Just got to clean up the airport a bit....
Did you see Saddam's Minister of Information telling journalists today that the "elite" Republican Guard had retaken the Baghdad Airport and were cleaning it up? Yea, those American soldiers got it all dirty during the few hours they had control of it and as soon as the Iraqis got it all cleaned up again he'd take the press corps over to see it. What a joke. I hope some cartoonist does a cartoon showing this idiot proclaiming that the Americans aren't even with a 100 km of Baghdad while in the background American tanks run back and forth. He may be Iraq's only standup comedian.
Saturday, April 05, 2003
Down with long lines!
Have you ever been so upset over long lines at a grocery or retail store that you just left your basket and walked out of the store? I do this more and more these days. Tonight I was at an Albertsons grocery and spent 10 minutes gathering up some items. When I got to the front to check out there was one checkout stand open and a line of 10 people waiting to pay for their groceries. Without hesitation I dumped my armful of groceries in an empty basket and walked out. I voted with my feet.
Wal-mart is one of the worst retailers at expediting check out. They do most things very well but their checkout lines are often too long. If I walk in and see long lines at Wal-Mart I just turn around and leave. Once in a while I just leave a basket of abandoned groceries at Wal-Mart. I don't enjoy causing associates extra work but if we'd all refuse to wait in long lines the retailers would get the message and fix the problem.
Have you ever been so upset over long lines at a grocery or retail store that you just left your basket and walked out of the store? I do this more and more these days. Tonight I was at an Albertsons grocery and spent 10 minutes gathering up some items. When I got to the front to check out there was one checkout stand open and a line of 10 people waiting to pay for their groceries. Without hesitation I dumped my armful of groceries in an empty basket and walked out. I voted with my feet.
Wal-mart is one of the worst retailers at expediting check out. They do most things very well but their checkout lines are often too long. If I walk in and see long lines at Wal-Mart I just turn around and leave. Once in a while I just leave a basket of abandoned groceries at Wal-Mart. I don't enjoy causing associates extra work but if we'd all refuse to wait in long lines the retailers would get the message and fix the problem.
Tajikistan More Progressive than Oklahoma?
As the Tulsa World recently pointed out the country of Tajikistan in Central Asia recently banned cockfighting "because such bloodthirsty shows inevitably end in the death of helpless animals, in defiance of moral principles advocated by all religions." Other Tajik officials were qouted as saying "such shows provoke sadism and perversion in young people, who tend to prefer such cruel games to reading or sports." As the Tulsa World concluded, "It would appear Tajikistan has more enlightened leadership than Oklahoma." Our Governor and Legislators should be ashamed of this stark contrast - but since they don't seem to have any shame on this issue - let's be ashamed for them.
As the Tulsa World recently pointed out the country of Tajikistan in Central Asia recently banned cockfighting "because such bloodthirsty shows inevitably end in the death of helpless animals, in defiance of moral principles advocated by all religions." Other Tajik officials were qouted as saying "such shows provoke sadism and perversion in young people, who tend to prefer such cruel games to reading or sports." As the Tulsa World concluded, "It would appear Tajikistan has more enlightened leadership than Oklahoma." Our Governor and Legislators should be ashamed of this stark contrast - but since they don't seem to have any shame on this issue - let's be ashamed for them.
Thursday, April 03, 2003
The Daily Oklahoman's Hatchet Woman
Looks like a reporter named Carmel Perez Snyder is the Daily Oklahoman's hatchet writer assigned to harassing the Brad Henry Administration. Already, Carmel has penned several slanted articles designed to point a stick in the eye of Henry and his Cabinet. In March the Oklahoman, on a day heavy with war news, frontpaged an article by Perez about an old story regarding an audit of the state's European trade office. As a source, Perez used a Sam Mahjoub, a well-known Tulsa crank that has made a hobby of suing businesses and government officials. The Tulsa World quit covering Mahjoubs looney conspiracy theories long ago - but not the Daily Oklahoman! The DO treats the guy like a credible source. Could Perez really be so gullible?
A few days later, Perez tries to create a scandal out of Henry's attempt to replace Agriculture Secretary Dennis Howard with a new appointment. Then today, Perez infers irresponsibility in the hiring of three new personnel by State Finance director Scott Meacham and Secretary of Commerce Kathryn Taylor. The gist of Perez' story is that in a time of hiring freezes these Henry appointments shouldn't be hiring anyone. Buried in the story is the information that these agencies have a number of vacancies and have downsized significantly. The reader has to ask himself/herself whether the hiring of three people, professionals apparently, is newsworthy? I wonder if Perez will write a story every time three people are hired in state government?
Keeping any administration honest is a noble journalistic role but we can rightfully ask the Daily Oklahoman and Perez to please don't waste our time with non-news, with misleading news, or with dishonest news coverage. We can see right through you.
Looks like a reporter named Carmel Perez Snyder is the Daily Oklahoman's hatchet writer assigned to harassing the Brad Henry Administration. Already, Carmel has penned several slanted articles designed to point a stick in the eye of Henry and his Cabinet. In March the Oklahoman, on a day heavy with war news, frontpaged an article by Perez about an old story regarding an audit of the state's European trade office. As a source, Perez used a Sam Mahjoub, a well-known Tulsa crank that has made a hobby of suing businesses and government officials. The Tulsa World quit covering Mahjoubs looney conspiracy theories long ago - but not the Daily Oklahoman! The DO treats the guy like a credible source. Could Perez really be so gullible?
A few days later, Perez tries to create a scandal out of Henry's attempt to replace Agriculture Secretary Dennis Howard with a new appointment. Then today, Perez infers irresponsibility in the hiring of three new personnel by State Finance director Scott Meacham and Secretary of Commerce Kathryn Taylor. The gist of Perez' story is that in a time of hiring freezes these Henry appointments shouldn't be hiring anyone. Buried in the story is the information that these agencies have a number of vacancies and have downsized significantly. The reader has to ask himself/herself whether the hiring of three people, professionals apparently, is newsworthy? I wonder if Perez will write a story every time three people are hired in state government?
Keeping any administration honest is a noble journalistic role but we can rightfully ask the Daily Oklahoman and Perez to please don't waste our time with non-news, with misleading news, or with dishonest news coverage. We can see right through you.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003
Lottery by County?
A bill calling for an election on creating a state-run lottery was approved by the Oklahoma House today. Governor Henry will get his wish to let the citizens vote on a lottery. I'm waiting on Senator Shurden to insist that it be by county option.
A bill calling for an election on creating a state-run lottery was approved by the Oklahoma House today. Governor Henry will get his wish to let the citizens vote on a lottery. I'm waiting on Senator Shurden to insist that it be by county option.
Sunday, March 30, 2003
Interrupted Lunch
In the Capitol basement snackbar I recently noticed State Senator Leftwich, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, and Don Davis of Governor Henry's office having lunch. While they were talking politics and eating, a couple of elderly gentlemen from a veterans' group interrupted them to lobby them on some veterans matter. The three were very friendly to the veterans but I wonder why people think it is acceptable behavior to interrupt someone at lunch to pitch their business.
In the Capitol basement snackbar I recently noticed State Senator Leftwich, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, and Don Davis of Governor Henry's office having lunch. While they were talking politics and eating, a couple of elderly gentlemen from a veterans' group interrupted them to lobby them on some veterans matter. The three were very friendly to the veterans but I wonder why people think it is acceptable behavior to interrupt someone at lunch to pitch their business.
Saturday, March 29, 2003
P.F. Chang
This new Chinese bistro at Tulsa's Utica Square has the best chicken lettuce wraps. Try it.
This new Chinese bistro at Tulsa's Utica Square has the best chicken lettuce wraps. Try it.
Who is Running Tulsa?
A source tells us that Tulsa's Mayor LaFortune had been in discussions with Kathryn Taylor to play a significant role in his administration. Another source says this role was to possibly take over economic development for the City. The deal was nixed however by US Senator Jim Inhofe who complained to LaFortune that Mrs. Taylor had supported David Walters in his bid for Inhofe's seat last year. LaFortune is said to have buckled under Inhofe's pressure and called the deal off. Within weeks, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry had appointed Kathryn Taylor to be his Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. Now LaFortune has to work with the lady he dumped because Uncle Inhofe told him to, In fact, Mrs. Taylor could have a lot of say in economic assistance to Tulsa. Those who know her say she is too professional to seek revenge. The mayor should have been so professional.
A source tells us that Tulsa's Mayor LaFortune had been in discussions with Kathryn Taylor to play a significant role in his administration. Another source says this role was to possibly take over economic development for the City. The deal was nixed however by US Senator Jim Inhofe who complained to LaFortune that Mrs. Taylor had supported David Walters in his bid for Inhofe's seat last year. LaFortune is said to have buckled under Inhofe's pressure and called the deal off. Within weeks, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry had appointed Kathryn Taylor to be his Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. Now LaFortune has to work with the lady he dumped because Uncle Inhofe told him to, In fact, Mrs. Taylor could have a lot of say in economic assistance to Tulsa. Those who know her say she is too professional to seek revenge. The mayor should have been so professional.
War Thoughts
The war protesters aren't standing at the mid-town intersection with signs beckoning war opponents to honk their horns anymore. People remain glued to their TVs, flipping between CNN, MSNBC, Fox and the other news channels with their "embedded" reporters and retired generals-turned-consultants. Even in Oklahoma, where Bush remains popular, co-workers are reluctant to talk about the war except superficially. There's enough people here that are opposed to the war, or the way we arrived at it, there's a chance a conversation could escalate into an argument. Oklahomans don't like arguing. So we avoid deep discussions about it.
Most Oklahomans, even those who, like myself, had serious doubts about the war, think we must now prosecute it successfully and as humanely as possible. We need to get the dictator of Baghdad and his ruthless thugs off this planet. We need to support our troops wholeheartedly. If our leaders have chosen wisely and told us the truth then there will be a time to acknowledge that. If they have lied to us, we will punish them later.
The war protesters aren't standing at the mid-town intersection with signs beckoning war opponents to honk their horns anymore. People remain glued to their TVs, flipping between CNN, MSNBC, Fox and the other news channels with their "embedded" reporters and retired generals-turned-consultants. Even in Oklahoma, where Bush remains popular, co-workers are reluctant to talk about the war except superficially. There's enough people here that are opposed to the war, or the way we arrived at it, there's a chance a conversation could escalate into an argument. Oklahomans don't like arguing. So we avoid deep discussions about it.
Most Oklahomans, even those who, like myself, had serious doubts about the war, think we must now prosecute it successfully and as humanely as possible. We need to get the dictator of Baghdad and his ruthless thugs off this planet. We need to support our troops wholeheartedly. If our leaders have chosen wisely and told us the truth then there will be a time to acknowledge that. If they have lied to us, we will punish them later.
Friday, March 28, 2003
Believer's Business Directory
In the mail today I received an unsolicited copy of the Greater Dallas "Believer's Business Directory". Believe in what?, I thought to myself. On the cover was the familiar Yellow Pages walking fingers logo and below it in small letters were the words "A Guide to Christian Professionals, Businesses and Ministries". "Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." - Galations 6:10"
The publisher, Todd Tomasella, encourages Christians to buy from Christians. The phone directory includes ads for everything from accountants to travel agencies. I suppose encouraging religious groups to buy from others of the same faith is OK but I worry that we are becoming too divided along religious lines. If we start voting only for those who go to our church or mosque and buying only from those who worship the same way we do this does not bode well for the future. There's enough divisiveness in the world.
In the mail today I received an unsolicited copy of the Greater Dallas "Believer's Business Directory". Believe in what?, I thought to myself. On the cover was the familiar Yellow Pages walking fingers logo and below it in small letters were the words "A Guide to Christian Professionals, Businesses and Ministries". "Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." - Galations 6:10"
The publisher, Todd Tomasella, encourages Christians to buy from Christians. The phone directory includes ads for everything from accountants to travel agencies. I suppose encouraging religious groups to buy from others of the same faith is OK but I worry that we are becoming too divided along religious lines. If we start voting only for those who go to our church or mosque and buying only from those who worship the same way we do this does not bode well for the future. There's enough divisiveness in the world.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Saturday, March 15, 2003
LaFortune Getting a Reputation...
for allegedly breaking informal understandings and agreements. The street says he gets pulled from one side to another too easily - that he can't make up his mind. Is Tulsa's mayor a flip-flopper? A few people who worked very hard on his interminable series of "Vision Summits" were promised compensation or contracts but after they did the work, nothing was forthcoming. And the mayor didn't let them know - he just ignored them and hoped they'd go away.
The mayor will learn the hard way that treating people that way will not pay off.
Speaking of mayors, we hear complaints about Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys' speech engagements. No matter what he's asked to talk about he gives a speech about WalMart's success and adds a pitch for the Billy Graham Crusade coming to Oklahoma City. Humphreys is probably going to run against Brad Henry in 2006. He'll have to learn how to respect his audiences enough to actually talk too them - about their concerns.
for allegedly breaking informal understandings and agreements. The street says he gets pulled from one side to another too easily - that he can't make up his mind. Is Tulsa's mayor a flip-flopper? A few people who worked very hard on his interminable series of "Vision Summits" were promised compensation or contracts but after they did the work, nothing was forthcoming. And the mayor didn't let them know - he just ignored them and hoped they'd go away.
The mayor will learn the hard way that treating people that way will not pay off.
Speaking of mayors, we hear complaints about Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys' speech engagements. No matter what he's asked to talk about he gives a speech about WalMart's success and adds a pitch for the Billy Graham Crusade coming to Oklahoma City. Humphreys is probably going to run against Brad Henry in 2006. He'll have to learn how to respect his audiences enough to actually talk too them - about their concerns.
Speaking of Flipping Off Citizens..
I recall a State Senator telling a group I was in about a close call he had a few years ago. Being in the oil and gas business his company was hosting a group of foreign buyers in Oklahoma. They wanted to party so he took them to a strip club in SE Oklahoma City for some fun. To his alarm his foreign guests got a bit out of control when the table dancing started. What, he thought, would he do if the police arrived? What if he was arrested? He was particularly concerned about any publicity because he was the same Senator that had recently introduced anti-strip club legislation at the request of a Baptist group. He explained that he had not expected, or wanted, the bill to pass - but it did.
That's how we get the laws we do. And that's the kind of people that write them.
I recall a State Senator telling a group I was in about a close call he had a few years ago. Being in the oil and gas business his company was hosting a group of foreign buyers in Oklahoma. They wanted to party so he took them to a strip club in SE Oklahoma City for some fun. To his alarm his foreign guests got a bit out of control when the table dancing started. What, he thought, would he do if the police arrived? What if he was arrested? He was particularly concerned about any publicity because he was the same Senator that had recently introduced anti-strip club legislation at the request of a Baptist group. He explained that he had not expected, or wanted, the bill to pass - but it did.
That's how we get the laws we do. And that's the kind of people that write them.
Urban Senators Flip Off constituents
As the Tulsa World points out in a recent editorial, the Oklahoma Senate has "flipped off state voters" by voting 29-17 to approve Senate Bill 835 by Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta, which is "intended to neuter the cockfighting ban passed overwhelmingly by Oklahoma voters last November." Shurden, the darling of cockfighters/gamblers, argued his opposition to the new law on the fact that the November vote to ban cockfighting failed to get a majority vote in some rural counties.
As the Tulsa World points out, "of the 48 state Senate districts, the ban failed to get a majority in only 14. That means that 15 senators who voted Tuesday to gut the law represent districts where it passed and thus voted directly in opposition to their constituents."
The World goes on to finally name names by pointing out that in the Tulsa area "Democrats Stratton Taylor of Claremore, Ted Fisher of Sapulpa and Kevin Easley of Tulsa, and Republicans Charles Ford and Jerry Smith of Tulsa all voted against the wishes of their constituents. So did Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson."
All of these Senators are term-limited - for good reason. Good riddance.
As the Tulsa World points out in a recent editorial, the Oklahoma Senate has "flipped off state voters" by voting 29-17 to approve Senate Bill 835 by Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta, which is "intended to neuter the cockfighting ban passed overwhelmingly by Oklahoma voters last November." Shurden, the darling of cockfighters/gamblers, argued his opposition to the new law on the fact that the November vote to ban cockfighting failed to get a majority vote in some rural counties.
As the Tulsa World points out, "of the 48 state Senate districts, the ban failed to get a majority in only 14. That means that 15 senators who voted Tuesday to gut the law represent districts where it passed and thus voted directly in opposition to their constituents."
The World goes on to finally name names by pointing out that in the Tulsa area "Democrats Stratton Taylor of Claremore, Ted Fisher of Sapulpa and Kevin Easley of Tulsa, and Republicans Charles Ford and Jerry Smith of Tulsa all voted against the wishes of their constituents. So did Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson."
All of these Senators are term-limited - for good reason. Good riddance.
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Chinese Take Out
China executes more prisoners each year than the rest of the world combined - even more than Texas. The Chinese are becoming increasingly customer-oriented as they adopt a market system and that includes expedited and convenient executions. This article from Australia tells how. If McAlester would adopt this innovation they could even service Texas prisons.
China executes more prisoners each year than the rest of the world combined - even more than Texas. The Chinese are becoming increasingly customer-oriented as they adopt a market system and that includes expedited and convenient executions. This article from Australia tells how. If McAlester would adopt this innovation they could even service Texas prisons.
Sunday, March 09, 2003
Would Jesus have chewed New Testimints?
The Christian products market is, as most know, a booming business these days. In the bookstore today I noticed a book called "What Would Jesus Eat?", a takeoff on the "What Would Jesus Do?" wristbands slogan. The book was a treatment on Bible-era diets and a diet book. Lose weight the way Jesus did, in other words. Seemed a bit tacky.
In Mardels yesterday I noticed some stick mint gum at the checkout stand called Testimints. These weren't just regular Testimints, these were "New! Testimints".
The Christian products market is, as most know, a booming business these days. In the bookstore today I noticed a book called "What Would Jesus Eat?", a takeoff on the "What Would Jesus Do?" wristbands slogan. The book was a treatment on Bible-era diets and a diet book. Lose weight the way Jesus did, in other words. Seemed a bit tacky.
In Mardels yesterday I noticed some stick mint gum at the checkout stand called Testimints. These weren't just regular Testimints, these were "New! Testimints".
Thursday, March 06, 2003
Our Neighbors in New Mexico Move Against Cockfighting
It looks like the New Mexico Legislature has the fortitude to move towards banning cockfighting themselves!! I wish our Legislature had the same degree of courage.
Election Fraud and Cockfight Proponents
Speaking of our Legislature, as we mentioned yesterday, Walt Roberts, a former state Legislator and candidate for Congress pleaded guilty to election violations. Walt was one of the defenders of cockfighting during his days in our state Legislature. The following from Animal People gives an idea of how Walt operated:
"Alleged cockfighting violence even spilled into the Oklahoma state legislature in January, when according to representative Charles Gray (D-Oklahoma City), Oklahoma Game Breeders Association member Walt Roberts “told me that if I filed a bill to ban cockfighting, he’d have 4,000 to 5,000 people come to the state capitol and work me over. I don’t take kindly to being threatened,” Gray explained to Mick Hinton of the Daily Oklahoman. “Roberts is still mad because some of us didn’t support him enough” in an unsuccessful race for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in November 1998. “So I included in the bill some other things that Roberts likes, like rodeos and hunting, and I like them too,” Gray continued.
Roberts denied threatening Gray––and got what he wanted, when the breadth of the Gray bill convinced Oklahoma house criminal justice committee chair Bill Paulk to table it without consideration. Cockfighting has been legal in Oklahoma since 1963, but a Daily Oklahoman poll of 750 residents found in early January that 54% were unaware it is legal, 65% would vote to outlaw it, 30% would favor it, and only 6% would actually attend a cockfight. "
Walt's pro-cockfighting buddy, Senator Gene Stipe, is also in trouble in the election fraud scandal. Is that a surprise?
It looks like the New Mexico Legislature has the fortitude to move towards banning cockfighting themselves!! I wish our Legislature had the same degree of courage.
Election Fraud and Cockfight Proponents
Speaking of our Legislature, as we mentioned yesterday, Walt Roberts, a former state Legislator and candidate for Congress pleaded guilty to election violations. Walt was one of the defenders of cockfighting during his days in our state Legislature. The following from Animal People gives an idea of how Walt operated:
"Alleged cockfighting violence even spilled into the Oklahoma state legislature in January, when according to representative Charles Gray (D-Oklahoma City), Oklahoma Game Breeders Association member Walt Roberts “told me that if I filed a bill to ban cockfighting, he’d have 4,000 to 5,000 people come to the state capitol and work me over. I don’t take kindly to being threatened,” Gray explained to Mick Hinton of the Daily Oklahoman. “Roberts is still mad because some of us didn’t support him enough” in an unsuccessful race for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in November 1998. “So I included in the bill some other things that Roberts likes, like rodeos and hunting, and I like them too,” Gray continued.
Roberts denied threatening Gray––and got what he wanted, when the breadth of the Gray bill convinced Oklahoma house criminal justice committee chair Bill Paulk to table it without consideration. Cockfighting has been legal in Oklahoma since 1963, but a Daily Oklahoman poll of 750 residents found in early January that 54% were unaware it is legal, 65% would vote to outlaw it, 30% would favor it, and only 6% would actually attend a cockfight. "
Walt's pro-cockfighting buddy, Senator Gene Stipe, is also in trouble in the election fraud scandal. Is that a surprise?
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
The Little Quonset Hut on the Prairie
As I think of some of our most colorful Legislators I am reminded of one such fellow that for years, like more than a few fellow Legislators, kept a mistress in Oklahoma City for entertainment Monday - Thursday. This particular Senator bought his mistress a Quonset Hut-style building on Lincoln Blvd near the State Capitol and proceeded to "persuade" state agencies to rent office space in her building. For years and years her building was 100% occupied by state agencies. The time came to sell the building. A prospective buyer took a look at the record of many years of 100% occupancy and paid a high price for the old tin building. As soon as the Senator's mistress sold the building all of the agencies moved out. I wonder if the hapless buyer ever figured out what he did wrong?
Has Gene Stipe finally Slipped Up?
Dustbury shares the opinion of a lot of Oklahomans that Senator Gene Stipe has gotten away with too much for way too long.
It probably wasn't any big surprise that failed Congressional candidate Walt Roberts entered a guilty plea to various
counts of conspiracy; many of us have been wondering just where this good ol' boy was finding all this campaign financing.
Dustbury points us to a cagey article in the Daily Oklahoman that dances around the "McAlester lawyer" that has apparently been implicated in the investigation of Walt Roberts. Could they possibly mean Senator Gene Stipe??!!!
Gene Stipe has wiggled his way out of so many run-ins with the law that you have to admire his intelligence - while hating the way he has abused his power, controlled the Legislature for decades, and generally behaved in an above-the-law sort of way. I remember the times he has been reported to have been stopped speeding or "allegedly" driving drunk and managed to get out of it. He may be the fellow that got a law passed years ago that allows our Legislators to legally break the speed limit if they are going to or from the Legislature.
Senator Stipe hides a sharp mind behind a good ol' boy charisma. You can't help but like him when you are in his company - until you think about all the bad things he has done. His latest bout of underhandedness has him working with the cockfighters to overturn the vote on cockfighting by lowering the penalties to a point that the law is useless. That's just the latest reason to loath what this man has done to Oklahoma.
Very few people are completely without good however and Gene Stipe has probably done good too. He did give over $1 million to put a dome on our Capitol and his name, even if he ends up in a prison, will forever be emblazoned in large letters on the inside lip of the Capitol dome. He might want to take a picture of it.
Dustbury shares the opinion of a lot of Oklahomans that Senator Gene Stipe has gotten away with too much for way too long.
It probably wasn't any big surprise that failed Congressional candidate Walt Roberts entered a guilty plea to various
counts of conspiracy; many of us have been wondering just where this good ol' boy was finding all this campaign financing.
Dustbury points us to a cagey article in the Daily Oklahoman that dances around the "McAlester lawyer" that has apparently been implicated in the investigation of Walt Roberts. Could they possibly mean Senator Gene Stipe??!!!
Gene Stipe has wiggled his way out of so many run-ins with the law that you have to admire his intelligence - while hating the way he has abused his power, controlled the Legislature for decades, and generally behaved in an above-the-law sort of way. I remember the times he has been reported to have been stopped speeding or "allegedly" driving drunk and managed to get out of it. He may be the fellow that got a law passed years ago that allows our Legislators to legally break the speed limit if they are going to or from the Legislature.
Senator Stipe hides a sharp mind behind a good ol' boy charisma. You can't help but like him when you are in his company - until you think about all the bad things he has done. His latest bout of underhandedness has him working with the cockfighters to overturn the vote on cockfighting by lowering the penalties to a point that the law is useless. That's just the latest reason to loath what this man has done to Oklahoma.
Very few people are completely without good however and Gene Stipe has probably done good too. He did give over $1 million to put a dome on our Capitol and his name, even if he ends up in a prison, will forever be emblazoned in large letters on the inside lip of the Capitol dome. He might want to take a picture of it.
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
The First Demo for Prez in Okieland
On February 23rd, US Senator John Edwards visited Tulsa and spoke to early supporters at the Tulsa Garden Club. The promoter of the event was State Senator Kevin Easley of East Tulsa and Wagoner County. Senator Easley has made an early move to be Edwards' key man in Oklahoma. Will it pay off?
On February 23rd, US Senator John Edwards visited Tulsa and spoke to early supporters at the Tulsa Garden Club. The promoter of the event was State Senator Kevin Easley of East Tulsa and Wagoner County. Senator Easley has made an early move to be Edwards' key man in Oklahoma. Will it pay off?