Pennsylvania is in America isn't it?

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - David Stoltzfus says there's only one reason he would take down the photos of President George W. Bush that he has displayed at his Central Market baked-goods stand.

"If it were Kerry that won, he'd be up there," says Stoltzfus, who operates the Upper Crust stand.

Doesn't matter, says City Councilman Nelson Polite. "It should come down. This is a public market."

Besides, says the Democrat, "Bush didn't win here (in Lancaster City). It is like rubbing salt on a wound."
...
When he approached Stoltzfus three weeks ago, he said the photo offended him and city Democrats.

Polite says he had received complaints from constituents who thought the photos were inappropriate, especially after the presidential election.

The market is public property and displaying political paraphernalia, no matter what the intent, says Polite, is inappropriate and divisive.
...
Polite says political items do not belong in Central Market and if Stoltzfus refuses to take down the photos, he'll take the matter before City Council to get the city law changed to ban all political items in public places.

I suppose next the City Councilman will demand that local television stations should be banned from showing the President's picture. After all, those are public airwaves they transmit over. If a picture of the President hanging in a market offends people, imagine how seeing video of him every day must make them feel.

Are you kidding me? Have people lost the concept of what the 1^st Amendment really says? For those of you who are unfamiliar, here is a refresher course:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Do you see anything in there about only being able to practice your freedom of speech in private? Do you see anything in there about only being able to say something as long as it doesn't offend anyone? No! Now get over yourself!

I especially enjoyed the part where the councilman says that he shouldn't be allowed to put up the picture since the state went to John Kerry. So much for minority rights eh?