I am embarrassed you live in Pleasanton...

I don't find Bill's statements offensive. I'm sure he is using strong statements to make a point. What came to mind after reading this is the recent "miss america" flap where the runner-up was asked a question about gay marriage. She gave an answer that mirrored her beliefs. She stated her opinion succinctly, did not make any disparaging remarks and even said she hoped others would not take offense, yet she has been torn apart in the media.

What I find most disconcerting about people "on the left", is that they apparently don't believe that freedom of speech goes both ways. If you express an opinion that agrees with the "left" you're golden. If you express something that agrees with the "right", you're vilified.

I believe the first commenter pretty much reinforces Bill’s point.

Hey Bill,

I'm so glad you lost the your mayoral bid a while back; the people of Pleasanton knew better than to vote for someone like you. The last thing we need is another bitter, angry, right-winger in this city. It is clear you watch too much Fox News and Glenn Beck, and I can feel the underlying racism and sexism in your comments. Please move to Texas, Alabama, or some other backwards part of the country so you can be around your own kind.

You know what kills me about Eastman and Republicans? How indignant they get when someone clowns on their views and how they cry out about how they’re being oppressed by the liberal majority, when that’s exactly what they did since Clinton was in office! Suppress, criticize, mock....that’s all they’ve been doing to liberals for years and now that the shoe is on the other foot they’re being whiny crybabies.

Dave,

Congratulations on your completely predictable and stereotypical response that proves the point... and your failure to even understand the irony is just icing...

Parent of Two,

I can always count on you for Fox News fueled talking points.
How are things down at the GW Bush fan club? All done hanging up your Ronald Reagan posters? Things must be tough since Obama won. You can always move to Texas and start your own militia.

BTW, don't worry about paying the parcel tax for our schools. I hear Alabama Bible Tech College doesn't care about those sissy liberal grades and SAT scores, so your kids should be fine.

Dave,

Point by point:

I don't watch Fox News.

I don't like GW Bush. Never did, probably never will. He spent like a drunken sailor, stuck us in an unwinnable situation in Iraq, and gave the left an excuse for converting the US into a socialist state.

Never had a Reagan poster. I did have a Farrah poster and a Joe Montana poster.

Things are tough for the whole country since Obama won (but not necassarily because he won). You'd probably have a hard time finding someone not on the AIG board who is financially better off now than he was last year.

I have a Business degree with Honors from San Jose State. I'd venture to say my SAT scores dwarfed yours, but you'd probably accuse me of cheating. My grades were so-so, but I worked all the way through college.

Both my kids got straight A's last quarter, one at Foothill and one at Hart.

Any more unfounded, unsubstantiated, and otherwise stupid questions?

Classic "Parent of Two" wingnut comments:

“And I'm definitely not an environmentalist. Dead open land doesn't help anyone.”

LOL!! So its “dead land” until we build a Walmart?

“Rather than give the district a fish, let's teach them HOW to fish”

That’s right, use ancient Chinese proverbs to defend the fact you’re too cheap to pay for our schools

This is so cool. I have my own e-stalker!

And thanks for keeping my incredibly entertaining, appropriate, and accurate homilies alive!

I've been paying for the "our" schools since I bought a house in Pleasanton in 1997. Since we agree that they are "our" schools, maybe we could have some say in the financing?!?

Personally, I'm just tired of the partisan bickering.

As a registered Republican I voted for McCain over Bush in the 2000 primaries, but in 2008 I voted for Obama. I value free speech as well as the right to bear arms. I'd vote for just about an draconian measure against pedophiles, rapists, and child abusers but think there's something wrong with a system that puts more resources into jails than education. I hate taxes and government waste but recognize that public services must be funded for the common good. I'm religious but don't think religion should be misused to take away civil rights from anyone - including homosexuals. I think the war in Iraq was a huge mistake but wholeheartedly appreciate and support our military. I'm a teacher who is very skeptical of unions, including the one I'm a member of.

So where does someone like me fit into this dialogue that is rife with labeling and generalizations? I respectfully suggest that our energies are better spent trying to find common ground and solutions than on finger-pointing and stereotyping.

I couldn't agree more with one of the comments above, that we need to move beyond strictly partisan bickering, painting the "left" or the "right" with one brush. I believe that most Pleasantonians / Californians / Americans want to do what is best and will honestly look at each and every issue with a fresh perspective, and would work together to resolve differences and find common ground.

A minority (I hope) of our population have become slaves to their position, religion, or party and no longer even consider the issues from another point of view.

For example, in the opinion letter in the PW:

1) "Ahmadinejad advocates wiping Israel off the map. Renounce him and you are branded Islamophobic."
I think most of us see him for what he is. Renounce away - please! I support you in this. I wouldn't call it Islamaphobia unless you take your line of criticism down that path.

2) Criticizing our President doesn't make you a bigot. Have at it. If someone calls you a bigot for that, I'll defend you! However, if the President does have a genuinely good idea, I hope you will be open to looking at it.

3) Barney Frank deserves some criticism. This doesn't make you homophobic.

and so on...

I don't know where you get the idea that you can't provide your opinion without being called these names. This is America and we value new ideas, different opinions, and listening to our neighbors.

At the same time, you should give others the benefit of the doubt and not engage in broad generalizations that every liberal or Democrat or left-leaning individual is going to call you these names for offering your opinions.

And how is the left denigrating Judeo-Christian values exactly while pretending to be offended? I suppose that topic deserves its own thread...

Unfortunately, this board and the original opinion are shining examples, from both the far left and far right, of how not to work together to improve our country.

Jennifer/Dave

Jennifer, You don't fit until you pick a side. That is how our country has decided to go. Until the middle widens and can see propoganda for what it is on both sides and until values are consistently voted for, we're up the proverbial creek.

Sorry for another "proverb", Dave - and by the way, Dave, Parent of Two's proverb is English based, not Chinese http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:O7mPZXRhreMJ:en.wikiquote.org/wiki/English_proverbs+wiki+teach+a+man+to+fish&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

But I guess you don't know that - it is actually based on a Biblical principal (see 2 Thessalonians 3:10). I know liberals think that this shouldn't apply to people. The this is, a proverb is a phrase expressing a basic truth. If people are too lazy to work they shouldn't eat, but if they are then we shouldn't "hamstring" them by not teaching them to care for themselves and giving them a deadline to do so (like the end of the dole).

How sad that you would belittle wisdom. I guess you don't live by a consistent set of standards or values?

Dave, I really don't want to think this about you, but you come across as unbelievably hostile, rude, narrow-minded, one-sided, intolerant, and disrepectful of anyone who believes other than you. I'm not sure what is wrong with raising a traditional family, protecting my children, attending a church that continues traditions that date back thousands of years, go to work everyday and pay for my family's needs, pay taxes for other famillies' needs, support those who protect our nation and expect myself and others to follow the law (the basic tenant of conservatism)? Based on this, why do say people with traditional values strike you as "Suppress(ing), criticize (ing), mock (ing)" liberals?

I find that interesting since everything I strive for in my life is to better the life of my family, church, and country.

In comparison, I see the Decmocrat party as a group made of smaller groups that have all banded together to get each of their single issues met no matter who they tear down in the process. I don't see a world view represented except a systematic dimantling of our society and it's traditions. It seems like each facet of the Democratic party is in support of the other to take away from a larger group and it's values.

Tell me, and I am not trying to antagonize you - I just really want to finally understand liberal logic, and you sound like you have volunteered to be identified as that - so please tell me, how is it that I suppress a liberal, mock a liberal or criticize a liberal, when all I try and do is hold to the traditions of my family and this nation's history? How is it, that your political party is not, in fact, the one that is doing those things?

I don't believe I whined or cried, here, so hopefully you'll give me a little respect and reply.

Thanks

Right Wing Extremist,

There is nothing wrong with raising your family the way you see fit and doing so does not suppress more liberal Americans. I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal, generally vote Democrat, and agree that traditions, values, and history are all positives we should embrace.

You are in error in your apparent attempt to imply that Republicans are a homogenous group of families with strong values, traditions, and religion while Democrats are aligned only with the idea of dismantling our society. I know your note is in reaction to some loons on this board, but those idealized generalizations are just wrong.

BTW - evolution in society is not always bad. The bible you quote would have us stone someone for picking up sticks on the Sabbath. I'm certainly glad we have moved past that tradition.

Homeowner,

I never said I was a Republican. You assumed that from my citing that I have traditional values and am a fiscal conservative?

The Republican party of today is like the Democrat party of the 1960's. I know this because my grandparents and I have the same viewpoints and they are appauled by the Democrat party.

As far as you being "fiscally conservative and socially liberal", that is purely silly. How do you propose to pay for social liberal policis if you aren't liberal in spending? You cannot have it both ways - how do you fund your social agenda? How about this: leave the social policy alone, and keep our money alone also.

And thank you for telling me what the Bible says - I actually don't need your help since I know it well. In fact, for you to use the story of stoning is irrelevant. It also isn't all The Bible says, THE REST OF THE STORY is that a group of Pharisees dragged a woman who had commited adultery in front of Jesus and in an effort to pressure Jeusus to discredit himself, they reminded Jesus that adultery was punishable by stoning under Mosaic law (the law God gave to Moses) and challenged him to judge the woman so that they might then accuse him of disobeying the law. Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.” (See John 8)

Because of Jesus, we (the believers in Christ) are no longer under the Mosaic law for spiritual salvation, but under a New Covenant of grace and although the laws of the Old Testament were satisfied in payment by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and are still general principals to live a noble life by, we Christians are now bound by the commands of our Lord, which states that only those who are without sin should condemn others' spiritual salvation.

You only told half of the story in your flippant use of the Bible, Homeowner, so don't try to undermine the relevancy of a living document like the Bible in an argument by using something you clearly don't understand.

Right Wing Extremist,

Thank you for the note and the correction. You are correct that you did not state you are a Republican.

However, I am not silly for having more liberal social views and more conservative fiscal views. You make your own silly assumptions that liberal to me means funding endless social programs with your money. The world isn't black and white and your single worldview of those more socially liberal than you is not representative of reality. I'm sure it represents a segment of liberal thought, but please don't paint with a single brush.

Thank you for making my point regarding the evolution of traditions with your bible examples. The fact that several religous sects no longer submit to some of the older traditions in the Hebrew bible perfectly makes my point.

To point out even another evolution, look at your famous example of the adulterous woman dragged before Jesus. Today most scholars agree that this story was not in the original gospel of John. It is a thoughtful, insightful other half of the story, but a later addition to the text.

The idea of grace replacing Mosaic law in the bible is not as clear cut as you make it out to be. Start with Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; ... Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven..."

Is Mosaic law "irrelevant"? Perhaps, if its convenient for the evolution of your views and lifestyle. Which I can understand as the Old Testament espouses that we should all forgive the debt that we are owed every 7 years. It sounds like socialism!

I couldn't agree more that the bible is a living document. It was written and changed over time by man to support, enforce, and shape the religious views of a number of the thousands of religions worldwide.

Homeowner,

Thank you for your apology - I am a conservative and not a Republican. And I can tell you and I are probably not going to "meet in the middle" on the concept of the Bible. But I will give an honest response. You are picking and choosing what you want to quote out of the Bible and are stating things out of their proper context.

Jesus did abolish the law of Moses, not because it was socially irrelevant, but because God chose to. You cannot compare political motivations and God's plan to redeem mankind to himself. The Old Testament was written over the centuries before Christ and refers to the agreement that existed between God and man during those days. The "laws" or rules, that God introduced to man were necessary for a smooth-running society and a pure relationship between God and man. If a person did not obey ALL the laws, he would not experience an eternal life with God.

The cycle went on and on wherein God showed mankind their incapability to live a life without sin. There was only one way for God to achieve his will for us to permanently be restored to him. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and atonement - the perfect sacrificial lamb. We are no longer under this portion of Mosaic Law, not because we "evolved" but because God intervened and removed the requirement. That said there are principals that God asks his people to hold to, even today, because he is a God of order and love and wants us to be blessed by how he designed the world and ourselves to function best. Think “owners manual”. An engineer knows best his design and it’s functionality and best performance environment.

God fulfilled the law and its burden on the believer of the OT. He did not abolish the rules that protect us and bless us.

The Bible is not a living document as you are trying to argue, it does not change or "evolve" as do documents like our Constitution. No, it is living meaning, it is ALIVE because every time you read, God speaks (present-progressive).

Regarding who wrote the Bible, 2 Peter 1:20-21 states "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophesy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." The Bible was not "written and changed over time by man to support, enforce, and shape the religious views of a number of the thousands of religions worldwide." as you stated.

God wrote it himself. 2 Tim 3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." Meaning, the Bible's words are directly taken from the mouth of God.

The New Testament is the New Agreement between God and man. Under this new agreement, we are no longer subject to all of those nit-picking laws of the OT which we weren't able to obey perfectly anyway - including forgiving debt every 7 years – your “socialism” reference was abolished when Jesus ascended into Heaven and took his seat at the right hand of the Father. Instead, those of us who call Jesus Lord and Savior, have God himself, in the form of the Holy Spirit, living right inside of us helping us to right instead of wrong. We are no longer bound to fulfill the law: Jesus completed that task forever.

If you are functioning without the Holy Spirit in you, this would make sense why you do not have proper perspective of grace. You cannot just know ABOUT God, the Bible, and Jesus. You have to KNOW God, the Bible and Jesus personally. You can judge a tree by the fruit it bears - just as we can mankind.

But these points are just what I can come up with off the top of my head, let me know if you want to really discuss it in detail.

Right Wing Extremist,

Thanks for the extensive note. I am glad we live in a country where we don't have to agree on social, fiscal, or religious views and can freely state those views.

With regard to the bible, quoting the text itself to justify it's own authorship and validity does nothing but reinforce your own beliefs, and certainly doesn't provide a proof of anything.

Actually, there are well documented instances of the bible being changed over time by man to support specific views. The adultery example I mentioned earlier is one of many examples.

On your other points, we could go back and forth all day, but I don't see a lot of value in dissecting the bible as, you can probably tell, I don't have faith in the supernatural.

I do hope we can work together to solve the tremendous challenges facing our state and country. The polarization of our country is one of the biggest issues we must address to effectively move forward.

Homeowner -

And you just beautifully summed up why the United States is the best country in the world:

You and I absolutely believe differently, because I believe there is extensive evidence as to it's Divine Authorship, but yet, I absolutely respect you and would always defend your right to express yourself, even if you are wrong (wink!).

I hope we can all indeed come together, look at what makes us great and respect each other enough to honor our differences. I think that was the point of the OP. We can all have differences in our beliefs, but it is how far we push each other away from our beliefs that becomes an issue. I hope we will always respect one another's beliefs and the values they hold. Criticizing and name calling only fuels sparring.

I think it is much like a family - we US citizens can be critical of one another, but when those outside of our nation try to put us down, we should rally. I might not like what my older brother does, and I may even say so, but I won't stand for anyone making a nasty comment about my brother.

I am glad that you are a neighbor of mine and I have enjoyed our discussions.

Continue to ask and question. If we don't have a reason for why we believe, then we don't truly believe.

Peace.

Well said!

To "Homeowner",

If you really knew what was inside the bible, you would know that it does not suggest that people be stoned if they picked up sticks on the sabbath. Get your facts straight before you start quoting stuff you know nothing about.

I find it ironic that people attack Mr Eastman considering that is exactly what he was writing about. It is one thing to disagree with what someone says, but why the attacks? Can't people have civil disagreements?

I applaud former Pleasanton Police Chief Mr. Bill Eastman who's letter to the editor couldn't be more right on with his article and it truly spells out what they are all about and it boils down to Leftist thuggery. Mr. Eastman, I applaud your non-partisan approach and I am PROUD you are a Pleasanton resident and thank you for your many years of service heading our Police force, who's efforts helped make and keep Pleasanton on Newsweeks list of the Top 25 City's and Towns With the Best American Values. Mr. Eastman, you and your family are welcome in my home anytime.. you get it and I love it, WE ARE THE SILENT MAJORITY NO MORE! The sleeping giant has awoke. People, I urge you to take the higher ground in life and stay away from personally attacking others who are commenting on articles written.

Well said Bill.

Qwerty,

I've read the bible several times and can point out the OT verses if you like...

To those defending the original poster, I agree that Mr. Eastman should be able to and can discuss all his views without fear of reprisal. Unfortunately, his post essentially assumed that all Americans to the left of his views will call him an homophobe, islamaphobe,... if he dares to express his views. That is clearly not the case.

Interesting how Oboma can directly lie to get elected and these liberals are bashing a respected Police chief who dares to tell the truth.
Pull out of Iraq? Lie!
Stop the wire tapping? Lie!
Stop the pork/earmaks? Lie!
End party politics? Lie
The Media Cabal with GE,NBC, and the white house is all part of the undeniable corruption that exist and our CA reps to include Nancy Pelocy are some of the most anti-American corrupt official this country has ever exposed. They lie strait to our face but are unashamed of their rolls in the corruption as they believe they are smarter than the people that elected them (and they are) and they will be able to marginalize the truth tellers with the propaganda machine they have created in the media.

And people dare challenge the Principled views grounded in our Constitution by a former Public servant(police chief).
You people should be ashamed of yourselves!

A view held by the majority can only be offensive to persons with low self esteem. Bill Eastman is a patriot.

Mr. Eastman is making a valid point and he should be heard. If anyone has a ligament educated counterpoint then let that be heard as well. Once again all of the socialist’s who are trying to ruin our country can do is attack when someone steps out of line with their beliefs, (sounds like fascism to me). They call names and make racial slurs about Euro-Americans, (Sounds like bigotry to me). They can’t debate with facts or in a civil manner; they only speak from emotion, not intellectual thought. The liberal talking points are all they know. They are repeating what they are told to repeat by the people that control them. They could not come up with an original thought if they tried. Cute little lambs being led to the slaughter.
Unfortunately all of the real Americans who actually love their country (the centrists) have to go down with them. Sadly enough this is, in part, the fault of all of the good Americans who have had to work hard and do not have time to oversee all of the little changes that these socialist have made. The Republican Party, who we have trusted to preserve our American values, has sat back for the last eight years and watched our country go down the drain while the Dems enjoy their treasonous hijacking of our constitution; In preparation for giving up our sovereignty to a world government in exchange for power and money.
While the Democrats are primarily responsible for the policies that created the horrible economic mess we are now in. The Republicans where enjoying the windfall from the Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac debacle as well. Did they come out and speak loudly about how bad it could be. NO, they failed us as well.
It is sad to me to see that all of the government is corrupt and that they have taken advantage of the public trust. We as a people need to put aside the divides that both parties have put between us and fight for our country.
We need campaign finance reform. We need union reform. We need to make sure our kids are actually taught, reading, writing, and arithmetic, is stead of progressivism. My child does not need to learn about politics unless it’s a civics class. My child does not need to learn about sexuality unless it’s about reproduction. Anything more are ideologies for me to teach them not the government. Our colleges have become American Madrasah’s where our children are brainwashed instead of educated.
So instead of bickering and whining why don’t all of you spoiled little babies offer a valid argument or a valid solution to the problems we face, Like Mr. Eastman did. Read the constitution and the thoughts of our founding fathers because this is not the America they created nor is it the America I was raised in. If you want to live in Europe then you should move there. The only reason that Europe has the ability to operate the way they do is because up until the first Bush we have stuck to our American values, fought tyranny and kept the whole world as free as we could. So don’t be mad because Mr. Eastman is right and you have made many mistakes in thought and deed, be happy he has enlightened you to your ignorance. Try to have an open mind as you always preach and don’t throw out racial slurs about Euro-Americans as you wouldn’t about any other race. Try to find out what it means to be a Good American, so you all can stop ruining my country.

I used to live in Pleasanton, and I'm glad the paper is willing to publish a letter that will be unpopular and spark discussion. If you're attacking this man without providing arguments and evidence to the contrary, then you're proving his point and you are part of the problem. That is not civilized discussion, but it is a very common political tactic. Mr. Eastman's comments allude to several recent news items of exactly the kind of attack discourse that demeans, shames, and devalues the opinions of those who disagree. Both sides are guilty of it, and it needs to stop. Let the truth out, rather than shouting down those who disagree. Mr. Eastman was attempting to show a little truth and I applaud him for it.

Bravo Chief!!!

An excellent, to-the-point letter saying it like it is. You poor self-torturing liberals can't handle the truth. It burns like holy water on the unholy doesn't it~~~Are your heads spinning around as you read it?

I am non partisan, conservative/libertarian/liberal/independent..when its consistent with my country’s Constitution. I believe that it is principles not issues that will win the day. It is important to not get side tracked or quibble over irrelevant issues or worse party loyalties. The important things, the principles, are the only thing that can save this country. If we get dragged down in issues we will surely lose the country. Issues divide, principles unite, this is what has led us to our current state. The convenient idiots have led us down the path to destruction and we willingly have followed. Self righteousness, elitism, materialism, multiculturalism, all of these things have driven wedges between us and our principles, to the point of self doubt and reevaluation. When we swap our principles for passivity or to avoid conflict or from being ostracized, or allow them to be redefined by the opposition, we lose our foundation, we lose our country. We must unite in principle and demand that our Constitution is followed by our Gov. This Country is the evolution of society in its founding. The Constitution is not a living breathing document. It has built in methods for change and that should be the only way it is changed. Not through party interpretations or flat out ignoring the thing. Many that think they are smarter than the rest of us, and throughout history there have been these elitist views, will argue for change as if they just came up with a great plan that just needs to be implemented. Well, it is not new and they all have been tried and those folks are not any smarter than the rest of us. They are ideologues, Pelocy, Oboma, Fienstien, these folks would fall into this class. They are agenda(also self rewarding) driven, without guiding principles. This is why they often Box themselves into traps and always seem to bump up against the Constitution. The problem with these folks is they have control over the media and they have been indoctrinating the school systems for the last 30 years. Now there is a generation of voters that have been brainwashed with progressive thought which runs counter to the Values and Principles of this great nation. Oboma is a great example of this, Principles have no place in his agenda, only the end will justify the means, so he is trying to get there as fast as he can, before he is stopped in the next election cycle.
We are indeed in a very, very, dangerous time and Oboma now looking to pressure a transnational approach as it applies to US sovereignty, the Constitution does not even seem to be an impediment to agenda over Principles. There is without question a danger of losing the Greatest country that has ever graced this earth.

The most intolerant people in this country are the tolerant left.
The name calling and labeling of anyone who does not support their agenda happens because they cannot argue their stance.

As a life long democrat I am ashamed at what has become of this country and embarrassed to admit I voted for those who are now in office.

Homeowner, you said "I don't know where you get the idea that you can't provide your opinion without being called these names."

We get these ideas from the news and from personal experience.

Perhaps you didn't see Janeane Garofalo's MSNBC appearance where she said in reference to tea parties "This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism, straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of tea-bagging rednecks. And there is no way around that...This is about racism. It could be any issue, any port in a storm. These guys hate that a black guy is in the White House." Worse yet, Keith Olbermann did not challenge her view.

If what she said was true, why did Abram Wilson speak at the Pleasanton rally? If she had been paying attention she would have seen that people at the tea parties were critical of both republicans and democrats, and were attended by both republicans and democrats and people of all races. I was at the Pleasanton tea party and watched the coverage of many others, and saw no evidence of what she said. But facts don't seem to matter.

How about Miss California's treatment after she said she believed marriage is between a man and a woman. I heard many people question how she can represent California. Have they already forgotten that 52% of Californians agree with her?

I could also tell you a few stories about the treatment several friends who openly support Prop 8 received during the campaign.

Mr. Eastman, THANK YOU for your letter. I agree with every word you said. I think it's about time more of us start standing up for our beliefs.

Bravo Mr. Eastman, You sir are a true American!

The left has tried to stifle our free speech by putting us on a Right wing extremists "list"(thanks Ms. Napalitano) and calling us every name in the book.
But hearing all there insults will only bring more of us "silent NO more majority" to the for front!

Jennifer, you say "I'm religious but don't think religion should be misused to take away civil rights from anyone - including homosexuals."

What about taking away the civil rights (freedom of speech, freedom of religion) from those who are religious.

Proponents of gay marriage say that won't happen, but it is already happening. For evidence of that see

Web Link

The above was written by a pro-gay marriage lawyer, professor, and writer. The letter he refers to, which has many actual examples and was written by 4 law professors, is here:

Web Link

And for a stunning example of limiting freedom of speech, read this:

Web Link

Granted, the example above happened in Canada. But with Supreme Court judges who seem to think foreign laws should be relevant in the U.S. (Web Link I wouldn't be surprised to see the same kind of thing happen here in the near future.

Thank you, Mr. Eastman, for your well thought-out letter! I couldn't have said it better so I won't try! You have only said what so many people are thinking but were afraid to say! Thank you for your courage, activism and patriotism!

"Republican leaders have failed to live up to party principles. "

You have a gift for understatement.

I applaud Mr. Eastman for his letter. Although it is not "PC" to say what he did, it hits a very touchy nerve. If you say that you don't back Obama, than you are ignorant and a racist. If you say you go to a traditional church, than you are conservative. If you say you believe in family values, than you are old fashioned.

I feel our country is headed for a huge fall that is going to be incredibly difficult to recover from. I am embarrassed and angry that Obama goes to other countries and puts our country down. This is still the best country to live in. If it wasn't, why are there so many people trying to get in?

Obama is young, arrogant and not classy. He should never put the previous president down -- especially in other countries. I didn't agree with Bush, but he did have class and was an incredibly proud AMERICAN!

Look around, people. This country was created by hard working people. Small businesses are in danger with this president. He wants government to take care of everything. This country was never a socialist one, but it will become one if we don't stop now!

I pray for my kids generation. We've messed it up for them. Sorry.

Thank you, Mr. Eastman, for your courage in calling out the current socio-political environment. Amen to your plan!

Scared-
you are right! we are screwed. I am a teenager and often watching the news and politics, and scared of what i am seeing. So many hypocrites! I haven't seen any "change" from Obama yet, and the press guy?? Really? You have no friggin clue what is going on with the whole New York "Training" exercise? That's sad. And kind of mocks Obama in a sense.
I'm really scared for my future. :|