I'm submitting this diary because I strongly believe that whorish Clear Channel and the Bushbots have just presented Camp Casey with an enormous opportunity to disseminate their message. Let me know if this is a waste of diary space, as I will delete it immediately.
As you probably already know, Clear Channel is sponsoring a counter-protest barbecue with free food and beer to taunt Cindy Sheehan and Camp Casey.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY OF ENORMOUS PROPORTIONS.
This is an opportunity for a nonviolent protest juxtaposed against raging lunatics the likes of which we haven't seen since the Civil Rights movement. The single most effective means of changing public opinion in those times was the broadcasting of images of lunatics kicking and spitting on dignified, nonviolent protesters. Footage of four men quietly sitting at a lunch counter while rage-filled racists screamed was so incredibly striking that it instantly gave validity and credibility to the words of civil rights leaders and organizers.
We have a similar opportunity here.
My idea:
- Camp Casey does not in any way try to confront, engage, or provoke the Clear Channel barbecue participants. If there is to be a confrontation, let the lunatics be the ones to initiate it.
- During the hours of the barbecue, Camp Casey has a small, seemly, respectful "sub and cokes" commemoration, while family members give speeches to remember and give honor to their loved ones, the fallen, and active duty military. Interfaith leaders are cajoled to attend to lend a somber air to the commemoration. Let the good "Christians" decide who is truly following the word.
- Video, audio, and still pictures are taken of the (sure to be) chaotic, disrespectful, and boisterous Clear Channel barbecue, as well as the respectful Camp Casey commemoration. Let the public see the juxtaposition.
- If barbecue participants are unable to contain themselves, and try to storm Camp Casey, members refuse to react violently, instead chanting the names of the fallen.
These fools at Clear Channel have just presenting us with a great chance to make a point to the rest of the country: to all of the still pro-war or on-the-fence people: who do you identify with? Lunatics screaming at a middle-aged mother, or respectful, grieving people?
Alternatively, if there is anyone with a smidgeon of sense on the Clear Channel team, they will avoid any sort of confrontation and tone down the glee of this barbecue, as they know we would capitalize on such a happening.
Either way, we win. What do you think, and how would we go about helping Camp Casey to organize this, if you approve of the idea?
Update
There are some really good suggestions on this diary. I just want to emphasize my opinion:
1. No one associated with Camp Casey should step foot at the barbecue; this should not be in any way able to be construed as a tit-for-tat or battle of the protesters scenario. That's what the Clear Channel thugs want: an excuse for BushCo to bust up Camp Casey if Clear Channel can turn it into a circus. We cannot play into their hands.
2. Camp Casey will be lunching in a seemly fashion; one that is respectful of the dead and those still in harm's way. Let the drunken fools be the ones showing out in celebration of a war. They'll look crazy, because war is nothing to celebrate, no matter your political persuasion.
3. The best way to strike at this counter-protest is to present a better, peaceful vision, while ignoring the barbecue. People like this love attention...they'll be enraged to not get it from Camp Casey.
4. If the fools at the corporate Clear Channel barbecue decide to storm over to Camp Casey, let the public see them berating and screaming at a mother, while the mother peacefully chants the name of her son.
Update 2: This diary is now moot, as the counterprotest has been cancelled. Personally, I think that the risk of a public relations nightmare, as well as decreased listeners to Clear Channel's Air America programming was enough for corporate managers to pull the plug on this scheme.
Kudos to all who, because of their correspondence with the station, Clear Channel, and advertisers, warded off this blatant attack on the Crawford protest.