When I first moved up to the Kansas City Metro I had not heard of the name Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church. I lived in a small time warp not hearing much news. At that time I heard his granddaughter being made fun of and spouting hate on a local radio station. The more I listened to her the more I realized she really believed every word that came out of her mouth. With a zeal she spoke of picketing the dead, with venom she spoke against homosexuality. Every once in a while the Phelps family pokes up their heads from their holes to remind me that there are still wolves in sheep's clothing. Today they chose to pick on the youth instead of a dead solider and his family.
Today Phelps felt it necessary to interrupt education for his own personal pleasure. They chose a high school in Prairie Village, Kansas to spout hate against homosexuals. Wasting the money and time of the police department. I am proud of the students of Shawnee Mission East for they didn't need the "Patriot Guard" to protect themselves. They chose to stand up for themselves.
With signs and chant they lead a counter protest against the Phelps. I wish I had known that this was going on at the time so I could of had my voice in the air as well.
But when the Westboro group showed up this afternoon at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, hundreds of students and adults gathered on three corners to show their disdain for the church’s anti-gay message.
Hundreds counter anti-gay picketers at Shawnee Mission East By JIM SULLINGER The Kansas City Star
I am writing this for those who face hate everyday. I am posting this with the hope that they will hold on the hope that is showing in the next generation. For those who do not know the history of Phelps I plan to write about them and their history as soon as I get settled from our own bought of downsizing. Until then please forgive the shortness of this entry and have understanding of my need to write it.