This week the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Snyder v. Phelps. It is a case regarding the First Amendment of our Constitution. And it goes to the very core of Constitutional law.
"Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, seemingly has made it his personal crusade to disrupt military funerals. To blatantly disregard the sacrifice, dignity and honor of our troops, their families and the very fabric that, for generations, has laid down their lives for the very right he claims ... freedom of speech.
In March, 2006, Albert Snyder was doing what no parent should ever have to do ... burying his son. Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder died in Iraq. As the flag-draped coffin was being escorted to Lance Corporal Snyder's final resting place members of this so-called church, traveled a thousand miles to be at the funeral and exercise their interpretation of freedom of speech.
They did it by carrying such signs as: "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "Thank God for IEDs".
The physical and mental trauma this young marine's family were subjected to can only be imagined.
A jury found the church liable for intentional affliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and civil conspiracy. However, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the verdict ruling the First Amendment protected Westboro's speech.
As a combat veteran I cannot be objective in this case. The argument is made that not upholding the appeals court's decision may lead to a curtailment of this very right to include the reporting of news and freedom of the press. Yet, is there a line to be drawn?
In the past I have escorted friends, fellow soldiers, from the battlefield to their final resting place. There are no words that can describe the emotions, the sadness and the absolute solemnity of this task.
Ask anyone who has been in combat and they will tell you they abhor violence. Ask anyone who has ever worn the uniform of our military services if they would desecrate the service of a brother or sister in arms and they will probably respond they would choose death before dishonor.
I do not advocate violence. But in this One Person's View I can't help but think if this group of extremists "thank God for IEDs" then perhaps He should line their walkway with a few so they can tell Him in person.
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