Wheeler District

[LakeEffect]

Why don't they just attend the school that is less than a mile away...

What is the point of the charter, other than to ensure that the residents don't have to send their children to OKCPS as a sales tactic?

Because it will add enough children over time that a new school is needed... and it will also be a bilingual immersion program, which OKCPS does not currently have.

[hoya]

It is not OK to marginalize an entire segment of the population you serve. While he apologized for equating homosexuality with pedophilia, he still believes homosexuality is "wrong". If he can't serve the entire student body, faculty and staff of OU then he should resign.

For the sake of argument, what if he believed that underage drinking was "wrong"? Or that casual sex was "wrong"? That would certainly put his beliefs at odds with the behavior of many OU students. But does it mean he cannot serve effectively as a regent?

[Ross MacLochness]

For the sake of argument, what if he believed that underage drinking was "wrong"? Or that casual sex was "wrong"? That would certainly put his beliefs at odds with the behavior of many OU students. But does it mean he cannot serve effectively as a regent?

you must think being gay is a choice?? Thinking drinking is wrong is not the same as thinking being gay is wrong... By your logic it'd be ok to have him on the board if he thought being black was wrong, or having red hair. geez man..

[Jersey Boss]

Would he discriminate in the hiring process of a new president? Would his religious beliefs trump the hiring of a qualified individual for the post? How can he be an effective regent if he can not take a secular view of a secular job? He is free to have his opinions but he has no "right" to be a regent at a public university.

[Rover]

Would he discriminate in the hiring process of a new president? Would his religious beliefs trump the hiring of a qualified individual for the post? How can he be an effective regent if he can not take a secular view of a secular job? He is free to have his opinions but he has no "right" to be a regent at a public university.

This kind of proclamation by an official now opens the door for a non-selected candidate who might be gay to sue the university for discrimination in the hiring process. It is just unnecessary.

On the business side, discrimination in housing might be either a legal or just a PR problem.

Since we are now in the Trumpian era where discrimination is swept under the rug under the anti "political correctness" groundswell, this may wind up being a net positive...who knows. There is lots of political capital right now for division and grandiose statements of judgement (towards certain things).

[Canoe]

It is not OK to marginalize an entire segment of the population you serve. While he apologized for equating homosexuality with pedophilia, he still believes homosexuality is "wrong". If he can't serve the entire student body, faculty and staff of OU then he should resign.

Then you would agree that that say a devote Muslim is unfit to serve the public correct? The problem is that by pushing out religious people from public life you will see them only serve and associate with like minded people. This leads to group think and tribalism which leads to extremism. It is foolish of you think otherwise.

[Jersey Boss]

I would agree that any person who can not serve the public in a public position due to philosophical differences is unfit to serve. Whether it is a Muslim cab driver refusing a fare because the customer has a six pack of beer with them or a Christian Court Clerk refusing to issue a marriage license to a gay couple or a Jewish cafeteria worker in a public school refusing to serve a ham sandwich.

[dankrutka]

Why don't they just attend the school that is less than a mile away...

What is the point of the charter, other than to ensure that the residents don't have to send their children to OKCPS as a sales tactic?

The biggest problem for urban school districts is that people with means abandon them. If people with means would quit moving out of OKCPS and instead dedicate themselves to the the communities and schools, they would be fine. Unfortunately, many people see the school district as the problem instead of themselves. This results in schools where there is incredibly high SES and racial segregation and concentrating poverty in any school is problematic. These charters seem to be the only way a lot of people with means will consider OKCPS, unfortunately. It's not the ideal solution, but it's probably better than the status quo as long as the charters are run in line with other public schools and do not move to for-profit models. It's a difficult dilemma to solve.

[bchris02]

Then you would agree that that say a devote Muslim is unfit to serve the public correct? The problem is that by pushing out religious people from public life you will see them only serve and associate with like minded people. This leads to group think and tribalism which leads to extremism. You are foolish of you think otherwise.

If that Muslim believed in throwing gay people off buildings then yes. There is a difference between being religious and being a bigot.

[AP]

The biggest problem for urban school districts is that people with means abandon them. If people with means would quit moving out of OKCPS and instead dedicate themselves to the the communities and schools, they would be fine. Unfortunately, many people see the school district as the problem instead of themselves. This results in schools where there is incredibly high SES and racial segregation and concentrating poverty in any school is problematic. These charters seem to be the only way a lot of people with means will consider OKCPS, unfortunately. It's not the ideal solution, but it's probably better than the status quo as long as the charters are run in line with other public schools and do not move to for-profit models. It's a difficult dilemma to solve.

Ok.

[dankrutka]

Then you would agree that that say a devote Muslim is unfit to serve the public correct? The problem is that by pushing out religious people from public life you will see them only serve and associate with like minded people. This leads to group think and tribalism which leads to extremism. It is foolish of you think otherwise.

Where did anyone say what you said? It's simple: bigotry is the problem, not religion. If you hold discriminatory views towards a group of people then you are unfit to be a public servant. People drinking is a social problem, not a group that faces discrimination. Many Muslim, Christian, atheist, etc. people can serve a public institution without espousing discriminatory beliefs, especially on live TV. This really is a super low bar we're setting and Humphreys does not meet it.

[dankrutka]

Ok.

Go on...

[Canoe]

I would agree that any person who can not serve the public in a public position due to philosophical differences is unfit to serve. Whether it is a Muslim cab driver refusing a fare because the customer has a six pack of beer with them or a Christian Court Clerk refusing to issue a marriage license to a gay couple or a Jewish cafeteria worker in a public school refusing to serve a ham sandwich.

This approach will lead to segeration by religion and job type. I am for diversity even if I do not agree with other people's religious or philosophical opinions.

[dankrutka]

This approach will lead to segeration by religion and job type. I am for diversity even if I do not agree with other people's religious or philosophical opinions.

Again, this is not about disagreeing with people. It's about bigotry, especially by people who hold public office or are in charge of public institutions. There are certainly lots of people with discriminatory beliefs who also realize that bringing those beliefs into public spaces or their jobs would be inappropriate. Some people may even believe in discrimination and still do their jobs equitably (depending on their job responsiblities, probably). Humphreys not only holds discriminatory beliefs, but he also decided to share them on a very visible public forum. If he had wrestled with these ideas privately then that's one thing, but the way he talks clearly suggests that his bigotry runs very deep. You could tell he resented LGBTQ people gaining more equal rights in recent years and he was indignant that others didn't understand right from wrong like him. More than anything, he is damaging the reputation of an institution that needs to attract talented LGBTQ faculty, staff, and students, and so he is now a detriment to the university. People's beliefs are complex, but most people have at least some humility about their beliefs and thoughtfulness about how they express themselves. For example, I am in education. If I was hiring someone, I don't care about their personal beliefs, but I might ask them in an interview, "Our LGBTQ students face bullying in our school. Will you support and advocate for them so they can have academic success?" If they cannot answer affirmatively 'yes' then it means their personal beliefs are more important than their commitment to students and their education. I wouldn't hire them not because of their beliefs, but because they would be an ineffective educator for some of our students. Humphreys has clearly crossed a lot of lines and that's why he should resign.

[Canoe]

Where did anyone say what you said? It's simple: bigotry is the problem, not religion.

http://kfor.com/2017/12/10/flash-poi...raels-capital/

Second paragraph of Kirk's comments

[catcherinthewry]

Then you would agree that that say a devote Muslim is unfit to serve the public correct?

This isn't about religion. It is about bigotry. As Ross MacLochness said, being born gay is no different than being born black. I don't want to go back to the days of segregation any more than I want to see people demonize LGBTQs.

[catcherinthewry]

Again, this is not about disagreeing with people. It's about bigotry, especially by people who hold public office or are in charge of public institutions. There are certainly lots of people with discriminatory beliefs who also realize that bringing those beliefs into public spaces or their jobs would be inappropriate. Some people may even believe in discrimination and still do their jobs equitably (depending on their job responsiblities, probably). Humphreys not only holds discriminatory beliefs, but he also decided to share them on a very visible public forum. If he had wrestled with these ideas privately then that's one thing, but the way he talks clearly suggests that his bigotry runs very deep. You could tell he resented LGBTQ people gaining more equal rights in recent years and he was indignant that others didn't understand right from wrong like him. More than anything, he is damaging the reputation of an institution that needs to attract talented LGBTQ faculty, staff, and students, and so he is now a detriment to the university. People's beliefs are complex, but most people have at least some humility about their beliefs and thoughtfulness about how they express themselves. For example, I am in education. If I was hiring someone, I don't care about their personal beliefs, but I might ask them in an interview, "Our LGBTQ students face bullying in our school. Will you support and advocate for them so they can have academic success?" If they cannot answer affirmatively 'yes' then it means their personal beliefs are more important than their commitment to students and their education. I wouldn't hire them not because of their beliefs, but because they would be an ineffective educator for some of our students. Humphreys has clearly crossed a lot of lines and that's why he should resign.

Well put, Dan.

[dankrutka]

http://kfor.com/2017/12/10/flash-poi...raels-capital/

Second paragraph of Kirk's comments

Sorry for the confusion. I'm saying, where did anyone in this thread say we should push religious people (which is like 95% of the population) out of public life? No one said that. You are using an anti-religion strawman to make your argument. That was my point.

[bchris02]

This isn't about religion. It is about bigotry. As Ross MacLochness said, being born gay is no different than being born black. I don't want to go back to the days of segregation any more than I want to see people demonize LGBTQs.

A big problem is that many evangelicals still believe that being gay is a lifestyle choice and with a little prayer and "therapy" the person can become heterosexual. Never mind the fact that conversion therapy causes far-reaching mental problems and even suicide. Conversion therapy and the idea that sexual orientation is a choice is debunked by science and nearly all licensed psychologists. OU is a secular public university and therefore proven science should trump religion.

[Bullbear]

That was the most unapologetic Apologies I have ever seen. mind you I am not surprised by his statements as he was always so difficult when Mayor about Anything LGBT.

[soonerguru]

Looks like Kirk's candidate lost in Alabama tonight.

[soonerguru]

Would he discriminate in the hiring process of a new president? Would his religious beliefs trump the hiring of a qualified individual for the post? How can he be an effective regent if he can not take a secular view of a secular job? He is free to have his opinions but he has no "right" to be a regent at a public university.

Excellent points, but who would argue that what he said is remotely OK for an official representing a major public university in a leadership role? If I were to say that I would probably run the risk of being fired from my private sector job.

His job is to support the academic excellence of the university and provide sound guidance of its finances. Anything else is bad. He just took a big dump on OU and it has garnered international news coverage.

It's also an extreme embarrassment that these articles reference him as a former mayor of the city we love.

He also made the weird and likely racist comment about people with "better genes" moving to Edmond and the suburbs a couple of years ago. WTF? It sounded like something you would read in a text about Eugenics.

He is an embarrassment to OU, OKC and the state. He cannot control himself when speaking publicly. He really ought to just kick back at the golf course and enjoy his 1% lifestyle and keep his Jerry Falwell mentality out of public view.

[soonerguru]

Is it okay to have a religious man serve a university? It seems your answer is no. Here is Kirk's response from the article for the record.

Give me a break. Really, man?

[king183]

Anyway....let's get back to Wheeler District and take the discussion of Kirk Humphrey's religious and political comments to the appropriate thread.

Have you all seen the Wheeler District Master Plan? I don't think it's on their website, but it was at their pop-up shop. It shows Western being lined with commercial and Western Ave completely redone to have roundabouts, bike lanes, and large sidewalks. It also shows how Western will be remade to connect the east and west side of Wheeler. It also shows a connection being created with the neighborhood to the west. If they can succeed in transforming that portion of Western and connecting the surrounding neighborhoods, I think that greatly enhances the appeal of living in the area.

[Pete]

^

Yeah, not sure why they are being so secretive elusive about their master plan.

Why not put it on their website and on social media?