Editor's Note: This week, several of the comments below came in response to stories at urbantulsa.com.

Burger Boy

Dear Editor:

For the "Hamburger Enthusiast". This is my opinion. I have been a researcher of burger cuisine and a "Test Pilot" in a hamburger factory, which I was fired for obvious reasons. My travels and experience seeking and devouring grilled ground beef throughout the southwest have led me to the conclusion that "Bills Jumbo Burgers" in Tulsa, OK are without any reservation the "BEST" and most perfectly flavored grilled burger to be found. The love and effort placed in every carefully prepared burger will satisfy even the most scrutinizing palate and delight the yearning taste buds of any burger enthusiast. So do yourself a favor; stop by and visit while enjoying the partaking of a long family heritage of cooking tradition, and don't forget to ask for the "onions fried in".

Enjoy,

B. Bartley Long

The Your District

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Tate vs. Bob" in the June 4-10 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Hey, let's do this instead. Let's wait fifty years and name it after me, since I spent a boatload of money drinking at Lola's, Caz's, Sound Pony & Cain's. Plus, my grandparents caroused back in the day when Bob Wills played Cain's, so there's my historical connection.

I've never been a Klansman, I was born here, I'm a veteran, I'm a writer, I'm not a racist (unless declaring that somehow makes me one), I'm not a vegetarian (unless I need more fiber in my diet for a day or two), I play a little guitar, I'm a decent bowler, I don't have any felonies and I'm slightly overweight.

I am the status quo.

So if it's not just about changing a name, and it's about understanding the history of where you're at, then how far do we reach back?

And if we keep erasing those that have distasteful parts of their past, we won't have a history beyond what is cobbled together to make people feel good.

That's Disney, and it's not real.

I know it makes people feel good, discounting wide swaths of Oklahoma history, but the fact remains that during Brady's time, many white men were either in the Klan or complicit with their actions. In the years to follow, Oklahoma had the highest Klan membership in the U.S. - do the research.

New idea: We'll (I'll) form an LLC and then we'll (I'll) sell the naming rights to a phone company, bank or pharmaceutical concern and I (You) can build a nice park/fountain area in the district. Then we'll (I'll) oversee the funds that are collected for the naming rights and I (You) can pay me a nice salary for all I've (You've) done.

Let's do that instead.

Elwood District

Think Again

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Tate vs. Bob" in the June 4-10 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

I'm all for Chapman's idea. I can't imagine that anyone would be against it, except for the most staunch traditionalists. Let's honor someone who more accurately represents the district, and the times, as opposed to a key player in the most shameful event in Tulsa's history. "The Warehouse District" and "Old Town" are too generic & sound too familiar. Let it be something that is more uniquely Tulsa or that represents our rich musical history.

Lolice

Independent Minds Unite

Dear Editor:

Truth is outside the comfort zone of many people and nothing can change It. Culture and peer pressure make slaves to the myths of politics and religions--facts and results are not primary concerns. Few have the courage to think Independent from their everyday world. The Republicanism of regional Christian denominations was accomplished by promoting repressive unsolvable doctrines from ancient fear and tribal traits. The very opposite of what made America great--the quest for truth and freedom. America was created by Independent thinkers, not followers and most were fearless Deists--In God We Trust was more than a slogan.

The lack of Independent thinking is killing America. False prophets of profits have led believers away from the logic inspiration of the frontal brain. Everyone Is not created equal--but everyone has the right to be treated equal In America. Most hardcore followers seek to deny those rights to outsiders and Independent thinkers. Hardcore Republicans and religionist are more fearful and reactionary than the general population--kultism creates a sorry crop everywhere It grows.

Tyrants and slavery flourish in the unholy environments where people give God's freewill to mythmakers. God gives no wisdom to mobs. Oklahoma is under attack from religious Republicans that have an agenda to tear down all the laws of Justice and equality--they are hypocrites and stooges of greedy tyrants and slavers.

J. Ray Hunt

Rave Against the Machine

Dear Editor:

Downtown Tulsa sucks. Is seems like the rich of Tulsa are backing the mayor or pushing to make a rich playground for the wealthy and the uppity rich baby boomers of this fair city called Tulsa. The big problem stems from the BOK center and the parking problem. The environment surrounding this area is also a problem. You have the city jail, the pre-release center, the YMCA, the Salvation Army center for the homeless, the civic center (safe haven for the winos, bums and poor people down on their luck). This all makes sense. This is the right atmosphere that a great venue needs to promote this great building. Yes, the BOK center has brought in a large amount of revenue for the city, country, etc. because of the large service fee put on the price ticket; there is no such thing as a $49.00 ticket when you add a $37.50 service fee for each ticket. It makes some of the tickets unaffordable for the common fan. Concerts are too costly to go for an evening out.

Mayor Taylor was sure in a hurry when she found out the Drillers baseball team might be heading to Jenks, to get a proposal to secure a contract to provide the team with a new ball park. WAM, BAM thank you ma'am, we are building a new one. She got some of her rich friends to come up with donations for the ballpark. Then she decided to raise a high tax rate to the property owner for the next 30 years to pay for rest of the bill.

City hall does not care for the little people out there when it comes for a playground for the rich. There again--how are the parking and traffic jams that this ball park is going to generate be figured out? Getting off I-244 will cause a traffic jam. They will have to improve the amount of lanes coming from I-244 and the surrounding side streets getting in to the new park. One thing about the fairgrounds is that they have plenty of parking. Down at the new ball park there won't be.

Another thought: Your [former] columnist Michael D. Bates needs to either gripe about Tulsa and the mayor or kiss their asses, not both. One editorial he is pissed at them, and the next time he kisses their asses, praising them at how great of a job that they are doing. He needs to focus on another column called "WHY DOES TULSA SUCK" and the people write in and he can answer their complaints. This way he has a better idea what the people think of how the city of Tulsa is complying with the citizens concerns. Just like the Batman movie when the Joker said, "What this town needs is an enema."

We need the City Council to elect officials who comply with the peoples' needs, not what they themselves think. The Urban Tulsa paper looks like a hippy underground paper out of the '60s. We older citizens of this city are here to stay, don't worry about getting the young professionals to set up roots downtown.

The cost of living will increase. In every city when a lot more development happens, prices will go up, not down. The young professionals will have to make big money to live there.

Finally, my suggestion to Mr. Bates: stay on one tract. Either criticize the city and their politicians or KISS THEIR ASSES--not both, and you will have a column worth reading.

Thanks,

The Reverend Jake