Reverse Discrimination Alleged In Mississippi

JACKSON, Mississippi ~ A federal judge has ruled that a majority black county in eastern Mississippi violated whites' voting rights in what prosecutors said was the first lawsuit to use the Voting Rights Act on behalf of whites. U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee ruled late Friday that Noxubee County Democratic Party leader Ike Brown and the county Democratic Executive Committee "manipulated the political process in ways specifically intended and designed to impair and impede participation of white voters and to dilute their votes." The Justice Department accused Brown of trying to limit whites' participation in local elections in violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, written to protect racial minorities when Southern states strictly enforced segregation.

Coffee Makes History Next Week

History will be made Sunday in the Oklahoma Senate when Republican Senator Glenn Coffee officially becomes the first Republican to hold the office of Senate President Pro Tempore.

"This is a historic day for the Oklahoma Senate. It is the first time in state history that a Republican senator has held the office of Senate President Pro Tem," stated Senate Republican Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward.

Democrats had controlled the Senate since statehood until the 2006 elections, when Republican gains created a 24-24 tie. As part of a power-sharing agreement adopted in January, Senator Mike Morgan (D-Stillwater) and Coffee (R-Oklahoma City) were elected by senators to jointly run the Legislature's upper chamber. For most of the two-year agreement, Morgan serves as President Pro Tempore with Coffee as Co-President Pro Tempore. However, during the month of July, 2007, Coffee assumes the office of President Pro Tem and Morgan will be Co-President Pro Tem.

"Serving with the first Republican pro tem was very important for those of us who are term-limited next year. It is symbolic of the equality of the two parties in the Senate, and represents the gains Republicans have made with our message of economic freedom, traditional values, and government accountability," Laughlin said.

Coffee said for Republicans, gains in the Senate have helped them advance a conservative legislative agenda: "For Republicans, this is not about power or control. It is about giving good policies such as lawsuit reform, tax relief, education reform, and pro-life a chance to be heard," Coffee said. "Under Democrat control, these issues went nowhere in the Senate; but, with a tie, we have been able to vote on and pass many of these bills," he said.

Coffee said the Senate's power-sharing agreement has worked well. "I want to thank Senator Morgan and every senator for working so hard to make the power-sharing agreement work so well. The tie could have resulted in gridlock, but instead the Senate had a very successful legislative session for the people of Oklahoma," Coffee said.

Thompson Perceived As Most Conservative

From Rasmussen Reports ~ "Among the major candidates seeking the GOP Presidential nomination, former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson is viewed as politically conservative by more voters than anybody else. That's true among all voters and also among Republican voters. It's a key factor in why Thompson is currently doing so well in the race for the Republican presidential nomination."

Flood Damage Assessment Teams Begin Survey

As torrential rains continue to pound parts of the state, Governor Brad Henry announced today that damage assessment teams will soon begin surveying damages to homes and businesses caused by flooding. On Monday, July 2, joint teams representing the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will join Shawnee/Pottawatomie County Emergency Management officials in conducting preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) for potential individual assistance. Additional PDAs will be requested for recently reported damages in Comanche County and other counties along the Red River.

Get The Message?

American public to President Bush and Congress: Do you get the message?

Hat tip to blogger Ron Black

Henry Names Appointees To Boards, Commissions

Governor Brad Henry has announced a large number of appointments to state boards and commissions. The appointees include:

Dale E. Nye, Lindsay, to the State Board of Career and Technology Education for a term expiring April 1, 2013. He replaces Toney Stricklin, who resigned. Senate confirmation required.

Mart Tisdal, Clinton, to the Wildlife Conservation Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2011. He replaces Bennett Wade Brinkman, who resigned. Senate confirmation required.

Tonya Mann, Oklahoma City, to the Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners to serve coterminously with the Governor. She replaces Mark Mann.

George King, Spencer, to the Barber Advisory Board to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces himself.

Lee Roy Tucker, Midwest City, to the Barber Advisory Board to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces himself.

David A. Reed, Oklahoma, to the Barber Advisory Board to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces himself.

Francis Hobart Means Jr., Midwest City, to the Barber Advisory Board to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces himself.

Bob Macy, Newalla, to the Crime Victims Compensation Board for a term expiring Sept. 30, 2007. He replaces Nancy Ann Lowrance, who resigned. Senate confirmation required.

Mark Arthur Fuller, Norman, to the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces himself.

V. David Miller, Muskogee, to the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces himself.

Gene Reding, Ardmore, to the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces himself.

David Packman, Oklahoma City, to the Board on Legislative Compensation to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces himself.

Dr. Katherine Sue Little, Oklahoma City, to the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Advisory Committee for a term expiring Sept. 1, 2009. She replaces Dianne Gasbarra.

Weldon Davis, Bethany, to the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Council to serve coterminously with the Governor. He replaces Susan Reed, who resigned.

Danny L. Cavett, Moore, to the State Employee Assistance Program Advisory Council for a term expiring July 1, 2009. He replaces Delbert Rice, who resigned.

Larry E. Adair, Stilwell, to the State Board of Education for a term expiring April 1, 2013. He replaces Pat Frank, who resigned. Senate confirmation required.

Sen. Andrew Rice, Oklahoma City, to the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. He replaces Bernest Cain.

Rep. Mike Shelton, Oklahoma City, to the Affirmative Action Review Council for a term expiring Aug. 26, 2008. He replaces Sherleen Jackson.

David S. Fleischaker, Oklahoma City, to the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center Board to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. He fills a new position.

Andrea Nalani LaFazia, Oklahoma City, to the Governor’s Task Force on Prevention of Underage Drinking to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. She replaces herself.

Stipe Remains Free On Own Recognizance

Gene Stipe remains free on his own recognizance following an initial appearance on a request to revoke his probation Thursday. Stipe has two years remaining on a five-year federal probation handed out after pleading guilty to perjury and federal campaign law violations. Prosecutors are asking for his probation to be revoked because he is alleged to have been involved in additional election law violations and other activities that violate probation rules. The 80-year-old former legislator used a walker when he arrived at the federal courthouse in Muskogee accompanied by attorney Clark Brewster, who assisted Stipe up the courthouse steps. United States Magistrate Judge Steve Shredder allowed Stipe to remain free on his own recognizance until another hearing is set. U.S. Judge Ronald White is to schedule that hearing at a later date.

Andrew Rice Claims 'Outpouring" Of Support For 2008 Senate Run Against Inhofe

Freshman State Senator Andrew Rice claims he's found an "outpouring of support" for a possible run against Republican U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe next year.

The liberal Oklahoma City Democrat has been mentioned as a possible candidate in recent months; he said he is now touring the state.

Observers believe Rice, 34, would face a difficult race against Inhofe.

Inhofe won the Senate seat in a 1994 special election, defeating popular Democratic Congressman Dave McCurdy. He won the regular election in 1996 by soundly defeating Jim Boren and easily defeated former Governor David Walters in 2002.

Rice worked for the Texas Freedom Network, which "counters the influence of religious extremism in public policy," a statement on his website says. He is the founder of the Progressive Alliance Foundation which works throughout the state of Oklahoma "advancing progressive, fair-minded and constitutional solutions to public policy problems. He also launched the Red River Democracy Project (RRDP) and is on the board of The People's Opinion Project."

Phipps Says He's Guilty

Steve Phipps, the former longtime business partner of former State Senator Gene Stipe, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a mail fraud charge and admitted paying kickbacks to three state legislators.

Phipps, 52, admitted in federal court in Muskogee that he paid the lawmakers, who have since left office, for their help in funneling taxpayer money to private businesses. He has been cooperating with federal prosecutors. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Phipps was freed on $20,000 bond by U.S. Magistrate Kimberly West. Phipps became the second person to plead guilty to a felony charge linked to alleged kickbacks to legislators. Former Rep. Mike Mass pleaded guilty to a similar charge in April and also is cooperating with federal authorities.

"I agreed with Mike Mass and others on a plan to have state funds appropriated by the legislature and steered to an entity known as the Rural Development Foundation," Phipps said. "The RDF then provided funds to National Pet Products and Indian Nation Entertainment, businesses then largely owned and operated by me. In order to secure state funding for RDF, that would then be provided to INE, I agreed to periodically pay Rep. Mike Mass and two other influential state legislators each a percentage of the gross income from the gaming machines that were manufactured as the result of the state funding."

ME's Office Gets '08 Funding Commitment

Legislative leaders today announced a supplemental funding commitment for the Medical Examiner's Office. The legislative leaders announced a $980,600 funding commitment to be passed by the beginning of March, 2008 after the Legislature convenes for its regular session. At the same time, House Speaker Lance Cargill said he wants to know why the office didn't make the problem known until after the Legislature adourned this year.

Clifton $cott: How $weet It I$

By Jaclyn Houghton, CNHI News Service ~ After 40 years in state government service, Clifton Scott traded in a five-figure salary for a six-figure retirement check. Now he draws both, collecting $146,000 a year in a government pension for a job where his final salary was $82,004, as well as $77,000 a year in his post-retirement job as secretary for the Commissioners of the Land Office, a state agency that manages school land trust funds used for the upkeep of schools in the state. Read the entire story here.

Influential Magazine Notes Henry's Tort Reform Veto, Cites State's Insurance Loss Ratio

By Brandon Dutcher, Oklahoma Council Of Public Affairs ~ The current issue of Directorship magazine, which is widely read by board members of Fortune 500 companies, includes a 12-page profile of the litigation climate in each of the 50 states. Oklahoma ranks an embarrassing 44th. “Insurance loss ratios in Oklahoma are in the bottom 30 percent of all states. Sequoyah County is fast becoming a class action magnet. While the Oklahoma Legislature passed comprehensive liability-reform legislation this session, it was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry despite his pledge four years ago for ‘Texas Plus’ tort reform. Governor Henry turned his back on Oklahoma voters and also on growth and jobs creation. Attorney General Drew Edmondson is a highly activist attorney general.”

Phipps In Muskogee Court Today

Steve Phipps, longtime business partner of former state Senator Gene Stipe, will appear in federal court today in Muskogee to plead guilty to a felony mail fraud charge linked to alleged kickbacks to state lawmakers.

FBI court documents allege Phipps and Stipe used state money for private business ventures to give money to political campaigns through so-called straw donors as a way of getting around campaign contribution limits. Phipps' attorney, Dan Webber, says Phipps has been working with federal prosecutors and was a cooperating witness before former state Rep. Mike Mass pleaded guilty to a similar charge in April.

Stipe is scheduled to appear in federal court tomorrow for a probation revocation hearing.

Lottery Lamentations Continue; Short Again

The Oklahoma Lottery will begin a television game show and offer an additional multistate game in hopes of improving lower-than-expected revenues, officials say. The new television game show is to be filmed in Oklahoma City; it will begin airing in October. In 2008, the state would join 10 other states in offering the Hot Lotto game, which features a minimum jackpot of $1 million.

Lottery Commission Executive Director Jim Scroggins says he hopes the additions will help generate excitement for the lottery, which is expected to fall far short of its revenue projections this year. Scroggins says lottery revenues have been hampered by competition from tribal casinos and horse racing tracks, the need for additional gaming options and illegal gambling.

Rasmussen: Thompson Takes GOP Poll Lead

A new Rasmussen Reports survey finds unannounced contender Fred Thompson leads Republican presidential candidates with 27 percent, followed by Rudy Giuliani with 23 percent, Mitt Romney with 12 percent, and John McCain with 11 percent. It's the first nationwide survey to find the former Tennessee U. S. senator ahead of the three previous frontrunners. Thompson is expected to officially announce soon.

Coburn Returns To Senate After Surgery

Senator Tom Coburn returned to the Senate on Monday after surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to remove a benign pituitary tumor. "He arrived back in Washington this afternoon and is back to his senatorial duties full time," said Aaron Cooper, an aide for Coburn, 59. Coburn has been recuperating at his Muskogee home.

Henry Says Special Prosecutor Not Needed

Governor Brad Henry says there's no need for a special prosecutor to investigate the straw donor scandal. Through spokesman Paul Sund, the governor said a federal investigation is underway and unless federal prosecutors need "additional assistance, there is no compelling reason to take the extraordinary action of creating a special investigative entity."

Henry reacted to Republican State Chairman Gary Jones' call for a special prosecutor. See the details of Jones' request in the story below.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson said he views Jones' call as "nothing more than politics...."

Loveless Ending Tailgate Political Hour

Kyle Loveless announced this afternoon that his KTLR radio show, the Tailgate Political Hour, will end this Thursday. Loveless said he and his wife are adopting a child and he is involved in a campaign for the State Senate, thus limiting his time. His sidekick, OU professor of political science Keith Gaddie, is becoming involved in another venture and has less time than when the two kicked off the political talk show. The show has aired from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Jones: Henry Should Name A Special Prosecutor

Republican State Chairman Gary Jones today called on Governor Brad Henry to name a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of illegal campaign donations. Jones said Henry should name a special prosecutor because the state's usual prosecutor, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, has himself been connected to suspect donations.

In a prepared statement, Jones said: "This Wednesday Steve Phipps is scheduled to plead guilty as part of a plea agreement with the United States Government in connection with an FBI investigation of political corruption in Southeast Oklahoma. His estranged business partner, former Democratic State Senator Gene Stipe, will be back in court Thursday for a probation revocation hearing. Stipe, who is in the midst of a 5 year-probation sentence for illegal campaign activities, appears to be facing the judge in connection to similar charges of illegally funneling contributions to Congressman Dan Boren’s 2004 congressional campaign.

"The federal investigation into the corrupt political shenanigans of Gene Stipe has sparked a grassfire of additional illegal activities and has grown to include a number of high level Democrats. While the federal government is doing its job, the same can not be said of the State of Oklahoma. While federal prosecutors are handing out indictments for federal crimes, justice will not be served without a state investigation and charges sought at that level. The feds have filed charges in connection with donations to Boren, but what about more than a hundred thousand dollars in contributions to State Auditor Jeff McMahan, Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Governor Brad Henry?

"To add insult to injury it appears that it was our own state tax dollars that were illegally funneled into these campaigns. The Oklahoma officials normally responsible for investigating and prosecuting state related crimes have been implicated and may very well be involved themselves. It is imperative that Governor Brad Henry name a special prosecutor to pursue charges in this corruption ring. Attorney General Drew Edmondson has made comments that state charges may be pursued. However, he himself has been caught up in the straw donor scam along with the state auditor, not to mention the Democrat Leader of the Oklahoma Senate, Mike Morgan.

"It's time for an independent state investigation. It’s time for Governor Henry to show leadership and name a special prosecutor. We need someone to investigate these crimes and stop those who are abusing our state and our citizens. Sadly, political corruption has been a part of our past hundred years. It need not be tolerated in our future."

Askins Leads Muskogee Democratic Fundraiser

Lt. Governor Jari Askins will be the principal speaker for the Muskogee County Democratic Committee fundraiser dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday in Room D at the Muskogee Civic Center. The catered meal is $12 per person. Other special guests and speakers for the meeting will include Dr. Ivan Holmes, new Oklahoma Democratic chairman, and Anthony Wallace, 2007 governor of Boys’ State.

Boren Wants 9.7% Tuition Cost Increase

Tuition costs at the University of Oklahoma are expected to increase nearly 10% for the 2007-08 term if regents approve President David Boren's request. It would be OU's largest hike in tuition and mandatory fees in three years.

The board of regents meets this week in Ardmore, where they're expected to approve the tuition hike, which includes a 9.7% increase for in-state students and a 9.9% raise for out-of-state students. If the hike is approved, in-state students will have to pay $5,607 for 30 credit hours, an increase of $498.

Chad Smith Reelected Cherokee Nation Chief

Chad Smith was elected to a third term as chief of the Cherokee Nation on Saturday as the tribe deals with controversy surrounding a vote to rescind the tribal membership of the descendants of its slaves. With more than 13,600 ballots counted, Smith had won 58.8 percent of the vote, while his opponent, former Cherokee Supreme Court Justice Stacy Leeds, received 41.2 percent. Smith was elected chief in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.

Chad Smith and wife image courtesy Cherokee Nation.

Taylor Says She'll Seek Reelection

From The Sunday Tulsa World ~ Being Tulsa's mayor is the only political office Kathy Taylor wants, she says. Dispelling a swell of rumors that she would run for governor or Congress, Taylor confirmed last week that she plans to seek re-election in 2010.

Turpen: Hillary Raised $305,000

Mike Turpen says Hillary Clinton's recent fundraiser for Hillary Clinton at Oklahoma City's Skirvin Hotel raised $305,000, up from the $282,000 initially reported.

Turpen discussed the event on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show with Burns Hargis and Kevin Ogle. Turpen said the goal was to raise $200,000 for Clinton's bid for the Democratic nomination for president.

Tecumseh Man Faces Trial In Jones Trailer Theft

City of Tecumseh employee Justin Michael Lewis is scheduled to go on trial July 31st in Pottawatomie County District Court for possession of stolen property in connection with the theft of a campaign trailer used by Republican nominee for auditor and inspector Gary Jones. The trailer was recovered in late October, 2006 on property owned by Lewis near Macomb.

A source at the City of Tecumseh said that Lewis worked for the city at the time of the theft with Jason McMahan, State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan’s younger brother. The younger McMahan reportedly was dismissed from the city for allegedly threatening another employee shortly after the trailer was discovered. City officials have been mum on Jason McMahan's employment status, but city employees have talked openly about his dismissal and the alleged reason for it. Those allegations apparently will be aired during the trial since Lewis has not been charged with the actual theft of the trailer. The auditor and inspector has denied any involvement in the theft.

If You're On Long Island, Visit The Family!

The Gadfly On The Wall

Oklahoma County Commission Race: Five Democrats, two Republicans want to replace Jim Roth. On the Democratic side, my money's on Councilwoman Ann Simank and former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn. Should be a real shootout. And remember: It's a winner-take-the-nomination primary. There is no runoff. On the GOP side, I'm with friend of 51 years Forrest Claunch.

Hat Tip: To The Libery Sphere, a blog I find of increasing interest. Somewhat Libertarian in view, the blog by D. Martyn Lloyd-Morgan covers the waterfront of the day's current issues with verve, intellect and good writing. Recommend it to you.

Big Cousin: Distant cousin Janel McCarville of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, who is now playing with the WNBA's New York Liberty, had her best game of the 2007 season on June 12th when she scored 11 points despite seeing only eleven minutes and forty seconds of actual playing time against the Washington Mystics. Image courtesy the New York Liberty.

Take That: So, for 10 months now I've been blogging away, carrying my HP laptop hither and yon on the premises, my wireless router working like a charm. Then came Tuesday night's lightning display. Zap! Wednesday morning, no Internet connection. Three hours and several HELP calls later, it was determined my wireless router was the block, and not being exactly a computer whiz, I had to make yet another HELP call, this one to Netgear (maker of the router). Seems something was blocking the Netgear connection. Still don't know what it was, but we're up and running, wireless once again. Image courtesy KFOR-TV, Channel 4.

Who Said What? Senator Jim Inhofe all over the blogosphere the past 36 hours with his claim he heard Hillary Clinton and Barbara Boxer plotting a way for government control of conservative talk radio. They deny ever having a discussion, Inhofe sticks to his guns. Like to be a fly on the wall the first time he encounters either one of them!

Trent Less: Actually, his name is Trent Lott...but he has less skin today because this week, conservative radio talk show hosts have taking his hide off one piece at a time. Republican Lott criticized the talkers this week, saying they seem to be running things. He's ticked off because of all the criticism over the immigration bill. A word to the senator: Get outside The Beltway and stand in a grocery store check-out line for about five minutes, then tell me how ordinary citizens feel about it.

Slice Of Life: I don't know his name, or where in Oklahoma he lives, but "OKDad," who posts on his blog "Yet Another Small Town Moment," has done it again. I've just read his post of June 12 entitled, "Is Man Dog's Best Friend?" and got a great chuckle out of it. Entertain yourself.

Phipps' Plea Expected Next Week

From The Tulsa World Online ~ Kiowa businessman Steven Phipps is expected to plead guilty next week as part of a plea agreement with the United States in connection with an FBI investigation of political corruption in southeast Oklahoma.

Former state Sen. Gene Stipe, Phipps' estranged business partner, is at the center of the investigation but has not been charged.

The U.S. Attorney filed a mail fraud charge against Phipps Friday that alleges he paid three legislators a percentage of the gross income on gaming machines in exchange for securing more than $700,000 to companies controlled by Phipps and Stipe.

Phipps' attorney Daniel Webber Jr. of Oklahoma City, said Phipps has acknowledged his wrongdoing and has been cooperating with the investigation. "Though improperly obtained, the state funds secured for Indian Nations Entertainment were put to use by that company and did help create jobs in eastern Oklahoma," Webber said.

Phipps is the second person to be charged in connection with the grand jury investigation. One of the legislators, former state Rep. Mike Mass of Hartshorne, was the first to enter into a plea agreement. Mass pled guilty in April to conspiracy for his role in funneling state funds to the Rural Development Foundation and then to National Pet Products and Indian Nations Entertainment Corp.

Inhofe Offers Evidence Of Talk Radio Attack; Boxer, Clinton Deny Conversation Occurred

From The Liberty Sphere ~ "Sources inside the Senate have reported that Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) and Barbara Boxer (D-California) are conspiring with other Left Wing operatives to destroy conservative talk radio. As we reported last evening, Republican Senator James Inhofe states that he has evidence that Hillary Clinton and Barbara Boxer are planning legislative action to cripple talk radio." However, on Friday spokespersons for both Boxer and Clinton denied any such conversation, as alleged by Inhofe, ever took place. Matt Drudge is all over the entire developing story. The link to the video of Inhofe making these charges is here:http://www.breitbart.tv/html/2042.html

Journalists Donate To Candidates, Causes

From Bill Dedman, Investigative Reporter/MSNBC ~ Whether you sample your news feed from ABC or CBS (or, yes, even NBC and MSNBC), whether you prefer Fox News Channel or National Public Radio, The Wall Street Journal or The New Yorker, some of the journalists feeding you are also feeding cash to politicians, parties or political action committees. Read Dedman's story and see the list of journalist donors here.

Trent Lott Catches Hell From Talk Show Hosts

Republican Senator Trent Lott is catching hell from conservative talk show hosts. For the details, click on the story headline in our news ticker on the right side of this page.

Newsletter Says Inhofe 'Safe' In 2008

The Rothenberg Political Report in Washington lists Senator Jim Inhofe as among senators who now appear to be "currently safe" bets for reelection.

Hoover Joins Simank Campaign

Blogger Ron Black reports today that Democratic consultant Don Hoover has signed on with Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank in the race for the Democratic nomination for Oklahoma County Commissioner District 1.

Simank faces fellow Councilwoman Willa Johnson, former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn, former State Rep. Bart Bates and former commission candidate Billie Bates.

Republicans are former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City and former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag.

Claunch launched his campaign with an early morning fundraiser in Midwest City this morning. His lead campaign consultant is Neva Hill, who handled Claunch's legislative campaigns and worked with him on anti-gambling efforts that Claunch chaired.

Seven File For County Commission Seat

The filing period for the Oklahoma County Commission District 1 seat ended this afternoon without any major surprises.

Democrats did wind up with five candidates in the winner-take-all primary.

As expected, former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn filed in the Democratic primary, as did Oklahoma City Councilwomen Willa Johnson and Ann Simank, former Capitol lobbyist Bart Bates. and Fannie Bates (no relation to Bart), who sought the seat in 1994.

Republicans who filed include former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City and former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag.

'Juneteenth' Celebrations Turn Violent

Milwaukee, Wisconsin ~ Milwaukee Police say a 33-year-old man has a broken tooth and cuts all over his face after a group of teenagers pulled him from his car and beat him following Milwaukee's Juneteenth celebration.

Austin, Texas ~ An angry crowd beat a man to death after a vehicle he was riding in struck and injured a 2-year-old boy, police said Wednesday. Police believe 2,000 to 3,000 people were in the area for a Juneteenth celebration when the attack occurred Tuesday night. The driver had stopped to check on the little girl at the entrance to an apartment complex when a group of men attacked him, authorities said. The passenger, David Rivas Morales, 40, got out to try to help the driver, but the crowd turned on him, said police Commander Harold Piatt. Morales was beaten to death by as many as 20 men and left lying in a parking lot, Piatt said. A preliminary autopsy listed blunt force trauma as the cause of death. The girl who was hit was not seriously injured.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Fallin Opposes U. S. Dollars For Foreign Abortions

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-5th District, and several other pro-life congresswomen spoke out today against the pro-abortion measures placed in the latest Congressional spending bill.

The State Foreign/Operations Appropriations bill would authorize U.S. taxpayer money to support international organizations that practice or advocate abortion as a method of "family planning." Under the Mexico City Policy, originally instated by President Reagan, those organizations were previously barred from receiving U.S. assistance.

The Mexico City Policy does not affect funding for family planning programs that do not promote abortion, nor does it affect the overall funding levels for HIV/AIDS prevention. Fallin spoke out against the policy change, arguing that Americans should not be paying for foreign abortions.

Coburn, Carper Say Dump Surplus Property

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today introduced legislation to eliminate the enormous backlog of unneeded property within the federal government. The bill would help federal agencies more quickly dispose of unneeded property, resulting in billions of dollars of savings to American taxpayers.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a report Friday, June 15, outlining the exorbitant costs associated with agencies holding onto properties they don’t need. Excessive rules and regulations, according to OMB, have resulted in a backlog of more than 21,000 properties worth $18 billion.

The bill would temporarily ease the property disposal rules and allow agencies to more quickly sell properties they don’t need. It would also give agencies a financial incentive to act by allowing them to keep a portion of the proceeds, which would otherwise go directly to the Treasury.

Cook: Fred Thompson 'Is Hot'

National Journal's Charlie Cook on MSNBC ~ No question, (Fred) Thompson is hot. Whether he can keep this momentum up and the expectations in check once he actually enters the race is a good question, but his rise is having a devastating impact on (Rudy) Giuliani and (John) McCain.

To be sure, Thompson and his campaign have a lot of organizational spadework ahead of them, building an infrastructure that other campaigns built months go. But, catching up organizationally is a lot easier when your polls are headed up than when they are headed south.

The Thompson folks have a terrific opportunity here; let's see if they can capitalize on it.

While former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's upward movement in the polls isn't nearly as great as Thompson's, it is steady. He raised an extraordinary amount of money in the first quarter and he has, along with McCain, the only full-scale campaign infrastructure on the GOP side.

Arguably only the campaigns of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., McCain and Romney have world-class political teams. While Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Giuliani each have some top-notch, "any campaign would love to have them" people in key places, they don't have the number or depth of first-rate talent on board that the first three do.

Romney raised a ton of money in the first quarter, but spent a big chunk of it on television in early states. He has now seen that turn into advantages in Iowa and New Hampshire that are leaving the Giuliani and McCain campaigns with their mouths agape.

Thompson needs to use his momentum to build what Romney already has.

While former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) has gotten favorable notices on the trail, he doesn't have the campaign behind him to capitalize on it and none of the other third-tier candidates appear even close to catching on.

If I were a betting man, my money for the GOP nod would be on either Romney or Thompson.

Read Cook's entire article by clicking on the headline "The Ripple Effect" on our news ticker on the right side of this page.

Nigh Wows Oklahoma City Audience

Former Governor George Nigh, in his usual fine speaking form, apparently wowed an Oklahoma City audience yesterday based on a Tulsa World story. Nigh, always quick with the one-liners, said he wants to be buried in McAlester "So I can keep on voting."

Image courtesy Tulsa World

WKY Flips (Again!) To Sports

WKY-AM 930, Oklahoma's earliest radio station with a long tradition of news that flipped formats from news and talk to Spanish music, is now sports talk. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, former television sportscaster, kicked off the flip-to-sports. Radiophiles Ron Black and Mark Shannon have the skinny.

Bloomberg Exits Republican Party

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leaving the Republican party and has announced he is currently unaffiliated with a political party, it's reported today. The move will clearly begin advancing rumors that the mayor is gearing towards an independent presidential run, which he has denied in the past. In a statement, however, the 65-year-old billionaire mayor indicated this doesn't change his plans for his political future. "I have filed papers with the New York City Board of Elections to change my status as a voter and register as unaffiliated with any political party."

Federal Judge Kills Direct Wine Sales Law

From The Journal Record ~ A federal court has issued the final death stroke to an Oklahoma law designed to benefit the state's growing wine industry. Judge Stephen Friot ruled in November that Oklahoma's law allowing in-state wineries to sell directly to restaurants and retailers is unconstitutional.

In 2000, Oklahoma voters had approved the law in an effort to boost the state's new wine industry by providing easier access to market for their products. All other manufacturers of alcoholic beverages must use a wholesaler to distribute their products in Oklahoma.

A group of wholesalers, concerned that the exception to the law granted to in-state wineries jeopardizes Oklahoma's three-tiered alcohol distribution system, had challenged the new law in federal court, naming the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission and its officials as defendants in the lawsuit.

Because out-of-state wineries are still required to sell their products in Oklahoma through a wholesale distributor, the law allowing in-state wineries to bypass the wholesaler violates interstate commerce law, Judge Friot ruled. To meet constitutional muster, Oklahoma would have to change the law to either allow out-of-state wineries the ability to direct-ship in Oklahoma, or to revoke the privilege to direct-ship that had been extended to in-state wineries.

17-year-old Disarms, Shoots Robber

Metaire, Louisiana ~ A 17-year-old boy foiled an attempted carjacking, wrestling a gun from a would-be robber and shooting him after the man grabbed his mother, authorities said.

Carl Chestnut, wounded in the head and torso, will face armed robbery charges once he is released from East Jefferson General Hospital, Colonel John Fortunato, a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman, said.

The 53-year-old woman, whose name wasn't released, and her son were in the drive-through line at an Arby's Roast Beef Restaurant early Monday when Chestnut, 44, walked up and pointed a gun at her, demanding their money and the car, Fortunato said. When he leaned inside, trying to yank the mother out of the car, the 17-year-old grabbed the gun, Fortunato said. He said it went off once as they struggled, but did not hit anyone. Once the youth got the gun, he shot Chestnut several times, Fortunato said.

Sylena Rhodes, a corporate officer for Arby's, said, "He saved his mother's life. He's a hero. He's an absolute hero."

Tax Revenues Show Huge Increase

Oklahoma has cut taxes and still has seen a $1 billion jump in state revenues over the last two years, officials said Monday. Read Mick Hinton's entire story in today's Tulsa World.

ABC: Democrats 'Tack Left' To Win Liberal Support

From ABC News ~ As the Democratic presidential candidates gather in Washington to make their pitch to party activists this week, "liberal" is suddenly no longer a dirty word. In recent months, virtually the entire Democratic field has tacked left -- not just on the Iraq War, but on health care, taxes, energy issues and gay rights. In each of those areas, much of the field is standing to the left of where Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., stood in 2004, when President Bush lampooned Kerry as a "Massachusetts liberal."

"They're responding to the reality of the primaries, where the center of gravity is far to the left of the electorate as a whole," said Erik Smith, a Democratic consultant who is not affiliated with any of the 2008 candidates. "The discussion with the greater American public is just getting started. They have plenty of time to define themselves, but you don't come all the way back to the center."

Clinton, Kennedy, Obama Vote To Give Illegal Immigrants Social Security Benefits

U. S. Senators Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy and Barack Obama have voted to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants, OnTheIssues.org reports. The trio also voted against making English the official language of the United States.

Oklahoma Tribal Leaders Witness Bush Bill Signing

Leaders of 5 Oklahoma Indian tribes were on hand as President Bush signed a bill to reauthorize a program which encourages home ownership among American Indians. Read the full story by clicking on the headline in our news ticker on the right side of this page.

Toby Keith On Glenn Beck Show

Oklahoma songwriter/singer Toby Keith was a guest this morning on Glenn Beck's nationally-syndicated radio show that airs locally on KTOK-AM 1000. Keith also will appear tonight on Beck's CNN television show, "Headline Prime."

Beck featured Keith, he said, because of Keith's pro-military songs and his trips to war zones to entertain U. S. trips.

Fallin Passes First Bill In Congress

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-5th District, successfully passed legislation in the House of Representatives today, her office announced. The bill, the first piece of legislation that Fallin has introduced and passed in the House, would restore accountability and efficiency to Women's Business Centers receiving federal grants. Fallin's bill, the SBA Women's Business Programs Act of 2007, passed on a voice vote in the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. It must now pass in the U.S. Senate before it can be signed into law by the President.

Sallisaw Woman Controls Pistol, Kills Attacker

A Sallisaw woman who shot and killed her ex-husband early Friday morning after he broke into her home and assaulted the woman and her boyfriend with a bat may have thwarted her ex's alleged plans to kill her. According to Sallisaw police, the man, Robert Wolfe, 49, broke into his ex-wife's home between 1 and 1:35 a.m., knocking glass out of the back door. Wolfe's 33-year-old ex-wife, Kimberly Wolfe, and her boyfriend, Timothy Sizemore, were asleep in bed when Robert Wolfe allegedly began hitting the two with a baseball bat. Kimberly Wolfe retrieved her gun and fired three shots, two of which went through the bedroom wall and one which hit Robert Wolfe between the eyes, police said. He was dead when police arrived. Police said the woman, who had a victim protection order against Wolfe, acted in self-defense.

Cargill: House GOP To Push For More Reforms

Close on the heels of the 2007 legislative session marked by new fiscally conservative accomplishments, House Republican leaders are preparing for a renewed push for government accountability, restraint and efficiency over the next year, says House Speaker Lance Cargill.

“Over the decades, Oklahoma’s state government has simply grown too large, and there are a number of state departments and commissions that could be easily combined into other, corresponding portions of state government,” said Cargill, R-Harrah. He noted that new House efforts on government consolidation come as lawmakers are marking the end of a session in which they spent less on the state budget than the year before, likely a historic first.

At the same time, Cargill said, he ensured that the Oklahoma House’s own annual budget this year saw no increased appropriation from the year before. “Our House budget was a good example of our commitment to hold the line on state spending,” said Cargill. “In a time when lawmakers could have spent more, we spent less money on the state budget than the year before. We made real progress toward restraining government growth this year, but we need to keep pressing forward with reforms.”

Democrats Target Western States

From Fox News ~ They are the heirs to the cowboy and homesteader tradition, willing to protect their land from the butt of a gun and sometimes defend their values in defiance of the government, but that doesn't mean voters in the West automatically reject left-leaning politics. That's why Democrats are making a big play for what political analysts have described as the new battleground for 2008: Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah.

"This is a regional block of states with united interests," said Matt Farautto, executive director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, calling the Rocky Mountain-Southwestern region "really fertile ground for Democrats." He pointed out that half of these states now have Democratic governors.

Democratic activists are now trying to get officials in these states to move their primaries to "Super Tuesday" — Feb. 5 — a date that has become frontloaded with at least 24 states that are bucking to get noticed by the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates and give their voters a chance to make a difference in the nomination process.

Environmental Regulator Consolidation Considered

In an effort to simplify regulatory issues and improve operations at two state agencies, lawmakers will soon consider consolidation of Oklahoma's major environmental regulators. State Rep. Dale DeWitt, who requested the interim study, said there are good reasons to consider combining the Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. "It's clear the two agencies have similar duties," said DeWitt, a Braman Republican who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee. "Consolidation could streamline the environmental permitting process for Oklahomans and also maximize state and federal dollars used to protect our environment."

Foshee Says If Barriers Go Up, He'll Pull Out

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~Former Oklahoma City Councilman Jerry Foshee is so dead set on his project to get cable barriers installed in the median of I-44 in south Oklahoma City, he is offering to withdraw from the campaign for a legislative seat. He made the offer in three separate statements in reference to Oklahoma Transportation Department Director Gary Ridley, telling the KTOK Gwin Falconer-Lippert show Sunday night, "I'll tell ya what, if he would start, and you can publish this, if he would start putting those barriers up tomorrow, I will withdraw from running for the Senate."

Foshee went public last week in assisting the family of Oklahoma City Fire Department Lieutenant Mike Tiderman who along with his eleven year old son and two other individuals was killed in a cross-over accident last month on I-44 near SW 119th street.

"If he would start putting the barriers up tomorrow---or I'll even give him a week---if he'll start in one week of putting the barriers up on I-44, I'll withdraw from the Senate seat," he repeated in the interview with KTOK's Gwin Falconer-Lippert.

Foshee still wonders why the Oklahoma Department of Transportation installed the cable barriers on the median of the Lake Hefner Parkway but not on South I-44 where last month's deadly accident occurred: "If he thinks it's political or he thinks I'm doing it for political--I'll give him a week to start work on the project by putting the posts up, and I'll withdraw from that Senate race," he vowed a third time.

Foshee left the city council earlier this year and became a declared candidate for a State Senate seat that represents south Oklahoma City.

U. S. Senator Says Gun Was His

U. S. Senator Jim Webb, D-Virginia, said he owns the gun that an aide was arrested for carrying into the U.S. Capitol complex in March. "It's my gun," Webb told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in an interview. Webb previously had refused to say whether the gun was his, although his senior aide, Phillip Thompson, had told police the weapon belonged to the Democratic senator. Thompson was arrested on an illegal handgun charge when he carried the loaded pistol and two other loaded magazines in a briefcase into the Russell Senate Office Building. A federal prosecutor later dropped the charge.

Obama, Thompson First In South Carolina

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama and Republican Fred Thompson were the frontrunners in South Carolina's first-in-the-South 2008 presidential primary, according to a fresh poll.

The survey by the Mason-Dixon polling firm found that African-American support had pushed Obama ahead of Senator Hillary Clinton, giving him the support of 34 percent of likely voters against 25 percent for Clinton.

Former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina was third at 12 percent, while 24 percent of respondents were undecided.

Blacks in South Carolina, who could make up more than half of the party's primary voters, favored Obama over Clinton 41 percent to 18 percent, with about one-third of black voters in the state undecided.

In South Carolina's Republican nomination contest, Thompson -- a popular television actor and former Tennessee senator who has not yet formally entered the presidential race -- polled 25 percent. Former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani was second with 21 percent. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was third with 11 percent, followed by Senator John McCain at seven percent. Twenty-eight percent of likely Republican voters were undecided.

Hillary's Oklahoma City Haul: $282,000

Senator Hillary Clinton raised almost $282,000 for her presidential campaign at a fundraiser in Oklahoma City's Skirvin Hotel Saturday night, host Mike Turpen says. The $1,000-per person event began about 90 minutes late when Clinton's flight from Houston was delayed by weather.

Hosts for the event included Turpen and his wife, Susan; Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby; Energy Secretary David Fleischaker and his wife, writer Pam Fleischaker; Pre-Paid Legal CEO Harland Stonecipher and his wife, Shirley; and former Governor David Walters and his wife, Rhonda.

Novak: A Bloomberg-Boren Ticket?

By Robert Novak ~ When New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered the University of Oklahoma commencement address May 11, he engaged in a long, private discussion about 2008 politics with university president and maverick Democrat David Boren. According to New York political sources, they discussed a role Boren might play in an independent Bloomberg campaign for president, generating speculation about a Bloomberg-Boren ticket. In introducing Bloomberg for his commencement speech, Boren praised the mayor's record stabilizing his city's budget and strengthening its economy after the 9/11 attack. Boren was governor of Oklahoma before serving 16 years in the U.S. Senate. A moderate Democrat, he clashed with President Bill Clinton and left the Senate in 1994 to take the University of Oklahoma post. He declined Ross Perot's offer of the Reform Party vice-presidential nomination in 1996 but said he might be open to a 2000 draft.

Miracle In Illinois!

A 5-year-old girl who was feared drowned with her grandfather on a boating trip startled searchers Friday when she emerged from the woods - naked, scratched and holding raspberries. The entire story.

Rinehart Case: Pelfry Now Faces Felony Charges

Ray Pelfry, 67-year-old Del City businessman, now faces felony charges of conspiracy, knowingly accepting an illegal campaign contribution and money laundering, charges upgraded from the previous misdemanor count of violating campaign laws he faced. Pelfy is charged in the alleged illegal financing of County Commissioner Brent Rinehart's 2004 campaign.

Charlie Price, spokesman for Attorney General Drew Edmondson, said the new charges were filed after review of details of the alleged scheme to funnel illegal donations into Rinehart's campaign. Pelfry is one of five men facing charges in the case.

Rinehart and former State Rep. Tim Pope, his campaign manager, face a July 6th preliminary hearing on counts of conspiracy, money laundering and perjury. They deny wrongdoing.

One person charged in the alleged scheme has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and is assisting them, it was reported earlier.

The Gadfly On The Tube

The Verdict: Kent Meyers is the co-host (with Mayor Mick Cornett) of "The Verdict" that airs on Cox Cable Channel 7 Sunday mornings at 9 in Oklahoma City and on Cox Cable Channel 3 in Tulsa at 9:30 and repeats during the week. This Sunday, Norman attorney Micheal Salem and I discuss (former) national talk show host Don Imus, whose comments about lady basketball players dominated the news and sent him packing. Poor Kent couldn't get a word in edgewise. Salem and I are philosophically 180 degrees apart, but he's an engaging, witty guy who offers solid thoughts and I enjoyed the repartee. For the program's schedule, click here.

Not So: Rumor mill working overtime this week, some speculating that I'm returning to the air waves to host a radio show. Wrong. Been there, done that.

Tis So: On the other hand, it is no rumor that former President Bill Clinton is a multi-gajillionaire. Made more than $10 million last year giving speeches. Such a life. (Frosty Troy, eat your heart out!)

So-So: Thanks for the nice comments about our new news crawler from Widgetmate. It has a few bugs (sometimes goes down, sometimes repeats stories, sometimes doesn't pick up Oklahoma stories) that need to be worked out. Work in progress.

Ah So: The more President Bush pushes his immigration bill, the lower his approval rating goes. No surprise here.

So Soppy: The 1957 Plymouth buried in a vault in Tulsa 50 years ago turned out Friday to have been sopping wet. Rusty, mud-caked, inoperable, the car was unveiled as part of the Oklahoma Centennial Celebration in Tulsa. Drew worldwide attention. Can't say much for the construction of the vault or the effectiveness of the multiple wrappings that were supposed to keep the vehicle free of rust.

Grandson Colby...continues his Seabee duty somewhere in Iraq. Working 12+/6 and more. Thanks to those who've asked about him. It was our plan when he was deployed that he'd blog with us, but security is tight, his time is limited; ergo, his diary entries are few and far between.

Tulsa's Plymouth Is A Mess

Fifty years buried in a water-filled vault left this 1957 Plymouth looking like...well, like it had been buried for 50 years in a water-filled vault.

Initiative Petition Drive: Grocery Wine, Beer Sales

A fall initiative petition drive is planned by a group known as Oklahomans for Modern Laws, which wants to let voters decide if grocery stores should be able to sell wine and full-strength beer. Brian Howe, spokesman for the organization, said supporters are gearing up to collect signatures during the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, Sept. 13-23.

Blackburn Says She's In County Commissioner Race

Former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn today announced her candidacy for Oklahoma County Commissioner District One, the seat vacated by Jim Roth.

She is the third declared Democratic candidate in the race, the other two being Oklahoma City Councilwomen Ann Simank and Willa Johnson.

Republicans in the race include former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City and former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag.

Blackburn stated, "I feel I have the skills and commitment to continue the work Commissioner Roth started. Jim re-organized the District One County office and brought integrity and efficiency back to District One. I believe my work and background in civic and community projects give me unique insight into the needs of District One. Roth's legacy of high standards of governmental performance must be maintained."

Blackburn served twelve years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing District 88. While in the House,she served as Chair of Appropriations for Education and Chair of Banking and Finance.

Inhofe Charges To Front Of Immigration Debate

Senator Jim Inhofe today announced “Secure Borders Now”, a new website for Americans to urge the Senate to consider immigration reform that focuses on enforcing existing border security laws and opposition to amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants.

“Unfortunately it appears many in the Senate remain deaf to the voices of the American people, as yet another backroom deal has emerged designed to revive the fatally flawed immigration bill and its immediate path to amnesty. The ‘Secure Borders Now’ petition gives Americans an opportunity to voice their opposition. I hope my constituents and citizens from all across our country will take action, sign the petition and show how many Americans are strongly opposed to this bill. Despite the promise of increased funding for border security and additional votes on a handful of amendments, the proposed legislation will continue to shortcut the current naturalization process and grant amnesty to 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants currently in our country. That is a trade off that I simply cannot support. The first step in any significant immigration legislation must be securing our borders and enforcing existing laws. It is unconscionable to make border security conditional on the guarantee of amnesty," Inhofe said.

For the latest in the immigration controversy, see the multiple stories posted in our news crawler on the right side of this page.

The website is http://www.securebordersnow.com/.

Will It Run...Or Is It Just Rust?

From Tulsa Today ~ The 1957 Plymouth Belvedere buried 50 years ago today is out of its vault and being prepared for the official unveiling at the Tulsa Convention Center this evening at 6 pm.

Judge Rules In Favor Of McAlester Blogger

By James Beaty, Senior Editor, The McAlester News-Capital ~ EUFAULA - A McIntosh County judge has denied a request for a restraining order and a temporary injunction sought against an Internet forum known as the McAlester Watercooler.

The request for a restraining order had been filed by a lawyer representing Steve Covington, who testified during the hearing that he had borrowed money from several sources, including former District 7 state Sen. Gene Stipe, when starting a loan company.

The lawsuit had been filed against Harold King, as well as "John Doe,"numbers 1-50 and "Jane Doe" numbers 1-50 —referring to some individuals who had posted on the Internet forum. Filed on behalf of Covington, doing business as Loan Plus, the suit seeks more than $10,000 in damages, as well more than $10,000 in punitive damages.

King, who identified himself as the owner and operator of the McAlester Watercooler, represented himself during the Thursday afternoon court action.

Covington's attorney, Charles Graham, asked for the injunction and temporary restraining order on the grounds that Covington, doing business as Loan Plus, would suffer irreparable harm unless some postings regarding Covington were removed from the site and prevented from being posted in the future. Covington objected to a posting which told people who had borrowed money from Covington's business that they would not have to repay the loans. His lawyer presented evidence that Covington was licensed to operate the company and that the loan repayments were indeed required.

Associate District Judge Jim Pratt denied the motions for the temporary restraining order, but the lawsuit seeking more than $20,000 in damages against King remains alive.

During cross-examination of Covington, King asked, "Are you financed by a silent partner?"

"I have several banks I borrowed off of and I've also borrowed money from Gene Stipe," Covington said.

The hearing had been set in McIntosh County after Pittsburg and McIntosh County District Judge Thomas Bartheld assigned the case to Pratt.

Covington is expected to figure in the upcoming federal court action in federal court to try and revoke Stipe's probation. Federal investigators have been looking into whether Stipe violated an order from his probation officer issued in 2005 to disassociate with Covington because both had prior felony convictions.

Hat tip to John R. Angier II

Bill Clinton Rakes In $10.2 Million For Speeches

Former President Bill Clinton upped his speechmaking money in 2006, garnering some $10.2 million in payments, compared with about $7.5 million the year before, federal records show.

The Clintons, the former president and his senator wife, had a much more pedestrian income when he ran for president in 1992. If Senator Clinton's 2008 presidential bid is successful, they will enter the White House a very rich couple.

Six years out of power, Bill Clinton can still raise huge sums with a personal appearance. He made a staggering $450,000 for a single September speech in London, at a Fortune Forum event, as well as $200,000 for an April appearance in the Bahamas to speak to IBM, and another $200,000 for a New York speech to General Motors. He was paid $100,000 to address, via a satellite hookup from New York, the 13th annual CLSA Investors' Forum in Japan. It involved 1,200 institutional investors from 30 countries representing US$10 trillion in funds under management to meet with 550 senior executives from 200 of Asia's leading companies. Clinton opened Asia's biggest annual conference from his home in New York on the fifth anniversary of 9/11.

The former president's earnings must be reported as the spouse of a senator. Disclosure rules do not require him to reveal everything. He received an advance from Random House for an unpublished manuscript, but is only required to say that it was greater than $1,000. He also did not have to say how much he earns as a partner with Yucaipa Global Opportunities Fund, a Los Angeles-based investment firm.

Governor, First Lady Join Ghana Church Mission

Governor Brad Henry and First Lady Kim Henry will depart Friday for a 10-day church mission trip to Ghana, Africa. The Henrys will be part of an assistance group sponsored by His Nets, a non-profit Christian organization focused on combating the malaria epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. It's an out-of-the-ordinary absence for a sitting governor and means Lt. Governor Jari Askins takes the reins during his absence.

Mission members will provide malaria prevention education and distribute free mosquito nets to needy families in Ghana. The nets help protect people, particularly pregnant women and young children, from malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Malaria claims the lives of thousands of Ghanaians each year and is considered the deadliest disease in Africa.

The Henrys are helping raise funds to pay for the mosquito nets. The mission group plans to distribute 5,500 nets at a cost of six dollars each.

Dr. Paul Calmes, the former pastor at the Henrys’ home church, the First Baptist Church of Shawnee, is leading the mission trip. This will be his third mission to Ghana.

The Henrys are scheduled to return on June 25. They are paying for the trip with personal funds.

Ghana is situated on the southern coast of West Africa and is bordered to the east by Togo, to the west by the Ivory Coast and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean. At 92,000 square miles, the country is about the size of the state of Oregon and has a population of approximately 22 million. Ghana is a constitutional republic and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, an organization of independent states comprised predominantly by former colonies of the British Empire.

Fallin Joins Tax Prevention Move

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-5th District, joined several other Members of Congress today in unveiling the Tax Increase Prevention Act. The bill, sponsored by Congressman Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, would make the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 permanent.

"Our nation, our economy and our families have benefited from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts," said Fallin. "Today we are introducing legislation that will ensure that they continue to benefit.

"The American Tax Increase Prevention act will protect the child tax credit and permanently end the death tax and the marriage penalty. By coming out here today, we are fighting for the many families that would be hurt by a tax increase."

Storm Warnings: Liberal Democrats Don't Like Limbaugh's Presence On Hurricane Info Station

From The South Florida Sun-Sentinel ~ Rush Limbaugh has long been a thorn in the side of liberals, but now, because of him, some Democratic politicians don't even want to join with a local radio station to broadcast hurricane information. Radio station WIOD, AM 610, has been the official channel for emergency information from Broward County government for the past year. The County Commission, all Democrats, balked at renewing the deal Tuesday, unable to stomach the station also being home to Limbaugh's talk show. Read the entire story here.

Witnesses Testify Before Federal Grand Jury

From The Oklahoman ~ MUSKOGEE — Witnesses appearing Wednesday before the federal grand jury investigating former state Sen. Gene Stipe included one former public official who's now in prison and another who's headed there. Three people alleged to have been "straw donors” to political campaigns also testified. (Stipe's niece, Janice Gray, Norman certified public accountant listed as a donor to several campaigns, also apparently testified.) Read reporter Tony Thornton's story here.

New Jersey Court Restricts Imminent Domain Use

New Jersey's Supreme Court has ruled that local governments can't seize land against the owner's wishes simply because the property is underused. The court's unanimous ruling states that only "blighted" areas are authorized under the New Jersey Constitution. The court found that the Legislature did not intend for eminent domain to be used when the sole reason is that the property is "not fully productive." Government watchdogs have argued for years that eminent domain is being used too liberally by governments nationwide to advance development. The furor over imminent domain has raged for two years since a court ruled privately-owned land could be taken for commercial development.

KTOK: Another Cancer Scare For Coburn

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Already a two-time cancer survivor, Oklahoma U.S. Senator Tom Coburn has had another cancer scare. He underwent surgery today where doctors removed a benign pituitary tumor. A spokesman said he's resting well and there were no complications in the surgery. Coburn, a Muskogee physician, is expected to be back to work by the end of the month. The surgery was performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Fallin Calls For Spending Openness

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-5th District, today called for more openness and transparency on Congressional spending and criticized the Democrat leadership for refusing to disclose individual spending projects on appropriations bills. Fallin's remarks came after Democratic leaders announced that individual "earmarks" for pet projects would not be disclosed until August, after the House had already voted on spending bills.

Under reforms passed in 109th Congress, members were able to see individual earmarks and challenge them before a vote. Under the Democrats' new plan, however, members have essentially been shut out of the earmark process, Fallin said. Instead, the Appropriations Chairmen would have virtually sole discretion over which earmarks are included in the final spending bill.

"Voters in Oklahoma have been very clear - they are sick of out-of-control spending and backroom deals," Fallin said. "I came to the nation's Capitol to restore fiscal sanity and to make sure that Congressional earmarks are subject to public scrutiny.

"I am extremely disappointed in the direction that the Democrat leadership has taken this Congress. Rather than cut spending, they have proposed billions more in funding than the President has requested for federal agencies. Rather than bringing us more openness and accountability, they have embraced a policy of secrecy surrounding earmarks and government spending. And rather than opening the process up to debate and transparency, they have willingly cut the vast majority of Congressmen and women out of the legislative process.

"Many Members of Congress have touted the merits of spending reform, but it appears that their actions do not match their rhetoric. It seems painfully obvious that lawmakers cannot be serious about fiscal responsibility if they authorize spending for projects that they are unaware of. And it seems equally self-evident that the democratic process does not benefit when the Appropriations Chairmen has sole discretion on what earmarks Congress will or will not spend money on. I encourage my colleagues to put a stop to this and to support a policy of transparency and disclosure on all spending bills and to pursue genuine earmark reform."

With More Republicans Like This...

Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska), former chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, took to the House floor late Tuesday night to defend his earmark for the infamous multi-million dollar “bridge to nowhere” and another earmark that secured $10 million for a road in Florida that benefited a campaign contributor. “I was always proud of my earmarks." he said. "I believe in earmarks, always have, as long as they are exposed."

Blogger Okie Insight Asks, 'Would You Support Michael Bloomberg For President?'

On the blog Okie Insight, the poll question is, "Would you support (Republican) Michael Bloomberg for president (as an independent)?" Thus far, Bloomberg draws little support.

Senate Kills Inhofe's Energy Gas Price Act

(Originally posted Tuesday) UPDATE: Senate Democrats today killed Inhofe's amendment. WASHINGTON, DC ~ U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe today offered the Gas Petroleum Refiner Improvement and Community Empowerment Act of 2007, or the Gas Price Act (S.1503), as an amendment to the energy bill currently before the Senate. The Gas Price Act, which is designed to ease America’s soaring gas prices, address true energy independence and increase refinery capacity, was first introduced on May 24, 2007 by Inhofe.

The Gas Price Act would improve the permitting process for the expansion of existing and construction of new domestic fuels facilities, as well as encourage and fund the development of future fuels including coal-to-liquids and cellulosic biomass ethanol. Inhofe’s amendment would provide for a more stable and certain regulatory environment, he said, and it would have numerous economic benefits including locating refineries in distressed communities. Inhofe introduced the amendment on the Senate Floor today; a vote is expected on the amendment tomorrow.

Wilson: If Thompson Gets In, Things Change Quickly

Oklahoma City and Washington pollster Chris Wilson says that if former Senator Fred Thompson does get into the Republican race for president, "things change pretty quickly."

Wilson noted that a recent Los Angeles Times poll (see story below) found that among Christian conservatives, a key GOP voting group, Thompson leads all the other Republican candidates "by 20 points." That, Wilson said, is an important finding that makes Thompson a formidable candidate.

Wilson's comments came on "Mullins In The Morning" with Reid Mullins on radio station KTOK in Oklahoma City.

Rod Cleveland Wins GOP Commissioner Nod

Rod Cleveland of Norman is the Republican nominee for District 1 county commissioner after a clear victory over three opponents in Tuesday voting.

Cleveland, 39, took 56.6 percent (1,338 votes) of the vote to 28.6 percent (676) for second-place finisher Glen Cosper. Randy Rogers of Norman got 11.2 percent and Ted Ryals of Moore got 3.7 percent.

Rasmussen Reports: Surging Thompson Ties Giuliani

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has to share his spot atop the field of Republican Presidential hopefuls this week. The newest face in the race, actor and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, is now tied with Giuliani. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds each man earning support from 24% of likely Republican Primary voters.

A week ago, Giuliani had a six percentage point lead over Thompson, 23% to 17%.

It is not unusual for a candidate to gain ground in the polls when they first announce their intentions. However, Thompson's rise has been meteoric. It remains to be seen whether the reality of his candidacy can measure up to its allure as an alternative for those dissatisfied with the other candidates in the field.

At the moment, 59% of Republicans have a favorable opinion of their newest candidate.

Just 14% hold an unfavorable opinion of Thompson while 27% are not sure.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Republicans view Thompson as politically conservative. Twenty-four percent (24%) see him as politically moderate, 3% say liberal and 30% are not sure. Twenty-one percent(21%) of Republicans view Giuliani as politically conservative (63% see the former Mayor of New York as politically moderate while 12% say liberal).

Just as startling as Thompson's rise in this week's poll is the continuing loss of support for Arizona Senator John McCain. The man once considered the dominant front runner in the race is now supported by just 11% of likely Republican Primary voters nationwide. That's down from 17% in May and 14% a week ago. His support is just half of what it was in January.

McCain's sharp decline in support came as an immigration reform measure dominated the news. McCain was one of the few vocal supporters of the legislation that was far more popular in Congress than among the American people. No other Republican Presidential candidate supported the bill that failed in the Senate last week. McCain is now viewed favorably by just 47% of voters in his home state of Arizona.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney slipped to 11% in this week's poll and is tied with McCain. Prior to modest gains over the past few weeks, Romney had consistently been in the 10% to 12% range.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's (R) support is down to 7%. Gingrich has indicated that the odds are strongly against him entering the campaign. As a result, from this point forward, Rasmussen Reports is not including Gingrich in polling on the Republican Presidential nomination.

Rasmussen Reports releases updated polling data on the Republican nominating contest every Tuesday. Results for the Democrats are updated on Mondays.

A separate survey found that 37% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the Republican Party. Forty-five percent (45%) have a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party. Voters continue to trust Democrats more than Republicans on ten key issues tracked by Rasmussen Reports. But, over the past month, Republicans have gained significant ground on one key issue, immigration. What's especially interesting about this trend is that the Republican Party gained while the President's Job Approval ratings have fallen to new lows. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has also been impacted by the immigration issue—just 19% of voters nationwide now have a favorable opinion of Reid. That's down from 26% a month ago.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of Americans believe the United States is safer today than it was before 9/11. That figure includes 75% of Republicans and 29% of Democrats. A solid plurality of Democrats wants to remove all combat troops from Iraq immediately. A solid plurality of Republicans wants the troops to remain until the mission is accomplished.

High Court Rules Against Education Money Petition

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ More than a year after the Oklahoma School Board Association launched a legal challenge to a petition drive affecting how much money would be spent on teachers, the Oklahoma Supreme court today struck down the petition pushed by a group called First Class Education.

The justices, in a 5-4 ruling, said the wording of the petition insufficiently explained its purpose and possible impact.

Tulsa oilman and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Sullivan was an honorary chairman of the Oklahoma portion of the national effort. The petition called for the expenditure of 65% of public education funds to be on teachers in the classroom and not for administrators. Sullivan was the first to sign the petition in Oklahoma. But by August of 2006, the State School Board Association filed suit in the State Supreme court. It claimed the First Class Education for Oklahoma petition violated a requirement for a single subject.

The lawsuit angered Sullivan: "This is the height of arrogance by the Oklahoma School Board Association and makes the point why Oklahoma needs the 65% goal immediately," he said in a statement issued after the filing of the lawsuit. He accused the School Board Association of using money that was supposed to be spent educating children, on lawyers filing frivolous lawsuits.

'Campaign Fatigue' Upon Us?

NEW YORK (Reuters) ~ Inundated with politics long before the 2008 presidential election, U.S. voters are in danger of suffering wearying bouts of the uniquely American affliction of "campaign fatigue" in coming months. Experts say voters who follow the news closely are most at risk of the condition striking this year earlier than ever. It takes its toll with information overload, long hitches of unpaid work for campaign volunteers and the all-important undecided voters on the fence longer than usual. Voter attention tends to wane in between the early debates, major primaries and conventions and, in a contest so long this time it includes two summer hiatuses before the November 2008 vote, fatigue is practically unavoidable, many of the experts said.

LA Times: Poll Finds Thompson In 2nd Place

WASHINGTON ~ Republicans antsy for a conservative standard-bearer in the presidential race have begun to rally behind Fred Thompson, propelling the former Tennessee senator to within hailing distance of the lead for the party's nomination, a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll has found. Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani holds first place in the survey, with support from 27% of the Republicans and independents who said they plan to vote in the party's 2008 primaries. But Thompson, an actor who played a prosecutor on NBC's "Law & Order," runs just behind, with 21%. Indications are he will join the race within the next month.

Clinton In Oklahoma City Saturday

Senator Hillary Clinton will bring her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination to Oklahoma City on Saturday with a fundraiser in the Centennial Ballroom of the Skirvin Hotel at 7 p.m. Hosts of the $1,000 per person event are Mike and Susan Turpen and Stuart and Linda Price. For more information, call Yael Ouzillou at 512-440-8791 or email YOuzillou@HillaryClinton.com.

Noted Quote: Sullivan On Rinehart

From Oklahoma County Assessor Leonard Sullivan, speaking about County Commissioner Brent Rinehart's appearance in party photos on a website: "There just doesn't seem to be any end to the embarrassment he brings to Oklahoma County government."

Split Senate Cost $638,600, World Reports

From The Tulsa World ~ A power-sharing agreement in the evenly split state Senate resulted in at least $638,600 more spent to run the upper chamber, records show. The money went for pay raises, additional staff, furniture and other items. Read the entire story here.

Lisa Pryor Joins Department Of Education

Former Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Lisa Pryor today joined the State of Oklahoma Department of Education as an assistant state superintendent. She previously worked as a consultant to the department and is a former school teacher.

Word of Pryor's employment by Superintendent Sandy Garrett at $75,000 per yer comes at the same time Pryor's husband, Dick, left Lt. Governor Jari Askins as her chief of staff to return to the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, where he worked for 16 years before joining Askins last January.

Rinehart Photos Removed From Website

Two hours after their existence was made public, photos of Okahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart at a lakeside party vanished from the website where they had been posted. Some of the photos, however, were captured by KTOK Radio News and are posted on the station's website as well as here.

KTOK: Internet Photos Show Rinehart At Party

By Michael Cross, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Pictures of Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart are showing up on http://www.slide.com/ at http://www.slide.com/r/qEdIpqdfwD-F_mnOoWTPAT8lAnartQ3s?previous_view=lt_embedded_url and show him at some kind of party.

According to captions on the "Facebook" pictures, Rinehart is said to be drunk.

There are also pictures of him posing with three or four different women.

Rinehart is currently facing felony charges of illegal campaign contributions.

The commissioner seemed surprised to hear about the photos or the website. He said he really couldn't comment further until he saw the pictures.

How Much Are Our Public Officials Paid?

Some draw substantial sums. Get the details here.

Oklahoma's Hispanic Population Exploding

Get the details about the huge increase in the state's Hispanic population by clicking on the headline of the scrolling story at right in our news ticker.

Who Will Be Askins' New Chief Of Staff?

That's the question as Dick Pryor leaves Lt. Governor Jari Askins' office after a few months to return to the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority today. Pryor, husband of former Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Lisa Pryor, told Oklahoma City radio station KTOK that he simply missed journalism; for years, Pryor was a news anchor and special programming host at OETA.

The OETA's Bill Thrash issued this statement: "We are pleased to announce that Dick Pryor will be returning to OETA Monday, June 11, 2007 in a new capacity. He will serve as Deputy Director, New Media Planning, to help implement OETA’s strategic plan. Dick served during this past legislative session as chief of staff to Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins. He had been with OETA for 16 years in the news department before moving to the State Capitol in January 2007. Dick will be coordinating several ongoing and new initiatives with special emphasis on the multi-channel environment. He will work with all departments to maximize OETA’s impact across the state."

Tad Jones Heads Teacher Merit Pay Study

Rep. Tad Jones, chairman of the House Education Committee, will spearhead an interim study that will look at creating a new merit-based pay system for Oklahoma teachers, Speaker Lance Cargill announced Monday.

Kathy Taylor, Gun Control In The New York Times

Tulsa blogger Michael Bates notes today that Mayor Kathy Taylor, a member of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's coalition of gun-grabbing mayors, made the New York Times as a result of that membership. Bates asks questions the mainstream Tulsa media hasn't asked.

Blogger Jean Warner Spreads The Woman's Word

Give it up for Jean Warner, proprietor of the Oklahoma Women's Network Blog. When Jean kicked off her blog a little more than a year ago, some were skeptical (yours truly included) that she'd find enough material to keep it interesting. Ah contrare.

Jean's postings flow like water just about every day and almost always are insightful and educational. Women in politics, government, life...Jean has the skinny and insight.

Liberal, conservative, somewhere in between, makes no difference to Jean; if it involves a woman in Oklahoma, she reports it.

Jean is a "women's empowerment advocate" with her PhD in Political Science from OU. She co-founded Oklahoma's National Education for Women’s Leadership (NEW Leadership) program.

Image: Oklahoma Today's profile of Jean.

Stipe Faces June 28th Federal Probation Hearing

From The McAlester News-Capital ~ Former Senator Gene Stipe has been ordered to appear at the federal courthouse in Muskogee at 10 a.m. June 28 for a hearing on his probation, according to officials.

“It’s just like any other court proceeding,” U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said. “He’ll make what amounts to an initial appearance, the judge will hear arguments and determine if the case should move on.”

“Moving on” in this instance could mean the possible revocation of Stipe’s probation. Documents filed in the federal courthouse Thursday indicate Stipe’s current probation officer, Mike Hendley, of Durant, is asking the courts to revoke the former state legislator’s probation.

Noted Quote: Why The Immigration Bill Failed

From Rasmussen Reports ~ "The immigration bill failed because a broad cross-section of the American people are opposed to it. Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters are opposed. Men are opposed. So are women. The young don’t like it; neither do the no-longer-young. White Americans are opposed. Americans of color are opposed. The last Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll found that just 23% of Americans supported the legislation. When a bill has less popular support than the War in Iraq, it deserves to be defeated."

The Gadfly On The Wall

Shame On The Home Depot: I've made my last purchase at The Home Depot in Midwest City. It has been one of my regular haunts, for everything from plants to ceiling fans to carpets. No more. My ire is directed at a company policy that resulted in the firing of four male employees for helping police stop three shoplifters and recover property they had taken from the store. While the four men were praised by Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes and rewarded by a citizen whose stolen vehicle they helped recover, they were sent packing because The Home Depot has a policy that, apparently, says employees should turn the other way when they see crimes being committed. For their lawful actions, and sense of responsibility to their employer, they were fired. Today, Bob Stewart, Nathan Wilhoit, Steve Richard and Kyle Foust are looking for new jobs. Were I a stockholder in The Home Depot, I'd cash out and put my money in a company where management and policies generate respect instead of derision.

How Fast? Immediacy is the currency of the blogosphere; instantaneous posting of information (and news) sends ripples across the general landscape, the political landscape in particular. Thus, I am unable to explain why some blogs go days, sometimes weeks, without posts. It is the nature of the blogosphere that we information-seekers prowl constantly, looking for new information or insight. If I hit a blog a couple of times in a day and there have been no new posts, I put that blog at the end of my list. Some, I dismiss totally. Many blogs, of course, are written by those who do other things and don't have the time to post constantly. But those blogs that purport to share news, seems to me, should do so. "Hit and miss" postings on news blogs diminish credibility and interest. It's just like getting this morning's newspaper with yesterday's stories repeated.

Losing Friends: It is the nature of life that we face death. This week, I've lost two friends of many years. Harry Hill was my friend for more than two decades and I marveled at how much he and Neva got done in a day's time. Harry had been through a year of crippling health problems but remained upbeat throughout. George Barnes was my friend for three and a half decades and although I'd not seen much of him in recent years, he'd occasionally call ("Barnes here!") and we'd chat. Back in the days when Don Cogman, Herb Johnson and Betty Brake and I officed above the Republican State Headquarters on 23rd, George officed just around the corner and we often visited.

Immigration Fiasco: It may be the drinking water in Washington that infects so many politicians in both parties. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe must be drinking bottled water since they are among the few talking sense on the immigration issue. Blanket amnesty is not an answer to dealing with illegal immigrants.

Travel Time: Governor Brad Henry and former Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin billed the state nearly $278,000 for out-of-state trips in 2005 and 2006. Henry spent nearly $260,000 while Fallin spent almost $18,000. Nearly 40% of the cost, more than $106,000, was for security which is required by state law to travel with the governor and lieutenant governor. Henry traveled out of state 33 times and used the state airplane for several trips. Records show 14 of those trips were paid for by groups such as the Oklahoma Business Roundtable, the state Centennial Commission and from personal funds. Fallin made 14 trips while lieutenant governor during the two years.

Noted Quotes: Coburn, Inhofe Laud 'Flawed' Immigration Bill Failure, Seek 'Secure Borders'

From U. S. Senator Tom Coburn: “The failure of this amnesty bill is a victory for fairness, and the rule of law. Though there were good provisions in the bill, such as a merit-based immigration system, the overall bill would have been harmful to our nation and would have done nothing to solve our problems with illegal immigration. It is my hope the Senate will work together to produce a bill that protects our nation by first securing our borders and enforcing our laws.”

From U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe: “This legislation was substantively and procedurally flawed from the beginning. The bill did not undergo the normal legislative process, but instead we were expected to vote on a bill that members did not have a chance to review until two days before floor consideration. The Democratic leadership also refused to allow consideration of dozens of Republican amendments. Though my amendment to make English the national language was successful and passed the Senate by a wide bi-partisan majority, many amendments that could have positively impacted the overall bill were never allowed floor-time. The first step in any significant immigration legislation must be to secure our borders. The Senate bill focused far too much on controversial and irresponsible programs such as the ‘Z-visa,’ and far too little on ensuring that our borders are no longer porous. It is time that we deal with real immigration reform beginning with border security. Thankfully, Americans of all stripes weighed in on this issue, influencing Congressional opinions and helping defeat this bill. It is clear that in the future we must deal with the issue of illegal immigration without a path to amnesty and by securing our borders.”

Feds Move To Revoke Stipe's Probation

Federal authorities want Gene Stipe to go to prison. As expected, a move is underway to revoke Stipe's present probation and make him serve prison time for allegedly being part of a scheme to make illegal campaign donations while on probation for doing the same thing.

The 2-page document seeking to revoke Stipe's probation was sealed in federal court in Muskogee, but investigative reporter Tony Thornton of The Oklahoman obtained a copy before the seal was ordered. The document also accuses Stipe of continuing to associate with another known felon, Steve Covington, a former Stipe business partner. Probation officials have photos of Stipe and Covington together since they were ordered to avoid each other in October 2005.

Stipe, 80, has undergone a series of operations to relieve fluid pressure in his brain. His attorney says he has had "multiple brain surgeries."

Terry Neese Heads Women For Rudy

Oklahoma City businesswoman Terry Neese is the chair of the national "Women For Rudy" group supporting the Republican presidential campaign of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Neese, who along with her husband was a member of President Bush's top fundraising team, was named director of the U. S. Mint by Bush but withdrew before taking the job, saying she did not want to leave her family and Oklahoma.

Neese was a founder and president of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), a bipartisan group with members across the nation.

The announcement about Neese's support of Giuliani came in this announcement, which describes a kick-off organizational meeting at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington being held this afternoon.

Others on the invitation are former Congresswoman Susan Molinari.

Henry Handled 381 Bills, Signed 366 Into Law

The Legislature sent Governor Brad Henry 381 bills. The governor signed 366 bills into law, signed two bills containing 136 line-item vetoes, vetoed 12 bills and allowed one bill to become law without his signature.

Coburn's Immigration Amendment Fails Vote

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, (R-OK), today released the following statement regarding his amendment to S. 1348, the Senate immigration bill. Coburn’s amendment called on Congress to secure our borders and enforce existing immigration laws before granting amnesty. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 42-54.

“The American public cannot trust any new promises made by the Congress concerning immigration because the federal government has not kept its word. The American people expect their laws to be upheld. Yet, despite numerous laws on the books today, our borders are not secure and we have an estimated 12 million people in this country illegally,” Coburn said. “Congress’ broken promises have caused the American public to lose trust in the government’s ability to secure our nation’s borders and address our problems with illegal immigration.”

Republicans See Road Improvements Ahead

Oklahoma drivers will see continued improvements on both county and state roads as the result of new funding provided by the Oklahoma Legislature this year, Republicans say.

County roads, in particular, will enjoy a significant increase in funding thanks to reforms pushed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. County road projects will receive a growing share of state motor vehicle taxes. Beginning this July, counties will receive 5 percent of motor vehicle taxes, or about $28 million in new funding.

"The boost in county road funding is further evidence of our commitment to transportation needs in Oklahoma," said Rep. Chris Benge, a Tulsa Republican who has chaired the House Appropriations and Budget Committee for three years. "In the past two years, we've done a lot to improve state roads; now we're addressing county roads as well."

"Most Oklahoma drivers don't spend their entire commute on a state highway, so it's important that we ensure both county and state roads are properly maintained," said Rep. Mike Thompson, Oklahoma City Republican who chairs the House Transportation Subcommittee.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has already developed a plan to use the new funding to repair more than 100 of the most dilapidated county bridges and 200 miles of county road in the next five years.

"The Transportation Commission has done a great job identifying the highest-need county projects and targeting them for swift repair," Benge said. "Oklahoma drivers are going to see slow but steady improvements on all Oklahoma roads in the near future."

Next year, counties will receive 10 percent of motor vehicle taxes and then 15 percent starting in the summer of 2009. Once fully implemented, county road projects will receive about $85 million per year in new revenue under the funding reform.

Noted Quote: 'Witless' Left-wing Blogosphere

From Joe Klein, Time Magazine ~ "But the smart stuff is being drowned out by a fierce, bullying, often witless tone of intolerance that has overtaken the left-wing sector of the blogosphere. Anyone who doesn't move in lockstep with the most extreme voices is savaged and ridiculed—especially people like me who often agree with the liberal position but sometimes disagree and are therefore considered traitorously unreliable." Read more.

Shirley Named Department Of Commerce Chief

Governor Brad Henry today announced that state Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Natalie Shirley will succeed Amy Polonchek as executive director of the state Department of Commerce.

Henry’s appointment comes as Polonchek leaves the job for a post with the Meridian Technology Center for Business Development.

Shirley will continue her role as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. “Natalie Shirley has done a terrific job as Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, and I am confident she will be as exceptional leading the Commerce Department,” the Governor said. “She will be able to hit the ground running and build on Oklahoma’s recent successes in economic development.”

Shirley said she is excited about the new challenge. “The Department of Commerce has an extremely talented staff and I look forward to working with them to advance economic, community and workforce development issues,” she said. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead this team as we work to move Oklahoma forward.”

Shirley is former president and chief executive officer of ICI Mutual Insurance Group in Washington, D.C., the captive insurance company of the domestic investment fund industry. An Oklahoma native, she graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1979 and earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1982.

June 6th: The Day We Won World War II

The Greatest Generation stormed ashore on France's beaches on a day that decided the eventual outcome of World War II. May we never forget.

State No Longer Has To Pay Itself

Rep. David Derby's legislation eliminating a technical glitch where the state is paying itself a fee for asset forfeiture and saving tax payers money was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry. House Bill 1297, by Derby, updates statutes to eliminate the filing fee when the state files asset forfeiture. Currently, the state has to pay a filing fee for taking civil action against an individual who already faces criminal charges.

Electronic Products Tax Exemption Now Law

A tax incentive that could lure electronics plants to Oklahoma has been signed into law by Governor Brad Henry. House Bill 1544, by Rep. Susan Winchester, provides a sales tax exemption on the purchase of items used to remanufacture consumer electronic products.

"This law could herald the beginnings of a new industry in Oklahoma," said Winchester, R-Chickasha. "'Reverse logistics' has become a $50 billion-per-year industry in the United States and this sales tax break will make Oklahoma an attractive location for a remanufacturing facility."

The tax break is similar to one already on the books for other manufacturers. Businesses that remanufacture electronic products often repair previously sold goods that have proven defective and then resell them at a discounted price.

Homeland Security Plans Panhandle Exercise

The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) is coordinating an exercise in the Panhandle area to practice the local, state and federal response to a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) outbreak, it was announced today by Governor Brad Henry's office.

The announcement said, "Exercising the response to an agricultural disaster is critically important for Oklahoma, as the state ranks in the top 10 nationally in a number of commodities, including: second in winter wheat, fifth in cattle, fifth in pecans, seventh in peanuts, eighth in hogs and tenth in chicken (broiler) production. This FAD outbreak exercise is a proactive endeavor for the state, particularly for the Panhandle where a majority of the cattle and hog industry is located."

“The Oklahoma agriculture industry is one of the cornerstones of our state’s economy and a crucial component of the nation’s food supply,” said Kerry Pettingill, Oklahoma Homeland Security Director. “We must be proactive in protecting the agriculture sector of business. The responders in the Panhandle are highly qualified and prepared for the enormous responsibility that would come with an agricultural disaster whether natural or man made. This exercise provides an avenue to test the plans in place and identify enhancements that may be needed.

OKOHS is collaborating with the state Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management; Oklahoma Highway Patrol; Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; local private industry and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to facilitate this exercise.

Bloggers Analyze Republican Debate

Logipundit has an excellent analysis of last night's "debate" among announced Republican presidential candidates. Ernest Istook notes the Bush-bashing that occurred.

Noted Quote: A Democrat On Gun Control

From www.demookie.com ~ "Among the Oklahoma Democrats who actually vote Democrat, I would bet that 70% own at least one firearm. I have attended meetings of Democrat activists out here in the boonies when I was the only one there without a pistol and a concealed carry permit. I don't own a pistol but I do own three long guns that I use for hunting. It is entirely possible that the Supreme Court will hand down a decision in the next couple of years that recognizes an 'individual' right to own not only long guns but pistols in the Second Amendment. The only way we are going to be able to get a good set of reasonable laws controlling access to firearms by persons who have demonstrated their willingness to break the law is to guarantee the law abiding gun owner that a future congress cannot enact a law mandating confiscation like happened in Australia. We are not going to be able to pass legislation requiring adequate records of gun sales to track guns used in crimes until the law abiding gun owners can be unequivocally assured that those records can never be used to take his guns away. We have got to be able to reach a middle ground in this tug of war and the only way to do that is to take the extremes completely and permanently out of the equation." - Gary D. Klein

Fred Thompson Surges In California

Fred Thompson leaps into 2nd Place Tie with John McCain, 7 Points Behind Rudy Giuliani, in a new California poll: Eight months to the newly-accelerated and suddenly critical California Republican Primary, the contest destabilizes and further tightens, according to a SurveyUSA poll of likely GOP Primary voters, conducted exclusively for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KPIX-TV San Francisco, and KGTV-TV San Diego.

Rudolph Giuliani leads today, but by 7 points, down from a 13-point lead 4 weeks ago, on 5/7/07, and down from a 19-point lead 8 weeks ago, on 4/2/07. Fred Thompson has doubled his support in the past month, from 11% on 5/7/07 to 21% today. That puts Thompson into a 2nd-place tie with McCain, whose support is flat month on month, 21% then, 21% now. Mitt Romney runs 4th today, at 11%, largely unchanged from 12% last month. Undeclared candidate Newt Gingrich is 5th, at 8%.

Among conservatives, Thompson is up 12 points month-on month, and has gone from 4th place to 1st. There is volatility among Hispanics, who make up 17% of likely Republican Primary voters in SurveyUSA's turnout model: Giuliani has lost 23 points month-on-month, down from 46% to today 23%. Thompson's support among Hispanics is up 5 fold, from 5% to 24%.

Hat tip to John R. Angier II

Henry Signs Senate Bill 1 Into Law

Governor Brad Henry today signed into law the "Taxpayer Transparency Act" designed to let taxpayers know how their dollars are being spent. The measure, Senate Bill 1 by Senator Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, was opposed by the State Chamber of Commerce.

Holmes Says Democratic Party Faces Money Crisis

Ivan Holmes, new chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said today in an email to party activists that the party faces a financial crisis, with no cash on hand, $15,000 in bills and no money to pay the $35,000 necessary to operate the headquarters in June.

Here's the text of Holmes' appeal: "As your new Democratic State Party Chair I am asking for your immediate help. Currently we have close to a zero balance in our bank accounts and close to $15,000 in outstanding expenses from our State Convention. I must also raise $35,000 to pay our June bills.

"Because we have no money I will not replace Lisa Pryor or Lindsey Coster who were both being paid by the State Democratic Party and this will save about $110,000 over one fiscal year.

"My goal is to get 1,000 Democrats to pledge $25.00 a month to help pay our monthly expenses and give us a strong base of support. The early response has been good but we still have a long way to go. I hope each of you will give up the cost of a movie for two once a month to help the party. Senator Andrew Rice and Sen. Debbe Leftwich have already pledged their support and we hope you will too.

"I hate to have to ask each of you for your help after two weeks on the job but I have no choice if we are going to pay our monthly bills. Thanks for your support in electing me your state party chair. I will work hard to not let you down.

"Please join today so we can help Democrats tomorrow. With Thanks: Ivan Holmes, State Chair, Democratic Party"

Democratic Party 'Goes Radically Left,' Jones Says

With one of the most extreme pro-choice organizations in America, EMILY’S List, coming to Oklahoma to host a joint training seminar with the Oklahoma Democratic Party, the ODP has made it clear they are "going radically left," Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones said today.

"We are talking about a group that vehemently supports partial-birth abortions in America," says Jones. "The fact that the Oklahoma Democratic Party would lock arms with this group is a tell-tell sign that they are taking their marching orders from the radical liberal wing of the Democratic Party, and are out of touch with everyday Oklahomans."

EMILY's List, Jones said, has withdrawn its support from women who vote against the most extreme abortion procedures, like partial-birth. For instance, Mary Landrieu, the Democratic Senator from Louisiana, lost EL's backing when she voted in favor of a ban on partial-birth abortion. The U.S. Senate recently passed a bipartisan ban, 64-34, on the practice of partial-birth abortion, and the vote was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. "Oklahoma voters deserve a straight answer from the Oklahoma Democratic Party if they in fact support the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion."

Dank's Child Predator Bill Signed Into Law

State Rep. David Dank's bill to increase required prison sentences for sex offenders who prey on children was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on Tuesday.

House Bill 1816 increases the penalty for sex offenses against children under 12 to a minimum sentence of 25 years and not more than life imprisonment. No minimum sentence currently exists for such offenses.

The measure is a key part of the Safe Families platform in the House GOP's 2007 Year of Ideas Agenda.

"I commend the governor for signing this important legislation, which is designed to protect our children and grandchildren from sexual predators," said Dank, R-Oklahoma City, the bill's principal author. "With this new law, we are insisting that those who would prey on the innocent will receive substantial mandatory sentences. There can be only one response by a civilized society to those who would victimize the most innocent and vulnerable among us. With the signing into law of House Bill 1816, that response is now clear. This newly-enacted law sends a strong message to sexual predators that Oklahoma will impose the strongest possible penalties on them, and that they will spend most, if not all, of their lives in prison."

Dank's law is modeled after Florida legislation commonly referred to as "Jessica's Law" that has already been enacted in states across the nation. The law was named after Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old Florida girl who was kidnapped and killed by a registered sex offender who had been living near her. A similar measure passed the Oklahoma House overwhelmingly last year but died in the State Senate.

Dank said he's gratified to see the bill become law this year: "It's a simple and effective concept, and now this new law will help protect children across this state," he said.

Henry Sets County Election Dates

Governor Brad Henry has set August 14th as primary election day and September 11th as general election day in Oklahoma County for those seeking to replace Jim Roth as county commissioner.

Democrats who say they are running are Oklahoma City Councilwomen Willa Johnson and Ann Simank. Republicans who are running are former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City and former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag.

New Orleans Democrat Indicted

INDICTED ~ A federal grand jury has indicted Louisiana Democratic Congressman William Jefferson (shown with his wife) on 16 charges alleging bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice and money laundering. Investigators at one time found $90,000 in cash hidden in a freezer in Jefferson's New Orleans home.

Anti-Gang Measure Signed Into Law

Governor Brad Henry signed a measure aimed at determining effective ways to reduce gang violence in Oklahoma. Authored by Rep. Richard Morrissette (D-Oklahoma City) and Senator Roger Ballenger (D-Okmulgee), House Bill 1895 creates the Oklahoma Youth and Gang Violence Coordinating Council. The panel will be charged with reviewing current anti-gang efforts in Oklahoma and recommending strategies to reduce gang violence.

Thompson, Obama Top South Carolina Poll

A new Public Policy Polling survey of likely South Carolina primary voters shows Senator Barack Obama leads the Democratic presidential race with the support of 34%, trailed by Senator Hillary Clinton with 31% and John Edwards with 15%.

On the GOP side, unannounced but likely candidate Fred Thompson leads the field with 27%, followed by Mitt Romney at 16%, Sen. John McCain at 15%, Rudy Giuliani at 14% and Newt Gingrich at 11%.

Hat tip to John R. Angier II

Chamber Opposes Senate Bill 1

The State Chamber is concerned that Governor Brad Henry may sign Senate Bill 1, which requires public disclosure of which businesses get special tax credits. Read Tulsa Today's in-depth interview with Senator Randy Brogdon, proponent of the measure.

Entrepreneurship Center Bill Signed Into Law

Legislation reducing the bureaucratic hurdles facing Oklahoma's aspiring business owners was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry today. House Bill 1270, by House Speaker Lance Cargill, will create the Second Century Entrepreneurship Center, a "one-stop shopping" location for entrepreneurs. The measure is a key plank of the House GOP Entrepreneurial Society platform.

Henry Signs Justice Act Into Law

Governor Brad Henry today signed into law House Speaker Lance Cargill's legislation encouraging faith-based groups to take a stronger role in rehabilitating Oklahoma prison inmates. House Bill 2101, the Transformational Justice Act, encourages state prisons to partner with faith-based, community and voluntary organizations to help inmates rejoin society and reduce the rate of repeat offenders.

Heart Attack Claims Harry Hill; Services Friday

Harry Hill, for decades a fixture in Oklahoma municipal government and politics, died after suffering a heart attack late Sunday.

Services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at First Southern Baptist Church on South Sooner Road north of Interstate 240.

Hill was the city manager of several cities in his career, including Shawnee, Moore, Noble and Kingfisher. In recent years, while battling health problems, Hill worked as a consultant and was active in political campaign management with his wife, Neva. They were partners with Mike McCarville in publishing The McCarville-Hill Report in the early 1990s before taking full ownership. The Hill Report was reacquired by McCarville last August.

FBI Probes College Housing Project Financing; Morgan Got Thousands, Oklahoman Reports

The Federal Bureau of Investigation wants to know why some Oklahoma colleges used non-traditional private financing to build housing projects and why Senate Co-President Pro Tem Mike Morgan (pictured) was paid $230,000 as a result, The Oklahoman reports.

The newspaper's exhaustive study of records shows that Morgan, a Stillwater attorney, was paid huge sums as the attorney on some of the projects. Reporters Tony Thornton and Randy Ellis also report that huge sums were paid to a title company co-owned by former State Senator Gene Stipe, target of an exisiting FBI probe into alleged corruption in southeastern Oklahoma. Stipe's partners in the title company are businessman Larry Witt and Steve Phipps, both mentioned prominently in the FBI investigation into straw donations made to political campaigns. The three have been partners in an abstract company empire that includes title and abstract companies.

The Oklahoman's stories can be accessed at www.newsok.com (registration required) or by purchsing a copy of the Sunday edition.

Dodd's Defense Of Holmes Proof Of Radical Agenda?

If Ivan Holmes is to succeed as chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, he's going to have to tip-toe through the fallout of "radical" resolutions adopted by delegates that elected him, party sources say. They add they are not at all surprised to learn that Tulsa County Democratic Chair Elaine Dodd (at left) is defending Holmes; they claim it was Dodd, a member of the party's Resolutions Committee, and other liberal party activists who engineered adoption of the resolutions that most concern some party moderates and conservatives.

The resolutions that apparently most trouble some are those promoting the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender lifestyle. A part of the discussion on that issue involved attacks on conservative Democrat Dan Boren, the only member of the congressional delegation from his party.

A sitting Democratic member of the Okahoma State Senate, nearing the end of his service there due to term limits, said the party is "now controlled by the far left. Can't you just see me running for office out here promoting gay marriage and keeping God out of schools? Good Lord, I'd get killed." He predicted Democratic candidates for the Legislature, in particular, will "run from these resolutions" if they want to win election. He also predicted Republicans "will beat us over the head with them."

The senator defended Holmes, saying he simply "went with the flow" at the convention. The senator also expressed surprise at Holmes' victory over former Vice Chairman Ben Odom of Norman. "You'd think Ben, who's pretty liberal, would have been their choice, but it didn't turn out that way."

As evidence of the assertion that Dodd and other Tulsa County Democratic leaders pushed the resolutions with help from Holmes, one party insider cited this column which appeared on a party blog in the wake of the convention.

By Michael Christopher, Tulsa County ~ There's some great news that I just can't wait to share. The Oklahoma Democratic Party has finally found some courage on GLBT issues. Not one, but THREE resolutions regarding GLBT rights were passed at the party convention this past weekend.

They are: "Oklahoma Democrats celebrate diversity among people and recognize the inherent dignity and value of each person and believe that no person should live in fear or threat of violence because of any characteristic, affiliation, or sexual orientation."

"We affirm the role of government at all levels in providing education and protection of the basic civil and human rights of every person regardless of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual nature or orientation, religion, creed, disability, employment, civil service or political affiliation, any of which may be actual or perceived."

"We support legislation that would allow establishment of civil unions permitting the legal designation of next of kin and affording civil rights accordingly regardless of gender."

No, they don't go far enough, and resolutions are mostly symbolic in effect, but this represents a huge step for Oklahoma Democrats. 600 delegates from most of the state's 77 counties read these resolutions and only one of the items raised a concern -- the civil unions resolution. However, when we voted on whether to strike that resolution from the document, you should have heard the resounding shouts of "Nay!"

To understand the significance of this event, you have to know a little about the processes of the party. As just one delegate, I had very little to do with getting these resolutions adopted -- it was accomplished by many people working mostly independently all over Oklahoma. The work started in local voting precincts all over the state, where most party resolutions begin. They are passed to the county conventions where they are approved or rejected, then to the congressional district conventions again to be voted on, and finally on to the state convention. At each step, a Resolutions Committee combines and prunes a long "wish list" of resolutions, many of them very similar, into a Resolutions Committee Report which is then presented to the delegates for adoption or rejection.

How do you get GLBT delegates elected from conservative Tulsa County? For that, we have Gary Allison to thank. He and his organization, JustProgress (http://justprogress.org/), have been working to revive the progressive movement within the Democratic party, and to empower new, progressive voices. At the Tulsa County convention, Gary arranged for an amendment to the rules which changed the way delegates to the state convention were elected. It's called Proportional Representation, and it shatters the absolute power long enjoyed by certain old-guard groups within the party. My partner, Marty, and I simply stood up in the middle of the room and announced that we were the GLBT group (called a "subunit" in party jargon), and invited others to join us. Other interest groups did the same. Each group would elect its own state delegates. The number we could elect depended on how many of us were standing up together. We had enough for two GLBTA (for "and allied") state delegates, and we elected Melanie Hamilton and me. Following in Rick Martin's footsteps last year as the first-ever GLBTA Subunit State Delegate, we had doubled our delegation this time. Proportional Representation rocks!

Leading up to the convention, the Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats circulated a press release reprimanding 2nd District Congressman Dan Boren, a Democrat, for his vote against the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Act, which would have added crimes related to sexual orientation and gender identity to the Federal hate crimes law. Barbara Santee circulated information about Boren to her long email list. I sent an open letter to Dan Boren informing him that I would circulate a petition at the convention calling for his censure, and put it out to my list. Mike Workman organized a state party candidates forum and arranged for me to ask our party's leaders where they stand on GLBT rights. Mike had coordinated with Vernon Jones to make a video of the event, and Vernon put it out to his Oklahoma Gay News Network (http://www.okgnn.net/Censure_Boren.html).

One of the candidates for state party chairman, Ivan Holmes, answered that what needed to happen to bring GLBT issues into the Oklahoma party platform would be to move the consideration of resolutions forward on the agenda to prevent hanky panky (more on that below). Things were starting to come together.

Until this year, sexual orientation and gender identity rights resolutions that had made it through county conventions had not been able to make it all the way through the process to be voted in by the state convention. In previous years, the Resolutions Committee Report had been placed at the end of the two-day convention schedule. That made it easy for those who swing a lot of power in the party to get all or some of the resolutions rejected by using a "quorum call" tactic. To make a long story short, the party found its balls this year, moving the resolutions to the front of the schedule when virtually all delegates were present, eliminating the possibility of a quorum call. This meant that the party would not be able to sweep the resolutions under the rug or completely off the table as in previous conventions.

The Resolutions Committee was chaired by former state senator Cal Hobson. For those who don't know, Senator Hobson has long been a voice for human rights at the state capitol -- often a lone voice. When he introduced the resolutions, he made an impassioned plea for delegates to consider them in the light of the highest core principle of the party: fairness. I wondered where he was going with this; it became clear when he drew our attention to the Human and Civil Rights section of the resolutions. He told the delegates that there would be some resolutions here that would make some of them uncomfortable. He asked us to remember that we were judging the civil rights of the person sitting right next to us. He was talking about those GLBT resolutions, and he had made his point.

Before the meeting convened on Saturday, I had spent many hours lobbying delegates, hoping to sensitize them to our issues and to put a face on GLBT. I was asking them to sign a petition to censure Dan Boren for his vote against GLBT hate crimes legislation. I was surprised at how many delegates jumped at the chance to punish Boren, and at how passionate they were for GLBT rights. I had indicated to party leaders that I would not see a need to bring this petition to the floor if there were other GLBT resolutions offered. When the Resolutions Committee released its document, and when we were convinced that the resolutions would reach a vote, I withdrew the censure petition.

That's Christopher's total, unedited report as it appeared.

From the list of resolutions adopted at the convention, here are several that have party conservatives running for cover (titles are ours):

Abortion On Demand: We support a woman’s unhindered right and ability to decide upon and have access to her own health care, including reproductive care; furthermore, the government has no place asserting control over health care decisions made by a competent adult.

Tort Reform: We oppose so-called “tort” reforms that would threaten the rights of Americans to redress for physical and economic damage done by others, and would undermine the appropriate functioning of the jury system.

God In Schools: We oppose the introduction of any religious dogmas, including “creationism” or “intelligent design”, which have no scientific basis, into science courses of public schools. We oppose the insertion of disclaimer statements about evolution into any textbooks.

Gay Marriage: We support legislation that would allow establishment of civil unions permitting the legal designation of next of kin and affording civil rights accordingly regardless of gender.

Holmes A 'Real Populist,' Elaine Dodd Says

From The Tulsa World ~ Ivan Holmes' election to the Oklahoma Democratic Party chairmanship apparently caught some people by surprise and has others predicting dire consequences for the always-strapped state party.

Holmes, a folksy retired college professor, was hailed as something of a genius for his handling of Lloyd Fields' successful campaign against incumbent Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau last year. His own victory two weeks ago, over Norman attorney and sitting ODP Vice Chairman Ben Odom, set tongues to wagging.

Holmes was reported to represent a "radical fringe" and some major donors were said to be withholding financial support. Three of four staff members -- all paid by the Democratic National Committee -- resigned or were fired, depending on who tells the story.

Most of Tulsa County's delegation apparently belonged to Holmes "radical fringe." It voted for him by a 3-1 margin, county Chairwoman Elaine Dodd said. "I'd like to know who these fringe people are," Dodd said. "I think it's more of a grass-roots, precinct-level group that elected Ivan.

"I just think Ivan is a real populist and that is what appeals to people."

Dodd said she believes the DNC will continue to fund the three state staff positions and may add a fourth in Tulsa.

100 Ideas Initiative Raises $487,000

The 100 Ideas Initiative has raised $487,000, with about half of it in in-kind donations, the group reports. The Initiative was launched in January by House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah. Former Rep. Thad Balkman, R-Norman, is the initiative's executive director. The initiative includes a series of "IdeaRaisers," or forums, at which Oklahomans can share their ideas for the state's future. It also includes an interactive Web site, www.100ideasok.org, where people can submit their ideas online. Major contributors to the organization are Chesapeake Energy and Chickasaw Enterprises, both of which provided $100,000. AT&T provided $50,000. Major in-kind donors included Cox Communications, $100,000 in television advertising; Lamar Outdoor, $61,200 in billboard advertising; and the Tulsa World, $60,000 in newspaper advertising. Expenditures totaled about $199,000, including $41.500 for staff and $30,000 for public relations and advertising.

Feds Move To Revoke Stipe's Probation

Federal prosecutors are trying to revoke former State Senator Gene Stipe's probation and send him to prison, The Oklahoman's Tony Thornton reports.

A probation revocation petition against Stipe could be filed next week, sources told Thornton.

Stipe, 80, was placed on probation following his conviction in an illegal campaign donation scheme that also cost him his license to practice law and his seat in the Senate. He now is the primary target of a federal grand jury investigation into alleged corruption and illegal campaign donations unrelated to the earlier scheme that resulted in his probation.

The Gadfly On The Bar Wall

I'll Drink To That: Here's a photo of cousin Patrick McCarville, for more than three decades now the chief bottle-cap twister for the Irish Whiskey Information Bureau in Australia. Patrick, an actor (you've seen him in films), left Dublin in the 1960s for Vietnam and discovered Australia while on military leave. He's been there since. Cheers!

His Dad Needed A Drink: Comes word via the Family McCarville website that (distant) cousin Marshall Clark, Army sergeant, mentioned in a previous column, has been wounded in an ambush in Afghanistan. A sniper's bullet hit a piece of equipment he was wearing and traversed the skin on his chest, exiting into an arm. The round was so hot it cauterized the wound and his recovery has been rapid. He says he wants to get back to hunting hostiles in the mountains ASAP. His Dad, meanwhile, relates he exhaled and had a drink after learning Marshall was on the mend.

I Had A Drink: Grandson Colby called from Somewhere In Iraq earlier this week, our first direct contact since he arrived in the desert in January. Colby marked his 21st birthday last month while working an 18-hour day, doing what and where he won't say ("Loose Lips Sink Ships"). Colby, a Navy Seabee, reports he received a package from the great folks at The Hugs Project here in Oklahoma City and shared with his mates. I did not sniffle while talking to Colby; I did pour myself a stiff drink after we rang off.

Tap A Keg: If you can find a Wi-Fi bar, have a cool one and check out these new members of the Oklahoma political blogosphere. Fourth District Democrat, Political Treats and The Red Dirt Political Report. This last one is the product of Norman Transcript political reporter Scott Carter.

On The Rocks? Speculation about new Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes and whether he'll take the party crashing onto the rocks or soaring into the clouds flowed freely this week on blogs, including OK Democrat and OK GOP Chat. Folks who post on the Democrat blog love beating up on each other and, obscene language aside, the comments sometimes are entertaining. Warning: "R" rating.

SPR Poll Shows Thompson Vaulting Into No. 2 Spot

From Hasting Wyman's Southern Political Report ~ A national telephone survey conducted by InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research for the Southern Political Report shows that the buzz over former Senator Fred Thompson’s entry into the presidential race has vaulted the former senator into second place among likely Republican voters for the Republican nomination.

Istook: 'Wholesale Abandonment' Of Bush Ahead?

Former Republican Congressman Ernest Istook, now a fellow at The Heritage Foundation who has a new blog, comments today on the furor surrounding President Bush and the immigration bill, plus other issues. Istook writes, "This may be the start of a dam bursting, with a wholesale abandonment of the Bush White House by many of its supporters and apologists." Meanwhile, Tulsa Congressman John Sullivan teed off on Bush, saying his immigration plan is wrong and Sullivan opposes it "100 percent." Read Sullivan's comments in today's Tulsa World.

GOP Donor Immigration Policy Rebellion Reported

From The Washington Times ~ The Republican National Committee, hit by a grass-roots donors' rebellion over President Bush's immigration policy, has fired all 65 of its telephone solicitors, Ralph Z. Hallow reports Friday in The Washington Times. Faced with an estimated 40 percent fall-off in small-donor contributions and aging phone-bank equipment that the RNC said would cost too much to update, Anne Hathaway, the committee's chief of staff, summoned the solicitations staff last week and told them they were out of work, effective immediately, the fired staffers told The Times.