When does reacting cross over to overreacting?

I wrote to Prof Alan Browstein (the con law professor referred to in earlier posts). His response captured mine fairly well:

I cannot find the words to describe the sorrow, shame and anger I feel about the passage of Proposition 8.

Thanks to everyone who left messages today. I appreciate it. I understand about the battle being lost and not the war,that this isn't the end, that there are some legal questions remaining, that 3 law suits were filed today, etc etc etc. I understand. That only works on a cognitive level. For now, I'm just reacting to what feels like great sorrow, shame, and anger.

And on we go.