John Sullivan Fears Dangerous Canadian Drugs
So US Rep. John Sullivan of Tulsa believes Canadian drugs can be dangerous and Americans should be denied the opportunity to buy them and save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a year? Yea, sure. Canadian drugs are no more dangerous than "American" drugs. Canadians are not stupid people. Why are we so stupid that we put up with hypocritical Congressmen and a pharmaceutical industry willing and able to buy them?
Millions of Americans are tired of paying the highest prices in the world for drugs. But does Congressman Sullivan care? Apparently not enough. I wonder how much money his campaign gets from pharmaceutical interests?
Friday, November 07, 2003
Cockfighters Caught Breaking the Law - Again.
This week the cockfighters, er..."gamefowl breeders" of Oklahoma were caught red-handed using illegal traps to kill protected hawks and owls. The US Fish and Wildlife Service issued citations to 31 of these characters for putting steel-jaw traps on top of poles to catch hawks and owls - something that they all knew was illegal. These, as you may remember, are the folk that told us they were law-abiding, upstanding patriotic Americans that just want to be left alone to care for their chickens - you know, the ones that they don't fight.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service explained that the hawks and owls are trapped by their talons and hang upside down until they die or are killed.
According to the Associated Press, the investigation, which included about a dozen agents who set up surveillance in rural Oklahoma, netted more violators of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act than any other in recent years. Richard McDonald, who oversees Wildlife Service law enforcement in the Southwest, said the investigation revealed "a callous disregard of the law and the birds
it protects."
The really "funny" part is that James Tally, president of the Oklahoma Game Fowl Breeders Association (cockfighters) was quoted as saying "It is a little unfair that you cannot protect your own property," he said. "Some of these roosters are worth as much as calves." Umh... I thought the cockfighters raised their birds just because they loved them. How could a gamecock be worth as much as a calf? Unless of course they fight them for illegal gambling purposes. But surely these nice people wouldn't break the law AND lie to us, would they?
Kudos to the federal agents and the USFWS! Now, judiciary, do your duty and give the offenders jail time and the maximum fine of $15,000. If these destructive meanass lawbreakers can afford dozens or hundreds of chickens that are worth as much as cows then they can afford the penalty.
This week the cockfighters, er..."gamefowl breeders" of Oklahoma were caught red-handed using illegal traps to kill protected hawks and owls. The US Fish and Wildlife Service issued citations to 31 of these characters for putting steel-jaw traps on top of poles to catch hawks and owls - something that they all knew was illegal. These, as you may remember, are the folk that told us they were law-abiding, upstanding patriotic Americans that just want to be left alone to care for their chickens - you know, the ones that they don't fight.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service explained that the hawks and owls are trapped by their talons and hang upside down until they die or are killed.
According to the Associated Press, the investigation, which included about a dozen agents who set up surveillance in rural Oklahoma, netted more violators of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act than any other in recent years. Richard McDonald, who oversees Wildlife Service law enforcement in the Southwest, said the investigation revealed "a callous disregard of the law and the birds
it protects."
The really "funny" part is that James Tally, president of the Oklahoma Game Fowl Breeders Association (cockfighters) was quoted as saying "It is a little unfair that you cannot protect your own property," he said. "Some of these roosters are worth as much as calves." Umh... I thought the cockfighters raised their birds just because they loved them. How could a gamecock be worth as much as a calf? Unless of course they fight them for illegal gambling purposes. But surely these nice people wouldn't break the law AND lie to us, would they?
Kudos to the federal agents and the USFWS! Now, judiciary, do your duty and give the offenders jail time and the maximum fine of $15,000. If these destructive meanass lawbreakers can afford dozens or hundreds of chickens that are worth as much as cows then they can afford the penalty.
Sunday, November 02, 2003
A Perfectly Good Night
It's a beautiful midnight in Oklahoma. Sunday night in the city and its so quiet I can hear the crickets, tree frogs or whatever creature is making the soothing white noise outside. No traffic, no sirens, just natural background sound. The temperature is a comfortable 68 degrees. The TV is off - no Bill O'Rielly or Hannady and Combs (sp?) to interfere with a perfectly good midnight in Oklahoma.
It's a beautiful midnight in Oklahoma. Sunday night in the city and its so quiet I can hear the crickets, tree frogs or whatever creature is making the soothing white noise outside. No traffic, no sirens, just natural background sound. The temperature is a comfortable 68 degrees. The TV is off - no Bill O'Rielly or Hannady and Combs (sp?) to interfere with a perfectly good midnight in Oklahoma.
Friday, October 31, 2003
Pres. Bush Skips Soldiers Funerals
Veterans are beginning to take notice that President Bush has not attended a single one of the funerals being held for the deceased soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
As AlterNet notes:
Increasingly, this proclivity on the part of President Bush to avoid the normal duty of a commander-in-chief to honor dead soldiers is causing rising irritation among some veterans and their families who have noticed what appears to be a historically anomalous slight.
The President certainly can't attend all or most of the funerals simply because there are too darn many of them. He has honored soldiers in his remarks but it bothers me that the commander-in-chief is spending so much time raising millions for his campaign while families bury their dead in silence.
Veterans are beginning to take notice that President Bush has not attended a single one of the funerals being held for the deceased soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
As AlterNet notes:
Increasingly, this proclivity on the part of President Bush to avoid the normal duty of a commander-in-chief to honor dead soldiers is causing rising irritation among some veterans and their families who have noticed what appears to be a historically anomalous slight.
The President certainly can't attend all or most of the funerals simply because there are too darn many of them. He has honored soldiers in his remarks but it bothers me that the commander-in-chief is spending so much time raising millions for his campaign while families bury their dead in silence.
What Happened to Halloween?
I grew up in a small Oklahoma town where Halloween was serious business. Kids trick-or-treated all over the town and came home loaded with great candy and the occasional unwanted apple. There was no hesitence to go to strangers' houses. There was talk, always unfounded, of razorblades or pins hidden in the goodies in some far away place like Ohio or Texas but that was not something we worried about in the safety of Our Town. Every house (except the "holy roller" homes) was open to the children of the town and every porch had a light burning. This was a night that the adults worked to make good for the kids and we kids loved it!
Now I live in a city and a time where children must go to shopping malls to queue for tiny bits of candy handed out by the mall stores. We are relegated to malls because parents don't trust strangers to give their children unadulterated candy and most homeowners either don't want to be bothered or are afraid to open the door to masked strangers. My doorbell rang a few times tonight because I live in a friendly neighborhood with lots of children.
I know a lot of neighborhoods in my city that are not welcoming. The porchlights are turned off and children are unwelcome. What's wrong with these people? Last year I took my daughter out to trick-or-treat and we had a hard time finding anyplace to go. We ultimately ended up at the mall with thousands of children in one long mall-length line that shuffled from store to store. The children, not knowing what they were missing, enjoyed it nonetheless. The kids didn't even notice the jerk parents that shoved their kids into the middle of the lines so they wouldn't have to wait. This year my daughter said she didn't want to go trick-or-treating. "It's too much of a hassle," she said. I didn't let on how sad this makes me.
I grew up in a small Oklahoma town where Halloween was serious business. Kids trick-or-treated all over the town and came home loaded with great candy and the occasional unwanted apple. There was no hesitence to go to strangers' houses. There was talk, always unfounded, of razorblades or pins hidden in the goodies in some far away place like Ohio or Texas but that was not something we worried about in the safety of Our Town. Every house (except the "holy roller" homes) was open to the children of the town and every porch had a light burning. This was a night that the adults worked to make good for the kids and we kids loved it!
Now I live in a city and a time where children must go to shopping malls to queue for tiny bits of candy handed out by the mall stores. We are relegated to malls because parents don't trust strangers to give their children unadulterated candy and most homeowners either don't want to be bothered or are afraid to open the door to masked strangers. My doorbell rang a few times tonight because I live in a friendly neighborhood with lots of children.
I know a lot of neighborhoods in my city that are not welcoming. The porchlights are turned off and children are unwelcome. What's wrong with these people? Last year I took my daughter out to trick-or-treat and we had a hard time finding anyplace to go. We ultimately ended up at the mall with thousands of children in one long mall-length line that shuffled from store to store. The children, not knowing what they were missing, enjoyed it nonetheless. The kids didn't even notice the jerk parents that shoved their kids into the middle of the lines so they wouldn't have to wait. This year my daughter said she didn't want to go trick-or-treating. "It's too much of a hassle," she said. I didn't let on how sad this makes me.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
K Street
US Senator Don Nickles had a role on the new HBO series "K Street" tonight. While I havn't figured out this series yet it seems to be about the "exciting" world of Capitol Hill lobbyists. Senator Don did well in his scene - a long one-on-one discussion with a lobbyist. Could this be his next career?
US Senator Don Nickles had a role on the new HBO series "K Street" tonight. While I havn't figured out this series yet it seems to be about the "exciting" world of Capitol Hill lobbyists. Senator Don did well in his scene - a long one-on-one discussion with a lobbyist. Could this be his next career?
Mayor Upset Over Jerk Site
As Flyover Country tells us Mayor Kirk Humphries of OKC is upset about a website called Kirk is a Jerk.com A peek at the site would suggest that it is the work of a long-time Democratic Party "operative" that has done similar hatchet job e-mails and websites about other Republican candidates in the past. The best you can say about this work is that it doesn't exactly raise the level of political discussion. It is quite tasteless and if the Democratic Party has any connection with it at all they should repudiate its content. Lampooning politicians is a great tradition but to be funny it can't be mean-spirited. But as Flyover Country noted the mayor has overreacted.
As Flyover Country tells us Mayor Kirk Humphries of OKC is upset about a website called Kirk is a Jerk.com A peek at the site would suggest that it is the work of a long-time Democratic Party "operative" that has done similar hatchet job e-mails and websites about other Republican candidates in the past. The best you can say about this work is that it doesn't exactly raise the level of political discussion. It is quite tasteless and if the Democratic Party has any connection with it at all they should repudiate its content. Lampooning politicians is a great tradition but to be funny it can't be mean-spirited. But as Flyover Country noted the mayor has overreacted.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Last night there was, as usual, nothing at all on radio except bad music, Dr Laura Schlesinger (sp?) and "the Savage Nation". So I tuned in to Savage to see if he was still as looney as usual and sure enough, he was already worked up into a vein-popping frenzy over criticism of General Boykin's religious statements. I don't listen to Savage enough to know whether he is a religious fanatic or not - the way he talks I would have guessed him to be on the heathen / fascist end of the spectrum - but last night he sounded like an extremist far right Christian fundamentalist. His "point" seemed to be that the General loves America and therefore criticizing him for talking religious intolerance while in uniform was great. Savage aimed his comments at "liberal Jews" - appealing to them to support Boykin because the General had pointed out that this "Christian nation" was founded on "Judeo-Christian principles".
I have no doubt the General is a good and loyal American. I don't want him fired. I think he should be taken off the terrorist-hunting job and all Generals ought to maintain a degree of professionalism in uniform. In other words, keep their public mouths shut on politics and religion WHILE IN UNIFORM - REPRESENTING US ALL.
I have no doubt the General is a good and loyal American. I don't want him fired. I think he should be taken off the terrorist-hunting job and all Generals ought to maintain a degree of professionalism in uniform. In other words, keep their public mouths shut on politics and religion WHILE IN UNIFORM - REPRESENTING US ALL.
Friday, October 17, 2003
Racists with outstretched hands
I was walking out of an Arby's restaurant today when I was accosted by a panhandler that started off with one of those "hey, can I talk to you a minute?" sales pitches that lets you know you look like an easy mark. This strategy never works with me. I resent being taken for a fool. Nevertheless, I dismissed him with a "no thanks". That's when I heard the muttered racial slur aimed at my little daughter and I. I wheeled around and grabbed the guy by his collar and demanded that he clarify what he had said. Unfortunately, he obliged. In white-hot anger I knocked the cigarette out of his mouth and whispered some unkind things in his ear. Then I remembered my daughter was with me and I backed off - not wanting to set a bad example for her and not wanting to be arrested. The guy was yelling for his buddies to help out. It was time to get in the car and go.
This is not the first time this scenario has happened in the last year. Panhandlers seem to be shooting off their mouths a lot lately - even when you politely brush them off. This really pisses me off, especially when my daughter is there to hear it - and I react badly. I'm glad I don't carry lethal weapons.
On top of all this the panhandler didn't even get our race right.
I was walking out of an Arby's restaurant today when I was accosted by a panhandler that started off with one of those "hey, can I talk to you a minute?" sales pitches that lets you know you look like an easy mark. This strategy never works with me. I resent being taken for a fool. Nevertheless, I dismissed him with a "no thanks". That's when I heard the muttered racial slur aimed at my little daughter and I. I wheeled around and grabbed the guy by his collar and demanded that he clarify what he had said. Unfortunately, he obliged. In white-hot anger I knocked the cigarette out of his mouth and whispered some unkind things in his ear. Then I remembered my daughter was with me and I backed off - not wanting to set a bad example for her and not wanting to be arrested. The guy was yelling for his buddies to help out. It was time to get in the car and go.
This is not the first time this scenario has happened in the last year. Panhandlers seem to be shooting off their mouths a lot lately - even when you politely brush them off. This really pisses me off, especially when my daughter is there to hear it - and I react badly. I'm glad I don't carry lethal weapons.
On top of all this the panhandler didn't even get our race right.
Goofballs in High Places
This was the week that Malaysia's soon-to-retire Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad declared that "The Europeans killed 6 million Jews out of 12 million, but today the Jews rule the world by proxy. They got others to fight and die for them." This was also the week that the the Bush Administration denounced Mahathir's statements while simultaneously defending Army Lt. General William G. "Jerry" Boykin's statements about a war between Christiandom and the Muslims.
When criticised for his anti-Jewish statements Mahathir complained that everyone attacks Islam with impunity but when someone says something against the Jews they are accused of anti-Semitism. Mahathir, whose son attended the University of Tulsa, frequently says outrageous things. There's a kernal of truth in what he says but not much more than that. To his credit Mahathir took on Muslims for turning their backs on science and modernity.
For the story on what our General Boykin said about the terrorists hating us because we are a "Christian nation" and the Muslim God being a false God look at NBC. Too many Americans think this way but to have one of our Generals saying these things in public while IN UNIFORM is unacceptable. Especially because Boykin is in the lead on the anti-terrorism effort. Not only is he just plain wrong, but his statements play right into the hands of the terrorists who are trying to convince Muslims that the US war is on Islam, not on terrorism. The General might as well be arming the terrorists with WMD.
Mahathir and Boykin both suffer from what seems like deep-seated religious intolerance. Fortunately Mahathir is retiring. President Bush should have denounced Boykin for his "intolerance while in uniform" and put him at a desk job in a remote area.
This was the week that Malaysia's soon-to-retire Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad declared that "The Europeans killed 6 million Jews out of 12 million, but today the Jews rule the world by proxy. They got others to fight and die for them." This was also the week that the the Bush Administration denounced Mahathir's statements while simultaneously defending Army Lt. General William G. "Jerry" Boykin's statements about a war between Christiandom and the Muslims.
When criticised for his anti-Jewish statements Mahathir complained that everyone attacks Islam with impunity but when someone says something against the Jews they are accused of anti-Semitism. Mahathir, whose son attended the University of Tulsa, frequently says outrageous things. There's a kernal of truth in what he says but not much more than that. To his credit Mahathir took on Muslims for turning their backs on science and modernity.
For the story on what our General Boykin said about the terrorists hating us because we are a "Christian nation" and the Muslim God being a false God look at NBC. Too many Americans think this way but to have one of our Generals saying these things in public while IN UNIFORM is unacceptable. Especially because Boykin is in the lead on the anti-terrorism effort. Not only is he just plain wrong, but his statements play right into the hands of the terrorists who are trying to convince Muslims that the US war is on Islam, not on terrorism. The General might as well be arming the terrorists with WMD.
Mahathir and Boykin both suffer from what seems like deep-seated religious intolerance. Fortunately Mahathir is retiring. President Bush should have denounced Boykin for his "intolerance while in uniform" and put him at a desk job in a remote area.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Inhofe Endorses Humphries
US Senator Jim Inhofe wasted no time in holding a press conference to endorse OKC mayor Kirk Humphries to fill the US Senate seat being vacated by Don Nickles. Inhofe will apparently play a very major role in Humphries campaign. I have no doubt that Inhofe and the Daily Oklahoman have been working on the Humphries deal for a long time.
Congressman Istook anounced a couple of days ago that he had decided not to run for Nickles' seat afterall. Word in Republican circles is that after Inhofe told Istook he would be supporting Humphries, Istook bowed out. Istook is reportedly very peeved at the heavyhanded and early endorsement by Inhofe. In his un-announcement speech Istook repeatedly stated that the Republican Party should not be deciding "for the people" who the Republican nominee will be. He made it quite clear he was upset with the old boy network in the Republican Party (Jim Inhofe et al) that has apparently annointed Kirk Humphries and is dead set against having a contest in the Republican primary.
I was sitting with a group of Republicans watching the news coverage of the Inhofe press conference today and was interested to hear them all say that an endorsement by Inhofe was, to them, the kiss-o-death for whatever or whomever Inhofe was endorsing. "If Inhofe is for him I'm against him," said one. There's a surprising number of Republicans that are uncomfortable with Jim Inhofe representing them - but so far, not enough to defeat the man.
I'll look forward to learning more about Humphries stands on issues. All I know so far is that he is ultra-conservative and controversial (according to Cam Edwards). I have some personal experiences with Humphries that I'll go into later.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side we wait to find out if Drew Edmondson or Brad Carson will throw their hats in.
US Senator Jim Inhofe wasted no time in holding a press conference to endorse OKC mayor Kirk Humphries to fill the US Senate seat being vacated by Don Nickles. Inhofe will apparently play a very major role in Humphries campaign. I have no doubt that Inhofe and the Daily Oklahoman have been working on the Humphries deal for a long time.
Congressman Istook anounced a couple of days ago that he had decided not to run for Nickles' seat afterall. Word in Republican circles is that after Inhofe told Istook he would be supporting Humphries, Istook bowed out. Istook is reportedly very peeved at the heavyhanded and early endorsement by Inhofe. In his un-announcement speech Istook repeatedly stated that the Republican Party should not be deciding "for the people" who the Republican nominee will be. He made it quite clear he was upset with the old boy network in the Republican Party (Jim Inhofe et al) that has apparently annointed Kirk Humphries and is dead set against having a contest in the Republican primary.
I was sitting with a group of Republicans watching the news coverage of the Inhofe press conference today and was interested to hear them all say that an endorsement by Inhofe was, to them, the kiss-o-death for whatever or whomever Inhofe was endorsing. "If Inhofe is for him I'm against him," said one. There's a surprising number of Republicans that are uncomfortable with Jim Inhofe representing them - but so far, not enough to defeat the man.
I'll look forward to learning more about Humphries stands on issues. All I know so far is that he is ultra-conservative and controversial (according to Cam Edwards). I have some personal experiences with Humphries that I'll go into later.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side we wait to find out if Drew Edmondson or Brad Carson will throw their hats in.
Friday, October 10, 2003
Bill O'Reilly, Unfair and Imbalanced
I know this is not surprising either, but if you happened to be listening to the program "Fresh Air" on NPR yesterday you heard the host, Terry Gross, interview Bill O'Reilly and you heard him cut off the interview. Seems Bill wasn't happy that Terry was not limiting 100% of her questions to the topic of his new book. He got angry and hung up on her.
I listen to Fresh Air all the time and Terry Gross is one of the best interviewers around. She asks intelligent questions in a calm and rational manner. During the interview yesterday I thought she was giving O'Reilly an opportunity to answer some of the accusations thrown at him by Al Franken and others. I thought he was doing a good job of answering those accusations and he was winning some points with me. He was typically humorless and cocksure of himself but all-in-all he was proving himself to be human. Terry was doing him a favor I thought - because she had interviewed Al Franken earlier and this was O'Reilly's chance to set the record straight. I saw nothing wrong with Gross' interview but suddenly O'Reilly became quite nasty and a little abusive and then hung up. That night he went on to further derogatory statements about Gross and NPR on his TV program.
O'Reilly has a few good ideas but I gave up listening to his program because he is so mean-spirited and abusive to his guests. I just won't support that kind of programming or behavior. To her credit, Gross ran the interview with O'Reilly even though O'Reilly said she wouldn't have the guts to do so. She did. She's a class act. He's behaves like an obnoxious bully.
I know this is not surprising either, but if you happened to be listening to the program "Fresh Air" on NPR yesterday you heard the host, Terry Gross, interview Bill O'Reilly and you heard him cut off the interview. Seems Bill wasn't happy that Terry was not limiting 100% of her questions to the topic of his new book. He got angry and hung up on her.
I listen to Fresh Air all the time and Terry Gross is one of the best interviewers around. She asks intelligent questions in a calm and rational manner. During the interview yesterday I thought she was giving O'Reilly an opportunity to answer some of the accusations thrown at him by Al Franken and others. I thought he was doing a good job of answering those accusations and he was winning some points with me. He was typically humorless and cocksure of himself but all-in-all he was proving himself to be human. Terry was doing him a favor I thought - because she had interviewed Al Franken earlier and this was O'Reilly's chance to set the record straight. I saw nothing wrong with Gross' interview but suddenly O'Reilly became quite nasty and a little abusive and then hung up. That night he went on to further derogatory statements about Gross and NPR on his TV program.
O'Reilly has a few good ideas but I gave up listening to his program because he is so mean-spirited and abusive to his guests. I just won't support that kind of programming or behavior. To her credit, Gross ran the interview with O'Reilly even though O'Reilly said she wouldn't have the guts to do so. She did. She's a class act. He's behaves like an obnoxious bully.
Pat Robertson Says Something Stupid
I know this is not surprising, but he is entertaining. His latest foolish statement came in an interview on his 700 Club program on CBN. Robertson interviewed Joel Mowbray about Mowbray's new book, "Dangerous Diplomacy." The book concludes with the assertion that if Mowbray could just set off a nuclear device in Foggy Bottom, the world would be a better place.
Robertson, TV evangelist that he is, agrees with Mowbray. Here's the
transcript of the conversation. I'm sure Robertson doesn't really advocate blowing up the State Department but he doesn't appreciate their work. But thank goodness they are handling diplomacy and Robertson isn't.
I have some problems with the insular and elitist culture within the State Department but I believe there is increasing evidence that if the professionals at State had been listened to that we would not have half the problems we are having in Iraq now. If you watched the PBS program Frontline last night you'd know what I mean. More on that soon.
I know this is not surprising, but he is entertaining. His latest foolish statement came in an interview on his 700 Club program on CBN. Robertson interviewed Joel Mowbray about Mowbray's new book, "Dangerous Diplomacy." The book concludes with the assertion that if Mowbray could just set off a nuclear device in Foggy Bottom, the world would be a better place.
Robertson, TV evangelist that he is, agrees with Mowbray. Here's the
transcript of the conversation. I'm sure Robertson doesn't really advocate blowing up the State Department but he doesn't appreciate their work. But thank goodness they are handling diplomacy and Robertson isn't.
I have some problems with the insular and elitist culture within the State Department but I believe there is increasing evidence that if the professionals at State had been listened to that we would not have half the problems we are having in Iraq now. If you watched the PBS program Frontline last night you'd know what I mean. More on that soon.
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Muskogee Schools Crack Down on blatant Scarf Wearing
Unsatisfied with the national attention received when they expelled a young boy last year for pointing his finger and saying "kapow", Muskogee schools today expelled a young Muslim girl for wearing a head scarf. The parents of the girl explained that the head covering is required by their religion but school authorities rejected the claim. "Who ever heard of makin' someone wear a rag on their hay-yed fer church purposes," said Goober Monks, principal of the Muskogee school. "We aren't half as stoopid as these people think we are. The headscarf is gang in-sig-nee-uh and she's got to take it off."
Unsatisfied with the national attention received when they expelled a young boy last year for pointing his finger and saying "kapow", Muskogee schools today expelled a young Muslim girl for wearing a head scarf. The parents of the girl explained that the head covering is required by their religion but school authorities rejected the claim. "Who ever heard of makin' someone wear a rag on their hay-yed fer church purposes," said Goober Monks, principal of the Muskogee school. "We aren't half as stoopid as these people think we are. The headscarf is gang in-sig-nee-uh and she's got to take it off."
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
So Long Don Nickles, Hello Kirk Humphries
The pragmatic Don Nickles is leaving us after many years in the US Senate. Announcing he would not run for re-election today - the Ponca City native said he wanted to return to the private sector. Although Nickles was extremely conservative he also had a pragmatic streak to him - not a complete idealogue. I'm not sure we'll end up with anyone better.
The Oklahoma Publishing Company (Daily Oklahoman) is not-so-secretly behind Oklahoma City mayor Kirk Humphries and the word is that they want Humphries in Nickles' vacated seat. More on Humphries later.
Any moderates out there wanting to run?
The pragmatic Don Nickles is leaving us after many years in the US Senate. Announcing he would not run for re-election today - the Ponca City native said he wanted to return to the private sector. Although Nickles was extremely conservative he also had a pragmatic streak to him - not a complete idealogue. I'm not sure we'll end up with anyone better.
The Oklahoma Publishing Company (Daily Oklahoman) is not-so-secretly behind Oklahoma City mayor Kirk Humphries and the word is that they want Humphries in Nickles' vacated seat. More on Humphries later.
Any moderates out there wanting to run?
Tulsa Community College
The Tulsa World broke a story today about the Regents for the Tulsa Community College system quietly voting very generous "golden parachute" deals for the top four or five executives. According to the World, President Van Trese is set to carry off about $1 million when he retires in the next few years. The Regents call it a "retention package" so these valuable assets won't leave. TCC faculty and workers call it an extraordinarily selfish nest lining by the guys at the top.
The fact that the TCC leadership didn't tell anyone about their cushy deal until they found out the Tulsa World was onto the story says they thought they could get away with keeping it a secret. I don't blame them - I'd be ashamed too. Especially when faculty is paid so poorly. One adjunct professor told me he gets a whopping $1600 per semester for teaching.
Now I think public servants often get shafted and are underappreciated and should be paid better and more in line with the private sector - but copying the selfish greed of Enron-type CEOs is not what I have in mind. I'm sure Van Trese deserves a good retirement after serving the community for decades - but $1 million on top of years of a decent salary? No. Not when everyone in the middle and at the bottom of his organization get shafted.
I'm almost shocked that the Tulsa World actually did some investigative reporting. The World is a good paper but not known for good investigative reporting. It's about time.
The Tulsa World broke a story today about the Regents for the Tulsa Community College system quietly voting very generous "golden parachute" deals for the top four or five executives. According to the World, President Van Trese is set to carry off about $1 million when he retires in the next few years. The Regents call it a "retention package" so these valuable assets won't leave. TCC faculty and workers call it an extraordinarily selfish nest lining by the guys at the top.
The fact that the TCC leadership didn't tell anyone about their cushy deal until they found out the Tulsa World was onto the story says they thought they could get away with keeping it a secret. I don't blame them - I'd be ashamed too. Especially when faculty is paid so poorly. One adjunct professor told me he gets a whopping $1600 per semester for teaching.
Now I think public servants often get shafted and are underappreciated and should be paid better and more in line with the private sector - but copying the selfish greed of Enron-type CEOs is not what I have in mind. I'm sure Van Trese deserves a good retirement after serving the community for decades - but $1 million on top of years of a decent salary? No. Not when everyone in the middle and at the bottom of his organization get shafted.
I'm almost shocked that the Tulsa World actually did some investigative reporting. The World is a good paper but not known for good investigative reporting. It's about time.
Disfunctional Design
I've had it with the designers of televisions and VCRs. Surely, after a few decades they would figure out that placing the coaxial cable inputs and outputs within a few microns of a protruding edge makes it impossible to get your fingers positioned to screw or unscrew the cable? Have you noticed this? Why don't the manufacturers make their TVs and VCRs so you can actually get your fingers around the cable? This is a no-brainer folks.
I've had it with the designers of televisions and VCRs. Surely, after a few decades they would figure out that placing the coaxial cable inputs and outputs within a few microns of a protruding edge makes it impossible to get your fingers positioned to screw or unscrew the cable? Have you noticed this? Why don't the manufacturers make their TVs and VCRs so you can actually get your fingers around the cable? This is a no-brainer folks.
Monday, October 06, 2003
State Fair Story #1
I saw Elvis on the trolley at the Tulsa State Fair. He was 55-ish,dressed in black leather, had the big black shades, pompadour, sideburns, rings on every finger, gold necklace, the works - and he was with his family. His wife didn't look like Priscilla Presley though - more of a Ruth Ann. His low-cut black undershirt that almost revealed his nipples was off-putting. He had a weary, "I'm so sick of being recognized" look on his face.
Elvis' wife seemed pleased to be married to Elvis - she made a point of calling after one of their offspring. "Roy Orbison!, you git yoor butt on thet be-unch!" What came to mind was the torture little Roy Orbison must go through on Parents Day at school.
I saw Elvis on the trolley at the Tulsa State Fair. He was 55-ish,dressed in black leather, had the big black shades, pompadour, sideburns, rings on every finger, gold necklace, the works - and he was with his family. His wife didn't look like Priscilla Presley though - more of a Ruth Ann. His low-cut black undershirt that almost revealed his nipples was off-putting. He had a weary, "I'm so sick of being recognized" look on his face.
Elvis' wife seemed pleased to be married to Elvis - she made a point of calling after one of their offspring. "Roy Orbison!, you git yoor butt on thet be-unch!" What came to mind was the torture little Roy Orbison must go through on Parents Day at school.
California, Enough!!
I've heard about all I want to hear about California for at least a couple of years. I'm so sick of the medias frenzy over the election I could just - turn it off. Which is what I did. I'll turn it back on in a couple of days hoping that their looney election thingy is over and done with. Then maybe we can hear about some other matters - silly little things like war and peace.
I've heard about all I want to hear about California for at least a couple of years. I'm so sick of the medias frenzy over the election I could just - turn it off. Which is what I did. I'll turn it back on in a couple of days hoping that their looney election thingy is over and done with. Then maybe we can hear about some other matters - silly little things like war and peace.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
I forgot what I was calling about
I heard a good radio advert tonight. It advertised pills that will immediately improve your memory, make you mentally sharper and downright smart. I am not currently taking the pills so I am only 98% sure that the product advertised was called MemoryMax. The best part is that they guarantee your money back if the pills don't sharpen your faculties. The problem I anticipate is that I'll call them and want my money back and they will refuse - because I'm obviously sharper now than I was when I ordered their pills in the first place.
I heard a good radio advert tonight. It advertised pills that will immediately improve your memory, make you mentally sharper and downright smart. I am not currently taking the pills so I am only 98% sure that the product advertised was called MemoryMax. The best part is that they guarantee your money back if the pills don't sharpen your faculties. The problem I anticipate is that I'll call them and want my money back and they will refuse - because I'm obviously sharper now than I was when I ordered their pills in the first place.