# The Phelps and their WBC get a dash of their own medicine. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692 "2011-03-14T19:39:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/1 "2011-03-14T19:39:43Z")
The following link is to an article appearing in today’s (3/14) Topeka Capital-Journal. > **[Phelpses give mixed reviews to 'Red State'](https://www.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2011/03/13/phelpses-give-mixed-reviews-red-state/16471996007/)** > > KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After protesting a screening of "Red State," Kevin Smith's horror movie inspired by Fred W. Phelps Sr. and the Westboro Baptist Church, the pickets accepted Smith's invitation to r… It’s about a movie(not a documentary) that portrays a fundie family that pickets funerals, that then start killing people so there will always be funerals to picket!😃 Curious how they label the work of others as filth. They can sure dish it out, but they can’t take it. I’m going to have to see if I can see this film somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/2 "2011-03-14T19:51:54Z")
The only thing their church is after is attention. Making a movie that is sort off about them is exactly the kind of thing they are after. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/3 "2011-03-14T19:56:42Z")
I bet a hundred billion doallars that if somebody made a horror movie slamming the OP’s personal set of most deeply held beliefs he or she wouldn’t applaud and say “I can take it.” ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/4 "2011-03-14T19:57:57Z")
I know very well what they are about, since I live in Topeka too and have participated in many a counter picket!😛 What a lot of people don’t realize is that giving them attention or not doesn’t matter, they’ll still do what they do, and just keep ratcheting it up a notch. Back in 1993, when this was starting, they didn’t picket funerals, just inveighed against homosexuality on street corners. Then they started faxing everyone, and the faxes kept getting nastier and bordered on porn. Then they started picketing funerals and churches. Now it’s soldier’s funerals, and desecrating the American flag. Like it or not we have to keep an eye on them, as they have physically attacked people in the past, like the minister of the church I was a member of back in 1998. So we might as well poke fun at them!😃 I like it where the filmmaker refered to the WBC as his marketing partners! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/5 "2011-03-14T19:59:16Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I bet a hundred billion doallars that if somebody made a horror movie slamming the OP’s personal set of most deeply held beliefs he or she wouldn’t applaud and say “I can take it.” When can I pick up the money? I’d put up with a lot for that much! LOL ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/6 "2011-03-14T20:00:27Z")
I’m in Kansas City and I’m sorry I missed it. Those scumbags “protested” the funeral of one of my best friends. I do wonder when Fred Phelps will be caught blowing some guy in an airport restroom. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/7 "2011-03-14T20:15:38Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I bet a hundred billion doallars that if somebody made a horror movie slamming the OP’s personal set of most deeply held beliefs he or she wouldn’t applaud and say “I can take it.” I’d bet a hundred billion that Baker’s most deeply held beliefs don’t involve absolutely vile and disgusting public protests. (Not discounting the possibility that Baker does vile and disgusting things, but probably not on the street.) I actually wonder how much Professional Fag Hating is really a deeply held belief versus habit to many of the Phelps clan. It will be interesting to see if they remain together once the old man finally dies. Speaking of Fred’s death, can you even imagine the number of protesters that would generate? As fat and middle aged and loathing of dance music as I am even I’d be willing to wear a Speedo and a boa and dance to a blaring “It’s Raining Men!” in full view of the procession route. [QUOTE=gaffa] I do wonder when Fred Phelps will be caught blowing some guy in an airport restroom. [/QUOTE] I doubt he’s ever been a closeted gay man. I think he’s just absolutely batshit crazy control freak contrarian who considered public hatred of non-whites and Jews passé. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/8 "2011-03-14T20:24:54Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Speaking of Fred’s death, can you even imagine the number of protesters that would generate? As fat and middle aged and loathing of dance music as I am even I’d be willing to wear a Speedo and a boa and dance to a blaring “It’s Raining Men!” in full view of the procession route. I can see why some might feel that way, but why give the old bastard his last moment of glory? Better to just ignore the guy. Let him be buried by his family while the world ignores the event. Send the message that nothing he ever did or said matters. To anybody. Forever. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/9 "2011-03-14T20:32:25Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I doubt he’s ever been a closeted gay man. I think he’s just absolutely batshit crazy control freak contrarian who considered public hatred of non-whites and Jews passé. Really? I have no desire to have gay sex, but am perfectly fine with others having gay sex. But often when I see someone this worked up with hatred of something, it is because they want that thing _so much_. I’m just saying, he strikes me as an oral bottom into rough trade. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/10 "2011-03-14T20:46:48Z")
I wonder if any Dopers were at the Sundance Festival when this was shown, or possibly saw it in KC. I’d be interested in hearing their opinion of the film. Horror/slasher isn’t really my genre, but I’d make an exception for this one. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/11 "2011-03-14T20:58:38Z")
It’s Kevin Smith, and from what I’ve heard about it (including a couple of interviews with Kevin Smith), it isn’t really classifiable as a conventional horror movie, so much as a black satire. Smith has flat out said that the family is based on the Phelps clan, though and isn’t bothering to deny it or go with any “resemblence is coincidental,” disclaimers. I think it sound like it could be really interesting, though the reviews haven’t been great. It also stars Melissa Leo, which show that Smith knew who to go to when he needed somebody who could not only bring the crazy, but bring extra for everybody else. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/12 "2011-03-14T21:13:33Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It’s Kevin Smith, and from what I’ve heard about it (including a couple of interviews with Kevin Smith), it isn’t really classifiable as a conventional horror movie, so much as a black satire. Smith has flat out said that the family is based on the Phelps clan, though and isn’t bothering to deny it or go with any “resemblence is coincidental,” disclaimers. The link in the OP is a story about how he invited the Phelps family to an exclusive premiere of the film. They walked out after about 15 minutes. What else would you expect them to do? In fact, they didn’t throw a fit but behaved very well, better than you or I might have in similar circumstances. Sampiro, I find the Phelps family as disgusting and horrifying as you do. We both know that has nothing to do with my comment. It was about the way the OP phrased it, and nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/13 "2011-03-14T22:49:54Z")
Good for Kevin Smith! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/14 "2011-03-14T22:50:41Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > They walked out after about 15 minutes. What else would you expect them to do? In fact, they didn’t throw a fit but behaved very well, better than you or I might have in similar circumstances. I’m surprised they 1- Went at all 2- Didn’t watch the entire film to see if there was something they could sue over ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/15 "2011-03-14T23:33:10Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > When can I pick up the money? I’d put up with a lot for that much! LOL Meh. The dollar to doallar exchange rate is pretty crappy. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/16 "2011-03-15T01:00:10Z")
> [@](#): > > It was Megan Phelps-Roper, who is among Smith’s more than 1.75 million followers on Twitter. She told the filmmaker they were leaving. Asked why, Smith said the \*\*Phelps’ granddaughter responded, “This is filthy.” However, she thanked Smith for the tickets and presented him with a sign they held in the pre-show protest. _WBC members had autographed it for Smith._ \*\* I’m just sitting here giggling uncontrollably in my office over this. It’s a mad mad mad mad mad mad world etc. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/17 "2011-03-15T08:31:55Z")
Well, seeing as Smith protested his own movie _Dogma_ and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I’m not surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/18 "2011-03-15T14:36:38Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > The only thing their church is after is attention. Making a movie that is sort off about them is exactly the kind of thing they are after. Maybe not if it’s a _realistic_ movie (i.e. with the patriarch presented as a self-hating closet case)… ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/19 "2011-03-15T17:14:39Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Well, seeing as Smith protested his own movie _Dogma_ and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I’m not surprised. I wasn’t aware of that. That’s hysterical. [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QepgKVOVfZ8) showing the protest, [longer YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UDoIBgiUAQ&feature=related) of Smith discussing the protest. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692/20 "2011-03-15T20:01:37Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I can see why some might feel that way, but why give the old bastard his last moment of glory? Better to just ignore the guy. Let him be buried by his family while the world ignores the event. Send the message that nothing he ever did or said matters. To anybody. Forever. I’d want to ignore his funeral, too, but NOT if it meant missing Sampiro _(avec Speedeau et une boa)_ dancing to “It’s Raining Men!” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-and-their-wbc-get-a-dash-of-their-own-medicine/574692.md?page=2)