First amendment at issue for soldier burials

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Updated: 3/09/2010 10:56 am
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a controversial case pitting the first amendment against the families of soldiers killed overseas.

"We have to have some respect for the families, whose children, whose wives, whose husbands, have given their life. It just wasn't about the picketing," said Albert Snyder.

Members of Westboro Baptist Church protested at Matthew Snyder's funeral and others around the country because they believe that all U.S. war deaths are God's punishment for allowing gays in the military.

This particular case happened in 2006, but you may remember back in 2005, this same group threatened to protest the funeral of Bakersfield soldier Private First Class Ramon Villatoro Junior.

They never came, but the prospect of them coming upset Villatoro's family.

"Tomorrow i will not say anything to them, but that doesn't mean that my heart will not be filled with a little bit of anger," said Amanda Villatoro.  "I'm just going to try, try, try to not do anything back."

As for Albert Snyder, he was awarded $5,000,000 in his original suit.

An appeals court threw it out, and now the Supreme Court must decide whether picketing a soldier's funeral is a first amendment right.

"I hope it comes out our way," said Snyder. "I hope it comes out this way for everybody. I mean, you know, if basically this isn't overturned, they're literally telling everybody, you have no right to bury anybody in peace."

A decision in this case isn't expected for several weeks.
 
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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of KGET TV 17 - In the Spirit of the Golden Empire

CannabisPride - 3/15/2010 6:35 PM
jhodge... What did you just do? Bahahaha. You state : Sorry, I won't waste my time arguing with idiots such as you. AND THEN, you say that I'm wrong for calling poeple names? Hahahaha! You're so adorable! markbase... That's funny! Because I repost our arguements and everyone I know laughs at you! Hahaha. Just because you're a brain washed redneck, that doesn't mean that the whole world is. And, 80 percent, eh? I doubt I've even talked to 80 percent of the people on this page. But, good job at making things up! Shows how smart you are! Mental midget? No. But, I guess that people like to say things to others that they know are true about themselves. You've never proven me wrong in a single conversation we've had. And, you obviously can't prove me wrong in this instance because you haven't. :). Thanks! I love being right! And, keep making those dope comments! We both know how many times you've proved to know less than me! THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS YOU TWO! IT MADE MY DAY!!!!

markbsae - 3/15/2010 8:16 AM
LMFAO! jhodge, it seems CP would leave this site after 80% of the posters have found out she is a mental midget. I laugh every time someone gets into an arguement with her only to find out it is like explaining quantum physics to a 4 year old. I did exactly the same thing. We all know why they call it dope right? Don't bother either CP, all I hear is charlie browns teacher when you reply. :o)

jhodge - 3/15/2010 6:26 AM
CannabisPride..Sorry, I won't waste my time arguing with idiots such as you. You think that throwing insults at people solidifies your stance? Grow up!

CannabisPride - 3/12/2010 3:42 PM
jhodge... What about what I said implies that I haven't? Did I say, "That's awesome that those people go and do this! Right on!" No. I made a valid point about our rights. And YES, we do, under the first amendment condone porn! Ever heard of the US versus Larry Flint? That was the most uninformed comment I have ever heard. And, how are you going to compare consenting adults having sex on video in the same regards as someone standing outside of a soldiers' funeral with a sign that says "Thank God for Dead Soldiers"... apparently, you're not coming off as a a moron, you just really are one. You through in something about child porn, I'm assuming. That has nothing to do with freedom of speech, though. Simple minded as you are, I guess you don't understand that freedom of speech and children's rights and molestation and rape are not the same thing. Shocking that you can't understand that concept. And, like I said, freedom of speech is there to protect the speech you DON'T like, not the speech you DO like. Is that really such a hard concept for your small brain to grasp? AND IT IS FOR ALL SPEECH! Saying it is only for some speech condradicts YOUR statement that "We put up with it. because it is their right to voice their opinions." And, I do blame Christianity. They cause this hysteria and lack of respect for freedom of speech. If Christians weren't so afraid that freedom of speech would lead people to realize how BS their religion is, the world would be a better place. You prove me right with every word you uttered. THANK GOODNESS FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT! We could do with less people like you, however.

jhodge - 3/12/2010 7:22 AM
Have you ever heard of decency and respect? Do we under the guise of 1st amendment condon porn? Do we under the guise of 1st amendment condon the luring of unsuspected youth to sexual preditors? Wise up, there is a lot of speech most people can't stand, most of which comes from politicans. We put up with it. because it is their right to voice their opinions. Please don't suggest that the 1st amendment is a blanket cover for all speech regardless of how offensive it is. Your attack on Christianity is way off the mark. Try to remember this one thing, bad communication corrupts good manners.

CannabisPride - 3/12/2010 1:01 AM
"This is not a 1st amendment issue! This is blatant disrespect and should not be allowed under any guise." The first amendment is there to protect the speech you DON'T like, not the speech you DO like. Saying that it's okay to ignore that for this is the same as spitting on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. As for the Christian family... this is the price of force-fed Christianity. You thump the Bible, don't be mad when others do the same to their own accord. I don't agree with WBC or the people who protest soldiers' funerals. But, I'll defend to the death their right to have freedom to speech. Our fore-fathers found this right so important, it was the first in our list of amendments. Ignore it if you like. And, they call hippies unpatriotic. HA!

jhodge - 3/10/2010 6:04 AM
The supreme court has made some bad calls in the past, hopefully they will get it right this time. This is not a 1st amendment issue! This is blatant disrespect and should not be allowed under any guise. The first amendment is not to be used as a tool to cover speech or actions that desicrate the proper norms of a civilized people. This so-called baptist church does not represent anything or anyone other than themselves, they certainly do not speak for the baptist faith. Christians all over our great nation are most supportive of our troops and their families and many of our boys are the bravest on the front lines. This so-called church is an embarassment to the true Christian family.

markbsae - 3/9/2010 9:00 PM
These protesters should be burned at the stake for taking a ceremony honoring the lives of brave solders and turning it into an opportunity to further their religious fruitcake agenda. No respect for people like this whatsoever. These nutjobs should be taken to an island along with the screwballs that kill abortion doctors and be left to rot.

firechick2002 - 3/9/2010 2:17 PM
These soilders died so that these ppl can have the right to do this, but seriously there is a time and place for everthing, at a soilders funeral ISNT the time or the place for that. I belive in God and I on acasions attend church, but I would never do this to anyone, even if they live a life I dont agree with.

jmabbott888 - 3/9/2010 1:14 PM
In my mind the first amendment is not the issue, it's the idea you just don't pull this crap at ANY funeral. If the "reverend" from that church died, I would not hold a protest at his funeral, he is a piece of crap but it is still not the time or place. This just shows that this "baptist" chucrch is low.
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