9 Comments

Well written and thought out, Pastor Wade. 🙂

I greatly appreciate your focusing on the facts and reserving judgement until we can prove guilt without a doubt.

I suspect your sentiments on the matter are correct.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Marc. And thank you for your leadership in civil government in Stillwater and in our state.

Expand full comment

I waited for a while after reading it as I worked in the kitchen and pondered this article and felt lead to come back and comment.

Prayers go out for the Simonton Family first and foremost as they are left to hurt over this tragedy and there will be those who will point fingers.

Through your writing of Clint Simonton, my thoughts take a different path. Wondering if Clint felt sorrow and compassion for his investors knowing the hardship they could face in the future and being a small rural town would have to see and face people who he thought of as friends and family.

Our financial and economic system for our country is broken and has experienced corruption under our political system for some time.

Sadly, our current administration has failed and has no idea what rural America is really like and only those They feel worthy will be taken care of. Janet Yellen is a disgrace to her country.

Expand full comment

Is there any new news? I, like many others, don’t believe Clint would ever intentionally hurt ANYONE. There just seems to be WAY more questions than answers. The only reason I left his funeral without getting answers is because his amazing daughter bravely said that we were to celebrate his life that day.

Expand full comment

Foster, I appreciate your question. I don't have any answers for you, but within the next few months, when you hear of other banks "failing," just know that I tried to help people not jump to conclusions about Clint because many, many banks are in similar positions, and we might see a repeat of the 1930s when bank executives (with a conscience) felt horrible for what happened in their local communities because of "upside-down-bonds." I wish I had more information for you at this point, but keep checking back.

Expand full comment

Wade, it was fraud. Should you have any contacts within the OKC Branch of the Federal Reserve, I suggest utilizing them for confirmation. In the irony of stating Proverbs 18:17 to make your point, bank examiners "examined" the bank based on a complaint from a client that uncovered the fraud.

So, maybe go back a few verses and consider this one instead: "What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!." Proverbs 18:13 TLB

As a man of influence, it would be wise to refrain from sharing speculative posts on social media, especially without all the facts. I am sure you are offering support to the Simonton family in practical ways, but instead, use your public platform as a call to prayer for them.

This is a heartbreaking and tragic situation for everyone involved.

Expand full comment

Gil, I'm not saying it's not. fraud. Maybe, maybe not. My problem is a video blaming a man who is dead, whose lifestyle - including home, car, and assets - reflect conservative values - and whose pastor and friends all say, "There's no way Clint would ever take money from people in his hometown, especially $40 million. We would know." The FIDC said its insurance is being hit for $40 million. In addition, $10 million of the owner's capital (Jack Justice) is gone. Where are the auditors for the FDIC? If it is fraud, you can't "steal" $50 to $60 million in a $107 million dollar bank without someone noticing. A small bank, however, can get underwater real quick with old bonds locked in a deflationary or sub-zero rate when new bonds (and the interest that must be paid) turn the bank's balance sheet upside down. The truth will eventually come out. I'm simply asking people to reserve judgment on a man who is dead until this is properly adjudicated. For what it's worth, I think the U.S. government ,the FED, the Treasury Department, and Congress are all perpetrating the largest fraud in the history of the United States. An unpayable government debt of over $200 Trillion (including unfunded liabilities), and maybe the people who should go to jail are government officials. Thanks for your comment, Gil.

Expand full comment

Hey, Wade, I've also got a beef with the Fed. But that has nothing to do with what's happening here.

However, the truth will reveal massive fraud when it comes out. The people involved in the investigation are actually connected to you as much, if not more closely, than those in Lindsay.

I've always liked reading your stuff, going back to the 2006 IMB trustee blogging "scandal." More recently, I really appreciate your stand on the role of women in ministry.

Expand full comment

Gil, thank you. I'm listening. Candidly, my heart breaks for the Sara and the kids (I've never met them). I'm not disputing what you're saying, and I love your spirit. If there is indeed fraud, it may not be from Clint. Again, it's very nice to have a civil conversation with a person who obviously knows of what he speaks - even if it is a nuanced disagreement with me. Thank you.

Expand full comment