Just got to clean up the airport a bit....
Did you see Saddam's Minister of Information telling journalists today that the "elite" Republican Guard had retaken the Baghdad Airport and were cleaning it up? Yea, those American soldiers got it all dirty during the few hours they had control of it and as soon as the Iraqis got it all cleaned up again he'd take the press corps over to see it. What a joke. I hope some cartoonist does a cartoon showing this idiot proclaiming that the Americans aren't even with a 100 km of Baghdad while in the background American tanks run back and forth. He may be Iraq's only standup comedian.
Saturday, April 05, 2003
Down with long lines!
Have you ever been so upset over long lines at a grocery or retail store that you just left your basket and walked out of the store? I do this more and more these days. Tonight I was at an Albertsons grocery and spent 10 minutes gathering up some items. When I got to the front to check out there was one checkout stand open and a line of 10 people waiting to pay for their groceries. Without hesitation I dumped my armful of groceries in an empty basket and walked out. I voted with my feet.
Wal-mart is one of the worst retailers at expediting check out. They do most things very well but their checkout lines are often too long. If I walk in and see long lines at Wal-Mart I just turn around and leave. Once in a while I just leave a basket of abandoned groceries at Wal-Mart. I don't enjoy causing associates extra work but if we'd all refuse to wait in long lines the retailers would get the message and fix the problem.
Have you ever been so upset over long lines at a grocery or retail store that you just left your basket and walked out of the store? I do this more and more these days. Tonight I was at an Albertsons grocery and spent 10 minutes gathering up some items. When I got to the front to check out there was one checkout stand open and a line of 10 people waiting to pay for their groceries. Without hesitation I dumped my armful of groceries in an empty basket and walked out. I voted with my feet.
Wal-mart is one of the worst retailers at expediting check out. They do most things very well but their checkout lines are often too long. If I walk in and see long lines at Wal-Mart I just turn around and leave. Once in a while I just leave a basket of abandoned groceries at Wal-Mart. I don't enjoy causing associates extra work but if we'd all refuse to wait in long lines the retailers would get the message and fix the problem.
Tajikistan More Progressive than Oklahoma?
As the Tulsa World recently pointed out the country of Tajikistan in Central Asia recently banned cockfighting "because such bloodthirsty shows inevitably end in the death of helpless animals, in defiance of moral principles advocated by all religions." Other Tajik officials were qouted as saying "such shows provoke sadism and perversion in young people, who tend to prefer such cruel games to reading or sports." As the Tulsa World concluded, "It would appear Tajikistan has more enlightened leadership than Oklahoma." Our Governor and Legislators should be ashamed of this stark contrast - but since they don't seem to have any shame on this issue - let's be ashamed for them.
As the Tulsa World recently pointed out the country of Tajikistan in Central Asia recently banned cockfighting "because such bloodthirsty shows inevitably end in the death of helpless animals, in defiance of moral principles advocated by all religions." Other Tajik officials were qouted as saying "such shows provoke sadism and perversion in young people, who tend to prefer such cruel games to reading or sports." As the Tulsa World concluded, "It would appear Tajikistan has more enlightened leadership than Oklahoma." Our Governor and Legislators should be ashamed of this stark contrast - but since they don't seem to have any shame on this issue - let's be ashamed for them.
Thursday, April 03, 2003
The Daily Oklahoman's Hatchet Woman
Looks like a reporter named Carmel Perez Snyder is the Daily Oklahoman's hatchet writer assigned to harassing the Brad Henry Administration. Already, Carmel has penned several slanted articles designed to point a stick in the eye of Henry and his Cabinet. In March the Oklahoman, on a day heavy with war news, frontpaged an article by Perez about an old story regarding an audit of the state's European trade office. As a source, Perez used a Sam Mahjoub, a well-known Tulsa crank that has made a hobby of suing businesses and government officials. The Tulsa World quit covering Mahjoubs looney conspiracy theories long ago - but not the Daily Oklahoman! The DO treats the guy like a credible source. Could Perez really be so gullible?
A few days later, Perez tries to create a scandal out of Henry's attempt to replace Agriculture Secretary Dennis Howard with a new appointment. Then today, Perez infers irresponsibility in the hiring of three new personnel by State Finance director Scott Meacham and Secretary of Commerce Kathryn Taylor. The gist of Perez' story is that in a time of hiring freezes these Henry appointments shouldn't be hiring anyone. Buried in the story is the information that these agencies have a number of vacancies and have downsized significantly. The reader has to ask himself/herself whether the hiring of three people, professionals apparently, is newsworthy? I wonder if Perez will write a story every time three people are hired in state government?
Keeping any administration honest is a noble journalistic role but we can rightfully ask the Daily Oklahoman and Perez to please don't waste our time with non-news, with misleading news, or with dishonest news coverage. We can see right through you.
Looks like a reporter named Carmel Perez Snyder is the Daily Oklahoman's hatchet writer assigned to harassing the Brad Henry Administration. Already, Carmel has penned several slanted articles designed to point a stick in the eye of Henry and his Cabinet. In March the Oklahoman, on a day heavy with war news, frontpaged an article by Perez about an old story regarding an audit of the state's European trade office. As a source, Perez used a Sam Mahjoub, a well-known Tulsa crank that has made a hobby of suing businesses and government officials. The Tulsa World quit covering Mahjoubs looney conspiracy theories long ago - but not the Daily Oklahoman! The DO treats the guy like a credible source. Could Perez really be so gullible?
A few days later, Perez tries to create a scandal out of Henry's attempt to replace Agriculture Secretary Dennis Howard with a new appointment. Then today, Perez infers irresponsibility in the hiring of three new personnel by State Finance director Scott Meacham and Secretary of Commerce Kathryn Taylor. The gist of Perez' story is that in a time of hiring freezes these Henry appointments shouldn't be hiring anyone. Buried in the story is the information that these agencies have a number of vacancies and have downsized significantly. The reader has to ask himself/herself whether the hiring of three people, professionals apparently, is newsworthy? I wonder if Perez will write a story every time three people are hired in state government?
Keeping any administration honest is a noble journalistic role but we can rightfully ask the Daily Oklahoman and Perez to please don't waste our time with non-news, with misleading news, or with dishonest news coverage. We can see right through you.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003
Lottery by County?
A bill calling for an election on creating a state-run lottery was approved by the Oklahoma House today. Governor Henry will get his wish to let the citizens vote on a lottery. I'm waiting on Senator Shurden to insist that it be by county option.
A bill calling for an election on creating a state-run lottery was approved by the Oklahoma House today. Governor Henry will get his wish to let the citizens vote on a lottery. I'm waiting on Senator Shurden to insist that it be by county option.
Sunday, March 30, 2003
Interrupted Lunch
In the Capitol basement snackbar I recently noticed State Senator Leftwich, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, and Don Davis of Governor Henry's office having lunch. While they were talking politics and eating, a couple of elderly gentlemen from a veterans' group interrupted them to lobby them on some veterans matter. The three were very friendly to the veterans but I wonder why people think it is acceptable behavior to interrupt someone at lunch to pitch their business.
In the Capitol basement snackbar I recently noticed State Senator Leftwich, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, and Don Davis of Governor Henry's office having lunch. While they were talking politics and eating, a couple of elderly gentlemen from a veterans' group interrupted them to lobby them on some veterans matter. The three were very friendly to the veterans but I wonder why people think it is acceptable behavior to interrupt someone at lunch to pitch their business.