The Gadfly On The Wall

Endless Campaign: In a few days, the presidential primary season really begins, months, many months, after it began in what must be the longest campaign in history. Or so it seems. Confess I have found this presidential campaign tedious; not much entertainment on the Democrat side, confusing rhetoric on the Republican side. Like many, I've waited for the break-out candidates in each party. Haven't seen one yet. My man Fred Thompson has been a non-starter; perhaps a case of high expectations unmet. Hillary Clinton seems to have a lock on the Democratic nomination and right now is the odds-on favorite to win the whole game. She'll lose most of the South and the Southwest but likely take the big northern, eastern and western states and that's where the winning number of electoral votes are to be found. Some Republicans hope she is the nominee, believing that will mobilize the GOP base. That is likely, but that base is now splintered and the Republican who can put it all together against an opponent like Clinton is not yet evident.

Aftermath: I cannot see the houses across the street for the piles of limbs and cut tree trunks that line my once-lovely front yard and the yards of my neighbors. Last week's ice storm left my Midwest City neighborhood a shambles, not unlike many other neighborhoods all over the metro area I've seen this week. The aftermath of this worst-ever ice storm will be evident for years to come; let us hope spring's growth will help hide the topless and limb-lacking trees and shrubs.

Rock On: Did you know that since 1991, the number of privately owned firearms in the U.S. has increased by 65-70 million, the number of right-to-carry states has increased from 15 to 40, and violent crime has decreased 38%?

Social Mores: The media explosion of reports about the pregnancy of a 16-year-old with a celebrity sister and doting mother leaves me cold. How about similar coverage of the Eagle Scout who saved his father's life? Or of the off-duty security guard who saved the lives of dozens of kids?

NBA Arena: The extension of an existing penny sales tax by Oklahoma City voters to make the Ford Center a more NBA-friendly venue seems worthwhile, though I confess I doubt that an NBA team coming to OKC will experience the love affair evident with the New Orleans Hornets. The circumstances that brought the Hornets here for two years were extraordinary; George Shinn and crew, riding the popularity of young star Chris Paul and OKC basketball fans eager to embrace the hurricane-dislodged Hornets, made friends and fans who regularly packed the Ford Center. Back in the Big Easy, the Hornets find attendance is lousy, less than 11,000 per game compared to that lofty 16,000-plus per game average here. If the Seattle Sonics do wind up here, owners like Clay Bennett had best pray for a star who catches on with fans as Paul did; right now, most can't name a Sonics player, much less one with Paul's star quality.

Merry Christmas: The Grinches who would prevent that phrase..."Merry Christmas"...and the display of religious symbols during this season are not welcome in my home. The hand-carved Nativity that oldest daughter Shelli brought us as a gift from her archeological dig in Israel two decades ago has its usual prominent place. Tonight, when we gather for our traditional gift exchange, I'll be giving thanks to the Creator for another year of good health, prosperity, enduring friendships and children and grandchildren who daily offer evidence of the good to be found in man, and of the freedoms we enjoy in this greatest of nations. May you and yours find similar sentiments. Merry Christmas and joyous holidays to you.

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