also think that the Phelps' assets should be liquidated to pay what they can to the family who won the law suit. They have thumbed their noses at the law and the legal system for too long. Until they are held responsible for their actions, they will continue.

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: Topeka, Kansas on Nov 3, 2007 at 06:07 AM
I think what amazes me the most out of all this wickedness is how in the world these so called humans can use thier 4 and 5 year old children to carry those hidous signs that I am sure there is no way they understand what they mean or what they say much less. How can our system let them get away with to me is no less than child indangerment and child neglet. These poor young children have no clue what their families are getting them into and what all this mess stands for. My only hope is that someone will wake up real soon and take these children away from these idiots and put them with someone who understands what it means to be an American and how to show them how to love our country and those who fight and die for the same. It is so called "people" ( and I use that word lightly) like this clan that give not only our state but our country a name that is so bad it is no wonder our tourisum and such is down. I Thank God and our Military every day for my freedom.

Posted by: KAYE Location: St.George on Nov 3, 2007 at 12:44 AM
IF IT WASNT FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE PASS AND NOW FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY THE PHELPS FAMILY WOULDNT BEABLE TO SPEAK OUT THE WAY THEY DO.PHELPS FAMILY SHOULD BE THANKING OUR MEN AND WOMEN FOR BEING ABLE TO USE THE FIRST AMENDMENT.THEY SHOULDNT BE HURTING THE FAMILY THAT LOOSE THEIR LOVE ONE FROM THE WAR.HAVE ONE OF THEIR LOVE GO TO WAR AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL IF THEIR LOVE ONE COMES HOME IN A BODY BAG.

Posted by: c Location: Topeka on Nov 2, 2007 at 01:07 PM
I hope that every family of every funeral they picket takes them to court. If they dislike America so much then move them to IRAN. The president of Iran claims they have no gay people because it is against the law. I would gladly pay the Phelp's moving expenses!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 2, 2007 at 07:28 AM
I agree with them leaving the US go to an remote island and set up their own town and start from scratch this way they won't have to depend on others for ANYTHING. I heard that Fred would make the kids sell candy and couldn't come home till it was sold. Their kids work with people who have gay relations & they don't know it. I hope Snyder gets the church and tears it down I will help. They don't like us but they buy our gas, food, and what it takes to survive, they should be cut off from EVERYTHING.

Posted by: John Location: Topeka on Nov 2, 2007 at 04:38 AM
This isn't about free speech, it is about decency. The Phelps Cult is nothing more than society"s wart and needs to be removed and then placed into oblivion for the rest of time.

Posted by: S Location: Manhattan on Nov 1, 2007 at 09:07 PM
Poetic Justice would be if one of the Phelps' is seriously hurt and they are very grateful to the life saver. This person then turns and looks at them and says, yes god loves me and i'm also a gay/lesbian.

Posted by: jack Location: topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 08:30 PM
Phelps' signs read God hates etc My sign would read God loves you Fred but hates what you are doing. '

Posted by: Bruce Location: Kansas on Nov 1, 2007 at 08:04 PM
Thank God, It's about time, Now if others start suing them every time they pull this same obscene behavior of picketing funerals, and the justice system stands up for the people and make sure the Phelps pay the law suites, I am sure the courts will get fed up with them and put a stop to their nasty behavior. Then eventually they will sell their so called church and have to move some where else and show their stupidity. I am sure God is looking down on them in shame. How can they look at them self's in the mirror and call them selfs good Christens. I really feel for thier young children that they force to stand and hold them nasty signs. Hopefully God will take mercy on their soles.

Posted by: Cassandra Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 07:42 PM
Not all psychopaths are serial killers,some garb themselves with a cloak of religion. Phelps is a very sick man; he demonstrates a marked inability to feel empathy for fellow human beings. It's a shame that his and his family's insane ravings are treated as anything other than that and that they are inflicted on anyone, not to speak of grieving family members and friends.

Posted by: william Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 06:26 PM
I feel sorry for all the people of the westboro church,If they think this is what God would want them to do.I would not call that loving your neighbor,as the Bible tells us to. God dosen't hate people he hates the sin. Fighting for your country is not a sin. Brother Bill

Posted by: M Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 06:15 PM
I agree with Robert, add on a few more charges. Slander, Hate Crimes. If this was anyone else we would all be in jail. The soldiers that they are picketing are fighting and dying for thier right to picket. Phelps and crew are an enbarassment to this town and this state. Too bad the courts wont stand up to them. Last year there was a protest against Phelps, they called and complained and the topeka police ran everyone off. Bet they wouldnt run phelps and crew off.

Posted by: lois Location: topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 05:27 PM
I think since they finally got someone to fight "PHELPS' THEY SHOULD stop putting there signs and face on TV and the paper. Other people has rights also and should be taken into account

Posted by: Will Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Fred has finally gone too far. Unfortunately, I don't think this will be the end of him or his family. He's brainwashed most of his children so badly that, even when he dies, his children will continue to attempt to spread his "message" as much as they can. I'm just embarrased that they have their base here in Topeka. I just hope that there is some way to shut then up legally for good. I don't think million dollar lawsuits are going to cut it.

Posted by: Demarcus Location: Kansas on Nov 1, 2007 at 03:45 PM
I think that if he hates America so much then he should just leave.

Posted by: M Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 02:51 PM
You guys too busy concentrating on what he stands for and you are missing the big picture. This verdict is a blow to our First Amendment Right. Another Right is stripped from us because you dont agree with it. Celebrate!

Posted by: Suzi Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 01:47 PM
I was glad to hear that Phelps lost, the only bad thing is that the family more then likely won't see a dime. I think that what Phelps and his followers do is so wrong and I think it should be against the law. They say it's freedom of speech but it's really hate.

Posted by: Carletta Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Well, it is about time. They should have been punished much worse.

Posted by: Dee Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 12:42 PM
It's about time that someone is not afraid of the Phelp Clan and will go after them. It may not hold up, but it sure makes them look like the wierdos that they are.

Posted by: Carol Location: Maine on Nov 1, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Sometime in the late 80s or early 90s I saw Fred Phelps on a talk show. He stated that HIV and AIDS were manifestations of God's disapproval of homosexuality. At that time, the incidence of HIV and AIDS was zero among lesbians so the host asked Phelps if that meant that God approves of lesbians. Phelps was, for perhaps the only time in his life, at a loss for words.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 1, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Why would Phelps want to picket a military funeral when those people are over there fighting for our rights, such as freedom of speech. Isn't that called a double standard? Phelps has no sense when it comes to his beliefs. He pickets about "Thank God for 911" and "Thank God soilders are dying". Does he not realize they are there for US, as Americans. The only option I see, is us fellow Topekans should picket Phelps when he is out and about picketing. Stand up for our rights and freedom of speech. We all sit back and complain about what he is doing, but what are we doing about it? NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING!!!! Lets do something about Phelps and his hate group. NOW!!!! Before he pickets one of our own.

Posted by: hope Location: kansas on Nov 1, 2007 at 10:34 AM
I THINK HIS IS ON A HATE MISSION BECAUSE IV HEARD HE HAS A SON THATS GAY

Posted by: Bob Location: Manhattan on Nov 1, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Phelps gives Kansas a bad name since the Westboro church is based here. Now that the standard has been set. It is time for the rest of this country and the state of Kansas to jump on board and bring severe penalties against the Phelps and his followers and put an end to protesting against our AMERICAN HEROES. It should be a federal crime to protest against the funerals of those who gives their lives for this country. I believe that laws can and should be intorduced to stop this ungodly act. May God bless America and Our Soldiers. Phelps needs to pray for forgivness and get right with God.

Posted by: Lila Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 09:15 AM
It's about time! God bless America and each and every soldier who serves our country either at home or overseas. And may the Phelps' who buy into Fred's way of thinking look forward to their eternity!

Posted by: Gary Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 08:22 AM
This should have been done a long time ago. We need to do something about what he's doing in Kansas. Our soldiers are fighting for freedom and their families don't need this when they have lost a soldier to war. I think Fred also needs to serve some time in jail.

Posted by: Janice Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 08:10 AM
I believe this is a long time coming and he calls himself a minister. His group is more of a cult. I think he also needs to be put in jail. Our soldiers are fighting for freedom and when one killed their families are going through enough. They don't need someone like Fred to add to their grief.

Posted by: Jan Location: Manhattan, Kansas on Nov 1, 2007 at 08:04 AM
It is about time something like this has happened to the Phelps family. They are embarssment to Topeka, and Kansas. I hope they have to pay every penny to the Synder family and anyother family that wants to press charges against them for picketing at their loved ones funerals.

Posted by: Killer B Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 07:26 AM
This group is a "HATE GROUP" and that's how they need to be treated they ALL need to be locked up!! I hope the family gets the 11 million dollars and I hope this is only the start of the many law suits that need to be brought out!!

Posted by: Joseph Smith Location: Topeka on Nov 1, 2007 at 01:39 AM
I thought Fred died years ago. I guess the devil still hasn't found a place hot enough for him. Hopefully, Satan will call him home real soon.

Posted by: Robert Location: Topeka on Oct 31, 2007 at 10:45 PM
I spent my 21st birthday at Oakland Army Base in California waiting for a flight to Vietnam. I ended up going there for 3 tours of duty. It is a criminal act the way the Westboro Babtist Church spews out hatred for our country, while hiding under the guise of Freedom Of Speech. Every church I ever attended taught of the love of Jesus and taught love for all peoples, while the Phelps so-called "Church" seems only to teach hatred, hoping that their concept of Diety destroys America. I feel at the very least they should be charged with Treason.

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