Detecting an aroma of hypocrisy
“A sensible effort to conduct Senate work” (Our Views, Jan. 31) related that Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, “mentioned some examples of nominees who have been made to wait for more than a year” for the U.S. Senate's “advice and consent.” The “slow-playing” of President Trump's nominees has “created this muscle memory in the Senate,” Lankford is quoted as saying. “And if we don't fix it now, it's going to keep going. … And it will hurt the long-term functioning of our government.” Apparently, The
Oklahoman's editorial writers have forgotten, or ignored, what Mitch McConnell and his Republican pals in the Senate did when thenPresident Obama nominated Garland Merrick in 2016 to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Garland was widely regarded as a moderate and had been praised by many Republicans, including Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, who isn't a liberal by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, McConnell decided that the next Supreme Court justice should be chosen not by Obama but by his successor.
It appears GOP senators and their conservative media buddies oppose “slowplaying” of nominees only when it's an impediment to Republicans. I detect an aroma of hypocrisy.
Mike W. Ray, Oklahoma City Immigration system works
Our country does not have an “immigration problem.” Those who go through the process and apply at the nearest embassy are welcome. Our embassies in Central America issued 36,914 visas (Honduras 7,167) in 2018. The immigration system is working.
The real problem is the criminal element attempting to breach our borders. They often misuse families and children as shields to gain access. So, a (temporary) wall or a smart fence is a must. When we get a better relationship with our Central American neighbors, we can “tear down that wall” — and reuse the concrete or metal to build a nice hotel.
Jay R. Schrand, Enid Streetcar recommendation
OK, we have seen and some have traveled on our beautiful new streetcars — really neat in design, timely schedules, pleasant atmosphere — you know, all the good stuff with public transportation. Now it's time to consider the actual utilitarian value of the brightly colored conveyances. The service needs to be extended to those in our community who really need public transportation to — excuse the obvious input of data — go to work and return home safely. So far, the routes are located in the form of a carnival ride, not a true vehicular services to the community. In addition, the service should be extended to outlying communities.