T1B

Protestors at funeral of Marine to be sued

Local law firm takes side of York County father against anti-gay group.

By Jon Rutter, Sunday News Staff Writer
Sunday News

Published: Jun 03, 2006 11:35 PM EST

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - A York County man whose son died in Iraq is suing a Kansas church group for defaming the family during the young man’s funeral.

Albert Snyder of Springettsbury Township will pursue what is believed to be the first civil action against demonstrators from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, said Snyder’s attorney, Craig Trebilcock, York.


The suit will be filed in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Md.


Snyder’s 20-year-old son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, died March 3 in Al Anbar province in Iraq. He served with Combat Logistics Battalion 7, based in Twentynine Palms, Calif.


Westboro church leader Fred Phelps Sr. and his cohorts, many of whom are members of his own large brood, appeared at Snyder’s funeral service at St. John’s Catholic Church in Finksburg, Md.


The 76-year-old Phelps has staged protests at military funerals across the nation.


The dead soldiers were not gay, but Phelps, claims that God is punishing them, and their country, for tolerating homosexual values.


The Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group formed to protect families at military funerals, also showed up at the Snyder funeral.


“They were trying to create a human wall” to shield the Snyders from the Phelpses, said Trebilcock, an attorney for Barley Snyder in York. “It didn’t work.”


According to Barley Snyder, the Phelps faction included young children who carried such signs as: “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “Semper Fi Fags” and “Thank God for IEDs,” (referring to the improvised explosive devices that have killed many servicemen and women in Iraq).


Demonstrators invaded the family’s privacy and intentionally caused Al Snyder significant emotional stress, Trebilcock said. “It made his diabetic condition much worse.”


Attorneys said the Phelpses also issued defamatory media statements and posted Web site messages alleging that Matthew Snyder’s parents taught him evil values and did not love him.


Witnesses can easily refute such statements, Trebilcock said. “At it’s root, it’s a very simple case.”


The lawsuit is being filed in federal court to expedite proceedings, Trebilcock said. A trial is expected sometime next year.


Trebilcock will represent Snyder along with Sean Summers and two other attorneys.


The case is personal for Trebilcock, who served in Iraq and Kuwait, and Summers, who served in Afghanistan. Both men still have many friends in the military, Summers said. Trebilcock was an Army lieutenant colonel in the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade, and was in charge of helping to restore the legal system in southern Iraq.


Trebilcock noted that, “We will be seeking punitive damages.” A jury will determine the amount of any monetary award.


“We’re doing the case pro bono just because we’re so outraged,” Trebilcock said.


After filing the lawsuit Monday, counsel will hold an 11:30 a.m. press conference for the Snyder family in the front plaza of the courthouse.


The plaintiff, Al Snyder, will appear at a second press conference on the steps of the old York County courthouse, 28 E. Market St., at 4 p.m. Monday.


The goal is to shut down Phelps and his clan, according to Trebilcock; Barley Snyder also plans to launch a Web site, Matthew Snyder.org, and make educational materials available.


“We would like other families who are victimized to stand up” and fight back against the demonstrators, Trebilcock said. “They just need to be given a message that people aren’t going to tolerate this.”


Phelps is a former attorney and failed Democratic primary candidate for Kansas governor.


His flock rose to national prominence in 1998 when they picketed the funeral of gay murder victim Matthew Shepard.


Subsequent disruptions at military funerals resulted last month in the adoption of a congressional measure that would ban protests within 300 feet of a national cemetery entrance.


Several states have passed similar initiatives.


Trebilcock said the American Civil Liberties Union intervened on behalf of the demonstrators in Kentucky, arguing that the statute was overly broad and disrupted free speech.


“The courts will have to decide whether their message has constitutional protection,” Trebilcock said.


Because it involves a personal attack against an individual, Trebilcock said, First Amendment rights should not be an issue in the Maryland case.


“We don’t believe there’s any constitutional issue at all,” just a gross travesty of decency.


“They’re preying on people at their lowest point,” Trebilcock said of the Phelpses. Their motive is “to further stick the knife in and twist it against the family.”
============================================
Props to these fine lawyers!

Jsc810 wrote:rack them for doing this pro bono.
.

Jesus. I hope they don't hit a tree.

Pretty Ugly!!

oh....I thought this was an oxymoron thread.

My bad.

According to Barley Snyder, the Phelps faction included young children who carried such signs as: “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “Semper Fi Fags” and “Thank God for IEDs,”

These are some fucked up Democrats

Ace wrote:

According to Barley Snyder, the Phelps faction included young children who carried such signs as: “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “Semper Fi Fags” and “Thank God for IEDs,”

These are some fucked up Democrats

Which party has promoted anti-gay marriage legislation?

Phelps & his inbred church are a lot closer to being repugnantcans than democrats.

lancasteronline wrote:“At it’s root, it’s a very simple case.”

One of my biggest pet peeves... how can you misspell a 3 letter word?

I-T-S

ITS.

Ucant#...??? wrote: One of my biggest pet peeves... how can you misspell a 3 letter word?

Probably the same way a person misspells "mispunctuate."

Issues on both sides of this one, but our work is never done .......

XXXL wrote:Issues on both sides of this one, but our work is never done .......

And perhaps you could enlighten us how there's issues beyond the Church of the Inbred Family?

Diego in Seattle wrote:

XXXL wrote:Issues on both sides of this one, but our work is never done .......

And perhaps you could enlighten us how there's issues beyond the Church of the Inbred Family?

I'm no fan of the Phelps family or "church," but this strikes me as not a slam dunk case by any stretch of the imagination. Best case for a finding of defamation would seem to rest with the website postings.

Intentional infliction of emotional distress is often a more difficult standard to prove than is defamation, but this case may be the exception to the rule.

mvscal wrote:

Diego in Seattle wrote:Phelps & his inbred church are a lot closer to being repugnantcans than democrats.

They are Democrats, you fucking moron.

Any idiot can register for a political party in this country you fucking imbecile. That doesn't mean they represent the values of the party they register for. That means they are feeble minded dumbfucks who obviously never bothered to read a party platform.

mvscal wrote:Phelps has done quite a bit more than simply register as a Democrat. He is a serious donor and has run for office several times as a Democrat.

He's all yours, jerkoff.

Yea, and the funny thing is that all the money he has given has resulted in absolutely squat for his cause. The only reason he is a Democrat is because Kansas is so full of Republicans that he could not so much as get his foot into the door of a committee meeting. Whereas, as a Democrat, he can offer up his name for offices no other Democrat would ever bother running for and stack his supporters into what would otherwise be empty committee/caucus seats.

But even so, the rest of the Democratic Party in Kansas has treated Phelps like a leper. Which should tell you something.

BTW: If Phelps is such a "serious donor", why is he not even listed on OpenSecrets.org for this past election cycle?

BSmack wrote:But even so, the rest of the Democratic Party in Kansas has treated Phelps like a leper. Which should tell you something.

It does.

Sincerely,
Al Gore

Tom In VA wrote:

BSmack wrote:But even so, the rest of the Democratic Party in Kansas has treated Phelps like a leper. Which should tell you something.

It does.

Sincerely,
Al Gore

Tom,

You have no idea how easy it is to gain access to a political candidate do you? People who are running for office are predisposed to give even the craziest people the time of day if they claim to be supporters. Trust me, I've run campaign operations before. It is simply bad business to tell potential supporters, no matter how nuts they might be, to go to hell. Simply put, calling Gore a supporter of Phelps is like calling James Garfield a supporter of Charles Guiteau.

mvscal wrote:He hosted fundraisers for Gore at his home.

Your point being? Again, candidates don't turn down support. The proof is in the pudding. Which is that Gore has been for gay rights and Phelps finally realized this and turned against Gore. Just because Phelps was too stupid to realize he could not influence Gore doesn't make Gore a supporter of Phelps.

BSmack wrote:

Tom In VA wrote:

BSmack wrote:But even so, the rest of the Democratic Party in Kansas has treated Phelps like a leper. Which should tell you something.

It does.

Sincerely,
Al Gore

Tom,

You have no idea how easy it is to gain access to a political candidate do you? People who are running for office are predisposed to give even the craziest people the time of day if they claim to be supporters. Trust me, I've run campaign operations before. It is simply bad business to tell potential supporters, no matter how nuts they might be, to go to hell. Simply put, calling Gore a supporter of Phelps is like calling James Garfield a supporter of Charles Guiteau.

I was just referring to how the DNC has cast Gore aside like a leper. But thanks for ....

1. Showing your gross hypocrisy yet again.
2. Admitting that Phelps was an integral supporter of Gore.
3. KYOA

Take a poll of Democrats. Beyond his sick family, how many would support Fred Phellps and his "message?"

Anybody?
Link?

So your tired "Phelps is a Democrat" bullshit means exactly what?

Tom In VA wrote:I was just referring to how the DNC has cast Gore aside like a leper. But thanks for ....

Not hardly. Gore has done rather well for himself these past 6 years.

1. Showing your gross hypocrisy yet again.
2. Admitting that Phelps was an integral supporter of Gore.
3. KYOA

Phelps was "integral supporter of Gore"?

Now if you said Armand Hammer, I might have believed you. Phelps was nothing more than a nut job that they humored.

mvscal wrote:Yes, of course. Phelps registers as a Democrat. Votes Democrat. Runs for office as a Democrat. Hosts fundraisers at his home for Democratic Senators...which obviously makes him a Republican.

You obviously majored in missing the point. Phelps can call himself whatever he wants. The facts remain that his positions on gay rights are more closely mirrored by the GOP, not the Democrats.

BSmack wrote:

mvscal wrote:Yes, of course. Phelps registers as a Democrat. Votes Democrat. Runs for office as a Democrat. Hosts fundraisers at his home for Democratic Senators...which obviously makes him a Republican.

You obviously majored in missing the point. Phelps can call himself whatever he wants. The facts remain that his positions on gay rights are more closely mirrored by the GOP, not the Democrats.

So YOU say. I think the DEMS only try and give the appearance they are pro Gay rights to get votes.

Tom In VA wrote:

BSmack wrote:

mvscal wrote:Yes, of course. Phelps registers as a Democrat. Votes Democrat. Runs for office as a Democrat. Hosts fundraisers at his home for Democratic Senators...which obviously makes him a Republican.

You obviously majored in missing the point. Phelps can call himself whatever he wants. The facts remain that his positions on gay rights are more closely mirrored by the GOP, not the Democrats.

So YOU say. I think the DEMS only try and give the appearance they are pro Gay rights to get votes.

Actually, it's the GOP going to the anti-gay card to get votes, or at least shore up their base.

The Democrats haven't been perfect on the issue by any means, but they've consistently been the less homophobic of the two major parties.

Terry in Crapchester wrote: Actually, it's the GOP going to the anti-gay card to get votes, or at least shore up their base.

The Democrats haven't been perfect on the issue by any means, but they've consistently been the less homophobic of the two major parties.

I might buy that as well. Except with "homophobic", please, people aren't afraid of gays .... they just find homosexuality repulsive. You don't call someone that flushes the toilet "poopaphobic" do you ?

Anyway, I think a larger part of the the DNC constituency are blacks, blacks that go to church, black churches, and some VERY conservative black churches. Being too pro-gay, might place their loyalty at risk. So while the DNC might pay lip service to homosexual issues, they really don't intend on doing anything about it, at least that's my theory.

So while the DNC might pay lip service to homosexual issues, they really don't intend on doing anything about it, at least that's my theory.

Wow. I guess Republican candidates and the RNC don't cash Log Cabin Republican checks...they send them back, right?

Tom In VA wrote:So while the DNC might pay lip service to homosexual issues, they really don't intend on doing anything about it, at least that's my theory.

You could actually say the same thing about the Republicans and the fundies. The Republicans bring up gay marriage every election year, but do it in the form of a Constitutional amendment they know won't pass. That way it's always around for them.

Terry in Crapchester wrote:

Tom In VA wrote:So while the DNC might pay lip service to homosexual issues, they really don't intend on doing anything about it, at least that's my theory.

You could actually say the same thing about the Republicans and the fundies. The Republicans bring up gay marriage every election year, but do it in the form of a Constitutional amendment they know won't pass. That way it's always around for them.

Touche.

PSUFAN wrote:

So while the DNC might pay lip service to homosexual issues, they really don't intend on doing anything about it, at least that's my theory.

Wow. I guess Republican candidates and the RNC don't cash Log Cabin Republican checks...they send them back, right?

A politican turning down money ? What are you nuts ?

Fester the Magnificent wrote:
So your tired "Phelps is a Democrat" bullshit means exactly what?

Mvscal the Asshat wrote:
It's a convenient illustration of the fundamental dishonesty of dumbshits such as yourself.

It is? You're the one trying vainly on this thread (and others) to claim that Phelps and his disgusting views are somehow representative of Democrats. You keep leaving this orphaned, pathetic idiot on the Democratic doorstep like an empty milk bottle, but nobody is claiming him.

Give it up already.

There are 24 hours in a day. You don't have to be a total fuckking asshole for ALL of them.

Tom In VA wrote:

PSUFAN wrote:

So while the DNC might pay lip service to homosexual issues, they really don't intend on doing anything about it, at least that's my theory.

Wow. I guess Republican candidates and the RNC don't cash Log Cabin Republican checks...they send them back, right?

A politican turning down money ? What are you nuts ?

Tom in VA backpedaling away from his point? Shocking!

PSUFAN wrote:

Tom In VA wrote:

PSUFAN wrote: Wow. I guess Republican candidates and the RNC don't cash Log Cabin Republican checks...they send them back, right?

A politican turning down money ? What are you nuts ?

Tom in VA backpedaling away from his point? Shocking!

Boy you're really itching for something here. Now point me to where I have said that Republicans aren't practicing some of the same political gamesmanship. Good luck.

Whatever, dude.

Keep peddling this weak bullshit if you have to, but nobody is buying it.

Uncle Fester wrote:Whatever, dude.

Keep peddling this weak bullshit if you have to, but nobody is buying it.

Better tell Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rev._Fred_Phelps

In the 1980s prior to Phelps protesting at funerals,[22] the Phelps family were supporters of then-senator Al Gore's Presidential aspirations. The basement of Fred Phelps Jr.'s law office supposedly acted as Gore's Kansas campaign office, and the Phelps hosted a fundraiser. Numerous photos exist on the Internet of Fred Phelps Jr. and his second wife, Betty Phelps-Schurle, posing with Al and Tipper Gore. Phelps Jr. also served as a Gore delegate on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta in 1988. [21]

During Bill Clinton's presidential campaign, Fred Phelps Jr. and members of Westboro campaigned for Gore, though simultaneously attacking Hillary Clinton. In January 1993, Fred Phelps Jr. and Betty Phelps-Schurle were invited to the inaugural ball in Washington, D.C.[22]

But, apparently, Clinton and Gore's increased support of homosexuals did eventually alienate them from Phelps.

Tom In VA wrote:But, apparently, Clinton and Gore's increased support of homosexuals did eventually alienate them from Phelps.

Gee, ya THINK???

Phelps is a cult leader and political pariah. His shrieking homophobia at the funerals of dead soldiers garners him support from exactly....uh...NO ONE outside his nutball "church."

As for Pat Robertson, he sought the Republican nomination for president and actually finished ahead of Bush in the Iowa caucus. He has millions of dollars from millions of conservative supporters. He founded the Christian Coalition, one of the most influential organizations in American politics.

And yet mvscal, his logic straining, his brain stuffed tightly up his ass, somehow sees Robertson as a political figure analogous to Fred Fukking Phellps???

Jesus Christ in a Chicken Basket.

Greg, look at my thumb.

Uncle Fester wrote:Phelps is a cult leader and political pariah. His shrieking homophobia at the funerals of dead soldiers garners him support from exactly....uh...NO ONE outside his nutball "church."

As for Pat Robertson, he sought the Republican nomination for president and actually finished ahead of Bush in the Iowa caucus. He has millions of dollars from millions of conservative supporters. He founded the Christian Coalition, one of the most influential organizations in American politics.

And yet mvscal, his logic straining, his brain stuffed tightly up his ass, somehow sees Robertson as a political figure analogous to Fred Fukking Phellps???

Jesus Christ in a Chicken Basket.

Rack.

mvscal wrote:I made the simple declarative statement that Phelps is a Democrat. Your knee-jerk extrapolation is unsupported by any evidence.

I lived in Kansas for 10 years, and personally saw this nutjob and his followers on several occasions. There are exactly ZERO Democrats in Kansas who give that guy or his followers any credibility or support whatsoever. In fact, I'd say the vast majority of KU students who nearly came to blows with him and his followers were left of being liberal.

Btw, Michael Moore and a group he brought with him showed up unannounced to counter-protest this idiot at KU.

One of the reasons Phelps is registered as a Democrat is that two-thirds of the voters in the state are registered Republicans ... it's simply another example of him trying to be "different" and against the "sodomite political establishment," as he would say, in Kansas. It's really not difficult to figure out.

RadioFan wrote:I lived in Kansas for 10 years, and personally saw this nutjob and his followers on several occasions. There are exactly ZERO Democrats in Kansas who give that guy or his followers any credibility or support whatsoever. In fact, I'd say the vast majority of KU students who nearly came to blows with him and his followers were left of being liberal.

Btw, Michael Moore and a group he brought with him showed up unannounced to counter-protest this idiot at KU.

One of the reasons Phelps is registered as a Democrat is that two-thirds of the voters in the state are registered Republicans ... it's simply another example of him trying to be "different" and against the "sodomite political establishment," as he would say, in Kansas. It's really not difficult to figure out.

Phelps has failed in numerous Democratic primary elections for governor of the overwhelmingly Republican state of Kansas, in 1990, 1994, and the last time in 1998, when he came in second with 15,000 votes out of a total of over 103,000 votes cast, or 15%.

Tom In VA wrote:

RadioFan wrote:I lived in Kansas for 10 years, and personally saw this nutjob and his followers on several occasions. There are exactly ZERO Democrats in Kansas who give that guy or his followers any credibility or support whatsoever. In fact, I'd say the vast majority of KU students who nearly came to blows with him and his followers were left of being liberal.

Btw, Michael Moore and a group he brought with him showed up unannounced to counter-protest this idiot at KU.

One of the reasons Phelps is registered as a Democrat is that two-thirds of the voters in the state are registered Republicans ... it's simply another example of him trying to be "different" and against the "sodomite political establishment," as he would say, in Kansas. It's really not difficult to figure out.

Phelps has failed in numerous Democratic primary elections for governor of the overwhelmingly Republican state of Kansas, in 1990, 1994, and the last time in 1998, when he came in second with 15,000 votes out of a total of over 103,000 votes cast, or 15%.

Shall we trot out David Duke's GOP credentials?

BSmack wrote:

Tom In VA wrote:

RadioFan wrote:I lived in Kansas for 10 years, and personally saw this nutjob and his followers on several occasions. There are exactly ZERO Democrats in Kansas who give that guy or his followers any credibility or support whatsoever. In fact, I'd say the vast majority of KU students who nearly came to blows with him and his followers were left of being liberal.

Btw, Michael Moore and a group he brought with him showed up unannounced to counter-protest this idiot at KU.

One of the reasons Phelps is registered as a Democrat is that two-thirds of the voters in the state are registered Republicans ... it's simply another example of him trying to be "different" and against the "sodomite political establishment," as he would say, in Kansas. It's really not difficult to figure out.

Phelps has failed in numerous Democratic primary elections for governor of the overwhelmingly Republican state of Kansas, in 1990, 1994, and the last time in 1998, when he came in second with 15,000 votes out of a total of over 103,000 votes cast, or 15%.

Shall we trot out David Duke's GOP credentials?

Sure feel free, but this thread was more about Phelps so, start a new thread.

Tom In VA wrote:

RadioFan wrote:I lived in Kansas for 10 years, and personally saw this nutjob and his followers on several occasions. There are exactly ZERO Democrats in Kansas who give that guy or his followers any credibility or support whatsoever. In fact, I'd say the vast majority of KU students who nearly came to blows with him and his followers were left of being liberal.

Btw, Michael Moore and a group he brought with him showed up unannounced to counter-protest this idiot at KU.

One of the reasons Phelps is registered as a Democrat is that two-thirds of the voters in the state are registered Republicans ... it's simply another example of him trying to be "different" and against the "sodomite political establishment," as he would say, in Kansas. It's really not difficult to figure out.

Phelps has failed in numerous Democratic primary elections for governor of the overwhelmingly Republican state of Kansas, in 1990, 1994, and the last time in 1998, when he came in second with 15,000 votes out of a total of over 103,000 votes cast, or 15%.

The next paragraph from your source . . .

In the aftermath of the election, in an incident that would be repeated years later when Phelps circulated a fuzzy petition to outlaw homosexual work protection, many of the Kansas Democrats who had cast votes for Phelps came forward to express their distaste for him. They claimed that Phelps had lied about his intentions to numerous constituents, using double-talk and fuzzy language to confuse them; neglected to mention his stances on race, religion, and homosexuality, and campaigned mainly on the platform of a "good ol' boy" Southern gentleman and retired lawyer unfairly prosecuted by the system.

Radiofan wrote: It's really not difficult to figure out.

Never misunderestimate a mvscal.