Anti-Protest Protesting and the Politics Located Therein

This past weekend, a funeral cemetery service was held in honor of a local fallen soldier [from Pennsylvania]. Ordinarily, this seemingly normal event might bring one or two headlines detailing the soldier being laid to rest and his or her accomplishments. In this particular case (and far too many of late to count) however, there is much more buzz surrounding the occasion.

While visiting my grandfather shortly before Christmas, I learned that he, along with several other members of a group to which he belongs, would be partaking in an anti-protest protest. Now, before you begin to think negatively about the politics of protesting a protest and its apparent contradictory nature (my immediate thought was one in the same), please continue reading.

You may remember hearing the name Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), based in Topeka, Kansas, which was formed in 1955 by Pastor Fred Phelps. Its websites include: godhatesfags.com, godhatesamerica.com, hatemongers.com, and thesignsofthetimes.net, among others. The church received national attention for its picketing of gay rights (beginning with the funeral of Matthew Shepard) and the funerals of fallen soldiers as well as its planned picket of the funeral for those children killed during this past summer's Amish School shooting. The last item was cancelled to comply with the terms and conditions of a deal made for Phelps to be allowed an hour's time on the Mike Gallagher Show. To me, the message is clear cut -- it is readily apparent that the church cares more about publicity than they do about upholding their values.