The Gadfly On The Wall

Enough Already: While I enjoy a solid controversy as much as anyone, I've had enough of the Mike Gundy/Jenni Carlson dustup. The word overkill comes to mind. Darts to Diva Carlson for her column in the first place, darts to Coach Gundy for appearing to lose his cool and making Carlson the sole topic of his post-game comments. A few well-placed remarks would have done the job just as effectively. I'd have teed off on her in person, in private. Do appreciate Gundy taking up for his player. See nothing wrong with a coach publicly critiquing a columnist; quid pro quo works for me.

Sund Shines: Our story this week about Governor Brad Henry's Brazil fishing trip with his trial lawyer friends (and, in his defense, one longtime family friend, Terry West of Shawnee, who arranged the trip) brought me into what could have been contentious contact with Henry's communications director, Paul Sund. I've known Paul for years (since his days at KOSU in Stillwater) and, having been in his shoes myself as a governor's press secretary, know how one tends to react to questions about such things as the fishing trip. Paul was not only civil in his responses, he was prompt in responding and helpful in identifying some of those on the trip even though he could have told me and others to take a flying leap. Gold star for Paul.

About Those Checks: It is fundamental in political fundraising (and I've done a whole lot of it) that checks must be deposited into the account of the entity to which they are given. Thus, checks payable to the "Oklahoma Republican Party" should not, as is alleged, have been deposited into any other account, even the "Oklahoma County Republican Party." That having been said, it appears to me the task before the Ethics Commission is to determine why that occurred, and who did it, and who directed that it be done. There will be considerable fallout over this, not the least of which will be the allegation that Republican Mike Reynolds of Oklahoma City was the source of the original information and, if former GOP Chairman Chad Alexander is correct, actually filed the complaint with the Ethics Commission. Reynolds is a maverick; the belief he fueled the investigation will further alienate him from some of his fellow GOP House members. The Ethics Commission cannot confirm that it is conducting an investigation in this case and there are those who hint there are other investigations, involving straw donors to Democrat campaigns, that are underway. One insider suggests Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan's donors are being scrutinized, but there's no way to confirm or deny that. If there's no McMahan investigation underway, there should be.

FAMILY STUFF

Grandson Colby: The 21-year-old Navy Seabee has been home from Iraq, out of harm's way, for a week now. I am thankful. I noted his return earlier and friend Mark Shannon emailed to remark I probably had been holding my breath the entire time Colby was in Iraq. Didn't realize it until Mark made the comment, but he's right; I had been holding my breath. My admiration for today's military is great and it's grown with just a few comments Colby has made about those with whom he served. Oohrah!

Granddaughter Faye: The Del City High School student is looking for her first job, a goal on hold until she had transportation of her own. And she now has her first car, thanks to the generosity of her brother Mike. It's a '90 Honda Accord with 222,200 miles and has almost 18 years' worth of scratches, nicks and dings. Faye thinks it is the prettiest car she's ever seen.

Speaking Of Grandson Mike: The 23-year-old feels better, looks better and is sleeping better after resigning as a fuel systems specialist on the big birds at Tinker. After five years of crawling around inside jet fuel tanks, Mike decided he'd had enough, despite the excellent pay and benefits. He aspires to a law enforcement career, but has an equal interest in buying, rehabbing and selling homes. He's experienced as a carpenter and tile layer, and landscaper as well. He built himself a new home in Choctaw two years ago and sold it two months ago for a tidy profit, on which he is earning enough monthly interest to almost cover his living expenses. All of us should be so fortunate. And he's now studying finance at Rose State College.

Granddaughter Courtney: The Del City High School student keeps way busy as an assistant to the Eagles football team. Perpetually optimistic, she spends hours every day after school lugging equipment, taping ankles and otherwise helping the team. Now, if I can just get Bob Stoops to offer her an OU scholarship....

Grandson Kevin: Home-schooled his entire life, Kevin is now taking a computer course at Mid-Del Vo Tech and continues his air pistol shooting pursuits, although his aspiration to make the 2008 Olympic Shooting Team seems out of reach. No matter; he made the effort and apparently is among the top one percent of junior shooters in the country. He's a far better shot than his Grandad is, or ever was. He works parttime in the kitchen at Pelican's Restaurant in Midwest City. He's now over six feet tall, evidence he got something from his Dad's side of the family he never would have gotten from his Mother's (my daughter) side of the family.

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