Is It Time To Forgive Durant?
When Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma Thunder for the already talent-rich Golden State Warriors many in Oklahoma cried foul and accused Durant of treason. He was disloyal to fans who worshiped him because he wanted to make more money and win championships. The negative feelings about him have not subsided. He has won the NBA Championship MVP award for the second straight year. His success has only increased the dislike for him. But, is it fair? And isn’t it time to forgive him?
Granted Durant is not the most gracious winner or loser. He has not expressed a great love for Oklahoma since he left. This isn’t an editorial to establish who is more wrong. However, hating Durant isn’t helping anything. Durant does need to grow up. At 29 years old and at the pinnacle of his career his words are important. So much so that he needs to really think before speaking. In the past the soft spoken superstar did not say much to the press. His humility made him a fan favorite in Oklahoma.
Durant was not always unpleasant. In 2013, when deadly tornadoes hit near Oklahoma City, he visited the devastation and was so shaken by what he saw he donated $1 million to the American Red Cross in Oklahoma City. That same year working with Nike, Durant supported the shoe company in launching a basketball shoe that was created for the unique foot design of Native people. That was a good year. However, since leaving Oklahoma he has come to symbolize the type of player who is only in it for what’s best for him. Is that too simple of a response to what Durant decided when he left?
To be sure, like every other player in the NBA, Durant wanted to win championships and make a lot of money for his family. Those goals have been checked off for Durant. What is he guilty of other than weakening the local professional basketball team? If he stopped hitting his shots, Durant would have been cut off the team. Where is the reverse loyalty and fairness? Pro sports is a job and a business. College sports were for athletes playing for a team, unless they asked to play for another team. Fact is few players play their whole careers for the same team.
We still remember the images of Durant standing among the devastation and his reaction was not to play for another team, it was to help and donate money for Oklahomans devastated by deadly tornadoes. Many remember his outstanding play and the thrills he brought to the Thunder.
We can choose to focus on his decisions since leaving the Thunder or remember the greatness he accomplished while here. Forgive.
Caged Children of Color Not New
The disgust many Americans feel over the separation of children of families attempting to gain political asylum is rising with each heart-breaking image. President Donald Trump’s attempt to create such outrage over immigration reform and the building of a primitive wall is nauseating. Unfortunately this is not the first time America has caged children to meet some kind of political result.
Native Americans have felt the harsh sting of having families torn apart. It wasn’t enough to place Native Americans on reservations (often the harshest places in America) federal officials forcibly took children from every home to attend schools in faraway states. Their hair was cut, they were made to wear strange clothes and were punished for speaking their language. So severe was life at the schools many children died. Back then, no one investigated the deaths and there was no news crew trying to find out what happened. Forty years ago, Native Americans worked to get the Indian Child Welfare Act passed because social workers in states with reservations were raiding Native homes and permanently removed them from their family homes. Up to one quarter of all children were being removed. The act was passed and protections were enacted. State judges have fought against the law because while the law is enacted, it is always poorly funded. Thousands of Native children are in foster homes and some are sold to benefactors. It hasn’t stopped.
Slavery of Africans is a stain on this nation that hasn’t been erased. Captured in Africa by slaver merchants, African American] children were shackled with specially made restraints created just for children. They were sold to slave-owners and separated from their families. No, caging children of color is nothing new. Many see the disproportionate jailing of African American men as the new slavery. Poor representation and a system intent on sending young Black Americans to prison are money makers for private and public prisons.
Japanese American youth were rounded up and placed in internment camps over unfounded fears they were loyal to Japan during World War II. It appears that no people of color have been spared the humiliation and trauma of being caged by America. The current outrage is reaching a fever pitch and has cast a light on this country’s horrible treatment of the children of people of color. It seems everyone except Trump’s most fervent base is outraged over his brutal practice.
Former First Lady Laura Bush has written an article on Trumps horrible practice of harming children to build the wall. Caging children and building walls are a primitive practice not worthy of this nation. Current first Lady Melania Trump is not in favor of caging children. She asked that they be treated as humans.
The politics of ugly and brutal treatment of children of color is not new or novel. It is time for this nation return to its higher character and treat people with dignity in the most trying times. Children, no matter the hue of their skin are not soulless pawns to score political points. Very disturbing to read where every republican running for governor supports the building of a wall and none have denounced the caging of children. Remember this day, call your congressman and asked them to stop this practice of caging children.
Support for Edmondson Tied To His Weak Support for Medical Marijuana Question
The Tulsa World endorsed former Attorney General Drew Edmondson and it was not surprising. What was curious was their reasoning. It appears the high support for passing State Question 788 and former State Senator Connie Johnson’s extremely strong support for the measure is the reason for their endorsement. Most of the other reasons for supporting Edmondson are also shared by Johnson. She had the added quality of actually voting for the progressive agenda.
The Oklahoma Eagle stands by their strong support for Connie Johnson to be the Democrat nominee for Governor of Oklahoma.
Governor- Dems vote for Connie Johnson, Republicans vote for Kevin Stitt.
Attorney General– Republicans vote for Mike Hunter.
Lieutenant Governor– Dems vote for Anastasia Pittman, Republicans support Dana Murphy.
Corporation Commissioner– Dems vote for Ashley Nicole McCray, GOP voters go for Brian Bingman.
U.S. Representative District One– Democrats vote for Amanda Douglas. No GOP pick.
U.S. Representative District Two– Elijah McIntosh for Democrats, no GOP pick.
Osage County D.A.- Republicans vote for Mike Fisher to replace Rex Duncan.
Oklahoma House District 72– Dems return Monroe Nichols to the House.
Oklahoma House District 36– Dems should replace Sean Roberts with the superior Louise Red Corn.
Oklahoma Senate District 10– Republicans vote for Bill Coleman
Tulsa County District Attorney– Kunzweiler is the choice of The Oklahoma Eagle.
State Question 788– vote yes on this common sense proposal to allow medical marijuana.
The Oklahoma Eagle Endorses Tulsa County Judges
District 14 Office 1
The Oklahoma Eagle endorses District Judge Caroline Wall who is running for a third term. She is very analytical in her thoughts along with being fair and balanced in her decision making.
District 14 Office 2
The Oklahoma Eagle endorses Judge Sharon Holmes. Perhaps no judge had as challenging a term as Holmes, however she acted with the highest degree of integrity. She remained calm and was fair in her deliberations.
District 14 Office 3
The Oklahoma Eagle endorses Jim Caputo. He is a thoughtful jurist who has a background in law enforcement and having worked in private practice. His varied experience gives him the right kind of perspective for dealing fairly in the cases brought before him.
District 14 Office 9
The Oklahoma Eagle endorses Judge Linda Morrissey. A 20 year veteran of the bench. She is well known for being fair and her long tenure gives her experienced in a wide variety of cases. Also known for being fair and compassionate.
District 14 Office 12
The Oklahoma Eagle endorses Special Judge Martha Rupp to become the next District Judge Office 12. Rupp Carter is hard working and brings a high degree of integrity to the office.
Associate District 14
The Oklahoma Eagle endorses Special Judge Cliff Smith to become the Associate District Judge. He has handled a docket of high profile cases involving everything from murder to domestic violence. He is a straight shooter and brings a lot of common sense to the bench.
