Beyond the pale

I mentioned this blog to an acquaintance the other day and she allowed as to how she'd considered starting one herself, but was afraid she'd end up posting one rant after another, to her eventual regret. It's certainly a temptation, but one I've tried to resist -- so far.

Sometimes, though, a rant is simply what's called for.

The tragedy in the Heath Ledger story seems obvious on its face -- young, talented actor and father passes away without warning. The appropriate responses are contemplation of one's mortality, sincere condolences to the family left behind, and respectful silence.

Appropriate, that is, unless you're a screaming fundamentalist nutjob.

Yep, the Phelps clan and their "church" -- the same hatemongering, spittle-spewing little Hitlers who've been protesting at soldiers' funerals, claiming the deaths of American soldiers are the acts of a vengeful God punishing America for tolerating homosexuality -- are planning to protest at Ledger's funeral, because he had the temerity to portray a gay man in a movie.

It's just about the most disgusting, immoral, anti-family, un-American and, yes, un-Christian behavior imaginable. This much seems certain -- if these SOBs are right about the existence of Hell, when the time comes they're going to be the hottest show in town.