Louis Theroux vs Westboro Baptists

[butterfly child]

As I said earlier in this thread, I beleive, I was surprised at how nervous Louis appeared to be when speaking directly to "Gramps". He handled it really badly, and didn't even ask interesting or useful questions, and allowed Fred Phelps to ignore the questions he asked and to run rings round him.

Maybe it is because Louis can't cope with that type of questioning of someone he hasn't spent time with. When he spent time with the white extremists a few years ago, he asked much more searching questions, but he had hours with them over several days before doing so?

I wonder whether he actually found it quite threatening? He was pretty relaxed with the women, but I found the blokes to be a lot more intimidating. Especially the documentary maker who'd joined them..

I watched it last night, and like Odds, found myself going "if someone was to shoot them, I wouldn't blame them" which is a bit worrying! However, I also found them so ridiculous in their hatred and bile that I couldn't get het up about it.

It's appalling how they protest at funerals, but if people were able to just ignore them, they'd have less impact.

If the young'uns are dedicating themselves to the Lord, then at least they won't procreate and eventually (hopefully) they'll die out.

 

[rhod]

What astonished me, after checking their website, is how often and systematically they picket soldier's funerals.

I'm all for people's right to protest - but funerals FFS?

Will be interesting to see what happens at Phelp's own funeral - I imagine his flock will try to keep the details secret.

 

[WouldBe]

What astonished me, after checking their website, is how often and systematically they picket soldier's funerals.

I'm all for people's right to protest - but funerals FFS?

Will be interesting to see what happens at Phelp's own funeral - I imagine his flock will try to keep the details secret.

Someone should stage a fake funeral. When the Phelps turn up shove them in the hole and fill it in quick.

 

[wishface]

What astonished me, after checking their website, is how often and systematically they picket soldier's funerals.

I'm all for people's right to protest - but funerals FFS?

Will be interesting to see what happens at Phelp's own funeral - I imagine his flock will try to keep the details secret.

Like I said, I'm amazed they haven't been indicted.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

What astonished me, after checking their website, is how often and systematically they picket soldier's funerals.

I'm all for people's right to protest - but funerals FFS?

Will be interesting to see what happens at Phelp's own funeral - I imagine his flock will try to keep the details secret.

They might as well bury him at the bottom of an outhouse with the number of people who'll line up to piss on his grave.

 

[laptop]

piss on his grave.

FILTHY HEATHEN "WATERSPORTS" SATANISTS!!!!2!!!!

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

FILTHY HEATHEN "WATERSPORTS" SATANISTS!!!!2!!!!

Personally, I see this guy as some kind of evil genius. He's managed to scare the hell out of every municipality he's visited. He earns his living and his families' living by suing cities, public servants, and individual people who oppose him. At any one time, he's got at least 6 lawsuits running through the courts. Pretty easy lifestyle, if you ask me.

 

[Cid]

I wonder if that was a factor in what was/wasn't included in the doc.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

I wonder if that was a factor in what was/wasn't included in the doc.

I wouldn't be suprised. It certainly changes the nature of protests against him.

Did the doc mention these folks:

http://www.patriotguard.org/

They put out news releases telling people ways to protest that won't get you sued.

 

[chazegee]

It's strange Louis hasn't picked up an American twang from his dad

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

you had never seen a programme made by Theroux, for example.
)

Not true.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Well done for watching it!

What did you think of Louis' style and way of working?

I like him personally; he has a disarming, somewhat quizzical air about him. I got the impression that even the Westboro girls found him to be a bit attractive.

However, I thought that he wasn't well prepared for his confrontations with either Fred or Shirley; there were times that they appeared to get the best of him. Also, sometimes it seemed that his questions were made up on the spur of the moment, and didn't reveal a lot of forethought, especially when dealing with someone like Fred.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

I am not sure that anyone on this thread or elsewhere said that we were learning anything about the human condition. As you say, it was made quite clear that we were looking at one family with a few outsiders attached. As has also been pointed out, a lot of Louis' programmes have been about ONE person, or a couple, not even a family! I don't suppose anyone who watched the programme about Jimmy Savile thought that he was an ambassador for his generation, or even that all British pensioners are like that

Watch and compare the documentary on R Crumb, made in 1994. It too is about one man and his family.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Shush, you lost, my hyperbolic friend.

You'd do better to seek out the docu you're criticising in a vacuum and be able to comment with some intelligence rather than generalising wildly with weak and inappropiate analogies.

Oops: somebody isn't reading the thread.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

However, I also found them so ridiculous in their hatred and bile that I couldn't get het up about it. .

I agree with that; they become almost objects of pity, aside from old Fred.

 

[diond]

Oops: somebody isn't reading the thread.

I think that it's you who'd be better off reading the whole thread properly. That's at least twice you've pulled somebody up for things, yet they've openly since rescinding/ explained their initial comment because of a later post that you've made, and you know it.

 

[pagan]

Just watched that tonight....fundie Christians in hate shocker
I think Louis losing his touch tbh....I think Jon Ronson could have done a better job despite his stupid shaky voice.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

I think that it's you who'd be better off reading the whole thread properly. That's at least twice you've pulled somebody up for things, yet they've openly since rescinding/ explained their initial comment because of a later post that you've made, and you know it.

Two wrongs don't make a right, you know.

 

[Calva dosser]

There are other threads you haven't read this morning Johnny. But we forgive you as always. Less aluminium perhaps?

 

[diond]

Two wrongs don't make a right, you know.

And you mainly talk shite. What's your derailing point this time?

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

There are other threads you haven't read this morning Johnny. But we forgive you as always. Less aluminium perhaps?

What 'morning'?

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

And you mainly talk shite. What's your derailing point this time?

Go away: you're boring.

 

[Calva dosser]

Yes you are diond. When one is this wankered, we only want to hear from fuckwits.

Go and play with Thomas Aquinas, there's a good chap

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Yes you are diond. When one is this wankered, we only want to hear from fuckwits.

Go and play with Thomas Aquinas, there's a good chap

On Friday afternoon, only half witty stupidisms etc will do. It's a tradition.

 

[diond]

Go away: you're boring.

Many people say that on the Internet because they don't really have a decent and reasonable explanation.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Many people say that on the Internet because they don't really have a decent and reasonable explanation.

"You are boring"

That's perfectly decent and reasonable.

 

[Guineveretoo]

I like him personally; he has a disarming, somewhat quizzical air about him. I got the impression that even the Westboro girls found him to be a bit attractive.

However, I thought that he wasn't well prepared for his confrontations with either Fred or Shirley; there were times that they appeared to get the best of him. Also, sometimes it seemed that his questions were made up on the spur of the moment, and didn't reveal a lot of forethought, especially when dealing with someone like Fred.

I agree.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Plus, you missed half:

"go away"

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

I agree.

On the weekend, I"ll try to catch Weekend Warriors, or weirdos, or whatever it's called.

 

[Guineveretoo]

The British ones probably need a bit of foreknowledge, though, because he worked with people who are fundamentally well known in British culture, but not necessarily beyond our shores. Such as Jimmy Savile, mentioned earlier, who is part of the British psyche, and Ann Widdecombe, and the Hamiltons, and the Eubanks.

All British weirdoes, but part of the impact of the programmes is not just discovering that, for example, Jimmy Savile still thinks he is a cool, hip, leading dj and fashion guru, and keeps his outfits in a special room or something, but that he used to be!