Crossposted from Stop The ACLU…written by Spree

Update: Video of this cult’s leader freaking out on CNN!

Prelude:

“They turned this funeral into a media circus and they wanted to hurt my family,” Snyder testified. “They wanted their message heard and they didn’t care who they stepped over. My son should have been buried with dignity, not with a bunch of clowns outside.”

Hat Tip to Michelle Malkin, we see that Albert Snyder of York, Pa, the father of that slain solider has won his lawsuit against Westboro Baptist Church.

From the Baltimore Sun:

Albert Snyder of York, Pa., the father of a Westminster Marine who was killed in Iraq, today won his case in a Baltimore federal court against members of Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church who protested at his son’s funeral last year.

The jury of five women and four men awarded Snyder $2.9 million in compensatory damages. The amount of punitive damages to be awarded has not yet been decided. The jury deliberated for about two hours yesterday and much of today.

Snyder was the first in the nation to attempt to hold members of Westboro Baptist Church legally liable for their shock protests at military funerals after the church protested the military’s inclusion of gays at the funeral of Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, a 2003 Westminster High School graduate who died March 3, 2006, in a vehicle accident in Anbar province.

In June 2006, Snyder sued the tight-knit fundamentalist Christian church and three of its members individually. The father argued that Westboro’s demonstrations exacerbated his pain and suffering in March 2006 while he mourned the death of his only son.

Specifically, he charged that they violated his privacy, intentionally inflicted emotional harm and engaged in a conspiracy to carry out their activities. The jury decided in Snyder’s favor on every count.

The church and its members maintained that they did nothing wrong. They based their legal defense on the First Amendment, arguing that their protests were constitutionally protected. Their attorneys told jurors yesterday that Westboro members were expressing closely held religious beliefs about an immoral society, including the military, that has endorsed homosexuality.

From MM:

The Synder website has legal documents from the case here. Send him a note of congratulations and thanks here.

The fight’s not over.

Via Wake up America

Captain Ed:

Free speech doesn’t absolve people of responsibility for the damage they do, and most reasonable people would consider what Westboro’s minstrels of misery do very painful and completely inappropriate. Perhaps this might convince a few other victims to follow suit, pun intended, and ensure that Phelps’ moral bankruptcy gets matched by his financial bankruptcy.

Hot Air rounds up news as well.

[Update] Hat tip to Blue Crab Boulevard, punitive damages award at $8 million, added to the $2.9 million, Mr. Snyder has won and Westboro Baptist Church must pay almost $11 million dollars.

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.”

GREAT NEWS. [End Update]

More articles from Stop The ACLU about Westboro Baptist Church can be found here one one page.

Said Jay777 @ 10:09 pm Comments (0) | Permalink   

It’s educational, and FUN!, too!

Said xformed @ 7:53 am Comments (0) | Permalink   

The lack of self-awareness on the Left seems at times at the very least childish, but more often fully pathological.

I recently had the pleasure of watching the winner of the best foreign-language film Oscar of 2006, “The Lives of Others”. It is a powerful, subtle, inspiring film. It shows the dark side of socialist East German life before the fall of the wall. Let me repeat, that is socialist East German life.

So I was somewhat surprised when I went back and read film critic turned Liberal propagandizer, Roger Ebert’s, review of the film. Oh, he enjoyed it well enough, but that is not my point. It was his comparison of the coercive, intrusive, totalitarian bent of the East German bureaucracy to the current Executive branch of American government that struck me as odd.

Here is his assessment:

But the movie is relevant today, as our government ignores habeas corpus, practices secret torture, and asks for the right to wiretap and eavesdrop on its citizens. Such tactics did not save East Germany; they destroyed it, by making it a country its most loyal citizens could no longer believe in.

First, I would like to remind Mr. Ebert that East Germany was a socialist/communist regime. A regime of the Left. A government built on the idea of comradery, of all for one, of fairness, and of equality. In short, a perfect Liberal utopia.

To compare the actions of such a regime to America today is simply ignorant. Americans have not lost there rights to habeas corpus, Mr Ebert. I would appreciate any proof you have otherwise. And what you would like to consider torture today, would have been seen as merely discomfort under the previous East German regime. Also, the only people who your hated Bush regime want to wiretap are those in contact with foreign terrorists. Let us, please, at least be honest.

Second, as long as we’re being honest, how can you but admit that attacks on the liberty of modern American citizens come almost always from the Left? Political correctness, college speech codes, the shouting down of Conservative speakers on college campuses, the threat of destruction of talk radio through the Fairness Doctrine, the silencing of debate with smears such as bigotry, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, chicken-hawk, and hater. All these attacks on free speech come from Left of center. Coercive smoking bans, seat belt and insurance laws, the latest attacks on fatty foods, the slow steady erosion of parental rights. These nanny state policies stem most always from the Left. The preference toward governmental larceny that is intrusive taxation is a Leftist ideal. As are threatened taxes on vehicle and home size, carbon usage, and certain types of foods. Our forefathers understood that taxation is most always an attack on personal liberty. Progressives seem to have forgotten this fact.

Third, and last, is the way in which the East German government aimed at controlling its populace. Where does the urge to control come from in today’s America? Possibly from those who believe they know how to run our lives better than we ourselves? Sounds like Leftist elitism to me. From those who fear our actions, if untempered, will lead to environmental destruction? That’s the greenie Left this time. From those who believe that fairness can be inflicted through progressive taxation? Yep, it’s the Left again.

The characters in “The Lives of Others” dealt with real governmental coersion and intrusiveness on a daily basis. Their liberties were undermined on a true and personal level, unlike Mr. Ebert’s paranoid conspiratorial fear of Bush. They lived under a regime that believed ‘the government governs best who governs the most’. Is that a value of the Right? Or rather the Left, Mr. Ebert? I think we both know the answer to that. But if you do not, then you are either lying to yourself or else you are impossibly ignorant.

I believe it was Thomas Jefferson who said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be.” Maybe sir, you should learn from that.

Said Glen @ 6:19 pm Comments (7) | Permalink   

Read this one.

Is it getting better? How about way better. It’s working….it.is.working. Rich Lowry brings us the story that you will most likely not see in the MSM.

Chip in with your 2 cents, in the comments section on that post. Leave your mark for a better world to live in.

Said xformed @ 4:09 pm Comments (0) | Permalink   

Has someone elected Ray Nagin or Kathleen Blanco to be the Prime Minister of Iraq? Judging by this Washington Post story on the precarious nature of the Mosul Dam, you might think that the half million or so people who could die if the dam fails would be a fairly high priority of the Iraqi government. The Army Corps of Engineers reportedly wants to build a dam downstream to protect the city, and American officials have been advocating this, but the Iraqi government thus far nixed the deal.

Of course, should the Dam fail during a Republican administration, the fact that the Iraqis ignored American advice would be right up there beside the Democratic-ruled State of Louisiana’s refusal to build levees that would protect New Orleans from a Cat 5 storm, despite over 20 years of warnings that the levees would not stand up to a storm of that magnitude. Should the Mosul dam fail, the “small detail” that the Bush Administration has been pushing hard for the dam to be addressed as a high priority of the Iraqi government would be largely ignored by our red banner-waving media. If it does happen, expect Anderson Cooper to hop the first plane, get himself into a rubber raft, and go on and on whining about the barbarity of the Bush Administration–to be followed by Sean Penn, Danny Glover, Spike Lee…and (eventually) John Edwards. All this despite the fact that the Americans have been pressing the Iraqis to take action against this threat, and that those pleas have fallen mostly on deaf ears. The sad fact is–in this era of media complicity–hindsight being 20/20 does not seem to faze the so-called “objective” media from second guessing any tragedy that comes down the pipe–even those that America has no direct authority to correct.

Also–please forgive my cynicism–but is the WaPo not also highlighting this “weakness” in neon lights to any of our enemies? The mad mullahs in Iran–who if they didn’t know about this weakness before, do now–no doubt can read the Post, and no doubt they are targeting some of their missiles as we speak, in case the US were to bomb them. To these maniacs, killing half a million Iraqis is nothing compared to a propaganda win over the evil Americans. Presumably the reporters at the Post know this. And so–while this story certainly cannot be compared to the scale of the same Washington Post and New York Times outing classified information about our own surveillance programs–it nevertheless appears from here to be a blatant attempt to head off a confrontation with Iran, even if hundreds of thousands of people die as a result of their “journalistic integrity.”

Personally I would prefer that the President pull the plug on ALL War news to having crap like this come out every day which aids and abets our enemies. Maybe one of these days some President and/or Attorney General will actually have the courage to go postal on news organizations who openly help our enemies. Until then–if this story about the Mosul Dam is true–brace yourself for yet another humanitarian disaster to be portrayed as “Bush’s fault.” Blame seems to be the only game that Democrats still know how to play.

Said Discerning Texan @ 2:32 pm Comments (0) | Permalink   

Yet another group decides that whatever is wrong, it’s not their fault. This time it’s the Manchester, CT Board of Education that says, “Gee, if the child isn’t learning, it’s not the school’s fault, it’s the parents’ fault.” Might one be so bold then, as to ask, what, exactly is the purpose of the school system and board of education? I thought not.

Admittedly, this is only one school board member — but I’m guessing there’s a lot of others who agree — just blame the parents. After all, you simply cannot hold, well, anyone else accountable for anything else. You see, if the child doesn’t have the proper winter coat, according to the school, then that child simply cannot learn. And if that child hasn’t had the exact number of required calories for the day, again, according to the school, then the child is incapable of learning — and it’s all the parent’s fault.

You really have to wonder what sort of planet these people live on. I seriously wonder how incredibly sheltered their lives must be to actually say these things and believe them. Perhaps we should all get together and show them what life is like in in other places. Perhaps we could even just show them a few college students. Do they really, honestly believe that children cannot learn if they’re not dressed correctly? Sadly, I think they will use anything as an excuse for them not doing their job.

Then again, if we simply got completely and totally rid of all government education, everyone would be better educated and we’d have a lot less people unemployed — well, except for those who cannot do any job other than to tell other people what to do and how to live their lives: aka school board members.

Said Ogre @ 6:08 am Comments (0) | Permalink   

Big news today: sweatshops exist. And they’re working in India, of all places. Oh, the humanity! Yes, 12-16 year olds were actually working and earning money. The British newspaper was full of condemnation. Why? Because we simply cannot have 14 year old working and earning a living. That’s not right! Instead, someone who is the tender age of 14 is supposed to be locked in a sterile building all day with others who are the exact same chronological age (even when different in mental ages). And they’re supposed to be getting free condoms and birth control pills so they can have sex all will without consequences. We’re supposed to be teaching them that homosexuality is normal and Christianity is bad. At least that what we do with children that age in America.

What ever happened to having feelings for other cultures? What about respect for other people and the way they live? Who are we to tell another culture what’s right and wrong? After all, if the people of India think it’s okay to beat children who refuse to work, who are we to tell them they’re wrong?

We are told, daily, that you cannot condemn a culture or religion for their beliefs. We’re told that all cultures and religions are exactly as valid as every other culture or religion. We’re told that we must accept the differences that other cultures bring — even when those cultures bring death and beheading to places they have never been. We have to accept and honor those who are different, simply because they are different, even if they want us dead. But now we have another culture that apparently believes in hard work for youngsters, and now the media wants us to condemn them. Why is that?

I find it strange that when a Palestinian child is dressed up in bombs and explosives that we are to support him and feel sorry for his family; however, when an Indian child is working and producing, but in less than perfect conditions, we’re supposed to be angry. Perhaps the media is more interested in framing anyone who produces and works as evil, while those who are destructive are supposed to be honored. Good thing we have the formerly mainstream media around to let us know who we’re supposed to condemn.

Said Ogre @ 6:01 am Comments (18) | Permalink   

This is Year Three of a life changing project: Voice Activated Laptops for OUR - Injured Troops.

Note: Please ignore the excess code showing…the donate button still works fine….

The brainchild of an AZ school teacher and an Army Captain blogger who got tagged by and IED, this program has delivered over 1200 laptops to those service members disabled so they cannot type or see.

Dragon Naturally Speaking software is installed, so they can get right to communicating with their units, their family and friends. The testimonies of what this means are pretty remarkable. Usually, the laptop is provided to them as soon as they arrive stateside at one of the major military medical facilities. If not then, then very shortly afterwards. It is theirs to keep, whether their injuries are temporary or permanent.

Each of the last two years, for two weeks leading up to Veteran’s day, we hold a fund drive to collect money for this wonderful cause, which will affect the lives of those we help beyond their service time, and into their civilian life that follows. This year, the drive starts 10/29 and will continue through 11/11/2007.

This is a donation that passes through, 100% to the cost of buying the notebooks. All effort to make this happen is 100% voluntary, there is 0% overhead cost, there is tremendous benefit for the emotional well being of the people who get one of these notebooks, their friends and families and also to the future employers who will see these men and women can do office tasks just like the rest of us.

It is a program, one of many, that Soldiers Angels is running. SA is a 503(c) organization and your donation is a charitable donation for tax purposes.

Not only are donations accepted, the bloggers involved are going to find some items for auctioning off. The site is here.

To satisfy the competitive nature of those who are or once have served, we have split the collections up between the Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy/Coast Guard. That way, “we” can have some fun, poking and prodding each other for our performance (or lack thereof) at our counterparts. I mention this, as I’d request, unless you have some desire like Richard Nixon may have, to place your funds in the Navy/Coast Guard column. That can be done at my blog, Chaotic Synaptic Activity, where the donate button is prominently displayed in the top of the center column.

If you’d like to place your blog/website into the fray, you can join the Navy/Coast Guard Team on my blog (link right under the donate widget), or go here to join up with the “enemy.”

A bulletin board is up to coordinate and otherwise discuss the drive this year.

The ValOUR-IT blog has lots of information, including some testimonials and is here. The school teacher who helped get this rolling has some of her personal stories about delivering laptops and the supporters of the program on her own blog, which is here.

If you ever think that just one person with a vision can’t make a difference, spend a few minutes chasing the links I have provided here, and then know you can do it, too.

Me? I’m just hoping Team Navy/Coast Guard gets to send MEGEN (Most Exhaulted Golden Notebook) on another trip around the country to site Navy related again this coming year….like we did this year after smoking the competition!

Thanks in advance for your support of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsman and Marines who have gieven so much to defend us.

Said xformed @ 12:01 am Comments (1) | Permalink   

From a psychological standpoint, the question is “Do people make choices based on the size of their bank accounts and what they have to pay the taxman?” If Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has his way, the answer will be a most assuredly yes as tax coffers grow by some trillion dollars. You read that correctly. A T.r.i.l.l.i.o.n. dollars! That is the size of the taxman’s bite should America be foolish enough to elect a “progressive” to the White House and leave the Democrats in charge of the two houses of congress. >> Read more

Said GM @ 5:32 pm Comments (0) | Permalink   

Said Richard Nixon @ 12:59 pm Comments (0) | Permalink   

More stream of consciousness here…I listen to the goings on and wonder many times, if the Democrats/leftists bother to think through what they are blathering on about.

1st Case in Point: The Military is stretched too thin. We need a Draft. The President is spending too much money on “THE WAR!”

Juxtapose those lines of thought with: We need to bring them home.

Simple statements, but here’s what I see as the combination:

If the services are stretched to thin and we need more people, then wouldn’t plussing up the manpower result in more expeditures? Not only salaries and benefits, but the equipment and infrastructure to support to forces that have grown. Then, toss in bringing them home and making the military bigger….why? Very flawed logic. If we need more, it’s to fill the front lines and that can’t be done here.

Consider how the Democrats and their base on the Left (include Ron Paul in this category) don’t seem to want our troops used anywhere overseas. If they had the guts, they’d pull all funding from the War on Terror. Then they’d authorized money to send troops and supplies to Darfur, their darling project they hold up, but never have the courage to take on in real measure.

On the other hand, “they” could bring them home, and build them up, then…look at the taxpayers and tell them, after jacking up the tax rolls to pay for this folly of a garrisoned military stateside, when the enemy is overseas, “we’re going to cut the military back!” Sounds good, like they are being fiscally responsible, yet the reality would be they’d chop the military, and then shift the funds that non-rich people of the US are now used to paying to “social programs” for the poor (now trying to be defined as families making up to $80 some K in the SCHIP Continuation Bill). Same sort of thing that happened when Bill Clinton took the HWite House and sliced and diced the Military budgets, but the people did not see much of that “peace dividend.”

Bottom Line: It’s all posturing to shift the money around to buy votes from those who can’t manage to take care of themselves, and now expect the Federal Government to take care of everything.

I have other issues to discuss..but those will be topics for other “Problem? Solution…” postings. Stay tuned.

Said xformed @ 11:37 am Comments (0) | Permalink   

Imagine if the same attitude taken by liberals on the war on terror was used in America for everyday emergencies.

Said Richard Nixon @ 7:03 am Comments (1) | Permalink   

clipped from www.stltoday.com WHEATON, Ill. (AP) — A West Chicago man faces up to 60 years in prison for attacking an 11-year-old girl he mistakenly thought was his former girlfriend. Assistant State’s Attorney Helen Kapas says DeLaSalle confessed he was upset that a former girlfriend had been ignoring his efforts to meet. He said that after drinking heavily at a party, he believed he was going to her home.

Said Cao @ 5:08 am Comments (0) | Permalink   

clipped from worldnetdaily.com The National Park Service has banished God from a key display of America’s Christian heritage in Washington, and a California pastor who regularly leads teams of visitors to see markers of the nation’s religious history wants Him restored.

Said Cao @ 4:58 am Comments (2) | Permalink   

clipped from www.opinionjournal.com Global warming doesn’t matter except to the extent that it will affect life–ours and that of all living things on Earth. And contrary to the latest news, the evidence that global warming will have serious effects on life is thin. Most evidence suggests the contrary. Case in point: This year’s United Nations report on climate change and other documents say that 20% to 30% of plant and animal species will be threatened with extinction in this century due to global warming–a truly terrifying thought. Yet, during the past 2.5 million years, a period that scientists now know experienced climatic changes as rapid and as warm as modern climatological models suggest will happen to us, almost none of the millions of species on Earth went extinct.

Said Cao @ 4:49 am Comments (0) | Permalink