This is just a brilliant idea, from Driving Equality. Apparently, the pathological Phelps clan is planning to pay a visit to the GMU campus, and it’s been turned into a fundraising opportunity for the GMU Pride Alliance: For every minute of the Phelps’ revolting presence, the Pride Alliance will be collecting funds pledged by supporters. You can pledge any amount per minute, or a flat rate for the entire protest time (announced to be 7:45 AM to 8:30 AM on March 30th). The first Phelps-A-Thon in Boston, pictured above, raised over $4,500.
Funds raised through the Phelps-A-Thon will be used for the educational mission of the Pride Alliance, countering the lies told by hate groups about LGBT people. And Miss Manners would surely approve:
After the event, we will send Phelps a thank you card, telling him how much money he raised for LGBT equality.
This is, in my view, exactly the right way to deal with this disturbed little family of parasites. They are professional provocateurs; they literally make their living from “damages” awarded them through the courts when they are able to incite someone to violate their first amendment rights. So: Don’t even think about trying to do that. The Phelps are toxic, hateful little goobers, and our Bill of Rights guarantees their freedom to be toxic, hateful little goobers. It’s our Bill of Rights that sets the U.S. apart from the other countries (Sweden, Canada) that are constantly cited by opponents of Hate Crimes law, and the essential difference that renders the arguments of those opponents false and laughable.
The debate has tended to be over whether or not to ignore the Phelps and others like them, but I don’t think anything beats getting them to raise funds for us. It’s a win-win.
The Phelps clan also says it plans to protest at Walt Whitman High School (Why, you ask? Because it’s named after Walt Whitman). I can think of no more appropriate welcome than the news that they are raising money for the Gay/Straight Alliance, followed by a nice thank-you note. If this continues, we’ll start seeing campus groups inviting them to come and “protest.”
What a great idea. I just donated $45 for the 45 minutes. Thinking about a road trip to Walt Whitman high school. Anyone else interested?
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