I think if we want to go...

I think if we want to go back to the Dark Ages, it’s an excellent

decision. Otherwise, it’s absolutely terrifying that we are

eliminating free speech this way, and I can hardly believe a place

like Newport Beach would be part of this.

POLLY STANBRIDGE

Corona del Mar

No. 1, Eric Schlosser has a very good point in his book. No. 2, I

wonder whether or not Asst. Supt. Jaime Castellanos or former school

board member Wendy Leece or any of the others who are opposing it

have ever read any of his material up to and including the “Reefer

Madness: Sex, Drugs and Cheap Labor in the American Black Market.”

More often than not, these “well-meaning” do-gooders restrict freedom

of speech not knowing or having the foggiest idea what the real

elements are.

So I oppose their opposition to the fliers. I think they should be

allowed to go forward, and furthermore I think Leece and Castellanos

ought to read the material before they start objecting to it.

WILLIAM MONROE

Corona del Mar

By all means, I support the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

One, this series has a man speaking who advocates something that is

illegal: marijuana. We should not expose our children to such a man.

Second, there is no rebuttal to this man, so even if there is a

question of free speech under the First Amendment, he still should

not have the opportunity to work with children unless there is

someone to rebut.

Most of all, I consider his work certainly backing an illegal part

of our society, something our children do not need.

MILDRED MURRY

Newport Beach

I don’t think the district made the right decision in banning the

flier, because I think that he is a legitimate member of the speaker

series and we get both sides of every question.

HELEN DWAN

Corona del Mar