Comments on: Katie on "freeSpeech"

[enochville]

Although I do not agree with Mr. Rohrbough's remarks, I do support your FreeSpeech segment and hope that it continues. I also support Mr. Rohrbough's right to free speech, yet I hope that some of his ideas will become less popular soon.

[kpritc]

I disagree bemidjiite. I do not consider Mr. Rohrbaugh's comments different or a perspecitve that we seldom hear on national media. You can frequently hear similar comments and be subjected to this viewpoint on Fox News any given day. Where have you been? I don't think it was courageous for CBS to let Mr Rohrbaugh share his views, they knew it would result in controversy!

[robwilder2]

As a Father of a son, I can understand Brian's anguish at his loss at Columbine, sending a Child to school never to return is indeed a nightmare. As someone with relatives in Lancaster County, I cannot imagine the beautiful farms I have driven through or the shops with Amish clerks I have frequented would be visited upon with such unexplainable violence. As an atheist I find all of this terrible and unsupportable. I hope Brian can understand when I say I cannot agree with or support any of his positions expressed on CBS.

[wwestranch]

In these days and times of the horrific acts of violence on children, it amazes me the reaction of people when the news has the "courage" to let someone speak out about how the lack of God in our life could possibly be the cause. I do not comprehend how that could cause anger. What would be their suggestion? I think this last act of violence on the Amish community speaks volumes to those who really want to listen. One of the midwives "Rosie" spoke to a reporter and asked that the message this non violent community would like to send is that because they have faith in God they will be able to carry on and forgive Charles Roberts for this hiddeous crime. On the other hand, Charles Roberts screamed of his anger at God for the loss of his premature child and the fact that he was dealing with molestation issues. It is very clear to me and should be to those who are paying attention that returning to the lessons of what God would like to teach us could possibly be the answer. It certainly couldn't hurt. Many would like to see the Amish as an oddity but I hear their message loud and clear. Only time will tell and then it will be too late.

[bemidjiite]

I was greatly encouraged to hear the comments by Brian Rohrbaugh, both because we so seldom hear that perspective on national media, but moreimportantly because his comments went to the heart of the problem. When we released our nations spiritual moorings, it ought not surprise us that other things began to slip. Morality and loss of respect for life have been slipping for a long time. I can't prove a causal relationship with this week's three shootings but it isn't hard to connect the dots. CBS, thank you for the courage to put a different and important viewpoint on the air.
Greg Giles

[lyn_cannon]

Should we not forget that in addition to the right to free speech we also as American's have the right to be protected from religous persecution? If that is the case I think it time to be said the it is also my choice to not believe in God. Does that make me evil?
However, respect for and understanding for ones differences is what makes this county great; is it not? What is difficult to understand about our latest generation of the "Christian" Conservative Movement" (and Government)is that I do not judge you for your belief in something I do not or cannot understand; however you condemn me for a lack of faith? HOW IRONIC! I, the "evil" one shows tolerance and complete disintrest in your religious choices, but YOU cannot seem to stop blaming the horrible circumstances you experience or happen around you because of a lack of "god". I can assure you that I am no murderer, rapist, liar, or thief, but yet an extremely ethical, content middle aged woman with a career, a home, and a fulfilled life, I even contribute to society in the most positive of ways. I pay my taxes, help to fund your childrens' educations through some of those tax dollars even though I have none of my own, yet don't tell you your are wrong or evil because you belive in "god". When you, as a group of "believers" can find no fault within yourselves then maybe we can discuss whether or not I need your prayers!

[pdotson3]

Many people have disagreed with Brian Rohrbough's comments last night. I want to say I agree with everything he said. Many cannot see the relevance to the shootings in PA, but it is totally relevant. As we see the continued moral decay in our country, we will see increased violence against one another because it is no longer seen as morally wrong to do so. Unfortunately, the media has helped bring on this decay by depicting everything from cursing as everyday language, to *** as acceptable anywhere, anytime & with anyone, to murder as acceptable behavior with no consequences. We live in an "if it feels good do it" society. It is time for our nation to return to the moral principles upon which it was founded.

[gypsywen]

I think Ms. Couric missed the point. It is not that one agrees or disagrees w/ Mr. Rohrbough's views -- it is the use of it in this manner. Little children were murdered and she put this guy on to talk about things that had nothing to do with the tragedy. The shooter was a church-going man, he had children of his own. Yes, I think Ms. Couric missed the point about the outrage. Or, was the whole thing set up to be an outrage ... whatever it was, it was lousy journalism.

[jenngriffith]

This is not the responsibility of the school system, but the responsibility of parents. If you do not want to raise your children to be good people, then don't have kids in the first place. Quit placing blame on the schools when it's the parents and community who have dropped the ball. Do what you feel you need to do, in private, to ensure that your children are upstanding citizens with strong ethics and morals, but do not expect anything beyond an ACADEMIC education from public schools.

Public schools are already underfunded and don't even have enough money or time to teach art and physical education, let alone allowing for time for your child to learn about God. That's what evenings and weekends are for - quality family time to teach your children about your beliefs. Leave academic time to learn about factual fundamentals.

[jenngriffith]

As one of the teens featured on the DatelineNBC special (with Couric) following the Columbine incident, I was personally subjected to Katie's own personal hang-ups regarding people who don't follow the straight and narrow. It does not surprise me that someone so intolerant, as Brian Rohrbaugh showed himself to be last night, would appear on a show hosted by Katie Couric.

The entire situation reminds me of what's going on with the United States right now. There was an immediate outcry about the lack of security in schools and a pledge from officials to tighten security and make things safe. Yet, kids are no safer. Very little has been done to actually address the real problem: teaching people to be more tolerant and respectful of one another.

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