Nelson Polite, a city councilman in Lancaster City, Pa., is a complete idiot -- there's no way to sugarcoat it.

David Stoltzfus says there's only one reason he would take down the photos of President George W. Bush that he has displayed at his Central Market baked-goods stand.

Bush would have had to have lost the recent election. Instead, he beat Democratic challenger John Kerry to win a second term.

"If it were Kerry that won, he'd be up there," says Stoltzfus, who operates the Upper Crust stand.

Doesn't matter, says City Councilman Nelson Polite. "It should come down. This is a public market."

Besides, says the Democrat, "Bush didn't win here (in Lancaster City). It is like rubbing salt on a wound."

Polite approached Stoltzfus on Nov. 12 and ask him to remove the pictures. The standholder has refused to do so, prompting Polite to say he will ask City Council to change the law so that all political items would be banned in public places.

Someone get Polite a waahmbulance -- and a copy of the Constitution. Polite should be required to write a 5,000 word essay on the whole concept of "freedom of speech."

In the meantime, I suggest Stoltzfus get a photograph of Councilman Polite, draw a mustache and horns on it and post it next to that of the president.