Couldn't have happened to a better group of people.

Quote: Originally Posted by cnn BALTIMORE, Maryland (AP) -- A grieving father won a nearly $11 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals in the belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality. Albert Snyder of York, Pennsylvania, sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified damages after members demonstrated at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq. The jury first awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages. It returned later in the afternoon with its decision to award $6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $2 million for causing emotional distress. U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted the size of the award for compensating damages "far exceeds the net worth of the defendants," according to financial statements filed with the court. Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afganistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags." A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries. But the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman. The church and three of its leaders -- the Rev. Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, 46 -- were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress. Snyder claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event. The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that the deaths of soldiers are due to the nation's tolerance of homosexuality. Their attorneys argued in closing statements Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion. The judge said the church's financial statements, sealed earlier, could be released to the plaintiffs. Earlier, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse. Church founder Fred Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while Shirley Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag and carried a sign that read "God hates fag enablers." Members of the group sang "God Hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America." Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles.

You know these slugs are going to appeal... but I'm praying the verdict stands.

people as stupid as these idiots really leave me speechless.

i really hope the virdict stands and these people, every single one of these idiots belonging to that "Church" become so damn poor that they starve to death.

Deport the bastards to Iraq and use them for fill material.

I first heard of the Westboro Baptists through a documentary broadcast here, called "The Most Hated Family In America".

Now, im not one to advocate violence or crime, but seriously if I lived near them...

I don't know what's contained in the financial statements for the "church" that "Reverend" Phelps leads, but I bet that they'll have to spend more time passing the offering plate than picketing...

OH, HELL YEAH!!!

It's about damned time these poor excuses for people pay for the crap they've pulled...

IMO, they are cowards and attention mongers who hide in the protection of the First Amendment, and sling their hatred at the very people who stand ready to defend thier rights... That's waaaaaaay over the line...

It's great to see the justice system actually work for once.

Unfortunately, it's not over yet . . . They can still appeal and possibly get off on a technicality. Scum like this always seems to know the loopholes . . .

However, if/when the appeal fails and they have to start selling EVERYTHING they own to start making payments, therefore making it TOTALLY impossible for them to do this crap ever again, THEN Justice will truly be done.

d

I have often been told I am a bit of a liberal, I disagree with things like allowing people to have automatic rifles, or even semi-autos that can easily be converted. I disagree with the war in Iraq. I think "Freedom of Speach" is one of the key cornerstones of our society and one of the things that makes the US the great (albeit flawed) country it is.

That said, the people that founded and support that "church" all need to <*insert some horrifyingly creative form of death here>. If you disagree with the war protest at The White House, Congress, even the damn recruiting stations. Protest in front of your Senator or Representative's offices. Same goes if you don't like the gay-friendly laws that have been passed or anything else the government does. You do not protest at funerals of soldiers. That would be like protesting at the funerals of auto workers because you are against drunk driving.

That soldier did nothing wrong, he followed orders and got killed int he line of duty. He should be honored and respected. That family did nothing wrong either.


* sorry, I couldn't think of a suitable punishment for those jerks, too many came to mind at once to list.

They sould consider themselfs lucky the 21 gun salute didn't get pointed in their direction.

Their better not be any lu-pole seeing as the first amedment only protects you if your not infringing on anybody elces rights. (from my knoweldge)

These people seriously piss me off I'd love to demenstrait my religious beliefs on their face. They should create some law that allows poeple to put foot to ass with out consiquence.

How in decent can you be and the hole fag arument is getting really fing boring. Leave them lone no one gives a crap. "I don't agree with it, I think its not aceptable and thats me." I leave it at that unless someone starts hitting on me and dosn't get the sebtle I'm not that way hint or touches me then your in trouble (the touching part goes for both genders, stay out of my bubble)

The whole family is a bunch of lawyers, their income is mostly based off of settlements and legal BS.

I'm wondering how much will it take for them to run out of options to appeal this decision, the sooner they get cornered the better.

I just find it disgusting how they are dragging their kids into that church and filling their heads with crap......People like that should not be allowed to reproduce!

Quote: Originally Posted by Arc Angel I just find it disgusting how they are dragging their kids into that church and filling their heads with crap......People like that should not be allowed to reproduce!

That's how these fanatic religions survive, they indoctrinate their BS to children and people who are having a hard time leading to complete lack of common sense and judgment or people who are just unfit of thinking for themselves.

finally a judge stands up and says a big ol'

Ya know, I was going to post this when I saw it, but you beat me to it.

I think jail and some time with "Bubba" Would have been better...heh. There was one source that said he only had $360 in his bank account, and some $900 or so in asetts. It maybe more, but If I can find the source, I'll edit.

I say let them go to Iraq and be one of the 72 virgins for some jihadist...lol

Let them protect the country with their lives....AFTER THEY SERVE UP A NICE WARM BOOTY.

Just my oppinion of JUSTICE.

Money is nice....but I would demand something much much more hrmmm shall we say physical

Drop him and his ilk into a Sunni-Shia firefight in the middle of my company's sector...

...then see who they run to for protection... Oh, sweet irony, if that could be accompished...

It's great. Hit them where they will be hurt the most, in the pocket. They have no morals and have no remorse so taking their money is a great revenge. They have made all their money by suing others for restriction of free speech or assault, so it's nice to see the shoe on the other foot.

If any of you have been deeply disturbed by the Phelps shenanigans, you too have a valid lawsuit. All you have to state is that you are emotionally stricken by his actions and you too could take a bite out of his movement. There are no judges around here that would block a legal action against them.

I love how their facility was vandalized, someone spray painted "God hates Phelps" and other pertinent statements all over their building.

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita If any of you have been deeply disturbed by the Phelps shenanigans, you too have a valid lawsuit. All you have to state is that you are emotionally stricken by his actions and you too could take a bite out of his movement. There are no judges around here that would block a legal action against them.

Ooooh! HP Blackbird 002, here I come!!!

I'm really glad that it wasn't my son's funeral. I can say hand on heart right now that I would have murdered every one of them in cold blood, right where they stood.

I'm not saying that it's right, but you just don't do that to a man.

Quote: Originally Posted by stop_complaining I'm really glad that it wasn't my son's funeral. I can say hand on heart right now that I would have murdered every one of them in cold blood, right where they stood. I'm not saying that it's right, but you just don't do that to a man.

I agree with you completely, Death before dishonor.

Arc Angel & 4x0n, ya its said how the youth get brainwashed into a religion, thats how all religion survives, some people join after their brains have griped reality but to drag children in is wrong. I've gotten into that agrument with my mother many times and have asked if their was a way to be unbaptised. I just see it as everyone should give their children the right to choose for themselves.
They just had some thing on Opera where a woman left a Poligamy comunity where the chirch was the law. When her doughter turned forteen and the comunity was going to start grouming her for marage she escaped. She said she had no idea of how respectful the world was, they where alwas tought the rest of the world is crual, violent and dangerous.
I wish are governemt would send in swat and off those religious nuts, their like mini Hitlers.