Who hasn’t rolled their eyes upon hearing of grand rewards given to people suing for “emotional distress?” Typically these types of lawsuits are awarded to individuals for untold thousands of dollars, and we dredge up pithy lines around the water cooler about them “hogging up the system” and “wasting taxpayer dollars.”

But here’s one I’ll bet we can all appreciate: A Baltimore court has ordered Fred Phelps and friends to pay 10.9 (Dr. Evil voice) million dollars to the family of fallen Marine Matthew Snyder. More in this Reuters Article

For those not aware, Fred Phelps is the pasty looking leader of Topeka’s Westboro Baptist Church, and claims to represent God at various high profile functions informing the public through placards and megaphones that God hates our country. And fags. Phelp’s latest project has been tooling around the U.S. protesting the funerals of soldiers on the grounds that our country is immoral, hence fighting for our country supports our immorality. Or something like that. I never bothered to pollute my mind with the actual details.

Defense attorney Jonathan Katz urged jurors not to award punitive damages because the $2.9 million in compensatory damages was already three times the defendants’ net worth. It’s enough already to bankrupt them and financially destroy them,” Katz said.

Boo Hoo. Let’s hope so. I’m for free speech, and I’m for public demonstrations. From a legal point is there anything technically wrong with what Phelps and crew do outside of funeral homes? I don’t know, but the harassment charge was certainly enough to justify him guilty. Is there ONE person (barring Ann Coulter) outside of Phelp’s family who agrees with and supports his actions? Does this contradict my views that there are no limits on free speech, and free speech should not be conditional? Perhaps, but collectively I think everyone from all political and religious stances would agree that Fred Phelps is nothing more than a self-promoting insufferable asshole. I’d dare say that the overwhelming horrific emotions of Phelps and his history had more clout in the jury room than his free speech rights did.

The church, which is unaffiliated with any major denomination, is headed by Rev. Fred Phelps, who has led a campaign against homosexuality for years. Most of the estimated 70 members of the church belong to his extended family.

Outside court on Wednesday, Phelps and his children waved placards with slogans such as “Pray for more dead kids” and “God hates fag enablers,” while passing drivers and pedestrians shouted abuse at them.

If you do unfortunately happen to be attending the funeral of a serviceman or woman and don’t care for the despicable visual and audio trash of the Fred Phelps clan - then give the Patriot Guard a call. These motorcycle riders have been gathering for a few years now for the express purpose of providing escorts and public and personal buffers to families that need it at the worst times of their lives. The Patriot Guard proves that our country IS full of good people, and when one deranged lunatic takes over the press and public space, thousands gather to silence him.

Further reading: An editorial by Boston Globe’s Jeff Jacoby, and Matthew Snyder’s site at matthewsnyder.org

James Van Dellen