one of the things that upset albert snyder so much was a posting on this pastor's website that he saw 30 days later. >> but you cannot regulate websites in that way. that is crazy. >> there are postings on websites about all of us. >> he did not see the signs at the funeral. he saw them on television. >> how did kagan strike you? >> she seemed part of the gan. having covered the court for several decades, seeing three women out there, it felt really different. >> there you go prepa -- there you go. a vice president hillary clinton and secretary of state joe biden? >> i have no reason for doing anything other than dismissing the story and moving on. >> secretary of state responding to recent comments by bob woodward that a job swap with the ce-president joe biden prior to the 2012 election is on the table at the white house. this rumor has been floating around for months, colby. >> but robert gibbs knocked it down pretty hard, the press secretary, this week. i suspect we will not find the principals talk about this, but friends of hillary, who probably have a good idea. that is where i

senate and 48 states have rallied armed albert snyder but the aclu and media say the speech should be protected. >>> be sure to check in later as mary leads our coverage live from washington dc as he battles to protect other familys from this sort of protest. >> following a fire there yesterday. the blaze actually broke out in a building beline the mediterranean restaurant. they never reached the dining room but did damage the kitchen. they plan to open after the clean up in two to three day. >> >> a fire causes an apartment building to be evacuated last night after the blaze broke out at 20 stockville road. the fire also started in the kitchen. nobody was injured. >>> one man has been found guilty and faces the death penalty. steven hayes was found of raping jennifer petit and -- her husband did testify at the trial. he survived the athe trial. >> there's some relief, but my family is still gone. it doesn't bring them back. >> the jury will return to the court a week from monday to decide whether hayes should be given the death penalty or live in prison. a co-defendant will go on tri

after his son's funeral, albert snyder sued phelps and the church. that's why the case is in court. >> all we wanted to do was bury matt with dignity and respect. >> reporter: yesterday, church members rolled into washington and headed to what they think is the center of everything that's wrong in the world. the white house. ♪ no hesitation ♪ ♪ you got more perversion to display ♪ ♪ there's no part of you ♪ you have a pistol ready >> reporter: among the protesters on this chilly october afternoon, another counter protesters. >> do i agree with their message? absolutely not. but do i agree that they should have the right to come spread their filth, unfortunately for all of us, yes, i do. >> reporter: then, arlington. where just as soon as the busloads of westboro members started singing, a group of veterans on motorcycles showed up to try to drown them out. but westboro, not only are they used to these counter demonstrations, they laugh at what their opponents do. >> louder, ladies! louder! >> reporter: mocking the motorcycle revving as th

. >> that is albert snyder, the father of marine lance corporal matthew snyder, killed in iraq in 2006. the funeral was the target of members of a small kansas church who claimed that the death of soldiers and marines and others is god's punishment for homosexuality. he sued and a baltimore jury awarded him $10 million, and a judge cut in half, and it went to the supreme court. what were the arguments like? >> it was really interesting. you could see the justices really struggling with this. some of them were clearly looking for a way out, to carve out an exception for the funeral or to deal with the kind of society we live in now where you can kind of harass people on the internet with your posting and say unbelievable things that get published a far wider than they ever did before. but this is a very difficult thing to draw this kind of line. you could really see this and the arguments. >> i don't think that you can apply a standard of decency to any kind of political speech, because once you do, you have really changed something fundamental in the country. this is really -- i mean,

>> that is albert snyder, the father of marine lance corporal matthew snyder, who was killed in iraq and 2006. the funeral was started by members of a small topeka, kansas baptist church who claim that the deaths of the soldiers and marines and others in combat is god's punishment for whom such quality. -- for homosexuality. a baltimore jury are awarded him $10 million, a judge could have, -- cut it in half, and it went to the supreme court. what were the arguments like? >> it was interesting. you could see the justices will struggling with this. some of them were clearly looking for a way out, for an exception for a funeral or to deal with the kind of society we live in where you can harass people on the internet with your posting, the unbelievable things that get published.

albert snyder won a claim. however, it was overturned. >> there is a civilized way to express an opinion in america, but it does not involve intentionally inflicting emotional distress on others, intentionally harming a private citizen and a private funeral. >> speaking of the constitution, mr. snyder believes this is not about free speech or the first amendment. this is about harassment. reporting live, jennifer franciotti, wbal-tv 11 news. >> today marks the beginning of the 10th year of war in afghanistan. president obama wants to bring it to an end next year. tracie potts has more. >> president obama marked the ninth year of war by honoring 24-year-old staff seargeant rob miller, who died two years ago defending his comrades against insurgents in a cold afghan valley. >> they heard his voice. he had been hit. but still he kept calling out enemy positions. >> his parents said miller believed in the mission. >> he believed he was working for a good cause. >> but nine years and 1,200 lives later, critics say i

. >> reporter: it was such an emotional day for albert snyder. he now waits along with the rest of the nation, for this landmark decision on freedom of speech from the u.s. supreme court. i'm mary bubala, live in washington, d.c., back to you on television hill. >> thank you very much, mary. several baltimore veterans went to the supreme court in support of albert snyder today. we'll hear from them tonight. >>> a baltimore jury struggles through a verdict in a high- profile trial. they're considering the slaying of former councilmember ken harris. derek valcourt is following the deliberations. >> reporter: just before lunch, jurors indicated to the judge that there was some disagreement in the deliberation room, meaning this trial could be heading towards a hung jury. >> reporter: judged they are not able to reach a unanimous decision on the two most important charges in the case. feltony -- felony murder and conspiracy to commit murder. the judge told jurors to keep deliberating in the case of williams and mcgainey and collins. they're accused i

matthew snyder wasn't gay and it was all too much for his father, albert snyder. >> all we wanted to do was bury matt. with dig ni -- dignity and respect. >> reporter: he sued the church. the supreme court wrestled with whether to carve out a funeral exception to the first amendment. just as sotomayor challenged to the argument that funerals are private and they aren't public figures so the war protestors can be sued. so public speech, she said, speech on public matter, directed to a private person should be treated differently under the law, under what theory of the first amendment would be do that. justice ginsburg pointedly asked the lawyer for the church, phelps' daughter, margie phelps, why should the first amendment tolerate exploiting this marine's family when you have so many other orum getss y margie phelps summed up her nation hear this little church, if you want to stop dying, stop something r sinning. on a trip to arlington national cemetery for yet another froes -- protest this week, church members tried a different tact. is there no other way, is there no other place, a

>> there was a jury in baltimore that awarded albert snyder $10 million. but in the final analysis, it's not up to a jury, it is up to the supreme court. >> and we'll see what happens on wednesday. bruce, thank you. >>> the department of defense just announced another fatality in afghanistan. sergeant first class lance vogueler died october 1st. the 29-year-old from frederick, maryland. he was killed after insurgents attacked his unit. he is survived by his wife melissa and his children kyle and madison. >>> for the first time three women are serving together on the supreme court. justice elena kagen joined the high court for the start of the new term today but her day was different from her colleagues. she took herself out of nearly half of the cases the court has already agreed to hear because of her past work as the top lawyer for the obama administration. >> there is a number of cases she'll not be able to sit on. that means potentially a problem because the court, if they are closely divided, would split 4-4. she would not be there to cast the key dec

. >> reporter: in 2006, albert snyder's son, a marine serving in afghanistan, was killed on duty. but matthew snyder's death was only the start of his father's pain. >> i thought that was the worst day of my life. >> reporter: when the westboro baptist church of cans can protested matthew snyder's funeral with outlandish signs claiming u.s. military deaths are got's reprisal against america for its tolerance of homosexual, albert snyder sued. >> the church conduct was so extreme it went beyond all possible bounds of basic human decency. >> reporter: but he request here isn't whether or not the west pro protests are distasteful often that point, most justices seem to agree they are. the question is whether they are protected under the first amendment's right to free speech. the justices cast doubt on the snyder's claims that the church members violated their rights. i don't see how they both relate to inconstitutions on the funeral. another justice said there t. seems to me there was nothing done that was unlawful. >> others pondered if they protests went too far. i do want know wh

family's feelings. ♪ you are going straight to hell ♪ start obeying god. >> albert snyder is trying to honor his son. he brought with him a keepsake to church. he said this is about harassment. reporting live on federal hill, jennifer franciotti, wbal-tv 11 news. >> today marks the beginning of the 10th year of war in afghanistan. >> president obama wants to start bringing it to a close next year. tracie potts is in washington with more. >> president obama marked the ninth year of war by honoring robert miller, who died two years ago, who defended his comrades. >> they heard his voice. he had been hit. but still he kept calling out enemy positions. >> his parents said miller believed in the mission. >> if he believed he was working for a good cause. >> nine years later, critics say it is time to refocus the investment away from insurgents and back to al qaeda at. >> we cann spot start to not spend so much money on the war. >> now there is word that the taliban is in talks with afghanistan's government, possibly to end the war. the beginning of year 10 offers a new opportunity. >> no

albert snyder sued a church for an infection of emotional distress after church members protested at his son's funeral in maryland. the church says their protests are protected by the first amendment. a ruling is expected in the spring. >>> the parents of a soldier killed in afghanistan is speaking for the first time about his death. >> he loves to help people and spread love. very joyful man. >> the parents are death. the 29 year-old died last friday during a combat operation. he was deployed to afghanistan and joined the army in 2001. >>> the war in afghanistan enters its next year with plenty of uncertainty about 2000 nato troops have died since the conflict began. more than 1200 american servicemen and women. afghans are tired of the violence. support for the war is slipping in the u.s. and europe. >>> anyone with a global terror lard. the foreign ministry of france is warning french travelers of a high risk alert while traveling. there are concerns about traveling across the english channel. they are working closely with other european nations and the united states. >>> a scathi

albert snyder has the support of 48 states and members of congress. you and your family suffered so much. why do you want to take this fight on? >> so other people don't have to go through the same thing that we went through. >> my goodness. kate baldwin, live now from the supreme court. and kate, you were inside the court building inside the courtroom for the oral arguments on this case. if you would, describe the arguments you heard. >> reporter: fascinating. each side was able to have 30 minutes and that's pretty typical. very tough questions coming from the justices for both sides. it really seemed that the justices were struggling with the big question here of where and if to draw the line between the right of someone to hold a private funeral and the right of people to protest and what they consider public issues. without the legal arguments here, many questions about what makes someone a private figure, when do they enter the public sphere, what is public-issue speech and become speech targeting an individual? almost like harassment or forcing

. >> reporter: in 2006, albert snyder's son, a marine serving in afghanistan was killed on duty, but matthew snyder's death was only the start of his father's pain. when the west borough baptist church of kansas protested his funeral with outlandish signs claiming us military deaths were god's reprisal against the us for its tolerance of homosexuality, he sued. >> it was so extreme it went beyond all possible bounds of human decency. >> reporter: it's not whether or not this is tasteful. on that point, most justices seem to agree they are. the question is if they are protected under the first amendment's right to free speech. they claim the church members violated their rights. i don't see how they bolted on the funeral one justice said, and another said, it seems to me there was nothing done that was unlawful. but others like justice steven briar pondered if these protests went too far. i don't know where the lines are. can you put anything on the internet? can you put anything on television? chief justice john roberts says the church targeted the family saying mr. snyder was select

albert snyder sued member of a kansas church after they picketed his son's funeral. snyder claims the church intentionally inflicted emotional distress. a judge later reduced the award to $5 million then the case was thrown out. the supreme court will hearing arguments about snyder's right to grieve privately and the church's first amendment rights. >>> a good samaritan comes to the rescue if a kidnapped girl. coming up next being we'll hear from a man who sprang into action when he recognizes the suspect's vehicle. >>> it was so toxic, it burned straight through people's clothing. this deadly sludge has triggered a state of emergency overseas. the full story straight ahead on the other side of the break. stay with us.  it's great. i eat anything that i want. key lime pie, pineapple upside down cake, raspberry cheesecake... ...yeah, every night its something different. oh yeah yeah...she always keeps them in the house. no no no, i've actually lost weight... i just have a high metabolism or something... ...lucky. [ wife ] babe... ♪ umm, i gotta go.

. >> is that reason that albert snyder sued westboro baptist and one. the verdict was later thrown out on appeal. snyder's attorney had to convince the justices that this is not about free speech, it's about harassment in the right of a father to mourn privately. >> all we wanted to do was bury him with dignity and respect. >> there was a reason that they came to that funeral. >> reporter: digest is pointed out that the group broke no rules and westborough's attorney says that the group was not targeting snyder significantly but was making a broad statement. >> the rule of law is the mere fact that you take offensive words or find yourself having your feelings hurt is not enough to shut up speech. >> it will be a month before we find out a verdict in high- profile cases are not released until the end of term in the spring. >>> baseball playoffs got underway today and made history. >> holliday is one strike away. >> roy holliday had the second no-hitter ever and the only other time a team went hitless was when there was a perfect game for the new york ya

here's what people are talking about tonight. >> albert snyder's father is in court. it is a case that pits a

. >>> several baltimore veterans were in dc today to support albert snyder. >> we thank you for your patience. as we explained at the top of the show a 16-year-old girl was charged with plotting to kill her family. >> i heard the shots and when i jumped up and looked out the window. >> reporter: markmarkings remain on the family car. police say 16-year-old william collins aimed the gun -- fired the gun aiming for his girlfriend's family. his 16-year-old girlfriend is also charged. police say she helped device the plan to kill the family so they could be together. her father tells me i'm standing by her, the whole family, all five people that were there that night are standing by her. >> reporter: her father tells me after the shooting he got a gun. so if kaitlyn really wanted the family dead she could have used that weapon but she didn't. >> they pretty much ruined their entire life because of this. >> reporter: they exchanged text messages to set up the murder but it didn't go as planned. in fact, kaitlyn was in the living room during the shooting. >> i can't understand why two 16-y

albert snyder sued the baptist church after they staged a demonstration outside of his son's funeral in 2006. 20 year- old lance corporal matthew schneider was killed in a rock. >> it comes down to-the ro iraq >> nobody, nobody should be. with what they did to him. this is a situation on free-speech and human rights. >> and also, standard, is saying he is innocent of the trouble- murder, and he has a similar right to request dna of a triple murderer. >> the district attorney has to just turn over the evidence and let the chips fall. if i'm guilty? i can die, and if i'm in this a question mark aghome, how difficult is that? >> and if that opens? frivolous law ssuits can follow. >> also, the that violent video game band to sell them to children, in the law violates the first amendment. also, the challenge to an arizona law cracking down on businesses hiring illegal immigrants. proponents argue that federal law tromps state efforts. >> and arizona will say yes, what you are not enforcing it >> elena kagen, has withdrawn to prevent any conflict of interest with her current work at the wh

four years later supreme court justices plus determine if his father albert snyder should win his lawsuit against church measures who picketed

. >> paul: you mean the father albert snyder many there you go dan -- >> to pick up dorothy's point. because of the web, because of television these assaults are seen by everybody. i think we are putting an impossible burden on first amendment to protect all of this behavior, unless a line is drawn somewhere. >> paul: could do you -- do you want judges drawing that line? >> if you cannot have in this democracy any face in the individual sense of decency of what may not be allowed, we are not after all canada. we are not these other countries. we are the united states of america. and if you can -- [ inaudible ] >> reason we are the united states of america is because we have the first amendment. >> i think we have a sense of bustling democracy and first amendment is one of the shackles for the purists. >> paul: we gotta go speaking as one of the purists. when we come back the school reform movement gets a big boost from the left. david guggenheim his latest film he's setting his sights on education reform. he joins us, next. an engineer. i love my job. i can see what's it's doing for

it's the westboro baptist church versus albert snyder and the case could seat precedent. the radical religious group protested outside the tune ravel ed. >> ier's son lance corporal matthew snyder killed in iraq in 2006. >> it's something no family should have to live through. >> at the end of the day, the ish is not going to be -- the issue is not going to be how obnoxious and repug nan the speech with a by the people from the church. issue is going to be whether or not they have a right to outer that speech under circumstances such as this. >> the court is not expected to render a decision until the spring. question of protected speech purred media organization into action at least 21 different media outlets have filed briefs siding with the protesters them the say the demonstrations are distasteful but they are protected by free speech. >>> 6:47 right now. all new this morning, we have a 16-year-old and her boyfriend behind bars accused of plotting to kill the girl's family. this happened in northern dorchester county in hurlock. police were called to the house after 1

all albert snyder was a chance to lay his son to rest after being killed in iraq. never got that chance. his protesters outside said awful and hurtful things. today's snyder goes to the supreme court with another chance to lay this issue to rest. abc2 news linda so with high emotion on the high court. linda. >> reporter: well, it's been a long and painful journey for al snyder and he is look forward to finally getting some closure for his family and his son and all the other military families out there. it started four years ago when snyder's son marine lance corporal matthew snyder was killed in iraq. members of the westboro baptist church protested holding signs that read god hates you and you are in hell. the found irof the church travels around the country protesting military funerals. he believes soldiers are dying as a punishment from god for defending the nation that accepts homosexuality. after the funeral, snyder sued the church for harassment and a judge in baltimore award him $11 million. late an appeals court ruled the protest were protected by the firs

albert snyder sued the westboro baptist church after members picketed his son's funeral in westminster. and the supreme court will consider a california law banning the sale of violent video games. >>> 5:36. he took his life after a sexual encounter was streamed online. >>> hundreds turn out for a silent vigil at rutgers university to remember an 18-year-old freshman. >>> and some scary moments on board a frontier airlines flight a toddler gets sick and the drama that unfolded. >>> if you are taking a train or bus let's go over to the mta marc jones. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. out there you will find wet roadways throwing things up a bit. traveling by bus, allow a little extra time for getting there. on the bus system numbers 10 and 30 continue to be diverted and number 35 bus diversion at wilkins and brunswick due to a water main break repair and number 5 about 20 minutes late. light rail metro subway and marc are all operating on time. i am mark jones for the mta transit team. os ] ♪ kids came out. they said, "johan, can i see the dairy? can i see how the cow get milk

albert snyder preparing to bury his only son. here, nearby, on this public street is where the west borrow church members gathered for their angry protest, triggering this constitutional battle. >> it comes down to dignity -- no one -- i don't care if you're not military, no one should be buried with what the folks did to them. >> snyder sued for defamation and invasion of privacy. >> they're harassing a family to hijack someone else's private event. >> the phelps family argues they're protected by the rights of free speech and religious freedom. the church's speech was publish issue speech, highly disliked and needing protection. >> whey hwa they want to do is they want to litigate our religious dock run. well, you don't do that in america. >> the phelpses have is the support of free speech advocates and media groups. albert snyder has the support of 40 members of state and congress. >> why do you want to take this fight on? >> so other people don't have to go through the same thing that we went through. >> several state efforts

. >> reporter: for albert snyder, no amount of money or court decision could give him what he wants most. >> somebody said to me $5 million, i bet you'd give it up to have matt back. i would give it up just to say good-bye. >> reporter: the church is showing no signs of backing down. members plan on holding another protest this morning at arlington national cemetery. and there are also a number of people outside of the supreme court this morning. these are people on both sides of this issue who slept there overnight because it was that important for them to be there today. betty, back to you. >> all right. thank you. >>> here in new york, opening arguments are set this morning in the trial of acmaud khalfan ghailani the first guantanamo bay detainee to face court in a criminal court. he's also accused of being a personal aide to osama bin laden. >>> now to the trial of times square bomber faisal shahzad, who learned his fate yesterday, life in prison and who got his chance to speak out in court. he used it to warn americans to brace themselves because, quote, the war with muslims has beg

snyder. >> albert snyder. there you go, dan, what do you do? >> and to pick up dorothy's point, because of the web, because of television, these adults are seen by everybody and i think we're putting a really impossible burden on the first amendment to protect all of this kind of behavior millions a line is drawn somewhere. >> but do you want judges drawing that line, dan? >> i would like to see the supreme court try to draw that line not your average judge. >> if you cannot have in this thriving, bustling, contentious democracy any faith in the individual sense of decency of what may not be allowed, we are not after all canada. we are not these other countries. we are the united states of america, and you cannot believe in the-- and then we are in you believe interest. the reason we're the united states of america is because we have the first amendment. >> i don't think entirely the case, i think we have a sense of bustling democracy and the first amendment is one of the shackles for the purists. >> we've got to go. >> all right. >> speaking a

albert snyder sued after members of a church picketed his son's funeral in westminster. >>> and the supreme court will consider a california law banning the sale of violent video games. >>> governor o'malley has order the united states and all maryland flags be flown at half-staff today in member rif lieutenant luny of owens maryland etch passed away september 21st in afghanistan supporting operation enduring freedom. flags shad be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset. >>> 6:52, the del ligs of the highway to nowhere is scheduled to begin this morning. and in preparation for the work, westbound ramps to route 40 will be close and west of mlk boulevard starting around 9. and also parking will be strict along franklin and mull bury between pulaski and monroe streets throughout the duration and the work is expected to take about 10 months. >>> we will look at chilly temperatures today. 50 # degree temperatures that will probably not move much into the afternoon. strong storm off the coast actually tapping into really chilly air. the chilly air that fills in after the last storm. this

albert snyder, who sued church leaders, said the funeral protest stole his last moments with his only son. >> the phelps and the westborough baptist church conduct was so extreme, it went beyond all possible bounds of basic human decency. >> reporter: inside the supreme court tarbd the justices struggled to decide who was right. at issue-- a fundamental question justice ruth bader ginsburg put directly to church lawyer margie phelps-- why should the first amendment tolerate exploiting this marine's family. phelps, also a member of the church, said the protesters were there legally, on a public sidewalk, in & in those situations, she said, this court has given substantial, long-standing protection to speech on public issues. the ruling could affect other kinds of speech some people find offensive, like protests in front of abortion clinics. but for al snyder who won a $5 million judgment against the church for invading his privacy, the case is about matthew. >> somebody said to me, "$5 million, i bet you'd give it up to have matt back." i would give it up just to say good-bye. >> repor

albert snyder sued the church for inflicting what he calls emotional distress. church members say they were exercising their first amendment rights to free speech. >>> ousted from the democratic nomination. supporters of d.c. mayor adrian fenty appear to be making a strong push in the mayor's race. details of their write-in campaign is coming up next. >>> just ahead, could secret trade talks be going on inside the white house. rumor of an apparent job swap coming up after the break. >>> area of low pressure out of here. sunshine in the forecast and 70s. it will be a beautiful afternoon. i'll have the details on your forecast and julie wright is in with a look at your jonbenet -- at your on-time traffic coming up in just a minute. ♪ ♪ yes! ♪ look, they fit! oh my gosh, are those the jeans from last year? how'd you do it? eating right...whole grain. [ female announcer ] people who eat more whole grain tend to have healthier body weights. multigrain cheerios has five whole grains and 110 lightly sweetened calories. more grains. less you! multigrain cheerios.

the father of albert snyder is asking the supreme court to reinstate a verdict against members of the westborough baptist church. this case is putting snyder's right to grieve properly against church members who want to say what they like, no matter how offensive. another dispute involving the proposed slots parlor comes to a head. doug gansler issued a statement saying he does not think the maryland lottery commission should be able to force penn national gaming to stop funding campaigns against the proposed casino in anne arundel county. a referendum could sink the entire project. that brings us to your answers to our water cooler question of the day. >> this morning we asked -- do you think the maryland lottery commission should be able to force penn national gaming to stop funding a campaign against slots near arundel mills mall? >> >> we will post more of your answers on the front page of wbaltv.com. >> now traffic pulse 11 and insta-weather plus together. >> good morning. we have a busy morning rush. there is a problem on the west side. near wilkins avenue, and avenue is reporte

shame on albert snyder. that's how i feel about him. shame on him. >> reporter: margie phelps a lawyer and found are of the church mr. argue its side in front of the u.s. supreme court on wednesday. >> i have one opportunity to bury matt, one, and it was taken away. >> reporter: al snyder sued the church four years ago and won, but the $5 million verdict was overturned on appeal. snyder refused to back down. >> nobody in the history of this country has ever done this to a military funeral. >> reporter: he appealed to the u.s. supreme court and this agreed to hear its case. it will be a landmark decision. >> not only a private figure, he's just a random victim of a group that tried to hijack his son's funeral. >> reporter: this attorney will argue the case for al snyder. >> i think we have a very good chance at the u.s. supreme court. >> reporter: i know you are a reserved shy man. do you have any regrets that you've taken it this far to the u.s. supreme court. >> at least i know i have gone as far as i can for matt. i took it to the lim

albert snyder has the support of 48 states and members of congress. you and your family suffered so much. why do you want to take this fight on? >> so other people don't have to go through the same thing that we went through. >> reporter: separate state efforts nationwide have attempted to impose restrictions on protest targeting military funerals but the efforts failed in federal court. judges citing, fed ricka, free speech and now the justices will weigh in. oral arguments begin in about an hour. >> thanks so much, kate baldwin, from the u.s. supreme court. >>> and this is something we also keep an eye on. caught our attention. a homeowner doesn't pay a $75 fee to the city so firefighters are told to let his house burn. well, now a firefighter's union is coming out against that pay to play policy. more on that after this break. >>> i'm rob marciano. lots going on this morning including a subtropical depression in arizona. the thunderstorms are popping and a tornado warning out that includes, well, western parts of flagstaff. a complete update for yo

albert snyder begins his opening statement. but he is peppered with question. >> are we talking about just a funeral? >> maryland passed a statute, putting time, place, and manner restrictions. i read that statute. and it seems to me that there was nothing unlawful. >> the maryland legislature made it clear that they didn't want people to protest funerals in general. >> reporter: justice steven breyer then struggled out loud, whether we need boundaries on hateful or free speech. >> i think the first amendment might not leave this alone. >> and a grandmother whose grandson is killed by an i.e.d. attack. and is approached by an anti- war protestor. >> someone approaches her and speaks to her in the most vile terms about her son. he was killed by an i.e.d. let me explain it for you. i am so happy this happened. is that protected by the first amendment? there's no false statement involved. and it's purely speech. >> it may give rise to some fighting words claim. >> she's not in a position to punch this person in the nose. she's an

pits albert snyder against the baptist church in kansas. snyder's son was killed in iraq. 59 his funeral church members demonstrated holding signs that said thank god for dead soldiers and god hates usa. lower court ruled that snyder has right to mourn privately. as you can see here the church members are outside the supreme court today protesting holding up those signs. >>> coming up next, we are talking to former illinois -- >> will they need new business card? talk to joe biden and hillary clinton could be swapping jobs. >>> and you seen them at the grocery store but what do you do with those baby pumpkins? putting them to use in lunch break. desperate for nighttime heartburn relief? for many, nexium helps relieve heartburn symptoms caused by acid reflux disease. and for the majority of patients with prescription coverage for nexium, it can cost $30 or less per month. headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are possible side effects of nexium. other serious stomach conditions may still exist. ask your doctor if nexium can help relieve you

albert snyder of york, pennsylvania pen sued members of the westboro baptist church of topeka, kansas for $11 million for inflicting emotional distress after they picketed his son's funeral. the judge reduce the award to $5 million before the federal appeals court in virginia through out the case. the supreme court will hear arguments in this case later today. >>> secret talked to end the war in afghanistan. it is not the first time that president hamid karzai has spoken with the taliban but these latest talks are reportedly with representatives of the pack tanji taliban. we are following a new report on attacks on nato convoys overnight. this is the latest in the taxes on nato supplies since pakistan closed the khyber pass in tyreo test over stepped-up drone strikes. -- in protest over stepped-up drone strike. >>> the "washington post" is reporting that ike leggett is proposing cuts for roadwork, library hours, drug treatment and services for elderly residents as well as talking about laying off dozens of fire and rescue workers. he is looking to save nearly $13 million to make up fo

joining us is albert snyder and his attorney summers. what is the main point you are trying to get across to the justices. you know they are skeptical of the free speech issue here. >> bill, from our perspective, it's very simple. personalized target attacks at a private individual should not be sanctioned under the guise of the first amendment and you should not be allowed to exploit the snyder family's grief for your own personal gain and hijack their one and only opportunity to bury their son. >> bill: what was the personal gain though of the westboro crew? i mean, they wanted to get their vile message publicized. is that what you are talking about? >> that is their gain. no one would listen to them if they were in a public park or tehran dom corner somewhere. so the only way they can command an audience is by hijacking somebody else's private event and in this case a funeral. >> bill: okay. so not only do they inflict emotional distress on the schneider family -- snyder family and friends. but they did it to promote their own agenda.

the father, albert snyder, initially won a $5 million judgment against the westboro baptist church, which demonstrates outside military funerals to publicize its anti- gay views. church members believe that military deaths are god's punishment for homosexuality in the united states. a federal appeals court overturned the $5 million penalty last draft a look ruling the church's first amendment rights were violated. earlier this year, the court ordered snyder to pay westboro over $16,000 to cover the cost of its successful appeal. on wednesday, the snyder -- snyder said the church's actions should not be considered an issue of free speech. >> speaking as a father, the conduct was so extreme by the westboro baptist church it will be on all possible bounds of basic human decency that it can be regarded as utterly intolerable in a civilized nation. all we wanted to do was very my son with dignity and respect. a >> a new poll shows two-thirds of americans support raising the minimum wage from $7.25 up to $10 an hour. according to the public religion research institute, the number includes 51% o