I would say "I can't believe this", but unfortunately, I can

[mickeym]

Dead Marine's father ordered to pay protesters' legal costs - The father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church says an order to pay the protesters' legal costs in a civil claim is nothing less than a "slap in the face."

Westboro Baptist Church, in case anyone needs a refresher, is Fred Phelps' church; the one that has a website "godhatesfags.com", and who picket military funerals, saying our men and women are being killed over there as punishment for allowing the sin of homosexuality.

The attorney for WBC is Phelps' daughter, and she had the balls to say that the money they receive from the ordered payment will go to fund further protests.

I very seldom use the word hate, but in this case? Oh, yes. I hate Fred Phelps and everyone who allies themselves with him.

Comments

[azephirin.livejournal.com]

This blows my mind—and also embarrasses me, since the 4th Circuit is my region's federal court of appeals. They're usually relatively sane; I can't believe they'd do something like that. (I've also read some 4th Circuit opinions about legal fees and court costs, and in many cases they reduced the fees based on hardship—for lawsuits far less valid than this one. I'd really like to know which judge issued that order, but unfortunately the document isn't on the Snyders' Web site [yet].)

I'm glad the Supreme Court is hearing the case. I hope they're able to come up with something that doesn't infringe on First Amendment rights but that allows these families to grieve in peace. (Also, a defeat in the Supreme Court would be a beautiful slap in the face to Phelps et al.)