Love Letters/Hate Mail

Opening Up Mythology

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Sinai Comes to Green Country" in the July 8-14 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Urban Tulsa Weekly reporter Mike Easterling is to be complemented for his objective presentation summarizing the status of the "Ten Commandments" political distraction currently underway in Oklahoma City.

In the June/July 2010 edition of Free Inquiry magazine, it was noted that "The Ten Commandments has no basis in primary-source-dependent history and as such should properly be classified as Jewish creation mythology -- in much the same manner as references are made to Greek myths."

Therefore, if the Oklahoma State Legislature would like to spend taxpayer money, to sponsor a "Mythology Museum" for Oklahoma, "that's where the 'Ten Commandments' should rightfully be memorialized."

Rep. (Michael) Ritze's efforts to pander to Oklahomans -- who appear to have no idea of what much the "Bill of Rights" is supposed to mean (to protect minorities from the 'tyranny of the majority') -- undermines the very essence of what has made the USA such a great nation.

Hopefully (but it's doubtful) the voters in Ritze's representative district will judge him accordingly.

-William Dusenberry, Coordinator for the Tulsa Coalition of Reason, Broken Arrow

No Place for Homeless Near Here

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Homeless Hamlet" in the July 8-14 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

The proposed "Hudson Villas" facility is repeatedly being misrepresented as being located on "11th St. at Hudson," when in reality it is in the neighborhood at "9th and Hudson" immediately next to private single-family homes.

This is a totally inappropriate location for this type of facility. There are no jobs, shopping or food stores even close to this location. If this is allowed to be built, it will be contrary to the "spirit and intent" of Tulsa's zoning laws, which were developed to protect the integrity and safety of neighborhoods in which homeowners have invested their hearts and lives into their homes. There are plenty of locations in Tulsa further away from private homes at which this project could be located!

I am all for helping the homeless "help themselves" -- but many of them have "personal problems," and they should not be concentrated next to any Tulsan's private home. There needs to be a "buffer zone" for any facility of this type regardless of the "good intentions" of the "builders" and "investors." Again, building it at "9th and Hudson" would be a true injustice and "slap in the face" to the homeowners in the area.

-Donald Farris

Why Not Me?

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Spinning Around Town" in the July 8-14 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I just wanted to email you guys because we were not included in your DJ list for UTW's ABoT DJ of 2011.

We have several themed events every month and even have about four Tulsa locals that periodically come out dressed in full movie replica stormtrooper armor. We play Electro Indie Dance Music and would just like the same recognition as the other DJs but know we are new.

-Deathstar Radio

[Editor's Note: Like all good artists and DJs in the area, start mounting a campaign to be nominated in the DJ category for Absolute Best of Tulsa Music Awards 2011.]

Carrying for Protection

Dear Editor:

There are a good number of people who seem frightened concerning the "open carry" issue as it pertains to firearms. There is no basis for this fear. This is about an extension to existing law known as the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act.

You will only be able to carry a firearm openly if you also have a concealed carry license, something you have to take the trouble to submit an application for. It's necessary to pass an OSBI background check, pay a substantial fee and complete a day-long training course to get a concealed carry license. The vast majority of folks don't have one and aren't compelled to jump through the hoops required to get one.

Since the only people to carry openly (legally) will be those who can also legally carry a concealed weapon, there is no more or less "danger" from them in regards to open carry; they are no more or less prone to start slinging lead whether they carry concealed or openly. Permit holders are aware if they brandish, point, or discharge their weapon without first being personally confronted with deadly force, they will be subject to extensive fines and penalties, including loss of permit and incarceration.

In other words, the same prohibitions that would apply to a criminal. This fact is drilled into people in the carry classes.

When concealed carry was initiated several years ago, there were lots of sky-is-falling arguments about how things would devolve to the Old West gun-fighting days with people shooting it out in the streets. That never happened, in Oklahoma or in any other state.

Therefore, the only real danger from open carry is a) advertising you have a weapon, and b) having it taken away from you by someone who's less than law-abiding.

It would be nice to see a lot less fear-mongering, political grandstanding, and outright misinformation concerning what is essentially a comparatively frivolous issue.

-Todd Kreigh, Skiatook