Monday, March 03, 2003
The Principality of Gaffalot is an idealistic new micronation that was formed by a group of disgrunteled cockfighters, sick and tired of the disgusting acts of their government. Gaffalot has been an interesting new experiment so far, it is moving towards become one of the worlds only participatory monarchy and the present ruler, Prince Frank Shurdum (who doesn't usually write about himself in third person) has passed a number of controversial laws including the legalization of cockfighting and bull fighting. 'Gaffalot will be what we make it, and with our best efforts it can be a micronational utopia'.
Saturday, March 01, 2003
Finding Your Legislator in Oklahoma
You can either look for your state senator or representative Monday through Thursday noon at the State Capitol or you can find them online at the following website sponsored by AU. Even if you don't agree with the mission of the AU feel free to use their site to locate your State Legislator with your zip code. If you can't find them at either of these places you should look at the Faculty Club on Lincoln Blvd at lunch hours, in the hotel bars along Lincoln Blvd. after 5 pm, or at the many breakfasts, lunches, dinners and receptions that lobby groups host for the Legislators. These are hard to find though because they aren't advertised.
If you are looking for Senator Frank Shurden or Representative Randall Irwin you should look for them where you hear that democracy is under attack.
You can either look for your state senator or representative Monday through Thursday noon at the State Capitol or you can find them online at the following website sponsored by AU. Even if you don't agree with the mission of the AU feel free to use their site to locate your State Legislator with your zip code. If you can't find them at either of these places you should look at the Faculty Club on Lincoln Blvd at lunch hours, in the hotel bars along Lincoln Blvd. after 5 pm, or at the many breakfasts, lunches, dinners and receptions that lobby groups host for the Legislators. These are hard to find though because they aren't advertised.
If you are looking for Senator Frank Shurden or Representative Randall Irwin you should look for them where you hear that democracy is under attack.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
The Gaylords of Oklahoma City - An Article that won't be seen in Oklahoma.
The Dallasnews.com has an interesting look at the Daily Oklahoman Gaylord Empire in Oklahoma City. As the article points out, the newspaper conglomerate is in transition. Many welcome any opening up of this tightly-controlled family newspaper that has ruled Oklahoma City for a hundred years. The shame is that this article would never appear in Oklahoma, not even in the Tulsa World. Everyone (well, almost everyone) is afraid of crossing the Gaylords.
The Dallasnews.com has an interesting look at the Daily Oklahoman Gaylord Empire in Oklahoma City. As the article points out, the newspaper conglomerate is in transition. Many welcome any opening up of this tightly-controlled family newspaper that has ruled Oklahoma City for a hundred years. The shame is that this article would never appear in Oklahoma, not even in the Tulsa World. Everyone (well, almost everyone) is afraid of crossing the Gaylords.
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Church muscle fights right to vote
Whether or not one thinks Governor Henry's proposed lottery for education is a good idea or not I can see no reasonable argument against letting the people vote on the lottery question. Yet tax-exempt churches and faith-based (all Christian) organizations have suddenly turned on the squeeze and frightened many Legislators to back away from supporting a bill that would put the matter to a public vote. As reported in a KOTV story the churches are determined to not let the people get a chance to decide. While many of us are ambivalent on the lottery issue we cannot be ambivalent about the citizens right to vote on an issue. The churches are acting in an undemocratic fashion and should be ashamed of their attempt to deny us the right to vote.
Sure, this matter should be decided by our Legislators we elected to represent us but like on many controversial issues, the Legislature wants to punt to the public. Given that, let's do their job for them but lets not let the Baptist Church do it for us.
Whether or not one thinks Governor Henry's proposed lottery for education is a good idea or not I can see no reasonable argument against letting the people vote on the lottery question. Yet tax-exempt churches and faith-based (all Christian) organizations have suddenly turned on the squeeze and frightened many Legislators to back away from supporting a bill that would put the matter to a public vote. As reported in a KOTV story the churches are determined to not let the people get a chance to decide. While many of us are ambivalent on the lottery issue we cannot be ambivalent about the citizens right to vote on an issue. The churches are acting in an undemocratic fashion and should be ashamed of their attempt to deny us the right to vote.
Sure, this matter should be decided by our Legislators we elected to represent us but like on many controversial issues, the Legislature wants to punt to the public. Given that, let's do their job for them but lets not let the Baptist Church do it for us.
Tulsa World's Janet Pearson Focuses Attention on Legislature
Janet Pearson, the tireless editorial writer at the Tulsa World, continues to focus attention on the cockfighters' buddies at the Oklahoma Legislature. In the Sunday World she again reveals the underhanded good ol' boy network that has keep the cockfighting issue from being settled. She points out that several urban Senators are voting the cockfighters way, presumably because they are trading their votes on this issue to garner votes on their pet issues. Trouble is, they aren't representing their constituents - which is, after all, what they were elected to do. Citizens are understandably tired of the games Legislators play at the Capitol. Fed-up voters voted in term limits as a result of their disgust. More and more people just don't vote anymore because they have become so disgusted with these Capitol games. The only thing left to do is focus in on the game players like Senators Jerry Smith and Ford of Tulsa with laser-like attention and make them pay at the voting booth.
Janet Pearson, the tireless editorial writer at the Tulsa World, continues to focus attention on the cockfighters' buddies at the Oklahoma Legislature. In the Sunday World she again reveals the underhanded good ol' boy network that has keep the cockfighting issue from being settled. She points out that several urban Senators are voting the cockfighters way, presumably because they are trading their votes on this issue to garner votes on their pet issues. Trouble is, they aren't representing their constituents - which is, after all, what they were elected to do. Citizens are understandably tired of the games Legislators play at the Capitol. Fed-up voters voted in term limits as a result of their disgust. More and more people just don't vote anymore because they have become so disgusted with these Capitol games. The only thing left to do is focus in on the game players like Senators Jerry Smith and Ford of Tulsa with laser-like attention and make them pay at the voting booth.
An Oklahoman's Thoughts on War
I had the pleasure of hearing the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa talk on the subject of whether a upcoming war in Iraq will cost America its soul. The Rev., neither a hawk or a pacifist, made some of the most salient observations I've heard on the subject. Certainly he made more sense than any of the cable TV pundits I've suffered through in recent months. He expressed great concern for both the Allied troops and the Iraqi people who will all suffer but he also asked us to think about what engaging in this particular war will do to the soul of our nation. The Reverend believes war is sometimes a necessary evil but he does not believe this particular war is a just war. I hope he will soon place his discussion on the web. In the meantime, check out his other work.
I had the pleasure of hearing the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa talk on the subject of whether a upcoming war in Iraq will cost America its soul. The Rev., neither a hawk or a pacifist, made some of the most salient observations I've heard on the subject. Certainly he made more sense than any of the cable TV pundits I've suffered through in recent months. He expressed great concern for both the Allied troops and the Iraqi people who will all suffer but he also asked us to think about what engaging in this particular war will do to the soul of our nation. The Reverend believes war is sometimes a necessary evil but he does not believe this particular war is a just war. I hope he will soon place his discussion on the web. In the meantime, check out his other work.
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Greg Main named to head Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center
Again, OkiePundit was half-right! On October 22, 2002 this blog said former Secretary of Commerce, Greg Main, was being promoted as new leader of the OTCC. Yesterday, the OTCC announced his selection. There was talk at the time of combining the OTCC and the Oklahoma Manufacturers' Alliance. That may yet happen, but for the time being we'll take 50%. Greg Main is an excellent selection. He has years of economic development and venture capital experience.
Again, OkiePundit was half-right! On October 22, 2002 this blog said former Secretary of Commerce, Greg Main, was being promoted as new leader of the OTCC. Yesterday, the OTCC announced his selection. There was talk at the time of combining the OTCC and the Oklahoma Manufacturers' Alliance. That may yet happen, but for the time being we'll take 50%. Greg Main is an excellent selection. He has years of economic development and venture capital experience.
Friday, February 21, 2003
Cockfighting Could be Culprit in Spread of Exotic Newcastle disease
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) today called on Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to crack down on the organized cockfighting industry, which operates illegally throughout the United States and which now appears responsible for bringing a highly infectious poultry disease, known as Exotic Newcastle disease (END), to California, Arizona, and Nevada and causing an outbreak that has already cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Oddly enough, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis Howard, has been an outspoken advocate of cockfighting. The webpage of his own agency currently has an alert displayed warning Oklahoma farmers of the threat of Exotic Newcastle disease. Ironically, the alert warns the "gamefowl industry", the euphemism for the underground cockfighting network, to guard against the spread of END.
Howard is currently under fire from agriculture groups in Oklahoma and many have asked Governor Brad Henry to remove Howard from his new cabinet.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) today called on Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to crack down on the organized cockfighting industry, which operates illegally throughout the United States and which now appears responsible for bringing a highly infectious poultry disease, known as Exotic Newcastle disease (END), to California, Arizona, and Nevada and causing an outbreak that has already cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Oddly enough, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis Howard, has been an outspoken advocate of cockfighting. The webpage of his own agency currently has an alert displayed warning Oklahoma farmers of the threat of Exotic Newcastle disease. Ironically, the alert warns the "gamefowl industry", the euphemism for the underground cockfighting network, to guard against the spread of END.
Howard is currently under fire from agriculture groups in Oklahoma and many have asked Governor Brad Henry to remove Howard from his new cabinet.
Senators vote to rewrite an initiative adopted by voters in November by a margin of 124,000 votes.
Following up on our story on the Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee vote to rewrite and weaken the anti-cockfighting bill passed by the citizens last November we have some information on the vote. The Committee approved a bill by Senator Shurden that would decrease the penalty for cockfighting from a felony to a misdemeanor.
The Senators in the Committee did not take a roll call vote but passed the weakening bill out of Committee by voice vote. Observors at the Committee vote do report that the following Senators voted in favor of the bill to weaken the anti-cockfighting law: Charles Ford of Tulsa, Maxine Horner of Tulsa, Mike Johnson of Kingfisher/Oklahoma City, Jerry Smith of Tulsa, and Daisy Lawler of Comanche.
Voting in favor of honoring the law (and the people) as passed by a statewide vote in November were Senators: Mike Morgan D-Stillwater, Cliff Branan R-OKC, Randy Brogden R-Owasso, Jim Williamson R-Tulsa, Monson D-OKC, Jonathan Nichols R-Norman, Nancy Riley R-Tulsa, Mark Snyder R-Edmond, and Cliff Aldridge R- Wagoner. Sen. Mark Snyder, said the public knew what they voted on in November. "The majority has spoken. We have a responsibility to the public to accept their will," Snyder said.
The cockfighters friend, Senator Shurden, said rural Oklahoma had been victimized by a smear campaign by animal rights activists pushing the cockfighting ban. He said the ban passed only because of a heavy vote for it in the metropolitan areas. I suppose he means urban voters either should refrain from voting in statewide elections or their votes should count less than rural votes. Urban voters should take note that several of their Senators voted for Shurden's bill and thus apparently agree with Shurden's odd "logic" of democracy. Urban Legislators that vote in favor of the cockfighters position should be targets for defeat at the polls in the next election.
Shurden's bills can still be defeated on the floor of the Senate and House. Make your calls.
Following up on our story on the Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee vote to rewrite and weaken the anti-cockfighting bill passed by the citizens last November we have some information on the vote. The Committee approved a bill by Senator Shurden that would decrease the penalty for cockfighting from a felony to a misdemeanor.
The Senators in the Committee did not take a roll call vote but passed the weakening bill out of Committee by voice vote. Observors at the Committee vote do report that the following Senators voted in favor of the bill to weaken the anti-cockfighting law: Charles Ford of Tulsa, Maxine Horner of Tulsa, Mike Johnson of Kingfisher/Oklahoma City, Jerry Smith of Tulsa, and Daisy Lawler of Comanche.
Voting in favor of honoring the law (and the people) as passed by a statewide vote in November were Senators: Mike Morgan D-Stillwater, Cliff Branan R-OKC, Randy Brogden R-Owasso, Jim Williamson R-Tulsa, Monson D-OKC, Jonathan Nichols R-Norman, Nancy Riley R-Tulsa, Mark Snyder R-Edmond, and Cliff Aldridge R- Wagoner. Sen. Mark Snyder, said the public knew what they voted on in November. "The majority has spoken. We have a responsibility to the public to accept their will," Snyder said.
The cockfighters friend, Senator Shurden, said rural Oklahoma had been victimized by a smear campaign by animal rights activists pushing the cockfighting ban. He said the ban passed only because of a heavy vote for it in the metropolitan areas. I suppose he means urban voters either should refrain from voting in statewide elections or their votes should count less than rural votes. Urban voters should take note that several of their Senators voted for Shurden's bill and thus apparently agree with Shurden's odd "logic" of democracy. Urban Legislators that vote in favor of the cockfighters position should be targets for defeat at the polls in the next election.
Shurden's bills can still be defeated on the floor of the Senate and House. Make your calls.
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee Shames Itself
The Senate Appropriations Committee today voted to pass Senator Shurden's bill to overturn the vote of the people on cockfighting. This outrageous bill now goes to the entire Senate for a vote. The sheer arrogance of the Senators that voted to ignore the vote of the people is amazing, even by Oklahoma Legislature "standards". We will have a list of those Senators who voted in favor of Shurden's bill here as soon as it is available. In the meantime, call your Senator at 405-524-0126 and let him/her know how outraged we are that they would even consider re-writing and weakening a law that the people just passed through the initiative petition process. We should also call Governor Brad Henry at 405-523-4232 and ask him to publicly say he will veto any bill sent to him that seeks to overturn the will of the people as expressed in their overwhelming vote to ban cockfighting a few months ago.
The Senate Appropriations Committee today voted to pass Senator Shurden's bill to overturn the vote of the people on cockfighting. This outrageous bill now goes to the entire Senate for a vote. The sheer arrogance of the Senators that voted to ignore the vote of the people is amazing, even by Oklahoma Legislature "standards". We will have a list of those Senators who voted in favor of Shurden's bill here as soon as it is available. In the meantime, call your Senator at 405-524-0126 and let him/her know how outraged we are that they would even consider re-writing and weakening a law that the people just passed through the initiative petition process. We should also call Governor Brad Henry at 405-523-4232 and ask him to publicly say he will veto any bill sent to him that seeks to overturn the will of the people as expressed in their overwhelming vote to ban cockfighting a few months ago.
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Don't Miss the Super War II
In Borders bookstore tonight I noticed a Point of Sale display for a book called "Dessert Warfare" the coming war in Iraq. The cover said the book contained all the latest poop on the likely war strategies, the weaponry, the forces on each side, etc. With this book warphiles can closely follow the war as it unfolds and keep tabs on how many points each side scores. I can imagine these people sitting before the TV watching CNN and rapidly flipping through the book to find the likely weapons system or smart bomb that just blew up the building on the screen in front of them. It's all rather ghoulish isn't it? What does this kind of book say about us?
In Borders bookstore tonight I noticed a Point of Sale display for a book called "Dessert Warfare" the coming war in Iraq. The cover said the book contained all the latest poop on the likely war strategies, the weaponry, the forces on each side, etc. With this book warphiles can closely follow the war as it unfolds and keep tabs on how many points each side scores. I can imagine these people sitting before the TV watching CNN and rapidly flipping through the book to find the likely weapons system or smart bomb that just blew up the building on the screen in front of them. It's all rather ghoulish isn't it? What does this kind of book say about us?
The Axis of Confused Principles
William Safire has a good point about the China-Russia-France-Germany Axis inconsistency in principle:
For the past year, the central message that Saddam's protectors have been sending to the United States is: Do not "go it alone." On the contrary, take the multilateral route. Seek the world's support through UN consensus.
.
But when it comes to the weaponry menace on the other side of the world, the message of Paris-Berlin-Moscow-Beijing is exactly the opposite.
Safire points out that the Axis is telling the US to handle the North Korea problem on its own while telling us not to handle Iraq on our own. Beijing and Moscow have been particularly unwilling to lift a finger to help with the nuclear madmen in North Korea, in their own backyard. Russia and China are too interested in business opportunities in North Korea and don't want to spoil their chances.
William Safire has a good point about the China-Russia-France-Germany Axis inconsistency in principle:
For the past year, the central message that Saddam's protectors have been sending to the United States is: Do not "go it alone." On the contrary, take the multilateral route. Seek the world's support through UN consensus.
.
But when it comes to the weaponry menace on the other side of the world, the message of Paris-Berlin-Moscow-Beijing is exactly the opposite.
Safire points out that the Axis is telling the US to handle the North Korea problem on its own while telling us not to handle Iraq on our own. Beijing and Moscow have been particularly unwilling to lift a finger to help with the nuclear madmen in North Korea, in their own backyard. Russia and China are too interested in business opportunities in North Korea and don't want to spoil their chances.
Senator Inhofe and John Erling and Church and State
John Erling of KRMG radio in Tulsa is in a spat with US Senator Jim Inhofe. In a recorded interview with Erling the Senator blasted Erling for criticizing him for his trips to Africa, for not calling in on time for scheduled interviews, etc. The Senator informed Erling he was canceling his periodic on-air discussions and taking his interviews to Erling's more conservative KRMG radio host, Wes Minter. It was an interesting exchange but Inhofe came off as a vindictive brat.
Several months ago I was in an audience when Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty of Tulsa told the audience that Senator Inhofe sets up meetings with African heads of state on the pretense of official discussions and then uses the meetings to proselytize his Christian beliefs and to "bring the Africans to Christ". Whether one believes in Christianity or not, it is certainly not ethical for our elected officials to arrange meetings on the pretense of official discussions and then to promote a certain religious viewpoint. That is a misuse of official standing and position. That is a role for missionaries, not elected officials. This kind of behavior is an illustration of the need for separation of church and state.
John Erling of KRMG radio in Tulsa is in a spat with US Senator Jim Inhofe. In a recorded interview with Erling the Senator blasted Erling for criticizing him for his trips to Africa, for not calling in on time for scheduled interviews, etc. The Senator informed Erling he was canceling his periodic on-air discussions and taking his interviews to Erling's more conservative KRMG radio host, Wes Minter. It was an interesting exchange but Inhofe came off as a vindictive brat.
Several months ago I was in an audience when Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty of Tulsa told the audience that Senator Inhofe sets up meetings with African heads of state on the pretense of official discussions and then uses the meetings to proselytize his Christian beliefs and to "bring the Africans to Christ". Whether one believes in Christianity or not, it is certainly not ethical for our elected officials to arrange meetings on the pretense of official discussions and then to promote a certain religious viewpoint. That is a misuse of official standing and position. That is a role for missionaries, not elected officials. This kind of behavior is an illustration of the need for separation of church and state.
Republicans, Wes Watkins and Worms
The Daily Oklahoman reports today that the national Republican Party donated more than $500,000 to three Oklahoma organizations as part of an arrangement to get leftover campaign money from retired U.S. Rep. Wes Watkins.
The Republicans gave $275,000 to the Oklahoma State University Foundation; $140,000 to Rural Enterprises Inc. in Durant; and $100,000 to the Oklahoma Foundation for Career and Technology Education.
At the end of last year, Watkins still had almost $200,000 in his campaign account. He said he might use the money to establish a charitable organization that would donate fertilizer to poor countries where soil quality inhibits agricultural productivity. This is apparently related to Watkin's latest passion, vermiculture - or worm farming. Watkins wants to farm worms to create fertilizer and sell or give it to Africa. Watkins has made more than one trip to Nigeria in recent years.
The Daily Oklahoman reports today that the national Republican Party donated more than $500,000 to three Oklahoma organizations as part of an arrangement to get leftover campaign money from retired U.S. Rep. Wes Watkins.
The Republicans gave $275,000 to the Oklahoma State University Foundation; $140,000 to Rural Enterprises Inc. in Durant; and $100,000 to the Oklahoma Foundation for Career and Technology Education.
At the end of last year, Watkins still had almost $200,000 in his campaign account. He said he might use the money to establish a charitable organization that would donate fertilizer to poor countries where soil quality inhibits agricultural productivity. This is apparently related to Watkin's latest passion, vermiculture - or worm farming. Watkins wants to farm worms to create fertilizer and sell or give it to Africa. Watkins has made more than one trip to Nigeria in recent years.
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Citizens Against Paper Napkins
The Nuthatch of Arkansas brings the following to our attention: an Oklahoma Legislator has actually introduced a bill to require barbecue restaurants to provide cloth napkins to diners. It's about time that the Oklahoma Legislature tackled this niggling itch of a problem that has festered far too long. Unscrupulous "bar-b-q" eateries began substituting paper napkins for the real thing in the 1970s and today it is a commonly held belief that cloth napkins at a barbecue are, shall we say, like a pinkie ring on a billy-bob.
The Nuthatch of Arkansas brings the following to our attention: an Oklahoma Legislator has actually introduced a bill to require barbecue restaurants to provide cloth napkins to diners. It's about time that the Oklahoma Legislature tackled this niggling itch of a problem that has festered far too long. Unscrupulous "bar-b-q" eateries began substituting paper napkins for the real thing in the 1970s and today it is a commonly held belief that cloth napkins at a barbecue are, shall we say, like a pinkie ring on a billy-bob.
Katherine Taylor
I was half right on the Secretary of Commerce slot - Brad Henry appointed Tulsan Katherine Taylor (not Cathy Taylor) to be his Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. Reports are that Ms. Taylor will be the Secretary for two agencies AND the executive director of Commerce. How one person can do this effectively remains to be seen. Ms. Taylor is very capable and intelligent but no one can do all those jobs and be good at it.
It seems that the Governor now has a cabinet full of attorneys. That can't be good.
I was half right on the Secretary of Commerce slot - Brad Henry appointed Tulsan Katherine Taylor (not Cathy Taylor) to be his Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. Reports are that Ms. Taylor will be the Secretary for two agencies AND the executive director of Commerce. How one person can do this effectively remains to be seen. Ms. Taylor is very capable and intelligent but no one can do all those jobs and be good at it.
It seems that the Governor now has a cabinet full of attorneys. That can't be good.
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Expected
The speculation is that either Jack Mildren or Cathy Taylor will be the new Secretary of Commerce and Tourism in Oklahoma. It seems that it is Governor Brad Henry's intent to combine these two agencies or at least name a Secretary to oversee both agencies. Jack Mildren is a former Lt. Governor and Cathy Taylor is a Tulsa attorney married to the former owner of Thrifty Car Company. Both seem to be capable. Hopefully, the Governor will continue to keep the Secretary and Executive Director positions in each agency separate. It would take a superhuman person to be effective holding both positions simultaneously. Agencies and their regulatory requirements are too complicated for a person to handle both the details and the "vision thing". Lets hope Henry doesn't make the mistake of politicizing agencies with political appointments below the Executive Director levels. Many states have poisoned their bureaucracies by removing professionals and replacing them with political hacks. We can't afford this kind of politics and neither can Henry.
So far, Henry seems to be appointing friends of cronies rather than his cronies. It's an odd strategy.
The speculation is that either Jack Mildren or Cathy Taylor will be the new Secretary of Commerce and Tourism in Oklahoma. It seems that it is Governor Brad Henry's intent to combine these two agencies or at least name a Secretary to oversee both agencies. Jack Mildren is a former Lt. Governor and Cathy Taylor is a Tulsa attorney married to the former owner of Thrifty Car Company. Both seem to be capable. Hopefully, the Governor will continue to keep the Secretary and Executive Director positions in each agency separate. It would take a superhuman person to be effective holding both positions simultaneously. Agencies and their regulatory requirements are too complicated for a person to handle both the details and the "vision thing". Lets hope Henry doesn't make the mistake of politicizing agencies with political appointments below the Executive Director levels. Many states have poisoned their bureaucracies by removing professionals and replacing them with political hacks. We can't afford this kind of politics and neither can Henry.
So far, Henry seems to be appointing friends of cronies rather than his cronies. It's an odd strategy.
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Limey Brit in Oklahoma
The Limey Brit of Dallas tells of his road trip through SE Oklahoma in January. He and Jules wanted to get out of the Big State. Too bad he didn't have more time in Poteau, home of Pansy Kidd Elementary School.
The Limey Brit of Dallas tells of his road trip through SE Oklahoma in January. He and Jules wanted to get out of the Big State. Too bad he didn't have more time in Poteau, home of Pansy Kidd Elementary School.
Voice from the Near East
Welcome to an interesting new blog from and about neighboring Arkansas. The blogger, obviously an insider that knows what's going on in Arkansas government and politics, is performing an important function shedding light on goings-on that aren't covered in the media. Check out LostinRuraldom.
Welcome to an interesting new blog from and about neighboring Arkansas. The blogger, obviously an insider that knows what's going on in Arkansas government and politics, is performing an important function shedding light on goings-on that aren't covered in the media. Check out LostinRuraldom.
Monday, February 10, 2003
Tragic Mixup in Orders
Early reports from Iraq are indicating that a team of USAID staff has been surrounded by Saddam's elite Republican Guard. The USAID team, identified as a "SWAT" unit from Washington DC, was holed up in the small Shiite village of Al' Shuwear approximately 100 km. west of Baghdad. Unnamed sources in Kuwait told reporters that the US Military Command in Qatar was convinced that an unfortunate mixup in orders has created the crisis. Orders to a National Guard unit in Oklahoma to mobilize a rapid-response SWAT team had mistakenly been routed to a grant-writing unit at USAID HQ in DC. Dispatches from a Kurdish underground unit near Al' Shuwear indicated that the USAID bureaucrats had surprised the villagers early Monday when they swooped in and announced to befuddled village leadership that they were from the U.S. Government and were "there to help them."
More when news becomes available.
Early reports from Iraq are indicating that a team of USAID staff has been surrounded by Saddam's elite Republican Guard. The USAID team, identified as a "SWAT" unit from Washington DC, was holed up in the small Shiite village of Al' Shuwear approximately 100 km. west of Baghdad. Unnamed sources in Kuwait told reporters that the US Military Command in Qatar was convinced that an unfortunate mixup in orders has created the crisis. Orders to a National Guard unit in Oklahoma to mobilize a rapid-response SWAT team had mistakenly been routed to a grant-writing unit at USAID HQ in DC. Dispatches from a Kurdish underground unit near Al' Shuwear indicated that the USAID bureaucrats had surprised the villagers early Monday when they swooped in and announced to befuddled village leadership that they were from the U.S. Government and were "there to help them."
More when news becomes available.