In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court affirmed that the Westboro Baptist Church, the Kansas-based extended political/religious family of Fred Phelps, has the right to picket military funerals, despite the pain it causes those grieving. Justice Samuel Alito dissented.

The Westboro Baptist Church has been protesting military funerals for years, waiving signs that read "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" on the premise that the military is sinful for allowing gays to serve. Running into them is a major drag, especially before 9 a.m.

The Westboro people had been sued by the father of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, after they picketed his son's funeral in Maryland. He alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress, intrusion upon seclusion, and civil conspiracy. After initially winning his case, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the decision in favor of Westboro's argument that it was protected by the First Amendment.

Today, the Supreme Court affirmed it.

In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that "While these messages," e.g., "God Hates Fags," Thank God for IEDs," etc., "may fall short of refined social commentary, the issues they highlight--the political and moral conduct of the United States and its citizens, the fate of our Nation, homosexuality in the military, and scandals involving the Catholic clergy--are matters of public import."