Westboro Baptists have some new neighbours

[SLM]

Hopefully these Westboro idiots don't decide to do something about this "affront"(in their eyes). I wouldn't paint my house all those colours (makes my eyes hurt!), but good on them.

What could they possibly do? Picket it? Lol. That'll keep 'em occupied for a while. Anything over and above that would be illegal.

I'm taking much delight in the thought of their suffering, I really am.

 

[shadowshiv]

What could they possibly do? Picket it? Lol. That'll keep 'em occupied for a while. Anything over and above that would be illegal.

I'm taking much delight in the thought of their suffering, I really am.

They could try and burn the house down in the middle of the night. 8O Of course, they're mainly a bunch of cowards, so I doubt they would try anything like that. They could be annoying idiots and picket, but I am sure they have other "targets" in mind.

 

[SLM]

They could try and burn the house down in the middle of the night. 8O Of course, they're mainly a bunch of cowards, so I doubt they would try anything like that. They could be annoying idiots and picket, but I am sure they have other "targets" in mind.

Yeah that would be illegal, lol. Not that I'm wishing a Not For Profit house would get burned to the ground but once WBC crosses that line, they're as good as finished. They've already got members slowly abandoning them, it's only a matter of time before they are a thing of the past. They won't be missed.

 

[shadowshiv]

Yeah that would be illegal, lol. Not that I'm wishing a Not For Profit house would get burned to the ground but once WBC crosses that line, they're as good as finished. They've already got members slowly abandoning them, it's only a matter of time before they are a thing of the past. They won't be missed.

Alas, I am sure that some hate-filled group would fill the vacuum after they were gone.

 

[SLM]

Alas, I am sure that some hate-filled group would fill the vacuum after they were gone.

Actually I find groups such as that can be incredibly beneficial to society as a whole. I think they highlight the stupidity of the actions involved in persecution, oppression. Irrespective of how people think, and there will always be people who judge other people by various superficial, irrational reasons or, quite frankly, for things that just have absolutely nothing to do with them or that affect their life in any real or meaningful way, I think they can actually push people away from their viewpoint into more of a conciliatory "you do your thing and I'll do mine" kind of place.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Actually I find groups such as that can be incredibly beneficial to society as a whole. I think they highlight the stupidity of the actions involved in persecution, oppression. Irrespective of how people think, and there will always be people who judge other people by various superficial, irrational reasons or, quite frankly, for things that just have absolutely nothing to do with them or that affect their life in any real or meaningful way, I think they can actually push people away from their viewpoint into more of a conciliatory "you do your thing and I'll do mine" kind of place.

That works well when the hate group is isolated and extreme. Not quite so well when the hate group is more popular and mainstream, like the Klan.

 

[SLM]

That works well when the hate group is isolated and extreme. Not quite so well when the hate group is more popular and mainstream, like the Klan.

I don't think the Klan is popular and mainstream at all. I don't think they hold the same kind of power that they once did, they don't have the same kind of sway over larger populations. They may still in more isolated pockets, but certainly they are not the force they once were on a grand scale. Further, I think they've gotten this way because they were more exaggerated and extreme in the past.

Everyone seems to always forget about the quiet majority of the people, the middle class, the 'average' person. They are the ones with the real power in society. When these groups highlight themselves to such as degree that their ridiculousness shines like a lighthouse beacon, do you think it attracts or repels them?

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

I don't think the Klan is popular and mainstream at all. I don't think they hold the same kind of power that they once did, they don't have the same kind of sway over larger populations. They may still in more isolated pockets, but certainly they are not the force they once were on a grand scale. Further, I think they've gotten this way because they were more exaggerated and extreme in the past.

Everyone seems to always forget about the quiet majority of the people, the middle class, the 'average' person. They are the ones with the real power in society. When these groups highlight themselves to such as degree that their ridiculousness shines like a lighthouse beacon, do you think it attracts or repels them?

Good point. I should have said "like the Klan was in its heyday." As I said before, when the group is like the Westboroites, unpopular and extreme, I think they have a small beneficial effect on society by turning the "silent majority" against such bigotry and hate.

Still, it's a precarious thing. The Klan may be a joke now, and the conduct of many Southerners in the 50s and 60s may have accelerated civil rights by shocking the consciences of the "silent majority," but the Klan murdered a lot of people in its time. And the "silent majority" let them get away with it in most cases.

 

[petros]

but the Klan murdered a lot of people in its time. And the "silent majority" let them get away with it in most cases.

Still do.

 

[SLM]

Good point. I should have said "like the Klan was in its heyday." As I said before, when the group is like the Westboroites, unpopular and extreme, I think they have a small beneficial effect on society by turning the "silent majority" against such bigotry and hate.

I shouldn't have said "incredibly" beneficial, I don't want to overstate their more positive, though not intentionally so by them, impact upon society as a whole. But while the 'silent majority' has, I think, proven in the past to consistently take the higher road when they are forced to by having the issues brought so front and centre, their (or I should say 'our' since I consider myself as a non-extremist to be in that group) Achilles Heel has to be complacency.

Still, it's a precarious thing. The Klan may be a joke now, and the conduct of many Southerners in the 50s and 60s may have accelerated civil rights by shocking the consciences of the "silent majority," but the Klan murdered a lot of people in its time. And the "silent majority" let them get away with it in most cases.

They are something of a joke now but they might not always be. That requires diligence on our part to see that they don't return to their 'glory days' of power and influence. And I think that's served best by not forcibly shutting them down but allowing them, and others like them, to die out on their own naturally, if that ever happens completely. We can't force people into acceptance, if some idiot (my term) wants to think the colour of someone's skin makes a measurable difference, they are going to think it. Where we, as the majority, need to step up legally is in preventing such groups from enforcing their worldview on the rest of us, think job or housing denial on the basis of race, etc. Where we need to step up socially as a group is in counter protest, such as the OP highlights.

Where I feel a measure hope for humanity is that when we do step up to counter protest. we're doing so in a more positive way. In other words, we aren't sinking to their level. Now, world over we have a hell of a long way to go but it's the little glimmers of hope that can help to drive us, and inspire us, forward.

 

[petros]

They are something of a joke now but they might not always be. That requires diligence on our part to see that they don't return to their 'glory days' of power and influence.

Glory days of being open and upfront. A lot of groups have simply gone underground and wield the system as their power.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

I
They are something of a joke now but they might not always be. That requires diligence on our part to see that they don't return to their 'glory days' of power and influence. And I think that's served best by not forcibly shutting them down but allowing them, and others like them, to die out on their own naturally, if that ever happens completely. We can't force people into acceptance, if some idiot (my term) wants to think the colour of someone's skin makes a measurable difference, they are going to think it. Where we, as the majority, need to step up legally is in preventing such groups from enforcing their worldview on the rest of us, think job or housing denial on the basis of race, etc. Where we need to step up socially as a group is in counter protest, such as the OP highlights.

Where I feel a measure hope for humanity is that when we do step up to counter protest. we're doing so in a more positive way. In other words, we aren't sinking to their level. Now, world over we have a hell of a long way to go but it's the little glimmers of hope that can help to drive us, and inspire us, forward.

I agree. A few commentators have pointed out that since 1950 or so, the total number of people worldwide dying by violence has plummeted. Added to this, we've seen a veritable explosion of equality and inclusion, and a number of successful "velvet" revolutions.

Of course, we're still a long, long way from perfection, or even acceptability. But the trends are positive.

Canada has done particularly well in this. I'm well aware that you're not all as nice, polite, and reasonable as the stereotype, but all things considered, you've done a brilliant job at securing peace, freedom, and prosperity for all.

And really, if you MUST be stereotyped, "nice, polite, and reasonable" ain't a bad one to have.

 

[SLM]

I agree. A few commentators have pointed out that since 1950 or so, the total number of people worldwide dying by violence has plummeted. Added to this, we've seen a veritable explosion of equality and inclusion, and a number of successful "velvet" revolutions.

Of course, we're still a long, long way from perfection, or even acceptability. But the trends are positive.

I think we have to face the reality of what still is out there as far as hatred and racism, but if we want to encourage people we need to acknowledge the positive contributions that pull us away from that.

Canada has done particularly well in this. I'm well aware that you're not all as nice, polite, and reasonable as the stereotype, but all things considered, you've done a brilliant job at securing peace, freedom, and prosperity for all.

And really, if you MUST be stereotyped, "nice, polite, and reasonable" ain't a bad one to have.

Flattery will probably get you nowhere but do keep it coming. I want you to have hope.

 

[Christianna]

No one deserves it more than that Phelps bunch.