The Bigsibling Blog

An update on the trial between Albert Snyder, father of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder who was killed in Iraq, and the Phelps cult. I posted about this a couple of days ago here.

The Kansas City Star’s online “Breaking News” section is reporting

Father of Marine awarded $2.9 million from Phelps family for anti-gay protest at funeral.

BALTIMORE — A federal jury delivered a $2.9 million verdictWednesday against the Phelps family of Topeka and their homophobe Westboro Baptist Church, a Kansas church that picketed the funeral of a Maryland Marine killed in an auto accident in Iraq last year.

It is believed to be the first individual lawsuit against the Phelps, who are infamous for picketing military and other funerals around the country. They do not contend that the dead soldiers are gay, but that their deaths are punishment by an angry God against the United States for its tolerance of homosexuality.

A grieving father, Albert Snyder, sued for unspecified damages after members staged a demonstration at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder.

Family and church members, under the leadership of Fred Phelps, Sr., routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in
Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “God hates fags.”

Their actions have prompted several states to pass laws regarding funeral protests and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries.

My thoughts are “ding dong the witch is dead, the wicked witch is dead.” The church will probably not fold with on $2.9 million dollar lawsuit. But since Snyder was victorious, look for a plethora of other suits to follow. I’m thinking that this may finally be the end of the Phelps cult. They’ll have to sell their compound and I won’t be subjected to seeing that god-forsaken giant red and white banner which reads “www.godhatesamerica.com”, right next to their upside down flying Canadian flag, above their upside down flying American flag on my way to work.

Yee Haw!

UPDATE: 31 October, 2007 22:36

I just watched the local news, and they are reporting the judgement at $10.9 million. $2.9 million for compensatory damages, and $8 million for punitive damages. I don’t normally take pleasure in the suffering of others, but on this occasion, I will make an exception!

UPDATE: 1 November, 2007 09:31

I just had to add this picture, stolen borrowed from SoHos.

Secrent Identity? You never seen Fred Phelps and Rev. Kane in the same place at the same time do ya?

You can read more about the Phelps cult history here.

Technorati Tags: Phelps, Albert Snyder, Matthew Snyder, God Hates Fags, Lawsuit

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