The Westboro Baptist Church has decided to make another appearance in Happy Valley during one of the unhappiest times, to picket Joe Paterno’s funeral. However, as angry as you might get hearing that they want to protest the “grotesque sin that goes on all over this nation under the heading of ‘higher education.’” Yes, you read that right, as it was taken directly from their press release.The group plans to come to State College today to picket JoePa one last time before he is buried. However, it’s best to just leave them alone. The group does make money from their legal fees, so it’s highly recommended that you do not get into any sort of physical altercation with them, let alone try to yell at them and make things worse. Fueling their hate and giving them the attention they want will only make them protest harder and stronger. Plus, they’re lawyers, so they know exactly how the legal system works.

There’s also this event, “Help the Westboro Baptist Church Support the Gay Community.” Organizers of this group has asked that for every hour that the WBC are in Happy Valley, $1 be donated to the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GHMC) in their name, and by doing this, you would be helping the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, as well as advocacy. So for example, if the WBC were here for five hours, and at least 20 people donated $1/hour in the WBC’s name, then that’s $100 right there for a really good cause.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you don’t feed the trolls. It’s better to just leave them alone, and use your time that could have been spent arguing your views with them to “defend Joe’s honor.” He deserves it.