It’s his right, but he’s wrong

It’s his right, but he’s wrong

Colorado Springs Gazette: A California man’s Halloween display features a mannequin that looks like Sarah Palin hanging by a noose. Passersby are reportedly giggling, gasping, expressing outrage and snapping photos.

It’s a free country, with a First Amendment that protects most forms of expression — including radical and unpopular forms of artistic and political expression. The hanging Palin feature probably outrages some, which is precisely why it needs legal protection. It’s a bold statement, both political and artistic.

Just imagine, however, a Halloween display that featured the likeness of Barack Obama hanging from a noose (please do not try this at home). While the West Hollywood hanging Palin amuses some and infuriates others, a hanging Obama would rightly elicit rage from almost everyone. The racial implications would test our country’s tolerance for freedom of expression.

Violent political expressions should elicit outrage, regardless of race. The homeowner with a hanging Sarah Palin is well within his rights. But that doesn’t make it right, and he should cut Palin loose. With our constitutional protections come responsibilities, and expectations of decency. Just because we may, doesn’t mean we should.