An Exercise In Futility

Over the weekend, Fred Phelps and his loverly Westboro Baptist Church paid a visit to Chicago's Boystown. For like the 26th time. We are kind of the new Mecca for gays these days, and as a result, the new Mecca for gay haters. Anyway, if you're not familiar with WBC, they are the originators and progenitors of the "God Hates Fags" campaign. You know, the asshats that show up at military soldier's funerals with signs indicating that god happily killed the young man or woman because America "loves" the gays soooooo much. Yeah, those guys.

As the gay rights movement has been lit afire in the past two months, several leaders in the area decided the best course of action would be to form together and counter-protest the bigots on the streets. Which may have been a good idea, if it were any other hate group.

The problem with protesting the WBC is that it makes no difference. It's a zero-sum game. We waste our time and energy and provide them with free publicity in the process. They will NEVER change their minds. Period. At the same time, they will NEVER change anyone else's mind. Period. They are far to extremist to change opinions, and that same extremism prevents them from being able to recruit more to their side. In fact, they have a tendency to show the America how ignorant they look when they vote Yes on Hate, because they look exactly like these twits.

No one will ever look at these WBC Extremists and say "Gee, that looks like a good idea, I'm gonna go join this incenstous hate-circle." Nopers. But, those who's hate already pales the WBC might find comfort, and in that comfort the will to act upon that hate. The news would never have bothered to cover the WBC protest, which is only one of hundreds a year, if our community hadn't shown up to counter-protest. In essence, we provided those bigots with air-time and advertising, not for recruitment, but for hate-based crimes.

I'm not saying we should let anyone who wants to put us down walk out into the light of day screaming false-hoods and lies about us. However, there is a big difference between Fred Phelps and James Dobson. The first is an extremist no one listens to and regards as a nut case, the second has millions of loyal followers at his beck and call (and we consider him an extremist and regard him as a nut case).

I think we need to concentrate our efforts and instead of fighting a brick wall, attack the building crew that's erecting the next piece of wall.