For the week of December 10 - 16, 2003

Send hate packing

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Perhaps it’s the generally good nature of Idaho people that makes the wacky fringe think they will tolerate anything—even the most evil and detestable causes.

Just when Idaho had rid itself of the Aryan Nations, Fred Phelps showed up. He’s the minister of Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas and the newest in the line of haters seeking to inflict his views on Idaho.

He and his church want to build an anti-gay memorial in a public park in Boise.

The Boise Parks and Recreation Commission quickly and wisely recommended that the city reject the proposal. Newly elected Boise Mayor David Bieter made it clear that his town is no place for this. We salute the fast and firm rejection.

Phelps and his church think they can force the city to allow the memorial because there is already a monument in the park containing the Ten Commandments—a biblical text he apparently doesn’t understand.

Matthew Shepard was a college student in Laramie, Wyo., who was kidnapped and beaten to death in 1998 because he was gay. The church’s monument would say Shepard went to Hell because he was gay.

Phelps and his followers have every right to hold whatever views they wish, but they have no right to foist them on others on public property.

If that means the Ten Commandments have to be removed as well, fine.

Idaho is no place for hate and no place for haters. It should send Phelps packing back to Kansas He should take the ugly attitude with him. So what if his next sermon is titled, "Idaho Bound for Hell."

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.