Here's an interesting story of intolerance for free speech that has a close parallel on what some would consider the "other side of the political fence":

http://www.contracostatimes...

"War display has varied meanings

"The objections to the crosses erected across from the Lafayette BART station are very puzzling. How can people who are so supportive of troops going to Iraq to establish democracy find the exercise of free speech so offensive?"

And http://edition.cnn.com/2006...

"Hillside crosses marking fallen soldiers stir debate

"LAFAYETTE, California (AP) -- Hundreds of white wooden crosses planted on a quiet suburban hillside have prompted a debate over whether they honor or exploit the memory of troops killed in Iraq.

Jeff Heaton, who along with local peace group members started putting up the crosses in early November, sees the effort as a simple tribute.

"It seemed like it would be a touching way to make people aware of the true costs of the war," he said.

But to others, the display, on private property opposite a commuter train station and visible from the heavily traveled highway to San Francisco, is an affront that uses personal grief for political ends."

And more info, not quoted here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-b...

http://www.sacbee.com/110/s...

Now, here's the parallel.

Does that field of crosses remind you of anything?

Something each January?

On church yards?

Abortion stops a beating heart?

That's it.  It reminds me of those fields of crosses erected by pro-life advocates to memorialize the millions of unborn babies killed since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973.

I, for one, can't get upset over the church displays, because the pro-lifer in me will never die.  It has simply become more pragmatic and realistic, leavened by age and, I would like to think, a better view of the bigger picture.

But among people who are insulted by these churches' political statements each January, I haven't heard any demands by abortion-rights supporters to curtail these churches' free speech.

Someone tell me, have there been acts of vandalism against these pro-life displays over the years?  Has anyone tried to suppress these churches' rights to free speech?

Or is the desire to suppress controversial speech a one-sided ailment in our culture?