What worries me most is how they are going to exercise their “freedom of speech” rights and how you are goint to prevent them from doing so.
All they need to do is “peacefully” disrupt the proceedings to turn it into a disaster. I hope the organizers have prepared for such eventuality, though I cannot see how one can be prevented to “voice” their opinion at a public (political) rally.
Moreover, by “inviting” them they will be able to claim a right to participation. This is not good political strategy. I can see the headlines now and the clips (showing someone being “escorted” out) that go viral about “suppression of free speech” by those terrible atheists.
In a chess game, this would be considered “sacrificing positional advantage”, but for what gain? A good laugh?
This is exactly what I was talking about before. The people at Westboro church specialize in disruption. They have no interest whatsoever in listening to you or having a rational discussion. Its more than likely that they will just end up frustrating your cause rather than aiding it.
My recommendation is to construct a separate rally that is specifically devoted to such a thing, and then invite anyone you want, including Westboro.
I don’t see an alternative. Politics is ugly by necessity.
Politics are people. So long as people see no alternative, then yes, it will be ugly. But it is not by necessity.
I agree. It is a necessity given the way things are right now. But if people change, then politics will too.
The way things are right now, a political party has to fight to survive. You don’t think campaign attack ads are necessary? I think it’s more of a systemic problem than a people problem, although they are interrelated.
No use crying over spilled milk here. It may have been a faux pas to invite the very people who hate us (not to mention everyone else who isn’t a member of their hate club) but they’d be coming anyway. What delusional fundie waco group would want to miss the chance to confront Satans minions? Sometimes in chess the best move is offensive BTW.
All I can suggest is that you make sure that your members who have to confront them are among those who are the most glib, witty, quick thinking, and intelligent. Otherwise they’ll get torn apart by those nuts.
All I can suggest is that you make sure that your members who have to confront them are among those who are the most glib, witty, quick thinking, and intelligent. Otherwise they’ll get torn apart by those nuts.
No use crying over spilled milk here. It may have been a faux pas to invite the very people who hate us (not to mention everyone else who isn’t a member of their hate club) but they’d be coming anyway. What delusional fundie waco group would want to miss the chance to confront Satans minions? Sometimes in chess the best move is offensive BTW.
Cap’t Jack
Forums are perfect for crying over spilled milk. That’s often where lessons are learned.
And more accurately, the best move in a game of chess is a strategically effective offensive move. This is a beginner’s move.
All I can suggest is that you make sure that your members who have to confront them are among those who are the most glib, witty, quick thinking, and intelligent. Otherwise they’ll get torn apart by those nuts.
Occam
100 percent agreement.
ditto. And they had better be glibber, wittier, quicker thinking, and more intelligent than we’ve seen here so far.
That’s often where lessons are learned.
