“Oklahoma has already let the world know we’re anti-immigrant and anti-woman. Now, we’re going to send the signal to tourists, potential employers and others that frontier justice is alive and well here.”
This is total BS.

“When some of the same lawmakers were pushing the bill allowing permit owners and ex-military folks to carry concealed weapons in the classroom, the argument was that a deranged student wouldn’t start shooting because someone in the classroom may be armed. Now, the argument is the shooter will know immediately if someone is armed and won’t act. Which is it?”
I’ll take BOTH ARE CORRECT for a thousand Alex.

And comparing open carry to open containers? That one is just too ignorant to respond to.

BTW, if your kids cry at the sight of a gun it doesn’t say a thing about gun ownership. It speaks volumes about bad parenting. Might wanna toughen those little buggers up some.

In the unlikely event OU will allow a casting contest at the Duck Pond, I will begin agitating for the annual Duck Pond Fishing Derby to be reestablished.

I’m sure I’m not telling you anything when I remind that the ban on such things arises from the nasty habit of monofilament line to ensnare ducks and geese. Hooks are also frowned on by some.

Like you, I grew up with family fishing. Mussel Shoals, Hospital Lakes, Little River, etc. Grandma and Grandpa McDanel with cane poles, a cork, a hook, and a worm. Maybe bacon, liver, shrimp, grasshopper or piece of soap. And tons of patience. Dad flailing around the shoreline with a bait casting rod and reel, and the plug de jure. Mom reading a book in the shade. Me watching the old folks catch all the fish, but, lacking their patience, flailing along behind Dad with my version of the plug de jure. Then, later, enjoying the fish fry, with the elders’ fish.

Years later, wealth overwhelmed us, and, with metal boat and 1 1/2 horsepower electric motor, Dad discovered jug and trot-line fishing. He finally was supplying the fish for supper.

My three boys grew up with spinning gear, few backlashes, and enough success that we’ve enjoyed lots of fishing trips. The best, for my buck, have been to Slippery Falls Scout Ranch during the Spring and Fall. Family camping and fishing at its best. Keeping only what we can eat and throwing the rest back to grow a bit.

Perhaps in memory of those Duck Pond Derbies, I instigated two or three Sooner District Scout Fishing Derbies in the early 80’s. While they were fairly well attended, they have not, to my knowledge, been repeated. Maybe somebody needs to give that a try again.

In the meantime, if you get that Duck Pond casting deal going let me know. Personally, I think you need to look at doing it at the little lake up by Eisenhower where the trout fishing exercise had seen some success.

Best wishes for the Transcript and all newspapers, but the outlook is bleak.