EDMOND — Reader takes Edmond pastor to task
To the Editor:
The Rev. Paul Blair of Edmond’s Fairview Baptist Church said on FOX-25 news that the expansion of America’s hate crime laws to include protections on account of gender, disability and sexual orientation is “open season on Christians.”
Many who oppose hate crime laws today supported them in the past, when their protections addressed violence perpetrated on account of race, religion and nation of origin. Some folks just oppose legislation that extends any recognition to gays and lesbians as acceptable people, even if it is only to reduce violence against them. Their religious belief is that homosexuality is a sinful choice rather than a human characteristic.
The Bill of Rights protects Rev. Blair’s preaching what he believes. But his anti-homosexual teachings are as hurtful and misguided as racism.
Slavery was defended by Christians who said, “It’s in the Bible.” Racial segregation was defended with scriptures. The Ku Klux Klan burned crosses on front lawns to say they were following God’s word. Those Christians were as certain of their propriety as Paul Blair is today. But they were wrong, and so is he.
The American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and National Association of Social Workers have all officially declared that sexual orientation — whether one is straight or gay — is a normal human characteristic. The Rev. Blair can no more stop the evolution of human values than he can stop the evolution of species.
Nathaniel Batchelder
Oklahoma City
Reader thanks PD for missing person call
To the Editor:
I have never in my life written a letter but feel I would like to express my feelings about a couple of items recently in The Edmond Sun.
First, I read where people were upset about getting the missing child alert sent out by phone calls to local numbers. I would agree that it might be inconvenient to receive a call at that time of night but strongly support the Edmond Police Department for taking that step and sending out the alert in that way.
If any of those people who complained about their phone ringing had been the parents of that missing child I don’t think they would have been disturbed at all by phoning Emond people and asking for their help. I’ll be glad to answer any phone call at any time of day or night if it would help in any way to find a missing person. Thank you Edmond Police Department.
The second item I would like to address is I was sorry to read about the homeless person, Dwite “Bicycle Bob” Morgan’s death. That was quite disturbing to read, not only about his death but about the poor man who took such a drastic step in order to get himself a place to sleep.
That being said, I wonder how many other homeless people who are living right here in Edmond’s back streets and alleys that could be helped if the dollars being spent to memorialize Bicycle Bob’s terrible death could be used to help them? The man obviously preferred living his life alone and was private; does anyone think he would appreciate all this hoopla around his demise?
We should remember the people still living out in the cold here in Edmond and spend those dollars in order to try to make their life better. Again, I hope this doesn’t read like I am not sad about his death but come on now, why not use all that money to improve the lives and existence of the remaining homeless still living in Edmond!
Thank you for taking time to read my letter.
Linda Fisher
Edmond
Opinion
10-31 Letters: your views
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
