THUMBS UP

Walking is great exercise, and it is a good way to enjoy Oklahoma’s fine fall weather.

It also is a wonderful way to support worthy causes.

Local residents are putting shoes to pavement this weekend to support adults and children with disabilities, as well as those battling a debilitating disease.

Saturday, David Allen Memorial Ballpark was the site of Walk 4RKids, a fundraiser for the organization of the same name that helps support those with disabilities.

Today at 1:30 p.m., the Walk MS will be held at Champlin Park. The three-mile walk raises funds for research into treatments and a cure for multiple sclerosis. Individuals can register right before the walk.

Thumbs up to all walkers and organizers. We hope this proves to be a record-breaking year for both events.





THUMBS UP

Farming is, increasingly, not a young man’s job.

During a recent speech in El Reno, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said the average age of the American farmer is 57, and it is increasing. Young people, he emphasized, are the key to the future of American agriculture.

Many of the type of young people Vilsack was talking about were on hand Monday night for the 36th Garfield County Young Farmer premium auction.

These young men and women presented their hogs, sheep, cattle, goats for sale, an effort that netted $88,300.

Thumbs up to the sale, these young people, their parents, teachers and advisers for helping them get started on the road to a career in agriculture.





THUMBS UP

“All would live long,” Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “but none would be old.”

That bit of wisdom seems to apply to five residents of the Commons Methodist Retirement Home, all of whom are more than 100 years old.

The home recently held a party to recognize Maude Purnell, 105; Mary Randolph, who turned 103 Saturday; Jahleel Mauk, 101; Inez Boehm, 103; and Caryle Russell, 100.

Time has taken its toll on these five people’s bodies, but their spirits remain strong. When asked her secret to longevity, Randolph said it was to stay away from doctors.

Thumbs up to these five remarkable people, and here’s to many more years.





THUMBS DOWN

Jimmy Carter has done a lot of good in the years since he occupied the White House, particularly through his work with Habitat For Humanity and as a statesman and observer of foreign elections.

But sometimes he says things that just make us shake our heads.

Thus was the case this week when, during an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams, Carter said he believes racism is at the root of much of the opposition to President Barack Obama.

Last November, Obama became the first black man elected to the toughest job in the land, a fact no doubt that has stirred racism among some narrow-minded Americans.

But to paint the opposition to Obama’s policies, and in particular to his proposals to reform the health care system, as racism, is simply wrong. As Michael Steele, the first black to chair the Republican National Committee, said, “This isn’t about race. It is about policy.”

Thumbs down to the former president for muddying the waters of this vital policy debate by claiming racism.