Dad of a fallen Marine perseveres against protests at military funerals

[catgirl]

Source: Christian Science Monitor

Washington – A father of a Marine killed in Iraq says he won't pay the legal fees of a protest group who picketed at his son's funeral in 2006 – at least not until he hears from the US Supreme Court on the matter.

Albert Snyder, whose son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, was killed in Iraq, learned Friday that a federal appeals court is requiring him to pay more than $16,000 in legal fees to the Westboro Baptist Church, a Christian fundamentalist group that demonstrates during military funerals to gain attention for its antigovernment, antihomosexual message. The group rallied at Matthew Snyder’s funeral in March 2006 in Westminster, Md., chanting antigay slogans and carrying signs such as “Thank God for dead soldiers,” says Albert Snyder’s attorney, Sean Summers.

-snip-

Snyder subsequently sued the Westboro group for emotional distress and won a $5 million judgment. But on appeal, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, finding in favor of protecting the protesters' free-speech rights. About three weeks ago, the Supreme Court agreed to take the case and is expected to hear it in the fall. (Last year, the high court had declined to take up the issue.) Meanwhile, the circuit court has ordered Snyder, a salesman, to pay the church’s court expenses.
Snyder, of York, Pa., told Fox News on Tuesday that he would not pay the Westboro Baptist Church "until I hear from the Supreme Court."
“It’s fair to say that they are not getting any Christmas cards from Mr. Snyder,” adds Summers, in a phone interview. “He obviously thinks they are despicable and doesn’t understand why they would target him.”

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20100331/ts_csm/291560;_ylt=AlzHTrVwj51R109bq9u449ms0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFpNnRhMHZpBHBvcwMyMgRzZWMDYWNjb3JkaW9uX21vc3RfcG9wdWxhcgRzbGsDZGFkb2ZhZmFsbGVu

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These "protesters" are nothing but thugs following a brain-washing wanna-be cult leader.

[bluestateguy]

1. This is what happens when we allow people to abuse their free speech privileges

I'm too mad.

[Jefferson23]

2. I don't think their case will prevail in court, that doesn't mean

I want to see the family burderened with the legal fees. Barney Frank is one of many who is opposed
to limiting even Westboro their free speech....as hideous as it is.

I just posted this in another thread on the same subject, these folks are fantastic. They show up at the funerals and shield the
family members from the Westboro protestors.

Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:



Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.

http://www.patriotguard.org/

[hughee99]

5. I heard Douchebag O'Reilly is going to help pay the family's legal fees.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/31/O%e2%80%99Reilly_Helps_Father_Pay_Westboro_Court_Costs/

Good for him, but still an a-hole.

[Vidar]

3. I'm with him on that, & all for assisting Phelps on his journey to hell.

[rasputin1952]

4. If he is appealing to the USSC, I should think that the court would rescind it's demand

that Snyder pay immediately. One cannot be held in contempt, if the appeal is to be heard. The court could order that the money be held in bond or escrow, but even that is in pretty poor judgment.

There is a good chance that WBC cold lose during this appeal; while i am adamant about First Amendment Rights, i also understand there are limitations in certatin instances. The KKK and American Nazi' have lost in a couple o cases, and I see WBC in the same light, (or should I say darkness).

This will be an intersting case. Nothing would make me happier than to see Phelps muzzled and his "church", losing everything.

Some "church" anyway, it is made of family members, (lot of lawyers in there), and a few insane goomers that I'm ashamed to say I have to share the same air with, much less the planet. They exist only to spread hate and I don't even think satan would accept them into hell...;)

[rpannier]

7. It's probably why the USSC took the case so quickly

It may be an omen that things look good bad for Phelps

[rpannier]

6. One day members of the Westboro Church are gonna get themselves killed by someone at a funeral

If I'm the jury, it's one vote for acquittal for the person that does it

[proteus_lives]

8. +1

I will never have seen a more justified case of "he had it coming" in my life.

[buckrogers1965]

9. There are limits to speech.

I am not saying that these people can't spew hatred, I am just saying that when there is a funeral and a family is burying their beloved son then that is not the right time, nor the right place.

For those few hours, around the cemetery the family should not be exposed to such a vile display.

Why?

Because they are going to get people seriously injured or killed. Someone who is blinded by grief, who is so enraged at the display is going to react badly to their hatred and attack them and someone is going to be hurt.

The exact same reason that yelling fire in a crowded public place when there is no fire is illegal. Because public safety overrules their rights, when their rights cause overt and public danger.

You have the right to swing your arms around as much as you like. You can swing your arms around and around and around for hours and hours. But if you walk into a crowd and start striking people with your swinging arms, then you are causing harm and must stop.

Your right to swing your arms stops at my nose.