Bad People.  Bad Ruling.

This is a bad ruling.

A US church whose members cheered the death of a soldier as “punishment” for the nation’s sins has been ordered to pay $10.9m (£5.2m) in damages.

The Westboro Baptist Church was taken to court by the father of Lance Cpl Matthew Snyder, a marine who died serving in Iraq in March 2006.

The church cited its constitutional right to free speech in its defence.

But Albert Snyder’s lawyer urged the jury to ensure the damages were high enough to stop the church campaigning.

Members of the church - based in Topeka, Kansas - have denounced homosexuality for years, initially targeting the funerals of Aids victims but later extending their pickets to the funerals of soldiers, who they say are being punished by god.

Last year they caused outrage when they attended the funeral of Matthew Snyder with signs reading “Thank god for dead soldiers” and “You’re going to hell”.

On Wednesday, the jury ordered the church and three of its leaders to pay $2.9m in compensatory damages, and an additional $8m for invasion of privacy and for causing emotional distress.

Don’t get me wrong… what these despicable pieces of somewhat human slug crap do is beyond contempt and I cheer those who show up to counter their obscene actions.  But if the 1st amendment is to mean anything, it should mean that we allow people to assemble and speak their minds - even if their minds are filled with garbage.