View Full Version : Marine's Father Ordered to Pay Funeral Protesters' Court Fees
funkfool
03-30-2010, 13:24
Marine's Father Ordered to Pay Funeral Protesters' Court Fees
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/30/marines-father-ordered-pay-protesters-court-fees/
Court of Appeals orders Albert Snyder to pay $16,510 to Fred Phelps -- the leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, which conducted protests at the funeral of Snyder's son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder's, in 2006.
BALTIMORE — The father of a Marine killed in Iraq and whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters was ordered to pay the protesters' appeal costs, his lawyers said Monday.
On Friday, Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ordered Albert Snyder to pay $16,510 to Fred Phelps. Phelps is the leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, which conducted protests at the funeral of Snyder's son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, in 2006.
The two-page decision supplied by attorneys for Snyder, of York, Pa., offered no details on how the court came to its decision.
Attorneys also said Snyder is struggling to come up with fees associated with filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.
The decision adds "insult to injury," said Sean Summers, one of Snyder's lawyers.
The high court agreed to consider whether the protesters' message is protected by the First Amendment or limited by the competing privacy and religious rights of the mourners.
You can help if you want:
http://www.matthewsnyder.org/
I'm missing something. So the father sued them for protesting and now he has to pay their court fees?
funkfool
03-30-2010, 13:31
I donated in honor of our Marines on this board.
Thanks Marines!
http://static.dailystrength.org/userfiles/7/0/1/5/265107/pg_265107_347445141.gif
We really appreciate you and your service.
funkfool
03-30-2010, 13:33
I'm missing something. So the father sued them for protesting and now he has to pay their court fees?
Nope- you aren't missing anything.
He lost... now has to pay.
The two-page decision ....offered no details on how the court came to its decision.
Attorneys also said Snyder is struggling to come up with fees associated with filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.
I'm sorry what?
A Marine lost his life in service of our country. Some wack job protested the funeral. Marine dad sued the protestors (where I would've kicked their ass and ended up in jail) and LOST?!?!?! What the @#$^&$%& is this country coming too?!?!?
funkfool
03-30-2010, 14:10
I'm sorry what?
A Marine lost his life in service of our country. Some wack job protested the funeral. Marine dad sued the protestors (where I would've kicked their ass and ended up in jail) and LOST?!?!?! What the @#$^&$%& is this country coming too?!?!?
I really don't know BigBear...
But they told us to wait in this handbasket...
funkfool
03-30-2010, 14:13
Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder
http://www.matthewsnyder.org/2746.jpg
Matthew Snyder, of Finksburg, Maryland, died from a non combat-related vehicle accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. Died on March 3, 2006. Matthew was 20 years old.
Matthew graduated from Westminster High School in 2003. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marines on October 14, 2003, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. In August of 2004, Matthew was assigned to Combat Logistics Batallion-7, Twentynine Palms, Calif. as a generator mechanic.
"He was a hero and he was the love of my life." - Albert Snyder, Matthew's Father
The family of Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, US Marine Corps, has begun this civil lawsuit* against Mr. Phelps and certain members of the so-called Westboro Baptist Church to bring an end to the reign of terror and abuse that they inflicted upon the grieving families of US service members killed in defense of our nation. Using innocent children to deliver their twisted message of hatred and fear, the defendants in this suit have sought to attack the memory of our departed heroes, to strip their loved ones of their dignity, and to use abuse and intimidation as a tool for preventing surviving family members from reaching closure over their loss.
It is the sincere hope of Mr. Al Snyder, Matthew’s father, that this suit will spark similar legal actions against Mr. Phelps wherever he seeks to inflict harm upon the memory of our heroes and their families. If you feel strongly that such actions should be stopped, please consider a donation to help offset the legal expenses of bringing this suit.
*This is a private civil lawsuit that is separate from any actions being pursued by states or the federal government against Mr. Phelps. While those cases involve Government action and potential 1st Amendment issues, this case is distinct. This case simply alleges that one does not have the right to conspire to use lies in order to inflict intentional harm upon persons who are grieving the death of their children.
As a Marine this really gets me going....
They were protesting the "don't ask don't tell" policy.
Know for their anti-gay bashing,as well as this
http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=77406
Talk about radicals....watch the opening carefully
http://www.godhatesfags.com/
Sent funds also
SEMPER FI
funkfool
03-30-2010, 14:32
http://www.sadtuba.com/
What is that from... it seems familiar. A little help? My memory is a bit swissed... perforated and such.
Zundfolge
03-30-2010, 14:33
There's an update to the Fox link above:
The father of a Marine killed in Iraq whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters told Fox News he will defy a court order and not pay the protesters' appeal costs.
Way to go Mr. Snyder (not sure its appropriate for me as a non Marine to give him a "Semper Fi!")
Well, they play it all the time on the KS107.5 morning show.
iamhunter
03-30-2010, 14:34
Lets be clear, I don't condone the actions of the protesters,
but if they were doing nothing besides peacefully protesting,
no matter how vile, despicable, and disgusting their actions are,
it's is within their 1st amendment rights to protest.
Zundfolge
03-30-2010, 14:36
What is that from... it seems familiar. A little help? My memory is a bit swissed... perforated and such.
The Price is Right
Lets be clear, I don't condone the actions of the protesters,
but if they were doing nothing besides peacefully protesting,
no matter how vile, despicable, and disgusting their actions are,
it's is within their 1st amendment rights to protest.
Yes. but the judge didn't have to award court costs to the protesters.
funkfool
03-30-2010, 14:37
The Price is Right
Winner, winner... chicken dinner!
[ROFL2]
...if they were doing nothing besides peacefully protesting, no matter how vile, despicable, and disgusting their actions are, it's is within their 1st amendment rights to protest.
I agree... but what is the definition of peacefully protesting?
Screaming obseneties and slurring people while at a funeral does not sound peaceful to me....
Not wanting to start an arguement...
Poor Marine, regardless of your sexual preference: Thank you for your service AND SACRIFICE.
68Charger
03-30-2010, 14:46
I don't know why people don't just protest at the Westboro church- or do they not have a physical church location?
make protest signs that says "God hates judgmental hypocrites" or the like, and generally act like they do at funerals...
I know, I know.. an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth..
Lets be clear, I don't condone the actions of the protesters,
but if they were doing nothing besides peacefully protesting,
no matter how vile, despicable, and disgusting their actions are,
it's is within their 1st amendment rights to protest.
funkfool
03-30-2010, 14:48
Lets be clear, I don't condone the actions of the protesters,
but if they were doing nothing besides peacefully protesting,
no matter how vile, despicable, and disgusting their actions are,
it's is within their 1st amendment rights to protest.
Well... in some cases.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307058,00.html
BALTIMORE — The father of a fallen Marine was awarded nearly $11 million Wednesday in damages by a jury that found leaders of a fundamentalist church had invaded the family's privacy and inflicted emotional distress when they picketed the Marine's funeral.
...................................
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.
also, all the leaders of the westboro baptist church are lawyers and the whole point of their protests is to piss people off so someone does something so they can sue. it's nothing but a money making operation.
Guaranteed Fred Phelps is a closet butt pirate. I’ll lay $100 spot now that within 5 years of his death we hear one of two things;
He was gay (ya' just can’t have that much misdirected hatred unless you are covering up)
Some member of his convoluted clan of misfits pens a “tell-all” listing his incestuous rampages
I’ll pass on the 1st amendment discussion and simply say the limits of reasonable protest have been far exceeded for years. This fuk-stik deserves one option…a bullet in his rancid skull. Anyone who believes you can preach “dead soldiers” and rationalize that sentiment regardless of cause deserves nothing less.
“All members of the Westboro Baptist Church can french my hairy balloon knot.”
trlcavscout
03-30-2010, 15:43
They mess with our second amendment all the time, why should some dirt bag that is protesting at a service members funeral of all places have 1st amendment rights? If he was protesting at the capitol that is one thing, but not at a funeral. He should be hung not sued!
iamhunter
03-30-2010, 16:17
I've seen those guys at a few events I've been to over the years (rock concerts, conventions, etc.)
They're a bunch of idiots.
Your best bet is to ignore them and let them go about their idiotic ways.
If they stepped over the line at that funeral, they should've called the police, had them dispersed/arrested, and been done with it.
But anytime you decide to sue you leave yourself vulnerable to decisions like this...
Guaranteed Fred Phelps is a closet butt pirate. I’ll lay $100 spot now that within 5 years of his death we hear one of two things;
He was gay (ya' just can’t have that much misdirected hatred unless you are covering up)
Some member of his convoluted clan of misfits pens a “tell-all” listing his incestuous rampages
Not necessarily. I read a lot about them a few years ago, including a 'tell all' written by one of his children who left the church and the upshot of the whole thing is that he is addicted to hate. If there was nothing in the Bible for him to use to pick on gays over, he would have picked something else. Probably protesting outside Red Lobster (Leviticus 11:9-12).
"...read a lot about them a few years ago,..."
Old news to me as well.
"...Not necessarily.
Then take the bet, I'll be around to pay up if I lose.
KevDen2005
03-30-2010, 17:01
http://www.sadtuba.com/
Your sad tuba makes me smile!
And I want to punch everyone from that westboro church in the face...I thought it was going to be something cool like the father of a fallen marine beat the crap out of westboro church members protesting...I would definitely help him pay those court costs....
Yet he lost so hopefully it goes to a higher court stating he doesn't have to pay...
One way to help: join or support the Patriot Guard Riders (http://www.patriotguard.org/)
Bitter Clinger
03-30-2010, 23:39
what a pile of crap.....but the freedom of speech is there for a reason. Even to let dickheads like that vomit their hate all over apparentley, since he already owes he should just go kick the crap out of the guy!
theGinsue
03-30-2010, 23:53
There's an update to the Fox link above:
Way to go Mr. Snyder (not sure its appropriate for me as a non Marine to give him a "Semper Fi!")
I've been told that in situations like this, it's appropriate!
For those of you who aren't familiar with this Phelps guy and his church, when they say the lawsuit was "to bring an end to the reign of terror and abuse that they inflicted upon the grieving families of US service members killed in defense of our nation" would be a major understatement.
These people are the worst kind of scum as they hide behind God and their twisted sense of their religion to justify their vile behavior. As a Christian I detest their actions and would be afraid of myself if I encountered them practicing this garbage at the funeral of a servicemember or veteran.
theGinsue
03-30-2010, 23:54
One way to help: join or support the Patriot Guard Riders (http://www.patriotguard.org/)
This is a fantastic group of folks. They've protected MANY servicmembers funerals here in CO from Phelps and his crew.
funkfool
03-31-2010, 00:24
This is a fantastic group of folks. They've protected MANY servicmembers funerals here in CO from Phelps and his crew.
Mhy neighbor does this... great group!
+1
theGinsue
03-31-2010, 07:13
Lets be clear, I don't condone the actions of the protesters,
but if they were doing nothing besides peacefully protesting,
no matter how vile, despicable, and disgusting their actions are,
it's is within their 1st amendment rights to protest.
Actually, to be more precise, they typically line up outside of the cemetary (and to some degree along the proccession route) with their vile signs and shout (sometimes with bullhorns, etc.) hateful and disgusting things during the funeral procession - and during the funeral itself.
The family/friends of the fallen servicemembers can't even send their loved ones off without being assaulted by that filth.
Okay, they "have a right to protest", but perhaps there should be restrictions on just how close they can get to the funeral procession and cemetary, sort of like a restraining order. Say 200 yards and additional restrictions requiring that they fall silent (they can still wave their signs' etc.) once the procession enters the cemetary. This way, their right to vomit that poison remains intact while affording a little respect.
Since folks like Phelps and his "congregation" can't display any form of human decency and respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, perhaps we, as a society, can show our appreciation and lend a hand.
Birddog1911
03-31-2010, 08:13
Didn't see anyone mention it. Heard this morning that Bill O'Reilly has volunteered to pay all of the $16K "awarded" to those assholes, should the father lose at the US Supreme Court. Don't always like O'Reilly, but that is a hell of a stand up thing to do.
HBARleatherneck
03-31-2010, 08:26
As a Patriot Guard Rider, I have been to quite a few funerals for fallen American service men. I am so glad that so many of the Veterans, and non Vets, attend so many of the funerals to block this POS. There are some of these dedicated folks who go to every funeral to show respect to the fallen and their family. But, too also block out the nasty, vile, Westoboro crap. I have 5 kids and live way up north, so I cant attend too many, but if you ever want to help out, or show your respects to our heros, you can go to www.patriotguard.org (http://www.patriotguard.org)
there you will find information on the right side of your screen that will tell you when and if there are funerals in your area.
It costs nothing, there is nothing to Join (although you can sign up), no gear to buy, just your time.
I sent this to my family in Pa, this is a change they need to make at the ballot box.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.