April 7, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 12

Page Text

Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, March 7, 2020 Opinion Page The good house guest “ElkCituNews Glynda Lomax is a Chris- ting to keep the bill low when she left. She cleaned Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 tian author and podcaster where I could pay it without house like no one I had ever who resides in the Ozark taking a second job. I drove seen before and my friend If we forget the Mountains of Northern Ar- kansas with her two very bossy dogs. She wrote her home and threw her out of my house forever and I’ve never spoken to her since. A was also sorry to see her leave. Last year, I saw a televi- (first About Life..column in sion program about a man hard lessons of real friend would never do 2003 for a newspaper in something so selfish and un- who became disabled and he Dallas. She is planning her derhanded. and his wife had to move in next book. temporarily with a relative. I Glynda Lomax the past, we risk Another time I took a friend in need in, thinking was so impressed when the relative’s home. As soon as Guests, like fish, begin what fun we could have first thing he did upon arrival we are able, we should be repeating them to smell after three days. — shopping and going out was ask the lady of the house helping to pay for food and Benjamin Franklin for coffee together. I had fora list of chores, honey-dos whatever bills we can, even moved to a town where I and yard work that needed to if that means taking slightly “T just need to stay for a knew no one and I had been be done. He then embarked By Joe Dorman, CEO - OICA week or two and I promise extremely lonely and isolat- on that list and worked on it longer to move out, because The Legislature has completed committee work on bills T'll be gone,” my friend said. ed there. The friend arrived, every single day they stayed that is the right thing to do. in the house of origin. The only bills left alive for those She was leaving her hus- and stayed for months in her there until all the chores had We should leave the room(s) filed this year are the ones approved by committees and band, and she had no place room or in front of the televi- been completed. we stayed in immaculately some legislation carried over from last year. else for her and her child to sion. There were no outings, When you are a guest in clean, and we should ask for Traditionally, about 60% of bills filed don’t make it out go. Though I had a standing there was no fun. She never someone else’s home, re- of committees. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advo- rule against it, I finally re- helped with a single chore or alize they are giving up that list of chores we can do cacy is grateful that several issues on our legislative prior- lented and told her to come. privacy and extra space or as soon as we arrive and then bill. That was the last friend ity list cleared that first hurdle; others we support did not. An hour later she was at Tever took in. conveniences to help you by work on them every single Over the coming weeks, I will write about our priorities my front door with no job, Sometimes hard times fall having you there. They must day while we are there. that are still alive at the State Capitol. no money, her clothes and and we are forced to stay buy more food, more paper When we care about our This week I want to discuss an idea of particular con- her 5 year old son in tow. with someone else. There are products and pay for more host’s feelings as much as cern. The push to consolidate certain state agencies as a A month later she was still very few people in the entire utilities due to your stay, es- there. Two months...I tried world who understand how pecially if others came with we do our own, and we put supposed cost-savings measure is troubling to those of us to be patient and give her to be a good house guest, you. They must do more these principles into action, who fight for children. We encourage lawmakers to pro- time to get her own place. but we can learn. When we housework and more laun- doing for others as we would ceed with caution; Oklahoma has a dangerous history here. One day, picking up my do, and when we put those dry because you are there. want them to do for us, we A perfect example of an agency that grew too big is the mail at the Post Office, I dis- principles into action and Sometimes we are unable will always be the house Department of Human Services (DHS) from 40 years ago. covered from a high electric consider the feelings of our to help with food and utilities The infamous “Terry D.” lawsuit, in which it was proven bill that each day when I hosts, we can be sure we when we first arrive, but we guest everyone hates to see children in the state’s custody were neglected, abused, left for work, she had been will always be welcome in should do even more of what go. and in some cases raped, by those charged with their care cranking up the AC. The another’s home. we can do if that is the case — UNever enter the home of and rehabilitation, is what forced the agency to be broken bill was so high, my knees Tonce had a friend whose help with housework, cook- another with dust on your apart. This tragedy happened in part because the agency buckled as I realized I had sister-in-law came to stay ing, shopping, laundry, lawn shoes and selfish expecta- was too big to properly monitor remote facilities and the no idea how I was going to with her during a breakup. care and child care. There tions in your heart. 0 Stewart vast duties of multiple departments. pay it on my meager salary. While she was there, the is always something we can My then friend never helped woman helped with clean- volunteer to help with. We Stafford and experiences. An exposé by Gannett Media called “Oklahoma’s Put all the energy into build- Shame” and a lawsuit filed by Steven Novick of Legal Aid with a single chore or bill. ing and cooking every day should be kind and polite of Western Oklahoma on behalf of seven plaintiffs forced That was the last straw. My and did everything in her and pleasant to be around ing your personal and emo- children and I always kept power to be useful. She was so we do not drag down the tional security.” — Jennifer the needed changes through the legal system. This case led so friendly, I was even sad the AC on a reasonable set- atmosphere of our friend or James to OICA’s creation, as well as breaking up DHS’s juvenile Child sex trafficking education responsibilities. It is no exaggeration to say this could happen again. Not a single member of the Legislature was in office when the “Terry D.” case ended in the 1990s. Each generation of government is only as good as those you elect to oversee government and the employees who are hired to maintain those departments. If we forget the hard lessons of the bill passes committee past, we risk repeating them. In the case of abuse and ne- By Rep. Todd Russ administrators work with a the nation that still charges convictions from carry- glect of children, we who fight for them every day simply T’ve been working with a recognized nonprofit to pro- taxes on hearing aids. I am ing a firearm, and leaves in will not allow that sad history to repeat itself. ministry called Share To- vide awareness information working with the OK Hear- We also have heard the call by state leaders to increase gether out of Dallas and a to sophomores, juniors and ing Aid Dispenser’s Asso- place private property and whistleblowing provisions as a way to enforce correct ac- man named Jaco Booyens. seniors. There’s been some ciation to make this change. school campus rights to pro- tions by state employees. This is dependent upon the pro- With his advice, I have been interest in making these re- The bill passed the House hibit carry at the owner or tection of the identity of the employee who is informing able to write legislation that sources available to children Appropriations & Budget administrator’s discretion. would require colleges to in even younger grades. That Committee with a vote of on others and the guarantee that person will not receive provide an in-person train- is something I will be look- 24-2. It is now eligible to be The author’s bill failed by punishment for reporting wrongful actions. ing for incoming freshman ing into. It’s important that heard on the House floor. a vote of 1-12 in the House Far too many good people who depend on their jobs regarding the current state our young people are aware One other bill I want to Public Safety Committee. A could be afraid to lose those jobs if they speak up should and details of child sex traf- of the dangers but that infor- call to attention is House Democrat lawmaker from the protections be too weak; that was the case with em- ficking to make the students mation is provided by repu- Bill 3357. This bill sought to ployees who witnessed the mistreatment of children de- aware of the issues and signs table groups who will teach repeal Constitutional carry NE Oklahoma was the only cades before. Whatever form the whistleblower policy of traffickers and those being this subject in an appropriate legislation that was passed yes vote on the bill. I believe takes, we will demand that it has ironclad assurance of trafficked. The information manner. last year and signed into law the majority of Oklahomans protection for those who point out wrongdoing. on this issue is astonishing! House Bill 3454 passed by the governor. The law are in favor of the law as it Consolidation to save costs may be pennywise, but if My legislation will require the House Children, Youth now allows the open carry Oklahoma colleges and uni- and Family Services Com- of firearms by citizens 21 or is, and measures to repeal it there is another failure because an agency has grown too versities to make available mittee with a vote of 14-0 older or active duty military will continue to fail. big, such a move may be dollar dumb for taxpayers. The during each freshman ori- and is now eligible to be personnel or veterans age 18 lives and the safety of thousands of Oklahomans could be Thank you for giving me entation week, at least three considered on the House or over without a require- the opportunity to represent at risk, along with millions of taxpayer dollars to correct scheduled opportunities for floor. ment to receive a separate those mistakes. a qualified nonprofit sex My House Bill 3462, you at the Capitol. God bless permit or training from the This week’s child statistic, sponsored by Derrick Ott: trafficking awareness orga- state. meanwhile, would allow a you and God bless Oklaho- “From 2012 to 2017, substantiated child abuse cases in- nization to present training sales tax exemption on the State law still calls for ma! If I can every help you creased by 155%, as reported by the Oklahoma Depart- and awareness __ informa- purchase of hearing aids. background checks, prohib- in any way, please contact ment of Human Services.” tion to students during this This benefits the residents of its felons, those adjudicated week. It also recommends our state greatly, as we are with mental illness or those me at Todd.Russ@okhouse. About OICA: The OklahomaInstitute for Child Advoca- cy was established in 1983 by a group of citizens seeking that our public high school one of only a few states in with domestic violence gov or (405) 557-7312. Problems with Bible classes to create a strong advocacy network that would provide a voice for the needs of children and youth in Oklahoma, varticularly those in the state's care and those growing up amid poverty, violence, abuse and neglect, disparities, by James A. Haught would classes conclude that to death. (But non-virgin an, infant and suckling, ox or other situations that put their lives and future at risk. Here in Appalachia’s Bi- America violates the Bible? grooms aren’t mentioned.) and sheep, camel and ass.” Our mission statement: “Creating awareness, taking ac- ble Belt, conservatives in Next, the Bible decrees With millions of unwed tion and changing policy to improve the health, safety and the Legislature want to force that those who work on Sun- American couples _ living Numbers 31 does likewise, well-being of Oklahoma's children.” all West Virginia public day must be killed. Exodus together, will students de- with this exception: “But high schools to teach Bible 31:15 decrees: “Whosoever bate whether the execution all the women children, that classes, as occurs in several doeth any work in the Sab- decree applies to females other Republican-controlled bath day, he shall surely be among them? have not known a man by ly- states. put to death.” Exodus 35:2 is The Bible endorses slav- ing with him, keep alive for I wonder how such class- almost identical. ery. Leviticus 25:44 says: yourselves.” Would classes es handle Bible topics like Would teachers apply this “Both thy bondmen, and thy apply these decrees to U.S. these: mandate to police, firefight- bondmaids, which thou shalt First, the Bible decrees ers, doctors, nurses, hospital have, shall be of the heathen soldiers today? that gay males must be aides, paramedics, snow- that are round about you; of Many other Bible sections plow drivers, power repair Send your killed. Leviticus 20:13 says: them shall ye buy bondmen contain controversial com- “Tf a man also lie with crews, bus drivers, airline and bondmaids.” Exodus mankind, as he lieth with a crews, radio and television 21:7 gives rules when “a mands that could provoke woman, both of them have staffs, store clerks and oth- man sell his daughter to be a classroom disputes. Before editorial to committed an abomination; ers who must work on Sun- maidservant.” the Bible-in-schools plan they shall surely be put to days? What about cooks and Would high school stu- death; their blood shall be waitresses serving Sunday dents discuss buying slaves reaches final passage, I hope upon them.” food? Come to think of it, from neighbor nations, and sponsors offer a way to pre- editor@ Imagine classroom dis- ministers and church organ- selling daughters into servi- vent turmoil. putes that could erupt be- ists work on the Sabbath, tude? tween Bible-believing stu- don’t they? In I Samuel 15, God com- James Haught, syndicated dents and others. Could The 22nd chapter of Deu- mands Hebrew soldiers to by PeaceVoice, is editor ecdailynews.com classes turn violent? (Odd- teronomy commands that attack a neighbor tribe “and emeritus of West Virgin- ly, lesbians aren’t men- brides who aren’t virgins utterly destroy all that they tioned.) Now that America must be taken to their fa- have, and spare them not; ia’s largest newspaper, The allows same-sex marriage, thers’ doorsteps and stoned but slay both man and wom- Charleston Gazette-Mail.