Money Politics and Special Interests
I received a form letter from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi today. She began with:
Dear Friend, Do you really want to be told the truth?
The six-page letter asked for contributions for the Democratic Party. The letter also attacked the Bush Administration for, among other things, "George W. Bush and the right-wing Republican controlled Congress are advancing a radical agenda backed by ... special interests."
Moments after reading and tossing Pelosi's letter I watched the always excellent "Now with Bill Moyers" on PBS which featured an investigation of the parties sponsored by special interests - primarilly corporate interests, at the Democratic National Convention last month. One of those parties was for Nancy Pelosi who refused to explain why she let Time Warner throw a party and fireworks display for her that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Journalists crashed the party and tried to film Pelosi hobnobbing with Time Warner's chairman but her aides interposed themselves between the camera and Pelosi in a vain attempt to prevent her being seen. What a hypocrite. But that's the political system being dominated by money corruption. Both major parties play the game. The only difference is that most Democrats give lip service to solving the money politics and most Republicans make no apology about it.
Saturday, August 07, 2004
What is Right vs What is Correct
I recently heard someone (the name escapes me) explain the difference between being right and being correct. Ralph Nader is right to run for president but not correct. The person that may win because of Nader's participation is the "greater of two evils" according to the pundit I was listening to.
This is similar to the conundrum I often find myself in when it comes to deciding who to vote for. As an independent living in Oklahoma I rarely if ever find a candidate I can even agree with on 70% of the issues. Even the "moderates" in Oklahoma are pretty far right as the nation goes. Take Brad Carson for instance. The latest mailer I received from his campaign touts his support of "gun rights" and his support of an amendment to the Constitution to limit marriage to a man and a woman (thus, for the first time putting a limitation on rights in our Constitution). If Brad Carson is the "liberal" in the race where does that put his opponent, Tom Coburn? Pretty much at the extreme fringe of the extreme right. So do I vote for one of these guys?
I learned my lesson in the last presidential election when I declined to vote in that race because I didn't feel comfortable with either major candidate. Declining to vote for someone you don't agree with on some issues may be the RIGHT thing to do but I now see it is not the CORRECT thing to do. Given the current political system, choosing the lesser of two "evils" is the correct choice.
I recently heard someone (the name escapes me) explain the difference between being right and being correct. Ralph Nader is right to run for president but not correct. The person that may win because of Nader's participation is the "greater of two evils" according to the pundit I was listening to.
This is similar to the conundrum I often find myself in when it comes to deciding who to vote for. As an independent living in Oklahoma I rarely if ever find a candidate I can even agree with on 70% of the issues. Even the "moderates" in Oklahoma are pretty far right as the nation goes. Take Brad Carson for instance. The latest mailer I received from his campaign touts his support of "gun rights" and his support of an amendment to the Constitution to limit marriage to a man and a woman (thus, for the first time putting a limitation on rights in our Constitution). If Brad Carson is the "liberal" in the race where does that put his opponent, Tom Coburn? Pretty much at the extreme fringe of the extreme right. So do I vote for one of these guys?
I learned my lesson in the last presidential election when I declined to vote in that race because I didn't feel comfortable with either major candidate. Declining to vote for someone you don't agree with on some issues may be the RIGHT thing to do but I now see it is not the CORRECT thing to do. Given the current political system, choosing the lesser of two "evils" is the correct choice.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Fred Harris Spotting
Fred Harris, former US Senator from Oklahoma and two-time candidate for president, was spotted by Brian Curtis of Slate at the Democratic National Convention in the New Mexico delegation.
Fred Harris, former US Senator from Oklahoma and two-time candidate for president, was spotted by Brian Curtis of Slate at the Democratic National Convention in the New Mexico delegation.
Don't Sign up for Netzero! (or AOL)
I had this Internet provider for about a year and canceled my account several months ago when I went broadband. The monthly charge for Netzero disappeared from my credit card bill for three months and then suddenly reappeared on it last month. It had been a hassle cancelling it the first time because Netzero requires you to call and wait a long time to talk to a human in order to cancel your account. You can easily sign up online but they make canceling as difficult as possible. AOL did the same thing to me last year.
When I called back tonight to re-cancel I got a lady with a heavy Indian accent that I could barely understand. She denied that I had canceled my account and had, in fact, only asked for a two-month suspension of my account. When I insisted I had canceled my account she transferred me to cancelations. I waited 20 minutes on the phone until a polite fellow canceled my account again and said my credit card would be credited - in a couple of months. I'll believe that when I see it.
Is Netzero using this disappear and reappear tactic knowing many credit card owners don't check their bills every month? Are they counting on the difficulty of calling and waiting on the phone for long periods of time to discourage customers from getting around to the hassle of canceling - again?
When will these corporations like Netzero and AOL start treating customers with the courtesy to make cancellation of services as easy as signing up? For this reason I avoid automatic deductions from my credit card accounts if at all possible.
I had this Internet provider for about a year and canceled my account several months ago when I went broadband. The monthly charge for Netzero disappeared from my credit card bill for three months and then suddenly reappeared on it last month. It had been a hassle cancelling it the first time because Netzero requires you to call and wait a long time to talk to a human in order to cancel your account. You can easily sign up online but they make canceling as difficult as possible. AOL did the same thing to me last year.
When I called back tonight to re-cancel I got a lady with a heavy Indian accent that I could barely understand. She denied that I had canceled my account and had, in fact, only asked for a two-month suspension of my account. When I insisted I had canceled my account she transferred me to cancelations. I waited 20 minutes on the phone until a polite fellow canceled my account again and said my credit card would be credited - in a couple of months. I'll believe that when I see it.
Is Netzero using this disappear and reappear tactic knowing many credit card owners don't check their bills every month? Are they counting on the difficulty of calling and waiting on the phone for long periods of time to discourage customers from getting around to the hassle of canceling - again?
When will these corporations like Netzero and AOL start treating customers with the courtesy to make cancellation of services as easy as signing up? For this reason I avoid automatic deductions from my credit card accounts if at all possible.
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Boren and Free Sling Mud Like Crazy
While the Republican candidates for the US Senate race in Oklahoma pound each other over the head with negative ads (except Coburn) the Democrat candidates for the Congressional seat from Eastern Oklahoma are slinging mud like crazy also. Dan Boren and Kalyn Free have engaged in a bitterly negative back and forth battle of ads that leave the citizens confused about who is for what and who's lying the most.
I don't vote for anyone that's cozy with the NRA so when I heard that Boren was endorsed by the NRA I thought Free had a point. But then Free comes out with an ad that touts her membership in the NRA. Okay, no points here. Then I hear that Boren voted with the lowlife cockfighters in votes in the Oklahoma Legislature this year. Okay, can't vote for any twit that's cozy with chicken fighters. Then I see a Free ad that accuses Boren of being in favor of moving jobs to Mexico. I'm not voting for any candidate that is anti-free trade and uses outsourcing as a red herring to pander to people that don't understand economics. Best thing to do in this race is just skip over it on the ballot. Neither one of them deserves a vote.
While the Republican candidates for the US Senate race in Oklahoma pound each other over the head with negative ads (except Coburn) the Democrat candidates for the Congressional seat from Eastern Oklahoma are slinging mud like crazy also. Dan Boren and Kalyn Free have engaged in a bitterly negative back and forth battle of ads that leave the citizens confused about who is for what and who's lying the most.
I don't vote for anyone that's cozy with the NRA so when I heard that Boren was endorsed by the NRA I thought Free had a point. But then Free comes out with an ad that touts her membership in the NRA. Okay, no points here. Then I hear that Boren voted with the lowlife cockfighters in votes in the Oklahoma Legislature this year. Okay, can't vote for any twit that's cozy with chicken fighters. Then I see a Free ad that accuses Boren of being in favor of moving jobs to Mexico. I'm not voting for any candidate that is anti-free trade and uses outsourcing as a red herring to pander to people that don't understand economics. Best thing to do in this race is just skip over it on the ballot. Neither one of them deserves a vote.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Election for US Senate Heats Up
The Oklahoma State Chamber is focusing on getting pro-business candidates elected this year and employers are funding the effort under the rubric of the "Prosperity Project". To see what they are up to take a look at their website. One of the leaders of the effort is Paula Marshall Chapman, CEO of Bama Pie in Tulsa. I drove by her mansion the other day and noticed she had Kirk Humphreys signs in her yard. I see a lot of Humphreys signs on the public rights of way and on highways but Tom Coburn signs predominate in private yards in my neighborhood. Haven't seen any Bob Anthony signs in yards yet.
I did catch part of the TV debate between the Republican candidates for US Senate and was most impressed by the candidate I had never heard of before - Jay Richard Hunt. Kirk had the best tan. Anthony had trouble speaking. Kirk, Tom and Bob all tried to outdo each other in pandering to the religious right by bashing gays. If you missed it KFOR-TV's Kelly Ogle had this "incisive" analysis of the debate.
The Oklahoma State Chamber is focusing on getting pro-business candidates elected this year and employers are funding the effort under the rubric of the "Prosperity Project". To see what they are up to take a look at their website. One of the leaders of the effort is Paula Marshall Chapman, CEO of Bama Pie in Tulsa. I drove by her mansion the other day and noticed she had Kirk Humphreys signs in her yard. I see a lot of Humphreys signs on the public rights of way and on highways but Tom Coburn signs predominate in private yards in my neighborhood. Haven't seen any Bob Anthony signs in yards yet.
I did catch part of the TV debate between the Republican candidates for US Senate and was most impressed by the candidate I had never heard of before - Jay Richard Hunt. Kirk had the best tan. Anthony had trouble speaking. Kirk, Tom and Bob all tried to outdo each other in pandering to the religious right by bashing gays. If you missed it KFOR-TV's Kelly Ogle had this "incisive" analysis of the debate.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Schmidley's Texas Tech Buddies Get OSU in Hot Water
OSU President Schmidley brought gaggles of his Texas Tech employees to OSU when he moved to Stillwater to take over. Many OSU workers were displaced by the invaders. Some of those buddies have proven to be troublesome and Schmidley is trying to distance himself.
OSU President Schmidley brought gaggles of his Texas Tech employees to OSU when he moved to Stillwater to take over. Many OSU workers were displaced by the invaders. Some of those buddies have proven to be troublesome and Schmidley is trying to distance himself.
Anthony Sued by Daily Oklahoman
The Associated Press reports that the Oklahoma Publishing Company (Daily Oklahoman) sued Bob Anthony and his campaign, seeking the removal of some of Anthony's ads. A hearing was to begin Friday in the matter. The Oklahoma Publishing Company called the ads misleading and said Anthony used their copyrighted material without their permission.
What is this really about? It's about the Gaylords, owners of the Daily Oklahoman, not being happy about Anthony running against their man, Kirk Humphries. Lots of candidates use quotes from newspapers in their campaign ads and you can bet that if Humphries did the same, the Oklahoman wouldn't sue him. After all, they own him.
The Associated Press reports that the Oklahoma Publishing Company (Daily Oklahoman) sued Bob Anthony and his campaign, seeking the removal of some of Anthony's ads. A hearing was to begin Friday in the matter. The Oklahoma Publishing Company called the ads misleading and said Anthony used their copyrighted material without their permission.
What is this really about? It's about the Gaylords, owners of the Daily Oklahoman, not being happy about Anthony running against their man, Kirk Humphries. Lots of candidates use quotes from newspapers in their campaign ads and you can bet that if Humphries did the same, the Oklahoman wouldn't sue him. After all, they own him.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Learning to Park
This is a seldom-needed skill needed in Oklahoma unless you are one of the few that work in a metro downtown. But if you are planning a trip to NYC you may want to try this.
This is a seldom-needed skill needed in Oklahoma unless you are one of the few that work in a metro downtown. But if you are planning a trip to NYC you may want to try this.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Oklahoma Election Law on Independents
Chris of Flyover Country points out the source of the law that the Election Board used to toss out Tom Cole's only opposition.
Chris of Flyover Country points out the source of the law that the Election Board used to toss out Tom Cole's only opposition.
Politics Comes to Church
I visited the Victory Christian Church in Tulsa today for their Fourth of July "One Nation Under God" celebration. Victory is a fundamentalist Christian mega-church that is closely associated with Oral Roberts University and is led by Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty and his wife, Pastor Sharon. Today's church extravaganza included parades of flags, veterans, multimedia presentations, patriotic songs and a beautiful, multiracial children's choir. The first 20 minutes of the patriotic celebration was moving - a bit over the top - but moving and appropriate. Then it got ugly.
At the midpoint in the 90-minute festivity the program turned into a twisted remake of American history and an outrageously partisan political monologue by the pastor. There was a series of vignettes of moments in American history that "proved" that the United States was a Christian nation. The point was repeatedly made that our Constitution protects "the church" from interference from the Government but DOES NOT protect the Government from religion, or God (as defined by them). De-frocked One of the most blatant misrepresentations on history was a point made a couple of times - that the "discoverers of America" were Christians who "founded America for Jesus". You'd think, that right here in the state with the largest Native American population, that we'd remember who was here first. The answer by the way is not "Christian missionaries".
Judge Roy Moore of Alabama was held up as a shining example. The event was capped of with instructions from the pastor regarding upcoming votes on traditional marriage, abortion, the pledge of allegiance, and the presidential election this November. Without saying the exact words "vote for Republicans, vote for George W. Bush" the pastor nonetheless made it very clear that we should do so. It was the most disgusting show of partisanship and twisted history making I've ever seen in a church. I would feel the same way even if I agreed with all of the pastor's beliefs on these matters.
What all of this reminds me of however, is how unbelievably lucky we are to be Americans. To be citizens of a country founded by geniuses who, while predominantly of the Christian faith, realized the importance of religious tolerance and designed a country where religious freedom FOR ALL could be realized. They did not try to force their particular faith down anyone's throat. Granted, we get off track sometimes, but those genius founding fathers made it difficult for us to screw it up too bad. God Bless them.
I visited the Victory Christian Church in Tulsa today for their Fourth of July "One Nation Under God" celebration. Victory is a fundamentalist Christian mega-church that is closely associated with Oral Roberts University and is led by Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty and his wife, Pastor Sharon. Today's church extravaganza included parades of flags, veterans, multimedia presentations, patriotic songs and a beautiful, multiracial children's choir. The first 20 minutes of the patriotic celebration was moving - a bit over the top - but moving and appropriate. Then it got ugly.
At the midpoint in the 90-minute festivity the program turned into a twisted remake of American history and an outrageously partisan political monologue by the pastor. There was a series of vignettes of moments in American history that "proved" that the United States was a Christian nation. The point was repeatedly made that our Constitution protects "the church" from interference from the Government but DOES NOT protect the Government from religion, or God (as defined by them). De-frocked One of the most blatant misrepresentations on history was a point made a couple of times - that the "discoverers of America" were Christians who "founded America for Jesus". You'd think, that right here in the state with the largest Native American population, that we'd remember who was here first. The answer by the way is not "Christian missionaries".
Judge Roy Moore of Alabama was held up as a shining example. The event was capped of with instructions from the pastor regarding upcoming votes on traditional marriage, abortion, the pledge of allegiance, and the presidential election this November. Without saying the exact words "vote for Republicans, vote for George W. Bush" the pastor nonetheless made it very clear that we should do so. It was the most disgusting show of partisanship and twisted history making I've ever seen in a church. I would feel the same way even if I agreed with all of the pastor's beliefs on these matters.
What all of this reminds me of however, is how unbelievably lucky we are to be Americans. To be citizens of a country founded by geniuses who, while predominantly of the Christian faith, realized the importance of religious tolerance and designed a country where religious freedom FOR ALL could be realized. They did not try to force their particular faith down anyone's throat. Granted, we get off track sometimes, but those genius founding fathers made it difficult for us to screw it up too bad. God Bless them.
Friday, June 25, 2004
The Swooshing Heard Round the World
Who'd a thunk that a little masturbating under the desk would get worldwide attention? As the UK's Reuters wire service reports (notice the headline):
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - An Oklahoma state judge frequently masturbated and used a device for enhancing erections while his court was in session, charges a petition by the state's attorney general seeking his removal ... Several witnesses, including jurors in Thompson's court and police officers called to testify in trials, said in the petition they heard the "swooshing" sound of a penis pump during trials and saw the judge slumped in his chair, with his elbows on his knees, working the device.
What is a penis pump anyway? Is having a judge masturbate during your trial grounds for a mistrial?
Who'd a thunk that a little masturbating under the desk would get worldwide attention? As the UK's Reuters wire service reports (notice the headline):
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - An Oklahoma state judge frequently masturbated and used a device for enhancing erections while his court was in session, charges a petition by the state's attorney general seeking his removal ... Several witnesses, including jurors in Thompson's court and police officers called to testify in trials, said in the petition they heard the "swooshing" sound of a penis pump during trials and saw the judge slumped in his chair, with his elbows on his knees, working the device.
What is a penis pump anyway? Is having a judge masturbate during your trial grounds for a mistrial?
Grumpy Old Men (and Women)
I ran into a grumpy old man in overalls today that cussed me out. I had been driving to a hardware store to pick up some lumber and got behind this guy in a faded blue van with a "I Pledge Allegiance" bumper sticker on his bumper. He was apparently confused because he was driving about 5 mph and coming to intermittent stops in the middle of the street. I was close to giving him a toot when he decided to pull in at the same store I was headed to. As soon as he got out of his van he started calling me a "stupid idiot" and worse = apparently unhappy that I had been following him too closely. I listened for a few seconds before telling him he needed some manners and went on into the store, purchased what I wanted and as I left he again spewed forth an invective that was choked with a deep anger. This guy was probably in his 70s, so I couldn't give him what he deserved - but the degree of pure, hostile aggression in this old fellow was something I've seen, or noticed, a lot lately.
Just last week I was working out on the treadmill at the gym when a very old man using a walker hobbled up to the front of the exercise room and in front of about a dozen people watching two wall-mounted TVs, changed both TVs to Fox News, looked at us like he was daring us to do something about it, and then hobbled out of the room. We all just looked at each other as if to say, "he's old, what can you do?"
Why do old folks get cranky and angry? Is is because they've tired of holding their tongues? Do they think they deserve something from others and have the right to behave badly just because they passed 60, or 70,or whatever? James Hillman has some advice to us on how to grow old gracefully without upsetting everyone else.
By the way, if any of you are wondering if the old man in the van was related to you, his tag # was Oklahoma #INM-044.
I ran into a grumpy old man in overalls today that cussed me out. I had been driving to a hardware store to pick up some lumber and got behind this guy in a faded blue van with a "I Pledge Allegiance" bumper sticker on his bumper. He was apparently confused because he was driving about 5 mph and coming to intermittent stops in the middle of the street. I was close to giving him a toot when he decided to pull in at the same store I was headed to. As soon as he got out of his van he started calling me a "stupid idiot" and worse = apparently unhappy that I had been following him too closely. I listened for a few seconds before telling him he needed some manners and went on into the store, purchased what I wanted and as I left he again spewed forth an invective that was choked with a deep anger. This guy was probably in his 70s, so I couldn't give him what he deserved - but the degree of pure, hostile aggression in this old fellow was something I've seen, or noticed, a lot lately.
Just last week I was working out on the treadmill at the gym when a very old man using a walker hobbled up to the front of the exercise room and in front of about a dozen people watching two wall-mounted TVs, changed both TVs to Fox News, looked at us like he was daring us to do something about it, and then hobbled out of the room. We all just looked at each other as if to say, "he's old, what can you do?"
Why do old folks get cranky and angry? Is is because they've tired of holding their tongues? Do they think they deserve something from others and have the right to behave badly just because they passed 60, or 70,or whatever? James Hillman has some advice to us on how to grow old gracefully without upsetting everyone else.
By the way, if any of you are wondering if the old man in the van was related to you, his tag # was Oklahoma #INM-044.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Just the Facts, You Decide
Just moments ago I was watching CNN and heard a report that President Clinton's biography had set a new record for first day sales of a nonfiction book. Then I flipped to Brit Hume on Fox and he was saying Clinton's book wasn't doing so well and named several bookstores in cities where there weren't lines to buy the book. This is so typical of the skewing of news. Either the book broke sales records or it didn't!! Who was right?
Just moments ago I was watching CNN and heard a report that President Clinton's biography had set a new record for first day sales of a nonfiction book. Then I flipped to Brit Hume on Fox and he was saying Clinton's book wasn't doing so well and named several bookstores in cities where there weren't lines to buy the book. This is so typical of the skewing of news. Either the book broke sales records or it didn't!! Who was right?
Condolences
OkiePundit's condolences to the family of Kim Sun-il, the South Korean interpreter murdered by terrorists in Iraq. Condolences also to Nick Berg's and Paul Johnson's families - American hostages that were murdered by sub-human lunatics.
I know most Muslims don't support the kind of outrageous cruelty being perpetrated in their name by these terrorists but I think Muslims need to be more outspoken in their opposition to it. Perception is reality and Islam is really looking bad as we see in this article from the Korea Times. I don't know if the faith will ever recover from its bad image - brought on by members of its own community.
OkiePundit's condolences to the family of Kim Sun-il, the South Korean interpreter murdered by terrorists in Iraq. Condolences also to Nick Berg's and Paul Johnson's families - American hostages that were murdered by sub-human lunatics.
I know most Muslims don't support the kind of outrageous cruelty being perpetrated in their name by these terrorists but I think Muslims need to be more outspoken in their opposition to it. Perception is reality and Islam is really looking bad as we see in this article from the Korea Times. I don't know if the faith will ever recover from its bad image - brought on by members of its own community.
The Green Country Conservative
I just received a "newspaper" in the mail purporting to be the "Green Country Conservative" but the newspaper seems to be a campaign piece from the Bill Wortman for Congress Campaign. In fact, the return address for the "Green Country Conservative" newspaper IS the Wortman Campaign HQ. Inside the newspaper there is an article titled "An Interview with Republican Candidate for Congress Bill Wortman - Bill Wortman sat down with the Editors of the ""Green Country Conservative"" and spent a couple of hours discussing issues" This is an example of what's known in the advertising industry as "borrowed legitimacy" - using the appearance of a trusted medium such as newspapers, radio etc to lend credibility to an advertising message. Advertisers (and political candidates) try to make their ads look like its coming from an objective third-party medium. While most people are intelligent enough to see through this deceptive tactic - many are not. Why else would advertisers continue to use the deception?
Ironically, inside this "newspaper" Wortman, er, the "Green Country Conservative" reprints a story from the Tulsa World about Congressman John Sullivan's (Wortman's opponent in the primary) staff members calling in to talk shows Sullivan is on and using fake names to ask the Congressman softball questions. At the bottom of this story Wortman is qouted as saying, "this shows the institutional dishonesty pervasive in Sullivan's political career". Perhaps true, but odd coming from a candidate trying to make his political ad look like a third party newspaper.
Wortman doesn't like Sullivan's claim to be a businessman either - pointing out that Sullivan was a real estate agent that only sold 8 houses in 3 years. Then, in an attempt to win the government employees vote, Wortman says "I don't believe our government should be run by rejects from the business community." Besides unfairly painting those who dedicate their careers to public service, this statement is just plain stupid.
What really gets me is a little table that shows Sullivan's alledged arrests for assault, loitering, and drunkeness - all charges from pre-1985!! Almost 20 years ago! Sullivan must have been a teenager or college-age at that time. I've got news for you Mr. Wortman - people change. If Sullivan assaulted someone five years ago then that would be news. As a Christian (Wortman makes sure we know he's Christian) you'd think Wortman would believe in a person's capacity to turn over a new leaf and to not throw stones at a man for 20-year-old bad behavior. It's really distasteful to bring up old charges like this.
The scariest facet of Wortman's campaign is that he thinks Sullivan is not conservative enough! As proof, Wortman points out that Sullivan voted for the National Endowment of the Arts budget. Do you have to be anti-art or anti-civilization to be a conservative these days? Is business all that matters? Just when I thought Sullivan was a far right extremist Wortman reminds us that - it could be worse. Maybe Sullivan isn't so bad after all? At least until a moderate comes along.
I just received a "newspaper" in the mail purporting to be the "Green Country Conservative" but the newspaper seems to be a campaign piece from the Bill Wortman for Congress Campaign. In fact, the return address for the "Green Country Conservative" newspaper IS the Wortman Campaign HQ. Inside the newspaper there is an article titled "An Interview with Republican Candidate for Congress Bill Wortman - Bill Wortman sat down with the Editors of the ""Green Country Conservative"" and spent a couple of hours discussing issues" This is an example of what's known in the advertising industry as "borrowed legitimacy" - using the appearance of a trusted medium such as newspapers, radio etc to lend credibility to an advertising message. Advertisers (and political candidates) try to make their ads look like its coming from an objective third-party medium. While most people are intelligent enough to see through this deceptive tactic - many are not. Why else would advertisers continue to use the deception?
Ironically, inside this "newspaper" Wortman, er, the "Green Country Conservative" reprints a story from the Tulsa World about Congressman John Sullivan's (Wortman's opponent in the primary) staff members calling in to talk shows Sullivan is on and using fake names to ask the Congressman softball questions. At the bottom of this story Wortman is qouted as saying, "this shows the institutional dishonesty pervasive in Sullivan's political career". Perhaps true, but odd coming from a candidate trying to make his political ad look like a third party newspaper.
Wortman doesn't like Sullivan's claim to be a businessman either - pointing out that Sullivan was a real estate agent that only sold 8 houses in 3 years. Then, in an attempt to win the government employees vote, Wortman says "I don't believe our government should be run by rejects from the business community." Besides unfairly painting those who dedicate their careers to public service, this statement is just plain stupid.
What really gets me is a little table that shows Sullivan's alledged arrests for assault, loitering, and drunkeness - all charges from pre-1985!! Almost 20 years ago! Sullivan must have been a teenager or college-age at that time. I've got news for you Mr. Wortman - people change. If Sullivan assaulted someone five years ago then that would be news. As a Christian (Wortman makes sure we know he's Christian) you'd think Wortman would believe in a person's capacity to turn over a new leaf and to not throw stones at a man for 20-year-old bad behavior. It's really distasteful to bring up old charges like this.
The scariest facet of Wortman's campaign is that he thinks Sullivan is not conservative enough! As proof, Wortman points out that Sullivan voted for the National Endowment of the Arts budget. Do you have to be anti-art or anti-civilization to be a conservative these days? Is business all that matters? Just when I thought Sullivan was a far right extremist Wortman reminds us that - it could be worse. Maybe Sullivan isn't so bad after all? At least until a moderate comes along.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Young Jerks
We are fortunate to live in a culture that understands the benefits of queing (getting in line) and waiting our turn. It's not always observed. Today I was watching a cute little girl walking up to a snowcone hut in Tulsa - you could see the joyful anticipation in her eyes. Just as she neared the hut a car screeched to a stop near the hut and a young guy with a goatee jumped out and ran to get in front of the little girl and order snowcones for himself and his girlfriend who was driving the car. This thoughtless young couple were driving a car with Oklahoma tag# 727-CLC.
We are fortunate to live in a culture that understands the benefits of queing (getting in line) and waiting our turn. It's not always observed. Today I was watching a cute little girl walking up to a snowcone hut in Tulsa - you could see the joyful anticipation in her eyes. Just as she neared the hut a car screeched to a stop near the hut and a young guy with a goatee jumped out and ran to get in front of the little girl and order snowcones for himself and his girlfriend who was driving the car. This thoughtless young couple were driving a car with Oklahoma tag# 727-CLC.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Beheading Craze
The Islamic terrorists that have beheaded Americans in recent weeks and are now threatening to murder a South Korean kidnap victim in Iraq are just about as evil as evil can get. Oddly enough, they claim to be doing this for religious purposes. The sad thing is they seem to want to provoke an Islam vs the West world war - what some in the West call a "clash of civilizations". We in the West must refuse to give them this war they seek. Yes, I want us to get these particular low-lifes and do justice but the notion of turning the other cheek as espoused by Jesus is the wise way. As you see, it's not just Christians who teach this way.
Here's an interesting take on who Al Qaeda wants to win the election this November.
The Islamic terrorists that have beheaded Americans in recent weeks and are now threatening to murder a South Korean kidnap victim in Iraq are just about as evil as evil can get. Oddly enough, they claim to be doing this for religious purposes. The sad thing is they seem to want to provoke an Islam vs the West world war - what some in the West call a "clash of civilizations". We in the West must refuse to give them this war they seek. Yes, I want us to get these particular low-lifes and do justice but the notion of turning the other cheek as espoused by Jesus is the wise way. As you see, it's not just Christians who teach this way.
Here's an interesting take on who Al Qaeda wants to win the election this November.
Strange Thinking at the Oklahoma Election Board
Further to the Oklahoma Election Board's decision to kick Bradshaw off the ballot, KFOR reports:
Board member Tom Prince says it would ``create chaos'' if Republicans and Democrats could bypass the primaries and file for office as independents without changing their registration.
The KFOR report also makes reference to a state law that "would have required Bradshaw to be registered as an independent for six months before filing for office."
It seems that the State Legislature (dominated by Democrats and Republican) enacted a new law to further restrict the right to run as an independent and independent of party platforms. Tom Prince's argument that it would be unfair for people registered as a party member to run as an independent and thus "bypass the primaries" puts forth the premise that by doing so independents would be unfairly advantaged. The logic of that premise escapes me. How often have independents been able to overcome the party machines in Oklahoma to win election? Is this really a problem in our state? Last time I checked there were 0 independents in the State Legislature.
Further to the Oklahoma Election Board's decision to kick Bradshaw off the ballot, KFOR reports:
Board member Tom Prince says it would ``create chaos'' if Republicans and Democrats could bypass the primaries and file for office as independents without changing their registration.
The KFOR report also makes reference to a state law that "would have required Bradshaw to be registered as an independent for six months before filing for office."
It seems that the State Legislature (dominated by Democrats and Republican) enacted a new law to further restrict the right to run as an independent and independent of party platforms. Tom Prince's argument that it would be unfair for people registered as a party member to run as an independent and thus "bypass the primaries" puts forth the premise that by doing so independents would be unfairly advantaged. The logic of that premise escapes me. How often have independents been able to overcome the party machines in Oklahoma to win election? Is this really a problem in our state? Last time I checked there were 0 independents in the State Legislature.