'biting conveniently at the moment' is an amazingly good way to put it.

The enemy of my enemy isn't always my friend. There's no high moral reason they're not going after someone I don't dislike.

I'm with ita. I wish Westboro would suddenly get wise and clean their own house.

Much as I have to confess to a glimmer of 'heh' when I read that piece, at the same time, I began reciting Martin Niemoller's quote...First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then, they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.

I don't want to speak out for those hateful people. At the same time, tyranny is tyranny, no matter how it is dressed up. And the problem with the kind of power Anonymous wields is that it never seems to be satisfied and is never bounded by morality.

Already remembering why I don't like closed shoes. Boo. Toes wanna be free.

Penny loafers, no socks! The toesies look around sayin', "Hey, its DARK... but we can still moooooveeee... hmmm."

It's my favorite way to fly. Just kick 'em off, slip 'em on.

AND YEA VERILY I SHALL WEAR PENNY LOAFERS AGAIN!

re: ANONYMOUS

People are being stupid in the letters. (Shocking, I know) Freedom of speech isn't in a question of just anyone impinging expression, its a question of the government doing so. Duh.

From what I can see, I don't think I have a problem with ANONYMOUS and their past campaigns. So far it looks like straight-up civil disobedience to me. Unlike 4chan where there was the potential for the puppy girl to get hurt because of their actions (iirc, they released the information publicall, right? as opposed to just taking it to the authorities) this seems like it might actually be, you know, civil, in its disruption.

I'm just popping in to say hello from the NCL Jewel. I've got another week out at sea with this ship and then I get to go home to Los Angeles for a week.

Then they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.

You know, I get this. I do. I believe and try to live it. But I just can't make myself care that those assholes are going to get their site hacked. I'm just going to savor my dish of schadenfreude with a side of mild guilt, and move on.

On a related note, I noted with some bitterness how much more widespread disapproval of the WBC became when they started picketing military funerals. First they came for the fags... (obviously not y'all. talking about the general public here.)

eta Hi ND! Smooth sailing to you!

I'm just going to savor my dish of schadenfreude with a side of mild guilt, and move on.

A choice I totally respect.

Then they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.

Yes, but ANONYMOUS aren't an unstopable government dragging WBC to death camps, they're a bunch of kids fucking up their website. Proportion matters, that's why Godwin's Law is so effective.

It's a nonviolent protest. Nonviolent matters in these things. Object away and think they're assholes if you do -- but there is a big difference between this behavior and causing or even risking bodily harm. An enormous difference.

It's a nonviolent protest. Nonviolent matters in these things

Would you characterise theft as nonviolent? Defensible against WBC?

Excusing hacking because no one gets hurt in a campaign against people who aren't violent either seems a bit weird. Obviously a lot of damage can be done without physical harm. It's much of the point.

waves to Bonny and other DCistas

Wow! It is crazy windy here. The National Christmas tree blew down. We drove through some kind a big wildfire on the way in from BWI. But we are settled in and happy to be visiting DC.

Hi, ND! My SIL wants a group of us to take a cruise together some time this spring. It has been quite a long time since I was on one.

I am having a bit of trouble summoning any sympathy for WBC. I do understand and agree that 2 wrongs don't make a right, and yet not running to defend them.

I am having a bit of trouble summoning any sympathy for WBC. I do understand and agree that 2 wrongs don't make a right, and yet not running to defend them.

Me too.

You know what'd be funny? If a group of gay atheist hackers defended the WBC from Anonymous.