Motherly advice

The floods, wildfires and extreme weather events now becoming common are early warnings of greater challenges coming because of global warming and climate change.

For more than 50 years, climate scientists have warned that rising levels of C02 and methane from human sources were warming the atmosphere and that, unless abated, would have dire consequences for nature and humanity.

Scientists now say that we are living in the “sixth great extinction” of species in Earth’s history. This one is human-made by our consumptive lifestyles, including burning of coal, oil and natural gas.

With the general elections approaching in November, voters should know that one major political party, and virtually all of its candidates, officially ignores these warnings.

Their party platform extols coal as an abundant and inexpensive resource that can serve humanity for hundreds of years. They pledge to “end the EPA’s war on coal,” and to “approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.”

Mother Nature asks America to vote wisely, and Mother Nature will have the last word.

Nathaniel Batchelder Oklahoma City

America’s new normal

It’s no longer enough to rationally discuss differences. Instead, attack like a spit-flying mad dog.

It’s in the idiotic, profane protesters at rallies who disrespect law while unwittingly feeding a candidate’s publicity machine. It’s in followers who emulate a candidate’s childlike name-calling and sometimes profanity-laced tirades.

And it’s in fabricated, taken for gospel e-shares every day.

No, W’s not a Nazi, Obama’s not a Kenyan Muslim terrorist and not everything’s a liberal or conservative conspiracy. Like we used to tell my granddaughter, “Use your words ... use your words.” Rational words.

In other words, grow up.

Jack Bowen Fort Worth, Texas

Understanding testimony

It saddens me deeply, not only as a Christian but as a human being, to see things of this nature (News, Religion, “Dark testimony,” Ben Luschen, June 29, Oklahoma Gazette).

They hid behind the right of freedom of speech to say and do what they want in the demonstration of their beliefs but are unwilling to show Christians the same resect. Despite such disrespect to the Mother of God, she continues to love them and intercede in their behalf with God.

I am unable to understand as a Christian and a human being why anyone would want to spend all eternity in the fires of hell, where they will suffer nothing but pain and anguish.

I pray for such confused people daily and ask the Holy Spirit to send them the graces to see the error of their ways before it is to late.

Terre Barklage St. Louis

Corrections

>> An Aug. 24 Best of OKC winner photo caption misidentified Dr. Tim Love, MD in Oklahoma Gazette print editions. Love earned Best of OKC’s top award for best place to get an aesthetic update.

>> An Aug. 24 Best of OKC winner profile for YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City incorrectly stated the organization currently offers indoor soccer. The nonprofit does offer children and youth sports programming, including spring and fall youth soccer leagues, at participating branches.

>> An Aug. 17 Chicken-Fried News item, “Minor Puig,” incorrectly identified the team Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josh Reddick was traded from. Reddick was traded to Los Angeles from the Oakland Athletics.

>> An Aug. 10 Eat & Drink section story, “Pacing Plaza,” by Greg Elwell misidentified the photographer of a picture that ran with the story. The photographer is Quit Nguyen.

Oklahoma Gazette provides an open forum for the discussion of all points of view in its Letters to the Editor section. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Letters can be mailed, faxed, emailed to [email protected] or sent online at okgazette.com. Include a city of residence and contact number for verification.

Opinions expressed on the commentary page, in letters to the editor and elsewhere in this newspaper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ownership or management.

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