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This is absolutely infuriating. What is WRONG with this country?


Posted: Mar 30, 2010

Saving the Memory of Matthew Snyder

I’m sure you all remember Fred Phelps’ noxious Westboro Baptist Church organization that goes around carrying “God Hates Fags” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” signs at military funerals. Well, a father of a Marine who received this nasty treatment sued Phelps & Co. for defamation and emotional distress. He won, but Phelps appealed. This is how it ended up:

The father of a Marine killed in Iraq and whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters from Kansas was ordered to pay the protesters’ appeal costs, his lawyers said Monday.

 

On Friday, Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ordered Snyder to pay $16,510 to Fred Phelps. Phelps is the leader of Topeka’s Westboro Baptist Church, which conducted protests at Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder’s funeral in 2006.

Now the Marine’s dad wants to take it to the Supreme Court. I tried to read the Fourth Circuit’s judgment to see what the chances of a win in the Supreme Court were. IANAL, but I have to say, I didn’t think much of the 4th Circuit’s “they’re obviously loony, so nobody would take their defamatory statements seriously” logic.

So I personally think there’s a chance. And even if there’s not, it’s nice to see somebody trying to take the Phelps gang to task for their despicable behavior. If you agree, you can help the cause by donating at a site set up for Lance Corporal Snyder: www.matthewsnyder.org.

;

Totally agree - this story is so sad and the outcome outrageous! - heartfelt

[ In Reply To ..]
To have their son's memory and his honorable death to be maligned this way is too much for any parent to have to bear. This is an out and out bastardization of the First Amendment. Any decent human would have respected their right to grieve in peace.

Yes, it's sad and infuriating ... BUT ... - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
Much as I hate to say it, that slippery slope of preventing some folks from expressing their opinions -- much as we might despise what they have to say and how inappropriate we may find it to be -- is a dangerous one. Each silencing makes the next one that much easier.

I think there should - at least be some kind of

[ In Reply To ..]
proximity rule/limit, so people can still speak freely, but can't be up in your face, affecting your personal space, or impeding you in any way. Personally, I think free speech is WAY overrated, but that's just me. Certain people, saying certain things, should be told to shut up. JMHO.

Expressing opinion fine, but this "church" PROTESTED - Backwards Typist

[ In Reply To ..]
at Mr. Snyder's son's funeral. That is totally unacceptable. This is why Mr. Snyder sued them. As he said (and I'm not sure I have the whole quote right but it goes something like this), "I have no good memory, if there is such a thing, of my son's funeral, only the nightmare of this group."


Thanks for posting this, BWT. This is terrible. (sm) - Nikki

[ In Reply To ..]

I hope the father will appeal this, but given the current Supreme Court, who knows what whacky ruling they might come up with!


To interfere with the funeral of ANYONE should be outlawed, but given that it was a fallen soldier somehow makes it even worse.


I really feel for the father.  Not only did he have to bury his son, but he basically had to PAY for an obscene protest that flies in the face of the dignity his son should have been afforded.

He was interviewed on our local station today - Backwards Typist

[ In Reply To ..]
and was appalled at the 'slap in the face'. He's so disappointed in our justice system for what he called an insult against any serviceman. The only reason he's been fighting them is so it doesn't happen to another fallen soldier's family.

And..., though you hate Bill O, I watched him this morning because I wanted to see if he had anything to say about it. He did, and he said he's going to do everything he can to help.

First of all, I don't "hate" Bill O'Reilly. (sm) - Nikki

[ In Reply To ..]

I simply don't trust him and question his motives. "Hate" is a very strong word, and I don't hate anybody, including him, and never said I did.


Secondly, I heard that Bill O'Reilly is paying the father's "obligation" in the amount of $16,510.  That was nice of him.  However, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear this case, and what Snyder needs help with is the money needed to appeal this to the SCOTUS.


I don't know whether payment of the "obligation" will render the case moot before the SCOTUS or whether they'll still hear it. By paying the "obligation," O'Reilly is conceding that Phelps is right, and that gives Phelps the license to continue on and on with his terrorizing of soldiers' funerals.  Perhaps it should be Phelps thanking O'Reilly instead of Snyder. It's almost like O'Reilly is saying to Phelps, "Tsk. Tsk. Here's your money. Sorry about the trouble that Snyder caused you. It won't happen again because the SCOTUS won't have the opportunity to hear it, thanks to me."


This may sound a little off base, but I would not have questioned O'Reilly's motives if he had contributed money to Snyder's appeal to the SCOTUS, which is the money he REALLY needs right now to fight this injustice. Instead, O'Reilly just paid off the "bad guys."


Like I said, I don't "hate" O'Reilly. I just question his true motives.


http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0331/world-liberals-cheer-bill-oreilly-gesture/


4/2/10


I'm editing this post because I found out that the Supreme Court is planning to hear this case in October.  I hope they still do.


I believe I was wrong in being so rough on O'Reilly.  I'm glad he was kind enough to pay the attorney's fees ordered by the court.


Now I hope Mr. Snyder can raise enough money to afford the legal costs associated with taking this case to the Supreme Court.  Hoping the justices have regained some sense of right and wrong since they ruled that corporations are people, if they agree this is wrong, it will hopefully stop Phelps for good, though that may be wishful thinking.


I apologize for going over the top with the first message above.


 


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