Well, I am going to blow my own horn for a minute here, then it will be back to business as usual.
At the Oklahoma Press Association convention this weekend in Oklahoma City, this reporter was presented with top honors for column writing in newspapers of this size (2,0003,300). It was a repeat win for me. That and a dollar and a half will get a cup of coffee nearly anywhere in Oklahoma.
On to important stuff. This is election week. Early voting is from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday June 13-14 and from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Early voting is only available at the election office in the courthouse basement. Anyone who is registered and eligible to vote in this election can vote early. You don’t have to have a reason. But you do have to have an ID.
With as many options as there are to vote, there really isn’t any valid reason not to. I mean, sure, if you ran into some trouble with the law and your voting rights haven’t been restored, OK. But other than that, every American citizen should get out and pull the lever for the candidate of their choice.
It’s important now, with the county and corporation commission races, but it will get really important later in the year. Maybe you don’t care for the choice we will have. Hold your nose and vote anyway. Things can’t change if you as a voter don’t take part in the process. And if you don’t vote, you forfeit your right to complain.
Our republic isn’t perfect, but it is the best option on the planet. The political process isn’t perfect either, but, again, it’s the best option.
And if you want to celebrate our republic, feel free to drop by the Ferguson Home around 11 a.m. June 15, when we’re going to hold a Flag Day event. Have a cupcake, a glass of tea and take a moment to appreciate Old Glory and all she means to us as a people. Think of all the folks who wish they could do something of the sort – those who fell in Normandy, those imprisoned in faraway countries with no human rights, service members who are in foreign lands defending the rights we hold dear.
Voting and appreciation for our flag are two of those rights, so get out and exercise them. It makes America a better country and it makes you a better citizen.