Dear Self-Immolators,

Let me be clear: I do not condone suicide under any circumstances.  Especially in protest of something.  Because, really, how successful has protesting been in the past 40+ years?

African Americans still struggle to get jobs after marching on Washington in 1963.  The U.S. still went to Vietnam.  People still treat the LGBT community like a red-haired step-child after the Stonewall Riots.  China continued to struggle economically after the Tiananmen Square Massacre (the June 4th Incident).  Despite spirited protests, David Hasselhoff still performed atop a crumbling Berlin Wall.  At the most, our protests only bring attention to the cause.  Rarely does a group of angry protesters result in the changing of policy.

But if you're going to do it, at least be efficient about it.

L