Albert Snyder vs WBC-It Was NOT A Matter of Free Speech!

Please let me clear up some false misconceptions that some folks have about the Federal Law Suit that a Slain US Marine's family successfully argued and Won, Nov. 2nd 2007.

Contrary to a popular belief, this was not a case of attempting to deny the disbarred Kansas Attorney, turned Preacher of a 'hate spurring' assembly known as the Westboro Baptist Church, his "right of Free Speech." This suit was filed by the family of LCpl Mathew Snyder due to an Invasion of Privacy by Fred Phelps.

Demonstrators from Fred Phelps's Westboro Baptist Church huddled together with their signs. "God Hates Fags," "Fags Doom Nations," and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," among other signs. Some of the demonstrators smiled as they spat on or STEPPED on the American flag while they chanted obscenities and hurled derogatory, defaming insults as marched around the graveside, in close proximity of the grieving family...and the News Media that the WBC pre-notified in advance of their intent to protest and picket.

Yes, Fred Phelps is the one who always notifies the print and TV media, Thus He TURNS A PRIVATE SOLEMN FUNERAL INTO A DISRESPECTFUL "MEDIA CIRCUS." "They turned this funeral into a media circus, and they wanted to hurt my family," Snyder testified, according to the Associated Press. "They wanted their message heard, and they didn't care who they stepped over. My son should have been buried with dignity, not with a bunch of clowns outside," Mr Snyder said.

FACTS:

*Mr. Albert Snyder took this recourse due to an Invasion of Privacy by Fred Phelps,
not to deny his 1st Amendment Rights.
**This was a private civil lawsuit 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. http://www.matthewsnyder.org/index.html
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http://www.westborobaptistchurch.com/
"WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth. We display large, colorful signs containing Bible words and sentiments, including:


GOD HATES FAGS, FAGS HATE GOD, AIDS CURES FAGS, THANK GOD FOR AIDS, FAGS BURN IN HELL, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FAGS ARE NATURE FREAKS, GOD GAVE FAGS UP, NO SPECIAL LAWS FOR FAGS, FAGS DOOM NATIONS, THANK GOD FOR DEAD SOLDIERS, FAG TROOPS, GOD BLEW UP THE TROOPS, GOD HATES AMERICA, AMERICA IS DOOMED, THE WORLD IS DOOMED, etc."
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It's sad some folks believe they speak for God when their message is so full of blatant HATRED and hostility. If anything, I'd expect them to rejoice, for at last the folks they HATE will sit in judgment of the Lord. I'm not sure what their point is other than to be noticed. They aren't accomplishing anything constructive. Fred Phelps is behaving like a narcissist who loves the media attention.
Rachel Brooks Posadas, Nov 15, 2007, 2:16pm EST
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977174630

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "IS THIS THE WAY TO HONOR OUR DEAD?":

God forgive me, but if someone would furnish me with a sniper rifle, give me a brief lesson on how to use it, and I could scare up some support on getting to where these horrid stains on Christianity are going to be, I would take as many of them out as I could, starting with their supposed leader. And I am not a violent person. I am also blessed to have never had to fire a shot in anger or at another human being. Of course, as I told Doc, I don't consider these creatures human.

My PTSD Won't Let Me Comment for the Fear That I Might Incriminate Myself...
Doc E. Everett McFall

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