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It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. A more deserving fellow. If you wonder why I feel that way take a look at the Phelps' biography. If you still don't know after reading that, use the Google search (above) with the words "Phelps" and "Mother Teresa" or "Phelps" and "Princess Diana" or "Phelps" and "Matthew Shepherd" and you'll perhaps start to get a clue.
The short version - A father had a son who died in Iraq serving the United States. (Put aside for a moment whether you believe we should or should not be in Iraq, we're there, this young man was serving, he was killed, his father was grieving.)
Rev. Phelps picketed the funeral, sharing such delightful ideas as Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."
Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while his daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag and carried a sign that read "God hates fag enablers."
See, Phelps believes that the U.S. is "losing" the war effort because of it's "leniency" on gays and gay issues.
Phelps and family has been picketing the funerals of AIDS victims for years - but this time he picked on the wrong person.
The father sued Phelps and his "church" and they were found liable for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
And the father was awarded damages in the amount of $10.9 million.
Lest we feel too sorry for Phelps, he and his flock (which consists only of his family) have been suing people and organizations for years. Creating situations where they might have a case, prevailing often enough to keep themselves afloat.