Here's an example of how freedom of speech should work

Some idiot in West Hollywood is, I'm sure, quite proud of his Halloween display, which includes a mannequin dressed as Sarah Palin hanging from a noose, and a mannequin dressed as John McCain in a flaming chimney. He calls it "art" and "within the spirit of Halloween."

I don't think that this is funny. I don't think that this is decent, moral, creative, thought-provoking, clever, or in any way helpful to our national discourse. I don't think that it is art. And I don't think that you ought to give a rat's ass what I think.

The fact is, while I have seen several commentators denounce this as twisted or nonsensical, I am happy to say that I am yet to see anyone call for any action to be taken other than denouncement. Freedom of speech includes the freedom to say what others don't like; and I'll support this moron's right to say what I don't like.

Just ask yourself- would it go the same way if the "artist" had been a Republican supporter?

Waterboarding on Display

Seems to me that this sort of thing is likely to be counterproductive (to the artist’s goals) -

Seems like seeing it would take some of the mystery away to make it seem "not that bad" (like desensitization), and the fact that the artists themselves are willing to do it just reinforces that it's not quite worth getting too worked up about.