Staying out of the political side of the discussion and focusing on proper etiquette of reaction, I kinda feel thumbs down would have been the best choice.
I understand that roadside demonstrations can be a pain, and you certainly don’t have to agree with the point they are trying to make, but I personally believe that we have such a gift in this country (the free expression of our opinions, ideals and beliefs) that even if I disagree with the statement being said, I want them out there saying it.
It’s their right, and I want them to exercise it.
Why? If I agree then I can approve. If I disagree I can (politely) disapprove.
But what often happens is it makes me think about what I do believe and why, and it often provokes good discussion with friends, family and coworkers.
I was working with a reporter one day covering a KKK rally many many years ago. Hell I don’t even remember where, I think it was southern PA in the early 90’s. The young female rookie reporter bemoaned to me she wished there was a law suppressing these people, they shouldn’t be allowed to say these things, etc.
My response: “I am glad these people are here, demonstrating. It makes it easier to identify them as idiots and invalidate their arguments. They are not gaining any supporters here, they are marshaling their foes, and they are doing damage to their cause. By all means, the last thing you want to do is shut them up.”
The cacophony of free speech is the most beautiful noise in the universe.
I do support opposite sex (that is, “traditional”) marriage for those that want one. But I also support same sex marriage. That’s the annoying part, they make it sound like you can’t be in favor of both.
Many people in Spain have taken to referring to “shacking up” as “traditional marriage”. You know, as in “the way people got married before someone came up with the idea of adding paperwork to shacking up”.
I doooon’t think it’s what those demostrators had in mind, but wouldn’t it be lovely to pass the idea by them and watch their heads explode? bam, bam, BAM
The only demonstrators that I have ever flipped off in decades were those Yes on 8 assholes here in CA so I am totally with you, 'mika. Their views are hateful and disgusting. Clearly they are entitled to them and to demonstrate for them but they are also scum who are deserving of scorn.
Man folks like this really rile me up. Yeah they have a right to say whatever stupid thing they want, and I have just as much right to tell them how wrong they are.
Every Saturday there are picketers at a local Planned Parenthood, and I sometimes fantasize about plowing through every one of those right to lifers in my bus…
…but that would be a lot of paperwork to deal with afterward
Do you live in one of those states where the Democrats, the media and Satan are outlawing conventional marriage and forcing people into polygamous gay unions? Because to be honest, I have a problem with that.
Do they really think that slowing down commute traffic is going to make people more sympathetic to their cause? I generally don’t have warm, fuzzy feelings toward people who do that. I’d be angry at them, even if they were waving pictures of cute fuzzy kittens and had signs saying “honk if you love kitties”.
If only there was a hand gesture that signified “OK, you don’t like SSM, so YOU have a traditional marriage. Why do you give a fuck what other people do? If you were Jews, would you demonstrate against eating pork, and try to get pork outlawed? What in the name of fuck is wrong with you that you think your beliefs need to be forced onto everybody else?”
