Letters to the editor: Wednesday, October 10, 2007

The prosecution of Paul Jacob and others for the alleged crime of using out-of-state petition circulators, and the law on which that prosecution is based, are dangerous attacks on our constitutional right to petition for redress of grievances. The tradition of coming to the political assistance of others is well established in American history, law and practice. Should Virginians have stayed home during the Revolution and not assisted the other colonies? Should people not have gone to Alabama in the 1960s to fight injustice?

According to the Legislature and the Oklahoma attorney general, the answer is "Yes, they should have stayed home.”

I'd bet that an examination of the contribution reports of every legislator who voted for this law and the attorney general who enforces it will show contributions from "out-of-state interests.” These politicians are evidently more interested in protecting their culture of corruption than they are in preserving our constitutional rights.

Our elected officials intend to control and limit the political choices available to Oklahomans. Anyone who disagrees will be punished. That's why they want to send Paul Jacob to prison for 10 years for the "crime” of petitioning for redress of grievances with out-of-state circulators. Who's next on their political hit list?

Bob Waldrop, Oklahoma City

Regarding "Leader of political movement calls charges an attack on First Amendment; Grand jury indicts three over signature gathering” (news story, Oct. 3): The Oklahoma multicounty grand jury is clearly not enforcing a potentially unconstitutional rule about petition circulators, but attempting to eliminate those troublesome petitions themselves. The one currently under attack concerns ballot access reform. In 2004, Oklahoma was the only state with only two presidential candidates on the ballot. The Republicans and Democrats in our government are telling us that we may vote for whomever we please, as long as he or she is a Republican or a Democrat. It's a pity the major parties weren't as vigilant in 1860. There had never been a Republican president, and they could have prevented the voters making the mistake of electing Abraham Lincoln.

The petition being circulated advocates making it feasible for a third party to be included on our ballots. This excellent idea has been successfully blocked many times. If the petition had been presented to me by a Texan, an Australian or a man from Mars, I would have signed it, and I would have expressed the same grievance. The only address that should be of concern is that of the registered voter/signer.

Bert Rackett, Oklahoma City

A multicounty grand jury has indicted three signature gatherers for illegally using out-of-state circulators during a petition drive. Can we now look forward to Page 1 photos of builders, other business owners and homeowners being indicted and led off in handcuffs for using illegal (out-of-state) aliens to build and maintain their houses?

No? Then perhaps another "working fishing trip” for the governor, lawyers and judges, to determine what constitutes "breaking the law,” is in order. While waiting for the fish to bite, they could practice swallowing camels and choking on gnats.

John D. Carlson, The Village

Regarding Marni Jameson's "Jettison the tons of junk mail to gain more time for life” (At Home column, Oct. 4): After shredding, junk mail can be used as mulch around trees and shrubs. However, one must shred and store political mail separately. Add no more than 15 percent to the common junk and mix well before using it as mulch. Adding more results in over-fertilization.

John L. Zweiacher, El Reno