She attempted this with failed legislation and through complaints to the Metropolitan Library Commission, which led to a series of heated public meetings. Take note of what this action signified: A public library is supposed to represent and serve the broad public. Materials are to be freely available and easily accessible. We live in a […]
Scott Jones
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Where are Oklahoma’s core values?
Five years ago when I returned home to Oklahoma, it was with the conviction that Oklahomans were fair, decent, compassionate people. In the effort to advance human and civil rights, surely Oklahomans would listen, and ultimately these values would persuade. In recent weeks, the Legislature overrode a series of gubernatorial vetoes, eroding individual freedom and […]
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Dispatch from the future
An excerpt from the high school textbook “The Story of Oklahoma,” fourth edition, published in 2057: The second decade of this century began during the “Great Recession,” which initially did not affect Oklahoma as significantly as other states. There was ongoing investment in public works, enthusiasm over the new NBA franchise and an increasingly diverse […]
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What divides us?
These days, as the ground keeps moving out in Jones, I ponder the cultural earthquake and re-drawing of the political landscape we have been going through. It will probably surprise you to learn that from adolescence into early adulthood, I identified as a conservative. Fiscal restraint, environmental conservation, expanding economic opportunity for average citizens, defending […]
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The Anti-Family Act of 2010′
Consider that young couple with the beautiful children. Picture the kids’ smiles, their laughter, their infectious joy. Now imagine the world without those children. The couple not raising a family. Grandparents without their grandkids. Uncles and aunts unable to spoil their nieces or nephews. The children’s choir at church with fewer voices. Because that is […]
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The power of persuasion
In the fall 2009 issue of Christian Ethics Today, Mennonite theologian Tripp York published an article titled “The Subtle Atheism of Being Pro-Life.” A provocative title indeed. York’s thesis is that when some in the pro-life movement resort to the coercion of laws they are exhibiting a subtle atheism because they assume that the power […]
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Marriage a private matter
Well, it seems that in this legislative session we are going to debate divorce. With all our fiscal troubles, I’m sure you didn’t have that on your list of legislative priorities for the year.The proposed House Bill 2279 disallows a court from granting a divorce on the grounds of incompatibility if there are minor children, […]
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Religious diversity
At the 62nd annual Interfaith Thanks-giving Service held at Temple B’Nai Israel on Nov. 24, the featured speaker was Imad Enchassi, the imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City. This was the first time in our city’s history that an imam had spoken in such a capacity at a local synagogue. As we […]
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Terrorizing groups is wrong
On Sunday, Oct. 18, Brandon Patrick, a 23-year-old Tulsa man, was beaten and attacked with a knife just after leaving his apartment. According to Patrick, the assailants hurled slurs at his sexual orientation during the assault. Patrick told Tulsa’s Fox23, “I could hear the hatred in her voice and the way she was talking to […]
Posted inNews
Terrorizing groups is wrong
On Sunday, Oct. 18, Brandon Patrick, a 23-year-old Tulsa man, was beaten and attacked with a knife just after leaving his apartment. According to Patrick, the assailants hurled slurs at his sexual orientation during the assault. Patrick told Tulsa’s Fox23, “I could hear the hatred in her voice and the way she was talking to […]