Free Republic

<p>The fuss over frowning has generated so much angst, ridicule and hate mail that the Palo Alto City Council is doing an about-face.</p> <p>The council plans to dump a proposed guideline discouraging members from frowning or using other body language to show ``disagreement or disgust'' at public meetings.</p>

<p>Palo Alto may need to call in the Demeanor Police.</p> <p>The city council is wrestling with a code of conduct that urges elected officials not to roll their eyes. Or shake their heads. Or frown.</p> <p>Experts say the council's plan to discourage non-verbal forms of ``disagreement or disgust'' is odd, unenforceable and almost an infringement on free speech.</p>