NationStates Jolt Archive

Is protesting the Laramie Project at my old high school.

I haven't been a student of the high school for almost four years. But still, this makes me really really angry.

There will be people holding "God Hates Fags" signs outside my high school's Little Theater. This is horrible. There are people organizing a counter-protest, but I don't know if they have the numbers or organization.

I can't go, because I am 70 miles away, have no car, and I have a class on Friday. Otherwise I would go.

So, Bay Area NSers, if you ever wanted to get in the faces of the Westboro Baptist Church, tomorrow from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, outside Alameda High School, Alameda, California will be your chance.

I would suggest maybe holding a counter protest...but if your gonna be lazy...having no car and a class is no excuse :p

Hmm. Find a bunch of gay men and lesbian women, and take them to the counter protest. Then have them have a huge homosexual orgy. That'll teach the motherfuckers.

I would suggest maybe holding a counter protest...but if your gonna be lazy...having no car and a class is no excuse :p

How should I get there, then?

How should I get there, then?

bus or train.

How should I get there, then?

Run Callisdrun, Run. :p

or you could hitchhike...

Hmm. Find a bunch of gay men and lesbian women, and take them to the counter protest. Then have them have a huge homosexual orgy. That'll teach the motherfuckers.

That would be awesome if the protest wasn't in front of a high school.

Hmm. Find a bunch of gay men and lesbian women, and take them to the counter protest. Then have them have a huge homosexual orgy. That'll teach the motherfuckers.

It is much simpler to find a gay man, have him walk up to Phelps, give him a big wet kiss, and say, rather loudly, "God knows Phelps, and he doesn't mind".

Run Callisdrun, Run. :p

or you could hitchhike...

True. Hitchhiking really depends on luck, though. And that's not a strong point for me.

What, is he on a greatest hits tour? Isn't protesting Laramie Project productions how he got his infamy to begin with before uping the ante by protest soldier funerals?

Doing his God Hates Fags routine in the Bay Area in general is a poor sell, but right now with the whole Prop 8 nonsense this might be lighting a match next to a gas leak. The GLBT community and those sympathetic (or, you know, sensible) are pretty pissed off right now.

What, is he on a greatest hits tour? Isn't protesting Laramie Project productions how he got his infamy to begin with before uping the ante by protest soldier funerals?

Doing his God Hates Fags routine in the Bay Area in general is a poor sell, but right now with the whole Prop 8 nonsense this might be lighting a match next to a gas leak. The GLBT community and those sympathetic (or, you know, sensible) are pretty pissed off right now.

Indeed. I'm hoping that the WBC will be vastly outnumbered by counter-protesters.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=S8cN2pB3MCE

Be proud of your school. I consider it a great honor to be protested by Fred Phelps.

Here's an idea for the school - have the whole football team out there, just staring at the protesters. It just might scare them off.

Some info on the Laramie project?

These anti-smoking protests are going too far.

These anti-smoking protests are going too far.

It's an anti-gay protest.

It's an anti-gay protest.

I think he's joking.

wave a placard with Matthew 7:2-4 on it at them

Someone from inside the building should use one of the fire hoses on them.

Get on the roof and throw water balloons filled with shaving cream on them.

If your more violent, substitute water balloons with malatov cocktails.

It's an anti-gay protest.
A fag in the UK is a cigarette.;)

..and Laramie are a brand of cigarettes

..and Laramie are a brand of cigarettes
I smell a conspiracy!

I'd love to see CIRCA(Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army) vs WBC some time. That'd rock. :)

A fag in the UK is a cigarette.;)

Oh right.

*looks at Ram's location*

Is that in Britain?

wave a placard with Matthew 7:2-4 on it at them


I've tried that approach with these people a few years back when they came to my school. They have clever excuses for almost anything you bring up to them. When they told me that, I then quoted:

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.


That really pissed them off, but my point was clear. What they do is classified under the idea of false teachings and false prophets. Plus they are hardcore TULIPs, which gives me even more reason to doubt they are authentic.

I've tried that approach with these people a few years back when they came to my school. They have clever excuses for almost anything you bring up to them. When they told me that, I then quoted:



That really pissed them off, but my point was clear. What they do is classified under the idea of false teachings and false prophets. Plus they are hardcore TULIPs, which gives me even more reason to doubt they are authentic.

What are "TULIPS"? I take it by the capital letters, and context, that you do not mean flowers.

Someone do us all a huge favour, organise a counter-protest, and all bring flamethrowers. Phelps needs barbecuing.

Hoes, burnt crows, shitty shows, before westbros!

Oh right.

*looks at Ram's location*

Is that in Britain?

Other way around.

*admits to thinking that at first glance, it was an anti-cig protest*

Personally I would suggest ignoring them to death

What are "TULIPS"? I take it by the capital letters, and context, that you do not mean flowers.

TULIP= the 5 points of Calvinism. They believe in the idea that God has chosen people before time exist to save, and to punish eternally. These people (the phelps) have more or less damned anyone not Calvinistic in nature. Then again, they have also damned anyone who is not them.

Personally I would suggest ignoring them to deathThat only works with children.

TULIP= the 5 points of Calvinism. They believe in the idea that God has chosen people before time exist to save, and to punish eternally. These people (the phelps) have more or less damned anyone not Calvinistic in nature. Then again, they have also damned anyone who is not them.

Oh right, that whole bit. Such a silly idea.

And really, if they're the ones in heaven, hell isn't so bad by comparison.

Some info on the Laramie project?

In October 1998 Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, severely beaten and left to die, tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. Five weeks later, Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, and over the course of the next year, conducted more than 200 interviews with people of the town. From these interviews they wrote the play The Laramie Project, a chronicle of the life of the town of Laramie in the year after the murder. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is one of the most performed plays in America today.

Tectonic Theater Project collaborated with HBO to make the film based on the play. It starred Peter Fonda, Laura Linney, Christina Ricci and Steve Buscemi among others. It opened the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for 4 Emmys.
http://www.tectonictheaterproject.org/The_Laramie_Project.html

Note that Phelps is portrayed in the play...

wave a placard with Matthew 7:2-4 on it at them

Or just Matthew 7:1...

What are "TULIPS"? I take it by the capital letters, and context, that you do not mean flowers.

Basically, Calvinism is known by an acronym: T.U.L.I.P.

Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)

http://www.calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm

In Ann Arbor, they asked to people to pledge to donate $1 for every minute Phelps' protest continued, to some cause they knew Phelps would hate to raise a large sum for. Donate toward overturning Prop 8, in Phelps' name, this time?

In Ann Arbor, they asked to people to pledge to donate $1 for every minute Phelps' protest continued, to some cause they knew Phelps would hate to raise a large sum for. Donate toward overturning Prop 8, in Phelps' name, this time?

Nice. Call it Phelpsathon. :)

Last time Phelps came through here we had a huge group of motorcyclists that revved loud enough that we didn't hear the Westboro people at all.

They protests at all the vigils and funerals for the shooting victims at NIU last year.

Let me show you how to handle it to make sure they never come back.

Ignore them. Dont counter protest, dont give them media time. Do nothing. At NIU thats what we did. Our press didnt even report on it. Practically anyone knew they were even here.

They wont be coming back to IL. They thrive on attention from the media. If you make a scene via counter protest, the media might show up.

They protests at all the vigils and funerals for the shooting victims at NIU last year.


When the cats are away, the mice will play, oh look, the WBC property has a gay parade going on!

*plots*

http://www.tectonictheaterproject.org/The_Laramie_Project.html

Note that Phelps is portrayed in the play...

WTF? They are protesting over a play?

The acting and writing better be terrible before you protest over it. :p

TULIP= the 5 points of Calvinism. They believe in the idea that God has chosen people before time exist to save, and to punish eternally. These people (the phelps) have more or less damned anyone not Calvinistic in nature. Then again, they have also damned anyone who is not them.

Hell, even other Calvinists consider them nothing more than a nutty, abusive cult.

In Ann Arbor, they asked to people to pledge to donate $1 for every minute Phelps' protest continued, to some cause they knew Phelps would hate to raise a large sum for. Donate toward overturning Prop 8, in Phelps' name, this time?

Awesome!

Nice. Call it Phelpsathon. :)

Me likey...

Last time Phelps came through here we had a huge group of motorcyclists that revved loud enough that we didn't hear the Westboro people at all.

The "Patriot Guard" IIRC.

WTF? They are protesting over a play?

The acting and writing better be terrible before you protest over it. :p

To be fair, the play does feature the cultist-in-chief...

Is anyone else seeing adverts offering to "drive evils away from your surrounding" using Indian Vedic rituals?

Somebody should tell the Westborough Batshits at the rally that while all they ever did was rant about the evils of homosexuality, those damned Mormons actually went and did something about them. Just because I want to see how they'll react to being scooped by those Evil Polygamist Heretics.

:D

What even happen with that court ruling? Did phelps ever cough up the $11 million? (http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31/funeral.protests.ap/index.html)

What even happen with that court ruling? Did phelps ever cough up the $11 million? (http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31/funeral.protests.ap/index.html)

I dont think so.

He probably wont either. Cults dont usually obey court orders.

I doubt they have 11 million to cough up.

If anyone goes to do a counter protest, please show restraint. Don't legitimize these assholes by sinking to their level or doing anything that would allow them to generate sympathy/sue for money to stage further shit.

I doubt they have 11 million to cough up.

Am I a terrible person if I dont see a WBC Wacko as a tragedy?

I understand the desire to confront these kind of people, but in some cases you only feed the fire by taking the bait. If it's possible to starve a group like Westboro of publicity or to make them an object of derision, I think I'd try taking that option.

I understand the desire to confront these kind of people, but in some cases you only feed the fire by taking the bait. If it's possible to starve a group like Westboro of publicity or to make them an object of derision, I think I'd try taking that option.

As I mentioned, thats what both NIU and the press did last year. And it worked. Wonderfully.

Am I a terrible person if I dont see a WBC Wacko as a tragedy?
Yes, you are a terrible person, provided you meant "Waco." If you meant that, then that remark was in very poor taste.

However, if you meant "wacko" as in "a nutty person," well, then saying "WBC wacko" is just redundant.

Yes, you are a terrible person, provided you meant "Waco." If you meant that, then that remark was in very poor taste.

However, if you meant "wacko" as in "a nutty person," well, then saying "WBC wacko" is just redundant.

No, I meant "wacko" as in if I dont feel sympathy for them for being so utterly deranged.

Im not that awful.

As I mentioned, thats what both NIU and the press did last year. And it worked. Wonderfully.

Ah, my fault. That's very true, and historically, I think, the best of all tactics against fringe groups. Effective counter-protests, especially those that employ superior numbers and sharp commentary/mockery work best, I think, in cases where you're up against against groups who are assured media coverage for tradition's sake (say, the KKK or Nazi Party get-togethers in Skokie), but voluntary media blackouts are hard to beat otherwise.

Ah, my fault. That's very true, and historically, I think, the best of all tactics against fringe groups. Effective counter-protests, especially those that employ superior numbers and sharp commentary/mockery work best, I think, in cases where you're up against against groups who are assured media coverage for tradition's sake (say, the KKK or Nazi Party get-togethers in Skokie), but voluntary media blackouts are hard to beat otherwise.

True. Against a group that is sure to get media coverage, that will work.

Problem is, a counter protest against the WBC actually makes it MORE likely that the media will cover it, because it creates a larger specitcal for them.

I think the only reason that the media doesnt cover them is that they pissd off 100% of America, so it doesnt help ratings to cover them like it would to cover the Klan.

Sad thing is, most of the Americans it pissed off probably dont care that theyre hateful. They care that they protest at military funerals.

Sad thing is, most of the Americans it pissed off probably dont care that theyre hateful. They care that they protest at military funerals.

Protesting at a funeral is hateful in my book.

Protesting at a funeral is hateful in my book.

Well, fair enough. I was refering to their hateful message and intent.

What even happen with that court ruling? Did phelps ever cough up the $11 million? (http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31/funeral.protests.ap/index.html)

The judgement has been reduced a couple of times - its $5 mil now. And liens are in place... (http://cjonline.com/stories/040408/loc_264906171.shtml)

To be fair, the play does feature the cultist-in-chief...

OK, and if it is misrepresenting him or placing him in a bad light, and that is the reason for him protesting over it, then I see nothing wrong with that.

OK, and if it is misrepresenting him or placing him in a bad light, and that is the reason for him protesting over it, then I see nothing wrong with that.

It's the head of the WBC. I don't think it's possible to portray him in a good light.

Edit: Especially in relation to these events, where the WBC:

Picketed Mr Shepard's funeral, with signs like "Matt Shepard rots in hell"

Tried to install a monument in a local park, with a plaque reading "MATTHEW SHEPARD, Entered Hell October 12, 1998..."

sauce (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard#Public_reaction_and_the_aftermath)

It's the head of the WBC. I don't think it's possible to portray him in a good light.

Edit: Especially in relation to these events, where the WBC:

Picketed Mr Shepard's funeral, with signs like "Matt Shepard rots in hell"

Tried to install a monument in a local park, with a plaque reading "MATTHEW SHEPARD, Entered Hell October 12, 1998..."

sauce (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard#Public_reaction_and_the_aftermath)

Yeah definitely. Wow that's all I have to say on the matter. *Continues reading up on the events and The Matthew Shepard Foundation website* Really people if you haven't gone through it yet I recommend do so it is surreal (for lack of a better word) and extremely sad (something that is hard to do to me) at the same time.

Really my whole outlook on life changes, now I have read up mpre on this and see why it is something that has grown to the size it has in America.

I wasn't trying to defend him I was wondering if he was protesting it because it might have misrepresented him or something, I wasn't aware of the statue thing though.

Just a question.

Why is this really only the major attack on gays to come about? Why aren't others really reported on as much and get the same coverage?

Yeah definitely. Wow that's all I have to say on the matter. *Continues reading up on the events and The Matthew Shepard Foundation website* Really people if you haven't gone through it yet I recommend do so it is surreal (for lack of a better word) and extremely sad (something that is hard to do to me) at the same time.

Really my whole outlook on life changes, now I have read up mpre on this and see why it is something that has grown to the size it has in America.

I wasn't trying to defend him I was wondering if he was protesting it because it might have misrepresented him or something, I wasn't aware of the statue thing though.

Just a question.

Why is this really only the major attack on gays to come about? Why aren't others really reported on as much and get the same coverage?
Because when a kind of crime happens too frequently, it stops being news unless a specific instance is especially horrifying.

Because when a kind of crime happens too frequently, it stops being news unless a specific instance is especially horrifying.

Fair enough, I suppose that is true, I don't hear much about it and I was to young and in another country to really know about this. After doing a bit more research on this last night I was a bit shocked, shame that it still goes onto to a large extent in the US.

I smell a conspiracy!

I also smell cigarrete smoke *cough* please heed the no-smoking signs! :gas::tongue:

One would only assume that the group would protest a play where they themselves play the role of one of the antagonists... :P

Is protesting the Laramie Project at my old high school.

I haven't been a student of the high school for almost four years. But still, this makes me really really angry.

There will be people holding "God Hates Fags" signs outside my high school's Little Theater. This is horrible. There are people organizing a counter-protest, but I don't know if they have the numbers or organization.

I can't go, because I am 70 miles away, have no car, and I have a class on Friday. Otherwise I would go.

So, Bay Area NSers, if you ever wanted to get in the faces of the Westboro Baptist Church, tomorrow from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, outside Alameda High School, Alameda, California will be your chance.

"God doesn't mind the gays so much. But he wishes Phelps would stop calling"?


TULIP= the 5 points of Calvinism. They believe in the idea that God has chosen people before time exist to save, and to punish eternally. These people (the phelps) have more or less damned anyone not Calvinistic in nature. Then again, they have also damned anyone who is not them.

Hell, even other Calvinists consider them nothing more than a nutty, abusive cult.

Let's be fair here. While Calvinists believe in the "elect", most do not presume to be able to know who is and who isn't chosen and are mostly of the mind to treat everyone as someone that God might decide to save just to be safe.

Then you have the hypercalvinists who think that it's a sin to help the "damned".

I'd love to see CIRCA(Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army) vs WBC some time. That'd rock. :)
Dooooo Eeeeeeet!

They're a bunch of con artists, they go do these protests solely to piss people off.

They hope someone loses it and either attacks them, insults them too much, or etc.

Then they turn around and sue the person for "Phsyical\Emotional damage" then they sue the police, the city, and the state, for not "Protecting their rights."

That's why their entire family is made up of lawyers.

Still, I liked what happened to them in Hawaii.

Still, I liked what happened to them in Hawaii.

They were tied up and thrown into the volcano to appease the gods?