May 10, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 14

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MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, WE HOLD YOU IN CONTEMPT... Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 earn an move on the prisms ofthe crystal as Maximum Security, center, was disqualified from the she gazed at the peaceful an- 145th Kentucky Derby after evidence showed the horse gel poised inside. Her sister interfered during the race. (Tribune News Service) had given it to her only weeks before; it was something she Glynda Lomax is a Chris- ‘They wanted to believe there felt would comfort her when By Don Munsch tian author and podcaster was more time, that somehow she couldn't be there to do it Editor who resides in the Ozark it couldn’t happen to them. herself. A tiny gift to remind Mountains of Northern Arkan- They hoped for a miracle. her she wasn’t alone in the sas with her two very bossy She tried not to fret as she battle she faced. A great When someone loses a dogs. She wrote her first About sat waiting with him in the peace flooded her soul just as game, match, race or bout, Life... column in 2003 for a doctor’s office for the results the door opened and the doc- the best action for that newspaper in Dallas.She is ofhis latest battery oftests. tor walked into the room. individual to take after the planning her next book. She tried noto let the anxiety Asmall gift, a card, or a Glynda Lomax event is to try to learn from show on her face, she knew note of encouragement can be it and move on. ‘All God's angels come to us he felt the same fear. Their enough to comfort someone can wrap our wings around Even if a questionable disguised.” ~ James Russell hearts were knit together and facing one of life’s challenges. another soul, speak love into Lowell after so many years, it wasn’t Itisn’t always possible to their aching hearts and help Munsch call directly affected the hard to know what he was be with those we love when to calm their fears. event’s outcome, it’s better She didn’t know what thinking. She wanted to be they face their battles, but ‘The news wasn't bad at the if coaches, players and news the doctor would have strong for him; she wanted for we can send our hearts for doctor's office that day. More fans accept that game officials are only human, after all, and this time. Her husband of him to be able to lean on her if them to carry along. We can doctor visits were to come for won't get every call correct 100 percent ofthe time. many years was suffering the news was worse this time, hug them with words of hope sure, but they still had some Gary West sees it differently - although the decision in- from terminal cancer. She though she didn’t feel much and encouragement for the time left together. had cared for him and done like apillar of strength at the price of a postage stamp. We She would be sure to take volving his case has been widely supported. everything she could to make moment. can take their hand across the West, owner of racehorse Maximum Security, said in in- him comfortable and happy She stuck her hands into miles and hold it with words the comfort of her angel on terviews after the Kentucky Derby that he planned to appeal since the diagnosis several her pockets to hide the shak- of consolation. every visit. his horse’s disqualification ruling from the race Saturday to years earlier. For awhile, ing. Her right hand closed If we take the time and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. he had done much better, around something small and give some thought, we can “We are each of us angels but then the tiredness came, warm she had forgotten she be the angels of comfort to with only one wing, and we ‘Small problem, though: The commission does not accept followed by other symptoms. put in there. She drew it out another’s heart during their can only fly by embracing appeals, various reports say, as the stewards at the race are ‘They looked at each other and as she breathed in the time of need. We can send our one another.” ~ Luciano de responsible for the judgment of the outcome of the race and one day with that look- they beauty of it for just a moment, love to hover over them as Crescenzo their findings are not suject to review. On Monday, West's both knew what it all meant. she smiled. Light danced off they face each trying day. We appeal was denied by the racing commission, which cited the stewards’ decision, according to the Louisville Courier Journal. West suggested in a Sunday interview with the Daily Rac- ing Forum about taking matters into the “federal court sys- tem,” but stopped short ofsaying he would do that until he has time to think over the issue and see the video of the race. All of us must report suspected abuse Maximum Security finished in first at the race but received aDQ afterward upon stewards seeing video that showed the horse interefered with other horses during the final portion of the race. Country House was named the winner. Why can’t West just give it a rest? In sports, the final outcome is the final outcome, barring had forcibly ripped out large Services hotline at 1-800- simply to report. something extraordinarily unusual or unfair that contributed patches of his hair. 522-3511. Also, remember Previously there have been to the outcome. In this case with the Kentucky Derby, stew- This nightmare ended for that DHS is as understaffed reports from school staff this young man only when the and overburdened as any members who have been ards are entrusted to make a determination about the fair- boy’s teacher reported the other state agency, and it is instructed by administrators ness of the race. Anyone with a stake in the race would agree By Oklahoma Institute for suspected abuse to the Okla- unlikely that they will be able just to tell the counselor or that having the stewards available to impartially review calls Child Advocacy CEO Joe homa Department of Human to immediately respond to not to report the incident, is desirable. Dorman Services, which then alerted every situation where a child which necessitated HB2259. the Grady County Sheriff's is facing imminent harm. In I will emphasize that anyone Getting the courts involved to consider overturning a judg- Achild abuse case was Office. The alleged abusers situations where you believe who has suspicions of abuse ment in a sporting event - even one such as this in which the made public last week that are now in custody. achild will be facing an or neglect has the obligation majority of people have agreed the proper call was made is occurred in my home town of Thope this case serves as areminder: abusive living imminent threat, call 911 in to report immediately under not a desirable course of action. In any sport. At any time. Rush Springs. Iwas sickened situations often end if and addition to DHS to ensure the the law and no administrator Again, unless there’s some direct evidence of impropriety by what was reported and only if they are reported by safety of the child. Everyone is required to can lawfully direct a teacher want to take this column to or staff member to do other- or unfair advantage that took place, the courts have no place remind Oklahomans of their the public. All of us have a take action if there is a sus- wise. In addition, whether it to consider how a sports commission should govern matters obligation under the law to responsibility to report sus- picion. This includes school is first hand, third hand, writ- report suspicions of abuse or pected abuse, and our laws employees, church leaders, ten on a bathroom stall, or an that participants have already agreed should be decided by neglect. reflect that responsibility. daycare operators, neigh- an impartial panel. In 2018, the Oklahoma bors, and especially family anonymous phone call- it is According to news reports, required to report the alleged If West or people who want an overturn ofa decision can five adults allegedly tor- Institute for Child Advocacy members — anyone suspecting abuse. Every person “having prove they were not given proper due process, then that’s an- mented a teenaged boy with (OICA) successfully advo- an issue of suspected abuse reason to believe” a child is disabilities over an extended cated for the passage of HB or neglect needs to immedi- other matter, and they should have their questions answered period of time with acts that 2259, authored by Rep. Dell ately report it to the proper being abused must report it, in some way and be able to inspect pertinent evidence [in can only be described as vile Kerbs and Sen. Ron Sharp. authorities. and it is not the individual’s right to assess the credibility this case, video). and depraved. Early reports Prior to this law, individuals The Oklahoma Education of the source. That is up to To vacate a decision of a body empowered to decide a con- suggest the child was burned were required to “promptly” Association (OEA), via their investigators. with lit cigarettes, sprayed report a suspected case of website, reports that their test outcome would open a can of worms no one would want. with dangerous chemicals, child abuse or neglect. We Legal Department annually Please help preserve safety Imagine a youth soccer match or Little League baseball stabbed with needles and gen- agreed with the authors that receives many calls regarding for our youngest Oklahomans. game being the subject of a protest from a parent and then erally starved. News reports “immediately” made better child abuse issues. They have You might be the only one that outcome being overturned because an official or umpire also indicate the child was sense. outlined that it is important who can save the life ofa forced to urinate in his own Reports are to be made to for teachers or administrators child. Please follow the law was found to have made a bad call. Where would it end? clothes and that the adults the Department of Human to not assess credibility of an and make a report.