Zamanient

Westboro Baptist Church, the outfit known for its ubiquitous “God Hates Fags” message and picketing of soldiers’ funerals, has made a cottage industry out of offensiveness and scandal. They have united entire towns against them, stirring up such resentment and fury that they have been obliged to rush out of town for fear of being overrun by enraged locals. The typical Westboro game plan is simple: Step One: Pick a high-profile funeral or other emotionally-charged event as a target Step Two: Send an announcement to the local press in that area that your group intends to show up to picket said event Step Three: Actually showing up is optional. If you do, only bring a handful of people with signs, stay a half-hour at most for camera and counter-protest exposure, then leave before any real trouble gets started. Step Four: Pick another event and repeat. Over the years, the now-deceased Fred Phelps and his minions have targeted celebrities, dead soldiers, music concerts, tech companies...