Popeye, T-Town (9/20/2009 9:22:17 PM)

Making issues out of nothing, then "discussing" them. Good grief!

Yet another reason to dissolve the current form of city government and return to the "Weak Mayor, City Commissioner" form.

These moronic city councilors have got to go!

I'm all for having a Street Commissioner you can hold accountable for the status of street repairs and the allocating of resources... Just one example of the sanity our old city charter used to have.

Another: The neutering of groups like the Tulsa Metropolitan Planning Commission (TMAPC)where special appointments payback favors from campaigns and more. The results of the decisions these groups can make have long-term consequences. Take the clustering of apartments in certain parts of the city, and the almost unrestricted building of apartments -- regardless of any real need existing.

GARFIELD, TULSA (9/20/2009 9:23:00 PM)

Being in District 4, I am unable right now to make a decision. Both Gomez and Barnes appear to support equal rights provisions. Will have to get their input on other issues. A toss-up right now!

Thunder196, Tulsa (9/20/2009 9:36:11 PM)

BS time. Must be election time!

Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (9/20/2009 9:48:40 PM)

I understand the forum- but what a waste of time.

Angry Citizen!, Bluejacket (9/20/2009 10:08:36 PM)

These hacks aren't fooling anybody, race baiters making policy

Chautauqua, (9/20/2009 10:45:10 PM)

A Public vote for PlanItTulsa? Maria Barnes is out of her mind. First of all, enabling STATE legislation permits cities to regulate zoning and use, and to update its comprehensive plan. The amazing job the consultants and the city staff did to include as many people as possible in this process should be recognized and commended. This change is sorely needed...sending it to a public vote is code for: she wants it to fail because there is something she doesn't like in it. She is a proven anti-development candidate. In a time when Tulsa needs to be encouraging private investment in our community, she wants to stop it. Believe me...if Maria Barnes becomes Dist 4 counselor...it will be bad for Tulsa, particularly downtown.

edelweiss, Tulsa (9/20/2009 11:21:12 PM)

It was a good forum. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is very impressive.

Rachelqing7, (9/21/2009 2:11:51 AM)

I do agree with his opinion. We Bisexual also need it. "Intolerance is dangerous". I also talked about it with my bisexual friends on BiMingle dot com where a lot of LGBT meeting. We need no discrimination.

Centrist, the burbs (9/21/2009 3:45:51 AM)

I must say the transgender issue is a bit different than the gay issue. I would prefer to know that when I enter a public restroom everyone in there is the same gender.

getreal, (9/21/2009 6:28:18 AM)

ChucJordan;

Give us proof! If you say it, you should be able to back it up with facts. We are waiting.

Tulsa is becoming a sad community when we have comments like that.

Eagle 4, Tulsa (9/21/2009 7:11:10 AM)

Only 4 of 9 showed up? Were they voting on something or something? Or was there a clip of the POTUS scheduled to be shown?

TinkinAround, Tulsa (9/21/2009 7:13:08 AM)

How on earth did this valuable forum move from comments on the article and/or issue to posting unsubstantiated, personal comments about a woman willing to stand in for her husband because he was out with the flu? Tulsa World should remind ChucGordon of his participation agreement in this public post.

As to the forum and whether it was a meaningful debate: As someone who strives to be an informed voter, anytime a candidate shows up with an opinion is an opportunity to become better educated. State enabling legislation negates the legal necessity to put PlaniTulsa to a public vote. After all of the hard work by so many, I see no reason for such a redundant and expensive action. Tulsans had every opportunity to weigh in on this Plan. Time to make final comments and move on with the implementation of what can work.

p.s. ChucGordon, 'back in the day' what were YOU doing that an anonymous poster might toss out for public consumption? Even if what you allege is true, who cares? She moved on and you should too.

AdamM, Tulsa (9/21/2009 7:31:45 AM)

WT!F Are people saying that Tulsa is an interlerant place? My personal opinion says NO. You cn live the way you want here. Just leave evryone else alone. We will give you the same treatment no matter your race, creed, color, or ethnicity. Having our future and current city government worrying about it, is a total waste of time. We have bigger fish to fry. Tulsa World needs to find better stories and the council needs a brass set to go forward with city coucil decissions.

ajohnb, Jenks (9/21/2009 7:39:09 AM)

Wow!, what a display of pandering.

4 of 9 candidates showed and only 25 people showed up to watch?

GARFIELD, TULSA (9/21/2009 8:00:29 AM)

EAGLE4,ADAMM,AJOHNB: You sound like very narrow-minded, backwoodsy, archaic relics from a bygone era. Shame on you! The nine who ahowed up had the courage to speak out on a National issue--not only just Tulsa. The others were obviously too politically frightened to show up. Get with it, this 2009----not 1950!!

toner, tulsa (9/21/2009 8:45:34 AM)

Thanks to the candidates who were able to attend. I missed the event but it's always nice to see folks coming out to support the GLBT community. I hope that if they are elected in this cycle, they actively fight for the nondiscrimination policy for GLBT City employees.

okpaul, Tulsa County (9/21/2009 9:11:32 AM)

Nucleardad:
What they want is not to be fired just for being LGBT. What they want is to be able to enjoy health benefits like other couples enjoy. What they want is equal rights. It is really pretty simple.

1804fan, Tulsa (9/21/2009 9:48:18 AM)

No intolerance exists; we push back when those folks expect us to just let them roll over our rights. Like they want us to change the definition of marriage to suit them -- give me a break.

1804fan, Tulsa (9/21/2009 9:52:08 AM)

Amen Chautauqua -- Maria Barnes is truly out of her mind -- I hope all the facts get out about her before the election so that she is not elected -- she never met an illegal alien she didn't like. I can't believe she receives any serious consideration from voters who think and read.

billy8, Sand Springs (9/21/2009 10:25:25 AM)

Some of the posts here show exactly why this meeting was needed. The most intolerant people I have run across are the ones who spout the bible all the time,especially in this part of the country. We would all be better off without the intolerance, bigottry,and hate that religion brings. I'm expecting some intolerance in my direction for being atheist also.

C.R. Delough, Tulsa (9/21/2009 10:29:28 AM)

Why doesn't anybody think of the children?

nucleardad, Tulsa (9/21/2009 10:35:33 AM)

Hey billy8,

First it's the homosexuals whining about intolerance, now we have a pitiful athiest saying "look at me too - I experience intolerance!" You homosexuals and athiests sure have it rough.

nucleardad, Tulsa (9/21/2009 10:40:50 AM)

Hey okpaul,

Homosexuals have the same rights as anyone else.
Hetero and homosexual men both have the right to marry a woman, neither have the right to marry a man. Sounds pretty equal to me.

billy8, Sand Springs (9/21/2009 10:43:58 AM)

Just as I predicted, more bigotry and hatred. Do some research on those things you hate before passing judgement. The bible is not the law of the land that is infalable, it is just a story book written by men to control those who are to ignorant to question their authority.

Ex Adverso, (9/21/2009 10:44:27 AM)

What a bunch of gallish drivel. Tolerate gays, tolerate athiests, but if you're Native American, we'll pull out all of the stops to prevent you from prospering economically. Perhaps the Creeks and Cherokees need to proclaim themselves to be homosexual athiests in order to gain some respect around here.