Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel (right) celebrates a touchdown by teammate Ben Malena during the first quarter of a game Saturday against Rice in College Station, Texas. ERIC GAY / Associated Press
A loud, smoky message
Looks like most of you don't understand the fundamentals of Middle Eastern tribal mentality: You beat your chest, roar and growl, stomp and lunge then, when all of that fails, you beat them into submission. ("Editorial: No easy choices in Syria," Aug. 29).
We can't stand on the corner and watch someone violate the Geneva Convention and use weapons of mass destruction on anyone. Can't do it. Period.
We need to send a message. One that will be received in Syria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, North Africa and beyond. The message should say: "KABOOM! "
Johnny Latta, Tulsa
What if...
When (the Department of Human Services) is working with children who need a home, the first plan is kinship placement ("Russ Roach: Oklahoma adoption law and Baby Veronica," Aug. 28). That is how it should be in all adoptions. However, there is no money to be made in that type of placement. How would adoption look if there was no money attached to acquisition or placement of the child? What if every child being considered for adoption had to go to the state and/or foster care while all the assessment for best interest was being done? What if there were no attorneys involved in adoption and the biological family had to stand before the judge to terminate rights or the child could not be placed for adoption? Oh, what if?
Linda Kats, Broken Arrow
Bellmon respected
I did not vote for (Henry) Bellmon the first time he ran, but I did each time he ran again ("Andrew Tevington: Bellmon wasn't pretty, but was heroic," Sept. 3). He had the guts to study an issue and evaluate what he felt was best for our country and vote accordingly. He did not see the issue in the eyes of his uninformed biased constituents. That is the easy way out. That is how most of our Oklahoma U.S. senators and House members vote. It is easy to play to the lowest common denominator - the uninformed - rather than take a contrary position and defend facts.
I did not always agree with Mr. Bellmon, but I had a lot of respect for him.
Gordon Sloggett, Stillwater
'Good neighbor'
I have been an F&M customer since it was one small building among the neighborhood houses ("F&M Bank being bought by Prosperity Bancshares," Aug. 30). F&M's main branch has always been a good neighbor. I hope that's not going to change.
Rocky Frisco, Tulsa
Agreed
This is a well written, and informative, editorial ("Editorial: Labor Day 2013," Sept. 2). Numbers and percentages are used to paint the picture if the worker in today's economy. And it is not a pretty picture.
The (Tulsa World) writers do not speculate on the recovery because they cannot. Until the labor participation rate increases the economy might improve statistically, but not financially.
John Smallwood, Broken Arrow
Johnny B. Good
In the third quarter he can play, but gets a slap on the wrist - non-throwing hand ("Manziel to sit out half of A&M opening game over 'inadvertent' NCAA violation," Aug. 29). In the fourth quarter he gets to use both hands but promises not to try too hard. This is nuanced punishment for drinking, fighting and selling autographs - allegedly, of course. Remember, this is Texas A&M where they are grooming future Army officers and rules have consequences.
David Crutchfield, Miami, Okla.
Closed book
I think totally shutting down the library for two years is a bad idea and totally unwarranted ("Central Library closing for 2-year renovation project," Aug. 30). There are lots of public and private buildings that get overhauled while keeping some of the space open during the renovation. It does take a little imagination and creativity to do so. I question the library management's stewardship of the facility.
Alan Bates, Tulsa
Post your comments
The Tulsa World encourages comments on its website:
tulsaworld.com. Any registered user can comment on stories as they are posted. Real names and a city of residence are required to comment and will appear with each post. To register to comment, go to
tulsaworld.com/register
Reader Forum
The incarceration rate in Oklahoma is among the highest in the nation with approximately 26,000 people behind bars at any given time.
The Nov. 28, 2008, Tulsa World published my Readers Forum piece, "Antietam," in which I reported on a visit my then-8-year-old grandson, Stevie, and I made to Antietam battlefield in rural Maryland.
