A Matter Of Semantics

By Lynn Schnaiberg

Los Angeles

As the fall's first rain coated them in mist, protesters jammed the sidewalk outside the Museum of Tolerance, shaking signs and shouting: "'S.O.S.' means 'Sink Our State'!"

Inside the museum intended to celebrate peaceful diversity, in a packed auditorium just steps away from an exhibit on the riots that have torn this city, the debate was punctuated by hisses, boos, and plenty of inflammatory sniping. The subject was what many observers call the most divisive and emotional ballot initiative...