What Does That Word Mean, Daddy?

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) A young boy playing near his H and 8th St NE home clearly hears assembled groups' amplified words every weekend. After more than several hours of watching television inside with loud volume to mask the diatribes blaring from the corner, the kid wanted to go outside and play. The scene happened on Sept. 9, 2006. Free speech should not mean forced to listen--especially in one's home.

Worse, the young boy cannot play outside for long--the Environmental Protection Agency says permanent hearing loss can occur after 45 minutes exposure to 85 decibels. That's the recorded level of noise generated by one group's amplifier, measured at 20 feet. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)