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Ok, I'm confused. There's not enough information in this story. I actually had to read it three times just to sync up with the limited information provided. So how is this a right or left issue? I can't even say that its unfair that the father is being asked to pay for this protesters legal fee. What is unfortunate is that the man chose to do something as dispicable as to picket a funeral.
You are right that this story does not give much information. Fred Phelps and his crew have caused so much heartache and it seems they picket and attack most when people are hurting and vulnerable. I really don't think there are many outside of Westboro Baptist that condone their actions.
No, but some defend their right to do so including the ACLU. It's amazing that this group has managed to get two opposing groups, liberals and conservatives, to both hate them together. Liberals because this group hates gays and conservatives because this group protest military service members' funerals.
The messages from Westboro Baptist Church are sickening, but I think that free speech is more important than protecting the feelings of those who are offended by their messages. If the protesters are in a public place and they're not putting the public in danger, I think they have a right to be there and say whatever they want.
Sure, they have the right to free speech. They also have the right to get their butts kicked. I would look away if I saw one of their group get their just rewards. To dig deeper during an already difficult & horrendous time for these families & friends of these soldiers is beyond reprehensible. These people have no soul...ironic, hey?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sailordave
No, but some defend their right to do so including the ACLU. It's amazing that this group has managed to get two opposing groups, liberals and conservatives, to both hate them together. Liberals because this group hates gays and conservatives because this group protest military service members' funerals.
I hate these people not just because of their foul hatred of gays but also their classless way of getting their message across. I don't understand how those people haven't been pounded into the ground during one of their picketings.
Sure, they have the right to free speech. They also have the right to get their butts kicked. I would look away if I saw one of their group get their just rewards. To dig deeper during an already difficult & horrendous time for these families & friends of these soldiers is beyond reprehensible. These people have no soul...ironic, hey?
I hate these people not just because of their foul hatred of gays but also their classless way of getting their message across. I don't understand how those people haven't been pounded into the ground during one of their picketings.
because of police protection and TV news camera which could be used as evidence in a trial.
Ok, I'm confused. There's not enough information in this story. I actually had to read it three times just to sync up with the limited information provided. So how is this a right or left issue? I can't even say that its unfair that the father is being asked to pay for this protesters legal fee. What is unfortunate is that the man chose to do something as dispicable as to picket a funeral.
You'd have to know the history of the inbred Phelps clan and thier ideology of hate to understand. Theirs is a history of more than 25 years of such protests and court based activity.
The Phelps clan's income is generated from frivolus lawsuits and small wins for them, like this appeals court cost ordered re-imbursement, to fund thier activities. The Phelps family members include at least one attorney who does all their legal work. The other than filing fees the Phelp's clan is out no $$.
I hope the family of this fallen Marine can appeal this decision and put their costs right back on the Phelps clan.
These hate mongering Phelps family members and their fake church need to just go away. Perhaps the families of fallen soldiers need to take out orders of protection against the Phelps clan and the Westboro Baptist Church. Let them violate the restraining orders and do some jail time.
The messages from Westboro Baptist Church are sickening, but I think that free speech is more important than protecting the feelings of those who are offended by their messages. If the protesters are in a public place and they're not putting the public in danger, I think they have a right to be there and say whatever they want.
I don't. Seriously. I think we have taken the idea of "free speech" and turned it into something unrecognizable compared to what it was supposed to be. It was never supposd to be a legal excuse to get to run around being annoying or vulgar and seeing how much you can get away with before someone get's hurt or sued.
Here's the Court's opinion. I don't see anything in there about the plaintiff paying a certain amount for anything. Note that the "information" contained in Huffinton's article comes from the plaintiff's lawyers, not the Court itself. If I've missed it, someone please let me know:
"Pursuant to the foregoing, the judgment of the district court
is reversed and the various appeal bonds are hereby discharged."
The appeal bonds were posted by Phelps and his church, so when they were discharged, the bond money returned to whomever posted the bond. That could have been Phelps himself or a bonding company. In any case, appeal bonds require 100% collateral.
It may be that Snyder had to post a bond to cover the expenses of the defendents when they appealed, but I can't say if that's the case. Or, maybe he had to pay the bond fee.
Anyhow, the Court's decision is reasonable and backed by sufficient precedent. You may not like Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church (I don't either), but free speech is free speech and we dare not restrict it because we don't happen to like the message.
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