Thoughts on Snyder v. Phelps from a veteran's daughter

Albert Snyder's son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder (Marine), was killed on March 3, 2006 while serving in Iraq. On March 10, 2006, a funeral was held for the Lance Corporal in Westminster, Md. During the funeral, Fred Phelps' church (Westboro Baptist Church) protested and picketed the young soldier's funeral with hate-infested signs that read, "God Hates F*gs," "God Hates You" and "You're Going to Hell." And if that was not enough, Phelps dug the knife in deeper by posting an inflammatory essay on the Westboro Baptist Church's website stating that Matthew's parents raised him for the devil, taught him to be an idolater and taught him to support the "largest pedophile machine in the history of the world."

Albert Snyder brought legal charges against Phelps and members of his congregation. The charges consisted of defamation, intrusion, publication of private facts and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Originally, a verdict was given in favor of the plaintiff Albert Snyder, but later another court cut the monetary awards in half. And then in another twist of events, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision made by the District Court, stating that the speech made by Phelps and his church during the protests is protected by the First Amendment. Now the case has been taken to the Supreme Court, where justices will begin hearing oral arguments on Oct. 4, 2010.

Thoughts on Snyder v. Phelps from a veteran's daughter

I come from a long line of military veterans. My grandfather served in the Army during WWII, my father served in the Navy during Vietnam, my stepfather served in the Army, my uncle served in the National Guard during the Gulf War, my brother enlisted in the Army during Iraqi Freedom, and my father-in-law was a soldier in the United States Air Force for over 20 years before retiring. It should be no shocker that I am following the Snyder v. Phelps case very closely.

My father and other service members who have served this great country raised me to respect the men and women who pledge their lives for our freedoms. Including the right to freedom of speech. My dad used to tell me, "You can say whatever you want, but always remember there will be consequences to what you have to say. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. But always remember the men and women who died to let you keep your right to say it."

In the Snyder v. Phelps case, I am baffled by the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church. It is not the first time I have been baffled by the protests and hate that comes from the church. I wonder if the church realizes that the men and women they are protesting have given them the right to protest. Those soldiers, whom they claim are hated by God and are killed because "God hates f*gs," are the very men and women who have stood up for their right to speak out and protest. Those soldiers are the ones dying for our freedoms. The very freedoms the Westboro Baptist Church is exploiting.

I wonder how the members of WBC can sleep at night knowing that they are causing distress to military families when those families are the ones who have given up sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sisters and brothers for the very freedoms we enjoy.

I don't hate the Westboro Baptist Church, but I do pity the members who have let hate rule their souls.

Sources:

http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/snyder-v-phelps
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030801578.html