Prop 8 Protests--The Gift That Keeps on Giving

I have a sincere question: How do the Prop 8 protesters think their actions are going to help their cause?

Unless the protests are nothing more than a tantrum outlet for the negative feelings Prop 8's victory gave them, they must see some point or purpose in them. I'm trying to understand what that point or purpose is.

Is it to send a message that they are deeply hurt, saddened and angry over the election results? Well, I think the rest of the world pretty much had that figured out already. No rocket science there.

Is to send a message that they are not about to stop their fight for same-sex marriage rights? Well, I think the rest of the world pretty much had that figured out already, too. Anyone with a brain, anyway.

Are the protesters trying to gather some more converts to their cause? If so, maybe they should consider how attractive they appear on television and in the newspaper. The scenes in the media are so reminiscent of the 60s...and tend to give the "movement" that same cachet: a bunch of people who march, chant, and scream because they can't figure out an effective way to accomplish their goal. Some photos show protesters who appear to be rabidly wide-eyed and foamy-mouthed, although I imagine few of them actually are. But rabid people make for interesting news photos that sell more newspapers.

Then, consider the bonus public relations points you get for appearing to attack a church. Do you really think the centrist votes you need to convert in the next electoral challenge are going to be sympathetic to that kind of behavior?

How about this blog post on the L.A Times website from Tim B. on November 5: "I live in West Hollywood and was ruffed up by this mob on the way home from work tonight. My car was engulfed, I was shoved, my car hit and the mob rocked my car trying to tip it. I support equal rights for everyone, voted no on prop 8, BUT this kind of behavior does not foster understanding." I wonder if Tim B. will vote with you next time.

The smarter, cooler heads who led the official No on 8 Campaign are right: “We achieve nothing if we isolate the people who did not stand with us in this fight. We only further divide our state if we attempt to blame people of faith, African American voters, rural communities and others for this loss."

Oh, and one more suggestion. Get a spellchecker for those protest signs.