So, even though I don't normally hang out there but once a week (I've been reading the review of Left Behind), I saw this on slacktivist when I hit "reload" today, and since this was the first I'd heard of it, I read on.

I very nearly held this back for Sunday's Inappropriate Thoughts, but I couldn't come up with a clever picture, so instead I'll have to think deeply about it.

See, what interests me about this turn of events (For those of you disinclined to click the link, here's the capsule version: The Klan endorses a non-Klan anti-gay rally. The folks responsible aren't happy with this, even though, at least on this issue, they agree with the Klan, because, well, no one wants to have "supported by the Klan" on their resume) has less to do with the actual content, and more to do with the first thing I thought when I saw this article:

Wait. I'm quite sure this was the plot of an episode of South Park.

The exact details of this particular episode (#408: "Chef Goes Nanners") aren't really relevant, aside from the key scene. Jimbo and his vocal-cord impaired friend Ned are horrified to find themselves on the same side of a particular debate as the KKK, so they go undercover at a Klan meeting to suggest that they change sides. Their argument, which is actually pretty good, considering, is this:

Jimbo: Look! We have to accept the fact that most people in the world hate us! Right?!

KKK: Yeah!

Jimbo: So whatever side WE'RE on is the side that's gonna lose! Right?!

KKK: Right!

Jimbo: So why don't we all say that we want the flag changed! That way, most folks will vote
to keep it the way it is!

(Pause for thought.)

KKK Member #1: THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, BROTHER!

One of the many, many things that troubles me about this exchange is that it really seems like it could work. The reason I know this could work is that it has worked. Consider this article from several years back. Down there at the last paragraph. The very place of my birth got rid of a pretty successful and useful program, because they didn't want the taint of the Klan on it. Well, it's hard to blame them, but it worries me.

Just about the only good thing you can say about the militant extremist groups out there is that they seem to be much better at making enemies than friends. It's as true of the Klan as it is of Al Qaeda. This is, of course, a problem when the militant extremist is on your side. Not long ago, while driving through Virginia, I saw a billboard showing Michael Moore and several other overly-vocal liberals emblazoned with the slogan "Thanks for four more years!" making the implication that people voted Republican who otherwise wouldn't have to avoid being associated with their lot. But I can live with that, because, at least in an ideal world, there would be at least as many people running to the left to avoid being associated with, eg., Pat Robertson and his Angry Supreme Court Justice-Accursing Being as running to the right because Al Franken is kinda a loudmouth. What worries me is the possibility of collateral damage. They could do more to help their various causes by just, every once in a while, pretending to support the other side. The Klan could fund a gay rights bill. Al Qaeda could donate money to Israel.

Another television citation, and more evidence that the real world and the TV world are converging. Consider this bit from The West Wing ("The Portland Trip")

You know, I never understand why you gun control people don't all join the N.R.A. They've got two million members. You bring three million to the next meeting... call a vote... All those in favor of tossing guns - [Snaps fingers] - Bam! Move on.

My inherent notion is "We wouldn't do that because that would be wrong." But I suspect that when you get a bit farther out on the ethical spectrum, this would matter a lot less.

What's the moral? I don't actually know. I think maybe it's "Hate the message, not the messenger," but I'm reluctant to suggest that groups such as the Klan aren't worthy of some moral outrage. Maybe it's, "Even Satan can quote scripture to his own purposes." Hm. Still not quite there. With life becoming so much like a TV show, you'd think the Aesop at the end of the story would be a lot easier to identify. Where's Bog Saget or Shipwreck [1 point] when you need them?

Because, after all, knowing is half the battle.