Remembering Ronald Reagan
My father dragged me to downtown Tulsa's Mayo Hotel in 1968 to get a glimpse of California Governor Ronald Reagan. I was way too young to know what the big deal was but dad stationed me in the entrance so we'd be sure to see him. Reagan, surrounded by his entourage, exited the building in such a rush we didn't get to shake his hand but I saw the dark-haired center-of-attention from a few feet away. He must be important I thought but I had no idea why.
Former President Ronald Reagan visited Oklahoma at least 19 times during his life, according to the Tulsa World. I never saw him in person again.
Sunday, June 06, 2004
T. L. Osborn
Church-going people in Oklahoma (and much of the world) know of Dr. T.L. Osborn, the Tulsa-based evangelist that has spent most of his life evangelizing to the Third World and beyond. People driving through Tulsa in the 1970s and 80s on I-44 saw his modernistic world headquarters near Peoria. As a highschool student I stopped in one time with some fellow skeptics and checked it out. The only thing I remember of the visit was a film that showed a horrifying slaughter and beheading of a goat in some faraway place. Some years ago Osborn sold his distinctive HQ building to Victory Christian Center for $1 and it is now used as a Bible school.
Decades later I heard the now octogenarian (but younger looking) T.L. Osborn speak in person. He's an interesting, though sometimes rambling, speaker with lots of unique insights on how to evangelize in the Third World. He takes a very pragmatic approach to persuading people in other cultures. The most salient point he made was that the hardest thing an evangelist does is to reach unbelievers without offending the believers. While he stated that there was not much difference between Shintoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc - a surprisingly uninformed statement given his long experience in Asia - he pointed out how hard it was to reach Buddhists in Thailand with a message about the need to be "born again". To Buddhists who believe in reincarnation and strive to end the "endless" cycle of rebirth (by achieving enlightenment) - to be "born again" is not something they necessarily desire. So Osborn changed his phraseology in order to reach Thais in a way they could understand what he was trying to say. Other evangelists insist on sticking with Christian terms that mean nothing to non-Christians.
T.L. Osborn wants more than anything to get into China. He said he wants to ask the Chinese leadership why they believe so strongly in Christianity. As the audience puzzles over this assertion Osborn explains that the Communist leaders must believe in Jesus, otherwise why would they try so hard to keep their citizens from being exposed to him.
Still going strong at 83, T.L. Osborn will soon be off for Japan (which has remained stubbornly resistant to his efforts), Central America and Eastern Europe. You have to respect that, even if you don't see eye-to-eye with him.
Church-going people in Oklahoma (and much of the world) know of Dr. T.L. Osborn, the Tulsa-based evangelist that has spent most of his life evangelizing to the Third World and beyond. People driving through Tulsa in the 1970s and 80s on I-44 saw his modernistic world headquarters near Peoria. As a highschool student I stopped in one time with some fellow skeptics and checked it out. The only thing I remember of the visit was a film that showed a horrifying slaughter and beheading of a goat in some faraway place. Some years ago Osborn sold his distinctive HQ building to Victory Christian Center for $1 and it is now used as a Bible school.
Decades later I heard the now octogenarian (but younger looking) T.L. Osborn speak in person. He's an interesting, though sometimes rambling, speaker with lots of unique insights on how to evangelize in the Third World. He takes a very pragmatic approach to persuading people in other cultures. The most salient point he made was that the hardest thing an evangelist does is to reach unbelievers without offending the believers. While he stated that there was not much difference between Shintoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc - a surprisingly uninformed statement given his long experience in Asia - he pointed out how hard it was to reach Buddhists in Thailand with a message about the need to be "born again". To Buddhists who believe in reincarnation and strive to end the "endless" cycle of rebirth (by achieving enlightenment) - to be "born again" is not something they necessarily desire. So Osborn changed his phraseology in order to reach Thais in a way they could understand what he was trying to say. Other evangelists insist on sticking with Christian terms that mean nothing to non-Christians.
T.L. Osborn wants more than anything to get into China. He said he wants to ask the Chinese leadership why they believe so strongly in Christianity. As the audience puzzles over this assertion Osborn explains that the Communist leaders must believe in Jesus, otherwise why would they try so hard to keep their citizens from being exposed to him.
Still going strong at 83, T.L. Osborn will soon be off for Japan (which has remained stubbornly resistant to his efforts), Central America and Eastern Europe. You have to respect that, even if you don't see eye-to-eye with him.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Kirk's Ad
Kirk Humphreys ads have hit the air bigtime. It goes by pretty fast but my memory of the ad is that he doesn't say he is a Republican running for Senate but a "conservative" running for Senate. That's probably as true a statement you'll hear in this upcoming election. But Humphreys is way beyond conservative on the spectrum - he's almost Inhofian. The other interesting aspect of this first TV ad is Kirk's use of the Billy Graham Crusade in Oklahoma City as a reason to vote for him. Presumably Kirk takes credit for getting Graham to come to OKC and presumably religious crusades are now right up there with attracting a $1 billion semiconductor plant to the city (which he didn't). Oklahoma City also got a new Buddhist Temple last year but Kirk didn't mention that.
Kirk Humphreys ads have hit the air bigtime. It goes by pretty fast but my memory of the ad is that he doesn't say he is a Republican running for Senate but a "conservative" running for Senate. That's probably as true a statement you'll hear in this upcoming election. But Humphreys is way beyond conservative on the spectrum - he's almost Inhofian. The other interesting aspect of this first TV ad is Kirk's use of the Billy Graham Crusade in Oklahoma City as a reason to vote for him. Presumably Kirk takes credit for getting Graham to come to OKC and presumably religious crusades are now right up there with attracting a $1 billion semiconductor plant to the city (which he didn't). Oklahoma City also got a new Buddhist Temple last year but Kirk didn't mention that.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Thunderstorm Wind Event hits Oklahoma
A windy, stormy day in Oklahoma. Winds of up to 100 mph hit parts of East and Southeast Oklahoma this afternoon and trees were knocked down across the state. I heard a new word today, a very Oklahoma word - "gustnado". What's a "gustnado" you say? Well, it's not quite a tornado but more than a "dust devil". The NOAA calls it a "Thunderstorm Wind Event".
A windy, stormy day in Oklahoma. Winds of up to 100 mph hit parts of East and Southeast Oklahoma this afternoon and trees were knocked down across the state. I heard a new word today, a very Oklahoma word - "gustnado". What's a "gustnado" you say? Well, it's not quite a tornado but more than a "dust devil". The NOAA calls it a "Thunderstorm Wind Event".
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
The Old Man and the Turkey Baster
I was talking to a 40-ish single mom today about an interesting senior citizen she became acquainted with recently while trying to lead him to the Gospel. The octogenarian is living in a retirement center in Oklahoma City - all but abandoned by his children. His children sold his house to pay for his rent and care at the retirement center and then disappeared. He told my friend he had no idea where his children were - he hadn't heard from them in five years. His only pleasure these days is growing vegetables for his own use and to give away to others at the Center. He's also apparently lonely for other forms of companionship as she described how he had made inappropriate proposals to her during her last proselytizing visit to him.
My friend was afraid to go back to visit him and had heard nothing of him for several weeks. Until today that is - when the police called to ask her if she knew the man. Seems he had been in her neighborhood trying to deliver vegetables to my friend but had gone knocking on the wrong door - the door of a very paranoid old lady that had him picked up by the police - after she beat him with a doorstop. Good thing she didn't have a gun.
Closer to home, the mullets next door decided to try to train their German Shepard to do tricks. Several men wearing cut-off t-shirts have been in their backyard all day trying to teach the dog to squirt them with a turkey baster filled with water. They never were successful (the dog is too smart) but they did kill an entire afternoon with the project. The project came to an end when Scrawny Mom came home and saw her well-teethed baster - and hit one of the men with it. This is much better than the Beverly Hillbillies anyday. Just wish there was an Ellie Mae in the family.
I was talking to a 40-ish single mom today about an interesting senior citizen she became acquainted with recently while trying to lead him to the Gospel. The octogenarian is living in a retirement center in Oklahoma City - all but abandoned by his children. His children sold his house to pay for his rent and care at the retirement center and then disappeared. He told my friend he had no idea where his children were - he hadn't heard from them in five years. His only pleasure these days is growing vegetables for his own use and to give away to others at the Center. He's also apparently lonely for other forms of companionship as she described how he had made inappropriate proposals to her during her last proselytizing visit to him.
My friend was afraid to go back to visit him and had heard nothing of him for several weeks. Until today that is - when the police called to ask her if she knew the man. Seems he had been in her neighborhood trying to deliver vegetables to my friend but had gone knocking on the wrong door - the door of a very paranoid old lady that had him picked up by the police - after she beat him with a doorstop. Good thing she didn't have a gun.
Closer to home, the mullets next door decided to try to train their German Shepard to do tricks. Several men wearing cut-off t-shirts have been in their backyard all day trying to teach the dog to squirt them with a turkey baster filled with water. They never were successful (the dog is too smart) but they did kill an entire afternoon with the project. The project came to an end when Scrawny Mom came home and saw her well-teethed baster - and hit one of the men with it. This is much better than the Beverly Hillbillies anyday. Just wish there was an Ellie Mae in the family.
Monday, May 31, 2004
Important Junk Mail
A fact of life in America today is that the clueless are targets for increasingly sophisticated ways to rip them off. Even the educated have a hard time avoiding scams these days but it is true that a healthy dose of skepticism and a good education are essential to stay out of debt today. One trap that has become very common is the Important Junk Mail phenomenon.
Have you been the recipient of junk mail masquerading as important express mail, telegrams, or notifications that you've won a bundle of cash? The junk mail companies, er, direct mail professionals became tired of having their junk mailings recognized for what they were and tossed in the trash unopened. The solution was to start packaging their junk in important-looking envelopes designed to mislead the recipient into thinking he/she had received something they would actually want - cash winnings, urgent news from family, etc. Here's an example I received today:
OkiePundit recognized the fake express mail nature of the mail piece but I opened it to see who was stooping low to deceive. Inside was an advertisement from Lithia Dodge of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma telling me that I qualified for an "invitation-only" sale of Dodge vehicles!! This sale is not open to the general public I was assured. I am given four 30-minute time slots in the coming week during which I can show up for my exclusive sale AND I am promised that I will either receive $5,000 in cash OR a $500 gift certificate. Gee, I wonder which one I would get? The cash or a coupon for $500 off something I don't want? This tactic used by Lithia is a brilliant way to concentrate their sucker traffic into 30-minute blocks of time for efficient shearing of the sheep.
A fact of life in America today is that the clueless are targets for increasingly sophisticated ways to rip them off. Even the educated have a hard time avoiding scams these days but it is true that a healthy dose of skepticism and a good education are essential to stay out of debt today. One trap that has become very common is the Important Junk Mail phenomenon.
Have you been the recipient of junk mail masquerading as important express mail, telegrams, or notifications that you've won a bundle of cash? The junk mail companies, er, direct mail professionals became tired of having their junk mailings recognized for what they were and tossed in the trash unopened. The solution was to start packaging their junk in important-looking envelopes designed to mislead the recipient into thinking he/she had received something they would actually want - cash winnings, urgent news from family, etc. Here's an example I received today:
OkiePundit recognized the fake express mail nature of the mail piece but I opened it to see who was stooping low to deceive. Inside was an advertisement from Lithia Dodge of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma telling me that I qualified for an "invitation-only" sale of Dodge vehicles!! This sale is not open to the general public I was assured. I am given four 30-minute time slots in the coming week during which I can show up for my exclusive sale AND I am promised that I will either receive $5,000 in cash OR a $500 gift certificate. Gee, I wonder which one I would get? The cash or a coupon for $500 off something I don't want? This tactic used by Lithia is a brilliant way to concentrate their sucker traffic into 30-minute blocks of time for efficient shearing of the sheep.
Friday, May 28, 2004
The Major Parties' Worst Nightmare
Democrat and Republican loyalists are even more uncomfortable with independants and moderates or moderation (centrists if you prefer) than they are with each other. Mention the need for a centrist party in the American political system and the response from the existing major parties is nothing short of intense. The reaction is understandable as the number of people registering as independents grows every year - the major parties are beginning to feel threatened. Witness the legislation passed each year at the state and federal level to stack the deck at election time in favor of the parties. The Democrats and Republicans wouldn't be doing this if they felt secure.
Increasing numbers of us are tiring of the same old game of party candidates running toward the extremes of their party during the primaries and then tacking back to the center for the general election. That's exactly what Bush did in 2000 and look what we got. Compassionate conservatism turned into the most strident partisanship seen in years. As long as we accept the deceptive tactics party candidates use to win their party primaries and to pretend to move to the center in the general election we will continue the trend toward an extremist political culture and divided nation.
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all" - John W. Gardner
Democrat and Republican loyalists are even more uncomfortable with independants and moderates or moderation (centrists if you prefer) than they are with each other. Mention the need for a centrist party in the American political system and the response from the existing major parties is nothing short of intense. The reaction is understandable as the number of people registering as independents grows every year - the major parties are beginning to feel threatened. Witness the legislation passed each year at the state and federal level to stack the deck at election time in favor of the parties. The Democrats and Republicans wouldn't be doing this if they felt secure.
Increasing numbers of us are tiring of the same old game of party candidates running toward the extremes of their party during the primaries and then tacking back to the center for the general election. That's exactly what Bush did in 2000 and look what we got. Compassionate conservatism turned into the most strident partisanship seen in years. As long as we accept the deceptive tactics party candidates use to win their party primaries and to pretend to move to the center in the general election we will continue the trend toward an extremist political culture and divided nation.
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all" - John W. Gardner
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Yellow Dogs Out of Date
I received an invitation to attend the "Yellow Dog Celebration" and "old-fashioned fish fry with music" on June 5th at the Ok. Democratic Party HQ in OKC. The logo on the card is of a mean-looking bulldog wearing a spiked collar. This little mailer nicely sums up what's wrong with the Democratic Party in Oklahoma. The Party is dominated by a combination of old-line rural Yellow Dog-type Democrats and a few urban unions. What these people don't understand is that their image does not appeal to urban progressives who are increasing registering as political independents. Those that are registered as Democrats would bolt the party for a moderate third party if one was ever realized. Urban progressives and moderates find the Democrats' embrace of society's pariahs, from cockfighters to trial lawyers, very disconcerting.
As Oklahoma has become increasingly urbanized the Democratic hold on power at the Legislature has slipped to the point that Republicans can easily gain the majority at any time. The Democrats can only look to themselves for blame.
I received an invitation to attend the "Yellow Dog Celebration" and "old-fashioned fish fry with music" on June 5th at the Ok. Democratic Party HQ in OKC. The logo on the card is of a mean-looking bulldog wearing a spiked collar. This little mailer nicely sums up what's wrong with the Democratic Party in Oklahoma. The Party is dominated by a combination of old-line rural Yellow Dog-type Democrats and a few urban unions. What these people don't understand is that their image does not appeal to urban progressives who are increasing registering as political independents. Those that are registered as Democrats would bolt the party for a moderate third party if one was ever realized. Urban progressives and moderates find the Democrats' embrace of society's pariahs, from cockfighters to trial lawyers, very disconcerting.
As Oklahoma has become increasingly urbanized the Democratic hold on power at the Legislature has slipped to the point that Republicans can easily gain the majority at any time. The Democrats can only look to themselves for blame.
Monday, May 24, 2004
CSI: McAlester
It's official: Leadership Oklahoma Award-winner Mike Turpin will be CSI: McAlester's leading man.
Turpin, best known for his supporting roles in films such as Forrest Gump and Ol' Yeller, yesterday signed on the dotted line after weeks of negotiations with CBS, Variety reported. The pundit's three-figure contract is reportedly worth between $120-$150 per episode.
The actor will play Pittsburg County Sheriff Joe-Bob Mass, a character first revealed by CSI Files yesterday. Mass, who lost his wife during a Pittsburg County meth lab bust (of her home), will be a McAlesterite through and through, according to co-creator Anthony E. Zuiker. "He has a grounded nature about him and really represents the pulse of Pittsburg County," the writer said.
Zuiker first approached Turpin about starring in CSI: McAlester during a four-hour lunch six weeks ago. "I walked out of there thinking we had a lot to offer each other, showrunner to celebrity," he said.
CBS chairman Les Moonves said the casting of Turpin was a big coup for the third CSI incarnation. "We're thrilled to get an actor like Mike Turpin, who is someone we've been chasing for many years," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "What especially makes it great is to get a celeb who will give such distinction to the third CSI and really distinguish it from the other two shows. He's just a great get for us."
Just like William Petersen (Gil Grissom) when he joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Turpin has never had a regular television gig. However, he has appeared in OETA specials and Flashpoint "debates" with sidekick Burns Hargis.
Turpin will make his debut in a May sweeps episode of CSI: Miami, which will introduce the McAlester spin-off and the other McAlester CSIs, including Gene Stipe (the behind bars informer) and Frosty Troy (playing himself). The female lead has not yet been announced. The episode will introduce Mass as the man who busted the powerful Pittsburg County cockfighting-industrial-complex only to have the Oklahoma Legislature pardon the ringleaders before they could be brought to justice.
It's official: Leadership Oklahoma Award-winner Mike Turpin will be CSI: McAlester's leading man.
Turpin, best known for his supporting roles in films such as Forrest Gump and Ol' Yeller, yesterday signed on the dotted line after weeks of negotiations with CBS, Variety reported. The pundit's three-figure contract is reportedly worth between $120-$150 per episode.
The actor will play Pittsburg County Sheriff Joe-Bob Mass, a character first revealed by CSI Files yesterday. Mass, who lost his wife during a Pittsburg County meth lab bust (of her home), will be a McAlesterite through and through, according to co-creator Anthony E. Zuiker. "He has a grounded nature about him and really represents the pulse of Pittsburg County," the writer said.
Zuiker first approached Turpin about starring in CSI: McAlester during a four-hour lunch six weeks ago. "I walked out of there thinking we had a lot to offer each other, showrunner to celebrity," he said.
CBS chairman Les Moonves said the casting of Turpin was a big coup for the third CSI incarnation. "We're thrilled to get an actor like Mike Turpin, who is someone we've been chasing for many years," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "What especially makes it great is to get a celeb who will give such distinction to the third CSI and really distinguish it from the other two shows. He's just a great get for us."
Just like William Petersen (Gil Grissom) when he joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Turpin has never had a regular television gig. However, he has appeared in OETA specials and Flashpoint "debates" with sidekick Burns Hargis.
Turpin will make his debut in a May sweeps episode of CSI: Miami, which will introduce the McAlester spin-off and the other McAlester CSIs, including Gene Stipe (the behind bars informer) and Frosty Troy (playing himself). The female lead has not yet been announced. The episode will introduce Mass as the man who busted the powerful Pittsburg County cockfighting-industrial-complex only to have the Oklahoma Legislature pardon the ringleaders before they could be brought to justice.
Friday, May 21, 2004
Lou Dobbs on CNN
Watching Lou Dobbs Tonight on CNN today I was struck by how biased the "news" program was. Most of the program was a slanted anti-free trade monologue. Dobbs interviewed AFL-CIO spokesmen on the SBC strike but no one from the corporate side. Dobbs played up the outsourcing part of the SBC dispute although it was actually a side issue in the dispute. While this is an issue that does deserve full discussion Dobbs approach is so one-sided one can't count on getting good information. Dobbs needs to be outsourced to a real journalist.
Watching Lou Dobbs Tonight on CNN today I was struck by how biased the "news" program was. Most of the program was a slanted anti-free trade monologue. Dobbs interviewed AFL-CIO spokesmen on the SBC strike but no one from the corporate side. Dobbs played up the outsourcing part of the SBC dispute although it was actually a side issue in the dispute. While this is an issue that does deserve full discussion Dobbs approach is so one-sided one can't count on getting good information. Dobbs needs to be outsourced to a real journalist.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
KFAQ's anti-Islamic Ad
I'm getting a lot of hits on our posting about KFAQ Radio's anti-Islamic commercial. Seems that a lot of national organizations have identified that ad as going over-the-top in fomenting religious hatred. I would agree with such an assessment.
That is not to say that criticism of religions or religious extremists should be off limits. I'm one of the first to both criticize and poke fun at some religious beliefs and behaviors. I fully respect everyone's right to excercize their religious beliefs and as I heard someone on the radio say today, we should not just tolerate others but respect them. That doesn't mean we have to respect their ideas or keep silent on disagreements.
The trouble with KFAQs commercial is that it is designed to appeal to religious hatred by creating a straw dog to beat and may go beyond that to foment hatred. I suspect KFAQ may be doing this for crass commercial reasons as well. There is the added responsibility of anyone who uses the PUBLIC airwaves, as KFAQ does, to BE responsible.
Islam is a wholly unappealing religion to me. I like Muslims but I don't care for muc of their religion. It's too restrictive. I've read the Koran and find much of it oppressive and intolerant of what they call "infidels".
But to be fair, I'm not interested in the kind of Christianity that "the Church" fabricated post AD 300 either. I like Christians but much of the dogma that passes for "Christianity" today is repulsive. The Old Testament can be especially violent and intolerent of non-believers and other religions.
What amazes me is how we humans just believe what someone tells us to. Ask the average Christian why they believe in a trinity of God and less than 1% will even be able to answer and never have heard of the Nicene Creed and how three church leaders established the Trinity as dogma in 325 AD. Same goes for just about any "organized" religion I know of.
I'm getting a lot of hits on our posting about KFAQ Radio's anti-Islamic commercial. Seems that a lot of national organizations have identified that ad as going over-the-top in fomenting religious hatred. I would agree with such an assessment.
That is not to say that criticism of religions or religious extremists should be off limits. I'm one of the first to both criticize and poke fun at some religious beliefs and behaviors. I fully respect everyone's right to excercize their religious beliefs and as I heard someone on the radio say today, we should not just tolerate others but respect them. That doesn't mean we have to respect their ideas or keep silent on disagreements.
The trouble with KFAQs commercial is that it is designed to appeal to religious hatred by creating a straw dog to beat and may go beyond that to foment hatred. I suspect KFAQ may be doing this for crass commercial reasons as well. There is the added responsibility of anyone who uses the PUBLIC airwaves, as KFAQ does, to BE responsible.
Islam is a wholly unappealing religion to me. I like Muslims but I don't care for muc of their religion. It's too restrictive. I've read the Koran and find much of it oppressive and intolerant of what they call "infidels".
But to be fair, I'm not interested in the kind of Christianity that "the Church" fabricated post AD 300 either. I like Christians but much of the dogma that passes for "Christianity" today is repulsive. The Old Testament can be especially violent and intolerent of non-believers and other religions.
What amazes me is how we humans just believe what someone tells us to. Ask the average Christian why they believe in a trinity of God and less than 1% will even be able to answer and never have heard of the Nicene Creed and how three church leaders established the Trinity as dogma in 325 AD. Same goes for just about any "organized" religion I know of.
Monday, May 17, 2004
Appealing to Religious Hatred
The following is a transcript of a commercial that reportedly aired numerous times on KFAQ radio in Tulsa. I didn't hear this one but reader Mark sent this in:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro voice: " Michael DelGiorno on standing up for what's right ..."
Michael DelGiorno (KFAQ's Tulsa morning radio personality):
"Allah is not the God of this nation, but this is exactly the agenda of Islam: to change our government from within through politics and through tolerance and inclusion -- alter our culture.
But make no mistake about it, their goal is not to be one of many gods and one of many religions, it’s to be the God and the religion of the entire Earth.
Christians you better start speaking up, and standing up for what’s right, it’s already too late in Michigan…
How much longer before it's too late right here at home?"
Closing voice: "... Michael DelGiorno, weekday morning, 5:30 to 9.... Tulsa's talk radio 1170 KFAQ"
___________________________________________
Amazing...
The Plurality Project had the following to say about DelGiorno:
Radio Host Says: Allah is Not the God of this Nation
• On May 2, 2004 The Council on American-Islamic Relations released in its Hate Hurts America campaign the audio recording of radio-talk show host Michael DelGiorno. He says in it that "Allah is not the God of this nation, but that is exactly the agenda of Islam: to change our government from within through politics and through tolerance and inclusion -- alter our culture. But make no mistake about it, their goal is not to be one of many gods and one of many religions, it's to be the God and the religion of the entire Earth. Christians you better start speaking up and standing up for what's right."
(May 2, 2004, The Council on American-Islamic Relations)
Read the full story
The following is a transcript of a commercial that reportedly aired numerous times on KFAQ radio in Tulsa. I didn't hear this one but reader Mark sent this in:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro voice: " Michael DelGiorno on standing up for what's right ..."
Michael DelGiorno (KFAQ's Tulsa morning radio personality):
"Allah is not the God of this nation, but this is exactly the agenda of Islam: to change our government from within through politics and through tolerance and inclusion -- alter our culture.
But make no mistake about it, their goal is not to be one of many gods and one of many religions, it’s to be the God and the religion of the entire Earth.
Christians you better start speaking up, and standing up for what’s right, it’s already too late in Michigan…
How much longer before it's too late right here at home?"
Closing voice: "... Michael DelGiorno, weekday morning, 5:30 to 9.... Tulsa's talk radio 1170 KFAQ"
___________________________________________
Amazing...
The Plurality Project had the following to say about DelGiorno:
Radio Host Says: Allah is Not the God of this Nation
• On May 2, 2004 The Council on American-Islamic Relations released in its Hate Hurts America campaign the audio recording of radio-talk show host Michael DelGiorno. He says in it that "Allah is not the God of this nation, but that is exactly the agenda of Islam: to change our government from within through politics and through tolerance and inclusion -- alter our culture. But make no mistake about it, their goal is not to be one of many gods and one of many religions, it's to be the God and the religion of the entire Earth. Christians you better start speaking up and standing up for what's right."
(May 2, 2004, The Council on American-Islamic Relations)
Read the full story
US Senator Nickles Spotted at Cockfight in DC
As The Onion reports, a group of US Senators were spotted at a bloody cockfight in DC recently. See the report and the photo of Nickles at The Onion.
As The Onion reports, a group of US Senators were spotted at a bloody cockfight in DC recently. See the report and the photo of Nickles at The Onion.
Friday, May 14, 2004
Another reliable source..
On Hannity and Colmes I just watch Brent Bozell of something called the Media Research Center complaining about the media's shock over the abuse of the Iraqi prisoners. Bozell was sounding a lot like Inhofe on this. I decided to check out who this guy was - after all Media Research Center sounds like a pretty scientific and non-partisan institution right? I should have known...
On Hannity and Colmes I just watch Brent Bozell of something called the Media Research Center complaining about the media's shock over the abuse of the Iraqi prisoners. Bozell was sounding a lot like Inhofe on this. I decided to check out who this guy was - after all Media Research Center sounds like a pretty scientific and non-partisan institution right? I should have known...
An Oklahoman on Inhofe's Remarks
While virtually everyone else is condemning the abuse of the Iraqi prisoners James Inhofe, the US Senator from Oklahoma (oh it pains me to say that!) has distinguished himself by not being so outraged - even after viewing photos of forced homosexual sex and other violations of the Geneva Conventions AND US law. To be fair, Inhofe says he was outraged by what seven or so US soldiers did (and he's careful to limit the outrage to those seven) but he is "more outraged by the outrage" over the abuse. His argument is that Saddam Hussein was much much worse in his torture methods, That comparison is apparently supposed to make us feel better?
James Inhofe is no doubt really ticked off that the scandal is directly or indirectly eroding support for the war in Iraq and for President Bush. He feels Democrats are taking advantage of this situation. It's hard to have sympathy in this regard for one of the most intensely partisan persons on planet Earth. I notice the GOP website is holding Inhofe up as a fine example for his statements.
Inhofe's equivocating statements on the abuse are shameful. What the photos show are clearly illegal and immoral. As an American who loves my country I am deeply ashamed of what these particular representatives of my country have done. I am also deeply ashamed of James Inhofe's statements and hope they do not fairly represent the majority of Oklahomans. I don't believe they do.
Knowing Inhofe to be a religious (Presbyterian)man, at least in his mind, I am curious how he can be more outraged over "do-gooders" exposing the abuse than over troops engaging in abhorrent behavior that I'm pretty sure his religion frowns upon. Oddly enough, Inhofe is only mildly outraged that US troops would reportedly force prisoners abroad to have homosexual sex while being truly outraged over homosexual marriage at home. Where is the moral consistency in this?
Inhofe tries to lessen the seriousness of the prisoner abuse by saying the prisoners in these cells were murderers and terrorists. The International Red Cross says they estimate about 70% of the prisoners in the US prison in Iraq were swept up and have nothing to do with terrorism. The truth may lie somewhere inbetween but nonetheless, as one Senator said, "if we lower ourselves to torture prisoners then what are we fighting for in Iraq"?
I was glad to see in the Tulsa World today that Bishop Slattery of the Eastern Oklahoma diocese condemned the prisoner abuse and took an indirect slap at Inhofe. Inhofe was quoted in the Tulsa World article that he was disappointed that the Bishop didn't call him to get the facts.
While it is not a good comparison I can describe my feeling over the abuse of our prisoners by saying, for an Oklahoman, it would be like finding out the national champions OU Sooners football team cheated on their way to victory (which isn't the case). It's just so deflating and shameful. My America is just not like that.
While virtually everyone else is condemning the abuse of the Iraqi prisoners James Inhofe, the US Senator from Oklahoma (oh it pains me to say that!) has distinguished himself by not being so outraged - even after viewing photos of forced homosexual sex and other violations of the Geneva Conventions AND US law. To be fair, Inhofe says he was outraged by what seven or so US soldiers did (and he's careful to limit the outrage to those seven) but he is "more outraged by the outrage" over the abuse. His argument is that Saddam Hussein was much much worse in his torture methods, That comparison is apparently supposed to make us feel better?
James Inhofe is no doubt really ticked off that the scandal is directly or indirectly eroding support for the war in Iraq and for President Bush. He feels Democrats are taking advantage of this situation. It's hard to have sympathy in this regard for one of the most intensely partisan persons on planet Earth. I notice the GOP website is holding Inhofe up as a fine example for his statements.
Inhofe's equivocating statements on the abuse are shameful. What the photos show are clearly illegal and immoral. As an American who loves my country I am deeply ashamed of what these particular representatives of my country have done. I am also deeply ashamed of James Inhofe's statements and hope they do not fairly represent the majority of Oklahomans. I don't believe they do.
Knowing Inhofe to be a religious (Presbyterian)man, at least in his mind, I am curious how he can be more outraged over "do-gooders" exposing the abuse than over troops engaging in abhorrent behavior that I'm pretty sure his religion frowns upon. Oddly enough, Inhofe is only mildly outraged that US troops would reportedly force prisoners abroad to have homosexual sex while being truly outraged over homosexual marriage at home. Where is the moral consistency in this?
Inhofe tries to lessen the seriousness of the prisoner abuse by saying the prisoners in these cells were murderers and terrorists. The International Red Cross says they estimate about 70% of the prisoners in the US prison in Iraq were swept up and have nothing to do with terrorism. The truth may lie somewhere inbetween but nonetheless, as one Senator said, "if we lower ourselves to torture prisoners then what are we fighting for in Iraq"?
I was glad to see in the Tulsa World today that Bishop Slattery of the Eastern Oklahoma diocese condemned the prisoner abuse and took an indirect slap at Inhofe. Inhofe was quoted in the Tulsa World article that he was disappointed that the Bishop didn't call him to get the facts.
While it is not a good comparison I can describe my feeling over the abuse of our prisoners by saying, for an Oklahoman, it would be like finding out the national champions OU Sooners football team cheated on their way to victory (which isn't the case). It's just so deflating and shameful. My America is just not like that.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Oklahomans for Jobs Now - Who Are They?
Have you seen the TV commercial attacking Governor Henry and Senate Pro Tem Cal Hobsen for their lack of action on getting tort reform passed? The commercial shows a group of supposed legislators and lobbiests sitting around a very dark smoke-filled room rubbing cigars back and forth between their thumbs and fingers and laughing - at the hapless voters no doubt. From personal experience I can tell you this scene is close to accurate - except they usually carry on in well-lit offices with the door shut. That is except when the lobbyists are treating them to drinks at the Clarion or dinner at the T.
But who are these people who call themselves the "Oklahomans for Jobs Now"? The commercial doesn't tell us. Even their website is quiet on their identity - except in one of their press releases they let it be known that OKC magnate Bob Funk (CEO of Express Personnel Services)is their honorary chairman. On their board of directors are Paula Marshall-Chapman (CEO of Bama Pie) and Wes Stucky (Ardmore Economic Development CEO), Larry Mocha of Air Power Systems in Tulsa; Ike Glass of Glass Trucking LLC in Newkirk; and Ricky Dickson of Blue Bell Creameries in Broken Arrow.
The ad is pretty pointed in its criticism of Henry and Hobsen. This must sting both gentlemen. Wes Stucky was Brad Henry's first pick for state Secretary of Commerce but he declined. Stuckey is the most effective economic development professional in Oklahoma - at least at attracting distribution centers. Not too long ago I was sitting near Cal Hobsen when he called Bob Funk to ask for a political donation. Bob Funk thought Hobsen was calling to ask for his input on legislation and was miffed when all Cal wanted was money.
Have you seen the TV commercial attacking Governor Henry and Senate Pro Tem Cal Hobsen for their lack of action on getting tort reform passed? The commercial shows a group of supposed legislators and lobbiests sitting around a very dark smoke-filled room rubbing cigars back and forth between their thumbs and fingers and laughing - at the hapless voters no doubt. From personal experience I can tell you this scene is close to accurate - except they usually carry on in well-lit offices with the door shut. That is except when the lobbyists are treating them to drinks at the Clarion or dinner at the T.
But who are these people who call themselves the "Oklahomans for Jobs Now"? The commercial doesn't tell us. Even their website is quiet on their identity - except in one of their press releases they let it be known that OKC magnate Bob Funk (CEO of Express Personnel Services)is their honorary chairman. On their board of directors are Paula Marshall-Chapman (CEO of Bama Pie) and Wes Stucky (Ardmore Economic Development CEO), Larry Mocha of Air Power Systems in Tulsa; Ike Glass of Glass Trucking LLC in Newkirk; and Ricky Dickson of Blue Bell Creameries in Broken Arrow.
The ad is pretty pointed in its criticism of Henry and Hobsen. This must sting both gentlemen. Wes Stucky was Brad Henry's first pick for state Secretary of Commerce but he declined. Stuckey is the most effective economic development professional in Oklahoma - at least at attracting distribution centers. Not too long ago I was sitting near Cal Hobsen when he called Bob Funk to ask for a political donation. Bob Funk thought Hobsen was calling to ask for his input on legislation and was miffed when all Cal wanted was money.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Awaiting condemnation
I won't be watching the video of Nick Berg, the American gentleman that was beheaded by the Islamic militants. It makes me sick just knowing about it. How could anyone, in the very name of Allah (God), be so cruel? How could anyone in the name of a religion believe that murdering an innocent person would be moral? The people who did this are sub-human at the very least.
I was very pleased today to hear that the National Council of Churches in the USA condemned the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners. Now, I'm waiting to hear that Muslim clerics in the Middle East have condemned the barbaric "revenge" murder of the American civilian. How long will I have to wait?
I won't be watching the video of Nick Berg, the American gentleman that was beheaded by the Islamic militants. It makes me sick just knowing about it. How could anyone, in the very name of Allah (God), be so cruel? How could anyone in the name of a religion believe that murdering an innocent person would be moral? The people who did this are sub-human at the very least.
I was very pleased today to hear that the National Council of Churches in the USA condemned the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners. Now, I'm waiting to hear that Muslim clerics in the Middle East have condemned the barbaric "revenge" murder of the American civilian. How long will I have to wait?
Inhofe on TV
I've seen Senator (James) Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma on TV several times lately to talk about the Iraq prisoner abuse scandal and each time I pray (to no avail) that the network would not identify the state he represents. In each case Inhofe seems more interested in talking about how bad the enemy is rather than on what our standards must be. Inhofe said today he was "more outraged by the outrage (over the Iraqi prisoner scandal) than about the mistreatment (of the Iraqi prisoners). "Aren't these the people that are out killing our soldiers?" he asked. The answer of course is they may or may not be - they are suspects. Does Inhofe think foreign suspects should be presumed guilty and subjected to illegal treatment in American custody? It appears to be so.
In a slap at Inhofe on Nightline tonight Senator John McCain (a former POW) made the point that America is defined by how we treat our prisoners. Everytime McCain speaks it reminds me how much we are missing by not having him in the Oval Office. It also reminds me of why Inhofe's influence doesn't begin to compare with McCain's.
I've seen Senator (James) Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma on TV several times lately to talk about the Iraq prisoner abuse scandal and each time I pray (to no avail) that the network would not identify the state he represents. In each case Inhofe seems more interested in talking about how bad the enemy is rather than on what our standards must be. Inhofe said today he was "more outraged by the outrage (over the Iraqi prisoner scandal) than about the mistreatment (of the Iraqi prisoners). "Aren't these the people that are out killing our soldiers?" he asked. The answer of course is they may or may not be - they are suspects. Does Inhofe think foreign suspects should be presumed guilty and subjected to illegal treatment in American custody? It appears to be so.
In a slap at Inhofe on Nightline tonight Senator John McCain (a former POW) made the point that America is defined by how we treat our prisoners. Everytime McCain speaks it reminds me how much we are missing by not having him in the Oval Office. It also reminds me of why Inhofe's influence doesn't begin to compare with McCain's.
Friday, May 07, 2004
Attack of the Mullets
Living next door to a family of mullet-heads for the last few months has been interesting and disappointing at the same time. They removed all the shades and drapes when they moved in so it's been easy to observe their behavior - even when the neighbors didn't want to. My windows face the mullet family's windows so I have to keep my blinds closed so I don't catch a glimpse of the alpha male walking around iwith his hairy belly hanging over his Fruit of the Looms. But disappointing because all winter long they stayed inside. I hope they come out soon and mow their grass,
I hope my mullets aren't like a couple of others in the news this week. On Wednesday a mullet named Russell William Brunson was arrested for outrunning a pursuing Tulsa police car and colliding with two cars and injuring several innocent people. Meth was reportedly found in his car. His photo in the paper is a classic mullet shot. Also this week, another Oklahoma mullet-head was convicted of shooting and killing his brother. This mullet's stepfather is accused of helping his stepson dismember the brother and put his remains in a pond and an SUV.
Living next door to a family of mullet-heads for the last few months has been interesting and disappointing at the same time. They removed all the shades and drapes when they moved in so it's been easy to observe their behavior - even when the neighbors didn't want to. My windows face the mullet family's windows so I have to keep my blinds closed so I don't catch a glimpse of the alpha male walking around iwith his hairy belly hanging over his Fruit of the Looms. But disappointing because all winter long they stayed inside. I hope they come out soon and mow their grass,
I hope my mullets aren't like a couple of others in the news this week. On Wednesday a mullet named Russell William Brunson was arrested for outrunning a pursuing Tulsa police car and colliding with two cars and injuring several innocent people. Meth was reportedly found in his car. His photo in the paper is a classic mullet shot. Also this week, another Oklahoma mullet-head was convicted of shooting and killing his brother. This mullet's stepfather is accused of helping his stepson dismember the brother and put his remains in a pond and an SUV.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Smith and Wesson, Come On Down!
Sources at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce are incensed with the Legislature's latest attempt to micromanage the agency responsible for recruiting new business to Oklahoma. Senate Joint Resolution 54, a measure to help attract gun manufacturing companies to the state, was signed today by Governor Brad Henry. The unfunded mandate was authored by Senator Paul Gumm and Representative Paul Roan. SJR 54 would require the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to work in conjunction with Murray State College in Tishomingo to draw the companies to the state. Gumm says Oklahoma has a tremendous heritage to firearms and it would be the sensible thing to do to try and attract the companies considering the number of states that are unfriendly of the gun business. MSU has a gunsmithing program.
Focusing on attracting a few gun manufacturers may or may not be a worthwhile economic development strategy but the important point to remember is that the Legislature should be focused on establishing strategic objectives in conjunction with Commerce but not micromanaging to the point of passing unfunded mandates requiring Commerce to redirect its meager resources to pet projects. Perhaps semiconductor chip plants or aerospace companies (which Commerce has focused on and in the case of aerospace, been relatively successful) are better targets for the recruitment effort - but with the dolts at the Legislature wasting precious time on pork, gay marriage, gambling, etc - the economic development of the state can't be expected to take priority.
Not that Commerce doesn't need some oversight. Lately I've seen several old and fading blue "I Believe in Oklahoma" bumper stickers on cars - remnants of a shot-in-the-dark in-state marketing campaign the Oklahoma Dept of Commerce blew over a hundred thousand dollars on last year. And what's the result of this lame attempt at boosting citizen pride? You can bet Commerce won't try measuring its impact - because the only impact of the ad campaign was to give a few people something to do that looked kinda important.
Oklahomans have every reason to be proud of our state but what would really make Oklahomans have more pride in our state would be a year of not having to suffer the humiliation our nuttiest Legislators bring to our state.
Sources at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce are incensed with the Legislature's latest attempt to micromanage the agency responsible for recruiting new business to Oklahoma. Senate Joint Resolution 54, a measure to help attract gun manufacturing companies to the state, was signed today by Governor Brad Henry. The unfunded mandate was authored by Senator Paul Gumm and Representative Paul Roan. SJR 54 would require the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to work in conjunction with Murray State College in Tishomingo to draw the companies to the state. Gumm says Oklahoma has a tremendous heritage to firearms and it would be the sensible thing to do to try and attract the companies considering the number of states that are unfriendly of the gun business. MSU has a gunsmithing program.
Focusing on attracting a few gun manufacturers may or may not be a worthwhile economic development strategy but the important point to remember is that the Legislature should be focused on establishing strategic objectives in conjunction with Commerce but not micromanaging to the point of passing unfunded mandates requiring Commerce to redirect its meager resources to pet projects. Perhaps semiconductor chip plants or aerospace companies (which Commerce has focused on and in the case of aerospace, been relatively successful) are better targets for the recruitment effort - but with the dolts at the Legislature wasting precious time on pork, gay marriage, gambling, etc - the economic development of the state can't be expected to take priority.
Not that Commerce doesn't need some oversight. Lately I've seen several old and fading blue "I Believe in Oklahoma" bumper stickers on cars - remnants of a shot-in-the-dark in-state marketing campaign the Oklahoma Dept of Commerce blew over a hundred thousand dollars on last year. And what's the result of this lame attempt at boosting citizen pride? You can bet Commerce won't try measuring its impact - because the only impact of the ad campaign was to give a few people something to do that looked kinda important.
Oklahomans have every reason to be proud of our state but what would really make Oklahomans have more pride in our state would be a year of not having to suffer the humiliation our nuttiest Legislators bring to our state.