The Gadfly On The Wall
Roland PD RIP: It is of passing interest to me that I'll no longer have to fret the presence of police cars from the town of Roland sitting on Interstate 40 in eastern Oklahoma waiting to add to the town's revenues. The Roland PD has been told to cease and desist...quit sitting on the interstate highway waiting to write tickets. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says there's no need. Does the phrase "speed trap" resonate? Home Place: Garfield County has been named one of the 10 best places to live in rural America. It ranked No. 8 in The Progressive Farmer's recap. No surprise here. Born in Enid but having left there as an infant, my connections to this part of God's Country have been sporadic in recent years. Visits, however, convince one the publication got it right. Ouch: Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor's daughter was arrested early Friday morning on misdemeanor complaints of driving her 2006 BMW under the influence and running a stop sign, records show. Elizabeth Catherine Frame, 24, was released from the Tulsa jail early Friday on $1,100 bond.
Seized Cash: I confess continued unease about reports of law enforcement officers seizing cash from motorists they stop. This week, there's the story about a million-plus dollars in cash having been found in a car in western Oklahoma and how law enforcement is gleefully splitting up the money. The flimsy reason for this is that it is suspected drug proceeds. As I understand it, no charges were filed against anyone. The theory seems to be that anyone carrying any significant sum of cash acquired it illegally. (In this case, that may be true, but how can we know without criminal charges being filed?) I am reminded of the older couple in Florida a few years back who were found to have $17,500 in cash on them when their vehicle was stopped because a taillight was out. The money was confiscated because, it was reasoned, that much money must be tied to an illegal act. Turns out the couple had just sold their mobile home in Alabama and were on their way to buy another in southern Florida. It took them six months to get their money back because even though they weren't charged with any crime, the state of Florida had the cash and wasn't about to give it back until a judge ordered it to do so.
Credit Cards: I was chagrined the other night as I watched ABC's "Nightline" special on credit card debt (and misuse) in the U. S. when efforts to pedal credit cards to wet-behind-the-ears college students was discussed and the University of Oklahoma was featured. There was a credit card kiosk complete with folks wearing OU shirts and handing out same to students who signed up. The university no doubt benefits financially from credit card solicitations among its students. That doesn't make it prudent, or right.
On Target:
If you're a 2nd Amendment defender (as I am) and want to keep up with the latest news on the subject, there's no better place for up-to-date news than Gun Law News. The site includes a daily update from blogs and news sites and usually includes a complete recap of issues related to the right to keep and bear arms.
Feel Good Bills: We've had a spate of "feel good" bills this session. Rep. Mike Shelton has one, to fight gangs. No argument here that may be needed, but the biggest need is for parents to take control of their kids' lives. We can pass all the new laws we want to supplant or bolster the ones we now have; bottom line is there will be no significant improvement without the involvement of parents and mentors and the affirmation of family values that discourage gang membership.
Bill & Barack: Confess I feel for Bill Richardson. The New Mexico governor, pondering a race for the Democratic nomination for president, is in town Sunday, but almost all of the news media attention has focused on Barack Obama, in the state on Monday. One TV station is so enamored it will carry his visit "live." The Oklahoman this morning headlined Obama with photo and gave Richardson a one-line mention way down in the story. Obama is the "rock star" of the field despite his limited government experience. Richardson is simply a solid moderate politician the main stream media thus far has given scant attention. The Gadfly suggests that is because Richardson isn't liberal enough for the MSM.
Presidential Primary Shuffle: California has moved its presidential primary date up to earlier in the year. Others states, like Oklahoma, are considering doing the same. If it keeps going, as one radio wag said earlier in the week, we'll have New Hampshire voters going to the polls still hung over from New Year's Eve parties.
Salute!
With Seabee grandson Colby Stuck on station in Iraq, I'm reminded once again of how much we owe those who have worn our uniforms, among them cousin Jerry McCarville, shown here as a lieutenant colonel from Darlington, Wisconsin, while commanding the 4017th Combat Training Squadron at Castle Air Force Base, California.
Seized Cash: I confess continued unease about reports of law enforcement officers seizing cash from motorists they stop. This week, there's the story about a million-plus dollars in cash having been found in a car in western Oklahoma and how law enforcement is gleefully splitting up the money. The flimsy reason for this is that it is suspected drug proceeds. As I understand it, no charges were filed against anyone. The theory seems to be that anyone carrying any significant sum of cash acquired it illegally. (In this case, that may be true, but how can we know without criminal charges being filed?) I am reminded of the older couple in Florida a few years back who were found to have $17,500 in cash on them when their vehicle was stopped because a taillight was out. The money was confiscated because, it was reasoned, that much money must be tied to an illegal act. Turns out the couple had just sold their mobile home in Alabama and were on their way to buy another in southern Florida. It took them six months to get their money back because even though they weren't charged with any crime, the state of Florida had the cash and wasn't about to give it back until a judge ordered it to do so.
Credit Cards: I was chagrined the other night as I watched ABC's "Nightline" special on credit card debt (and misuse) in the U. S. when efforts to pedal credit cards to wet-behind-the-ears college students was discussed and the University of Oklahoma was featured. There was a credit card kiosk complete with folks wearing OU shirts and handing out same to students who signed up. The university no doubt benefits financially from credit card solicitations among its students. That doesn't make it prudent, or right.
On Target:
If you're a 2nd Amendment defender (as I am) and want to keep up with the latest news on the subject, there's no better place for up-to-date news than Gun Law News. The site includes a daily update from blogs and news sites and usually includes a complete recap of issues related to the right to keep and bear arms.Feel Good Bills: We've had a spate of "feel good" bills this session. Rep. Mike Shelton has one, to fight gangs. No argument here that may be needed, but the biggest need is for parents to take control of their kids' lives. We can pass all the new laws we want to supplant or bolster the ones we now have; bottom line is there will be no significant improvement without the involvement of parents and mentors and the affirmation of family values that discourage gang membership.
Bill & Barack: Confess I feel for Bill Richardson. The New Mexico governor, pondering a race for the Democratic nomination for president, is in town Sunday, but almost all of the news media attention has focused on Barack Obama, in the state on Monday. One TV station is so enamored it will carry his visit "live." The Oklahoman this morning headlined Obama with photo and gave Richardson a one-line mention way down in the story. Obama is the "rock star" of the field despite his limited government experience. Richardson is simply a solid moderate politician the main stream media thus far has given scant attention. The Gadfly suggests that is because Richardson isn't liberal enough for the MSM.
Presidential Primary Shuffle: California has moved its presidential primary date up to earlier in the year. Others states, like Oklahoma, are considering doing the same. If it keeps going, as one radio wag said earlier in the week, we'll have New Hampshire voters going to the polls still hung over from New Year's Eve parties.
Salute!
With Seabee grandson Colby Stuck on station in Iraq, I'm reminded once again of how much we owe those who have worn our uniforms, among them cousin Jerry McCarville, shown here as a lieutenant colonel from Darlington, Wisconsin, while commanding the 4017th Combat Training Squadron at Castle Air Force Base, California.
Labels: Gadfly's Columns
posted by Mike McCarville @ 1:41 AM
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