Image via WikipediaThe infamous direct action group of hackers known only as Anonymous, has set its sites on the Westboro Baptist Church, threatening to shut down all of the church's websites unless they cease and desist their hateful ways. Anonymous made news last year when it hacked into the computers of security firms and posted thousands of documents detailing plans by various parties to spy on Wikileaks, Bank of America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.Anonymous, who calls itself "the Voice of Free Speech & the Advocate of the People", posted an open letter to to Westboro, saying they "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."
Members of Westboro Baptist Church, founded by Rev. Fred Phelps and currently under the leadership of his grown children, have conducted anti-gay protests at the funerals of children, people with AIDS, the victims of hate-crimes and fallen US soldiers. The hacktivists explained that they have tolerated Westboro's activities as protected speech, but can no longer sit idly by and do nothing:
Your demonstrations and your unrelenting cascade of disparaging slurs, unfounded judgments, and prejudicial innuendos, which apparently apply to every individual numbered amongst the race of Man - except for yourselves - has frequently crossed the line which separates Freedom of Speech from deliberately utilizing the same tactics and methods of intimidation and mental & emotional abuse that have been previously exploited and employed by tyrants and dictators, fascists and terrorist organizations throughout history.Anonymous issued this warning:
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.Anonymous closes it message saying, "The warning has been given. What happens from here shall be determined by you."
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 message ends, "Nothing will shut up these words - ever."
This oughtta be good.
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