Brad Henry Doesn't Like to Talk Negative
A couple of days ago the Tulsa World reprinted an editorial from the Wall Street Journal that flamed Oklahoma State Senator Stratton Taylor for soliciting other trial lawyers around the US to try their cases in Oklahoma because of the no-cap on jury awards to plaintiffs in our state. Stratton Taylor happens to be the Senate Pro Tempore in the Oklahoma Legistlature - in other words, he controls the Senate agenda. He is also a trail lawyer and he grows rich suing companies. He has a vested interest in not letting the Legislature put a cap on jury awards as the Texas Legislature did last year. Now, this is quite outrageous. Our Legislators have put Senator Taylor in position to thwart tort reform knowing full well that this is a full-blown conflict of interest for him. Why would our Legislators act so outrageously? Could it be because many of them are also lawyers?
So, what is Governor Brad Henry going to do about this? Nothing. A big fat nothing. Our so-called economic development Governor cares more about not rocking the boat at the Legislature than he does about fixing one of Oklahoma's worst problems. When the Tulsa World asked the Gov what he thought about Stratton Taylor's letter and the horrible publicity it brought Oklahoma all he could say was that he didn't want to "talk negative" but wanted to talk about what is good about Oklahoma. So Governor Henry wants to bury his head in the sand and ignore serious problems such as tort reform and the fact that it drives business (except lawyers) out of the state? Could the fact that the Governor (and seemingly everyone in his cabinet) is a lawyer and a good buddy of former colleague Stratton Taylor have anything to do with the Governor's unwillingness to face the problem head-on?
The Governor and his Democratic Party need to get real on this issue. They need to repudiate Taylor and this conflict of interest and address tort reform. The Governor needs to remove his rose-colored glasses and stop paying lip service to economic development.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Mad Cows and Lobbyists
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman assures us that the risk of mad cow disease in the US is very low. I hope she is right, but knowing that her most recent career was as a lobbyist for the cattle industry doesn't do anything to assure me.
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman assures us that the risk of mad cow disease in the US is very low. I hope she is right, but knowing that her most recent career was as a lobbyist for the cattle industry doesn't do anything to assure me.
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Dick Cheney Kills 70
As reported by the HSUS:
Upon his (Cheney) arrival at the exclusive Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier Township, gamekeepers released 500 pen-raised pheasants from nets for the benefit of him and his party. In a blaze of gunfire, the group—which included legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), along with major fundraisers for Republican candidates—killed at least 417 of the birds. According to one gamekeeper who spoke to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cheney was credited with shooting more than 70 of the pen-reared fowl.
As reported by the HSUS:
Upon his (Cheney) arrival at the exclusive Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier Township, gamekeepers released 500 pen-raised pheasants from nets for the benefit of him and his party. In a blaze of gunfire, the group—which included legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), along with major fundraisers for Republican candidates—killed at least 417 of the birds. According to one gamekeeper who spoke to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cheney was credited with shooting more than 70 of the pen-reared fowl.
PETA
The group called the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and OkiePundit share a general interest in humane treatment of animals but PETA's tactics are very detrimental to the humane movement. They use shocking tactics that do nothing but fuel the erroneous stereotype of the misanthrope humanitarian (talk about oxymoron). I know a lot of humanitarians, animal-rights activists, vegetarians, etc in Oklahoma and I don't know any that would fit in the universe of PETA. The ones I know care about both humans and animals (non-humans).
PETA seems to be a Hollywood-oriented group of people whose hearts are in the right place but have not a clue about persuasion or a shred of common sense. I sometimes wonder if PETA isn't secretly funded by the NRA in an effort to discredit humanitarians. For the reasonable person I would refer you to the Humane Society of the United States - a much larger, and saner organization.
The group called the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and OkiePundit share a general interest in humane treatment of animals but PETA's tactics are very detrimental to the humane movement. They use shocking tactics that do nothing but fuel the erroneous stereotype of the misanthrope humanitarian (talk about oxymoron). I know a lot of humanitarians, animal-rights activists, vegetarians, etc in Oklahoma and I don't know any that would fit in the universe of PETA. The ones I know care about both humans and animals (non-humans).
PETA seems to be a Hollywood-oriented group of people whose hearts are in the right place but have not a clue about persuasion or a shred of common sense. I sometimes wonder if PETA isn't secretly funded by the NRA in an effort to discredit humanitarians. For the reasonable person I would refer you to the Humane Society of the United States - a much larger, and saner organization.
Rising Tide of Vicious Blogs
Have you noticed the growing number of really vicious blogs out there? It's great to have strong opinions voiced through blogging but some bloggers don't even pretend to reason. An example of the kind of blog I'm talking about can be found at Dog Snot (aptly named). It's full of foul language (warning) and hate but it's the kind of blog we see more of these days. While political extremists on both the left and right are falling into this genre an unscientific survey indicates that bloggers on the extreme right are most numerous. There's a lot of angry people out there but the depth of the viciousness we see in these blogs is enough to be worrisome.
Have you noticed the growing number of really vicious blogs out there? It's great to have strong opinions voiced through blogging but some bloggers don't even pretend to reason. An example of the kind of blog I'm talking about can be found at Dog Snot (aptly named). It's full of foul language (warning) and hate but it's the kind of blog we see more of these days. While political extremists on both the left and right are falling into this genre an unscientific survey indicates that bloggers on the extreme right are most numerous. There's a lot of angry people out there but the depth of the viciousness we see in these blogs is enough to be worrisome.
Thursday, December 18, 2003
Tar Creek
Wow! The Tulsa World is all over US Senator Jim Inhofe on his opposition to buying out the residents of Superfund Site Tar Creek. The World has run a five-part series on the controversy and at least two editorials in recent days. According to the World Inhofe wants to spend $45 million more to try to clean up the site or sell the homes to some company that for some unexplained reason wants to buy homes in a Superfund site. Governor Henry seems to want the feds to buy out the Tar Creek residents but Inhofe says the Governor doesn't really want that. Congressman Brad Carson (who is running against Inhofe's buddy, Kirk Humphries, for US Senate) also wants a buyout for the residents.
The very suspicious part of this story is how Inhofe brought Bush's new Secretary of the EPA into the Tar Creek site the day before Thanksgiving - all in secrecy and without meeting with any of the locals - because Inhofe didn't want them embarrassing the new EPA chief. Like that's the most important thing to worry about while hundreds of families are living in a toxic waste site.
Wow! The Tulsa World is all over US Senator Jim Inhofe on his opposition to buying out the residents of Superfund Site Tar Creek. The World has run a five-part series on the controversy and at least two editorials in recent days. According to the World Inhofe wants to spend $45 million more to try to clean up the site or sell the homes to some company that for some unexplained reason wants to buy homes in a Superfund site. Governor Henry seems to want the feds to buy out the Tar Creek residents but Inhofe says the Governor doesn't really want that. Congressman Brad Carson (who is running against Inhofe's buddy, Kirk Humphries, for US Senate) also wants a buyout for the residents.
The very suspicious part of this story is how Inhofe brought Bush's new Secretary of the EPA into the Tar Creek site the day before Thanksgiving - all in secrecy and without meeting with any of the locals - because Inhofe didn't want them embarrassing the new EPA chief. Like that's the most important thing to worry about while hundreds of families are living in a toxic waste site.
Travelling PR Man
Word on the Street is that Jim East, formerly of Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage's office, then Government PR man for the Benham Group, then PR "consultant" for the Tulsa Vision 2025 campaign has a new job - working for the husband of Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Kathy Taylor. He owns a couple of rental car companies. Word in the public sector is that they're glad East is back in the private sector.
Word on the Street is that Jim East, formerly of Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage's office, then Government PR man for the Benham Group, then PR "consultant" for the Tulsa Vision 2025 campaign has a new job - working for the husband of Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Kathy Taylor. He owns a couple of rental car companies. Word in the public sector is that they're glad East is back in the private sector.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
OSU Faculty Unhappy with Schmidly's Strategic Plan
The Daily O'Collegian of OSU has a story in today's edition wherein several faculty members describe OSU President Schmidley's strategic plan as a disaster and his administration a "mushroom administration". Good thing those professors are tenured.
As the O'Colly points out, "The university is paying a consultant $150,000 plus expenses to help with the (strategic) planning and $20,000 plus expenses to audit the university's integrated marketing efforts. The consultant, Mary Chicoine, was Texas Tech's strategic planning adviser during Schmidly's tenure there. "
As OkiePundit has previously reported, Schmidley, who came from Texas Tech last year has surrounded himself with old friends and acquaintancesnces from his Texas days. OSU faculty and students report deep frustration over the president's apparent belief that the yokels in Oklahoma need an imported army of Texans to tell them how to run a university.
The Daily O'Collegian of OSU has a story in today's edition wherein several faculty members describe OSU President Schmidley's strategic plan as a disaster and his administration a "mushroom administration". Good thing those professors are tenured.
As the O'Colly points out, "The university is paying a consultant $150,000 plus expenses to help with the (strategic) planning and $20,000 plus expenses to audit the university's integrated marketing efforts. The consultant, Mary Chicoine, was Texas Tech's strategic planning adviser during Schmidly's tenure there. "
As OkiePundit has previously reported, Schmidley, who came from Texas Tech last year has surrounded himself with old friends and acquaintancesnces from his Texas days. OSU faculty and students report deep frustration over the president's apparent belief that the yokels in Oklahoma need an imported army of Texans to tell them how to run a university.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Snow
There's a soft snow in Oklahoma tonight. Even in the city it's quiet. Only a few cars are on the streets - even then, the sound of the machine is muffled by dense snow. Only the crack of wind-whipped flags can be heard.
There's a soft snow in Oklahoma tonight. Even in the city it's quiet. Only a few cars are on the streets - even then, the sound of the machine is muffled by dense snow. Only the crack of wind-whipped flags can be heard.
Gore endorses Howard Dean
So what? I agree with Gore on a number of issues but not on his choice for the Democratic nominee. Howard is too angry to be Prez. He would do to the nation what Bush has done to it - polarize the people - and alienate the rest of the world. No thanks.
So what? I agree with Gore on a number of issues but not on his choice for the Democratic nominee. Howard is too angry to be Prez. He would do to the nation what Bush has done to it - polarize the people - and alienate the rest of the world. No thanks.
Sunday, December 07, 2003
You Must Pay for the privilege
Sometimes it's difficult to figure out if commerce is making our lives easier or figuring new ways to rip us off. I dashed into a Taco Bell today to buy a quick dinner for the family and ran into a new twist. I didn't have enough cash with me so I was hoping they'd accept a credit card. When I asked the teenager-in-charge if his fine establishment would honor my credit card he pointed to an ATM machine near the doorway. The look on his face said he pitied my inability to just know these things.
Reading the hieroglyphics on the ATM I see that it does not dispense cash. One slides one's debit or credit card through the unit and asks for a credit at the cashier. It says you will get some change if your purchase is less than the credit you request. I was still reading all this when I noticed a small sign at the cashiers that advised that I would pay a $1.25 fee for using this "ATM". So I'm supposed to pay Taco Bell $1.25 so I can buy $8.00 of their refried beans? No thanks, I thought, and I left for the grocery next door. As I did I wondered if Taco Bell would find enough fools to make this system work. I hope not.
Sometimes it's difficult to figure out if commerce is making our lives easier or figuring new ways to rip us off. I dashed into a Taco Bell today to buy a quick dinner for the family and ran into a new twist. I didn't have enough cash with me so I was hoping they'd accept a credit card. When I asked the teenager-in-charge if his fine establishment would honor my credit card he pointed to an ATM machine near the doorway. The look on his face said he pitied my inability to just know these things.
Reading the hieroglyphics on the ATM I see that it does not dispense cash. One slides one's debit or credit card through the unit and asks for a credit at the cashier. It says you will get some change if your purchase is less than the credit you request. I was still reading all this when I noticed a small sign at the cashiers that advised that I would pay a $1.25 fee for using this "ATM". So I'm supposed to pay Taco Bell $1.25 so I can buy $8.00 of their refried beans? No thanks, I thought, and I left for the grocery next door. As I did I wondered if Taco Bell would find enough fools to make this system work. I hope not.
Friday, December 05, 2003
It was a boy!
One story all over the media yesterday was the shocking news that a 425-million-year-old fossil crustacean found in England had a penis. It's the oldest penis ever found in the fossil record. This is because the soft tissued genetalia do not usually fossilize. Of course we are speaking of pre-Viagra epochs here. The first uncomfortable thought I had when I heard this news was what if this happened to me? I just hope they don't find my remains in 400 million years.
One story all over the media yesterday was the shocking news that a 425-million-year-old fossil crustacean found in England had a penis. It's the oldest penis ever found in the fossil record. This is because the soft tissued genetalia do not usually fossilize. Of course we are speaking of pre-Viagra epochs here. The first uncomfortable thought I had when I heard this news was what if this happened to me? I just hope they don't find my remains in 400 million years.
If the Primary were Today (but it's not)
According to an e-mail from the Lieberman for President Campaign a Daily Oklahoman poll found that if the primary vote were held today, the Democrats would vote for:
The Daily Oklahoman Poll Results
Lieberman 10 %
Clark 9
Dean 9
Gephardt 8
Kerry 5
Edwards 3
Sharpton 2
Braun 2
Kucinich 1
I think this bodes well for Wes Clark who just having gotten started is neck and neck with Dean and just one percentage point behind Lieberman.
According to an e-mail from the Lieberman for President Campaign a Daily Oklahoman poll found that if the primary vote were held today, the Democrats would vote for:
The Daily Oklahoman Poll Results
Lieberman 10 %
Clark 9
Dean 9
Gephardt 8
Kerry 5
Edwards 3
Sharpton 2
Braun 2
Kucinich 1
I think this bodes well for Wes Clark who just having gotten started is neck and neck with Dean and just one percentage point behind Lieberman.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Kwikset May Leave
Black and Decker's Kwikset Lock Company in Bristow is considering moving its plant out of the US to lower costs. This would put 1,000 people out of work and endanger Bristow's survival. Black and Decker is one of the multinational corporations that has stopped manufacturing anything of its own and turned itself into a brand marketer. They do not move jobs to places like Mexico and China they get out of the jobs business altogether by contracting out all manufacturing. In China Black and Decker drives such hard bargains that even their Chinese subcontractors make virtually nothing - and pay their Chinese employees next to nothing. These multinationals are ruthless to both Americans and to Chinese and Mexicans. But whose to blame? We consumers are. It is our choice to purchase either the cheapest items at Wal-Mart or to look at the label and pay a little more for goods made in our own country.
It's up to you.
Black and Decker's Kwikset Lock Company in Bristow is considering moving its plant out of the US to lower costs. This would put 1,000 people out of work and endanger Bristow's survival. Black and Decker is one of the multinational corporations that has stopped manufacturing anything of its own and turned itself into a brand marketer. They do not move jobs to places like Mexico and China they get out of the jobs business altogether by contracting out all manufacturing. In China Black and Decker drives such hard bargains that even their Chinese subcontractors make virtually nothing - and pay their Chinese employees next to nothing. These multinationals are ruthless to both Americans and to Chinese and Mexicans. But whose to blame? We consumers are. It is our choice to purchase either the cheapest items at Wal-Mart or to look at the label and pay a little more for goods made in our own country.
It's up to you.
Senator Shurden does it Again
It seems that Henryetta's State Senator Frank Shurden has come down on the wrong side yet again. He was reportedly the author of a bill that makes it illegal for municipal police to confiscate illegal firearms. The bill was passed by the Oklahoma Legislature and is now the law. The Police say this Shurden Law ties their hands in their effort to crack down on gangs.
Senator Shurden has been bad news for Oklahoma since he was sent to the Legislature. As mentioned before in this blog, this goober has spent his time making a laughing stock of Oklahoma by trying to, among other things, legalize castration of some criminals, defending the loathsome cockfighters, and doing whatever the NRA wants him to do. Now he wants to protect carriers of illegal firearms? And we pay him tens of thousands of dollars for this?
It seems that Henryetta's State Senator Frank Shurden has come down on the wrong side yet again. He was reportedly the author of a bill that makes it illegal for municipal police to confiscate illegal firearms. The bill was passed by the Oklahoma Legislature and is now the law. The Police say this Shurden Law ties their hands in their effort to crack down on gangs.
Senator Shurden has been bad news for Oklahoma since he was sent to the Legislature. As mentioned before in this blog, this goober has spent his time making a laughing stock of Oklahoma by trying to, among other things, legalize castration of some criminals, defending the loathsome cockfighters, and doing whatever the NRA wants him to do. Now he wants to protect carriers of illegal firearms? And we pay him tens of thousands of dollars for this?
Sunday, November 30, 2003
I've had a number of replies regarding my posting regarding the Gospel of John movie and the book "Beyond Belief". For those of you interested in this subject you may find an upcoming webcast of interest as well:
"an upcoming live Webcast series on spirituality.com titled "America the Spiritual." This groundbreaking new series showcases some of today's leading thinkers speaking to the unique phenomenon of the nation's third great spiritual awakening. The first event in the series, "Women and Spirituality - Breaking the Code," will take place on Friday, December 5, at 6:30 pm, Eastern Time
Spirituality.com, www.spirituality.com, is an open-faith community where people from various beliefs and backgrounds share spiritual ideas, inspiration, experiences and prayers. Please consider letting your site visitors know about this exciting series and posting a link to http://www.spirituality.com/americathespiritual/ for more information.
"an upcoming live Webcast series on spirituality.com titled "America the Spiritual." This groundbreaking new series showcases some of today's leading thinkers speaking to the unique phenomenon of the nation's third great spiritual awakening. The first event in the series, "Women and Spirituality - Breaking the Code," will take place on Friday, December 5, at 6:30 pm, Eastern Time
Spirituality.com, www.spirituality.com, is an open-faith community where people from various beliefs and backgrounds share spiritual ideas, inspiration, experiences and prayers. Please consider letting your site visitors know about this exciting series and posting a link to http://www.spirituality.com/americathespiritual/ for more information.
Thursday, November 27, 2003
Oklahoma Legislature Takes Away a Basic Right
Oklahoma is one of 33 states that have, at the request of the National Rifle Association, passed legislation to ban all lawsuits from being brought against gun manufacturers and distributors for damages resulting from their product. So, apparently in our state you can suffer loss of life or limb at the wrong end of a gun and you do not have the right to sue the manufacturer or distributor. Isn't that nice? Thanks again Oklahoma Legislature for watching out for us. I'm sure the NRA's generous political campaign contributions had nothing to do with your action to take away from the voters the basic right to take legal recourse.
Oklahoma is one of 33 states that have, at the request of the National Rifle Association, passed legislation to ban all lawsuits from being brought against gun manufacturers and distributors for damages resulting from their product. So, apparently in our state you can suffer loss of life or limb at the wrong end of a gun and you do not have the right to sue the manufacturer or distributor. Isn't that nice? Thanks again Oklahoma Legislature for watching out for us. I'm sure the NRA's generous political campaign contributions had nothing to do with your action to take away from the voters the basic right to take legal recourse.
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Rubin Gant Still Boohooing over "Stadium"
I was at a neighborhood conference given by the South and East Association of Tulsa (SEAT) last week and heard former athlete Rubin Gant give the keynote speech. His talk was embarrassingly inappropriate for the occasion. He was supposed to talk about neighborhood improvement and all he could talk about was how he thought Tulsa didn't need an 18,000 seat events center in downtown Tulsa. Got news for you Rubin, the people already voted on it - it's a done deal. Get on with your life.
This guy is president of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. For those of you not familiar with Tulsa, Greenwood is adjacent to downtown Tulsa. You'd think this guy would have a clue about what a nearby modern events center ("stadium" to Rubin) would do to boost Greenwood's growth.
I was at a neighborhood conference given by the South and East Association of Tulsa (SEAT) last week and heard former athlete Rubin Gant give the keynote speech. His talk was embarrassingly inappropriate for the occasion. He was supposed to talk about neighborhood improvement and all he could talk about was how he thought Tulsa didn't need an 18,000 seat events center in downtown Tulsa. Got news for you Rubin, the people already voted on it - it's a done deal. Get on with your life.
This guy is president of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. For those of you not familiar with Tulsa, Greenwood is adjacent to downtown Tulsa. You'd think this guy would have a clue about what a nearby modern events center ("stadium" to Rubin) would do to boost Greenwood's growth.
Kirk Humphreys Campaign Staff Grows
Heard today that Marion Free of Lt. Governor Mary Fallin's staff has left and joined the campaign staff of Mayor Kirk Humphreys who is running for US Senate. No confirmation on this.
Speaking of Mary Fallin - is she ready to take on Brad Henry in 2006? Or will Kirk Humphreys run for Governor if he loses the Senate election?
Heard today that Marion Free of Lt. Governor Mary Fallin's staff has left and joined the campaign staff of Mayor Kirk Humphreys who is running for US Senate. No confirmation on this.
Speaking of Mary Fallin - is she ready to take on Brad Henry in 2006? Or will Kirk Humphreys run for Governor if he loses the Senate election?