Opinion: In hot water for hanging Sarah Palin effigy

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A California couple has stirred up a storm of controversy after hanging a mannequin made to look like Sarah Palin by a noose from their front porch. (See video below.)

Chad Michael Morrisette and his partner, Mito Aviles, hung the effigy of the Republican vice presidential nominee at their West Hollywood, Calif., home three weeks ago as a part of a Halloween display. The first to report on this was Wake Up America here.

The mannequin is dressed in a brown wig, glasses and a red business suit. The display also features a likeness of Palin’s running mate, John McCain, surrounded by fake flames (as well as more politically correct decorations such as skeletons and spider webs).

Officials from the Secret Service, West Hollywood code enforcement and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated the display after receiving complaints from around the nation. The officials determined that the effigy is not in violation of any city, state or federal laws and is protected by the 1st Amendment, according to a story by The Times’ Victoria Kim and Raja Abdulrahim.

Last month, a life-size cardboard reproduction of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama was found hanging from a tree at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. Four students were punished.

-- Kate Linthicum

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