A Lesson in Class
I stopped in at Camille's Sidewalk Cafe Friday for a wrap. Good wrap, interesting clientele. The place was full of the "beautiful people". Table after table of well-dressed and quaffed women - mostly young, healthy looking women with wedding rings - burdened with diamonds. At the table next to me there were four of them eating salads and teasing the youngest of the four about her upcoming marriage. The fortyish brunette in the blue linen asked the bride-to-be if she thought she's ever be a trophy wife. "That's what I've been working on since I was fourteen," she replied half joking. Then they talked about their husbands (and husband-to-be) in an alarmingly utilitarian manner. One said she was pleased that her husband was busier these days because it gave her more time to travel and shop without having to be around him as much as she had to be last year. Another woman, younger and blond, told the others her husband was interested in getting into politics and planned to run for city council. Then she remarked that he was stupid enough to succeed at it.
At another nearby table four 30-ish ladies were comparing their opinions of various clothing lines and their designers. They were talking about a trip to Dallas this weekend to Neiman Marcus. One of the ladies had a baby in a stroller next to her. They were ignoring the baby. A middle aged woman on her way out the door turned around to admire the baby and gurgle at him. The baby's mother turned to acknowledge the attention being paid to her baby. As her eyes caught the eyes of the admirer she smiled but her eyes quickly dropped to scan the stranger's clothing. The smile quickly disappeared as the mother took in the other woman's mundane clothing. When she got to the tennis shoes the smile was entirely gone and she turned back to her friends.
Saturday, March 06, 2004
Excitement at Tulsa City Hall
Michael Bates of the Batesline has an interesting story this week about a hostile reception he received at the Tulsa City Council office. Michael seems to have become a thorn in the side of Tulsa's administration because he asks lots of questions and demands transparency in government. His investigative reporting is admirable for a private citizen with a fulltime job. His intelligence is apparent in both his writing and in person. While I did not agree with Michael in his opposition to Tulsa's Vision 2025 I thought he put up a good fight. I don't agree with him on many political issues but I'm glad he's there to keep the media and politicians from lapsing into easy cronyism.
Michael Bates of the Batesline has an interesting story this week about a hostile reception he received at the Tulsa City Council office. Michael seems to have become a thorn in the side of Tulsa's administration because he asks lots of questions and demands transparency in government. His investigative reporting is admirable for a private citizen with a fulltime job. His intelligence is apparent in both his writing and in person. While I did not agree with Michael in his opposition to Tulsa's Vision 2025 I thought he put up a good fight. I don't agree with him on many political issues but I'm glad he's there to keep the media and politicians from lapsing into easy cronyism.
Friday, March 05, 2004
Another correction!
Mike has written to tell me that Mick and Jack Cornett are not related as I stated in an earlier blog. Here's what Mike tells me:
"I read on your site that Mick is Jack's son. I hadn't ever heard of any relation at all, so I called Commissioner Cornett's office (Jack is now an Oklahoma County Commissioner) and was told by his secretary that people ask him that all the time, but that there is no relation at all. Just to be sure, I then called the OKC council secretary and she said she'd worked for the City Council for 23 years and that Jack and Mick are not related."
Mike has written to tell me that Mick and Jack Cornett are not related as I stated in an earlier blog. Here's what Mike tells me:
"I read on your site that Mick is Jack's son. I hadn't ever heard of any relation at all, so I called Commissioner Cornett's office (Jack is now an Oklahoma County Commissioner) and was told by his secretary that people ask him that all the time, but that there is no relation at all. Just to be sure, I then called the OKC council secretary and she said she'd worked for the City Council for 23 years and that Jack and Mick are not related."
Correction from Cam Edwards
Cam alerted me to the following regarding my earlier post about Gov Henry delaying the execution of Hung Le:
"Actually, the Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously to commute
Le's sentence to life. The Governor will continue to ignore the board's
recommendation if Le's execution goes forward."Thanks to Cam for the correction.
Cam alerted me to the following regarding my earlier post about Gov Henry delaying the execution of Hung Le:
"Actually, the Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously to commute
Le's sentence to life. The Governor will continue to ignore the board's
recommendation if Le's execution goes forward."Thanks to Cam for the correction.
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Tulsa Gridiron, Up Tar Creek Without a Paddle
I missed the OKC Gridiron this year but I was able to make the Tulsa Gridiron tonight. For those that don't know, each year local media types do a spoof on local and national events - aimed primarily at politicians. Tonights Gridiron was, despite sound problems, well worth the $10 ticket. There were a number of excellent scenes and songs but one of my favorites was Jim Inhofe (Bill Babb) singing "There's a dim leaden haze in the breezes" to the tune of "Oh. What a Beautiful Morning. Here's the parody written by Ed Bettinger:
There's a dim leaden haze in the breezes
There's a dim leaden haze in the breezes
Mine tailings so high that they're touching the sky
And Jim Inhofe's fancy is starting to fly.
(chorus) Oh, what a beautiful chat pile
Oh, what a valued resource
The ground water's glowing bright orange
Tar Creek is the next big resort.
The investors are stupid as cattle
The investors are stupid as cattle
They'll buy all your chat
And your take will be phat
The Tulsa World will back me for US President
(chorus)
All the sinkholes will serve as the sandtraps
All the sinkholes will serve as the sandtraps
For the golf course we'll build on the mine tailings spill
And make Picherites caddy until they're too ill.
There's one more show, Friday March 5th at the Scottish Rite Temple on Skelly Drive in Tulsa at 8pm.
I missed the OKC Gridiron this year but I was able to make the Tulsa Gridiron tonight. For those that don't know, each year local media types do a spoof on local and national events - aimed primarily at politicians. Tonights Gridiron was, despite sound problems, well worth the $10 ticket. There were a number of excellent scenes and songs but one of my favorites was Jim Inhofe (Bill Babb) singing "There's a dim leaden haze in the breezes" to the tune of "Oh. What a Beautiful Morning. Here's the parody written by Ed Bettinger:
There's a dim leaden haze in the breezes
There's a dim leaden haze in the breezes
Mine tailings so high that they're touching the sky
And Jim Inhofe's fancy is starting to fly.
(chorus) Oh, what a beautiful chat pile
Oh, what a valued resource
The ground water's glowing bright orange
Tar Creek is the next big resort.
The investors are stupid as cattle
The investors are stupid as cattle
They'll buy all your chat
And your take will be phat
The Tulsa World will back me for US President
(chorus)
All the sinkholes will serve as the sandtraps
All the sinkholes will serve as the sandtraps
For the golf course we'll build on the mine tailings spill
And make Picherites caddy until they're too ill.
There's one more show, Friday March 5th at the Scottish Rite Temple on Skelly Drive in Tulsa at 8pm.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
NRA loses a Big One
The NRA was defeated in Congress today when their bill to protect gunmakers from lawsuits and liability was killed - by Democrats and Republicans. Senators Kerry and Edwards stopped their campaigns long enough to rush to DC to vote against the bill. On the news tonight I was delighted to see a red-faced president of the NRA warning that the gun industry of America would not forget this - threatening retribution in November. I just hope his performance makes into some campaign commercials this year.
The NRA was defeated in Congress today when their bill to protect gunmakers from lawsuits and liability was killed - by Democrats and Republicans. Senators Kerry and Edwards stopped their campaigns long enough to rush to DC to vote against the bill. On the news tonight I was delighted to see a red-faced president of the NRA warning that the gun industry of America would not forget this - threatening retribution in November. I just hope his performance makes into some campaign commercials this year.
Lawmakers and Term Limits
At the Capitol a couple of weeks ago I bumped into several of our Legislators who are termed out this session. Because of the term limits Oklahoma voters passed a few years ago some longterm Senators and Representatives are prohibited from running for reelection. When term limits were being debated I was against the idea of telling voters they could not reelect their representatives for longer than 12 years - but, I have changed my mind in recent years. The closer I got to working with Legislators the more I came around on this issue.
When I see Senators such as Charles Ford, Jerry Smith, Frank Shurden, et al lurking around the halls of the Capitol building the more I accept the concept of booting them out. None of these men care a hoot about what their constituents want yet their constituents - on autopilot, kept reelecting them because they recognized the names when they saw the ballot. Charles Ford is the grumpiest fart in the Capitol - yes, he appreciates art - but his arrogance has become a burden even he cannot stand. He doesn't know how to smile - or listen to his constituents - unless they are rich.
Jerry Smith's arrogance is such that he refuses to meet with or even talk to his own constituents he doesn't agree with. Case in point: both Smith and Ford represent districts in Tulsa that voted overwhelmingly for the ban on cockfighting a couple of years ago but both Repubs have consistently voted with rural Democrats to try to keep cockfighting legal in Oklahoma.
Democrat Shurden, as readers of this blog know, has spent his career in the Capitol doing the bidding of the National Rifle Association, trying pass bills to castrate sex offenders, and protect his buddies, the cockfighters. He walks around the Capitol building looking like a balding bully spoiling for a fight. Gives one the creeps just seeing the guy.
These are examples of why term limits were passed and why they needed to be. Most citizens don't see what goes on at the Capitol and thus do not realize how their interests get traded away by the Fords, the Smiths, and the Shurdens every day. Most people are just too busy making a living to pay attention to what the multitude of Legislators are doing. The lack of attention breeds arrogance on the part of the worst of those at the Capitol and term limits are the only way to get them out the door.
Good riddance.
At the Capitol a couple of weeks ago I bumped into several of our Legislators who are termed out this session. Because of the term limits Oklahoma voters passed a few years ago some longterm Senators and Representatives are prohibited from running for reelection. When term limits were being debated I was against the idea of telling voters they could not reelect their representatives for longer than 12 years - but, I have changed my mind in recent years. The closer I got to working with Legislators the more I came around on this issue.
When I see Senators such as Charles Ford, Jerry Smith, Frank Shurden, et al lurking around the halls of the Capitol building the more I accept the concept of booting them out. None of these men care a hoot about what their constituents want yet their constituents - on autopilot, kept reelecting them because they recognized the names when they saw the ballot. Charles Ford is the grumpiest fart in the Capitol - yes, he appreciates art - but his arrogance has become a burden even he cannot stand. He doesn't know how to smile - or listen to his constituents - unless they are rich.
Jerry Smith's arrogance is such that he refuses to meet with or even talk to his own constituents he doesn't agree with. Case in point: both Smith and Ford represent districts in Tulsa that voted overwhelmingly for the ban on cockfighting a couple of years ago but both Repubs have consistently voted with rural Democrats to try to keep cockfighting legal in Oklahoma.
Democrat Shurden, as readers of this blog know, has spent his career in the Capitol doing the bidding of the National Rifle Association, trying pass bills to castrate sex offenders, and protect his buddies, the cockfighters. He walks around the Capitol building looking like a balding bully spoiling for a fight. Gives one the creeps just seeing the guy.
These are examples of why term limits were passed and why they needed to be. Most citizens don't see what goes on at the Capitol and thus do not realize how their interests get traded away by the Fords, the Smiths, and the Shurdens every day. Most people are just too busy making a living to pay attention to what the multitude of Legislators are doing. The lack of attention breeds arrogance on the part of the worst of those at the Capitol and term limits are the only way to get them out the door.
Good riddance.
Monday, March 01, 2004
Swan Brothers Dairy
At a friends recommendation I popped in at the Swan Brother's Dairy in Claremore, Oklahoma today to try the highly acclaimed cheese. I found the dairy near the turnpike exit. As I drove up there was a line of cows being milked behind a glass wall and a bunch of high-tech milking equipment. A sign asked gawkers to be quiet so the cows could maintain their composure. I felt uncomfortably voyeuristic as I watched the cows being milked.
The tiny retail outlet of the dairy had one refrigerated display case but it was full of a variety of pasteurized and unpasteurized cheeses - Colby, Cheddar, pepperjack and the best of all - cheddar curds. I had never tried unpasteurized cheese before but the knowledgeable clerk/owner explained why it would be better tasting than the pasteurized variety. He was right! The cheese was great and so were the prices.
I wonder if grocery stores in Claremore even bother stocking cheese - why would anyone living there want anything other than Swan Brother's Cheese?
At a friends recommendation I popped in at the Swan Brother's Dairy in Claremore, Oklahoma today to try the highly acclaimed cheese. I found the dairy near the turnpike exit. As I drove up there was a line of cows being milked behind a glass wall and a bunch of high-tech milking equipment. A sign asked gawkers to be quiet so the cows could maintain their composure. I felt uncomfortably voyeuristic as I watched the cows being milked.
The tiny retail outlet of the dairy had one refrigerated display case but it was full of a variety of pasteurized and unpasteurized cheeses - Colby, Cheddar, pepperjack and the best of all - cheddar curds. I had never tried unpasteurized cheese before but the knowledgeable clerk/owner explained why it would be better tasting than the pasteurized variety. He was right! The cheese was great and so were the prices.
I wonder if grocery stores in Claremore even bother stocking cheese - why would anyone living there want anything other than Swan Brother's Cheese?
Sunday, February 29, 2004
Senator Williamson "Pleads" with Henry over Gay Marriage
The Tulsa World reports that Senator James Williamson, the Republican leader in the state senate has written a letter to Governor Henry asking the Democratic Gov to help him get a proposed (by Williamson) constitutional amendment on defining marriage as only for heterosexuals out of a Senate Committee. According to the World story, "Williamson expressed confidence that Henry's 'active and skillful lobbying of the Democratic caucus' could deliver the needed votes." Of course Williamson distributed his letter to Henry to the press. Williamson's move is akin to an estranged husband writing a letter to the wife (er, significant other) from whom he is separated and distributing copies to her relatives. The hope of course, is to either encourage her relatives to talk her into returning to him or, failing that, exculpate himself of blame for the failure of the marriage.
Williamson is on the same strategic path as Bush was setting out on when he called for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Even if the effort fails Williamson and Bush can claim they tried to get Johnny to quit marrying Bobby. In both cases their Republican colleagues as well as Democrats just want the whole thing to go away - quietly.
There's always some politician willing to throw a big emotional moral issue into the political debate and divert energy away from economic development, jobs, etc - things we can all agree on.
The Tulsa World reports that Senator James Williamson, the Republican leader in the state senate has written a letter to Governor Henry asking the Democratic Gov to help him get a proposed (by Williamson) constitutional amendment on defining marriage as only for heterosexuals out of a Senate Committee. According to the World story, "Williamson expressed confidence that Henry's 'active and skillful lobbying of the Democratic caucus' could deliver the needed votes." Of course Williamson distributed his letter to Henry to the press. Williamson's move is akin to an estranged husband writing a letter to the wife (er, significant other) from whom he is separated and distributing copies to her relatives. The hope of course, is to either encourage her relatives to talk her into returning to him or, failing that, exculpate himself of blame for the failure of the marriage.
Williamson is on the same strategic path as Bush was setting out on when he called for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Even if the effort fails Williamson and Bush can claim they tried to get Johnny to quit marrying Bobby. In both cases their Republican colleagues as well as Democrats just want the whole thing to go away - quietly.
There's always some politician willing to throw a big emotional moral issue into the political debate and divert energy away from economic development, jobs, etc - things we can all agree on.