Westboro freaks win a lawsuit settlement!?!?! WTH???

[mickeylove2]

This may have alread been discussed but I didn't see a thread about it. This makes me sick!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/01/ellsworth.marine.dad/index.html?hpt=T2

 

[Planogirl]

I saw that and it is very sad. I'm glad that the father intends to take it to the Supreme Court and hopefully he'll prevail there.

 

[happygirl]

That group are idiots.

 

[Golf4food]

That judge needs to be removed. Idiot.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This is how this group makes money, if you did not already know that.

 

[FireDancer]

I despise that church. I looked at the report and the one it linked to though and I see why it was done. It looks like the church was picketing on public property and not private. While I think these people are terrible, horrible human beings with slanted views on religion they do have the right to protest on public property.

I think what happened was the original jury looked at the emotional arguments in the case as opposed to the legal arguments and that is why the case was overturned. Regardless of what you think about the group or any other group the right to assemble and protest has nothing to do with what they are protesting.

I don't defend this church and I do not agree with a single thing they do or stand for but they are entitled to do what they are provided they are obeying the law. The emotion has to be set aside and the case looked at for what it is legally.

Every time an article is written about them, someone physically attacks them, or sues them for something that ultimately isn't illegal they are playing into their hands. If everyone just ignored them and didn't respond of publicize them they would go away.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

The father makes me sick - he had no problem with the legal system when he won an 11 million dollar verdict!

This judge should be commended for doing the right thing - while the group is disgusting - the constitution allows for free speech.

Did you even read the court ruling:
The protest was confined to a public area under supervision and regulation of local law enforcement and did not disrupt the church service," the circuit court opinion said. "Although reasonable people may disagree about the appropriateness of the Phelps' protest, this conduct simply does not satisfy the heavy burden required for the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress under Maryland law."

I believe the Supreme Court will side with free speech.

 

[Luvchefmic]

As a USMC military mom this makes my head explode ! Even simply as an American it does free speech absolutely time & place & respect should prevail though !

 

[Deb in IA]

This is how this group makes money, if you did not already know that.

Exactly.

And that is precisely why I've said, over and over, to just IGNORE these vile people.

While understandable, the father made a mistake in suing them. And I'm not very optimistic about any Supreme Court action.

 

[Shmily1]

I've seen this group in person several times and they are disgusting! I can't remember a time when I was madder and my face was more red than when I first came around a corner and saw them. Even though they still go to services, the families most often don't even realize they are there.

 

[FireDancer]

While understandable, the father made a mistake in suing them. And I'm not very optimistic about any Supreme Court action.

I have a feeling the supreme court will decline hearing the case. On the face of it all it is is a case of freedom of assembly and I would suppose by now the court has made definitive rulings on the matter.

 

[mickeylove2]

This is how this group makes money, if you did not already know that.

No, I didn't know that...that's horrible! I can't believe that these people can live with themselves. It's a shame that the families of deceased Americans can not even grieve in peace, then on top of that, this family makes money off of them!

 

[Sanchez]

While we can all agree that the actions of the Westboro group are ridiculous, it might be helpful to read the opinion before calling for the removal of the judges.

http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinion.pdf/081026.P.pdf

The title of this thread is misleading as Westboro did not win a settlement.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

as despicable as this group is - the judge was correct.

The father's lawyer should have informed him that he was playing into the groups' hand and not to go forward!!!!!

 

[legalsea]

While we can all agree that the actions of the Westboro group are ridiculous, it might be helpful to read the opinion before calling for the removal of the judges.

http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinion.pdf/081026.P.pdf

The title of this thread is misleading as Westboro did not win a settlement.

Thanks for the link. The court opinion brings up some interesting points (such as the father not seeing the group until he was home and watching the news).

Vile behavior? Yes indeed. Protected speech? Yes. Even vile speech is protected.

I predict the father will file for bankruptcy to avoid paying the fees.

 

[shrubber]

Bill O'Reilly has offered to pay for the Fathers legal fees.

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/oreilly-marine-funeral-protesters/2010/03/30/id/354287

 

[Deb in IA]

as despicable as this group is - the judge was correct.

The father's lawyer should have informed him that he was playing into the groups' hand and not to go forward!!!!!

I agree.


This group is actually very meticulous in following all the ordinances and statues when they stage their protests. They know EXACTLY what their rights are and what is prohibited. To try any physical or legal retribution against them is not going to play right into their intentions.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Bill O'Reilly has offered to pay for the Fathers legal fees.

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/oreilly-marine-funeral-protesters/2010/03/30/id/354287

I knew that too...and I have to admit I didn't know all the facts about this particular case..that the father didn't know/realize that the group was there at the time..I certainly knew about other instances with this group.I just feel out of respect for the fallen hero this group can do what they want except near the service/funeral/memorial whatever....not relevant how I feel about what the father is doing...just my opinion about this group..now as a USMC Mom if GOD forbid this was my DD or DSIL I would imagine I would be too distraught to notice them...maybe maybe not but I guarantee that the men in my family would have noticed & reacted & this would have played out totally differently...probably with a lot of arrests or injuries on both sides//// This is America....everyone has certain rights..but the group needs to find another way & place to express their views...so like Forrest Gump I say...and that's all I have to say about that....

 

[NY Disney fan]

That group are idiots.

They're not idiots. They are evil. Big difference.

 

[EMom]

Geez, wouldn't it be tragic if everyone in the funeral procession happened to be driving Toyotas (that had not been repaired under the recall yet) and those mourning drivers were too overcome with emotion to react when all the cars simultaneously sped out of control right into that mob of protesters? The Lord works in mysterious ways.......and so do Toyotas.

Seriously, the dark side of me thinks someone should get a profile of every one of these protesters and the second one of THEIR loved ones dies, organize a funeral protest in which signs are held up saying, "Your wife/husband/baby/mother/sister, etc. died because of your evil, cruel sins. Repent now! Have a nice day." Let them experience what it feels like to not be able to bury a loved one in peace and with dignity.