Let The Dead Be

I am going to preface this that I was not the biggest fan of Dio; not anything to do with his beliefs or politics, I just did not like Dio Sabbath and prefer Sabbath with Ozzy. Beyond that, I have nothing against the man.




Ronnie James Dio died May 16, 2010 after a long battle with stomach cancer. He was the singer of Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell as well as his own band, Dio. There was a funeral/memorial service for the singer in Los Angeles on May 30 attended by some 1,200 fans as well as members of other bands to honor the man.



Now as well as those in attendance inside, there was the Westboro Baptist Church outside protesting. If you are not familiar with this particular group, they are the same group that protests the funerals of fallen American soldiers, funerals of murdered abortion doctors, the victims of the Sago Mine accident, as well as any other group/funeral/tragedy that they deem necessary.



In America you have the Freedom of Speech, which unfortunately, allows this group to be able to protest anywhere they want for the most part and against any group that they so desire, including that of the deceased.



I am all for the right for you, me or them to be able to protest anything; within reason, without having to worry too much about being harassed by the government or law enforcement, but sometimes discretion is better than being a vocal antagonist to those the dead or those that are fighting for you to have that freedom you are using.



I don’t see why anyone would want to protest a funeral or memorial service for anyone, let alone a fallen member of the armed forces, but you should just let it go. After all, if you did not agree with the person or their beliefs or their way of life, so what, they are now deceased and of no more threat to your way of life. By protesting against their memory, you are only strengthening their followers to be against your ways of thinking. They see your hate towards someone that they entertained them, taught them, loved them, raised them, was just a part of them and will rally against who you are, as well as what you teach and believe.



After all, you get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.



Dio didn’t die of stomach cancer; a dragon ate him.