Love Letters/Hate Mail

The Same Accord

Dear Editor:

(In response to "It's Time for Action" in the Aug. 5-11 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I don't agree with (Arnold) Hamilton on most issues. I cite his sneering contempt for anyone who mentions the importance of faith (those he refers to as "bible-thumpers"), his routine, obligatory railing against "corporate welfare," and the apparently blind determination to keep taxes high and increasing amounts of money funneled into the education black hole.

When it comes to "Oklahoma values" though, he might have a point. We do seem to have a proliferation of fat, dumb people in Oklahoma who seem to put as much effort into reading or thinking about anything of substance as they do into diet restriction and exercise.

One of our primary exports in recent decades has been college graduates and young professionals leaving for areas of the country where they have a chance to find better paying employment (or any job at all). Maybe since there aren't any jobs anywhere these days, we'll retain more young adults.

If I had one suggestion for any candidate for office who wanted to capture the attention of the electorate, it would be this: Memorize the OU Sooner football media guide. Do it for all the players.

When a reporter asks a question -- be it concerning the environment, abortion, the economy -- ignore it and start talking about OU football. Because we're talking about what really gets people's attention here in Oklahoma. Do that, that politician will win at least 50 percent of the vote.

Exhibit A: It appears the Democratic challenger to Tom Coburn in November is a tin-foil hat type who puts his name on the ballot but never actually campaigns. He won in the primary for no other reason than he has a famous last name.

Yeah, I'd say Oklahomans are pretty disengaged. Then again, if you think politicians and government exist to fix your problems, please stay disengaged until you realize they exist to create them.

Go Sooners!

- Todd Kreigh, Skiatook

Good Moral Direction

Dear Editor:

(In response to "The Undivided Church and State" in the July 29-August 4 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

The article about government and religion crossing was rather skewed. It seemed to be representative of the anti-Christian attitude of the past few years.

The idea of separation of church and state in the United States law and society was never intended by our founding fathers. The term "a wall of separation of church and state" was not mentioned until 1800 when President Thomas Jefferson answered questions from the Baptist church of Danbury, Conn. The term does not appear in the U.S. Constitution.

The original settlers of America and most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were Christians. Many said if the country abandoned the basic Christian ideals, we would no longer have a country. The writers of the original documents also intended for there to be freedom of anyone being able to worship how he believed.

The 10 Commandments have been a good guide for our laws. I believe it is written on the Supreme Court building. Jesus Christ said the Commandments could be reduced to two: Love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and your neighbor as yourself. Maybe those two would be easier to read and follow and wouldn't it be a great country and world if we all did that.

We really need a strong moral direction at this time. We don't need a secular society -- look how Europe is declining. Of course, the ACLU is going to oppose anything Christian. (They got what they wanted in Haskell County -- I don't think they should pay them anything). You might notice, Islam is moving in. Muslims are blocking the streets in New York for two hours at a time on their knees in front of the mosques. Does anyone protest that? Do you want an imam telling you how you and your wife should dress and live? They are not for freedom of religion.

-Gary Van Antwerp

Not New to the Times

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Protofascism Comes to America" in the July 29-August 4 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I want to commend Ted Rall for his column. It's the best thinking and writing my wife and I've ever read in Urban Tulsa. Sadly, I must disagree with his belief that the Tea Party is something new to America. I grew up during the McCarthy era and the Tea Party and similar so-called ultra-conservatives sound chillingly similar.

-James Oakley