Poll: Should I attend a Westboro Baptist Church protest?

[Magmar]

On Saturday, December 4, there is a protest in Framingham, Massachusetts against a Westboro Baptist Church celebrity appearance. I'm pretty torn as to whether or not I should go. I would love to protest those idiots and shout some lovely obscenities. However I also don't really want to add to their publicity you know? But the way I see it, the protest is happening anyway, and they are the type of people that I just would love to shout at. If you're unfamiliar with the Westboro Baptist Church, just read their Wikipedia article.

I'm trying to figure out how to make this thread into a poll, but I think it would be an interesting discussion since it's pretty much impossible to not have an opinion either way on this church since they're very much extremists.

[Drago]

They're going to be there spouting their nonsense whether or not you're there. At least, if you're there to dispute them, perhaps people who see will remember you as opposed to them.

I'm sure you're aware of most of these things, but just a few key things to remember:
1. You're not going to win in a verbal exchange. Even if your points are the most valid and you completely shut them down, they will revert back to the same tired garble. They have no logic whatsoever.

2. They're merciless. As long as you have a thick skin, you should be fine. Try not to be disheartened by four year olds who call you a fag.

3. Bring a posse. Don't let them overwhelm you with their numbers, make sure you have a team of 'fag enablers' with you.

4. Have fun with it! As you're not going to sway them, be like the photo I provided. Just have fun and remember; you're in the right, be it in the eyes of sensible society, God, or whatever.

Good luck, Maggy!

[Bear]

waste of your time, you could be doing something more productive like drinking beer

[kurai]

these people are probably beyond reason or education so by giving them attention you would only be aiding their attempt at discourse manipulation which would then just be harming yourself

then they would get to protest your public display of masochism

[Jeff]

As a Christian, I am deeply offended that the WBC calls itself a "church".

Still though, I say it's a waste of time to protest them. As they say, you can't fix stupid.

[abunaidesu]

be sure to ask shirley phelps how she feels about being called out on having premarital sex

[Heald]

I'd go along and make out with you Magmar right in front of them if I could

TOGETHER FOREVER

[Gavin Luper]

Like Tony said, you won't be going there to try to beat them in a debate ... I guess the benefits of going there would be to just provide a counter-argument and make sure there is a presence countering their psychotic breed of hatespeech. So if you have some mates you can go with, why not go along?

And I would be most interested to see what Heald suggested actually happen in front of those people.

[Blademaster]

Put on the gayest clothes you own, go there with a bunch of your friends and a boombox, and blast this song nonstop until they leave or until the cops show up.

[Telume]

Sounds like a gay old time to me.

[ChobiChibi]

Or perhaps this song...

[Katie]

In Dallas this summer there was an counter-protest against the WBC. Since all they really want is attention, the counter-protest was full of people with bright pink wigs and clothes and stupid signs that said unrelated things like "this sign is orange!" or "I like pie" in order to draw attention away from the WBC. It looked like fun and I'm sad I was busy that day

edit: I vote yes, as long as you don't take it seriously and have nothing better to do anyway.

[Leon-IH]

Slash their tires.

[Jeff]

God hates flats.

[Telume]

Beat their radical asses back with giant spiked bats FUCK YEAH!

[Blademaster]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone...

THEN swing and and knock it back at them.

[Leon-IH]

The tire slashing thing is in references to this story, btw: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_N...ed_at_Funeral/