September 10, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Tuesday, September 10, 2019 payee re Opinion Page “ElkCituNews MEANWHILE, Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 IMPACTING ALL THE STATES = /NCLUDING A conversation worth ALABAMA . having on gun law The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City The mass shootings in Texas and Ohio have amplified the push for “red flag” laws that allow guns to be confis- cated from people deemed immediate threats. It’s a debate well worth having, although the idea likely faces a tough road in Oklahoma. Ata recent town hall meeting, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, noted in answering a question about gun control that ev- ery other household in his congressional district owns a gun. The statistics likely are similar across this deep red state, where residents overwhelmingly support the Second Amendment and are leery of efforts to curb its protections. Seventeen states, most of them left-leaning, have red flag laws. The first was approved by Connecticut in 1999 Oklahoma ScissorTales: Good after a shooting at the state’s lottery office. Eight states and the District of Columbia passed red flag laws last year following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. Four more states have approved them this year. and bad on vaccinations In general, the laws let judges prohibit people from buy- The Oklahoman, Oklaho- opting not to take advantage. noted the damage inflicted tives. Herman White died ing or having firearms if they’re deemed to pose a signifi- ma City Attorney’s speech argu- by the Hollywood blacklists Aug. 11 at age 97. As The cant danger. If a second hearing provides the judge with A survey by the state De- ment misses mark of the late 1940s and 1950s. Oklahoman’s Josh Dulaney convincing evidence to support the initial request for con- partment of Health shows A local attorney recently “In this country, people can wrote, White lost his wife in fiscation, then the order can be in effect up to a year. that the percentage of Okla- lost his bid to use tweets by vote for who they want to,” 1998 and his only son a year Petitioners can vary. Many states let family members or President Trump to stop a homa kindergarteners who she said. “That is one of the later. On learning White had relatives make the request to a court. In Maryland, valid were up to date on their vac- trial for his client, a Mexican great rights of this country. no family, the funeral direc- petitioners include a mental health provider or even some- cines last year increased a native who faces up to 20 one dating the gun owner. Indiana’s law allows only law You don’t have to like it, but tor began a push for a proper enforcement to petition to seize weapons. Under New bit from the previous year. years in prison if convicted we don’t go after people be- sendoff, and word spread via That’s encouraging. of illegally re-entering the cause we don’t like who they social media. The funeral York’s law, approved this year, teachers and school ad- However, the news is country. The attorney con- voted for. We don’t go after Wednesday morning was ministrators can seek an extreme risk protection order, as tempered by an increase in tended that a fair trial for his them that way.” Well said. attended by hundreds, from can police and family members. the percentage of children client was impossible due Worthwhile effort to bet- Perry, across Oklahoma and According to The Associated Press, in 2018 more than granted exemptions from at to Trump’s “inflammatory, ter serve taxpayers even outside the state. The 1,700 orders were issued allowing guns to be seized under least one vaccine. As Okla- racist” comments about il- Many Oklahomans no service included the read- red flag laws. homa Watch noted, this was legal immigrants, but the doubt share Tom Bates’ ing of Scriptures, along with Some have called on Congress to pass red flag legis- at least the third consecutive federal court judge rejected view that government has proclamations by Gov. Kev- lation, but this is something best handled by individual year Oklahoma’s overall ex- the argument. Trump is“got to stop giving people in Stitt and President Trump, emption rate has increased. “poisoning the well,” the at- the runaround.” Bates made a salute by the Navy Honor Decrease That's distressing. torney said after the ruling. the comment after being Guard and a bugler playing The exemption rate for “If a prosecutor can’t talk tapped by Gov. Kevin Stitt “Taps.” A proper sendoff, childhood obesity Oklahoma kindergarteners in 2018-19 was 2.6%, the about a case, the president shouldn’t be able to.” That to come up with a better way to meld services provided by indeed. Funding to help fight opi- Muskogee Phoenix, Okla. Health Department said. It argument isn’t valid. Judges the state’s health and human oid problem The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) was 2.2% the prior year and may, and often do, issue gag services agencies. Bates, a The Trump administration Board of Directors passed two resolutions on Thursday in 1.9% in 2016-17. orders as part of the legal former assistant attorney is distributing $1.8 billion support of policies to curb childhood obesity. State law requires kin- process. Trump is under no general, has spent the past nationwide to help states One of the resolutions applauded efforts to support ac- dergarten students to be such constraints. His tweets, 17 months as interim com- fight problems they face with cess to affordable and nutritious food. Another resolution vaccinated for several dis- so often tasteless and ill-ad- missioner of the Department recognizes September as Childhood Obesity Awareness eases including measles and vised, fall under the catego- of Health. In his new job, opioids. Oklahoma’s piece of the pie is $11.8 million, Month. In creating these resolutions, several policies were chickenpox. However, ex- ry of same constitutionally he’ll work with the heads of emptions can be granted for protected free speech the that agency and the Okla- which will go to the Depart- endorsed to support healthy habits for children -- having ment of Mental Health and fresh fruits and vegetables available, physical activity, medical, religious or philo- attorney used in saying the homa Health Care Author- Substance Abuses Services creation of local parks and walking trails and infrastruc- sophical reasons. Efforts in president “needs to keep his ity, the state’s mental health ture that promotes walking and cycling. the Legislature to remove mouth shut.” agency, the Office of Juve- and to the Department of “Enacting policies to decrease childhood obesity now the last of those exemp- Whoopi Goldberg’s laud- nile Affairs and the Depart- Health. The mental health will have a positive impact for a generation of Oklaho- tions have failed in the face able rejection ment of Human Services. agency will get roughly $7.6 mans,” said Dr. Bruce Benjamin, chair of the TSET Board of strong opposition from Reacting to a story in The “Around the state, we make million and use it to con- of Directors. “Healthy habits learned young last a lifetime. grassroots parent groups. Hollywood Reporter about Oklahomans go to multiple tinue funding programs to The youngest Oklahomans are facing life expectancies The more kids who go a fundraiser for President offices and multiple web- prevent, treat and provide shorter than their parents. It is vital we take action to pro- unvaccinated, the less safe Trump, actress Debra Mess- sites just to get the services recovery services related to mote healthy eating and increased physical activity.” others are. This year the ing urged the paper to pub- they are entitled to, and it’s opioid abuse disorder. The That's right, life expectancies shorter than their parents. United States has seen more lish the list of attendees. all very confusing,” Bates Health Department plans Do we want our children and grandchildren to live shorter reported measles cases than “The public has a right to said. “It’s not how you'd run to use its $4.2 million to lives? in any year since 1992 -- for know,” Messing tweeted. a business, and it’s not how improve data collection on The city of Muskogee has taken steps to help by creat- a disease that was declared Her “Will & Grace” co-star we should run state govern- drug overdoses, educate the ing bicycle lanes on some city streets, by encouraging the eliminated in 2000. Eric McCormack followed ment.” Amen. public to reduce the stigma use of Centennial Trail and by improving the parks around “We know that vaccina- with a tweet saying the list Town gives WW II vet- associated with substance the city. tions are among the most would be helpful “so the rest eran a proper sendoff abuse disorders, train and The time to act is now. Put down the TV remote. Turn effective ways to protect of us can be clear about who We offer a tip of the cap educate clinicians about pain off the computer. Put down your phone. Get up, get out against serious diseases,” we don’t wanna work with.” to the good people of Perry management best practices, and get some exercise. Try new foods. Check out the said Tom Bates, interim Credit Whoopi Goldberg who turned out Wednesday and other initiatives. This Farmers Market for fresh fruit and vegetables. If our chil- commissioner of the state for forcefully rejecting this to honor a local resident and infusion of federal funding dren see us doing the right thing, they are more apt to do Health Department. Sadly, effort. During an episode World War II veteran who stands to do considerable the right thing -- and live longer, healthier lives. too many Oklahomans are of “The View,” Goldberg died with no surviving rela- good for Oklahoma. Bolstering integrity a must for new Oklahoma DPS boss The Oklahoman, Oklaho- rights lawsuit by that officer. as a deputy chief, before gave prosecutors fake evi- and after learning German ney General Mike Hunter, ma City Such drama can be damag- heading the state Bureau dence that resulted in a had spoken with a top aide whose office this year rec- In appointing a new com- ing to morale and to the rep- of Narcotics and Danger- criminal case against him. to the state Senate president ommended policy changes missioner at the Oklahoma utation of the DPS and the ous Drugs Control for three (That case eventually was pro tem. in the way OHP promotions Department of Public Safe- Oklahoma Highway Patrol. years. dropped). Rhoades told in-In his story Tuesday about are handled. “He will make ty, Gov. Kevin Stitt appears Rusty Rhoades, who had Scully inherits this gam- vestigators in December that the change atop DPS, The us all proud as the commis- sioner of DPS,” Hunter said to be looking to clean up been commissioner for near- ey back story: Last year an German said he would ex- Oklahoman’s Nolan Clay of Scully. what has been a messy and ly two years, resigned Mon- OHP captain, Troy Ger- pose wrongdoing in the pro- noted that Scully, 58, has a That’s badly needed to- troubling time at the state’s day along with Col. Michael man, alleged that Harrell motional process unless he reputation as an honest, ef- day. At a time when police top law enforcement head- Harrell, chief of the OHP. -- at Rhoades’ direction was promoted or got back- fective and tough leader. work has never been more quarters. The DPS has been Stitt, also upset that Okla- -- provided another trooper ing in his bid for a political Chip Keating, secretary of challenging, the public must in the news for the wrong homa driver’s licenses still the questions that would appointment. But an internal public safety, called Scully be confident that those in reasons the past several don’t comply with federal be asked by a promotional investigative report found “a man of integrity” with an law enforcement leadership months, with allegations by Real ID standards, replaced board. German also alleged that Rhoades only made his “impeccable law enforce- are above reproach. Stitt and the now-former commis- Rhoades with John Scully, that Rhoades falsely accused accusations against Ger- ment background.” others believe Scully is just sioner that a highway patrol who worked 32-plus years him ofblackmail to discredit man about two months after Former Oklahoma City the person to provide that captain had tried to black- in the Oklahoma City Police him, and that Rhoades, Har- meeting twice with the cap- Police Chief Bill Citty at DPS, and Oklahomans mail him. followed by acivil Department. including eight rell and the other trooper tain away from the office. praised Scullv. as did Attor- should hove thev’re right.