Letters on Donald Trump, assistance needed for hard of hearing, Dale Robertson

What does Trump support tell us about the leadership from Oklahoma?

I’m concerned the Oklahoma GOP senators and representatives in Washington, D.C., are supporting Donald Trump. Trump has been indicted for rape, defrauding the USA, and soon voter tampering.

So, what does that tell us about the leadership from Oklahoma that they support someone like Trump who appears to be in serious legal jeopardy?

I don’t understand why senators, like Markwayne Mullin, support a probable criminal.

— Sam Bass, Yukon

More support needed for hard of hearing

I read with interest the Viewpoints section last Sunday … especially the sections covering disabilities. I think it is interesting that probably all public, and most private, buildings in the state have ramps and there is Braille annotation everywhere — even on drive-up facilities (I don’t have any research to back up these points but don’t think I am too far off the mark). But it is difficult, to say the least, to find similar support for the hard of hearing. I asked before construction began about the possibility of hearing loops being installed in the newest senior centers and was told things like … "It’s not in the budget" or "If we have funds left over."

It’s the law.

According to my unscientific research, 4.3% of Americans use a wheelchair, cane, crutches or walker. While 13% of us have a vision impairment. It is estimated that as many as 17% of Americans have some level of hearing loss.

Hearing loss affects all ages, genders and races. Hearing loss is the biggest complaint of returning GIs. Yet, it is nearly impossible to find facilities that offer the same level of care that is offered to our brothers and sisters who suffer other disabilities. If you go to a movie and ask for a device to assist the hearing impaired, if they even have something, there is a good chance it doesn’t work. Attend a seminar at one of our fine senior citizens centers and there is no help for the hearing impaired, and that is the case in many public and private facilities. They wouldn’t dare not have a ramp!

I am advocating for hearing loops. This is an installation in a room (large or small) with a PA system. It will transmit the sound, electronically, directly into an equipped hearing device. Yes, there are other kinds of hearing assistive systems, but a properly installed and maintained loop system is still the best for a large group. There is a system installed in the Civic Center Music Hall, Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, OKC & Nichols Hills city council chambers and many other locations in central Oklahoma.

The fact remains that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires all facilities to provide for Americans with disabilities and those of us with hearing loss are not being adequately provided for.

— Ron Hendricks, Oklahoma City

Remembering Dale Robertson ― a friend

This month saw the 100th birthday of Dale Robertson, hero, horseman, and major league movie and television star. And Oklahoman. An Oklahoman’s Oklahoman.

A World War II hero and recipient of a Purple Heart, Dale had a picture on display in an L.A. photographer’s window when it was noticed by Harry Cohn, president of Columbia Pictures, who asked Dale to test for “Golden Boy.” Dale didn’t get the movie, however, that loss was but a small bump in the saddle — his Oklahoma roots and rugged good looks made him a perfect leading man for Western films, mostly at 20th Century Fox. He made 60 of them.

Women loved Dale because he was a hunk, men loved him because he took no guff and children loved him because he set a standard for honesty and integrity.

He was always thinking of the next big thing, and jumped on the television bandwagon just as Westerns became popular over that medium. He created, produced and starred in “Tales of Wells Fargo,” a long-running smash hit.

Dale was perhaps the most unambitious movie and television star of all time. Even at the height of his fame, Dale told all who would listen that he was going to work in Hollywood until he had enough money saved up to move back to his beloved Sooner State.

And he did.

I was lucky enough to know Dale for the last 20 years or so of his life, and I treasured every minute.

He had a group of us cronies who went out to lunch a couple of days a week and wherever we went there were fans who all got a handshake and a view of that magnificent twinkle in his eyes.

There are Western film festivals all over the country, and Dale made many appearances wherever they were held. At these events, Dale was treated like royalty. It was amazing to see consistent lines of admirers wishing to meet Jim Hardie from “Wells Fargo,” and tell stories how the show impacted their lives.

Not to say that Dale couldn’t be a bit, well, cantankerous.

One time Brad Copeland and I had the brilliant idea to bring legendary Oklahoma biographer Bob Burke to lunch with Dale in hopes we could work with the movie star on a book of his life and exploits.

He immediately said no. When I asked why, he said, “Because I don’t know how the story ends yet.”

Dale told everybody that his wife, Susan, got “prettier every day.” They were a wonderful couple, and now Susan has written the book with heart and admiration called “Bucking Hollywood.” This is Dale’s life story and a treasure for all Oklahomans to enjoy. "Bucking Hollywood" is available on Amazon.

All his life, Dale was in love with this land that is grand — he had red dirt running through his veins. When the “Oklahoma Standard” is mentioned, I picture Dale on a horse at some rodeo, doffing his Stetson to the crowd, especially the “young uns.”

Dale Robertson had a heart as big as all outdoors.

— Bud Elder, Oklahoma City

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Letters on Donald Trump, support for hard of hearing, Dale Robertson