I am a high school student trying to learn about political issues and prepare to soon become a participating citizen. Already I am troubled by those who don't respect my freedom of speech and right to my opinion.

After studying the one proposition I feel particularly strongly about, I decided to put up a simple bumper sticker to support Proposition 8. Then one day after school, I came out and found the "yes" on the sticker crossed out and replaced, in permanent ink, with "no." And below that, on the paint of my car, the person wrote a obscene note calling me a "homophobe," with more vulgar embellishment.

I have no problem with those who disagree with me, but I have a right to express my opinion, especially on my own property.

Of course it was probably just a passionate kid who doesn't think before he acts, but I believe this action reflects a very disappointing trend toward attacks on others rights to have differing opinions.

If people feel so strongly they can do what I ended up doing: volunteering time and effort to support what they believe in. I volunteered to walk, helped with signs and made calls.

To me, it is just absolutely wrong for anyone to oppose something in the name of "tolerance" and at the same time not have any tolerance for someone who doesn't completely agree with that position.

Adam Lane