Love Letters/Hate Mail

Read My Lips

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Tulsa Whirrled" by Michael Bates in the Jan. 1-7 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Michael D. Bates article was right on! The Tulsa World is a dumbed-down piece of modern mediocrity. Their pitiful paper is on its way out and Urban Tulsa can easily replace them by rising to the occasion with tenacity and community support.

Not too long ago I sent a letter to the editor of the World. The not only edited (which is ok as long as the main theme is presented), but, unbelievably they inserted the word "autism" into my letter totally out of context. I quickly called for a retraction. The result: They will no longer accept any of my letters. Real class, huh?

Let's form a committee to replace the Tulsa World with an Urban Tulsa Daily. It can be done by adding sports, weather, expanded news and as usual human interest.

This idea is not as far-fetched as you may believe. The time is now! Laid-off writers are abundant.

Please do not procrastinate your emergence as the defining news paper of Tulsa in the 21st century. This is not a dream but a reality waiting to happen. A real newspaper for eastern Oklahoma is overdue. Your time has come, big time!

As an advocate and supporter I am at your disposal. We must pull together a staff of professionals (what you already have is a great base to add to!).

Let's replace the mythological Tulsa World with an in-touch, far-reaching intelligent newspaper, you.

Sincerely,

Don Tucker

A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

Dear Editor:

(In response to "That's It?" by Ted Rall in the Jan. 29 -- Feb. 4 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

WTF is up with Ted Rall? One week he is lambasting the left,...the next the right. Could it be we have a writer that is more concerned in assessing the issues than toeing the party lines? His column in the 1/29-2/04 issue is right on point. The Bush era was replete with half-truths, big business concessions, invasions of privacy nationally, and the torture and extradition (rendition) of "suspected" government enemies. Personally, I don't blame George W! The man is a low intelligence dolt who could rarely repeat a written speech even with a teleprompter. But Cheney, Rumsfeld, Libbey and the rest should be prosecuted for their blatant lies and evasions.

I have less agreement with Ted's indictments of Colin Powell and President Obama (no, I am not black, nor particularly liberal). I believe that Powell tried to be the patriot he is/was, and supported his President. It is obvious to me that he finally realized the tangle of lies he had been fed, and decided he could no longer toe the party line.

And President Obama, while he has made many conciliatory statements, seems to be concentrating on the future. There is very little he can do to rectify the messes made by his predecessors.

I, for one,... hope that our new President can set a new course! America has always been known for it's willingness to help others in their time of needs,.. honesty, and mercy to one and all.

Let's reinvigorate that, America!!!

- David Hicks

Did You Hear What She Said?

Dear Editor:

(In response to "He Said, She Said" by Holly Wall in the Feb. 12-18 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

As a cast member of "Rumors," I just wanted to thank Urban Tulsa for taking the time and effort to review our show. I truly appreciate it. Urban Tulsa is an important part of the Tulsa landscape, and when you folks think a production is worth the time and effort to review, it says a lot. Thank you for showing interest in us and for all of your support of arts and entertainment in Tulsa.

Have a great week.

- Terry Michael

Neither Here Nor There

Dear Editor:

Why are you printing that drivel in Rant & Rall? The guy's a flaming Communist idiot. You're selling the lie that we've been living in something that resembles a free-market economy. I expect that nonsense from sources like MSNBC and FOX news. That lie is why their advertisers pay them. But, come on, you're a small business. I really expect at least *some* business acumen from you. Maybe I give you too much credit. Here's the truth of the matter: Communism [while nice in theory] does not work in any sizable group. We've been practicing it since about 1933, and it's driven our country to its knees.

The people who proclaim "We need more government control!" are perfect exhibits of that famous [and dubious] definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. This country was founded on the idea that personal property, and the right to the fruits of your labor are important. I know it's quaint, but some really smart people thought it had merit, once upon a time.

Rall's `Rants` would make sense in Seattle's "The Stranger." They really don't belong in the UT. Tulsans still (mostly) have a vague degree of common sense, self-reliance, and independence. I'm really not one of those nut-cases who think I could pull off being an island...especially in the middle of a city. I know I'm totally reliant on the good-will of my neighbors and the trucking companies who bring in my TV dinners. I have a lot more faith that they'll keep supplying me if I give them what they want (i.e. being a good neighbor and paying them) than if I have to rely on some Central Planning Committee to take care of details like that for me. I'd have addressed this as a response to Rall's column, but you seem to have [wisely?] kept his gibberish off-line.

- James Ashley

Driving Forces

Dear Editor:

Okay. The number of traffic citations dropped 40 percent in a time period this year compared to last. The next question should be: Did traffic accidents/injuries/deaths rise by 40 percent during this time period? Was there any change at all? Is there anybody in government who thinks that traffic tickets should relate to traffic safety? Tell ya what: if it's all about money, let the government sell prepaid speeding tickets.

You'd still be prosecutable for any accident; but if pulled over for doing 42 in a 35 with no other cars on the street in that block, you'd just give your ticket to the officer and go on your merry way. Silly? Just as brainless as telling cops to go write more tickets since the city needs money. My father told me that people in government are "the same breed of cats" as the average citizen, with one suspicious characteristic: they got into government because they want to tell other people what to do. Oh, in government what a rare jewel is rationality.

And by the way, Rall has gotten so unfunny recently that he's become funny again--a semihuman political Mobius strip. In any case, an hour with UTW beats a week of you-know-what, but if I dropped my subscription I'd miss the funnies.

Anatoly Arutunoff

Playing the Race Card

Dear Editor:

(In response to "A Picture's Worth Millions of Votes" by Mike Easterling in the Feb. 26 -- Mar. 4 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I am always astonished at anyone who chooses to oppose

steps to protect one of our most basic privileges as Americans...the right to vote. The League claim 18 percent of Americans older than 65 don't have a photo ID, a percentage that rises rapidly for those older than 75. They also maintain that a quarter of all African-Americans don't have a photo ID, that 10 percent those with disabilities don't have a photo ID and that 15 percent of low-income voters also do not. As is typical, those opposed to secure Voter ID have fallen back on the disenfranchisement or the race card issue.....how boring.

Also typical, the left cannot help themselves from playing the victim card when trying to thwart actions that do not fit their ideological niche.

Both my parents are in their mid-80's and have been saying this is what is needed for decades and I do not think they are the exception; further demonstrating the disconnect between groups like the LWV and the citizenry at large. Has the LWV never heard of ACORN?

I believe the LWV efforts would be better spent working with the legislators to assure that older Americans and their circumstances are considered in the language of the bill instead of trying to throw any effort to maintain voting integrity under the bus.

-Monica Johnston

Love Handles

Dear Editor:

(In response to "BMI Screening Smacks of Big Brother" by Sheldon Richman in the Feb. 26 -- Mar. 4 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I agree that the government has no jurisdiction much less any business regulating a child's BMI. What is also disconcerting is that Rep Morrissette has proposed, at least in news reports, that DHS should be the lead agency in addressing the issue. He wants to empower this agency to police child obesity while at the same time decrying the agency's ineptitude regarding its response to reported child abuse cases. He also has stated the agency is too big and needs to be dismantled. DHS has more than it can handle as it is. The issue of child obesity should be addressed through the family and where necessary with a physician.

-Kerry Freeman

Sounds Good

Dear Editor:

Putting the Live Music listings in .pdf form on line is a great idea. Now I can refer to it directly, instead of leafing thru the paper.

David Hicks