Anonymous vs Westboro Baptist Church

[Graham Kennedy]

Well I'm not going to say you should feel otherwise, it's just a pet peeve of mine when people say things like "Well I support X but..." and then make it clear that in fact, they don't support it at all, they just like to say they do.

[Mikey]

Well, you'd be right if I said "I do not and will never support this," but I didn't. The difference is minute, but important. I guess the straw for this particular camel of mine is the fact that "hacktivism," to me, pales in import compared to the poison which spews from the inhuman mouths of the WBC.

[Captain Seafort]

Well I'm not going to say you should feel otherwise, it's just a pet peeve of mine when people say things like "Well I support X but..." and then make it clear that in fact, they don't support it at all, they just like to say they do.

I wouldn't say it's that so much as certain circumstances making it very tempting to throw moral principles to the four winds. For example, both you and I are opposed to capital punishment, but I suspect you would be lying if you denied being tempted to make an exception for the likes of Hitler or Pol Pot. I certainly would.

That, obviously, is an extreme example, but the same is true in this case that, while I remain opposed in principle to vigilantism and terrorism of all types in general and Anonymous in particular, that doesn't mean I don't take a certain amusement away from WBC getting a bloody nose.

[Mikey]

That's also part of it, I suppose. This isn't exactly a clear-cut case of vigilantism vs. letting the law take care of it, because what WBC does isn't illegal (save for where the application violates local laws, but that's a different issue.)

[Captain Picard's Hair]

That's also part of it, I suppose. This isn't exactly a clear-cut case of vigilantism vs. letting the law take care of it, because what WBC does isn't illegal (save for where the application violates local laws, but that's a different issue.)

There's no law against being a sub-human dirtbag, and attempts to legislate attitude would be as immoral as impractical themselves. On the other hand, it is the place of social forces to combat distasteful attitudes; there's nothing illegal about the stance taken by Anonymous though it remains to be seen what the legality of their methods will prove to be. In any case, regardless of how it's done there would be justifiable schadenfreude to be experienced at the expense of the WBC.

[Captain Seafort]

there's nothing illegal about the stance taken by Anonymous though it remains to be seen what the legality of their methods will prove to be.

We've seen repeatedly what their methods are - nothing less than electronic terrorism.

In any case, regardless of how it's done there would be justifiable schadenfreude to be experienced at the expense of the WBC.

No it wouldn't. Highly amusing, yes, but never justifiable.

[Graham Kennedy]

Well I'm not going to say you should feel otherwise, it's just a pet peeve of mine when people say things like "Well I support X but..." and then make it clear that in fact, they don't support it at all, they just like to say they do.

I wouldn't say it's that so much as certain circumstances making it very tempting to throw moral principles to the four winds. For example, both you and I are opposed to capital punishment, but I suspect you would be lying if you denied being tempted to make an exception for the likes of Hitler or Pol Pot. I certainly would.

No, I really, really wouldn't. It's not even remotely tempting to me. I've heard of some pretty messed up crimes in my life and I've honestly never once thought "s/he deserves to die for that", even in passing.

Maybe my brain is just wired funny...

[Tsukiyumi]

Maybe my brain is just wired funny...

Or maybe mine is.

Different perspectives, different people. It would be rather boring if we all thought alike, don't you think?

[Graham Kennedy]

Indeed it would.

[Deepcrush]

This could be fun! A pack of WBC folks strung up in Oak trees and I'll bring the popcorn.

[Tsukiyumi]

This could be fun! A pack of WBC folks strung up in Oak trees and I'll bring the popcorn.

Barbecue!

[Deepcrush]

Blue Moon by the pitcher.

[Captain Picard's Hair]

there's nothing illegal about the stance taken by Anonymous though it remains to be seen what the legality of their methods will prove to be.

We've seen repeatedly what their methods are - nothing less than electronic terrorism.

Well now that I've had a chance to read about them, it's pretty clear; I hadn't heard about this group until yesterday.

In any case, regardless of how it's done there would be justifiable schadenfreude to be experienced at the expense of the WBC.

No it wouldn't. Highly amusing, yes, but never justifiable.

I'm afraid I can't share the balanced views of GK or yourself here; due to my mental illness I've adopted a decidedly cynical and bitter view of the world. Perhaps you might take it with a grain of salt when I say things like the above.

[Tsukiyumi]

...due to my mental illness I've adopted a decidedly cynical and bitter view of the world...

It happens.

[Mikey]

Blue Moon by the pitcher.

Hmm. I always figured you for a Pabst guy.