A zealot isn't welcome in Maryland...Snyder verdict...

In March of 2006, members of the Westboro Baptist Church, of Topeka Kansas, interrupted the traquility of a western Maryland town.

They weren't welcomed.

They protested the funeral of Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, born and raised in Westminster, because as they put it, the reason why the soliders are dying is because homosexuality is running rampant in the US. They believe that the deaths are punishment for the "tolerance" of homosexuality.

Yesterday, in federal court here in Baltimore; Andrew Snyder, Matthew's father; was awarded $10.9 million dollars for compensatory damages, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress. Snyder states that the only reason why he sued the church was to get them to stop. That it tainted the memory of a day when he was supposed to be remembering his son.

But, alas, as most zealots are, they won't stop. The leader of the church stated to the public that this law suit only elevated this to something even more important. That they are now making more signs, thanking god for $10.9 million. The church has assets around $1 million, so who knows what's going to happen next.

My question is this....I'm a Christian, I'll state that right off. I am. I was NEVER taught this kind of hate in my years of paraochial school. I was never taught that just because someone is different makes them horrible. I cannot express how saddened it makes me to see people that protest these things. It's a funeral. It's not somewhere you can make a political statement.

What Mr. Snyder has done is set a precedent for other families. But wow. Why should other families have to experience what the Snyder family went through as they were grieving for their son?? I know these people. You have watched them before as well. They were in Laramie Wyoming when Mathew Shepard was murdered. They will be back. I'm all for standing up for what you believe in, protesting something that you feel is vehemently wrong, but the locale, and the decision to interrupt normal citizen's lives, it is a disgusting part of the collateral damage of this war.

I can't really say if I'm for or against this war anymore. It has become part of the American culture at this point. We know that under Bush we have war. Someone in a political article yesterday expressed that it's time for a change, regardless of what it is, and I can't agree more. Is it time for a more moderate Republican? Sure. Is it time for a liberal's Democrat? Why not? Prove to me that you can do the job of keeping me and my family safe, pay for higher education, keep my medical costs down without taking it out of my taxes, I'd be happy to listen to whatever you have to say. This development with the Snyders here in Maryland has only made the decision harder.

The 2008 elections are more important than ever. As a woman, has Hilary proven that she can do the job? Not yet, not to me. As part of the disabled community, has anyone come out charging as the front runner? Nope. I like Edwards because of his health care plan, I like Thompson, but don't ask me why yet, because I haven't quite been able to formulate that answer. I like Rudy despite his phalandering ways.

Is there a solution to the zealots? Nope. I have often been quoted as stating, "I'm a Catholic, don't call me judgemental or a hypocrite, and I won't call you a jack*ss." And, I firmly believe that.