To the Editor:
I’m convinced people tend to see what they want to see, hear what they want and believe what they want. Facts only get in the way. Some years back, I read a few chapters in my daughter’s grade school textbook that helped me to understand today’s public education learning system. I read the part that explained how humankind came into existence, the chapter on evolution.

To the Editor:
This is in response to Bryan Newell’s letter from July 29.

To the Editor:
Several local letter writers are rabid in their hatred of anyone attempting to curtail global warming.  One of them makes a lot of money from oil companies and the others seem to have photographic memories of all the Hoover Institute publications.
I have never heard any scientist say that climate change is not occurring. The real question is whether it is caused or exacerbated by human enterprise. I personally believe it is, but will concede that climate change has been occurring since the world began and that some natural forces have been the cause and are the cause.  It’s the chicken and the egg thing.

To the Editor:
Like a lot of Americans, I first believed the war in Iraq was justified. I didn’t think Colin Powell could be made to lie about the situation and I signed on. It didn’t take long to realize the American people had been taken for a ride. If Iraq had WMD, they have long since been either buried in the sand or moved into Syria we may never know. What is for sure is the war in Iraq had to be related to its oil reserves and to create a path to the oil industry in the United States.

To the Editor:
In response to Donna Schoenkopf’s letter on global warming, I urge the readers to look up www.petitionproject.com. In it they will find the signatures and qualifications of more than 31,000 scientists who directly refute the hypothesis of man-made global warming.

To the Editor:
This is in response to Howard Hall’s letter about thousands of scientists rejecting the idea of humans causing global warming. He gave no sources for his assertions so I researched it on the Internet.
According to the Gallup Poll surveying meterological scientists:
•  97 percent say global warming is induced by people versus 5 percent saying it’s not.
•  70 percent say it will be difficult to manage versus 5 percent who say it will not be difficult.

To the Editor:
If anyone should doubt the things that Rickey Dale Crain has said in his letters to the editor concerning Colorado’s new law (SB200 a law that bans discrimination based on the “perception” of gender), consider the following case examples: Michael Marcavage, a resident of Lansdowne, Pa., and director of Repent America, faces up to 15 months in jail and a $2,800 fine for reading from the Bible at the local borough council meeting.

To the Editor:
I have read all the discussion about the sidewalks going to nowhere and who should have sidewalks and who should not have sidewalks. I have read all the political advertisements and how everyone wants Shawnee to get new businesses. I keep driving down Main Street of Shawnee, and when I get to the 400 block and see all the old buildings locked up with signs in the windows: Antiques, Collectibles and Trash.

To the editor:
Mr. Lockwood, I’ve seen the light! You’re statement that “most, if not all of the people driving after an evening of partying would fail a DUI test” is very insightful.  So, in other words, everyone that enjoys a casual drink is nothing but irresponsible? As you said, “Drink responsibly?  Why drink at all?  Who needs it?”  Didn’t Jesus turn water into wine? How irresponsible of him to provide people with alcohol (poison, as you call it). 

Pottawatomie County Retired Educators Association president Rose Lee Rush, left, presents McLoud High School graduate Candice Hodde with the association's 2008 scholarship.

To the Editor:
Mr. Watkins, go ask the mother of the 10-year-old who was riding his bike to school when he was hit and killed by a drunken driver, or the highway patrol officer who, while issuing a citation, was slammed by a drunken driver and must spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, how many tax dollars it will take to replace what they, along with countless others, have lost. I don’t discriminate or play favorites, but the line needs to be drawn somewhere.

To the Editor:
The last few years Americans have heard of reason after reason for escalating gas prices and slowing economy. However, we have been given very little hope for brightening the future. Washington has thrown Americans tidbits of hope, only to leave the bills in committees, never to be heard of again. In April 2005, President Bush said that he opposed tax breaks for big oil companies: “I will tell you with $55 oil we don’t need incentives to oil and gas companies to explore.”

To the Editor:
Al Gore’s latest proposal is to reduce carbon emissions (90 percent) by eliminating all hydrocarbon fuels (i.e. natural gas, coal, gasoline, diesel etc.) by 2050. We would pay for his plan via a carbon tax costing between $17 trillion and $22 trillion over the long haul (according to environmental economist William Nordhaus).

To the Editor:
I was reading the Sunday Shawnee News Star regarding the Shawnee-Tecumseh contract for raw water. I am trying to understand why Shawnee would give away the pipeline it solely owns to Tecumseh. I can only read and understand what I see in the paper, as no other notices or information seems to be available to the public. It’s my understanding the original contract called for Tecumseh to pay a minimum monthly amount proportionate to the capital and maintenance cost incurred by Shawnee.

We see them everyday, cautions, and warnings.

When we do laundry. Do we leave the bottle of bleach in the reach of our children? Do we ignore the railroad crossings lights flashing? Do we see caution signs on the road, and speed up? Do people have sharp pains in their chest, and ignore the symptoms?
To all of these questions, it should be very easy to answer, if we value life.
Now let us look at it in another way. The mom doing the laundry, swamped, tired, and juggling a very demanding row. The bleach gets left down! The railroad crossing lights sometimes are flashing when there’s no apparent danger? In a rush, the car proceeds to the other side! Caution signs on the road? It’s probably construction again! Just a little chest pain? It’s surely something I ate!

In response to Mr. Watkins’ recent letters, yes, Shawnee is indeed fortunate that there are enough citizens who are more concerned about the moral climate in their city than about gaining the almighty dollar! By the way, I too am a Tecumseh resident who believes that what affects Shawnee affects the whole area, to a degree.
Ok, there are several liquor stores and restaurants that sell and/or serve liquor or beer. If that is such a good thing for the economy, why isn’t Shawnee prospering, and how would one more booze joint help? Legalized liquor, then gambling were touted as a “Boon for Oklahoma Roads and Schools.”?

I find it amazing how some of our liberal readers want everyone to take responsibility for their actions but then turn right around and blame everyone but themselves for credit card debt, house debt, etc. No one twists our arm to run up or even get the credit card. No one but us thinks we need to eat out 5 days a week, buy all the latest music and electronic gadgets, go to the movies 2-3 times a month, wear all the latest fashions, trade a car in every 3-5 years, etc. The only greed I see is us.

I think as time progresses we are seeing more and more of the real Barack Obama and learning a little more about this change he has in his plans for our country over the next four years. His position on the war in Iraq doesn’t stray too far from that of John McCain’s.

I’m sure some deem the opinions in my first letter moot due to the fact I’m not a Shawnee resident, rather I live in Tecumseh. However, I was born in Shawnee, my father served the city for 23 years, and I buy most of my food, gas, and merchandize in Shawnee.

I think most people would agree that a well-planned network of interconnecting sidewalks providing pedestrians and people with disabilities access to commercial districts, schools, government offices, and recreation areas. However, a hastily-written ordinance imposing financial hardship on residents and creating a sprinkling of disconnected sidewalks throughout the city is not the way to achieve this.