This is in response to your your news story of Oct. 18, “Trump-Tied Christian Law Firm Takes Up Fight for Little White Crosses.”

First, I do not have a dog in this fight, but I know several neighbors have these crosses  on display in their yards.

And, frankly, I give them credit for displaying these innocuous paeans to their beliefs and would no more think of “reporting” them than I would think of yelling “FIRE!” in a crowded theater. Having said that, I applaud the homeowner for putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak. I have some knowledge of the reputation of and the work done by the American Center for Law & Justice and would suggest that this issue will be resolved with either the issuance of a permanent injunction against enforcement of the so-called deed restrictions, or the entry of a stipulated order to the same effect.

And that, my friends, could and should open a floodgate of litigation involving The Villages and its enforcement of deed restrictions on such things as, for example, the prohibition on political signage in one’s front yard.

What with the 2020 elections fast approaching, this would be a prime target for an organization such as the ACLJ, and perhaps even in collaboration with the ACLU. As the old saying goes: “Politics make strange bed-fellows!”

I can hardly wait for the opportunity to “test” my thesis come 2020. The State of Florida already has restrictions on political signage such as the location, size and the time during which such signs can be displayed. I believe Sumter County has similar restrictions, and I suspect that those areas of The Villages under the jurisdiction of the municipal governments of Wildwood, Fruitland Park and Lady Lake are also subject to similar restrictions on, but not a blanket prohibition against, such signage.

So I would merely suggest to those staunch upholders of law and order who express their disapproval of the “little white crosses”:  Be Careful What You Wish For! 

In my mind, this latest development marks the start of a lot more similar push back against so many of the draconian concepts contained in the deed restriction. 

Daniel Andrews is a resident of the Village of Winifred.