George,

I felt it was unfortunate that John Grisham seemed to forget history when he said that the courts have protected our freedom of speech for 200 years.

In fact, it wasn't that long ago that people were found guilty of "seditious speech" in our courts and imprisoned, for criticizing the government. We need to remember that our freedoms are tenuous, and must be guarded vigilantly (and eternally). (But, one person coming along and erasing another person's chalked remarks because they don't agree with them is not a violation of free speech -- unless that person is acting in an official government capacity.)

Valerie L"Herrou (electronic mail, April 22, 2006)