Love Letters, hate mail

Double Barrel

(Re: "Six-Shooter Swagger," May 24-30, vol. 21, no. 48)

Dear UTW:

Please tell Arnold Hamilton (Mr. "six shooter swagger"), that 43 of our 50 states already permit open carry, most without a permit.

Oklahoma is just catching up. If he can't handle it he should move to Chicago or New Yawk City.

--Robbie O'Rourke

Dear UTW:

One of the necessary attributes of a civilized society is the high level of trust that its citizens invest in each other, such has been the case in these United States since their foundation as colonies. Mr. Hamilton's lack of trust in his fellow citizens, armed or not, indicates that he is not civilized. Rather, he is apparently a barbarian. Since he cannot muster the self control to carry a weapon himself, he imagines that all around him similarly lack that same self control. There is historically exactly one hallmark of a free man; he bears arms, as slaves and serfs were not permitted to do. Mr. Hamilton does not trust himself to be free, does not trust others to be free. He relinquishes the responsibility of a free man to protect himself and his family to the state, and thus relinquishes his liberty. Freedom and liberty are risky propositions, not for the faint of heart or those who lack virtue and honor.

--Denny Crook

Two Booze Views

(Re: "Challenge to Change," May 31-June 6, vol. 21, no. 49)

Dear UTW:

I am shocked at the casual discrimination in this proposal. Of 77 counties in the state, only 14 have the population to 'benefit'. Whatever happened to the idea of benefiting a majority of citizens in the state? Furthermore, if only stores of 25,000 square feet would be allowed to sell wine, only big box retailers would benefit. It is not clear to me if the total perimeter of my local Wal-Mart would be counted,or if only the grocery section must comprise 25,000 square feet. This is, of course, just the thin end of the wedge. If approved, the 'two licenses annually with a total of only six' would soon disappear by virtue of large bribes, err, 'contributions' to legislators. Additionally, the promoters simply spit in the faces of convenience stores (admittedly, few of them have the square footage to qualify). I ask again, how does this benefit most citizens of the state? Given that the Big Boxes will 'cherry pick' the most popular products and strip the bread and butter profit margins from mom 'n pop liquor retailers, this proposal simply would not benefit the majority of Oklahomans.

--Steve Nafus

Dear UTW:

I may be in the minority, but I WANT the laws to change. I think ANY step forward for Oklahoma is a good one. As long as the Liquor stores and the Grocery stores are on even terms, I think the change is great. I want to be able to sell what they sell if they can sell what I sell. That is good business and is good competition.

--Freddy Lamport, owner of BierGarten, Jenks

Happy Trails

(Re: "Bridge the Gap," May 31-June 6, vol. 21, no. 49)

Dear UTW:

I rode in the HHH for eight consecutive years before climbing off of the bike to help raise the kiddo. She is now 18, has graduated from high school and I am back on the trails! Thanks for a great article promoting an amazing way to stay healthy, have fun and meet some amazing people. I joined the Mercury Lounge Bicycle Club a month ago and have come to love and admire them for their camaraderie and grit. We've had some tough rides but they always wait for stragglers, never let you get too far behind and have your back at every turn.

The Tulsa Bike Trails are better (and prettier) than anything you'll find in Austin and they are challenging rides that will test you without breaking your spirit. Great training rides.

Check the internet for clubs that you can join. tulsabicycleclub.com is great for serious riders but Soundpony and Mercury Lounge have teams as do many others.

I am a native Texan who now considers Tulsa as home because it's great city, a great music scene and a place that respects bikers and makes it easy for us to do what we most love doing.

--Doc Spender

Release the Hounds

(Re: "Hash It Out," May 31-June 6, vol. 21, no. 49)

Dear UTW:

Well this behavior MIGHT be tolerated in other cities but I for one think this should be outlawed in Tulsa. We are respectable citizens who pay taxes (I doubt this bunch does), obey the law (they don't because alcohol in public is illegal), and are upstanding individuals (Cherry Pooper - obvious sexual/fecal connotations). We should pass a law that prevents this type of activity and I for one would release my precious dachshunds if I ever saw them laying flour on MY street.

--Jimmy James