Violence no response to offensive art

The controversy over artistic freedom and "shock art" which may offend certain religious beliefs is not new nor contained to drawings of the prophet Mohammed.

Older readers will recall the 1987 photography exhibit by artist Andres Serrano, which exhibited a plastic crucifix submerged in urine. While there was an uproar in the Christian community, Catholics did not storm the museums with any types of weapons nor were there any deaths incited by the photograph.

Sensible folks protested, wrote letters and boycotted the showings but no one took up arms.

I cannot speak for France or Pakistan, but anyone residing in the United States, citizen or guest, must absolutely respect and uphold our Constitutionally protected First Amendment.

Larry Schneider

Buffalo Grove