Matthew Shepherd's mother says she thanks God every day for Rev. Phelps. Without his hateful, spiteful, vicious attacks her son would have been just another victim. Phelps turned him into a martyr and a cause. Phelps was his own worst enemy.

I believe that he like millions and millions before him has played his part and is gone. I thank him for calling attention to the plight of gays and lesbians.

My hope is that his funeral goes unnoticed. Let his family put his body to rest without the interfering rabble disrupting their grieving and calling attention to his version of the truth.