[Vision2020] House bill 1168

[Tom Hansen]

Although John Jones' brother is clearly guilty of the crime of assault and
Phelps had been the victim of such an assault, wouldn't extenuating
circumstances weigh heavily on the minds of the prosecutor, judge, and jury?

Somewhat of an analogy occurred a number of years ago between the National
Football League (NFL) and the now defunct United States Football League
(USFL), where the USFL filed an unfair competition suit against the NFL
seeking millions and millions and millions of dollars in damages.
Ultimately, the USFL did prove their case.  However, the judge felt that the
NFL was virtually public domain (or something like that) and should not
suffer potential bankruptcy and virtual extinction.  The judge ruled in
favor of the USFL and set damages at one dollar, needless to say what
eventually became of the USFL.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails." 

- Unknown 

-----Original Message-----

From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Sunil Ramalingam
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 10:26 AM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] House bill 1168

How much money does John Jones have?  Can Fred get anything out of that 
suit?  Can Phelps sue someone else?  If the answer to those questions is 
'No,' is Fred going to get a lawyer to represent him in the civil case?

Is a prosecutor going to want to go forward with the criminal case?  Is a 
jury going to either convict John or give Fred money?

Sunil


>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
>To: "'Sunil Ramalingam'" <sunilramalingam at hotmail.com>,        
><vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] House bill 1168
>Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 10:21:21 -0800
>
>One potentially possible (although fictional, for now) scenario:
>
>Fred Phelps and his group (complete with megaphones and signs) shows up at,
>and protests, the funeral of Sergeant John Jones.  After the funeral (or
>possibly during) John Jones' brother, who is visibly irate about Phelps'
>presence, confronts Fred Phelps and subsequently punching Phelps in the 
>face
>several times.  Phelps files criminal assault charges against John Jones'
>brother, followed up with civil litigation seeking punitive damages.
>
>Question for Sunil:  How do you believe such a case would proceed?  Who do
>you feel would win in such a case?
>
>Tom Hansen
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the 
>tranquil
>and steady dedication of a lifetime."
>
>--Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>
>
>From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
>On Behalf Of Sunil Ramalingam
>Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 10:10 AM
>To: vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] House bill 1168
>
>The protesters are either Fred Phelps and his family or people from his
>church.  He's gone from protesting at the funerals of gays to protesting at
>troops' funerals.  The Hells Angels have shown up at some funerals to
>counter his group.
>
>I'm sure this bill will end up in court with Phelps arguing the First
>Amendment protects his right to protest at funerals.
>
>Sunil
>
>
>


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