I saw something today that blew my socks off. In this small country town of Cleveland, a group wanted to form a Gay/Straight Alliance club in the local high school. It has caused quite a stir up here.
Today our fair town was visited by the Westboro Baptist Church (from Kansas) to protest the formation of this club. What disturbed me was a sign they were holding up that said 'Thank God for 9/11'. They were also dragging the American Flag on the ground.
There were 9 of them and 23 police escorts (no way to get at 'em). I had no idea what that had to do with the GSA club forming until I looked them up on the web. I will not post a link to their site, but it has been a looong time since I have seen such venom spewed. ('70's - deep south)
They will be in town with a full slate of protests tommorrow.
No cachin for me - I just hope someone can bail me out for showing them how to fly the flag right.

Looks like a sick bunch. Call me. I'll bail you out.

~erik~

I'll pitch in a couple of bucks too. Might even visit ya a time or two!

Extremist viewpoints, no matter which side of the fence, are always unwelcomed to me. In this day in age when you have bullying that's taken to the point of deaths, something like a gay/straight alience is a good thing. It teaches tolorance.

What kind of message is a bunch of bigots hiding behind the bible sending to those high school students. Wish they would think about THAT when claiming to do "god's work."

I'm disgusted.

Odd... it occurs to me that by using such tactics, they would tend to garner more support for the cause they are trying to fight against.

While I do find their actions and statements appalling. They do not anger me. I pity them.

They have no comprehension that being rid of this country they hate so much, and the laws upon which it is based, would in kind rid them of their legal voice to spout such ignorance and hypocrisy.

They are also all destined for an abysmal afterlife for doing the work of the profane in the name of the sacred. (I hope that was worded non-secular enough.)

Well, no jail time for me! I did get to make my point and show them how I fly the flag (albeit from across the street) and was then kindly 'escorted' back to my truck by a nice State Trooper. Said something about 'instigation' and that we should just ignore 'em and they will go away.
BLIND JUSTICE at it's best.

Sidenote: I couldn't help it, but I just HAD to show them that I thought they were '#1' - that's what got me my 'escort'.

LMAO @ #1! That's classic.

Ah yes ... but to be young again with the will and the energy to change the world ... but wait a minute ... isn't phat.bak over 30?

quote:

Originally posted by CharlieP:
Ah yes ... but to be young again with the will and the energy to change the world ... but wait a minute ... isn't phat.bak over 30?

You're only as old as you think you can get away with, once you've passed 30. I had flashbacks to 1971 at SE La University when I briefly joined a group called SDS to egg General Westmoreland's helicopter protesting the VietNam conflict.
Ahh, youth ... now that I'm older and 'wiser' ... I'm a HAWK!

You rule, phat.bak. Way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by phat.bak:
Ahh, youth ... now that I'm older and 'wiser' ... I'm a HAWK!

Just remember living a long time doesn't guarantee you will be wiser, just older.

Phat, I am thankful that I didn't read this posting until today. These people are beneath my contempt, however had I been in the neighborhood I would have had to help you out. Not that you need any.

I am a straight male and have never had the choice to be otherwise. Some of these people expounding their "choices" must actually be otherwise. Maybe the extreme guilt makes them so adamant.

There is a gay male who I love respect and admire very much. He is my son.

I agree with AG on the extremist comment. Even if I agree with whatever cause they have, I have no room for zealots. When you actively decide to go that far over the edge, you need professional help. And the behavior during their protest? If they hate the USA that much, lets march them to the sea, put a boot up their tail (It's the American way.-Toby Keith)and send them where they would get shot in the street for even mentioning disagreeing with something. Bet they try to come back. So these kids want to start a club? Big deal. It's not drugs, criminal activity, or being a leach on society. What people do with consenting partners is their business. There are much worse things to worry about. Like people that carry signs that just might get them hurt. That might have gotten me tossed in jail mayself.

Orpheus

Be a school teacher. You can be shown you're #1 everyday. <sigh>

Update - FYI
Just heard on the radio that as a direct result of our local 'notoriety', our state legislature is crafting a bill that requires ANY student who joins ANY school organization get a written parental permission slip to do so.
As the radio host said - 'they're trying to throw more water on the issue'. Apparently, they can't stop the group from forming without stopping all other groups in the process.
Our tax dollars at work.

Sad it has come down to "blanket policy".
I hate it when a few ruin it for the most.

Oh well...if passed, at least parents will be involved/informed in what their kids are doing.

Kenneth

From the AJC:

<snip>

quote:

In White County, the proposal for a club that originally wanted to call itself the Gay-Straight Alliance has divided the community. The club adviser is expected to meet Monday with school Superintendent Paul Shaw, who said Thursday that his staff is reviewing the club application. Students now say it will be called PRIDE, for Peers Rising in Diverse Education.

</snip>

While I do understand a parent wanting to know what their kid is up to, if the kid comes home late by two hours on the second Monday of the month each month that should prompt a query by the parent.

I fear that what we're doing is implanting a willingness and acceptance of being tracked and monitored in our children that doesn't bode well for the future.

quote:

Originally posted by Rebel:
While I do understand a parent wanting to know what their kid is up to, if the kid comes home late by two hours on the second Monday of the month each month that should prompt a query by the parent.

I fear that what we're doing is implanting a willingness and acceptance of being tracked and monitored in our children that doesn't bode well for the future.

I believe most parents are involved enough to keep up with their kids.
If not, I doubt such measures will change things.

I guess I still don't understand why I should worry about someone tracking and monitoring me. They'd be pretty bored unless they like watching me do the drunken bee dance or sit in my recliner watching 24.
Most likely they'd get bored and move on.

Now don't get ruffled about rights...I understand people feel they have rights and I'm not questioning that....I was merely stating my personal lack of understanding.

Kenneth