Sovereign State's Rights

Dear Editor:

I was reading UTW Aug. 9-15 ("Love Letters, Hate Mail"). The letter "Rights or Wrongs?" about House Bill 1804 and how some people mostly illegal immigrants do not want it, and about the billboards put up by the United Front Task Force.

All these billboards are is a ploy for sympathy.

Illegal immigrants talk about their freedom of speech and their rights here, AH HELLO!!! These people are here ILLEGALLY!!! Everything these people do once they set foot on U.S. soil is ILLEGAL!!! They do not have any

rights here! They are not U.S. Citizens!! House Bill 1804 NEEDS TO GO INTO EFFECT!!

I received this letter, which had been passed along to many, it states a lot. Here is the letter in its entirety:

A lady wrote the best letter in the editorials in ages! It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV. Her point: Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration.

Certain people are angry that the U.S. might protect it's own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests. Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave.

But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I am hard working and honest (except for when I broke into your house)."

ACCORDING TO THE PROTESTERS: You are required to let me stay in your house. You are required to add me to your family's insurance plan.

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I am just trying to better myself. I am a hard working and honest person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house.'

And what a deal it is for me! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior Oh yeah, I DEMAND THAT YOU LEARN MY LANGUAGE!! So you can communicate with me.'

Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America.

That's how I got it word for word. If I have to go through it legally sponsoring my spouse and stepson (and I was born here), they should have to as well. Forget just building a fence- ELECTRIFY the damned thing too."

That is the letter I got. If you live in this country LEGALLY you should understand this really hits home, it is all so true. House Bill 1804 NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO FORCE!

Thanks BL

(Name withheld upon request)

(outtake)

The failed policies of the past have left us drunk, ignorant, and poor!

Reform Schools

Dear Editor:

Oklahoma Education Association's recent protest against additional school days and merit pay confirms their priorities. They care more about working less and getting more money than actually improving.

Time again we hear from the OEA that the solution to improving our schools is more money, more money, and more money. Money is not the solution competition is.

Following is a brief history of some of the money grabbing socialist schemes of the OEA with their politician buddies: taxes on property and public service companies, revenues from liquor by the drink, pari-mutuel and casino gambling, and now the failing lottery.

Let us not forget the Education Reform Act of 1990 that was supposed the "fix" our schools and did not. Now, we live with Oklahomans drinking and gambling more than ever with schools still failing!

The failed policies of the past have left us drunk, ignorant, and poor! Who needs more school days and merit pay for this? What we need is universal school vouchers with no government strings attached!

Oklahoma needs and her children deserve free market competition in schools because capitalism is the only safe bet for improvement.

Sober up Oklahoma! Stop gambling and learn for yourselves what vouchers can do. Let us protest the OEA and demand real school reform!

Phillip W. Smith

Oklahoma City

Where Has All the Money Gone?

Dear Editor:

Commissioner Miller, I was approached last night by a employee at American Airlines who asked, can you find out what happened to the new hangar that we the taxpayers voted in to be built to help American in the repairs of the newer larger body airplanes. It has never developed, WHY? Was that money transferred to the arena?

Thank you also (for letting me know) how much money has been expended on the fairgrounds and where is this money coming from? I know part was from 2025 but the large amount, it would be interesting to see or hear how much has been expended at the fairgrounds and how much more is it going to cost for all the new asphalt and construction of the new electrical and removing dirt to get the grounds ready for the Arabian horse show?

Where is that money coming from? Is it borrowed money from the bank or banks, a grant or what. I think we the taxpayers have a right to ask just who and what has authorized all of this mammoth undertaking and how is it to be repaid. If possible I would appreciate a reply.

Could this be one reason that many Tulsan's are not in favor of another tax that we never see the full results of?

Joe Conner

(outtake)

What unwholesome machinations of the Fair Board has caused this?

Fairgrounds Capital of the World

Dear Editor:

It seems that our Tulsa County Fair Grounds are quite famous for several things. First, the I.P.E. (now Quick Trip) Building is the largest cable-stayed roof building in the world. Second, that same building is the site of the world's largest gun show. Third, the Fair Grounds are now the site of one of the most mean-spirited deals ever meted out to the world of private enterprise. Namely, the Fair Board's treatment of Bell's.

I recently visited with Bob Bell to thank him and his son for loaning some of their large amusement park tables to a non-profit I belong to. They have always been generous in assisting various local organizations, but on this day there were mixed emotions on my part.

I was pleased that they had been able to help our group, but was deeply saddened by their personal plight in having had to disassemble and remove their facility from the Tulsa County Fair Grounds. This wasn't some sort of toy that you fold up and put back in the box until next time you want to play.

We're talking about millions of dollars worth of concrete and steel and miles of all sorts of electrical equipment. This family was given a few brief months to remove that which it took some 55 years to build. What unwholesome machinations of the Fair Board has caused this?

It is my understanding that Bell's had routinely earned more for the Fair Board than Big Splash and Driller Stadium combined, all operating during the same seasonal period, with the $135,000 payment mentioned routinely by Bell's detractors amounting to only one third of the $450,000 paid to the Board for a great many years.

One wonders if this horrible destruction of years of work by a family-based business could have been prevented had there been no small degree of skulduggery on the part of the Fair Board and their hiring of an outsider to head up the Board. Surely, Tulsa had someone with the credentials needed to operate our own Fair Grounds.

It has been a long summer for the kids this year without Bell's. Drive over and take a look at the vast emptiness where there had once been families and children having fun.

George W. Starch III

Up With Smoke!

Dear Editor:

Over the last three years, I had several amazing "drug user" experiences. These experiences were not with drugs, but with people making a positive difference. From Canada to Kansas I found kind people willing to challenge zero tolerance. We volunteered for the Seattle Hempfest.

It was a two day event at Myrtle Edwards Park, Seattle, Washington. Over 150,000 people rolled out to show their support for ending Cannabis (marijuana and hemp) prohibition. There were at least three large stages, live music, and guest speakers. I've never seen so many people openly consuming Cannabis!

The sweet smell of freedom "resonated" throughout the event. These people really know how to stand up for personal liberty. In 2004 Seattle voters approved city legislation classifying marijuana as the lowest law enforcement priority. Since that time no measurable increase in marijuana consumption has been detected. The decreased law enforcement expenses and decreased arrests are great for all kind people.

Washington State allows medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. I propose that we improve on these West Coast policies by abolishing all laws which discriminate against Cannabis users in Oklahoma.

Learn about annual Seattle Hempfest: 206-781-5734 or hempfest.org. Learn about Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Campaign: 405-714-1236 or OKmedicalmarijuana.org

Jeff Pickens

Stillwater