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Support Marine Dad’s Legal Fund in Fight Against ‘Thank God For Dead Soldiers’ Group
Westboro Bigots Disrepect Marines and Ameircan Troops -
Update: AP: Donations pour in to father of fallen Marine
Veterans Today says support the Marine Dad, Al Snyder Legal Fund against idiots who disrupt Marine and U.S. troop funerals in an outrageous show of disrespect for killed-in-action servicemen and women.
Update: For supporters wishing to snail-mail contributions:
Al Snyder Fund [make out check/money order to "Al Snyder Fund"]
c/o Barley Snyder LLC
100 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
Just off the phone with Snyder’s people in York, Penn; they send their warmest appreciation for the support!
“[Lance Cpl Matthew Snyder] was a hero and he was the love of my life,” said Albert Snyder, Matthew’s father who is still steaming at these idiots pictured at left, and whose legal fees ($16,500) Mr. Snyder has been ordered to pay.
Snyder’s funeral service was disrupted by the Westboro Baptist Church and now Snyder has to pay these idiots’ court costs, per a court ruling. Support the Marine Dad, Al Snyder Legal Fund.
Al Snyder will not give up without a fight, in memory of his son’s service.
Matthew Snyder
Lance Cpl Matthew Snyder, of Finksburg, Maryland, died in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. Died on March 3, 2006. Matthew was 20 years old.
The Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church, led by the Rev. Fred Phelps, say combat deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God’s retribution for America’s tolerance of gay men and lesbian women, and they make their message know by disrupting funerals of servicemen and women who were killed in combat, during which they chant and hold signs bearing messages such as ‘Thank God For Dead Soldiers.’ See Bob Higgins’ Marine Dad Must Pay Westboro Court Fees.
Support the Marine Dad, Al Snyder Legal Fund. These pricks aren’t going to know what hit them.
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Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=24448
Posted by Yanira Farray on Mar 31 2010, With 0 Reads, Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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Unbelievable. After serving in the army in the ’60′s, I protested the Vietnam war. I also opposed the 2nd Iraq war. But NEVER would I nor anyone I ever heard of do something like this! And they call themselves Christians?! I don’t think so. What’s happened to Christianity in our country?
Our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.
I met this guy Fred Phelps.
Honestly, this guy is not just an enermy of every serviceman and servicewoman and every American, he is nuts.
I interviewed him for about five minutes in Madison,Wisconsin, and it was “Satan” this and “Damnation” that. But this description does not capture what he is like.
He had this malevolent stare at counterprotestors but the stare [not 1,000-yard] was off. There was no intelligence seemingly, just this vacant, disapproving expression as he rambled on unresponsive to the questions.
Jackie, my girlfriend, was watching and she says right after, “Mike, watch it, that guy’s f&&king crazy.”
They are NOT Christians.
This story illustrates the bigotry and ugliness that pervades this country in the wake of the deterioration of the economy, the election of the nation’s first black President, the first female Speaker of the House and the stress of two seemingly endless and questionable wars. The rise of racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Hispanic immigrant bigotry and all other forms of ethnic hatred is threatening to undermine American society!
It is reflected, not only in these degenerates, posing as “Christians,” who protest and disrupt military funerals, but in the “Tea Party” movement with their racist Obama as “The Joker” and Hitler posters, the shouting of racial slurs and spitting on black Congressman, the yelling of anti-gay slurs at a Congressman and the disunity of Americans, when they should be pulling together to bring this nation through its worst economic crisis in 80 years!
As veterans, Americans and people of decency, we must add our support to this Marine’s father, who asks only that his son’s service and death for his county be honored and respected. If we do not respect the sacrifice of military service, and those who died in that service, the United States as a nation is doomed to degenerate into a “war of all against all” among hopeless bigots!
Mike,
There’s a lot of ugliness in this country and your second paragraph is indicative of it as well. You are guilty of that which you decry since you have decided that those who oppose BIG govt and have sought to have their voices heard via the Tea Party are racist degenerates? You are certainly entitled to your left sided opinions but you don’t have the right to decide that those who oppose you are degenerates. Shame on you. You shouldn’t throw stones if you live in a glass house. I am glad that in your conclusion I found agreement with you that our men and women in uniform deserve better. I think we can also agree that the members of Westboro Baptist are nuts, not Christians, and their views conjured an image of another minister that thinks God is damning America – Jeremiah Wright. Who’s the bigot now?
Calm down you are so busy defending that you are not reading clearly…he is calling the racists in these crowds degenerates, the ones with the Hitler posters and yelling racial slurs. I did not get from his post that he is speaking of the Tea Party movement in general. Also, Jeremiah Wright is not the same thing. He was in HIS church talking crazy to people who came to HIS church of their own free will. Also, he was speaking in context of FACTUAL ills that were perpetuated to a group of people during an ugly time in our great country’s history. You cannot compare the two.
Mike 71,
As a Former Army Ranger, I say to you, you don’t have to express your ignorant ideals and politic spin here, it’s obvious how stupid you are for using this story as a platform for politic spin. If a stupid response is desired, we already know to come to you.
As for the father of the Marine, be proud of your son contributions to our country. I am certain he was a fine Marine.
As for the people protesting his funeral, protest a “Marines” funeral, that was the stupidest thing you did in your life. As we say in the Rangers, “Like standing in the middle of a wolf pack, and saying come and get me”.
I posted this at my place when it first broke. It is rare that I am at a loss for words because a story made me so angry. As a veteran I find the behavior of the Jesus Jumpers reprehensible beyond description. I have every intention of helping this grieving father with his legal fees.
Thanks.
Make sure you get the link to Legal Fund in an update:
https://co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/default.aspx?wid=33691
Becasue this is what we can do to help the fight.
This is a very sad story, however, Baptists have been protesting Gay funerals and events for years. It’s good that Christians can now see the hurt they cause.
Mary please don’t group all Baptist together. The people who protest any funeral is not a Christian. Only the wack jobs get put in the news. There is a whole Christian world out there that you may not be aware. You just have to find it it.
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This is an outrage. My heart goes out to this family who not only have to deal with their son’s death but compound it with this demonstration by a church no less. Total disrespect for a fallen hero.
It is a sad state of affairs when people don’t have RESPECT for a family that has lost a loved one – even if it is in a war THEY don’t agree with.
This amount is only the beginning, let alone the other $90,000 from before and the appeal costs to the Supreme Court. I must admit that I do not like the direction of the country, but I would never dishonor the sacrifice of any American soldier. The way of ilfe that we fought for and die is coming to haunt us. It is not bad enough that we must struggle with our wounds of yesterday, today. May GOD have mercy on their souls. They do not represent a GOD that I know. In the end justice will be served. My respects to the family.
People in the local area of this hate group should find out the home addresses and workplaces of their members, and organize protestors to show up at their birthday parties, funerals, weddings, picnics, or whatever these morons do…. and heckle and protest every move they make. Let them see what its like!
Dear Alan, Although I think that we all agree with that b/c we wld love to be just as hateful sometimes
But Does that make us any better than them if we act like them? I do not agree with what they did and Support the troops, being a veteran myself. BUT HELL! if I would ever stoop to their level. Its time to take it up legally and let the courts slam them, knock the down, and show them that the supporters of the troops will prevail.
I agree 100% with Allen. They are protesting a hero’s funeral with an agenda that has NOTHING to do with any soldier’s death. If their functions are protested because of the outrage that they cause, JUST HOW IN THE WORLD DOES THAT MAKE ANYONE AS BAD AS THEY ARE?????
The issue of this hate group is heading for the Supreme Court, where I hope the Court slams them hard. This “freedom of speech” bent is crap when it applies to this false “church” group. Freedom of speech is only for voicing an opinion; when it is preceded by intent to disrupt and abuse, and carried out, it is no longer speech but an action. A hate group action. I have this on my facebook and Twitter. Please keep spreading the word about supporting the effort to have this hate group banned. It would be justice if all members were charged and convicted as felons. But there is something good we need to note during all this. A group called the Patriot Guard Riders (motorcycles and other vehicles) get themselves between the protestors and the families, to honor the families and their fallen member. (I wrote about Indiana’s own special group.) The Riders are both veterans and non-veterans and simply want the right thing done by the families. Let’s keep on top of this issue!
I am not a Christian, nor am I a soldier or veteran. I am an atheistic, independent progressive who considers the US to be the greatest rogue nation in the world and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan to be illegal and immoral. Having said that, I also consider the treatment of Al Snyder by both the so-called Christians of the Westboro Baptist Church and of the federal appeal court to be shameful in the extreme. Unfortunately, I lost my job last week and so can’t give as much as I would wish, but I will be sending a cheque today for $25.00 to The Al Snyder Fund. It’s not much, but it’s the best I can do since I have the misfortune to live in a country where private and corporate profit comes first, and people’s lives, health and happiness comes last.
To the father of this courageous young man. I completely support you 110%. I admire you and if there is anything I can do to help I would be more than happy too. I, myself, am a veteran. AND can not help but ask WHAT is WRONG with our Legal System?! These people tried to take a hard time and very sad time for you, not to mention a time this young man should be honored and make it disgraceful. THEY ARE DISGRACEFUL!!! In my opinion, what they did was harassment not freedom of speech! I want you to know that I appreciate your son, honor him, and appreciate him for the path he has paved for the future. Thank you as well to you for supporting our troops. I will pray for you and your family and for the journey you are about to embark on. In addition, my check is in the mail. I have faith that you will prevail! God Bless!
I understand Bill O’Reilly has committed to paying the entire $16,000 legal bill.
That would be great.
If so, I hail Bill O’Reilly.
You have a URL?
Fox News picked up the AP story http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/30/marines-father-ordered-pay-protesters-court-fees/
Nothing about O’Reilly.
O’Reilly announced it on his show last night.
Salute: Bill O’Reilly!
You mean they did this because he was gay. What a horrible vision of Christianity. I bet you wouldn’t have seen Christ out there.
No, these jerks think that the U.S. is too tolerant of gays and lesbians, thus U.S. troops and Marines KIA do not deserve an honerable service. So these people disrupt the service.
Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? Wish someone would pull a blackbag job on these little pricks.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if Bsptist churches started blowing up.
No, that would cause more hurt and suffering on innocent people. Just because one church has a wayward leader (maybe part of the taliban if you ask me) doesn’t mean that all Baptist churches believe or do this. Let’s not stereotype.
Anyone that belongs to and supports that “church” is NOT innocent.
No not only is this illegal but one would be steping down to their level. Baptist churchs have nothing to do with these people. They call them selves Baptist but nothing they have to say, show or do is supported by any type of church in the United States.
Guess those fine God fearing folks don’t understand the price that is paid for their “Freedom of Speech”. Wonder how they would feel if it was taken away from them?
In addition to supporting this dad, this judge needs to have his phone ringing off the hook and his email box at capacity. This church deserves the same. You want freedom of speech, I think we should give it to them. Helping to pay the fines won’t hold the judge responsible for which he needs to be in a full accounting for.
please know the War Widows are in prayer for you
It is so very easy for people who are not directly effected by the casualties of war to lay opinion on those that are. Clearly, the members of this “Church” do not have close family members or even friends who are currently serving on active duty. As an active duty service member, I have unfortunely experienced first hand the sometimes radical opinions of the public because they do not support or believe in what we do or the sacrafices that we endure. Unfortuneately to say however, we do what we do so such citizens have the right to cast the opinions that they so believe. What they do not realize is the gratitude that my fellow shipmates, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen deserve and those generations before us to make this country the free country it is. If it wasn’t for the dedication of our countries military, they could very well fall victim of having such radical opinions such as the public who fell victim under the rein of such Dictators as Sadd’am Huesein and Hitler. This is an unfortunate abuse of our freedoms as American Citizens.
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This Baptist church is not a Baptists church, it is a cult of idiots lead by the biggest idiot in the group. The judge who ruled in the law suit and is now charging the hero’s family with the cost of the procedings is also an idiot. I can’t understand his motivation, but he should be disbared and the case struck down. The “Church” and the “Pastor” should be charged with harrassment, trespassing, and any other charge that can be dug up that may be on the books. Hell every jurisdiction has arhaic laws that are no longer used. Find them and slap them on the numb nuts.
How about treason? Inciting violence?
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Westboro Baptis Church is quity of Bearing False Witness, a violation of the Ten Commandents, using the GOD in vaine. Also a violation of the Ten Commandents. Their name most likely won’t be in the book of life.
Who are “They ?”
That
“PROTEST AGAINST FREEDOM” !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BY Sp/4 Dusty Roads 03|31|2010
Thy path of choice has been agreed . All chose “FREEDOM”.
As the soldier son is laded to rest, “THEY” WHO HAVE RISEN, “Protest” in union, assert their fight against the original agreement of the People, attempting to change “FREEDOM”.
“IS” it not Freedom to, be buried in Peace ?
“IS” it not Freedom to, Live in Peace ?
“IS” it not Freedom to, “NOT BE HARASSED OR EXTORTED BY GOVERNMENT” ?
“WHO” are “THEY ?”
Each that chooses not to be self-sufficient, by choice.
Each who by choice, chooses to “INFRINGE” on “FREEDOM”.
As Uncles Cousins Fathers Sons Brothers and Friends,
Live the path of their choices, the only War IS the “WAR” against those
“Who have chosen to, INFRINGE FREEDOM”.
FREEDOM “IS”, the Life “I” have
Well I think i’m in the same frame of mind as every other Veteran and for that matter American with TRUE and DEEP Feelings for Old Glory and the men and women that fight and die for this country, reguardless of weather they agree with the reasons for going to war, those of us that sigh a contract witch any of the United States Milltary Services. Basicly as an Military brat. I grew up in many different locations, CONUS and OCONUS. and Loved my childhood. I was tought basic love for my country, my fellow Americans and most important fellow Brothers in the services of this great country. I’ve done things for this country that i’m very proud of, to include taking several lives during my two tours in Iraq during the invasion in earily 2003 April 2004. and even though I’m Medicly retired I’d limp my ass back to anywhere my country needs me. I’m a Soldier and always will be.
That being said, the useless piece of shit people hiding behind GOD, to spit thair hate towards brave american Soldiers, Marines, Airman, and Navy personnel killed in the line of duty. Have no reason to breath the same air as the rest of us. I can’t believe some dumb ass Judge saw it fit to cause this family that has already given their son in defence of our great nation, to Pay these spineless and repulsive bible thumping ass clowns, legal fees. is him self not fit to sit on the bench in this country. I would support a campain to publish his name to all veteran sites, and anyone who votes. to make a strong and bold statement by making sure this complete retard of a judge never puts on a robe and sits on the federal bench again. Americans should send a strong message to elected officials that, when it comes to something like this we will not sit idle by while morons protest at military funeral serveces and if someone gets hurt. its the sole responsibility of the Judge for his outlandish ruling.. Veterans have for too long been shit on by the Government when we need help. it’s time this country recognize that they owe their way of life, and freedom to the less than 1% that have the balls to step up and do what is needed to keep this great nation safe. MR. Snyder dont pay those fuckes a dime. and Mr O’Rilley, don’t you give them a single red cent. let them crawl back in their hole in kansas and hopefully contract cancer, Aids, find out the preacher’s son likes to suck dicks and his daughter is a full blown dike, now wouldnt that just burn that family up. since they concider themselves to so high and mighty.. they need to shut the fuck up and prey they don’t have an accident. JUST LEAVE THE BRAVE YOUNG MEN AND THEIR FAMILYS ALONE AND LET THEM BURY THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS IN PIECE, I’m sure you can go picket a Homosexual parade somewhere like New York, or Chicago and see how those people greet you with a foot in your ass…God Bless America, and God Bless the Brave young men and women that make the ultimate sacrifice for all of the people in this country. even the retards in kansas…
Sorry for my rant, but this shit is unacceptible,,, dumb ass fucking judge…..
cant wait to see the election resualts next time he’s up for reelection. or maybe he or she should just be removed from the bench by those over them…….
SSG J
Where are the police dogs and firehoses when you need them?
“The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit”…
That says it ALL!
This is the worst court in the US. Ultra conservative pricks work here, and don’t care about anyones’ rights.
If it is possible, avoid this appeals court at all costs if you want to prevail in your case.
I e-mailed “Pastor” Phelps and reminded him of Exodus Chapter 20 V3-17:
“You Have Brought False Witness Unto Me!” Didn’t get a reply, no surprise
there. By the way, what was the name of the judge who ruled on this case?
I’d love to give him my opinion.
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Dear Mr. Snyder,
God Bless You & your son for fighting for even inbred low lifes like the thank God for dead soldiers group!
I watched the View today and saw this story today And I was outraged! Just when I thought I’ve seen it all! I can’t believe the America Haters in this country! These people should be at least tried for treason!!!
Mr. Snyder!! I just can’t imagine how much pain your feeling right now!!! The President owes you a speech for this out rage!
I’m an out of work Iron Worker right now, but my next unemployment check, I will donate. It won’t be much, but it’s the best I can do!! I’m Sorry I’m not using my real name, but I don’t feel comfortable using it on the internet! I’ll give you my real name when I mail you the Donation!!
Again! God Bless You & Your Son! You folks are why we have a country!
As a disabled U.S. Vietnam Veteran, I feel so angry that this degenerate, the “REV” Phelps, is not only ALLOWED to spout his hateful venom, but is SUPPORTED by the high courts! When I returned from Vietnam in 1969, I was spit on and called a babykiller. That was bad enough, but THIS is worse.
Sixteen years ago, as a public school teacher, I started a class on tolerance after one of my students was speared through the brain in a hate-related crime (see my website at joemoros.com ), and, while doing my research, I became acquainted with the “Rev.” Phelps. After 16 years, I was hoping that this heinous creature would finally be burning in hell. But no such luck. I am sorry that this disgusting behavior is allowed in this country