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

[Acklander]

Another one who doesn't agree with what the Westboro group has to say, but agrees that they have the right to say it.
Have you seen the group of Angels that shows up to block the Westboro group from view with Angel wings? They do a good job.

 

[mickeylove2]

This group is vile, yet I agree they have a right to freedom of speech. What burns me up the most is that the family of the fallen Marine has to pay their legal costs, imho the judge should have just dismissed everything and let both sides walk away. I mean, come on, $16,000- for what? That's what makes me sick...not whether or not the Westboro group can protest.

 

[Carly_Roach]

This group is vile, yet I agree they have a right to freedom of speech. What burns me up the most is that the family of the fallen Marine has to pay their legal costs, imho the judge should have just dismissed everything and let both sides walk away. I mean, come on, $16,000- for what? That's what makes me sick...not whether or not the Westboro group can protest.

Actually, that's a fair settlement for people who were doing nothing more than exercising their Constitutionally-given right to peaceful protest and were sued by someone for exercising that right. There's no reason why they should have to pay a lawyer to defend themselves for exercising their right to protest. If more plaintiffs had to pay the other side's cost if they lost the case, there would be fewer frivolous lawsuits in this country.

I also don't agree with this group's message. But I agree that they were within their rights to peacefully assemble and protest on public land. I don't agree with the people who assemble on public property outside of abortion clinics and harrangue the women who walk in there either, but (again) they are well within their Constitutional rights to do so.

This is the price of freedom. Somewhere, someday, sometimes you will hear/see things you don't like or agree with. If we want to live in a society of freedom and free speech, we need to take the bad with the good.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm all about freedom of speech and assembly but I feel that this type of behavior should be treated similarly to someone who shouts "fire" as a joke. There should be limits.

Besides isn't it also illegal to incite? If this behavior doesn't do that nothing will.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

They should make cemetaries private and prosecute trespassers who have no reason to be there. They should exercise their free speech in an appropriate manner, they are cruel and just plain horrible people. I'm surprised no grieving family member has lost it and caused them severe bodily harm.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I also wanted to add I think the judges ruling is digusting.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

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!!!!!

But THAT'S how the lawyer makes money!

This group is disgusting, but I am afraid the only punishment they will receive is when they meet their Maker. There is a very "special" place in hell for people like this.

 

[mickeylove2]

Actually, that's a fair settlement for people who were doing nothing more than exercising their Constitutionally-given right to peaceful protest and were sued by someone for exercising that right. There's no reason why they should have to pay a lawyer to defend themselves for exercising their right to protest. If more plaintiffs had to pay the other side's cost if they lost the case, there would be fewer frivolous lawsuits in this country.

I also don't agree with this group's message. But I agree that they were within their rights to peacefully assemble and protest on public land. I don't agree with the people who assemble on public property outside of abortion clinics and harrangue the women who walk in there either, but (again) they are well within their Constitutional rights to do so.

This is the price of freedom. Somewhere, someday, sometimes you will hear/see things you don't like or agree with. If we want to live in a society of freedom and free speech, we need to take the bad with the good.

Considering that the lawyer is the daughter of the "pastor" and a member of this group, I doubt that there was a payment to her. But, whatever...like I said, I don't know how they can live with themselves.

 

[mickeylove2]

But THAT'S how the lawyer makes money!

This group is disgusting, but I am afraid the only punishment they will receive is when they meet their Maker. There is a very "special" place in hell for people like this.

FWIW- Mr. Snyder's lawyer took this case, pro bono.

 

[FireDancer]

I also wanted to add I think the judges ruling is digusting.

On what legal grounds (not emotional) do you come to this conclusion?

 

[CandyMandy]

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.

Your dark side is nicer than mine!!! I like your idea, but with signage that is as hatefully damaging as what they use. I.e. "(name of loved one) is presently getting nice and crispy down in (you know where)", etc.

 

[Deb in IA]

Your dark side is nicer than mine!!! I like your idea, but with signage that is as hatefully damaging as what they use. I.e. "(name of loved one) is presently getting nice and crispy down in (you know where)", etc.

And you want to lower yourself to their level?

Just IGNORE them. That is the ONE thing this group cannot stand.

 

[Sanchez]

They should make cemetaries private and prosecute trespassers who have no reason to be there. They should exercise their free speech in an appropriate manner, they are cruel and just plain horrible people. I'm surprised no grieving family member has lost it and caused them severe bodily harm.

If you read the opinion you would know that they were not on cemetary grounds. I understand the feelings towards this group but it is difficult to argue against the court's logic on the free speech issue.

It appears that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the matter. Let's see what they have to say.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/30/westboro.baptist.snyder/index.html

I have not been able to find much substance on the attorney fee award but it appears that they were awarded fees and costs on the appeal only.

 

[Sparx]

I wish people would just ignore this group.

 

[DawnCt1]

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.

The "public area" right outside of the church? I believe their behavior did meet anyone's requirement for intentional infliction of emotional distress". It was deliberate and provocative. This group is NOT a church. It is a group that calls itself a church so they can exist as a tax free entity. Their so called congregation is made up of an unusual amount of lawyers, and they are there, just waiting for a money making opportunity and to sue. This verdict, that the father obtained would have gone a long way to injure them financially and put a stop to their harassment. In the meantime, we can count on the Freedom Riders who will come to any military funeral at the request of the bereaved. I have been to those funerals and it is very touching. No protester could ever be heard above the roar of the Harleys and other large bikes.
I hope that the SCOTUS will side with the family's right to privacy during a time of grief. After all, SCOTUS defined a "so called right to privacy" with Roe V Wade.

 

[DawnCt1]

Considering that the lawyer is the daughter of the "pastor" and a member of this group, I doubt that there was a payment to her. But, whatever...like I said, I don't know how they can live with themselves.

She is but one of MANY LAWYERS in this group. This is a "church of lawyers" who seek money making opportunities.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I also got the impression from what I read that the majority of the "church" members are related to each other. I'm not sure what it was that made me think this.

I love the idea of a bunch of Harley riders coming in and drowning these monsters out. My DH would be out with them in a heartbeat, if there was a need around here.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I wonder if anyone has ever accidentally turned a hose on them.

I'm all for free speech, but I don't believe a funeral for any human being is a place for protesters. A funeral is a sacred event IMO and should be protected as such.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I'm all about freedom of speech and assembly but I feel that this type of behavior should be treated similarly to someone who shouts "fire" as a joke. There should be limits.

Besides isn't it also illegal to incite? If this behavior doesn't do that nothing will.

There is nothing wrong with shouting fire as a joke, unless you're doing it in a crowded theatre and people are likely to (a) believe you, (b) react with panic, and (c) be injured as a result. Although these idiots might induce others to start a physical altercation, it's not a foregone conclusion that every such protest would result in actual injury to anyone. In fact, most people would react to the protest in the correct manner: by ignoring it. The fact that someone with a short fuse might be among the mourners is not taken into account. It is not illegal to "incite" anyone with words. You can't force someone to get pissed at you and beat you up. There's no, "But he started it by saying mean things" defense to assault. Yes, sticks and stones may break bones, but names don't really hurt you.

There is no "sacred" public place that should be protected. There is no "inappropriate" public place for free speech. To say otherwise would be to say people cannot protest in front of the Supreme Court because it might interefere with the court's ability to run efficiently, or outside a church because some clergy member might get "offended". These are the very places where protest is the most effective, where it attracts the most attention and results in the most emotional response.

When we speak of protecting free speech, we are not talking about the quiet, peaceful protest on the village green by a group that generally everyone feels is benign. No one complains about that kind of protest, and no one's going to challenge it. We are talking about protecting that very speech which is noisy, inconvenient, and almost universally abhorred. We are talking about the KKK protesting in the center of one of the most liberal college towns in America. We are talking about eco-terrorists chaining themselves to trees. We are talking about people who take a flag, which many in this country feel is a physical representation of their freedoms, and put it to a match.

These, too, are the citizens of our county. They too have a voice.

 

[locolala]

And when the nasty vile old man who leads that church dies, I hope there are dozens and dozens of protesters at his funeral. I for one will be there.