Gay Soldier's Father has to Pay Anti-Gay Picketers Who Picketed his Son's Funeral

So, here is the 411 on what happened. Al Snyder’s son died in Iraq in May 2006. Members of the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church picketed his son Matthew’s funeral, with signs reading things like “Thank God for Dead Gay Soldiers.” So, the young man’s father went to court and got a $5,000,000 settlement. The church appealed the settlement based on their right to free speech and won. So, the long and the short of it is that Matthew’s father was ordered to pay court costs ($16,000) to the church to pay their legal fees.

Are you kidding me? Can you be serious?

The man lost his son, had his son’s funeral desecrated by these people from Fred Phelp’s church in Kansas, and now he has to pay them? Dorothy needs to return to Kansas and set these people straight. I really don’t understand people who hide behind church, the Bible and God while spitting hatred toward those they don’t understand.

Gays in the military is only an issue in this country. All our allies (England, France, Israel, etc.) allow gays to serve openly in their military units. Every one of them. They say there is no problem with it. We are supposed to be the military leader of the free world and we are living in the McCarthy-type era of ostracizing those that are different than our reported norm? What is wrong with us? And, why haven’t I done anything about it? Seriously, I sent an email this morning saying I will donate $500 to help pay the costs that the soldier’s father needs to pay. I hope it finds its way to the father of that young man who served his country – our country – honorably and died in the process. The thought that he should have to write a check is just not acceptable to me.

When will the silent majority which includes me stand up and be counted?

Matthew, may you rest in peace. Obama, stand up and get this thing fixed. Now. Today.

In case, you didn’t notice, I’m mad as hell.