> By way of example, you have property rights and if, by exercising them, you erect a hideous statue on your property which your neighbor finds offensive, your neighbor has no right to have the statue torn down simply because he finds it distasteful.

Also on this unrelated topic, exactly the opposite is common in Europe.

In the UK, you would need planning permission to place a statue, a process which allows a neighbour to voice their objection to the planning committee of the local government.

e.g.

http://www.cherwell.org/news/2009/02/19/gormley-statue-place...

And this is considered normal and accepted. You don't get to place offensive statues in public.