by Senator Tom Coburn

The federal government's role in education today is far too intrusive and counterproductive. I believe our Constitution empowers parents, teachers and local communities — not federal bureaucrats — to manage our children's education. Congress should do everything in its power to limit the federal role in education and return education dollars and decisions to local communities.

America became a great and prosperous nation in part through strong local education that was controlled by parents, families, faith-based groups and community organizations. I do not believe it is a coincidence that as the federal government's role in education has greatly expanded test scores across our country have stagnated or declined. The bureaucratic administration of education in Washington, D.C., has resulted in widespread waste and duplication among more than 760 different federal education programs with virtually no benefit to our children.

Congress needs to reconnect our children's education with the local resources and caring individuals who will make a difference in their lives. The education tax dollars we are sending to Washington would be better spent if they were controlled and managed by our local communities.

Read More

Labels: Education, Sen. Tom Coburn

Posted at 11/30/2007 10:14:00 AM |

EDMOND, Okla. - Hundreds of Fire, Law Enforcement and Emergency Managers from a three state area are expected to attend the Minnesota Bridge Collapse Seminar, hosted by the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT), to be held November 30 at the Nigh University Center on the University of Central Oklahoma campus from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Oklahoma City), who sits on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, will open the seminar with remarks to the first responders on infrastructure and preparing for emergencies as part of the day long event.

The seminar is the first of its kind since the eight-lane bridge for I-35W collapsed into the Mississippi River on August 1, 2007.

READ MORE

Labels: First Responders, Mary Fallin

Posted at 11/30/2007 09:59:00 AM |

Labels: BancFirst, Brad Henry, Troops

Posted at 11/30/2007 09:36:00 AM |

“The fastest-growing parishes in Catholicism are non-English speaking, and a good portion of them are illegal aliens. . . . So while I think what they’re doing is noble, it’s misguided.” - State Rep. Randy Terrill Read More

Labels: HB 1804, Immigration Reform, Rep. Randy Terrill

Posted at 11/30/2007 09:17:00 AM |

He told participants in a Thursday night program offered by the Midland Business and Professional Chapter of the John Birch Society that the road would be regulated under international law.

Read More

Labels: NAFTA, Sen. Brogdon, Trans Texas Corridor

Posted at 11/30/2007 09:03:00 AM |

From Tulsa Today:

By David Arnett, Publisher

Editorial: In the June 17, 1988, issue of the Independent Student News, students at Tulsa’s Oral Roberts University voiced concerns about the financial standing, administrative competence, and righteousness of leadership in administration of the school. It was the first of many articles and a long effort to defend the voices of the students. If it was a battle, the students lost; those who fought are long gone to more productive daily struggles. Oral and Richard Roberts always got their way. They abused everyone to accomplish whatever ego-driven mission they had in mind – not once, but repeatedly. Sunday, the Tulsa daily newspaper headlined, “ORU alumni support sought,” but should anyone rally to save the school? Been there, tried that – when many of us were students. In the 1988 piece, students defended professors, writing, “The average salary for a professor at ORU is approximately $18,000, compared to the national average of $35,000.” They listed the desperate public calls for money from the Robertses, including, but not limited to: 1985 – $15 million to construct a healing center, 1986 - $8 million to “save” Oral’s life and send medical missionaries to the world, 1987 – $2.5 million to “adopt-a-student” – and yet no student ever got a check.” Where was the money going, they asked? Students answered their own question by listing the private jet, the $500,000 parsonage, the Palm Springs home, the Beverly Hills home, the country club memberships, the luxury apartments atop the City of Faith, and Oral’s own $94,000 tax-free salary. They asked, “If there is so much money floating around at ORU, why do professors have to sell their homes, have their utilities shut off, pull their children out of college, and literally starve to death, while ORU’s fearless leader sits atop his golden tower?” Students at the time also tried to work within the system to help their professors, but the administration refused to allow the student senate to collect an offering for struggling faculty members at chapel. The administration offered to “give professors a one-time pay raise (of 6 percent) if they collect up to 70 percent of student delinquent accounts”... and sign an employment contract without knowing what benefits they were to receive. Read more...

Labels: ORU

Posted at 11/29/2007 12:48:00 PM |

‘Politics of Parsing’ Web ad a hit, survey says

By Aaron Blake

Former Sen. John Edwards’s (D-N.C.) attempt to label Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as a parser was a hit across the board, according to a survey of political insiders by Wilson Research Strategies.

Edwards’s Web video, titled “The Politics of Parsing,” features clips of Clinton saying apparently contradictory things at a presidential debate in Philadelphia in late October.

As might be expected, Republicans scored it highest — a 7.9 on a scale of zero to 10. But Democrats and independents both scored it 6.6 or higher, which is well above the average for the survey. Read more...

Labels: WRS

Posted at 11/29/2007 12:30:00 PM |

From the Mother Jones Blog:

God Does A Flip-Flop—Tells Richard Roberts To Resign From ORU

Richard Roberts resigned as president of Oral Roberts University today. He did so against his will, because, he said, God told him to do it. According to Roberts, the son of ORU founder Oral Roberts, God has been waffling lately with regard to Roberts' future.

A lawsuit accuses Roberts of lavish spending while the university faced more than $50 million in debt. According to the suit, he went on shopping sprees, bought a stable of horses, and sent his daughter to the Bahamas aboard the university jet. Referring to the three former professors who filed the suit as his "persecutors," Roberts said that God had originally instructed him to deny all allegations, but on Thanksgiving Day, did a turnaround and told him to resign his post. Read more...

Labels: Richard Roberts

Posted at 11/29/2007 12:17:00 PM |

NEWS RELEASE

Oklahoma Republican Party

Contact: Gary Jones 405-528-3501

OKLAHOMA CITY (November 28, 2007) Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones commended Fort Sill officials today for their quick response to an inquiry regarding a political fundraising golf tournament scheduled and advertised in the Lawton Constitution by Rick Wolfe, who has announced his candidacy as a Democrat for Senate District 31.

Jones, a Comanche County resident himself, said he has attended numerous charitable golf tournaments at the Fort Sill golf course but in over 30 years of attending such events had never once heard of a political fundraiser being held at the course.

"It is common knowledge that political fundraisers are strictly prohibited on federal property and when this was brought to the officials at Fort Sill they were quick to investigate and take measures to cancel the event," said Jones.

Jones asserted that he was told someone other than Wolfe scheduled the event, and that it was not represented as a fundraiser for Wolfe.

"Fort Sill is a tremendous asset to Southwest Oklahoma and has been gracious to work with the community and its civic organizations to help raise much needed funds to help causes benefiting the areas children and needy.

If Rick Wolfe has aspirations of becoming an Oklahoma lawmaker and replacing Senator Don Barrington who has done a wonderful job representing the citizen’s of Southwest Oklahoma he might start by following the law himself," concluded Jones.

Labels: Decision '08

Posted at 11/28/2007 11:55:00 AM |

These faith-based programs can make a real difference in a person’s life in a way that no big-government program ever could,” he added.

In his ruling, Attorney General Drew Edmondson noted that the Legislature had required the Department of Corrections “to actively solicit faith-based and secular providers” for a prisoner re-entry program that would review policies and identify gaps in service.

Read More

Labels: Drew Edmondson, Faith Based, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 11/28/2007 11:26:00 AM |

Labels: Brad Henry, Oklahoma Quarter

Posted at 11/28/2007 11:03:00 AM |

Oklahoma City businessman Mart Green said Tuesday that he planned to donate $70 million to the debt-ridden university.

Green, founder of Mardel, a Christian office and educational supply store chain, said he decided to help after watching media reports about the school, which recently revealed that it was more than $50 million in debt. He never attended the university and does not know the Roberts family, he said. Read More

Labels: ORU, Richard Roberts

Posted at 11/28/2007 10:43:00 AM |

Trying To Stop Property Taxes From Increasing

By Rep. Jason Murphey

During the last few days, chances are that you received your property tax bill. I would also guess that this bill reflects a 5% increase in your assessment over last year. This is the time of year when my office receives calls from citizens experiencing the challenge of coming up with a larger than ever property tax payment. Second only to the issue of road improvements, I believe the issue of higher property taxes is the one I hear about the most. I believe the property tax to be the most unfair form of taxation. This tax punishes a person for simply daring to own something and taxes them over and over again for the same property. In 2007, I co-authored a bill by Oklahoma City State Representative Guy Liebmann which would have decreased the 5% assessment increase cap to 3% or the increase in the consumer price index, whichever is lower. Liebmann's bill passed in the House but, unfortunately, has been held up in the Senate. It is my hope that the Senate will take action on the bill this year, as it is clear that people are getting more and more frustrated with the increases they are experiencing. As property taxes continue to rise, more citizens are being priced into buying a house beneath what they could otherwise afford. Others are faced with the dilemma of whether to sell their property or pay the high tax rate. The challenges faced by individuals with fixed incomes is forcing the legislature to make exceptions to the number of people who have to pay increased rates. These exceptions place the burden of paying property tax onto a shrinking base of property owners. Read more...

Deep Drilling Tax Credit Making Difference in Economy

By Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant

Hello again, everybody! Two years ago this week, several extreme left-wing activists from Oklahoma City passed out leaflets across our area attacking my support for a particular bill.

The bill, which I carried on the Senate floor, was a tax incentive benefiting companies that drill deep gas wells. These are the very gas wells being drilled all across the Senate district I represent and much of southeastern Oklahoma. These wells might not have been drilled except for the incentives I support and these activists oppose.

The drilling is happening in what is called the Woodford Shale formation. This is not a new gas discovery; geologists have known for some time this formation likely contained a great deal of natural gas. Even though everyone was confident the gas was there, it had to be financially feasible to get or it would stay locked in the ground.

The deep drilling necessary to reach this gas is among the most expensive and financially risky. The tax credit helped make the drilling more attractive for the drilling companies. Read more...

Labels: OK Legislator's Blog, Rep. Jason Murphey, Sen. Gumm

Posted at 11/27/2007 12:20:00 PM |

Sam Adams Foundation senior advisor and term limits champion Paul Jacob discusses his politically-motivated indictment in Oklahoma and the potential criminalization of politics. Our Constitutional rights of free speech, association and the right to petition are in jeopardy. Find out more at www.samadamsalliance.org and www.freepauljacob.com.

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Paul Jacob TABOR

Posted at 11/27/2007 11:53:00 AM |

Labels: Rep. Randy Terrill, Son of 1804

Posted at 11/27/2007 11:29:00 AM |

The Oral Roberts University board of regents is meeting to begin selection of a new school president, after Richard Roberts resigned from the top post. Meanwhile, some faculty and students say they still have concerns. Read More

Labels: Oral Roberts, Richard Roberts

Posted at 11/27/2007 11:16:00 AM |

"I don't hear a drumbeat that 'We're not effective and I don't like it here anymore,' " said National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.). Read More

Labels: Cong. Tom Cole, Decision '08

Posted at 11/27/2007 11:04:00 AM |

Labels: Oklahoma Initiative and Referendum, Paul Jacob TABOR

Posted at 11/27/2007 10:47:00 AM |

From Alternative Tulsa:

Wade Burleson, a Baptist minister and blogger from Enid, has been censured by the Southern Baptist Convention for his public disagreement with the congregational leadership.

According to a story in the Nov. 21 issue of the Oklahoma Gazette, Burleson was censured by the trustees of the congregation's International Mission Board because he has continued to criticize some of the trustees' actions. Read more...

Labels: Blogging News

Posted at 11/26/2007 03:05:00 PM |

The great ancient philosopher Plato is said to have told one of his pupils, "give me a man of experience over a man of theory." Professor Hochenauer over at Okie Funk illustrates today in a post why the wise philosopher probably believed this:

"There is no argument over the fact the wealthiest people in Oklahoma and the country have seen under state and national tax cutting initiatives over the last several years. Meanwhile, middle class people have been stuck with stagnant wages, rising health care and energy costs, and skyrocketing college tuition increases." Read more...

Like most idealistic liberals in academia, Mr. Hochenauer has probably never conceived an idea for a business, put together a business plan, implement it, and watch an enterprise that started out as an idea in your head eventually grow and prosper. Most wealth in the United States is garnered in one of two ways; you either inherit it or its self made. It is a fact that the "old money" fortunes have declined in their percentage of the wealth of this nation. Most wealthy people today became wealthy because of what we described above, not because they're lucky, have a favored skin color, or because they have had their taxes reduced. A reduction in your taxes is not the government giving you money from the treasury, it is the government letting you keep more of what you lawfully earned! Unfortunately, the socialist/collectivist mindset shared by Mr. Hochenauer and his minions will never understand this most basic of economic principles.

Related: Red Stater: Okie Funk Calls for Second Hole to Drain Boat

Labels: Brad Henry, OK Legislature, Scott Meacham

Posted at 11/26/2007 10:42:00 AM |

Looks like the next in line of legal - and illegal - Oklahomans who won't be able to stand Rep. Randy Terrill will be the irresponsible people who allow their driver's licenses to expire. This piece in the Alva Review Courier, details all the "hardships" one will have to endure after passage of HB 1804, the tough illegal immigration bill sponsored by the Moore, Oklahoma legislator. Of course, the paper chose the most extreme case to illustrate their point:

If your license expires, you will not be able to renew it at the local tag agency as before. Instead, you will be required to present your documentation to a certified driver’s license examiner – more often than not in northwest Oklahoma that’s going to mean a 70-mile trip to Enid. The examiner only visits Alva on alternating weeks – if nothing (like a holiday) interferes with the schedule. In cases like happened this week where the computer crashed and the officer couldn’t complete the necessary paperwork, that means a 2-week wait for renewal or a trip to Enid.

OKPNS regrets that the open borders crowd - and a few irresponsible people - are upset that Rep.Terrill believes in secure borders and Oklahoma jobs for Oklahoma citizens.

Labels: HB 1804, Rep. Randy Terrill

Posted at 11/26/2007 09:54:00 AM |

By Randy Sly

Labels: Oral Roberts, Richard Roberts

Posted at 11/26/2007 09:41:00 AM |

From zTruth blog: It looks like Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe's pre-primary Democratic opponent, State Senator Andrew Rice (D), is befriending a group that has a troubling history, the Council of American Islamic Relations. What is striking here is Rice's brother, David Rice, was killed in the World Trade Center attack on 9/11. One has to wonder why Rice was in the company of CAIR who is or was tied directly to the Muslim Brotherhood and its offspring, Hamas. The Muslim Brotherhood's goal is to create a world under Islamic rule. Hamas seeks the destruction of Israel. These facts cannot be denied. Did Rice not do his homework? The press release for the CAIR banquet can be found on Islamonline an Islamic website in the Middle East! Not surprisingly, Rice doesn't mention he attended this event on his website. In September, I found a press release on this same website about CAIR OK and a presentation about Islam they said they did to the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. The OSSBA denies that CAIR did this presentation. Why the interest in Oklahoma over in the Middle East? Read more...

Labels: Andrew Rice, Decision '08

Posted at 11/23/2007 04:09:00 PM |

Ward 7 Candidates Forum, Saturday, December 8, 2007, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM. The event will be held at the McFarland Branch of the YWCA, 1701 N Martin Luther King, Blvd, OKC. Presenting candidates running for Ward 7 City Council Seat, vacated by Willa Johnson. Candidates include William Hollis Jr., Ronald "Skip" Kelly, Ebony Muhammad and John A. Pettis. Free to the Public.

Labels: Decision '08

Posted at 11/23/2007 10:49:00 AM |

According to the website Ballot Access News, the indictments against Paul Jacobs and two other defendants have been dismissed. The Oklahoma indictment against Paul Jacob, Susan Johnson, and Rick Carpenter, for allegedly conspiring to bring out-of-staters to circulate an initiative petition in Oklahoma in 2006, has been dismissed. However, it is likely to be re-filed. The original indictment apparently suffered from a legal flaw relating to the composition of multi-county grand juries. If there is to be a new indictment, it will be brought directly by Oklahoma’s Democratic Attorney General, Drew Edmondson.

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Paul Jacob TABOR

Posted at 11/22/2007 01:51:00 PM |

By Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant Hello again, everyone! Thanksgiving is a time my thoughts turn to my late mother, Harlene Taylor Gumm. It was the most special of all the holidays for her because she had one of her prayers answered over Thanksgiving Weekend 1963. Just like Deena and me, my parents were told they could never have children. All that changed on Thanksgiving Weekend 1963, and this story is one that gave Deena and me hope during our struggle to become parents. Bear in mind that this happened when medical science was not as advanced as it is today. My parents had been married for three years, and mom taught home economics at Calera High School. Doctors told my mother she could not bear children. Despite every effort known to medical science at the time, Mom was given the same prognosis Deena and I once heard: "You cannot have children." In early 1963, my mother started feeling unwell. Countless trips to doctors followed and several series of tests were inflicted upon her. Specialists in Dallas and Oklahoma City were stumped. Mom thought she might be expecting, but every test available at the time came back "negative." Read more...

Labels: OK Legislator's Blog, Sen. Gumm

Posted at 11/22/2007 01:39:00 PM |

Labels: Oral Roberts, Richard Roberts

Posted at 11/21/2007 10:54:00 AM |

Labels: Drew Edmondson, Poultry Lawsuit

Posted at 11/21/2007 10:42:00 AM |

The Stillwater NewsPress asked a few legislators this question last week. "What would be the biggest challenge if you were a legislator 100 years ago?' Sen. Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater brought us this gem which is our quote of the day. “Thinking about my ancestors, it was adjusting to wearing shoes.”

Labels: Quote of the Day, Sen. Mike Morgan

Posted at 11/20/2007 03:32:00 PM |

"I was told that Jeff McMahan was going to take the deal and plead guilty to one felony count. He told someone he was given till the end of November or both he and his wife were both going to be charged. Word is his wife told him if he didn't take the deal she was going to testify against him. She was worried that both might end up in prison leaving no one to take care of the kids. Also things are very tense at the auditor's office as they think there is a mole. Someone from the office testified to the Grand Jury and has been providing information. Also I was told that more than 20 employees were questioned about a state ethics investigation into McMahan."

Labels: Jeff McMahan

Posted at 11/20/2007 03:24:00 PM |

Labels: Mick Cornett

Posted at 11/20/2007 03:09:00 PM |

By Rep. Jason Murphey Recently, the board that functions as the oversight authority for how Oklahoma's Senators and Representatives are compensated, made the controversial decision to provide part-time legislators with the same health benefits that full-time state employees receive. This equates to an approximate twelve thousand dollar per year raise for Oklahoma legislators. The decision reminded me of when I was in grade school and our principal told us the story of how at the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin spoke in opposition to paying a salary to the President. Franklin stated, "There are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power, and the love of money. Separately each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men a post of honour that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it." My principal felt that Franklin's point of view was correct and his story instilled in me the belief that is important for public service to be a sacrifice and not an occupation. I believe another important principle felt by our founding fathers is that of the "citizen legislature." Instead of having a government that is run by professionally paid politicians, the government should be overseen by a group of citizens who are "sacrificing" a few years of their lives to do their duty as citizens. Once that duty is performed, those citizens will return to the populace to live under the same laws they helped to make. Read more...

Labels: OK Legislator's Blog, Rep. Jason Murphey

Posted at 11/19/2007 05:05:00 PM |

In the post below, we excerpted and linked to an Arkansas newspaper article that detailed Drew Edmondson using fake FBI agents to serve a summons to a local chicken farmer. Later, we received this email from the editor of the paper. We're taking bets that someone from the AG's office contacted this editor and told her we were using their "copyrighted" material. Iran's president Ahmadinejab would be proud Drew! From: jlindsey@arkansasonline.com Sent: Fri 11/16/07 7:46 PM To: okpns_editor@hotmail.com Cc: jlindsey@arkansasonline.com The story on your site at the following URL is copyrighted by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock Arkansas and cannot be used online for any reason. The maximum linkable text to our copyrighted text is one sentence and one headline. Please remove our copyrighted material from your site and contact me at jlindsey@arkansasonline.com or 501-399-3664 for details. If I do not receive an email or call by Wednesday and if this content is not removed, it will be assumed you are refusing to honor our copyright, We will proceed to defend our copyrighted material by other legal means. Please contact me as soon as possible. http://www.okpns.com/2007/11/ag-edmondson-using-henchman-to.html Thank you, Jeff Lindsey News Editor ArkansasOnline 501-399-3664 jlindsey@arkansasonline.com Related: WSJ Online: Oklahoma's Most Wanted

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Mike Turpin, Poultry Lawsuit

Posted at 11/19/2007 09:15:00 AM |

Attorney General Drew Edmondson - who has come to typify arrogance of power and tin ear political instincts - had the sheer audacity to add his name recently to a group that is criticizing legislators who refused to accept Centennial Qurans a few weeks ago. Following in the fine tradition of oppressive Islamic governments around the world, Mr. Edmondon routinely intimidates chicken farmers trying to provide for their families, jails ordinary citizens attempting to petition their government, and disregards the law to achieve his objectives. Way to go Drew!

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Paul Jacob TABOR, Poultry Lawsuit

Posted at 11/19/2007 08:39:00 AM |

Commentary from the Washington Examiner: The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) spent $9.6 million on lobbying last year and is on pace to spend more than $10 million this year — and that’s on top of the lobbying efforts by its individual members, the life insurance companies. Why? One life insurance industry lobbyist estimated last year that the industry gets about 10 percent of its business through estate planning. Frank Keating is ACLI’s president, and he lobbies Capitol Hill on tax issues. When he was a Republican governor of Oklahoma, Keating wrote a piece for the newsletter of Americans for Tax Reform that read, in part, “I believe death taxes are un-American.” He tied the death tax to “failed collectivist schemes of the past” and praised President Bush’s plan to abolish the federal estate tax. As head of ACLI, he changed his tune and began supporting the death tax, telling the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, “I am institutionally and intestinally against huge blocs of inherited wealth.” But ACLI is hardly a Republican institution. One of Keating’s lobbying colleagues at ACLI is Kimberly Dorgan, wife of Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan, who supports the estate tax. Also, since Keating has taken over — and since permanent repeal of the estate tax has been a recurring theme on the Hill — ACLI has shifted its donation pattern. Read more...

Labels: Frank Keating

Posted at 11/19/2007 08:03:00 AM |

By M.P. MCQUEEN Small employers and individuals searching for affordable health insurance increasingly are falling victim to scams and misleading offers. More than 200,000 businesses and individuals in the U.S. have purchased phony insurance since the decade began, and victims have been left with hundreds of millions in unpaid medical claims, according to Mila Kofman, an associate professor at Georgetown University who has studied the issue. The bogus insurers collect premiums, but they don't pay claims. Targeting Seniors In the newest twist, telemarketers are selling fake Medicare prescription-drug plans and Medicare Advantage policies to seniors, says Kim Holland, insurance commissioner of Oklahoma. Some fraudulent telemarketers are also using the calls as a pretext to glean confidential information for identity theft, she says. Read more...

Labels: Kim Holland

Posted at 11/19/2007 08:00:00 AM |

By Hon. J.C. Watts I’m proud to call Oklahoma home because my homefolks may just lead the nation in common sense. I give you the following letter to the editor written by Marguerite in Weatherford, Oklahoma, in one of the statewide newspapers. Marguerite noted a story about a U.S. senator who “wants to check out all the ‘big’ televangelists to see if they’re spending donor money correctly. We (the public) donate to whomever we choose and if (the senator) wants to check out anything, it should be congressional spending habits! Our tax dollars are confiscated from us and he wants to make sure we’re getting our money’s worth from free donations? What a crock! Heartland common sense. Kudos to Marguerite. The arrogance of Congress never ceases to amaze me. I’ve yet to see a call for an investigation of Congress when a member of Congress falls, be it financially, morally or otherwise. Not once have I heard of a call for every member of Congress to bring forth their financial statements or campaign statements in response to the actions of one bad apple. I’m a little bit perplexed how Congress is so quick to stick its nose into different places. Televangelists driving expensive cars and living in fabulous homes may seem incompatible to some peoples’ interpretation of the scriptures. But I suspect this is more about Uncle Sam not getting what he perceives is his fair share of the offering plate. This is puzzling for several reasons. These ministries might be misusing parishioners’ tithes or offerings. But while we can all speculate on what is or isn’t going on in the faith world, we don’t need to speculate on what’s happening in financial world. Congress is sticking its nose into speculation of some evangelists’ matters, while everyone in Congress has the facts lying before them regarding the financial shenanigans of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Read more...

Labels: Congress, J.C. Watts, Oral Roberts

Posted at 11/19/2007 07:58:00 AM |

Recently, an Oklahoma petition circulator was accosted by a opponent who harassed and intimidated her while she was collecting signatures to support the Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative. The circulator was supporting the Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative, a straight forward initiative to amend the Oklahoma constitution. The gist of the initiative is as follows: This measure seeks to add a new section to Article 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution. The new section prohibits discriminating against or granting preferences to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, and public contracting by the state or any of its agencies, institutions, or political subdivisions. The new section will not prohibit qualifications based on sex that are reasonably necessary to the normal operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting. The new section will not prohibit any action necessary to obtain federal funding for the state. The new section will not conflict with any currently existing court order. The new section will only apply to actions taken after the section is approved by the people. Unfortunately, the opponent of the Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative continued shouting, name calling, and generally intimidating the circulator who was doing nothing other than exercising her first amendment right to petition the government. This is a disgusting example of an advocate of race preferences trying to silence Oklahomans that believe that the government should not discriminate or give preference to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, and public contracting by the state or any of its agencies, institutions, or political subdivisions.

Labels: Decision '08

Posted at 11/16/2007 04:07:00 PM |

Sources tell OKPNS that Burns Hargis to Oklahoma State University is a done deal. The sources say mega-bucks OSU Godfather T. Boone Pickens has signed off on the deal and Hargis will indeed become OSU's next President as soon as he is eligible. The former regent must wait for a period of one year before he is technically eligible to be the president. So what happens to KFOR's Flashpoint program? Hargis has been the rock on which the program was built, always having to pull fat pant-load Mike Turpin along. Hargis is always entertaining, but Turpin is one of the most disliked television personalities in Oklahoma history. While the show could easily withstand Turpin's exit, it will be much harder to find an entertaining replacement for Hargis: there are no good television-ready Republican replacements currently living in Oklahoma. The program failed in Tulsa, and the cheap New York Times company, which has put KFOR up for sale, has been losing money on the show for years. It's not even the most watched political show in Oklahoma: KWTV's "Your Vote Counts" segment, which is faster and more entertaining, draws twice as many viewers. So enjoy the current format: whether or not KFOR tries to save the show or not, it's curtains for either entertainment or Flashpoint altogether.

Labels: Burns Hargis

Posted at 11/16/2007 01:03:00 PM |

"The sharks are circling, smelling blood in the evangelical waters and are ready to devour Christian-based educational institutions because they are, well, Christian. While not being a fan of Oral Roberts or his style of 'blab-it-and-grab-it' message, I would not at all rejoice in seeing ORU crumble as a result of a handful of bad apples. Oral Roberts, Richard Roberts, Robert Tilton, Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, Rod Parsley, Benny Hinn, Paul Crouch and the rest of the modern-day Johann Tetzels are at the bottom of the spiritual food chain as far as I'm concerned but it is tragic to see an Oklahoma university fail because of poor (spiritual, not financial) leadership." Read more... AP: Oral Roberts Provost to Resign if School's President Stays

Labels: Oral Roberts, Ron Black

Posted at 11/16/2007 12:52:00 PM |

From Batesline.com: I received an e-mail from Nageena Shahnaz Miftah, the wife of Jamal Miftah, responding individually to the seven people who spoke at the recent "press conference" (really a rally) held at the Islamic Society of Tulsa for the purpose of denouncing State Rep. Rex Duncan and other legislators who declined to receive a Koran from the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council. The seven speakers were there to condemn Duncan and the others as intolerant and bigoted. Jamal Miftah was confronted at IST's mosque in a threatening way, called anti-Islamic, and then expelled from the Islamic Society of Tulsa's mosque, all because of an op-ed piece he wrote condemning those who commit terrorist acts in the name of Islam. The incident took place a year ago Saturday on November 18, 2006. Read more...

Labels: Tulsa

Posted at 11/16/2007 11:39:00 AM |

Can this be a surprise when the Governor promises "a government of complete openness and transparency," yet he still hasn't revealed where he went on his vacation back in March? From The Journal Record: By Marie Price OKLAHOMA CITY – A national report released Thursday gives Oklahoma, 26 other states and the District of Columbia an overall “F” for required, accessible disclosure of corporate tax breaks and other economic development subsidies, procurement contracts and lobbying activities. Good Jobs First ranked Oklahoma 30th among the states, but noted with approval the recent enactment of the new Taxpayer Transparency Act and a tax-break and government-spending disclosure Web site set to go online Jan. 1. State Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, was the principal Senate author of the measure, Senate Bill 1, from the 2007 legislative session. It is modeled after legislation backed by U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn at the federal level. Brogdon said data on tax credits may not be available for four-to-six months after the Web site goes live in January. “The reason for that is the way that our fiscal year doesn’t line up with the calendar year,” he said. “It’s going to be a little bit behind on some of those.” Brogdon said that ultimately the site will offer access to data such as Quality Jobs incentives, as well as tax credits. The senator said he recently spent time with the staff at the Office of State Finance, which is administering the Web site. Read more...

Labels: Sen. Brogdon

Posted at 11/16/2007 09:02:00 AM |

Labels: Mary Fallin

Posted at 11/16/2007 08:08:00 AM |

“America has to lead the ‘Watt.com’ revolution. Those states that lead will reap the advantages. Renewables like wind and solar alone will not solve the problem. Only when combined with clean-burning natural gas, whose supply forecast is up 18 percent over just two years ago to 120 years supply in North America, do you really have a clean and practical solution for the future.”

Denise Bode, CEO of the American Clean Skies Initiative

Labels: Denise Bode, Quote of the Day

Posted at 11/14/2007 03:36:00 PM |

Former Minority Leader Dick Gephardt's (D-MO) daughter films pro homosexual documentary From The Collegian - Independent Newspaper of the University of Tulsa By Casey Lowry Christianity and homosexuality have a long-standing tradition of incompatibility. Many fundamentalists use the Bible to condemn gay people and their way of life, and some commit horrible acts of violence in God’s name. “For the Bible Tells Me So” examines whether being gay really is a sin in the eyes of God, coming to the conclusion that biblical scripture and homosexuality can indeed be reconciled. Featuring respected religious leaders such as Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Rev. Jimmy Creech, Harvard’s Peter Gomes, and Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenburg, this documentary reveals that typical Church-sanctioned anti-gay bias is the result of significant misinterpretation of the Bible. It mentions that when people use the argument that the Bible “says” homosexuality is wrong, the reality is that the Bible “reads” that way. Any passage in the Bible can be interpreted in completely different ways when taken out of context. Read more...

Labels: Gay Parents

Posted at 11/14/2007 03:16:00 PM |

By Rep. Jason Murphey As a member of the House of Representative's Transportation Committee I was able to closely observe one of the most controversial issues of the past legislative session. At issue is Oklahoma's membership in a group known as the North America SuperCorridor Coalition (NASCO), the desire of big corporations to enhance the movement of Chinese-manufactured goods throughout North America, the possible privatization of new state and federal highways, NASCO's desire to deploy sophisticated tracking devices along I-35 and clear attempts towards the creation of a closer economic and political union between Canada, the United States and Mexico. The depth of this subject matter is nearly overwhelming and because of it's complexity I only have time to talk about a small segment of it in this update. I take the duty of informing my constituents of these events very seriously and thus look forward to continuing to update you on these issues in the future.

Labels: OK Legislator's Blog, Rep. Jason Murphey

Posted at 11/14/2007 03:10:00 PM |

From The Parish: KFOR, our local NBC affiliate, did a piece during the 10 o'clock news last night about the homes of high profile OKC pastors. This is a direct fallout from the ORU scandal, wherein people are finally becoming aware of how Oral, Richard, and Lindsay Roberts have been spending donor money for a long time. (Side note: this is no surprise to anyone familiar with the movement. A tell-all book was written right after Lindsay joined the family many years ago.) Again, it's funny to me how people outside the church are able to see through the bullshit to the heart of the matter. The high profile pastors lived in houses with values ranging from 95,000 (People's Church, Assembly of God) to 987,000 dollars (Crossings Community Church, Church of God, Anderson). For those of you not living in Oklahoma, you need to know that property is cheap here. Here's a rough example. My wife and I live in a 2100 sq. ft, 3-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 1-year old house on one acre for which we paid 235,000 dollars. The homes of these pastors, at least the ones above a half million dollars, ranged in size from 5000 to 8000 sq. ft. Do the math for Colorado and California to see what the local equivalent would be. I'm guessing we're looking at 3-5 million easy. Read more... Related: KFOR Video Report: "The Divine Dollar"

Labels: Oral Roberts

Posted at 11/13/2007 12:49:00 PM |

An extraordinary incident unfolded in the state of Oklahoma on Oct. 2. Three individuals were arrested, shackled and arraigned. Their crime: trying to curb the spending excesses of Sooner State politicians. They were accused of violating an arcane and certainly unconstitutional law that imposes restrictions on who can circulate petitions in the state. Paul Jacob--president of the pro-initiative group Citizens in Charge and a senior fellow at the Sam Adams Alliance, a grassroots political organization--and colleagues Susan Johnson and Rick Carpenter incurred the wrath of Oklahoma's Soviet-minded political establishment for trying in 2005 to get an initiative on the ballot to limit state spending. The three could get as many as ten years in prison. Back in 2005, despite organized harassment from unions and other pro-government forces, Jacob and other activists--with the help of a professional petition-signing firm--managed to collect the required number of names to get the antispending item on the ballot. In a tantrum worthy of an Iranian ayatollah the pro-political class Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the petitions invalid. Read more...

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Paul Jacob TABOR

Posted at 11/13/2007 12:40:00 PM |

Labels: AG, Brent Rinehart, Drew Edmondson, Tim Pope

Posted at 11/13/2007 12:36:00 PM |

Dear Readers: We apologize for the light posting and for the lack of spacing in our recent posts. We are changing our format from Blogger to Wordpress, and as usual when it comes to these type of things, it has not been a smooth transition. We hope to have the kinks worked out by Monday. Thank you for you support and patience!

Labels: OKPNS

Posted at 11/09/2007 03:56:00 PM |

Labels: Cong. Frank Lucas, Congress

Posted at 11/09/2007 03:48:00 PM |

By Danielle Knight As the Senate hammers out next year's spending bills, Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma is on high alert. The physician turned lawmaker has become known on Capitol Hill as the chief fiscal whistleblower, irritating Republicans and Democrats alike when he holds up bills he deems wasteful. Several weeks ago, he embarrassed Democrats by removing a $1 million spending earmark from the Labor appropriations bill that would have gone to a performing arts center in New York that included a tribute to the 1969 Woodstock festival. The senator recently spoke in his office about why he's so fired up against pork barrel spending. How did you become the spokesperson against earmarks? Earmarks is the symptom of the disease. What's the disease? The disease is a comparison of us versus what's best for our country. When I ran, what I said is that the biggest problem in our country was the culture of Congress because the culture is the thing that limits the Congress from doing what is best in the long term for the country. The people up here are good people. But they are human, and their desire for themselves oftentimes gets in the way of the desire for the best interest of the country. Earmarks cause us to think short term about, "How do I satisfy the desires of people from my state?"... Earmarks really aren't about helping your state. They're really about helping you look good in your state. And if it is about helping you look good in your state, then it is about you, which means it's about your next election, not what's in the best long-term interest of the country. Read more...

Labels: Sen. Tom Coburn

Posted at 11/09/2007 03:35:00 PM |

Red Dirt Report: OKLAHOMA CITY -- The principal author of the state's new immigration law and one of the measure's chief critics debated the new law Thursday during a meeting of the state's political scientists. Speaking at the annual conference of the Oklahoma Political Science Association, state Reps. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, and Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, spent the better part of Thursday afternoon arguing the pros and cons of House Bill 1804 -- the state's new immigration bill. The event, billed as a roundtable discussion, also included Linda Allegro, a professor from the University of Tulsa, and Carol Helm, a representative of the group Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now. The discussion drew a full crowd to the House of Representatives chamber and was, at times, tense. Read more...

Labels: HB 1804, OK Legislature, Rep. Randy Terrill

Posted at 11/09/2007 03:21:00 PM |

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jaylynn Richardson, 405-607-6677 OKLAHOMA CITY) Since I launched my campaign last week, I have been overwhelmed with support from across the state. It is a humbling feeling to have many Oklahomans already encouraging and supporting me. Oklahomans need to know that I am an agent of change, someone who will look out for everyday Oklahomans and can be trusted to make decisions which are fair and for the highest good of all citizens; someone who understands both rural and urban areas and the impact of energy on both family and business budgets and ways of life. With energy costs chewing a hole through the pocketbook like never before, we must develop Oklahoma resources in new and different ways to provide today and tomorrow's affordable power. Oil and gas will always be important, but we must advance the use of wind, hydro, bio-fuels, solar and other evolving fuel sources in Oklahoma. Experienced, honest, visionary leadership is a must if we are to grow our state in reaching its energy potential. As a geologist, oil and gas attorney and former OCC Administrative Law Judge, I am ready to step up and help lead the charge to make Oklahoma an energy innovator in the U.S. and the world. For more information about my campaign for Corporation Commission, please visit www.danamurphy.com ..

Labels: Dana Murphey, Decision '08

Posted at 11/09/2007 03:13:00 PM |

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) talks with Robert Seigel yesterday on the All Things Considered radio program about looking ahead to 2008, what does this mean for the Republican Party and its effort to win back Congress?

Labels: Cong. Tom Cole, Decision '08

Posted at 11/09/2007 03:03:00 PM |

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Paul Jacob TABOR

Posted at 11/08/2007 06:50:00 PM |

Yes on Term Limits Chairman James Dunn says a flurry of news coverage this week shows that entrenched politicians are frightened of term limits, and that there is no line some won’t cross to stop the will of the people. “News reports indicate two Tulsa-area Democrats are crafting measures to thwart the people’s will when it comes to term limits,” says Dunn. “It is a fact that nearly 80% of Oklahomans want term limits, and no matter how hard Senator Easley and Representative Shumate work to deny that wish, the people’s will on this issue will prevail,” says Dunn. Easley wants to repeal term limits on state legislators, and Shumate wants to make it harder for citizens to petition their government. “It’s a fine bit of rhetorical nonsense, but no matter how you slice it or pretend to be fighting voter “fraud,” there are entrenched political forces dedicated to criminalizing the process by which voters can petition their government. We’re beginning to see the plan our opponents will use to try and stop term limits: obfuscation, bogus legislation and indictments. We intend to fight these anti-democratic measures and allow the citizens to regain control of state government,” Dunn says. Dunn says if the entrenched politicians want to truly fight corruption, they will support, not fight, term limits. “Yes for Term Limits believes the best antiseptic for limiting the power and corrosive nature of unlimited terms of office is to return power to the people and enact term limits on statewide office holders. The political bosses and their allies in the press and the courts will say and do anything to stop the will of the people, but we will not stop working until the will of the people is manifested in the law. Related: Tulsa World term limits poll

Labels: OK Legislature, Term limits

Posted at 11/08/2007 04:41:00 PM |

By Jackie Kucinich House Republican leaders called on rank-and-file members Tuesday to step up their contributions to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) or face life in the minority for many cycles to come. During a closed-door meeting, NRCC Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) told members that donations to the campaign committee should be a major priority, according to sources in the room. Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) said it is normal for leaders to nudge members to part with some of their campaign funds since many have a natural tendency to be stingy. “[Cole] was encouraging members to meet their obligations to the committee, attend dinners and regional events,” he said, adding that it was common to have speeches such as Cole’s when Republicans were in the majority as well. “Members work hard to raise money, and it is a lot harder [in the minority],” he said. “They can get a little tight-fisted.” Read more...

Labels: Cong. Tom Cole, Congress

Posted at 11/08/2007 02:00:00 PM |

Hat tip: Oklahomans for ballot Access Reform Oklahoma voters were the only Americans restricted to only two choices for president in 2004. This is because Oklahoma has the nation's most restrictive ballot access laws, keeping voters from having more choices with third party candidates. An effort is preparing an initiative petition so Oklahoma voters can decide if they want an open democratic process.

Labels: Ballot Access, Decision '08

Posted at 11/05/2007 11:49:00 AM |

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jaylynn Richardson, 405-361-2992 (OKLAHOMA CITY) Conservative Republican leader Oklahoman Dana Murphy announced her campaign for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission today. She pledges to use common sense conservative principles to ensure consumer protection and fundamentally fair regulations for regulated entities while helping advance Oklahoma into the future. Murphy is running for the seat vacated by former Commissioner Denise Bode earlier this year. Her judicial experience at the Commission as an Administrative Law Judge, professional experience in the oil and gas industry as a geologist and attorney, and voluntary service as Vice Chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party, along with her Oklahoma background, make Murphy one of the most uniquely qualified individuals to serve as a Commissioner. For her outstanding public service at the Commission for almost 6 years, Murphy received the 2001 Commissioner’s Public Servant Award. “I was fortunate to grow up in a large family devoted to Oklahoma farming, ranching and the energy business, so I learned early on the importance of a strong work ethic, committed service to others and care for our land and resources.” “From my service at the Commission, I know first-hand the Corporation Commission directly impacts our daily lives. Every time we flip a light switch, adjust the thermostat, and pump fuel into our cars, we have been affected by the Corporation Commission. As an Administrative Law Judge, I presided over more than 5,000 cases at the Corporation Commission. I’m ready and prepared to hit the ground running to do what’s right and tackle the challenging and often complex issues faced by the Commission. “I’m running because I believe Oklahomans deserve a commissioner who has a great balance of academic, legal and business credentials to best serve the State. In the constantly changing regulatory and market conditions impacting Oklahoma consumers and businesses, it is extremely important to elect the best qualified and most knowledgeable individuals.” She also believes that by encouraging energy development and innovation, advancing conservation and promoting energy efficiency in the workplace and at home, the Commission can help lead Oklahoma into a brighter future. “I’ll be a watchdog for Oklahomans at the Commission. Too often, citizens are overlooked in favor of a narrow special interest group that puts its interests ahead of what’s best for the people of our state. I pledge to work my hardest to make Oklahoma a place of bustling commerce and fair deals for the ratepayers,” she adds. A fifth generation Oklahoman and Woodward native, Murphy now lives in Edmond where she owns and operates an oil and gas legal practice. She graduated in 1983 from Oklahoma State University with a degree in geology. After working for 10 years as a geologist, she earned her law degree cum laude from Oklahoma City University in 1993. For more information about Dana Murphy’s campaign for Corporation Commission, please visit www.danamurphy.com .

Labels: Dana Murphey, Decision '08

Posted at 11/05/2007 09:15:00 AM |

Jay Paul Gumm Senator, District 6 To Readers of the Legislators' Blog: This weekend, Americans will stop to honor the men and women who secure the freedom we enjoy as a birthright. Veterans Day is a special holiday, and while this is an addition to my regular "Senate Minute" blog, I wanted to share my Veterans Day Address from the 2006 Durant Veterans Day Ceremony with regular readers of the Oklahoma Legislators' Blog. (view video)

Labels: OK Legislator's Blog, Sen. Gumm

Posted at 11/05/2007 08:10:00 AM |

Graphic courtesy of okiedoke.com From ESPN.com By Jim Caple It's official. Art Modell, Robert Irsay, Donald Sterling and Jeffrey Loria are off the hook. The worst owner in sports history is Clay Bennett. I know, I know. There is a lot of competition for that distinction. Why, to even achieve the honor of worst owner in Seattle sports history you have to beat out Ken Behring, George Argyros, Jeff Smulyan and Howard Schultz. But Bennett, or as my friend Rod calls him, "Cash-Us" Clay, accomplished it in a little more than a year. Just consider his most recent move. The minute he was welcomed as an NBA owner in 2006, Clay Bennett, (center), started asking for a new arena. Showing all the public relations and marketing savvy that has marked his tenure as owner so far, Bennett formally announced his intention to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City less than a day after the tip-off to the team's home opener. "Welcome to the 2007-08 season, Sonics fans! And will the owner of a Prius hybrid please move your car -- you're blocking the owner's U-Haul vans." Cash-Us Clay released a statement declaring he will move the team as soon as he can break his lease at Seattle's KeyArena or when he next sheds his skin, whichever comes first. "From the beginning," Bennett says in the release (we assume with a straight face), "it has been my absolute hope and expectation that we would be able to secure the necessary governmental commitments to build a successor venue to KeyArena." This would sound a lot more convincing had his partner and minority owner, Aubrey McLendon, not already revealed to an Oklahoma paper earlier this year that: "We didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here." (McLendon, by the way, was a big donor to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which gives you some idea of this group's tactics.) Read more...

Labels: Supersonics Clay Bennett

Posted at 11/03/2007 12:13:00 PM |

OKLAHOMA. While Republicans initially chuckled about State Senator Andrew Rice's (D) challenge to US Senator Jim Inhofe (R), they are now seemingly taking his challenge more seriously. How else to explain the rather desperate attack site launched by the Oklahoma Republican Party: andrewricesweb.com. The heavy-handed GOP site accuses Rice of being everything from an ACLU'er, to a Sierra Club supporter, to being "supported by ... Jeanine Garofalo", to Rice possibly even being an "Italian Communist" (trust me, I'm not making this up!). In circa 1950 style, the site also features a communist hammer-and-sickle flag flying above Rice's head. So, why are they viciously attacking someone they've spent months saying is "no threat" to Inhofe? Read more...

Labels: Andrew Rice, Decision '08, Sen. Inhofe

Posted at 11/02/2007 09:47:00 AM |

By Mike Soraghan Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said Congress’s deficit spending has become a moral issue surpassing abortion because it saddles future generations with massive debt before they’re born. “The greatest moral issue of our time isn’t abortion, it’s robbing our next generation of opportunity,” Coburn told reporters at a breakfast meeting Thursday at the National Press Club. “You’re going to save a child from being aborted so they can be born into a debtor’s prison?” The conservative Republican also criticized his own party, saying voters bounced the GOP from office for their hypocrisy. “It’s not a bad thing power changed last year,” said Coburn, who also criticized President Bush for not doing enough to curb spending. “He hasn’t been the ideal president when it comes to limited federal spending,” Coburn said. Read more... Related: Townhall.com: Coburn Says Spending Eclipses Abortion Concerns Video: Sen. Coburn Awarded for Pro-Family Activism

Labels: Congress, Sen. Tom Coburn

Posted at 11/02/2007 09:17:00 AM |

From the Red Stater blog: Swimming Upstream: Retrograde- A blogging friend is going through some tough times. Without getting into too many details, lets just say that he was basically punished for having opinions and for expressing those opinions online. Oh sure, they used the fact that he has had medical problems which took him away from his job a day here and a day there...(waiting in line at government run hospitals) they always find a "professional" reason for firing what they consider to be "an insubordinate", however if he had been on the left side of things... he would probably be known as a "whistle blower" and held up as a hero and champion of all things good. Instead he finds himself on the outside looking in for daring to criticize the once great and powerful Choctaw Nation. (I'm part Cherokee, so I can get away with saying that) His reaction to losing his job and income? "When God closes one door, another is always waiting to be opened". Like most conservatives, he isn't a whiner or crybaby, he didn't go running to the local press, a lawyer or the ACLU, but instead accepts the personal responsibility for his actions, meets the challenges head on... with gusto and anticipation for what the future brings. Read more...

Labels: Choctaw Nation

Posted at 11/01/2007 03:42:00 PM |

Gasp. The Oklahoma Republican Party has just blown this race away by exposing State Sen. Andew Rice's (D) connection to the most radical of radical organizations. The most leftest of leftist groups. We're talking shit so far out of the mainstream, that I have the vapors just thinking about it. What groups can these be? Well, please sit down before you click over to see. It's groups like: Sierra Club ("Global warming alarmists") Twenty-First Century Democrats ("ultra-liberal [...] leaders from Planned Parenthood and labor unions") ACLU ("Civil Libertarians") MoveOn ("Betrayus") Some group called "Hollywood" ("Jeanine Garofalo") Democracy for America ("They share the same values and vision as Howard Dean") Stonewall Democrats ("Gay agenda") The Communist Party (he is a Democrat, after all) And don't get me started on the Progressive Alliance Foundation. "Rice founded The Progressive Alliance Foundation. Its goal is to convince Oklahomans that anti-war, pro-gay liberal values are actually our values. The group’s slogan is "Progressive Values, Mainstream Values, Oklahoma Values." Imagine the horror! Damn it -- Oklahoma values are all about war mongering and gay-bashing! You know, good, and wholesome values like that! But there's more! Read more... Related: Okie Funk: GOP, Inhofe Will Not Run On Record Red Stater: Run Andrew Run... Run Away

Labels: Andrew Rice, Decision '08, Sen. Inhofe

Posted at 11/01/2007 09:26:00 AM |

Today, a bicameral group of Senators and Congressman presented a positive alternative to the current majority in Congress. Members of Reagan21 are committed to the advancement of a new and invigorated Republican Party fighting for Reagan’s principles of liberty and a 21st Century vision for America, including individual freedom, free enterprise and common-sense values. The Partnership’s goal is to give Americans a positive choice in public policy by advancing the integrity and optimism of the Republican Party. Senator Tom Coburn: “At a time when Congress’ approval rating is at an all-time low, it is vital that elected officials regain the trust and confidence of the American people. Reagan21 provides a way for members of Congress to commit themselves to a clear set of common sense principles about freedom and limited government that are not merely Republican values, but American values.” Read more... Related: London Telegraph: Coburn Rated United States' 43rd Most Conservative Politician

Labels: Sen. Tom Coburn

Posted at 11/01/2007 09:10:00 AM |