Positive Protests

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
As I noted last week, the freeze-dried whackaloons of the Westboro Baptist Church are coming to Denver later in the month, and local groups are mobilizing to counter-protest their hateful activities.

I've decided to join the counter-protests on Saturday, and make it positive experience.

I've ordered this T-Shirt for the occasion:


It made me smile, and seemed positive and upbeat.

I've alse decided on my sign, although I haven't actually made it yet. It's going to say, "Navy Vet - Proud to Defend Your Freedom!" Again, positive and upbeat, and it has the added advantage of being something I believe in strongly.

I promise to keep my temper in check, and I won't punch anyone in the throat. But I will be warming up my voice. Once upon a time, many, many years ago, I was a cadence caller. I knew that skill would come in handy one day...

13 comments:

Nathan said...

And how are you planning to accessorize? Specifically, what shoes will you wear?

(I've been told these things are important.)

Janiece said...

Shut up, Nathan.

I shall be wearing COMFY shoes. And if I can find COMFY shoes that are annoying to the congregants of the WBC, so much the better.

Jim Wright said...

Wear your ass-kicking shoes.

Pictures, Janiece, pretty please.

Karl said...

Down by the river where no one goes,
Lives a little woman who's got no clothes!
Along came a Tanker swingin' a chain,
And that's when it all began to change!

Not that one?

Hm - some of these are better with boots on.

Hey Dubya Bee Cee, how ya doon?
I hear Fred Phelps is a whackaloon!
He's a bit more than a mile high!
Waitin' for a place up there in the sky!
Waitin' for the End Days to come around,
Insteada doing good while here on the ground...

Great, now I feel like doing the Tanker Shuffle for 5 miles or so...

Yeah - comfy shoes. :)

mom in northern said...

Need any of my skill in the design of your sign... ??

Janiece said...

Jim, I plan on taking pictures, but I suspect there'll be lots more of us than there are of them (as Nathan noted when he went to WBC's sojourn to NYC). And no, I will not be kicking their ass. POSITIVE EXPERIENCE - remember?

Karl, this is supposed to be POSTIVE EXPERIENCE. POSITIVE. So no. Just - no. :-)

Mom, I'm going to have to design it sections, and then glue it to some foam core or something. Thanks for the offer, though.

Karl said...

hehheh - I know - just funnin' :)

You have exactly the right ideas for attitude and message, and that shirt is great!

Random Michelle K said...

Maybe chant nursery rhymes?

Carol Elaine said...

As an old hand at the protesting game, I love 'em both. And yes, comfy shoes are a MUST. Even then, sometimes they're not enough (try standing in one place for a few hours waiting for the march to start in Washington, DC, then march for a couple of miles - I was wearing the most comfy - and expensive - athletic shoes I'd ever owned and I was still in pain by the end of the day).

Also, if you can get bright pink comfy shoes, with flames on the sides, then paint stick figures of two men together, that would really piss off the WBC.

Also also, yes, photos please.

Anne C. said...

That shirt expresses *exactly* what I think of when I think of atheism.

And pending me double checking what my schedule is, I'd like to go with you! :) Then we'll be sure to have a positive experience!

Janiece said...

Anne, I'd love for us to go together! UCF FTW!

Nathan said...

Why don't you bring them some pie? (Ex-Lax optional)

:D

Janiece said...

"It's always a good time for pie!"