# A blow against Fred Phelps **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 15, 2001, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892 "2001-09-15T22:29:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/121 "2001-09-20T21:30:29Z")
I can’t spare much time from other obligations, but I can spare some cash. I’m in for $100 to start with. Might I suggest that we contact the [OCRT](http://www.religioustolerance.org) about posting an article/links when we’re ready to go? I think they’d be happy to hear about this. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/122 "2001-09-20T21:31:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Esprix \* > **There should probably be more than one person doing this, but this might be right up my alley (to coin a phrase). I was also going to offer to help with writing and/or web content, 'cause I talk too much and I wryt reel gud.** So far most of the places I have contacted are headquartered in California so you would be perfect! ['course, you knew that already ;)] Drop me an email and let me know what info you want me to give out. **John**? This work for you? ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/123 "2001-09-20T22:02:45Z")
Unfortunately, I’m short on everything right now - money, time, sanity. ☹ I will check back later when I have more to give, though. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by John Corrado \* > I’d prefer to set up the Phelpswatch bank account in a bank located close to you for ease of deposit (so we don’t have to do a "send checks to the Treasurer, who sends them to someone else, who mails them to Gumby the Depositor); likely, that means turning this into a real NPO means setting it up by the laws of which state you reside in._\* You might check into a lockbox. I’m sure the fees will depend on the bank & location, but it does resolve the ‘who makes deposits?’ problem. [A lockbox is a PO box mailing address that goes directly to the bank. The bank deposits all payments and forwards payment information to you for doing the books.] Maybe some socially-responsible financial institution would be willing to donate? IME, you want to try not to set things up to be easy for one specific individual, but rather to set things up to be as easy as possible for anyone. If **Jane D’oh** has to step down as Treasurer in a year or three, you need to make it so you can smoothly transition to someone else (who may live in Alaska). Hmmm. If you could get a lockbox-type thingey working, then set up a database for Jane D’oh to keep books with auto-updates to your webserver info and webpages…could you set up your NPO in Topeka, so as to bug Freddie-boy? Just a thought. 😉 Or maybe whereever it’s easiest to get your NPO charter. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/124 "2001-09-20T22:33:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > **That makes sense to me, Manny. In fact, Baker has already offered to contact the local (Topeka) newspaper. He has connections there.** Actually, my contact, so to speak, is at a television station. But I will try and contact the paper too, and the other two television stations. In fact, I already did send them emails about this but have not heard back. That was a couple of days ago so now that things are REALLY coming together they may pay more attention. For anyone interested, the address of the Topeka AIDS Project is 708 SW 6th, Topeka, Kansas 66603. I mentioned it earlier in the thread but this sucker is getting to be LONG! Oh yeah, Baker is a SHE, not a he, LOL ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/125 "2001-09-20T23:05:29Z")
Well, that’s par for me. 😃 I recall that when I first came to Straight Dope, I thought that Gaudere was a man. DavidB’s lover, in fact. I thought that Tris and Polycarp were atheists. And I thought Jab was nice. Go figure. […shrug…] Anyway, I fixed the entry. * * * Okay, Balance, you’re in, and thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/126 "2001-09-20T23:07:14Z")
Dammit. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/127 "2001-09-20T23:35:10Z")
I thought of something I can do, since I’m afraid I can’t afford to donate money. For an international angle, I’m happy to push the press release here in the UK. I don’t have direct media contacts but I’m fine with calling and faxing whoever I can. Phelps isn’t as widely known here, but GLBT organisations certainly know about him and I imagine they’d be happy to spread the Phelps Watch word. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/128 "2001-09-21T06:40:27Z")
Okay . . . finally found this thread again. I emailed **Arden Ranger** a blurb I wrote for our site. I see that one has already been put up, but hell . . . I like what I wrote. I’m sending it to you, **John** , as well as anyone who posts here saying they would like to see it. Oh. Email lists . . . my father is a member of several yahoogroups, which have email and list functions: i.e. you can choose to view messages as they are written, have them sent via email, or both, I think. Might that be something in which we’re interested? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/129 "2001-09-21T07:22:38Z")
Thanks, Francesca. I’ve updated your resource offering. Iamphuna, don’t fret. It’s just a temporary page to help John monitor his start-up resources. Post your blurb, and I’ll put it on the page. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/130 "2001-09-21T07:56:13Z")
Put me down for $50 and tell me where to send the check. I really have no skills per se, but if you need a large bald man for an intimidating presence, I’ll do what I can… ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/131 "2001-09-21T07:56:25Z")
I’d like to contribute. I’m in for $20; hopefully I’ll be able to send in a check every month, circumstances permitting. I’m not much with the HTML and coding stuff, but I’d be happy to write any copy necessary. This is really a Good thing to do, guys. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/132 "2001-09-21T08:19:28Z")
Thanks, Spooje and Kyla. You’re in! ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/133 "2001-09-21T09:40:10Z")
If you wish, you can change my donation to a $300 cash donation instead of a domain name. That should give you a bit more flexibility as to the best way to use the money. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/134 "2001-09-21T09:52:43Z")
Wow, thanks, DMC! There’ll be plenty left over. Domain names are just a few bucks at DirectNIC. I made the change. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/135 "2001-09-21T14:10:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > Iamphuna, don’t fret. It’s just a temporary page to help John monitor his start-up resources. Post your blurb, and I’ll put it on the page. Alright . . . you were warned: it’s got some quotes from Fredy’s page. So if anyone is squeamish, turn away . . . **now**. "Sometimes money speaks louder than words. Since 1955 Reverend Fred Phelps has been on a campaign to demonize homosexuals on this planet, to bring misery to their lives and the lives of those they love and who love them, and to show that they are the scourge of America and of the world. His message of hate has shown up on television, in print, on the radio, and in the lives of Americans and those in other countries. He has picketed the funerals of loving men and women simply because they were gay or because they were sympathetic toward gays. He marches under the guise of “gospel preaching”; a Christian whose selective Scriptural quotations purport to justify his hatred of gays and everything about them. His [website](http://www.godhatesfags.com) claims the following: “WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth. We display large, colorful signs containing Bible words and sentiments, including: GOD HATES FAGS, FAGS HATE GOD, AIDS CURES FAGS, THANK GOD FOR AIDS, FAGS BURN IN HELL, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FAGS ARE NATURE FREAKS, GOD GAVE FAGS UP, NO SPECIAL LAWS FOR FAGS, FAGS DOOM NATIONS, etc. … WBC has conducted some 20,000 such demonstrations during the last nine years at homosexual parades and other events (including funerals of impenitent sodomites, like Matthew Shepard).” For years Phelps was mostly unnoticed by America and by the world. This relatively-unknown hater of gays became known to so many more people on the day he picketed the funeral of a man who had become publicly-known-Matthew Shepard. He has not stopped, as his website shows; a list of picketings past, present and future is available on his website. Nor does he have plans to stop his message of filth, of bile, of utter hatred for this group of people who have done nothing to deserve this man’s rantings. That hatred, that utter contempt is based on few things: mainly, his own misguided “knowledge” of homosexuals and his self-interested interpretations of Scripture. And now that same hate, that desire to make others miserable, that picketing, the additions to his website proclaiming to all who visit that “God hates fags”, that “fags” are the sole reason for all that is wrong with America, that which he seems to live by and for . . . is what will bring him down. For every addition made to his website, donations will made to AIDS charities and other non-profit organizations sympathetic to, and dedicated to amelioration of, homosexual rights and the rights of those around them. For every hit his counter registers, donations are made. Across the country money is raised for AIDS research and homosexual causes whenever Phelps and his group of hate-mongers picket, whatever the reason, however long. Phelps says “God is not mocked.” Neither are we." ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/136 "2001-09-21T17:22:42Z")
Okay, iampunha. That’s a lot of text! Too much to fit well onto the page, I fear. Therefore, I’ve made it into a Flash presentation. I’m doing the final reviews and tweaks now. I should have it up in an hour or so. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/137 "2001-09-21T17:57:47Z")
Woof. For a second there I read the “FAGS DOOM NATIONS” bit as “FAGS DOMINATION” and I thought, “Boy, that sure doesn’t SOUND like something Fred would say…” Then my eyes unwibbled and I got with the program. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/138 "2001-09-21T19:06:19Z")
Okay, the presentation is up. I have no idea how it will behave for the seven percent of you who have Netscape or those who are on slow dial up. It is a _very_ small file by Flash standards (about 360K), but let me know if it needs a preloader or anything. Also, not sure how renegade browsers will interpret object placement in table cell. Shout out if it misbehaves for you. Iampunha, other than a few minor alterations for fit (and a couple for philosophy[sup]1[/sup]) your original script is completely intact. [sup]1[/sup] I won’t let this man be called “Christian” without a “so-called” there too. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/139 "2001-09-21T19:09:20Z")
Damn. Here’s the link. ---
**Author:** ![Ventani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5daacb/32.png) [@Ventani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ventani)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/140 "2001-09-21T19:29:30Z")
Ok, I’ve been lurking for too long… I just wanted to state that this effort is very impressive - on everyone’s part - and completely unprecedented as far as I am concerned. Libertarian, your web-site rocks. Please make a pledge in my name for $20 and e-mail me at the address in my profile when and where the money can be sent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892.md?page=8)