Going on the preceding posts, would a sign in that lady's town on her front lawn with a swastikas all over it and a sign that said "Jews Keep Out" be legally permissible? From the preceding discussion, it sounds like "yes", it would be. But I thought I'd ask.

Is bashing on certain specific ethnic groups more condoned as opposed to the bashing on other groups?

As a preliminary matter, I don't think it's fair to say that the government "condones" bashing on ethnic groups.

To the extent that the government would allow such a sign on a person's front lawn, it would allow it no matter the racial/ethnic/religious group. So, the identity of that group being bashed doesn't affect the legality.

Her property. Her speech. Her beliefs.

Until they affect others, what's the difference? Don't like it? Don't read it.

We have nothing in our Constitution or elsewhere that prevents people from getting their feelings hurt.

That's kind of like saying if you don't like Maple trees, don't look at them. If you're just walking and happen to see one, you can't change the fact that you saw it and you can't change the fact that you know it's there.
Same with that sign. I'm pretty sure people aren't going around looking for hateful signs but if you happen to drive by that house and see that sign, well, you just saw it.

Exactly. Tolerating or permitting speech =/= condoning what is said.

CutiePie, the thing is that I would hazard a guess that freedom of speech is one of the two or three freedoms that Americans value the most and consider the most basic. It lies at the heart of our ethos that true freedom and true democracy cannot flourish if the government has the power to tell people what they can and cannot say, or to punish someone for merely expressing an idea, even if the vast majority of Americans find that idea anhorant. Those who drafted our Bill of Rights were influenced by the writings of people like Milton, who said that when truth and falsehood are allowed to freely grapple, truth will win out.

We tend to side with the sentiment usually (though perhaps inaccurately) attributed to Voltaire: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

As a Texan...and a Hispanic, I have to agree. I probably wouldn't be too happy with someone who posted that sign, but I'm very aware that people have a right to their opinion.

Besides, we have a wall....that pretty much says "Hispanics Keep Out" anyways.

Now eppie - if the Hispanics come legally, the wall isn't a problem, now is it? They can walk proudly across the bridge, papers in hand. :)

As to the sign - it is certainly ill-advised. Does she really have a problem with random Hispanics coming up to her door? And what if her mailperson/delivery person is Hispanic? I'd be sorely tempted to not deliver to her house . . . but stupid people do have a right to free speech on their private property. Now, if she posted that sign at her business, she'd be violating the law.

They can walk across the bridge...doesn't mean they are necessarily welcomed.

A 1 million ft (ok, so I don't know exactly how high the wall is, but it's pretty big) black iron wall, doesn't necessarily scream "you are welcome to come in" legal or not.

....of course the wall still doesn't stop people. lol

Well, let's not kid ourselves. If you aren't a legal immigrant, no matter what your ethnicity, you aren't likely to be welcomed.

Similarly, you wouldn't be welcomed in Canada or most countries of the developed world, as far as I know.

I can't think of any country off the top of my head that has completely open borders and offers full rights to non-citizens.

That said, the sign under discussion doesn't say, "illegal immigrants keep out."

Are you thinking civil rights laws?

Yep - did I miss something?

No, I just wanted to make sure that I was understanding you correctly.

I'm not sure that it would always be illegal at any business, but wording like "Hispanics Keep Out" would/could certainly give rise to a claim of discrimination in providing services.

You know what's awesome?

You think this is mocking Texas. However, Texas is more right than anything here - in fact, the US Constitution supports this whole-heartedly.

Know what else is awesome? The Bill of Rights. Come on, guys.

where is Joe Horn when you need him?

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.(Ben Franklin)