South Florida HOA orders cop to remove 'God Bless America' sign

[X_Digger]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/south-florida-hoa-orders-cop-to-remove-god-884713.html

CORAL SPRINGS — Joe Milenkovic enforces the law for a living, but not when it comes to his "God Bless America" sign.

Milenkovic, 45, the assistant police chief in Delray Beach, used 4-inch magnetic letters to spell out the patriotic message on his garage door. Accompanied by six stars and an American flag, the creation nearly covers the upper half of the door.
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He said the no-sign rule has been in place for decades and once allowed the association to succesfully force another homeowner to remove an "Impeach Bush" sign that many people found offensive.
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Although Milenkovic said this is a matter of free speech, Poliakoff disagreed. He said the First Amendment protects against government intrusion on free speech, but "individuals can agree to restrict their own speech, which they do when they buy into a deed-restricted community."

Why is it that people don't understand that the first amendment applies to the government, except in very limited circumstances in certain states?