Letters to the Editor, 10-4-09

Dear Editor,

The Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault is saddened by the public outcry over the arrest of Roman Polanski. It seems throughout much of the discussion people have lost sight of the real victim, the 13-year-old child who was drugged and raped by an adult that she trusted. This type of public outcry only serves to silence victims of rape and sexual assault. The message that Polanski’s supporters are sending is clear: it is ok to rape as long as you are popular, powerful and famous.

His supporters also don’t acknowledge that Polanski’s actions were typical of a rapist. He intentionally plied his victim with alcohol and drugs to render her vulnerable to his assault. The grand jury testimony showed how he utilized grooming techniques and coercion to force his victim into compliance. Drug facilitated sexual assaults are a common occurrence and grooming is a technique used by those who perpetrate sexual offenses.

In the Polanski case the victim’s family agreed to a plea bargain in order to escape the public scrutiny and social stigma of being a victim of rape. Even now 32 years later, rape victims still fear being unfairly judged for the violent actions perpetrated on them by a criminal. It is apparent that their fears are legitimate when we read the news and see the opinions of public figures that minimize the act of rape and call this situation, “consensual sex.” It is this stigma that prevents our society from acknowledging and prosecuting rape and rape against minors. We know that approximately only 1 in 10 sexual assaults are reported to the police and less than 1 in 16 are prosecuted.

Until we can consistently send a message that sexual assault will not be tolerated no matter how much time has passed, no matter how much money, power, or talent the perpetrator has we will never succeed in eliminating rape and sexual assault.

Jennifer McLaughlin, MSW, CDSVRP

Sexual Violence Specialist with Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault



Dear Editor,

My name is Jamie and I wanted to say I had found out our community has a problem.

I love Ada and I have lived here since 1989. We have a great community, but in the word community is the word unity.

My husband found a homeless man the other day. He was polite and asking for help, food, money and a place to stay.

My husband couldn’t help him with any of those things — not because he didn’t want to but because we have problems of our own. When I got off work he told me about this man and my heart went limp on me. I thought of the cool nights and winter almost here and wondered when he last ate.

I went to the store in Pickett where I live to get me a pop and a burrito and that didn’t happen.

As soon as I got to the store I was no longer hungry. I bought a ham and cheese sandwich and a canned pop. I didn’t have much money so I did what I thought would help for that night. I didn’t tell my husband about what I felt I needed to do; I just did it. I got the stuff and drove straight to where he was living to give the homeless man the food and drink. He wasn't there but I left it any way.

When I got home I found an old jacket, pillow and blanket and my husband. We went back and left it too! We need a safe house for homeless people in our community. If we don’t help those who can’t help them selves who will?

Maybe I’m just crazy and I did something dumb but I felt the need to give, even to a perfect stranger. And I’m smiling now because I did! God bless you!

Jamie Pinley, Ada



Dear Editor,

The Ada Recycling Coalition (ARC) would like to remind Ada area residents that the City of Ada is providing for its citizens a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the ECU football field parking lot.

This is a very beneficial event being offered to the public. It allows residents to get rid of unwanted or accumulated household hazardous waste safely and conveniently. ARC will be collecting latex (water-based) paints from the public during this event and then mixing it and donating it for re-use. This paint will be made available to non-profit organizations for use in the community.

The following is a partial list of items that will be accepted:

Acids, antifreeze, asbestos, batteries, brake fluid, bleach, chlorine, fertilizer, gasoline, herbicides, insecticides, kerosene, lead, mercury, moth balls, naphthas, oven cleaner, paints (latex and oil based), paint thinners and solvents, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, photography chemicals, swimming pool chemicals, rodent killer, window cleaners, spot removers, wood preservatives, engine batteries, rechargeable batteries including Ni-Cd batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, passenger tires, thermostats, used motor oil, and for the first time, “e-waste” (computers, monitors, fax machines, toner cartridges, etc.).

Ada residents are encouraged to check their garages, basements, storage cabinets and other storage areas for hazardous materials that may have outlived their useful life, or have been stored for an extended period of time such that the containers are deteriorated or not safe to handle any longer. Please notify your family members and friends of this great opportunity to do something for the environment of our community.

Garmon Smith, Ada Recycling Coalition Chair