Put yourself in his dad’s shoes

[...] yourself in this father’s shoes. I’d like to share these words that were also posted on the Support our Troops Facebook page, after many posted about the original [...]

[...] Go here to donate now — and spread the word. [...]

Here's $30 from a future Marine. Kudos to the American Legion for taking up this cause.

Fantastic post, many interesting points. I believe 6 of days ago, I have saw a similar blog. Does anyone know how to track future posts?

Since when is HATE a family value that God accepts. I would send money but I am unemployed and looking for work.

WTF, this is wrong. They insulted his son, a Marine for crying out loud, and THEY are owed money?!

[...] American Legion has set up a fund to help Mr. Snyder pay his legal fees. Click here to find out how you can [...]

Key Issue

I am donating because this is morally wrong, but I think the real issue is(should be) this:

For some supporters, the issue is not so much the right to free speech as the right to a peaceful burial of the fallen soldiers.

Alice M. Johnson, 56, of Lynbrook, N.Y., said she donated $50 to Snyder's cause. Since 2008, Johnson has been a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, a group that sends supporters to troops' funerals to shield their families from protesters.

"I agree that people have the right to free speech," she said, "but that should not be allowed in a place where people are laying their children to rest who died for their country."

Ref. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bal-westboro0330,0,4683826.story

I will contribute to help pay for the Lawyers.

I don't like the protesters and think what they do is terribly disrespectful, But we must remember why this young Marine, many of us served and why we have a military to protect our Constitutional Rights. We have the right to free speech, which must not be taken away from anyone by anyone for any reason, not even things I hate to hear.

We must, at all cost protect our Constitutional Rights for once they are lost we will never regain them.

I can not believe that this can happen to a father trying to honor a son that has given the ultimate sacrifice for us, even the crazy sob's that he now has to pay. I a attended a funeral a few weeks ago for a sgt that was killed in afganistan. I was overwelmed by the love and support that was shown to his family and friends as we drove to the cemetary. It took about an hour to get from the church to the cemetary and all through oklahoma and arkansas people were lined up on the side of the road saluting him with hats off and flags flying. I cant imagine how it would have been if. They would have been holding signs protesting in this time of sorrow. I cried the whole time because of the love and support that everyone was showing. It was humbling. All soldiers should get the love and respect that was shown here. I hope that this travesty is turned around, its not about free speech , but it should be about honor and respect to soldiers and there families when they have sufferd and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. As soon as you tell. Us were to donate i will be glad to donate. There is no better cause. And thankyou. To all the soldiers and their families out there fighting this war so that me and my children and their children may be free. You are heros all of you!!!!!

Opened up the stars and strips while at work and on my second deployment. came across the article and saw what the courts ordering The father to pay the sum so i am sending $150 to help the cause. Ok here is my question i have for you guys i want to put toghter a letter and address it to this church is there anyway i can get the address for it. ALl i know is west borow church. I know words will not convey muchto closed minded indaviduals but this is a compelling subject that i feel like i must do something on. For i hope that if by some chance this was to happen to me i could only hope that they wouldnt show up to mine and try this. Its a devastating time and for the family's. This just sickens me that there are people out there that are like this and i would compare this to other hate organizations out there. They should be ashamed of themselfs.

Donation sent. I can't express how angry I am about this. I'm a proud member of the American Legion and thank it for stepping up once again.

I just donated $20. Even though I was, and am, passionately against American military involvement in Iraq, every American who dies serving his country deserves to be honored and respected. The actions of Westboro Baptist Church are beneath contempt. For the Court to have required Albert Snyder to pay even a penny of Westboro's costs is outrageous. As an attorney, I am confident the Supreme Court will reverse this travesty of justice and restore the district court's judgment in favor of Mr. Snyder. In the meantime, this is to express my unqualfied support for the Snyder family. I hope all decent Americans, whatever their view of America's military actions abroad, will do the same.

Were are we going as a Country when you can't even bury your honored dead with dignity and respect?
This is above ( below ) freedom of speech, this is a disgusting action by a group of self proclaimed religious group of Anti-Americans who are looking for a tax deduction proclaiming to be a church.
I am proud of the American Legion, who stands for God and Contry and what is right and addresses the wrong being done to our Nation and our Nation's hero's , the men and women in our Military who are protecting even these idiots.
"To do something good you need to do something" we need to stand behind Mr. Snyder not only for his son Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, for every member of our Armed Forces who have lost their lives protecting us.

Mr. Snyder, What these people do may be legally protected, however, it is morally repugnant. Please accept my meager contribution to your legal fees. The right to free speech is a foundation of our great nation and I am embarrased that all I can't contribute more to repay your family for defending that right. Rest assured that millions of Americans have a great deal of respect and gratitude to your family while nothing but disdain and pity for the protestors. Take care of yourself and hold your head up, something they can't do. P.S. I hope you raise $100million over your legal fees and use it to build yourself a mansion as far from Topeka Kansas as you can.

I read about this situation in the New York Times (March 30) and cut the article out so I could get in touch with Mr. Snyder but I found this website and the pay-by-credit-card link. We offer our deepest condolences on the further insult of having to pay these animals for their expenses. Our contribution is small but heartfelt. "I am only one but still I am one; I cannot do everything, still I can do something; Because I cannot do everything, I will not refulse to do the something I can do." May your son't soul rest in perfect peace.

[...] folks like Bill O’Reilly and Mothax at the American Legion have stepped up to foot the bill for his legal fees but that doesn’t solve the problem of [...]

I tried using the link to donate via Credit card but got this error:

* Address line 1 is required
* City is required
* Invalid City State Zip

I was using my address info which is valid on every other website I use. Please fix this so I can donate via credit card?

Thanks!

Robert

My solution? Put Phelps and the judge in a room full of Gold Star moms with hammers and baseball bats. Problem solved.

Can you please tell me how i can contribute to the Snyder's legal fund thank you.

For those that have no clue about this DISGUSTING "CHURCH" AKA FILTHY FAMILY ( yes it is a FAMILY with alot of LAWYER'S, the PHELPS family, from Kansas) ARE the REASON the PATRIOT GUARD was formed. Patriot Guard was formed to SHIELD families of OUR FALLEN from this SICK F'ING FAMILY. They also escort all of OUR FALLEN from landing back home all the way to their FINAL RESTING PLACE. I know all about this FILTHY FAMILY from experience at the funeral of the only soldier that was KIA in Iraq from Council Bluffs that lived 3 blocks down and grew up with my son. They made one mistake though and that was thinking we CB'ers were going to tolerate it. To put it in simple word's they found the weren't in Kansas and that WE were more than happy to send them back there one way or the other. Needless to say they packed up and ran like the scumbag coward's they are.

I say its time for a group of bikers from every veteran organization to pay homage to these fine folks some sunday; see how they like a few thousand bikers to attend there service and maybe just agrue a little with the preacher after all we do have our first amendment rights and perhaps if need be the next sunday and the sunday after that until they get the message to quit their BS and leave our heros alone. I am sick of these so called whatever...what say ye fellow vets should we come up with a day and pay them a visit. I will be happy to organize this thing...this makes me sick to my stomach and is causing my PTSD level to go where it needs to be...of the scale.

These people are reprehensible scum. I hope they choke on this money and die then burn in hell. Lets dounle , triple , quadruple the amount as God says I will give it back to you in greater measure pressed down and over flowing. Heck make it a million.

Ya know, it seems to me that the reverend and his family are using their not-for-profit tax exempt status to push a political message. That would, IIRC, violate the status of their tax exempt standing (for churches) and render them liable for back-taxes retroactive to the date they started this whole protest business.

Sic the IRS on 'em. THAT ought to generate some heat. :)

Heck, sic the State tax collectors on them as well.

Already sent my donation. Wish it could be more! Kudos to Mike - good idea! I'm too disabled to ride a bike but will check with Des Moines, IA Riders to see if gas money will be accepted.

This is unimagineable that anyone would protest at the funeral of a soldier killed in action, much less anyone else. It is great to see the American Legion taking action on this. That is why I am proud to be an SAL member.

I guess some idiot would figure out that the way you can mess with a marine is at his funeral. Too bad these stupid lowlife pieces of s--- forgot that there are plenty more of us out there and WE WILL DEFEND THE HONOR AND HEROISM OF OUR FELLOW MARINES.
Let's protest their behavior outside their CHURCH??? or should I say SATANS OWN PIT. SEMPER FI

Sent donation few minutes ago via the American Legion site. God Bless Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, his family and ALL of our servicemen. My heart goes out to Al Snyder for his loss and then having had to endure the filth spouted by those disgraceful sickos. They are a disgrace not just to our country but to the human race. It is sickening that the court saw fit to add insult to injury.
Note to Mike above... I'm with you... great idea.. round up all the "riders" and utilize one of your rights... you know... the one about the freedom to assemble!
P.S. I'm for Freedom of Speech.. wouldn't deny anyone any of the freedoms our constitution gives us BUT what Phelps and his followers did was/is WRONG under anyone's definition of right and wrong. It was harrassment, the very worst kind.. in any sense of that word.. and I think we are also guaranteed freedom from that ????

Thank you for taking up this cause. Goldstar parents are precious and deserve only the best. A donation will be sent on payday. I have also joined the Legion because of this.

Problem solved, got my $80 in!

Thanks,

Robert

Federal rule of civil procedure 54(d)(1) states a preference for awarding to the party prevailing on appeal that party's costs (excluding legal fees) unless some statute, another federal civil procedure rule or a court order provides otherwise. The rule is designed to discourage frivolous appeals. Regretably, it can also reward someone who is undeserving as a moral matter, and it makes no distinction between cases that are close calls and the frivolous appeals it hopes to guard against.

In this case, once the court reached its conclusion that the lower court erred in awarding damages to Mr. Snyder, the court could easily award Westboro Church its costs of appeal.

My two-fold gripe remains: 1) the protestors should never have gone anywhere near a funeral or along a funeral route and 2) the appellate court's interpretation of the facts and applicable law is questionable. Free speech is an important right and worthy of strong protection. However, it has never been considered an absolute right. Other persons' rights and compelling government interests can override the right to free speech. I believe that a family's right to be free from intentional infliction of emotional distress (which the Snyders must surely have suffered at the hands of the Westboro Church members) and an individual's right not to be defamed (which I believe the Snyders were) should override the Church members' free speech rights. The appellate court concluded that the Church messages (on signs and their website) were not reasonably interpreted as assertions of fact directed at the family. I disagree. According to testimony in the case, some of the Church's statements on its website claim the Snyders (using their first names) raised their son to be gay and to commit adultery. How are those not assertions of fact directed at the family?!

The concurring opinion in the case I find to be more well reasoned than the majority opinion. The concurrence states what has long been a tenet of constitutional law, namely, that a court should avoid addressing constitutional issues where the court can decide a matter on other grounds. The concurrence still would have reversed but on the ground that insufficient evidence was presented to the trial court to support the state tort claims.

Unfortunately, Maryland case law on intentional infliction of emotional distress imposes an extraordinarily high standard on the plaintiff. One must show extreme, outrageous behavior (among other elements). According to the concurrence, Maryland courts have refused to find the following to be extreme, outrageous conduct: reporters entering a sick person's nursing home room, questioning him after repeated requests to leave and going through person's papers in the room. Federal courts must defer to state courts' interpretations of state law. Maryland law on this tort needs to change.

Here is a link to the appellate court's opinion for anyone who wants to read it for him/herself:

http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinion.pdf/081026.P.pdf

This daughter of a Navy mom and Air Force dad and sister to an Army brother sends her best wishes to the Snyders and all who have sacrificed. I hope the Snyders can find some comfort in the support they are getting.

When I saw this story, my stomach turned. I didn't think church people could be this vicious. I read the article out loud for my husband (he was on his computer doing something else) and by the time I finished, he was standing next to my chair, about as angry as I've ever seen him. We talked about it, and in about 15 seconds, I was getting the checkbook. We're sending $100. My husband is a decorated Air Force combat medic, "That Others May Live." He retired in 2001. I was AF 81-85. In our worst nightmares, we never imagined that alleged 'christians' could do something like this. These abhorrent 'christians' WILL lose in at Supreme Court. "Hate" speech is not protected.
And Mike, I'm with Groovy USARV - If a bike ride to Kansas is in order, we would LOVE to offer gas & food & motel money. I used to ride, but the meds took out my balance, & my biking days are over. But keep us posted, so we can help out and go with you in spirit.

Need a PayPal link up ASAP. I tried the credit card donation link at the top of the conversation but ran into the address problem. If a link isn't there tomorrow I'll drop a check in the mail.

I condone the idea of bikers visiting this church in mass to have a little discussion about correct Christian behavior. I'm a lifelong Southern Baptist and these vile people are not of my congregation.

This is nothing short of disgusting. A man lost his son, a soldier who fought for beloved Country. Assuming Bill O'Reilly did say what he was reported to have said, and it certainly sounds like Bill, it's comforting to know someone in the media has some sense of decency. Even on top of Bill's money, I'm putting in my $50 because I need to feel like I helped do the right thing here.

Is there any way to predict where these piles of human disgust will protest next? I ask so that flag-loving Americans can counter them in a show of support like I've heard Veteran's Motorcycle clubs have done. I'm in for New Jersey!

I said this on a site regarding the girl who committed suicide due to the torture she endured from "fellow" students. Freedom of Speech is our right, however, that right ENDS when it encroaches on the right of another to live peacefully. You can't scream into a microphone in your yard at 3am (which some may consider freedom of speech) because it deprives your neighbors of their right to peace and quiet. Same applies here. Protest, but keep that crap away from the funeral of a fallen Soldier, or anyone's funeral for that matter. Someone's burial is not the place to express one's opinions or beliefs.

I cannot envision a worthier cause at this time than contributing to the Snyder Family defense fund. Wish I could have given more but am unemployed. But they say every little bit counts, and it was a donation request than I felt no honorable American could refuse. Thank you so much, American Legion for your efforts. And to the Snyder family, the insult that you have had to suffer following your honored son's Ultimate Sacrifice should enrage any red-blooded American. May God bless your family.

My heart goes out to your family. We lost our son Marine Sgt Shawn P. Martin in Iraq on 6/20/2007. There is nothing worse than the loss of someone we love and when that someone is your child it totally consumes you. You and your family are carrying your own burden you should not have to carry anymore. I feel that if this church and it's people are so determined to execute their right of freedom speech, they should utilize another freedom we have in this country the freedom to LEAVE!!!

Dawn Martin
Proud Marine Mom
Sgt Shawn P Martin kia 06/20/2007

[...] Put yourself in his dad’s shoes « BurnPit [...]

As a gay man and true patriot, I am appalled by the behavior of these religious fools. I will indeed send a check to Mr. Snyder.

Providing monetary support to Mr. Snyder is a short term soluion.

The solution is simple. all AMERICAN LEGION, VETS, and supporters of our troops need to join Westboro Baptist Church and make the change from within the structure which is doing these terrible protests, violating the sanctity of those Americans [and their families] who have paid the ultimate cost.

Isn’t it against the law to desecrate a grave, what’s the difference, there should be a law. It makes me proud to be a Legion Member keep up the good work.

As a former Marine, I, too, am stirred to anger -- and struggling a bit to moderate my tongue -- at what these alleged christians (intentional use of the lower case) did and do. It is un-Christian. It is un-American.

Being a lawyer, I understand -- but, in this case, do not agree with -- the award of costs to the prevailing party. I feel compelled to make my contribution to help Mr. Snyder as he stands up, not only for his son and his family, but veterans and Americans everywhere, in telling this group of pseudo-christians what I have long said to my children, family and friends: Freedom is not the right to merely do whatever you wish, but the responsibility to do what you should. I am reminded of what Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese Navy CINC in 1941, said upon learning of the successful attack on Pearl Harbor. "I fear we have but awakened a sleeping giant." It seems to me, that this Westboro "church" should, likewise, fear that they have "awakened a sleeping giant."

This is wrong and it cannot be tolerated.
this soldier gave his all for his country and it doesn't matter to me what hissexual preference happened to be.
Wlhen a soldier dies he is deserved respect from his fellow countrymen.
His family and friends should not be disrepected in this way.
When at a funeral you do not carry signs of hate and shout vile things at people.
I can't believe these people are actually Christians.
My bible teaches me that while It is alright to hate the sins people may commit, you don't hate the sinner.
I hope people of good will regardless of their political-or sexual orientation-come together and send so much money to the father that his opponents will know that they cannot win.
This is a test case for us all.
We have to not only win for the dead soldier and his family; so no other familys will have to endure what this family has.
I could only donate $10.00 to the fund, but hope others who can afford to will donate more.
My prayers go out to the familys of all our servicemen-living and dead.
God bless this family and God bless all our service people wherever they may be.

First of all my sympathies the the Snyder family on their loss!!!!!!!!!!!

This so called church is getting their way. Why is any money being given to them? I think all money that is donated to the Snyder family be used to fight and prevent this church from getting one red cent. I do like the idea of dumping 16,000 in pennies on the front lawn of the church if it ultimately has to be paid. By giving into this group we are setting a precident for other idiots to do the same thing.

Waiting on payday and you can be sure I'm in on this fight. -SGT Powell, TXARNG

Phelps' sickos picketed at a Marine's funeral in Dickson, TN a few years back. I hollered at them to, go back to Hell where they came from and I immediatley had cops in my face telling me I couldn't harrass them although the cops had a smile on their face. Just another instance of the horrible things people do in the name of some god. If there was a god he would surely strike these scumbags down.

If I had the churches web site or email address I would remind them of Revelation 3:v16. Their reward is already given.

What happened to the America I grew up in? There is no polite word for this injustice! I'm sending $100.

My deepest condolences to the Snyder family, and my heartfelt thanks to all who have served this great nation.

Mr. Albert Snyder,
First and foremost Sir, I thank you for giving your son for the Freedom that we share today. In my book, your son is a hero and will remain so forever at our Post, Ezra Woods Post 31, American Legion, 377 Kent Rd, New MIlford, Ct. 06776. I fought in a war that caused people to spit on Veterans coming home, but at 63 years of age, I would go in a heartbeat and fight beside all the Veterans out there today to preserve the freedom that so many of us value.
Westboro Baptist Church is not doing the work og God but the work of Satan and their rewards for their efforts have already been received. God will ask them why they acted the way they did and He will already know the answer, so whatever they say will be wrong. They most certainly will be in jeoprady of their names not being in the book of l;ife and if so, they will spend eternity in damnnation with their king Satan.
I would be proud to contribute to your efforts and the judge that granted Satan's disciples this $16,000 has already received his rewards as well and will get nothing when Jesus returns.
May God Bless you always, God Bless your precious son who gave the ultimate sacrifice on the alter of Freedom and may God forever keep you safely cradled in the palm of His hands.

I will also ask my Legion Post to donate 100.00 to the cause of the Snyder family, although I don't agree on the dirtbags at Westboro BullS**t church deserve anything!!!

It's all politics if you ask me.....they can protest, but you can't say anything to them, because "they" have their rights.....and I can't understand why a lawyer would defend them.....unless he was a low down scum rat or maybe he was a communist, or hard up for money, I know I couldn't do.....Not to a fallen soldier.........I'am a Veteran......an Ordained Minister and It makes ke sick to my stomach to see what these Christians are doing......just stay at home in Kansas or werever you come from........Praise the Lord and "Thanks" to all of our Veterans and come home safe...........AMEN