QUR'AN CONTROVERSY CONTINUES!
Evidently, a Pete Lamb sent a letter to the Norman Transcript that ran Sunday attacking State Representative Scott Martin for not accepting the Centennial Qur'an. I have stated my opinion in previous posts and while I see nothing wrong with taking the book, others disagree. Lamb is using the issue to attack a good legislator and that is wrong. Below is a letter to The Transcript that defends Martin and I have obtained the authors permission to post.
Dear Editor Rieger:
Pete Lamb’s open letter to Rep. Scott Martin published on The Transcript’s Nov. 1st editorial page revealed that Pete was perplexed concerning Scott’s decline of an offer to receive a copy of the Quran from the Governor’s Ethnic Advisory Council, which I understand consist of Muslin’s only. Let me shed some light on this for Pete: The Muslim members were providing these copies at their own personal expense, and to avoid ordering more copies than would be accepted, they sent e-mails to each representative to determine how many to order, asking for a "Yes" or "No" response to their offer.

Those making the offer are well acquainted with Scott and some of the other legislators, and the Muslims who made the offer are too polite to embarrass anyone or put them on the spot. It was a good-will gesture, and it was not their intention to make a big deal of their offer being refused or accepted.

Let me explain further: If a hospitable Okie invited his Muslim friend to Van’s Pig Stand for some pork ribs, a devout Muslim might appreciate the invitation, but would refuse the offer, and the Okie should not take offense at the refusal to dine with him, particularly when the Muslim explains that he understands it is wrong to eat pork. And chances are, the Muslim won’t mind if his Okie friend does go alone and enjoy lunch at Van’s.

Scott is a devout Christian, and his decline of the Quran copy was a reflection of his own convictions. Being straightforward sort he is, Scott did not pretend that he would accept the book, but then turn and let it gather dust: Being painfully polite Scott thankfully declined their offer, allowing them to accurately count those who wanted a copy. Yes, maybe it would be better politics to accept it and pretend to have intentions of reading or studying it. But with Scott, what you see is what you get!

Mr. Lamb has let the rude response from a Sands Springs State Representative get confused with the polite decline from our Representative Martin. The Muslims who know Scott Martin are not upset with him, and we can all be proud of him!

Sincerely,

Bobby Cleveland