Fred Phelps "on the edge of death"

[Esquilax]

I guess he figured if they were being too extreme to draw in new people, and that children born into the church were leaving, he wanted to try a different approach while he was still alive to help keep it from dying. Unfortunately he no longer has enough sway to do anything about it.

I'd like to think that this- if it is indeed the case- in combination with being on his deathbed, produces a moment of clarity in the man, so that at the very end of his life he sees what a twisted, insular monster he's helped create, and turned himself into.

And I hope the weight of that regret stays with him for what little time he has left. A little inner accountability is the least of what he deserves.