Letters to the editor: Saturday, September 8, 2007

Published: September 8, 2007

State Writer Ken Raymond's "Relatives recall teen swept away while running as reflection of ‘What this family is like' ” (feature, Aug. 29) about the family of the boy who drowned during a cross country practice run was inspiring and uplifting. I was so proud of the way the family handled the death. There was no finger pointing, no blame being cast upon anyone, no lawsuits.

We live in an imperfect world. Accidents happen. Tragedies occur. Why must we blame someone and sue them? Why must we try to make money off a tragedy? If we all could just put into practice the Golden Rule, we could make this world a better place. My thanks go out to the family of Phillip Jones for showing all of us how we should act in the face of tragedy.

Mona R. Pigg, Mustang

I was outraged after reading "Family described 16-year-old stabbing victim as a hero who gave her own life so others might live” (news story, Sept. 3). What kind of father would allow his young daughter to be in a relationship with a 32-year-old man and let her be abused by him? A parent is supposed to protect his child! This father is ultimately responsible for the death of his daughter.

Heidi Keller, El Reno

I was disgusted as I read "Family described 16-year-old stabbing victim as a hero who gave her own life so others might live” (news story, Sept. 3) about the murder of 16-year-old Bailey Rian Thrasher. What kind of person would allow his 14-year-old child to move in and live with a man more than twice her age? Who would allow a man twice his daughter's age to continue to rape her for two years — they were not dating, he was molesting and raping this child. The father knew it and allowed it?

The father is correct in saying that this is a horror story. But it didn't start the night his daughter was murdered. It started the day he allowed his minor child to live with a man more than twice her age. He should be charged with failure to protect.

Sarah Evans, Norman

Thrasher's killer, Robert Paul Roberson, was shot and killed by police officers after leading them on a chase.

Mark L. Johnson (Your Views, Sept. 5) wants a taxpayer-funded greenbelt to the west of downtown Oklahoma City. He said this could be accomplished with a 2-cent sales tax over a 10-year period. I like greenbelts as much as the next guy and I can't imagine anyone fussing about a mere 2 percent being added to everything we buy so we can have more grass to mow.

While we're at it, we might even consider adding a 25-cent sales tax for better roads and bridges. That still leaves a whopping 73 percent that can be taxed for better education, entitlement programs, crime, saving the whales — you name it. I'd been wondering what I should do with all my extra money. Thanks, Mark, for this nifty idea!

Dan Baker, Oklahoma City

Regarding "Lack of support in state for recycling pickup prompts trash talk” (feature, Sept. 1): I was a resident in upstate New York when mandatory recycling was implemented in the 1990s. Before Oklahoma considers it, the means of enforcement should be fully understood. Officials first thought enforcement could be by observing newspapers and other items in the blue bins. Then they realized that not everybody gets the local newspaper. So they turned to random police checks of curbside trash bags. This may not be the same as police in the bedroom, but it comes awfully close.

Steve Reynolds, Midwest City

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