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I Declare War on You

This is in response to an article I read written by Eric Johnson ["Defeating the California Republic(an) Coup," Oct. 2-8.]. Here are some of my do's and dont's. 1. Do not insult a man you do not know, i.e. Arnold Schwartzenegger. (Plus he will kick your ass) 2. Refer to number one.

I know it's a short list but I don't have time to include them all.

First of all, we are all Americans regardless of immigrant or not. Mr. Schwarzenegger has probably paid more taxes to this state than Mr. Davis has contributed altogether. You see, we are coming to a point where Americans are at each other's throats because of this Democrat vs. Republican crap. Let me tell you that this is the biggest wasted sentiment I have ever seen.

Let's face it, if the bottom fell out and we had to defend ourselves from thugs and a foreign army, who would you run to? Your tree huggin' friend holding up a peace sign hoping not to get shot, or a Republican conservative who happened to stock up on rice, beans and ammo for his gun while a bunch of liberal Democrats scramble around looking for cover?

Or here is another scenario: Us Republicans get tired of Democrats and their liberal ideas, we can have a civil war, gun control advocates versus gun control proponents.

I know, I know, I'm unaware and ignorant to the facts; but here is the bottom line, read the Constitution, get to know it. We are breaking the laws of the land every day, and since back then when they were writing it, they forgot to take into consideration a clause for special interests. We left England because we were tired of government rule, and taxes. So let's get it on, Republicans vs. Democrats, a full-on civil war.

And I would love to have a response to respond to. Because if you can convince me that a liberal point of view is better, then I'm in, until then I'll keep my guns and my beans and rice and be ready.

Name Withheld by Request | via Email

I Don't Want to Pay

I seriously doubt it's a coup ["Defeating the California Republic(an) Coup," Oct. 2-8]. Had you mentioned also that all of the other state positions currently filled with Democrats were being recalled also, then I'd believe you, but that's not the case. Clearly you have a strong bias.

Just so you know, in recent elections I voted for Democrats, even though I am registered as a Republican.

One thing is clear: Our elected representatives are not listening to the people. They spend the state into oblivion, and then want us to pay for it.

Philip K. Eyrich | Sacramento

I Dream of Arnold

Though my heart is deeply touched by the description of the small town of "Duroville," I hardly see the connection between Republican ideals vs. Democrat ideals ["Cry California," Oct. 2-8]. The point is?

A racist is someone who is a bully by another name. Someone who wants and desires to hold others down out of ignorance and abject fear. Does Schwarzenegger fit this description? Hmm, let's see. He is an immigrant from an Eastern European (sic) country who came here LEGALLY in order to live the American dream and thrived under the work ethic of his family. He educated himself on everything American from business to culture, all while perfecting his body to become a superstar in the weight lifting world. Then he decided he wanted to be a successful action actor. No, he didn't change his ethnic name though he was told it wouldn't fit or look good on screen and how could anyone in this country pronounce it (racist undertones toward him?)?

To sum it up, he came here a poor yet motivated man and has become an icon in Hollywood, sports, and business. Wow, what a bad example he is for all of us to mirror. He is a role model to immigrants, legal and illegal. He has shown through sheer determination, will, and working with the system that the American dream is alive and well today.

Desirre Andrews | Colorado Springs

I Love Conservative Jesus

Bravo to Coast Weekly for printing extended quotes from Rev. Martin of St. John's Chapel. His articulate, reasoned statements neatly dispose of the Hollywood/TV stereotype that all conservative Christians are rabid hatemongers parading around wearing "Fags Go To Hell" sandwich boards.

The rest of the article left me scratching my head, however. How does Brett Wilbur's parochial experience at one of the nation's most notoriously liberal churches relate to the stand taken by the leadership at St. John's? If Wilbur's childhood memoir was intended as a rebuttal to Martin's orthodox position, I find it a very weak one indeed.

While few would argue that teaching children the virtues of "respect, responsibility, honesty and kindness" is a bad thing, and while the Bible certainly teaches that God is a God of love, in fact true Christianity is not based on "a mission statement to accept and integrate diverse people and ideas," or "a broad sense of religion," or "a respect for ceremony and tradition." It is rather based on the hard sayings of Jesus Christ along with the interpretive light cast on them by the whole body of canonical scripture.

Incidentally, so are all of Rev. Martin's comments, while Wilbur seems to be arguing from a set of vague sentiments surrounding her youthful churchgoing experience (during which, as she admits, she was only half paying attention.)

Wilbur's anecdotes do not add up to anything remotely resembling a defense of liberal theology (the kind that approves of homosexual behavior); they are rather a testimony to her own muddled thinking about Christianity.

Liberal churches everywhere do homosexuals a huge disservice by telling them "You don't have a problem. Come on in." Churches that preach Christ welcomes homosexuals with a different message: "We've all got problems, and yours is no different. But we have Jesus, and he's the way out of them all." Congratulations to Rev. Martin and the congregation at St. John's for keeping the faith.

Joshua Tyra | Monterey