Guest Baldin Lee Pramer Posted November 1, 2007 Posted November 1, 2007 On Oct 27, 6:12 am, "MioMyo" <USA_Patr...@Somewhere.com> wrote: > because their ideological ends meet & agree with hating Bush & the military > so? It would also afford the ACLU the breathing room to claim they believe > in religion while the truth is they only align with fanatics like the > Westboro Baptist church kooks in their hatred of God & country! You don't understand how the ACLU works. Get a little education before shooting your mouth off. BLP Quote
Guest z Posted November 1, 2007 Posted November 1, 2007 On Oct 27, 8:12 am, "MioMyo" <USA_Patr...@Somewhere.com> wrote: > because their ideological ends meet & agree with hating Bush & the military > so? It would also afford the ACLU the breathing room to claim they believe > in religion while the truth is they only align with fanatics like the > Westboro Baptist church kooks in their hatred of God & country! > > http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_7277523?source=most_viewed > > BALTIMORE -- The father of a Marine killed in Iraq took the stand in his > invasion of privacy suit against a fundamentalist church that pickets > soldiers' funerals, saying protesters carrying signs at his son's burial > made him sick to his stomach. > > Albert Snyder said Wednesday he had hoped for a private funeral for his son, > Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder. > > "They turned this funeral into a media circus and they wanted to hurt my > family," Snyder testified. "They wanted their message heard and they didn't > care who they stepped over. My son should have been buried with dignity, not > with a bunch of clowns outside." > > Snyder is suing the Westboro Baptist church, whose members have picketed the > funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, claiming the > deaths are punishment for the country's tolerance of homosexuality. The York > resident is seeking unspecified monetary damages in the case for invasion of > privacy and intent to inflect emotional distress as a result of the Topeka, > Kan., church's protest at his son's funeral in Westminster in March 2006. > > The church's protests have inspired several state laws and a federal law > about funeral protests, but the Maryland suit is believed to be the first > filed by the family of a fallen serviceman. > > Asked Wednesday about a sign that read "Thank God for dead soldiers," Snyder > said he thinks about it daily. > > "I see that sign when I lay in bed," Snyder said. > > Asked about statements issued by the group that his son was raised to > support the "Roman Catholic monstrosity" and then sent to fight for the > "United States of Sodomy," Snyder said "they have no right to do this to > people they didn't know." > > During cross-examination, defense attorney Jonathan Katz focused on > obituaries and death notices and questioned Snyder on whether they said the > funeral services were private. Snyder replied that the notices said friends > and family were welcome, but admitted that he did not know all of the 500 or > so people who attended. > > The case tests the limits of the First Amendment right to free speech. > > U.S. District Court Judge Richard Bennett instructed jurors at the start of > testimony Tuesday that the First Amendment protection of free speech has > limits, including vulgar, offensive and shocking statements. Bennett said > the jurors must decide "whether the defendant's actions would be highly > offensive to a reasonable person, whether they were extreme and outrageous, > and whether these actions were so offensive and shocking as to not be > entitled to First Amendment protection." > > Church members said they are motivated by the fear of God and their need to > warn America about its moral decay, rather than a desire to hurt anyone. > > Katz told jurors Tuesday the protests took place 1,000 feet away from St. > John Catholic Church, where the funeral was held, down a hill and out of > sight and hearing from participants. > > Snyder said American military personnel are in Iraq fighting for freedom of > speech "they're not fighting for hate speech." One photo showing a child > holding a sign at the funeral protest was particularly disturbing, the > father said. > > "I pray for their children. Their children need help. To be brought up with > that kind of hatred," Snyder said. > > "My God is loving God," Snyder said, adding later "I don't look for hatred > in the Bible." > > The church's founder and pastor, Fred Phelps, took the stand after Snyder > and prompted a strong admonition from Bennett when the pastor said he had > not considered whether children would see a sign carried by protesters with > the words "Semper Fi Fags" and two stick figures that appear to be engaged > in sodomy. > > "No, it's an irrelevancy," Phelps said. > > Bennett then interjected sharply. > > "Just answer the question, sir. Don't determine what's relevant or not > relevant. You just answer the question," Bennett said. > > Phelps said he chose to use the term "fag" in the group's signs because it > comes from scripture but could also have used Sodomite or dog. When asked by > Katz why the group made a "Semper Fi Fags" sign, Phelps said it was in > response to the need for a warning to the country "that your wicked ways are > going to be your doom shortly." I imagine God will step in and save them. Quote
Guest Lamont Cranston Posted November 1, 2007 Posted November 1, 2007 "Baldin Lee Pramer" <baldinpramer@msn.com> wrote in message news:1193928915.244254.191110@o38g2000hse.googlegroups.com... > On Oct 27, 6:12 am, "MioMyo" <USA_Patr...@Somewhere.com> wrote: >> because their ideological ends meet & agree with hating Bush & the >> military >> so? It would also afford the ACLU the breathing room to claim they >> believe >> in religion while the truth is they only align with fanatics like the >> Westboro Baptist church kooks in their hatred of God & country! > > You don't understand how the ACLU works. Get a little education before > shooting your mouth off. > > BLP > RECENT ACLU CASES DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF CHRISTIANS Rhode Island ACLU (2006) filed an appeal in federal court on behalf of an inmate who was barred from preaching during Christian religious services, something he had done for the past seven years under the supervision and support of prison clergy. The prisoner, Wesley Spratt, believes his preaching is a calling from God. Prison officials cited vague and unsubstantiated security reasons for imposing the preaching ban on Mr. Spratt. The ACLU argued that the ban violates Mr. Spratt's religious freedoms guaranteed to prisoners under federal law. http://www.riaclu.org/20060111.html The ACLU of Pennsylvania (2005) (in conjunction with Americans United) in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District won a Federal court case on behalf of parents of public school children against the school district that had attempted to impose religious beliefs on those who did not share them. (For the opinion see: http://www.aclu.org/religion/schools/23137lgl20051220.html) The parents objected that the religious beliefs, under the guise "intelligent design" as an alternative to the theory of evolution, violated their religious liberty by promoting particular religious beliefs to their children under the guise of science education. http://www.aclu.org/religion/intelligentdesign/index.html The ACLU of Nevada (2005) defended the free exercise rights and free speech rights of evangelical Christians to preach on the sidewalks of the Strip in Las Vegas. http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=3379553&nav=15MVaB2T The ACLU of New Mexico (2005) joined forces with the American Family Association to succeed in freeing a preacher, Shawn Miller, from the Roosevelt County jail, where he was held for 109 days for street preaching. The ACLU became involved at the request of Miller's wife, Theresa. http://www.stcynic.com/blog/ archives/2005/08/aclu_defends_another_street_pr.php; http://www.aclu.org/religion/gen/19918prs20050804.html The ACLU of New Jersey (2005) filed a a motion to submit a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of Olivia Turton, a second-grade student who was forbidden from singing "Awesome God" in a voluntary, after-school talent show. The only restriction on the student's selection for the talent show was that it be "G-rated." The case, filed in federal court, is Turton, et al. v. Frenchtown Elementary School, et al. http://www.aclu.org/religion/schools/20174prs20050920.html The ACLU of Michigan (2005) filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Joseph Hanas, a Catholic, who was criminally punished for not completing a drug rehabilitation program run by the Pentecostal group. Part of the program required reading the Bible for seven hours a day, proclaiming one's salvation at the alter, and being tested on Pentecostal principles. Staff confiscated Mr. Hanas's rosary and told him Catholicism was witchcraft. http://www.aclu.org/religion/govtfunding/22354prs20051206.html The ACLU of Louisiana (2005) filed suit against the Department of Corrections on behalf of a Mormon inmate, Norman Sanders, who was denied the right to practice his religion by being denied access to religious texts, including The Book of Mormon, and Mormon religious services. "Mormons should receive the same accommodation of their beliefs as do individuals of other faiths," said Joe Cook, Executive Director, ACLU of Louisiana. "Fair and equal treatment means they deserve the right to a place to meet, have a minister and discuss their beliefs like other groups." http://www.laaclu.org/SandersvCain; http://www.laaclu.org/News/2005/Aug26SandersvCain.htm The ACLU of Pennsylvania (2005) won a battle against Turtle Creek Borough that repeatedly denied an occupancy permit to a predominantly African-American church, Ekklesia, which had purchased the church building from a predominantly white parish. The case is Ekklesia Church v. Borough of Turtle Creek. The case was settled. http://www.aclupa.org/downloads/SpringDocket.pdf The ACLU of Oregon (2004-05) filed suit on behalf of high school basketball players from an Adventist school against the Oregon School Activities Association, which administers competitive athletic and artistic competitions in Oregon high schools. The ACLU argued that the Adventist basketball players who have made it to the state tournament should not be required to play tournament games on Saturday, their Sabbath. The case, argued in Oregon courts, is Nakashima v. Board Of Education. http://www.aclu-or.org/litigation/portlandadventacademy/PAA.html The ACLU of Nevada (2004) represented a Mormon high school student, Kim Jacobs, who school authorities suspended and then attempted to expel for not complying with the school dress code and wearing T-shirts with religious messages. Jacobs won a preliminary victory in court where the judge ruled the school could not expel her for not complying with the dress code. The First Amendment issue of student expression is before the Ninth Circuit. http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/text/2004/sep/09/517482854.html; http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2004/nov/19/517853141.html The ACLU of Washington (2004) reached a favorable settlement on behalf of Donald Ausderau, a Christian minister, who wanted to preach to the public on Plaza sidewalks. http://www.aclu-wa.org/detail.cfm?id=57 The ACLU of Virginia (2004) interceded with local authorities on behalf of Baptist preachers who were refused permission to perform baptisms in the river in Falmouth Waterside Park in Stafford County. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A16839-2004Jun4; http://www.aclu.org/religion/discrim/16230prs20040603.html The Indiana Civil Liberties Union (2004) filed suit against the city of Scottsburg for their repeated threats of arrest and/or citation against members of the Old Paths Baptist Church for demonstrating regarding various subjects dealing with their religious beliefs. http://www.iclu.org/news/news_article.asp?ID=978 The ACLU of Pennsylvania (2005) won a battle against Turtle Creek Borough that repeatedly denied an occupancy permit to a predominantly African-American church, Ekklesia, which had purchased the church building from a predominantly white parish. The case is Ekklesia Church v. Borough of Turtle Creek. The case was settled. With the help of the ACLU of Pennsylvania Greater Pittsburgh Chapter (2004), the Church Army, an Episcopal social service group, was able to keep its program of feeding the homeless running. The ACLU convinced the County Health Department to reverse a decision that meals served to homeless people in a church must be cooked on the premises, as opposed to individual homes. Had the decision not been reversed, the ministry would have been forced to cease the program. The ACLU of Pennsylvania (2004) was victorious in its arguments that government had to accommodate Amish drivers who used highly reflective gray tape on their buggies instead of orange triangles, to which the Amish objected for religious reasons. http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20021020amish1020p6.asp. The ACLU of New Jersey (2004) appeared as amicus curaie in opposition to a prosecutor's act of striking potential jurors from a jury pool based on the fact that the prosecutor perceived those individuals to be "demonstrative about their religion." One potential juror was a missionary; the other juror was wearing Muslim religious garb, including a skull cap. The ACLU-NJ argued that such an action violates the religion clauses of both the United States and New Jersey Constitutions. It also argued that not only is it inappropriate for jurors to be struck because they are demonstrable about their religion but, in addition, such a basis will often amount to a removal based upon a particular religious belief or affiliation and will lead to discrimination against identifiable religious minorities. The case is State v. Fuller (NJ SCt 2004). http://www.aclu-nj.org/legal/closedcasearchive/statevlloydfuller.htm The ACLU of Pennsylvania (2004) settled a lawsuit on behalf of Second Baptist Church of Homestead, a predominantly African-American church that had been denied a zoning permit to operate in a church building purchased by a white congregation. The occupancy permit was awarded in 2002, and in 2004, the Borough of West Mifflin agreed to pay damages and compensate the church for its loses. The case is Second Baptist Church of Homestead v. Borough of West Mifflin. http://www.post-gazette.com/neigh_south/20021029churchsuitsouth2p2.asp; http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20021116aclureg6p6.asp; http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04111/303298.stm The ACLU of Massachusetts (2003) intervened on behalf of a group of students at Westfield High School who were suspended for distributing candy canes and a religious message in school. The ACLU succeeded in having the suspensions revoked and filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit brought on behalf of the students against the school district. Students who were suspended include Daniel S. Souza, Stephen J. Grabowski, Sharon L. Sitler and Paul Sitler. http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12828prs20030221.html The ACLU of Rhode Island (2003) interceded on behalf of an interdenominational group of carolers who were denied the opportunity to sing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve to inmates at the women's prison in Cranston, Rhode Island. http://www.rifrn.net/blog/blogs/noskin_b.php?p=45&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The Iowa Civil Liberties Union (2002) publicly supported a group of Christian students who filed a lawsuit against Davenport Schools asserting their right to distribute religious literature during non-instructional time. The ICLU filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the suit on behalf of the students. http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/religion/12811prs20020711.html The ACLU of Massachusetts (2002) filed a brief supporting the right of the Church of the Good News to run ads criticizing the secularization of Christmas and promoting Christianity as the "one true religion" after the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority refused to allow the paid advertisements to be posted and to sell additional advertising space to the church. http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/10925prs20020108.html The ACLU of Virginia (2002) joined the Rev. Jerry Falwell in winning a lawsuit arguing the Virginia Constitution's provision that bans religious organizations from incorporating is unconstitutional. http://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/16040prs20020417.html The ACLU of Michigan (beginning in 2001) represented Abby Moler, a student at Sterling Heights Stevenson High School, whose yearbook entry was deleted because of its religious content. http://www.freep.com/cgi-bin/forms/printerfriendly.pl; http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12845prs20040511.html The ACLU of Massachusetts (2000) defended inmate Peter Kane's right to exercise his religious beliefs when prison officials confiscated his rosary beads. The rosary beads were black and white and prison rules allow only solid-colored beads. http://www.firmstand.org/news/rosary.html The ACLU of Virginia (2000) represented Charles D. Johnson, a street preacher who was convicted under Richmond's noise ordinance. The Virginia Court of Appeals reversed his conviction in 2000. The case is Johnson v. City of Richmond, 2000 WL 1459848 (Va. App. 2000). The ACLU of Virginia (1999) filed suit against the Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management on behalf of Michelle Hall, a Jehovah's Witness who was fired from her job as a produce worker at Ft. Belvoir commissary because she refused to sign a loyalty oath. Ms. Hall objected to a phrase in the oath, that she would "bear true faith and allegiance to" the Constitution, because it contradicts her undivided allegiance and faithfulness to Jehovah. The ACLU argued the oath violated Ms. Hall's freedom of religion and speech rights. In a settlement, Ms. Hall was reinstated and given back pay. http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=8521; pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/61421555.html The ACLU of Eastern Missouri (1999) secured a favorable settlement for a nurse, Miki M. Cain, who was fired for wearing a cross-shaped lapel pin on her uniform. legalminds.lp.findlaw.com/list/news/msg00021.html The ACLU of Virginia (1997-1999) represented Rita Warren and her mission to erect a cr Quote
Guest mezawadzki@gmail.com Posted November 1, 2007 Posted November 1, 2007 Found another one ... http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10170321 Quote
Guest MioMyo Posted November 2, 2007 Posted November 2, 2007 "Baldin Lee Pramer" <baldinpramer@msn.com> wrote in message news:1193928915.244254.191110@o38g2000hse.googlegroups.com... > On Oct 27, 6:12 am, "MioMyo" <USA_Patr...@Somewhere.com> wrote: >> because their ideological ends meet & agree with hating Bush & the >> military >> so? It would also afford the ACLU the breathing room to claim they >> believe >> in religion while the truth is they only align with fanatics like the >> Westboro Baptist church kooks in their hatred of God & country! > > You don't understand how the ACLU works. Get a little education before > shooting your mouth off. Make me shit-for-brains! > > BLP > Quote
Guest Sid9 Posted November 3, 2007 Posted November 3, 2007 MioMyo wrote: > "Baldin Lee Pramer" <baldinpramer@msn.com> wrote in message > news:1193928915.244254.191110@o38g2000hse.googlegroups.com... >> On Oct 27, 6:12 am, "MioMyo" <USA_Patr...@Somewhere.com> wrote: >>> because their ideological ends meet & agree with hating Bush & the >>> military >>> so? It would also afford the ACLU the breathing room to claim they >>> believe >>> in religion while the truth is they only align with fanatics like >>> the Westboro Baptist church kooks in their hatred of God & country! >> >> You don't understand how the ACLU works. Get a little education >> before shooting your mouth off. > > Make me shit-for-brains! > >> >> BLP Nobody can "Make you get a little education" Stay as dumb as you are. jr needs cannon fodder for his wars Quote
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