For 20 years the congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church picketed military family funerals. They believe that God hates the United States for its tolerance of homosexuality especially in the military. Fred Phelps founder of Westboro Baptist Church and his family full of parishioners traveled to Maryland to picket the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder who was killed in a non combat related vehicle accident March 3, 2006 while serving our country in Iraq.The signs this group picketed and displayed for the whole world to see, including Matthews father said things like, "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," "Fags doom Nations, and " America is Doomed."
Matthews father filed a diversity action against Phelps and the church alleging intentional inflection of emotional distress, intrusion upon seclusion, and civil conspiracy. The lower courts ruled in favor of Snyder and Phelps had to pay punitive damages that was later reduced and challenged than later reversed. The Court stated in this ruling, "Statements were entitled to First Amendment protection because those statements were on matters of public concern, were not provably false, and were expressed solely through hyperbolic meteoric."
So after a long court battle and taking all arguments into consideration The United States Supreme Court heard and ruled on the case. On March 2, 2011 Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion of the Court. He stated, "speech on public issues occupies the highest rung of the hierarchy of First Amendment values, and is entitled to special protection."
He later went on to say in the opinion of the Court, "the Court is obligated to make an independent examination of the whole record in order to make sure that judgment does not constitute a forbidden intrusion on free expression...." Then went on to say "the content of Westboro's sign's plainly relates to broad issues of interest to society at large, rather than matters of purely private concern."
Roberts rapped up reading the Courts opinion by saying, " Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and - as it did here - inflict great pain...to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate."
Justice Alito disagreed saying, " Albert Snyder is not a public figure. He is simply a parent whose son Marine Corporal Matthew Snyder, was killed in Iraq. Mr. Snyder wanted what is surely the right of any parent who experiences such an incalculable loss: to bury his son in peace."
In my opinion Mr. Albert Snyder and all families military or not should have the right to bury their loved ones in peace. This means without hateful messages or screaming participants. My question is why pick this family? Matthew Snyder was not gay. He served his country proudly. His sister told the Baltimore Sun that the reason he joined the military was because he had a "unwavering sense of responsibility." Why pick any family? Is this what Christianity is about or coming to? I think not!
The people of this church or anyone like them should be ashamed of themselves. However if you look back in history they are not alone. The Supreme Court never really put the issue to rest till the 20th Century. Many individuals were killed or jailed speaking out against issues they to believed in. It was not until around the Vietnam Era (United States v. O'Brien 391 U.S. 367 1968) that the court finally took a position on public criticism of the government and changes occurred. The courts opinion stated "Our decision have fashioned the principle that the Constitution guarantees of free speech and free press do not allow a state to forbid or proscribe advocacy of the use of force or law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or cause such action."
So folks, what it comes down to is this. The courts are not going to do anything as long as they show no threat to anyone. No matter how hateful they are. I guess we can forget about telling our kids not to bully or watch what they say on facebook. Heck, its freedom of speech right? The can protest all the want as long as they do it from 1000 yards away. But just because you have these rights doesn't make it right.
I think most of us out here are smart enough to figure out that this church is full of ignorant souls. And we are also smart enough to know there are more out there just like them. My fear is that the next round of people will start bringing guns to these demonstrations because well that is one of their rights too. The Right To Bear Arms. Who are we kidding. This bad taste in our mouths have to stop. I'm not suggesting we take away the rights of anyone. I am suggesting we use a little more common since.
I would also like everyone to reach out and help Albert Snyder (Matthew Snyder's father) with the court cost he will have to pay toward the Westboro Church and Phelps attorneys. I do not usually do this and will not do it often, however, this loving father was fighting for the rights of all Americans to have peaceful burials for their fallen. I think the least we can do is help him to pay the attorney fee's of the ignorant people who started this mess to begin with. Go to www.matthewsnyder.org for more info.
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