It is unlawful to put up a barbed-wire fence in a residential area of Bismarck. But who would want to? It would certainly say something about the person erecting the fence, but then all fences represent something.

A residential fence is often erected to contain children and/or pets. Most residential fences are limited to 6 feet in height and are constructed out of lumber - natural, stained or painted - and neatly spaced to form an attractive barrier.

A wall along the Mexico border would be designed to keep people out of the United States. Such a proposed wall in the immigration debate could include vehicle barriers, a 12- to 15-foot high rugged chain-link double fence with a patrol road in between the barriers, surveillance cameras, motion detectors, a moat-like ditch deep and wide enough to prevent vehicles from ramming the fence, and underground tunneling detectors.

The issue of immigration will likely be a hot topic as presidential election combatants spout and spew more rhetoric and sound bites. But let's forget that for now and focus on the meaning of fences.

A Smithsonian exhibit "Between Fences," will open at 7 p.m. Friday at Beulah City Hall and remain on public display through Jan. 18. The traveling Smithsonian exhibit is a project of the North Dakota Humanities Council and will travel to other North Dakota locations through July 2008.

We all erect fences, imaginary or real. The Hatfields' and McCoys' feud might be the best example of a non-fence fence on the border of Kentucky and West Virginia. Stories of the feud involved an objectionable marriage between the two families and the ownership of a hog. But the real fight came down to land as the pig just happened to cross an unfenced property line.

Therein lays the problem with too many or few fences. Either way, a fight can ensue over land. But isn't that - and general religious ideology - the reason for many disputes and wars?

Tribune Reporter Lauren Donovan wrote in her story about the Smithsonian exhibit: "… Everyone knows the power of a real or imaginary fence between countries, between communities, between neighbors and between deer and a country garden."

A fence, itself, isn't all bad, as it can stand for security. It can be an extremely functional object. But fences can sometimes become the dominate feature or features in our lives, power symbols that set boundaries, even artificial ones, that need challenging.

The Smithsonian exhibit tells American stories through fences, examining human relationships through history, culture and values.

Make no mistake. Fences and walls can serve as valuable additions to life. But there are some that just need to be scaled or demolished.

To fence or not to fence, herein lays the answer to the question: Understanding, wisdom and patience with one another - which can help us identify the good, bad and ugly fences.