August Editorial Winner

It's about time GOP investigated Walters 

By Kim Poindexter, Tahlequah Daily Press

Statehouse Republicans have finally called for an investigation into State Superintendent Ryan Walters, and while the leaders may not allow it, they should.

Walters has no business being anywhere near a public school in Oklahoma. Legislators should either take steps they must to wrest him from the post to which Oklahomans mistakenly elected him, or otherwise get him in lime.

When the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board rescind-ed the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School contract and Attorney General Gentner Drummond commended the action, a surly Walters lashed out.

Drummond’s objection was to Walters’ attempts to funnel public school monies into a private religious school. The Oklahoma Constitution is clear this isn’t permissible. Drummond has had to hound the charter school board to recognize the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter. It’s “appalling,” he said, that justices dragged their feet for so long: “The proposed state-sponsored religious charter school, funded by our tax dollars, represents a serious threat to the religious liberty of all four million Oklahomans.”

But Walters, who is among that cadre of politicians known for making erroneous claims, gave a tersely worded response, calling the ruling “dismal” and adding: [The justices] have chosen the path of liberal extremism and Marxism by depriving parents of a choice ... They do not represent conservative Oklahoma values.”

He wouldn’t know “Oklahoma values” if they were sent through a hay baler and dropped on his head. His choice of words is insulting to all Oklahomans, both liberal and conservative. He has gall to accuse the state’s high court of pushing “liberal extremism and Marxism,” when he himself is pushing conservative extremism and fascism that calls to mind Nazi Germany.

Walters may remind some folks of other politicians who do and say whatever they please, and then try to fly a Christian banner over their hate. He has no problem attacking those with whom he disagrees, using the most demeaning language he can pick from his repertoire.

Just this week, two Republican state representatives, Josh West of Grove and Ty Burns of Pawnee, took Walters to task for his attacks on Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller. Because Miller had the temerity to question Walters’ motives regarding Title I funding, the state superintendent called him a “clown” and a “liar.” Burns and West, both former military leaders, pointed out Miller’s earlier service as a Marine, said they “cannot stand by” while Miller was insulted for doing his job.

A press release from those two lawmakers details their service and Miller’s – service the recalcitrant Walters cannot list among his sparse credentials. The legislators said this: “We had hoped Walters would eventually grow into his role, but after two years of problem-atic leadership tactics, our patience is wearing thin.”

“Problematic” is putting it nicely. Walters seems to believe his “values” are shared by “all four million Oklahomans.” That’s a bold-faced lie. We’ve yet to find people in Cherokee County, of any political stripe, who admit to agreeing with his ideology. But they might, as now do most in the Legislature, believe he’s been misusing taxpayer funds.

Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson said Tuesday: “I’m glad members of the Republican Supermajority are joining our calls for action against ... Walters. House Democrats have made five public attempts to investigate [him]. After a long history of allegations of misuse of federal tax dollars, inciting bomb threats and deadly violence in ... schools, and routinely ignoring the Oklahoma Constitution, it is time for Republicans to ... hold  [him] accountable. We have all waited long enough.”

Indeed we have. Hopefully someone will have the stones to act against him.