What happened to Freedom of Speech?

It saddens me to turn the news on every night to hear the latest violence, vandalism, etc that has stemmed from Proposition 8. There are extremes on both sides, neither of which are OK. Our local church leaders reiterated that the past two Sundays. I believe those heading the "No on 8" campaign have also spoke out against the attacks...I just wish more of their supporters were listening.

Whatever happened to one's right to the free speech and opinion? We displayed a "Yes on 8" sign in our front yard for over a week, along with a few other signs around our neighborhood. Last Friday night while at a friend's birthday party for only a few hours our signs were stolen. I felt violated that someone would come onto our lawn and steal our property. We live on a very quiet Court--they would have purposefully had to be looking for signs to steal. Although I do know that our neighbors do not share our beliefs on protecting the sanctity of marriage, they agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

I'm not sure if it was state-wide or just in the Sacramento area, but my sister recently heard at a Yes on Proposition 8 informational meeting that individuals were being paid $1 for every "Yes on 8" sign they collected.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/elections/local/San_Jose_Police_Investigate_Prop_8_Vandalism.html

A comment a reader wrote regarding the above article:
My neighborhood in South San Jose had a bunch of both Yes & No on Prop 8 signs. I have noticed as I have been walking my dogs daily that all Yes on 8 signs were gone but all the No on 8 signs were still up. It is just funny to me. It actually made me change my vote from No to Yes. I am all for equal rights but where are the rights for the people that don't agree with the No on 8 people.

Exactly! Tolerance goes both ways.

With the election less than a week away, I hope you will stand up for what you believe is right.