- Who is "Anonymous" and what's their motive?
- Is she/he/them some caped crusader(s) on a mission for the people?
- Is "Anonymous" a righteous do-gooder taking aim at those who are morally corrupt?
- Or, is "Anonymous" a wolf in sheep's clothing?
Until the identity of "Anonymous" is revealed, we may never truly know the motivation behind their actions. But if he/she/them were in front of me, I'd have to give them credit for at least calling a moron a moron. Mind you, I can't condone the use of threats or intimidation as a means to right a wrong, but it seems to me that they chose their targets well.
"Anonymous" had already established a name for themselves by hacking in to the computer system of a security firm and posting thousands of documents that described plans to attack WikiLeaks, Bank of America and the US Chamber of Commerce. The news media has affectionately categorized "Anonymous" as 'hactivists.'
Now, "Anonymous" has set their sights on something far more repugnant. A group of people who can only be described as a boil on the butt of humanity. Yes, I'm speaking of those sorry ass excuse for human beings known as the Westboro Baptist Church.
Not long ago, "Anonymous" sent a message to the Westboro harbingers of hate advising them to "Stop Now or Else." In a letter to Westboro's website, with the URL of godhatesfags.com, "Anonymous" warned them that if they continued their protests, that any "damage incurred will be irreversible" and "neither your institution or congregation will ever be able to recover." Some of the excerpts from that communique' are;
We, the collective super-consciousness known as ANONYMOUS - the Voice of Free Speech & the Advocate of the People - have long heard you issue your venomous statements of hatred, and we have witnessed your flagrant and absurd displays of inimitable bigotry and intolerant fanaticism. We have always regarded you and your ilk as an assembly of graceless sociopaths and maniacal chauvinists & religious zealots, however benign, who act out for the sake of attention & in the name of religion.
Being such aggressive proponents for the Freedom of Speech & Freedom of Information as we are, we have hitherto allowed you to continue preaching your benighted gospel of hatred and your theatrical exhibitions of, not only your fascist views, but your utter lack of Christ-like attributes. You have condemned the men and women who serve, fight, and perish in the armed forces of your nation; you have prayed for and celebrated the deaths of young children, who are without fault; you have stood outside the United States National Holocaust Museum, condemning the men, women, and children who, despite their innocence, were annihilated by a tyrannical embodiment of fascism and unsubstantiated repugnance. Rather than allowing the deceased some degree of peace and respect, you instead choose to torment, harass, and assault those who grieve.
ANONYMOUS cannot abide this behavior any longer. The time for us to be idle spectators in your inhumane treatment of fellow Man has reached its apex, and we shall now be moved to action. Thus, we give you a warning: Cease & desist your protest campaign in the year 2011, return to your homes in Kansas, & close your public Web sites. Should you ignore this warning, you will meet with the vicious retaliatory arm of ANONYMOUS: We will target your public Websites, and the propaganda & detestable doctrine that you promote will be eradicated; the damage incurred will be irreversible, and neither your institution nor your congregation will ever be able to fully recover. It is in your best interest to comply now, while the option to do so is still being offered, because we will not relent until you cease the conduction & promotion of all your bigoted operations & doctrines. The warning has been given. What happens from here shall be determined by you.
When and if Judgment Day ever does come for the ilk of Westboro, it can't be soon enough in my opinion.
FOLLOW UP:
Westboro Baptist Church strikes back! Their response.
"Puddle of pimple-faced nerds" just has me rolling.
And.....another update....
"Anonymous" now says they have more pressing matters to deal with at the moment and they don't recall this lengthy message to Westboro.
This BBC article reports that the pastor of Westboro, Fred Phelps, has been barred from entering the UK. I wonder why.