On the Cuspidor of a New Year - If we didn't have a lot to say about the sad state of government, we'd just spit - Columns - Capitolist

tobyjenkins, 1/ 3/2012 - 9:46pm
"I greatly appreciate Mr Hamilton's "On the Cuspidor of a New Year". When Oklahoma's US Senator Jim Inhofe decided to insult Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender military personnel last month, he must have thought "what a great CHRISTmas gift for my constituents". I am sure some Tulsans were pleased he picked on the gays. Perhaps he did it in honor of Jesus birthday. Holidays are supposed to be about loving your neighbor, caring for the suffering among us, and doing random acts of kindness like paying off a stranger's layaway at Kmart. So Mr Hamilton focuses on the obvious result of Senator Inhofe's remarks. Everybody got hurt by his thoughtless words. No one was left out of the friction as community leaders scrambled to see what side they should pick and talk radio fueled the fire of bitterness and a city was divided. But the holidays are over and what came of Senator Inhofe's well placed grench attempt to still the joy of the holidays? Thank you Mr Hamilton for pointing out the value of diversity and inclusion, because the gays of Tulsa went on about their "agenda" (Inhofe's words not mine). The very week he insulted the gay community they raised thousands for needy Tulsans, served meals to the hungry, collected pet food for destitute pet owners, stocked a community food pantry, purchased presents for those on fixed incomes, and the next week they attended their houses of worship as multiple faith traditions were observed. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center was opened every day in December and even hosted a New Years Eve Party for those in recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. The help line took calls from the isolated, abused, battered, and suicidal. All of this was done during the holidays. All of this is done everyday at the Dennis R Neill Equality Center. And all of this will be done in 2012 as the members of Oklahomans for Equality will continue to fulfill their mission to seek equal rights for all marginalized people and serve the citizens of Tulsa. Toby Jenkins Executive Director Oklahomans for Equality. "