Some members of a controversial U.S. church group plan had announced plans to demonstrate at McLean's funeral.
Although no member of the group ever met McLean, they claim he lived an immoral and godless life, just like all other Canadians.
The group is notorious for protesting at military funerals across the United States.
No members of the U.S. church group showed up; but instead hundreds of strangers arrived at the church ready to block their planned protest. Winnipeg Police also showed up, in case of trouble.
McLean's family and friends stopped and thanked some of those who showed up outside the church.
Hundreds of people standing ready to protect a grieving, likely bewildered family - people they have never met - from further emotional harm. The picture brings tears to my eyes. Thank you, Winnipeg. Thank you, Canada.
* * * *
In this instance, I also must thank Stockwell Day for trying to keep those vile people out of the country. Now if he can see it clear to let peace activists in, and let US war resisters stay, we'll be all set.
19 comments:
Mail sent to wemovetocanada was returned.
My guess is that it's probably Westboro Baptist. Those nutjobs are notorious for protesting military, LGBT, and any funeral that they can attempt to pin some sort of moral inaptitude on.
It's really sad how often I hear about them demonstrating.
Mail sent to wemovetocanada was returned.
That is the incorrect email address. Look more carefully and try again.
My guess is that it's probably Westboro Baptist.
I don't think it's a secret who it is. My earlier post on the topic is here.
Those westboro assholes need to die. Part of their central church burned down last week, it made me happy
Those westboro assholes need to die. Part of their central church burned down last week, it made me happy
I dislike the Cult of Phelps intensely, but I have to disagree with you here. No one needs to die, even those excrescences. I wish them long, healthy lives during which they are challenged on their bullshit every single day. I am not religious, but the optimist in me believes that even some of the Westboro loonies can be redeemed.
I highly doubt Joe Grav is actually suggesting they be put to death. I think he was just using an expression.
I wish them long, healthy lives during which they are challenged on their bullshit every single day.
But one's mind must be open to receive a challenge. That would exclude them.
I am not religious, but the optimist in me believes that even some of the Westboro loonies can be redeemed.
I personally couldn't care less if they can be redeemed or not. I just want them to stay the hell out of other people's business.
As if this young man's family hasn't suffered enough. Thanks to his neighbors for being there to protect the family from more grief, even though the hate group didn't show up.
I want them to stay out of people's business too. And like you, I find myself in the odd position of approving of something Stockwell Day did!
I don't have any pity for Phelps himself (or realistic hope that he'll change his mind), but I do pity his children. He made them into his creatures through years of indoctrination and abuse. If you're interested, you should check out the book Addicted to Hate. It was written by a Topeka reporter about Phelps and his family. It was never published, but entered the public domain as part of the filing in a lawsuit. An online copy is here: http://www.blank.org/addict/
I read it a few years ago, and was both sickened and enraged. It's also what roused my pity.
I don't have any hope that Phelps can be redeemed. And sorry to say - I don't have any hope for his children either. When a child is brought up in an atmosphere of hatred and is taught nothing else, there can be little hope. It takes a special person to overcome all that on his or her own.
I won't mourn any of them when they are gone.
As if this young man's family hasn't suffered enough.
I know. It's unimaginable. That's what makes their actions - even threats of action - so unthinkable.
I don't have any pity for Phelps himself (or realistic hope that he'll change his mind), but I do pity his children. He made them into his creatures through years of indoctrination and abuse. ...
I read it a few years ago, and was both sickened and enraged. It's also what roused my pity.
Thanks for that, John. Interesting. I'm sure you're right to feel for his kids. It's never wrong to recognize another person's humanity, to sympathize with what has made them what they are.
I have mixed feelings about that, though. I know good people who came from hateful backgrounds, but who chose a different path. At some point, isn't it our own choice?
I'm not saying this is right or the way anyone "should" feel about this. It's just what comes to my mind.
Part of their central church burned down last week,
Sounds like a sign from god to me!
Re: their children, I always find myself landing on the idea that children should have the right not to be made into an asshole, even if they do end up breaking free of the assholicity.
I always find myself landing on the idea that children should have the right not to be made into an asshole
This is what burns me up so. Children have no rights. Children are slaves. If they have asshole parents - of any variety - they are victim to whatever the assholes cook up. And utterly dependent on their masters.
And this goes way beyond the kind of abuse that's recognized as worthy of state intervention.
Yes, children - people - should have the right to not be turned into hate machines.
I have mixed feelings about that, though. I know good people who came from hateful backgrounds, but who chose a different path. At some point, isn't it our own choice?
You can only make a choice if you know there are alternatives to choose from. As with many cults, Westboro Baptist Church does its best to make sure that the kids are not exposed to anything that might lead them away from the cult.
The big question with them is, are they going to go out quietly, like Jonestown, or like Waco?
As with many cults, Westboro Baptist Church does its best to make sure that the kids are not exposed to anything that might lead them away from the cult.
I think that's what makes it a cult, as opposed to merely religion.
The big question with them is, are they going to go out quietly, like Jonestown, or like Waco?
I'm not sure why that's the question. Cults don't necessarily end in mass suicides or destruction.
I'm not sure why that's the question. Cults don't necessarily end in mass suicides or destruction.
I realized later that I'd punctuated that sentence badly. I meant three options: (a) quietly, or (b) like Jonestown, or (c) like Waco.
Makes more sense now. Silly commas! :)
With all of the deserved criticism levelled against Canada lately, it's nice to see it returning to the pattern of eventually coming around and doing what it knows to be the right thing.
Turns out that my favourite Canadian politican, one Stockwell "Robespierre" Day a/k/a head of the Canadian Committee for Public Safety, had ordered the CBSA agents to be on the lookout for these shitstains and to turn them around if they tried to cross the border.
Good job, Canada!
Now we really need to talk about this Omar Khadr business . . .
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