The Edmond Sun

Letters to the Editor

July 10, 2012

Reader wonders when government intrusion will stop

EDMOND — To the Editor:

The Supreme Court has in my mind just joined in the assault on our Constitution and trampled the Tenth Amendment and the entire concept of federalism that was so deeply debated at the founding of this great experiment in liberty.

I find myself unable to understand how the federal government can refuse to enforce its own laws designed to protect a state, then castigate that state when it tries to protect its citizens from the attack that the federal government chooses to ignore!

The powers given explicitly to Congress include “to establish a uniform rule of immigration” and provide for the common defence … of the United States.” I see nothing that says “except for Arizona.”

The Constitution also states that the president “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” I see no exception stating that (even an eligible) president is free to pick and choose which (if any) laws he may, or may not, enforce!

Unfortunately, we have no law making it a capital crime for an elected official to fail to carry out his/her oath of office; but can you please explain to me why Mr. Obama is not guilty of misprision and why this should not be considered as a “high crime or misdemeanor”?

Further, will you please explain to me where We the People can turn for protection when the federal government refuses and the state is forbidden by that same out-of-control federal government?



Richard H. Irish

Edmond



RICHARD H. IRISH, a veteran of the Korean Conflict, wrote this letter originally to his congressman Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma.

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Letters to the Editor
  • Senators give criminals a pass

    Oklahoma’s U.S. Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe were among 45 senators who recently helped block a sensible measure to reduce gun violence. Specifically, they voted down a measure to expand background checks for gun buyers — a step favored by 86 percent of Americans, according to recent polls. Our senators were not even asked to vote for tougher measures like bans on military-type assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, also favored by 56 percent of Americans, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.

    May 8, 2013

  • LETTER: Senators give criminals a pass

    To the Editor:
    Oklahoma’s U.S. Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe were among 45 senators who recently helped block a sensible measure to reduce gun violence. Specifically, they voted down a measure to expand background checks for gun buyers — a step favored by 86 percent of Americans, according to recent polls. Our senators were not even asked to vote for tougher measures like bans on military-type assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, also favored by 56 percent of Americans, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.
    By opposing background checks for gun buyers, Sens. Coburn and Inhofe voted in favor of allowing the mentally ill and criminals to buy guns! They call it “Second Amendment” rights. I call it cash for their campaigns from the gun lobby.

    May 8, 2013

  • LETTER: Postal carriers seek to ‘Stamp out Hunger’

    To the Editor:
    On Saturday, help your letter carrier “Stamp Out Hunger” by leaving canned food donations by your mailbox. In Edmond, donations benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s partner agencies HOPE Center of Edmond, Route 66 Project and Edmond Grace Fellowship. This effort is part of the 21st annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, which is the largest one-day food drive in America.

    May 6, 2013

  • LETTER: Unanswered prayer leads to lower taxes, honorable policy makers

    To the Editor:
    In a recent column, Oklahoma Rep. Jason Murphy (“How a no vote solved gas tax problem,” The Edmond Sun, April 30, 2013) commended the wise and educated voters of Oklahoma for seeing through the 2005 fuel tax increase and demanding more action of our state policy makers. With the recent work of our elected officials, along with the Department of Transportation, our roads and bridges have seen much improvement during the past couple of years.

    May 6, 2013

  • LETTER: Senate bills will help veterans living in centers

    To the Editor:
    I just viewed a short video done by Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie who recounts the rescue of downed Vietnam pilot RogerLocher in April 1972. Ritchie said that Loche’s rescue was the farthest behind enemy lines and superceded all air operations that day.

    March 29, 2013

  • LETTER: President: OneNet saves UCO money

    To the Editor:
    Discussion continues in The Edmond Sun publications regarding upgrading and consolidating information technology resources in state government. While I respect the viewpoint that has been expressed so far, certain facts should be taken into consideration that directly affect the University of Central Oklahoma and the 17,000 students we serve.

    March 25, 2013

  • Bond debt not an unpardonable sin

    Is Oklahoma bond indebtedness for Oklahoma infrastructure an unpardonable sin? No! Rep. Jason Murphey wrote a good op ed dealing with what he bemoans as oppressive state bond debt. He calculates each Oklahoman owes $649 in state debt. He and the rest of the ultra-fiscal conservatives can’t bring themselves to support bonds to pay for the state Capitol repairs, building a medical examiner’s office or other legitimate capital expenditures. So using his logic I decided to apply that thinking to my personal and business life.

    March 4, 2013

  • Senate bill potentially denies women’s rights

    Once again, our state Legislature is moving toward passage of another bill that will not stand up to a court challenge because it is contrary to federal law. It also follows the pattern of many of these failed laws in that it attempts to limit the choices women have in our state.

    March 1, 2013

  • Edmond’s state senators and representatives can do their part to help the economy

    To the Editor:
    Enclosed below is a list of things that I as a citizen believe to be important for the upcoming session.

    February 22, 2013

  • Remembering good friends

    To the Editor,
    I would like to tell the wonderful people of Edmond that we have lost someone very special to us.

    February 22, 2013