YORK, Pa. – One thing Al Snyder wants to make clear: His boy fought and died for freedom in Iraq, but not for the right of some "wackos" to spew hate at soldiers' funerals under the protection of the Constitution.
"It's an insult to myself, my family and the veterans to say this is what our military men and women died for," Snyder says, barely concealing his anger.
Yet more than four years after the death of his only son, Matthew, Snyder is in the middle of a Supreme Court case that raises almost precisely that issue.
The court is set to decide whether members of a fundamentalist church in Kansas who picketed Matthew's funeral with signs bearing anti-gay and anti-Catholic invective have a constitutional right to say what they want.
Or, in intruding on a private citizen's funeral in a hurtful way, have the protesters crossed a line and given Snyder the right to collect millions of dollars for the emotional pain they caused?
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I hope Mr. Snyder wins his case against these wackos. Matthew was a hero. Wonder why this so-called church is not scrutinized more closely? Look at their financial and tax status.
ReplyDeleteHow is this not a no-brainer? You have the right to free speech all the time, except at my private event where I should have the right to expel you.
ReplyDeleteI pray that Mr.Snyder wins.. Not only for the money but the principle fact that these so called "Bapist Christains" are descreating this man's sons death for service to his country and making a heart braking happings in this soldiers whole family more difficult.
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord be with you and your family.
Michelle
Maybe I misunderstand the law, I was under the impression that free speech does not include anything that would cause harm or pain to another. I can only imagine how much pain Mr. Snyder was feeling when he had to experience this garbage on the day he buried his child. May the members of that church feel the pain of all the parents they have inflicted harm upon.
ReplyDeleteMake each and every one of those funerals a military event and declare martial law in an area a mile around.
ReplyDeleteThe left they are truly despicable!
ReplyDelete3:29 What? This is not a left or right issue. It is about a cult that pretends to be a church.
ReplyDelete3:09, you are truly ignorant, as are most Americans. The Constitution affords no such protection from "painful" , or otherwise uncomfortable speech. Ignorant.
ReplyDelete