The Gadfly On The Wall
Winners, Losers: The end of the 2007 Legislature offers opportunity to assess. Winners appear to be Republicans, now in charge of the House and co-equal in the Senate. They got most of what they wanted. Governor Brad Henry emerged from the session with a few bumps and bruises, most of them self-inflicted. Some still trying to figure out what his stand on the budget was all about, and what his real position on lawsuit reform may be. Mike Morgan, Senate Democratic leader, got through this session without the mistakes he made a year ago. Lance Cargill and Glenn Coffee get high marks from most for their leadership in the House and Senate.
Stipe Stuff: Expect, sooner rather than later, more news about former State Senator Gene Stipe. The feds, no doubt, are about to repeal his probation and the IRS probably has him in its sights as well. The convicted felon has more rocky days ahead.
Speaking Of 'Rocky': Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart and former State Rep. Tim Pope, Rinehart's campaign manager, will again be in the news as criminal charges against them are pursued. The campaign-finance related cases against them took an interesting twist when businessman Bob Larkin, also charged in the case, reached a plea agreement and is cooperating with investigators. Never a good sign for others charged in the same case.
Oklahoma County Commission: Comes word there may be yet another Democrat eyeing the seat being vacated by Jim Roth. Former State House member Bart Bates, also a former Capitol lobbyist, is said to be taking a look. He served from 1989 to 1993 representing District 19. He now lives in the Jones area.
Family Hero: From time to time, I recall the military members of Family McCarville, and it seems especially fitting on Memorial Day weekend. This is Army Sergeant Stephen L. McCarvel (distant cousin) of Montana, the only family member to die in Vietnam. Steve was awarded the Silver Star for bravery under fire. He was on his second (and voluntary) tour in Vietnam when he died on May 24, 1969 at the age of 19. Stephen’s name is the only McCarvel or McCarville name found on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall which now lists the names of 58,249 U.S Military Casualties in Southeast Asia between 1956 and 1975. Among those names is Army Warrant Officer and helicopter pilot Mike Johnson Hope, my best friend in high school, who died when his chopper was shot down.
Stipe Stuff: Expect, sooner rather than later, more news about former State Senator Gene Stipe. The feds, no doubt, are about to repeal his probation and the IRS probably has him in its sights as well. The convicted felon has more rocky days ahead.
Speaking Of 'Rocky': Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart and former State Rep. Tim Pope, Rinehart's campaign manager, will again be in the news as criminal charges against them are pursued. The campaign-finance related cases against them took an interesting twist when businessman Bob Larkin, also charged in the case, reached a plea agreement and is cooperating with investigators. Never a good sign for others charged in the same case.
Oklahoma County Commission: Comes word there may be yet another Democrat eyeing the seat being vacated by Jim Roth. Former State House member Bart Bates, also a former Capitol lobbyist, is said to be taking a look. He served from 1989 to 1993 representing District 19. He now lives in the Jones area.
Family Hero: From time to time, I recall the military members of Family McCarville, and it seems especially fitting on Memorial Day weekend. This is Army Sergeant Stephen L. McCarvel (distant cousin) of Montana, the only family member to die in Vietnam. Steve was awarded the Silver Star for bravery under fire. He was on his second (and voluntary) tour in Vietnam when he died on May 24, 1969 at the age of 19. Stephen’s name is the only McCarvel or McCarville name found on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall which now lists the names of 58,249 U.S Military Casualties in Southeast Asia between 1956 and 1975. Among those names is Army Warrant Officer and helicopter pilot Mike Johnson Hope, my best friend in high school, who died when his chopper was shot down. Labels: Gadfly's Columns
posted by Mike McCarville @ 12:37 AM
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