It’s easy to get angry. It’s harder to get even.

To turn the tables without violence, harsh words or a lawsuit is even tougher.

But a couple of state representatives and a Jewish group from Kansas City succeeded in doing just that.

Together, they have outsmarted and publicly embarrassed a neo-Nazi group from Springfield, and they deserve credit for their coup.

For those who haven’t heard this story, and those who can’t get enough of this kind of delicious political jiujitsu, please read on. Get ready to smile. This is one to savor.

It started in October with a crude but effective public relations move by members of the neo-Nazi group, officially called the Springfield Unit of the National Socialist Movement.

Exercising their First Amendment rights, they succeeded in getting MoDOT to let them erect a sign for their group along West Bypass, between Sunshine and Farm Road 142 in exchange for a promise to clean up the road four times a year.

Now officially recognized as part of the Missouri Adopt-A-Highway program, the Socialist group has posted a picture of its sign on its Web site. Under the sign are people giving the Sieg Heil salute, one with a large swastika on his shirt and several holding a large “white pride” banner.

The group, which advocates, among other things, the forced removal of all non-white immigrants from the United States, appeared quite pleased with official recognition from an arm of the state government.

Enter state Rep. Sara Lampe, D-138th, of Springfield.

At the urging of the Kansas City-based Jewish Community Relations Bureau, Lampe introduced a piece of legislation to rename the half mile of the West Bypass the “Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel Memorial Highway.”

With the help of Springfield state Rep. Bob Dixon, R-140th, the legislation was made into an amendment to a larger transportation bill that passed the House and the Senate.

The bottom line: the neo-Nazis will now be helping to keep clean a stretch of road (between Sunshine and Farm Road 142) honoring one of the most famous Jewish theologians in modern history.

Now deceased, Heschel’s also noted for speaking out against racial cleansing in Germany, for decrying the murder of his relatives and other Jews in concentration camps and for his prominent presence in a famous 1965 civil rights march in Selma, Ala. with Martin Luther King.

My oh my, what would Hitler say?

Lampe is quick to stress that she is not the one who came up with the idea for Heschel Highway. The Jewish group first approached state Rep. Jason R. Holsman, D-45th, Kansas City, and he suggested Lampe submit the highway legislation because the road is in her district.

Lampe did not flinch at embracing the idea, and she also credits Dixon with moving the amendment quickly into his bigger bill.

Calling the move a “counter to hate” and “leveling the playing field,” Lampe said, “They have the right to clean up the litter and we have the right to name that section of the highway for someone who reflects our values … who we think should be memorialized.”

Holsman said: “We understand that America is a free country. If groups of our distaste would like to be publicized, then it is within our power to also make sure that that publicity goes toward something positive, like the memory of Rabbi Heschel.”

Lampe noted that the Springfield members of the Socialist Movement get a sign that is “self requested,” while the memorial sign is “considered on merit.” The memorial signs should be up soon.

Lampe has gotten some hate mail for her effort, and Internet lashings. She declined to be specific, worried that would give them too much credence.

If you would like to follow her lead and offer your own “counter to hate,” drop her a supportive line at [email protected].

Let her know that many more of her constituents agree than disagree with her on this matter.

Let her know you cannot wait to see the new signs.

Let her know that this bit of sweet Springfield irony has not gone unnoticed.

(Source: News-Leader.com)