Love Letters/Hate Mail

Take a Hike

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Media Lied, Kids Died?" by Dr. Paul Kengor and "Fighting for What?" by Ted Rall in the Feb. 26 -- March 4 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I must compliment you on having the article by Dr. Paul Kengor. His article is and was so true. It's such a good example of how the media can be so one sided and influential.

I also must comment on the article by Ted Rall! How a person can live in the U.S. and want to give leniency and also pay compensation to people that killed and maimed U.S. soldiers and citizens! If he's so sympathetic towards them. Move to Iran!

- Jerry Rink

Thanks, But No Thanks

Dear Editor:

(In response to "The Year America Died" by Ted Rall in the March 5-11 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Thanks for all you guys do. I have always thoroughly enjoyed Urban Tulsa for the view it gives me into what's going on in the city, and I'm a huge fan.

After reading the editor's note regarding Mr. Rall's column, I decided to figure out what the fuss was about (ashamed to admit I've never read Rall's column before, but will follow it now!) - to understand why the editor said some Tulsan's seem scared to think, or why he felt Mr. Rall was the catalyst for them to do so.

So I read it.

And, now that I have, I'm not surprised there are those out there who have a problem with the writing if this is indicative of the tenor, the style and the substance usually associated with it. Although I have no idea what other readers are writing in about, his most recent writing is positively *riddled* with logical fallacy and in some cases, he appears to deliberately step over truth to make a point seemingly bereft of perspective (either economic or social).

Some examples: "The overall social problem of rising income inequality is at the root of our current economic ills."

Classic Classism. And his classist theory is followed in the paragraph by a list of red herring arguments suggesting everything from people's behavior to economic conditions would have been better if one class had the same amount of money in their pockets as the other. As a quick argument to refute that, I'd like to challenge him to name a single economic system in history where communism has displaced greed or made the credit business a sure bet.

I'll add that since 1990 the tax burden of the upper 5 percent of wage income earners has grown to more than 60 percent of all federal income tax, and the burden upper fifth of all wage income earners has grown to a staggering 82 percent of all federal taxes. At the same time the burden of the bottom fifth has dropped to 1.1 percent overall (this does not take into account the unequal, and bottom focused distribution of social program benefits for dollars paid in by the way).

All in all, if Obamanomic income redistribution is the solution, someone needs to tell America when it's gonna start working!

My point, in defense of Tulsan's unafraid to think, and unafraid to confront rime encrusted class based fallacy with alternative views, is that Mr. Rall should consider a critical thinking course, going into comedy, or writing alien conspiracy theories for the Enquirer before writing another article so baseless as to be funny.

Or maybe you guys could just get another writer to balance him out from time to time...Either way, I'll keep on reading!

Thanks!

- Greg Barnes

We the People

Dear Editor:

I live in District 4 (Eric Gomez's District). Because of the activities of the City council and THA, I have been more politically active on the local level than ever before. That tells you something about what is going on here in Tulsa! Just this year, I've gone to my first Council meeting, volunteered time, and given money to local neighborhood organization. I've written every person on the Tulsa City Council and State Reps letting them know what I thought of the lawsuit. 'We the people' need to speak up and let our voices be heard, or we will begin to lose our First Amendment rights.

Diana Locke Opalach

Wake Up!

Dear Editor:

For the reinstatment of Debra Taylor: I was born and raised in Oklahoma. This is a fact I was proud of. But after reading about Superintendent Ed Turlington's treatment of Debra Taylor, I am ashamed of my home state. I am ashamed I am from a place that promotes ignorance and intolerance. I am ashamed that Oklahoma's educational system would rather foster hatred than create a classroom open for discussion, education and understanding.

His treatment of Debra Taylor demonstrates everything that is wrong with our country, our state and our educational system. He has made me ashamed of Oklahoma.

Debra Taylor did not deserve this kind of treatment. Young people need dedicated teachers willing to confront issues of respect and acceptance for people of all sexual orientations. She should be commended for creating a safe space for all her students and should be reinstated immediately.

I hope he will recognize the error of his ways. Until then, you can be sure I will hang my head in shame and apologize to those around me for the hatred and intolerance being taught in the schools of Oklahoma.

Sincerely,

Kristin Maun

No Joke

Dear Editor:

(In response to "The Time has Come" by Michael Bates in the April 2-8 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Thanks for Michael Bates' April Fool's joke. A columnist who regularly brags about his active membership in the Republican Party nonetheless dares to offer a sensible mayoral platform that includes a promise not to let property developers operate in an unregulated free market. He also fails to support the right of large corporate suppliers of our food to reduce the market-share of local producers, or to drive them out of the free market altogether.

What's more, this "Republican" doesn't even propose spending taxpayers' money in this time of economic hardship for erecting monuments to the Bible, as if unaware that it would call down divine assistance for our Lord's most serene and holy church of ... I mean, state of Oklahoma.

To top it all, this "Republican" finishes his platform with a complete sentence in a foreign language, as if unaware that English is about to be made the official language of the proud nation of ... I mean, state of Oklahoma.

Have y'all considered providing this sort of hilarity to your readers on a weekly basis, rather than just on April Fool's Day?

- JS Maloy

Laugh It Up

Dear Editor:

Hello, I just wanted to let you folks know that I really appreciate you running Red Meat, Life in Hell, and all the other great comic strips you publish. It is so refreshing to see comic strips that are actually funny and have cool art, as opposed to Marmaduke, Hi and Lois and all that crap they print at the TW. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

- Nick

The Fans Loved Him

Dear Editor/Isaac Farley:

(In response to "Flea Circus" by Isaac Farley in the April 16-22 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I read with sadness the news of your departure in your latest column. I had hoped that I would run into you while you were out and about in town and have a chance to tell you how much I enjoyed your column.

I hope you are on to bigger and better things, and I know you have a bright future ahead of you. I will miss your column in the UT every week--for the last year it has been my favorite part of the issue.

Good luck to you and Cristi.

Gwen Potter

Priority Male

Dear Editor:

I have discontinued reading of the Urban Tulsa Weekly because of your inclusion of Ted Rall as a columnist. I cannot support a publication that supports an individual that spews hate and venom upon our military in such an egregious manner.

- Bill Emery