Weeell, many things, good and bad spawned in Kalifornia. The police seem to agree that it was an alleged violation to remove it from private property. Hope too many working hours are spent tracking down the perpetrator.

Interesting that the home owner said...

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It's ironic ... they now seek to suppress our speech here at home."

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Exactly what speech? This was an expression, not a speech. Maybe its just me being picky but I hate it when people act out some form of expression and call it speech. See the Constitution says....

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Amendment I

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.

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U. S. Constitution

I don't see anywhere in there the word "expression". Now the Supreme Court may have said at some point that speech and expression are the same thing, but I don't recall it. However, I believe speech is speech and expression is expression. Period. The only exception would be if you are mute and you can't speak...then your form of speech (sign language) would be an expression that is equal to speech. But if you can talk, talk. Don't do something like this man did and disgrace every man or woman who has ever worn a uniform or our military with a disgusting display like this and expect it to be protected by the 1st Amendment.

And as far as the man who took it down...kudos to him for standing up for what's right. Note, I didn't say what's legal. I said what's right. The only thing I think he was guilty of is trespassing and vandalism. Not violating the home owner's 1st Amendment rights.

My $.02 and now I feel a little better.