NDR, Award to military family

[Kevin Weir]

Hey Guys,

Thought I'd pass on a bit of news I just heard on the radio. To me, it is probably the best news I've heard in years.

Do you remember the whacky church group that was protesting at military funerals? They said the death of the soldier was due to homosexuals.

Anyway, a father sued this group after they protested at his sons funeral. Apparently the family only expected 100K of so if they received any type award at all. Well, the judge awarded the family 3 million outright and 8 million in punitive damages. Finally. Some judge doing what is right.

Granted, they won't realize much of it, if any. But at least a message has been sent by the legal system.

Too all our veterans and those currently in the Military, Thank you for serving our country and risking what many of us are no longer allowed to risk. Thank you for serving.

 

[Robert L E]

Although my son is upbeat about the Iraqi people, police and military, never the less he is in harms way. I have thought about what I would do were it my son in the box and these evil protestors were present...... I think if I took a protestor's knee out with a well placed kick I believe they would be unable to sue because they believe bad things happening to people is God's will as punishment for evil deeds; thus it would be against thier avowed religious beliefs to sue for damages because, using thier warped logic, God did it because of thier own sins. It is the victim's fault.

In any case, I do not think the amount is enough.

There is a group of bikers that goes to military funerals to block the evil protestors, most of whom are from that "church" in Kansas. These bikers try to block the protestors and many are Viet vets and are heros in my book. If someone knows the name of thier club(s), lets give them credit.

I suppose this is one of the reasons Sean thinks it is getting better over there- He says that the Iraqi contractors who run the kitchen at his outpost near Fallujah prepare good food.

It is good news from the courts that's for sure.

Bob

 

[Terry Desilets]

I feel for the parents, but I will guess that this will be overturned on appeal. Make no mistake, these people are vermin, but the Constitution will be brought out and the First Amendment will be read and ................ well............. you get the idea.

We were lucky, these clowns didn't show up for my Nephew's funeral. I'm not sure what I would have said or done. My Son, had just driven in from LeJeune for the funeral, was concerned about them showing up. He had experienced them in Washington, he said it wasn't pleasant.

The motorcycle group is the Patriot Riders, what a great group of people. I met with a large number of them and thanked them for their respect and patriotism. God Bless them.

Robert: Give your son an "atta boy" for me. God speed to him and his Marine family!

 

[dan w]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.westboro01nov01,0,5435099.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout

As much as I hate to support this newspaper.... here is the link to the story. I'm glad that the jury sided with the Marine's family. Hopefully the church will lose the appeal.

Unfortunately, there will be a huge debate about this case and the First Amendment. What many people forget is with rights, comes responsibility. The church has the right to protest the war, they also have the responsibility to do it correctly. Protesting ANYTHING at a funeral IMHO is tasteless. Let alone that the church admitted that sexual preference had NOTHING to do with them being at THIS funeral.

The Synder's attorneys were very savvy to sue for invasion of privacy and for emotional duress. That SHOULD eliminate the church's argument for the First Amendment.

 

[bvullo]

Good for the family but I too feel it will be overturned. My wife and I spent a combined 49 years(28 for her, 21 for me) in the military. All my son wants to do when he graduates is to become a Marine, it's been his dream since he was 5 and he's done everything to point himself in that direction. If we were to lose him we would be devastated as all parents would be and for someone to take away that process to grieve would be a terrible thing. The family will never have their son or daughter back, but if they died doing what they believe is right then who are they to take that from the family. I'm sure that family would rather have their son back, the money isn't the point. I just hope it shuts this practice down so that others can grieve in peace. Sorry, off my soap box now. To all those who have and are serving I thank you.

 

[Lee Harker]

I saw the gash from that church..thought "she" was Weird Al Yankovich (sorry Al) till I turned the sound up. They always say that the 1st amendment doesn't allow you to yell "FIRE" in a crowded building....what is the difference here? They are hoping to incite riot with their blatherings..to get a physical response. Their speech offends the public at large which should be treated no differently than swearing in public...a crime in Mi. if children are present. My sincere gratitude and admiration to the soldiers and their families is heartfelt.