Prostitution may be the world's oldest profession, and laws prohibiting prostitution may well be the oldest example of government regulation and government (sex) discrimination. In a free society, however, all such laws are inappropriate because they violate the basic rights and liberties of the individuals involved.

While the United States is officially and culturally committed to religious freedom, the overwhelming majority of the American people respect Christmas as it has traditionally been understood and observed. Here are some facts to prove this: According to the well-known polling firm Zogby, 95% of Americans are NOT offended when they hear "Merry Christmas" and over half are "bothered" by the greeting "Happy Holidays." A FOXNEWS poll in 2005 suggests that 95% of Americans celebrate Christmas - that's "Christmas" specifically as in the holiday on December 25 Another FOXNEWS poll that same year said that 83% of respondents believed nativity scenes were appropriate for public propertyA 2004 Newsweek poll revealed that 79% of Americans believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ as depicted in the BibleNinety percent of respondents to a 2000 Gallup poll affirmed the birth of Jesus Christ as the purpose of Christmas

This author will grant that it's unethical and socially wrong to deliberately provoke and offend someone who is of a different faith. But this does not mean - nor should it mean - that we have to censor out any public, visible displays of Christmas for the comfort of the few who might be offended. The First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of religion. It does NOT - and read this carefully - it does NOT guarantee one the right to NOT be offended. It does NOT guarantee the right of one to be free of any social discomfort.