This Petition to Add the Westboro Baptist Church to the No-Fly List is Kind of Amazing

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Jun 6, 2012 in Haters Gonna Hate | 20 comments

Real talk, we get a few hundred petition requests sent to us here at Unicorn Booty each month, so we have a general policy of not publishing any of them. It’s not that they aren’t good ideas. Well, honestly that’s usually not true now that I think about it. But sorting through the enormous mountain on them would mean that no other work would get done around here.

So imagine my surprise today to stumble upon this breathtakingly fantastic petition that seeks to solve the problem of how to prevent the Westboro Baptist Church from terrorizing their fellow citizens.

Seattle resident Aaron McCartney has a plan to do exactly that! Namely, petition the major airlines to add the hate group to their no-fly list, stripping them of their ability to target schools and funerals with their particular brand of hostility.

Aaron writes:

For years Westboro Baptist Church has harassed people and organizations indiscriminately with a message of hatred. They spend $250,000 a year flying to picket the funerals of soldiers, violent deaths, and AIDS victims. They also bring their message of hate to schools, claiming that it is because the government supports gay rights. By doing this they rack up frequent flier miles which reduces their travel costs and gets them perks. If they are unable to fly or get reduced fare it will limit their ability to propagate hatred indiscriminately. Please stand up against this group who has been quoted as saying their mission is to “spread God’s Hate – Shirley Phelps-Roper” and as airlines refuse them service because of them being a hate group.

Change.org|The Proven Petition Site

If you sniff what Aaron’s scratching, take a moment to sign his petition. Even if you disagree with him, you’ve got to admit that he’s come up with a creative solution to a problem plaguing countless people on the most heart-wrenching days of their lives.

Excellent usage of your thinking cap, Aaron!

artemismeow

I didn’t think it would be that easy to put members of an organization on a no fly list.
Problem one is how do you identify individual members of the church?
Problem two other than trolling irl have they done anything illegal?
Problem three even if anyone identifying themselves as westbororo was on a no fly list, what would prevent that person from not identifying themselves as westboro?
Allready they are considered a hate group in some states that hasn’t stopped them yet. Also what if it is as easy as asking someone in government to put someone on a no fly? What prevents westboro from doing that to us in retaliation?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688217809 Allison Hoffman

It could be possible to list the Phelps family and other individuals. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to get the names of the people who often go with them.
http://www.facebook.com/dianasmortuary13 Diana Miquiztli Reyna

its pretty easy. when a hate group is identified to an airline, the names of known members are submitted. when they purchase a ticket, they must fill out a name and present id when checking in or going through security. normally ids are either scanned or compared visually against a no fly list. your names on the list, you don’t fly. its rather simple. or so i’ve heard.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sarah-Marie/1413875393 Sarah Marie

They have to have IDs to fly, don’t they? I’ve never been on a plane so :/ lol

artemismeow

But id’s that say what church you go to are not required.

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http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Rose/655434671 Scott Rose

Considering that Westboro often hold signs “Thank God for 9/11″ this should be a no-brainer.
Dillon Perry

if I happen to die soon, I’m going to make sure that machine guns fall out of the sky by the funeral attenders while mines fall on the WBC picketers.
http://www.facebook.com/shane.mcgarry Shane McGarry

Although its a fantastic idea in theory, I don’t think it can be accomplished. They haven’t broken any laws nor are they suspected of terrorist activities therefore they couldn’t be put on the federal no-fly list. If each individual airline opted to refuse them service, they could probably be sued for religious discrimination. Its sad that people as despicable as the Westboro Baptist Church are able to hide behind the constitution but thats the price we pay to live in a free society.

http://twitter.com/ReedOsell Reed Osell

Actually the constitution does allow private business to not provide service to people who they choose, however, the civil rights act of 1964 barred that, and it is now illegal for private businesses to not provide service based on religion

http://nerdface.net/ Chris

What about denying service because they’re assholes? I think that’s still allowed…

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=579435152 Adam Fleming

So how is WBC going to take them to court over this? Would it file it under discrimination?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000451850693 Ashley Valencia

Nice thought but not going to happen. They have…rights, unfortunately.
http://twitter.com/LLSEANDAVIDSON TED DANCIN’

This will never work. 1. They are paying customers entitled to the same benefit programs as everyone else. 2. They are exercising their right to free speech, albeit hate speech. This is not going to work.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=681626455 Lem Apperson

Sorry Shane, but they have broken laws and they are permanently banned from entering the UK. So the no-fly list is a decent enough idea, except they tend to drive to their destinations.
These are nothing but bullies and it’s best to ignore them. All they want is attention and this very process feeds into their need for that attention.
Jessica W

I thought they were a known terrorist group. If so, it will work. If not, there’s still hope.
http://twitter.com/DarklyDivine Serenity

Oh hell yeah! Signed and shared! Brilliant man to come up with this! If I could, I’d shake his hand! Thank you Aaron!!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1278012210 Wendy Stewart

They are “bullies” and teaching children to grow and be bullies so why arent they added to the STOP BULLY adds they are one of the biggest and most public of bullies. When they came to our town Harrisonville, Mo to TRY to picket our fallen hero we ran them clear outta town before our hero had to pass in front them we surrounded them and they fleed like the cowards they are.
Jaysin1977

But I think I’ll sign it anyway.
Jaysin1977

Good luck getting an airline to turn away a quarter of a million dollars worth of business. The fat cats looking at the bottom line will never go for it. Airlines are constantly looking for ways to save money, not lose it. (which is unfortunate because it would be awesome )

sarahdamerow

Agree. What business turns down paying customers?

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