Doin' the 'Death Dance'

So Westboro Baptist Church pastor Fred Phelps said IU is a "sodomite whorehouse masquerading as a university." No, really! We're also a "homo-fascist regime promoting GLBT terrorism," engaging in the "Indiana University Sodomite Death Dance."\nSchweeet!!! "Let's hear it for the boys!"\nThis Thursday through Saturday, Phelps will be picketing the IU theatre production "The Laramie Project," a play about the murder of gay student Matthew Shepard and its impact on the town of Laramie, Wyo. Phelps can be credited with leading protests of funerals of late gays, such as Shepard's, while carrying picket signs reading things like "God Hates Fags" and "Matt: 5 Years in Hell." He also owns and operates the dance-party of a Web site known simply as www.godhatesfags.com.\nSounds charming, I know. He is also an accomplished progressive-trance disc jockey. OK, not really.\nIn a natural and understandably justified reaction, many are amassing to counter-protest Phelps and his followers. And while a strong community response is easily necessary, a counter protest is not the best way to show Phelps we do not want him here.\nWhy? \nBecause he doesn't deserve a counter protest. Fred Phelps is a doofus professing a message that is archaic and disgusting who hides behind the Holy Bible to rationalize his actions. He quotes Leviticus, a book that, in addition to homosexual condemnation, also demands animal sacrifice as an act of religious devotion.\nThere is no need to worry about Phelps' message spreading to the masses, for his points are negated not only by his extremist views, but also by his juvenile tactics. To protest Fred Phelps and his church is to acknowledge his message, and he isn't even worthy of that. I mean, look at his fliers and Web site, for God's sake. The material speaks for itself. "God Hates Fags?"\nYou are above him.\nSure, a large group of counter protesters is a sight to see, but by standing off Phelps and his followers, you are giving him an audience and a platform, making his long trip from Topeka, Kan., worthwhile. Let Phelps and his six goober friends stand outside and hold their signs alone with no one listening. Let them waste countless dollars and hours on the worthless trip ahead of them. It will be much more powerful than screaming back.\nBut hey, if you really want to challenge the guy, at least have a little fun with it. Get a group of girls together and start the Fred Phelps Hottie Fan club and sob loudly as you ask him to sign your copy of Tiger Beat magazine. Join Phelps' picket line with a sign that reads "No Cookies For Cookie Monsters!" Or take Phelps' flier to heart and start the IU Sodomite Death Dance Squadron and do a rad choreographed number to cheerleader-uber-techno remix of "It's Raining Men."\n Challenging Phelps head-on is a noble act -- but there are better means. Demonstrate to the Westboro Baptist Church you don't need to take time out of your day to show you are open-minded and accepting of what "The Laramie Project" stands for, and illustrate your acceptance through simple actions. Hold the hand of the one you love no matter what their sex as you break Phelps' picket line and buy a ticket to "The Laramie Project," supporting its message and cause. Don't see the protest as a protest, but rather as a frame for the play you are about see. Walk up to Phelps, shake his hand and simply say, "Thank you … but you are not welcome here"