As a bit of a prologue, a few months ago, I donated some money to a gentleman named Al Snyder. His son was killed in Iraq in 2006, and at his funeral, Fred Phelps and his homies from the Westboro Baptist Church (of the "God Hates Fags" fame) of course chose to saddle up and picket the poor kid's funeral.
Mr. Snyder sued claiming intentional infliction of emotional distress and won $11 million. Phelps, naturally, appealed and ultimately got the verdict thrown out on 1st Amendment grounds. The Supreme court granted cert and will hear the case, Snyder v. Phelps, in the October term.
After the verdict was overturned, Mr. Snyder, who is neither a rich nor a powerful person, was required to pay $16,000 in legal fees to Fred Phelps.
Even though I don't support either the war in Afghanistan or Iraq, I donated to this guy because no one whose child dies should have to have Fred Phelps being such an asshole at the lowest point in their lives. From my donation, I get this weekly email newsletter.
This week, the newsletter tells me that Mr. Snyder and his attorneys have lined up 48 out of 50 state attorneys general to sign on to an amicus brief supporting Snyder.
Would anyone like to take a guess who the ONLY person who is actively saying no to being the last of the 50 state AGs?
Anybody?
From the newsletter:
The support you have provided to help Al Snyder accomplish his mission of getting all 50 states on board the amicus brief in support of Snyder v. Phelps to help stop protests at military funerals is outstanding! But, you are not going to believe this. Virginia is the first state to affirmatively recommend to its Attorney General that the Commonwealth of Virginia NOT participate in an amicus brief. The residents of Virginia should be sick to their stomach!
Boy, you're not kidding.
So, in the spirit of helping a deserving dad of a fallen soldier and to hit Ken Cuccinelli where it hurts, I'm going to copy the links provided to me by Mr. Snyder here:
Ken Cuccinelli's info:
The telephone number is (804) 786-2071 and the fax number is (804) 786-1991, the website is: www.vaag.com. Also, please contact his campaign headquarters to let them know, telephone (703) 766-0635, 10560 Main Street, Suite 218, Fairfax, VA 22030, http://www.cucunelli.com
Republican Party of Virginia: Chairman Pat Mullins, telephone (804) 780-0111, fax (804) 343-1060, address: The Richard D. Obenshain Center, 115 E. Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23219, website: http://www.rpv.org/...
I'm ready to turn this guy into hamburger meat.
And for good measure, please consider donating to Mr. Snyder to pay his lawyers and help offset the court-ordered lining of Fred Phelps' pockets here.