2007-10-31 12:35:33 · 10 answers · asked by Evil Blue Dude 1 in Politics
2007-10-31 12:33:12 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics
Jury awards father $11M in funeral case By ALEX DOMINGUEZ, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 4 minutes ago
BALTIMORE - A grieving father won a nearly $11 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals out of a belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.
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Albert Snyder of York, Pa., sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified damages after members demonstrated at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.
The jury first awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages. It returned in the afternoon with its decision to award $6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $2 million for causing emotional distress.
Snyder's attorney, Craig Trebilcock, had urged jurors to determine an amount "that says don't do this in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again."
Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."
A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries. But the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.
The church and three of its leaders — the Rev. Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, 46 — were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress.
Even the size of the award for compensating damages "far exceeds the net worth of the defendants," according to financial statements filed with the court, U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted.
Snyder claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.
The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that soldiers are dying because the nation is too tolerant of homosexuality.
Their attorneys maintained in closing arguments Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.
Earlier, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse. Church founder Fred Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while Shirley Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag and carried a sign that read "God hates fag enablers." Members of the group sang "God Hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America."
Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles.
2007-10-31 12:29:15 · 13 answers · asked by satcomgrunt 7 in Military
Why is it so significant in the writing of our constitution?
2007-10-31 12:27:46 · 1 answers · asked by KvG 2 in Government
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31/funeral.protests.ap/index.html
2007-10-31 12:26:42 · 9 answers · asked by Yahoo Answer Angel 6 in Other - Politics & Government
as she did by supporting/not supporting Driver's License for ILLEGAL ALIENS during the debate last night?
2007-10-31 12:26:26 · 14 answers · asked by Chi Guy 5 in Politics
2007-10-31 12:21:12 · 10 answers · asked by Triumph 4 in Politics
Would you have any inventory at all?
2007-10-31 12:20:25 · 8 answers · asked by NONAME 1 in Politics
You know, the guys who picket at soldier's funerals because they think America has become too gay friendly.
2007-10-31 12:17:48 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics
2007-10-31 12:17:26 · 9 answers · asked by realitycheck 3 in Politics
Be creative...
2007-10-31 12:17:23 · 10 answers · asked by Zinger! 3 in Politics
I think she did. Illegal Immigration is a VERY HOT issue.
2007-10-31 12:15:58 · 7 answers · asked by frederick t 2 in Elections
Since U.S. society is highly mobile, some people favor a national registration system, so that voters registration follows them to a new state when they move. what do you think of this idea....and why??
2007-10-31 12:14:51 · 4 answers · asked by Aiah K 1 in Government
SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY, *PLEASE*. If all I get is a bunch of Bush-bashing, "we should get rid of the military," or something similar, then I'll give you a thumbs down.
As far as I know, the SSGN conversion involves taking a ballistic missile submarine and converting the system to fire non-nuclear missiles. If I'm wrong, please correct me accordingly.
Why is this conversion being done? Is the Navy eliminating it's vessels capable of launching nukes? I understand the need for conventional missiles as well, but does this mean that the country is abandoning it's nuclear weapons at sea?
You can be semi-technical if you want. I have an intermediate understanding of engineering and computer-related terminology and applications.
2007-10-31 12:14:25 · 8 answers · asked by tryandfindus 5 in Military
And why?
2007-10-31 12:13:18 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Immigration
And using that to round up and deport the illegals?
2007-10-31 12:11:18 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Immigration
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaw!
2007-10-31 12:09:51 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics
Why, it's just good business, right?
2007-10-31 12:07:57 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Immigration
What path should a senior in high school take with a goal of commanding a ship in the US Navy? Please include college degree, any program like NROTC, what rank he would have to get to, ect..
2007-10-31 12:05:41 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Military
why are republicans calling out his name in ecstasy nowadays. its ridiculous does nobody remember Iran/contra? or reaganomics or trickle down ecenomics?
2007-10-31 12:05:03 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics
And saving millions of your fellow countrymen?
2007-10-31 12:04:31 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Law & Ethics
He will make his grand appearence right before president bush leaves.......
2007-10-31 12:03:30 · 12 answers · asked by Doakster 2 in Military
I'm getting tired of people using the "Jesus was a Liberal" argument against Republicans.
Jesus was a Liberal, and saying that I'm a Conservative. If the whole world were Liberals it would be great, but that is the problem. Our enemies are the total opposite of Liberals, all the Muslims saying that they are going to kill all non Muslims and the Communist threatening us daily. (Whether it's Russia or North Korea)
Do you see what I'm getting at? With those wanting to destroy us not being Liberals, we need to have the GOP; people willing to bring the fight to them so that we aren't overrun here. If our country were made up of 100% Liberals, we would all be dead or under occupation of another people within the decade.
Can people really not see that?
2007-10-31 12:02:35 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics
10 miles and use electricity than admit they shouldve just ridden a bike for 10 miles. Because they are just too busy to save time and money. talk about fiscally conservative!
2007-10-31 12:02:20 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics
where white english speaking people coming from Canada instead of spanish speaking Mexicans coming from Mexico?
Would there be as much outrage?
2007-10-31 11:59:55 · 33 answers · asked by Paul B 4 in Immigration
What will be the concequences for a minor? Can the police find out if you give your tip to an anonymous hotline?
2007-10-31 11:59:37 · 5 answers · asked by Jane S 1 in Law Enforcement & Police
I am a US citizen but immigrated to the states when i was a kid. is that possible? considering that i was born in afghanistan.
2007-10-31 11:57:23 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Military
To round up and deport all illegals if we could ensure only a small percentage would be allowed to sneak back in? Would it be better to round them up, seize all their assets and use that to deport them?
2007-10-31 11:57:07 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Immigration
How can the post office possibly justify their advertising claim that they're "The Peoples Post Office", when they're currently in the process of closing hundreds of branches in places where the people rely on them most?
And while we're on the subject.
The Peoples Post Office?????
That implies there's some sort of choice.
They're the ONLY post office for feck sake.
2007-10-31 11:52:46 · 14 answers · asked by Swampy_Bogtrotter 4 in Other - Politics & Government
I know it would mean higher taxes and longer waits for care, but isn't it about time that the American government realises that most of the taxes paid are by the poor? (since the silent dissolusionment of the middle class) It's the easiest thing to say that a system paid for by us would only be used by us......so i think i have answered my own question. (hope you enjoy those bills next time the hospitals and doctors ask for their next lexus payment)
2007-10-31 11:50:22 · 10 answers · asked by icameheretosleepnotchat 2 in Other - Politics & Government
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