Cole: Hillary Clinton Likely Our Next President

Republican Congressman Tom Cole says Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton will likely win the presidency next year.

Cole's comments have considerable weight since he is chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Speaking at the University of Oklahoma, Cole said the Democratic frontrunner will not have a cakewalk and nothing is set in stone, but she is running strong while the GOP field is muddled.

He said Clinton is running like a typical Republican nominee; a frontrunner who staves off a couple of strong challenges. But he also said eight candidates in the two parties still have legitimate shots of winning with less than three months before the major primary elections.

"We haven't had this kind of fluidity in a long time," he said. "I think the country isn't ready to make a decision, and it's going to test the candidates."

Reynolds Hammers Edmondson On Contributions

State Rep. Mike Reynolds said today that Attorney General Drew Edmondson (pictured) should amend his campaign finance reports to provide "full disclosure" on how thousands of dollars in legally questionable contributions were spent.

"Asking politicians to provide clear and accurate information on how they obtain and spend campaign money is neither 'reckless' nor 'irresponsible,' regardless of what Attorney General Edmondson may think," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. "It's just good government. The people of Oklahoma have a right to know if the state's chief law enforcement officer is willing to obey the laws he is supposed to enforce."

Reynolds recently questioned the legality of nearly $2,000 in recorded Edmondson contributions identified during a review of campaign finance reports. Edmondson has since denied that those funds were illegal contributions and has insisted his personal funds were used in those instances, not campaign funds, in spite of apparent contradictions contained in state campaign finance reports.

In Nov. 22 articles in The Oklahoman and the Tulsa World, Edmondson claimed some of the questioned political contributions were actually donations to charitable organizations.

In addition, according to the Tulsa World, Edmondson admits using at least $300 in campaign funds to pay for various events and said he has reimbursed his campaign for those expenses using private funds. Those questionable donations are on top of $2,750 in contributions that Edmondson repaid to his campaign after Reynolds questioned the legality of those donations. State ethics rules prevent candidates from raising money for their own campaigns and then funneling it to other candidates.

Under state law, Reynolds noted, the penalties for illegal direct campaign contributions are more severe than the penalty for"inappropriate reimbursements" doled out to a candidate as repayment for the use of personal funds that are dedicated to the same purpose.

"When the average Oklahoman contributes money to a charity, they just write a check to that charity from personal funds," Reynolds said. "Apparently, the attorney general prefers a much more complicated process that makes charitable contributions appear as campaign contributions in finance reports. That's a little hard to believe. Attorney General Edmondson should spell out exactly who received each of these questionable donations and where the money came from on each occasion. He has previously admitted making 'mistakes' in campaign reports and the public should not be forced to rely on a 'trust me' promise in lieu of actual, legitimate campaign finance reporting."

Reynolds noted that Edmondson has also failed to explain several apparently illegal, previously identified corporate contributions or other apparently illegal contributions made by the campaigns of State Auditor Jeff McMahan and Governor Brad Henry.

Former Observer Publisher Helen Troy Dies

Helen Troy, former publisher of The Oklahoma Observer, died suddenly Wednesday night, it was confirmed today. First public word of her death came on the Democrats of Oklahoma Community Forum, http://www.demookie.com/.

Helen, 75, was the wife of Frosty Troy, longtime Capitol reporter who was the editor of The Observer until the Troys sold the publication earlier this year to former Dallas Morning News reporter Arnold Hamilton and his wife. The Troys owned the newspaper for 36 years.

Hamilton said today that Helen had been in excellent health and her death was totally unexpected. The Troys have lived in Midwest City for decades. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church in McAlester.

Blogosphere's Rhetoric Rubs Him The Wrong Way

By Brian McLaren ~ A number of my friends have given up blogging, either temporarily or permanently. The reason? The blogosphere seems to indulge a certain kind of rhetoric that they don't want to be associated with anymore. Although I continue to post at the God's Politics blog on occasion, and I believe in the power and potential of the blogosphere, I share my friends' frustration with the kind of disrespectful dialogue that frequently ensues in the comments section of so many blogs. The majority want to have substantive and respectful dialogue, and they tolerate the static because they believe in the level playing field of the blogosphere. But the ambivalence is real. Read all of Brian's article at http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2007/06/brian-mclaren-the-need-for-a-n.html.

OSU Regents To Consider Burns Hargis?

Oklahoma State University’s Board of Regents is expected to decide Tuesday whether to name former regent and alumnus Burns Hargis as president. Hargis resigned from the Board of Regents in July to seek the presidency. He is vice chairman of the Bank of Oklahoma who sought the Republican nomination for governor in 1990; he lost in the GOP primary to Bill Price and Vince Orza. For the past 15 years, Hargis has been the co-host of KFOR-TV's popular "Flash Point" political talk television show.

Johnson: Remove Governor From Parole Process

From The State Senate ~ Senator Constance Johnson on Thursday testified before a House Interim Study Committee on removing the governor from the parole process and provided information on the status of the Second Chance Act, which was recently approved with broad bipartisan support by the U.S. House.

The Second Chance Act would authorize $55 million in block grants to assist states in successful offender re-socialization, transition and return to civil society.

“Under the Second Chance Act, Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to begin addressing the problem of a perpetually over-crowded and economically unsustainable prison population,” said Johnson, D-Oklahoma City. “The Act received veto-proof passage in the U.S. House, and is expected to receive the same level of bipartisan support from the U.S. Senate.”

In her remarks, Johnson described a system in which the Governor’s role in the parole process would be shared with faith and community-based organizations.

“Such a process could allow for inclusion of accountability and other concerns that have been expressed in opposition to removing the Governor from the parole process,” Johnson said.

Johnson noted that the state of Oklahoma currently incarcerates more women per capita than any other state, and is the third highest incarcerator of both men and women per capita.

Since 1986, the Department of Corrections (DOC) budget has grown 250 percent, more than twice the rate of increase for education spending. Oklahoma is the only state in which the governor must sign all paroles before an inmate may be released.

Cargill Plans Review Of State Assets

House Speaker Lance Cargill announced plans Thursday to conduct a full scale review of Oklahoma’s under-performing or non-essential assets as part of his efforts to modernize and streamline state government.

Cargill said the first step of the review will be to inventory what the state owns. “Just as in any business, the state needs to maintain an accurate inventory of its assets,” said Cargill, R-Harrah.

“There are potentially hundreds of millions of dollars that could, for example, be reinvested in research and technology efforts like EDGE and OCAST, or for creating endowments to build the world’s premiere diabetes research center at OU or a world-class program in aerospace engineering at OSU,” said Cargill.

“As with private sector businesses, we may be better off shedding non-core assets and reinvesting previously locked-in capital. Investing in new, knowledge-economy jobs will diversify and grow the economic base of this state for generations to come.”

Cargill noted that the idea of a comprehensive review of non-core or non-performing assets was submitted as part of the 100 Ideas Initiative, a private endeavor to collect ideas from citizens across the state on how to build a stronger future for Oklahoma.

Blogosphere Buzzes About CNN GOP 'Debate'

The conservative blogosphere is abuzz today about last night's Republican presidential "debate" on CNN. Locally, Red Stater has taken the lead, posting today, "Michelle Malkin has the complete unraveling of the CNN youtube Republican debate last night. It seems now that the light of day is shown on the so-called unbiased and randomly chosen questions...the Democrat stench is everywhere you turn, along with their greasy fingerprints. The homosexual General (Keith Kerr) that asked the question on homosexuals serving in the military works for the Hillary Clinton campaign. The girl who asked what the punishment should be for an abortion if Roe V Wade were overturned is a John Edwards supporter. The so-called Log Cabin Republican questioner is a Obama supporter. The woman letting her kids play with deadly leaded toys while she asks WHAT Republicans are going to do about it... is a prominent Union activist in the Edwards camp. The kid that asked the gun question and caught the tossed rifle.... a film maker and not a lifetime member of the NRA as he claimed... and on it goes."

State's Quarter Due From Mint In Late January

Oklahoma's quarter, the U.S. Mint announced, will be among the final five designs for the state quarters with Oklahoma's put into circulation in late January. The other four will follow at 10-week intervals. The states have been honored in the order they were admitted to the union, starting with Delaware, honored with a quarter in 1999. The effort kicked off a collecting craze unlike anything ever seen before in the coin world. Based on a 2005 survey, Mint officials estimate 147 million people have gotten involved in collecting the quarters with their constantly changing designs.

The final five coins will start with Oklahoma, which entered the union in 1907. It will feature the state bird, the scissortail flycatcher, and the state wildflower, the Indian blanket.

Romney Gives Balkman Expanded Campaign Role

The Mitt Romney for President campaign announced today that former State Rep. Thad Balkman has been given an expanded role and is now political director for the Oklahoma statewide campaign. Balkman, who has been assisting Romney in the state, will work to expand Romney's grassroots efforts throughout the state, and will help communicate his message of conservative change in Washington.

Romney for President's National Political Director Carl Forti said, "Mr. Balkman is an excellent addition to our team in Oklahoma. We are pleased that he will be volunteering his time to help organize our campaign efforts at the grassroots level. Our campaign is committed to Oklahoma and we are excited that Mr. Balkman will bring his political experience and leadership to our campaign."

Balkman said, "Governor Romney is the only candidate in this race who has the proven record to lead America forward as we face a new generation of global challenges. He has extensive experience in problem solving and has governed with principled leadership. Mitt Romney is the only candidate who will bring conservative values back to Washington. I am proud to join his Oklahoma campaign."

Balkman served in the Oklahoma State Legislature From 2000 To 2006. He now serves as executive director of Oklahoma's "100 Ideas Initiative," a plan led by House Speaker Lance Cargill to spark innovation for Oklahoma's second century.

During the 50th legislature he was selected as Majority Caucus Chairman and the Chairman of the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Health & Social Services. His efforts in opposition to tax hikes earned Balkman recognition as "Friend of the Taxpayers" by Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Relief. Balkman is also active on social issues and was responsible for creating the "Choose Life" license plate, the sales of which go to help unborn babies, pregnant women and the counseling centers that serve them. Balkman is a licensed attorney and is the Vice President of External Relations and General Counsel for Phoenix Motorcars, an industry leader of battery electric, freeway speed vehicles.

The 2nd Amendment And The U. S. Supreme Court

It is no surprise that, in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to hear the District of Columbia 2nd Amendment case, there has been an outpouring of thought from newpaper editorial writers and others on the individual right to keep and bear arms. It is a mark of our freedom that so many diverse voices can speak on such a hot topic.

COMMENTARY

Among those writing about the case is the New York Sun, which makes an interesting point drawn from the Constitution of the State of Massachusetts. One of the "magnificent peculiarities" of the Massachusetts Constitution, the editorial notes, is that its bill of rights is written right into the main document. There are 30 of these articles, ending with the famous formulation in respect of separated powers. It is article 17 that concerns guns. "The people," it says, "have a right to keep and to bear arms for the common defence." There is another sentence about how armies can't be maintained without the consent of the legislature and, in any event, shall always be held "in an exact subordination" to civil authority.

The editorial correctly notes that the Massachusetts framers put in plainer language than the American framers the purpose for which the right to keep and bear arms is being marked.

The editorial concludes, "It may be that the justices will look at the Massachusetts language and decide it's evidence that if the American framers had wanted to state unambiguously the purpose of the right to keep and bear arms, they could have done so. And they may conclude therefore, as the District of Columbia Circuit Court concluded, that if the founders of America had wanted to protect the rights not of the people but of the militias, they'd have said so in plain language."

An excellent point, well made. ~ Mike McCarville

Is 35 Years Of 'Values Voters' At An End?

By Tony Blankley, Writing For Town Hall ~ Are we seeing the end, for a while, of the dominance of values in presidential elections? And if so, is that a bad omen for the Republicans? This is not a prediction, it is mere conjecture, but let's consider the possibility. Since 1972's McGovern campaign, the Democratic Party has so blatantly offended the values, lifestyles, sensibilities and traditions of America that they have driven a vast number of voters into the Republican column.

Read Blankley's entire column at http://www.townhall.com.

Jones Commends Fort Sill Officials

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones commended Fort Sill officials today for their quick response to an inquiry regarding a political fundraising golf tournament scheduled and advertised in the Lawton Constitution by Rick Wolfe, who has announced his candidacy as a Democrat for Senate District 31.

Jones, a Comanche County resident, said he has attended numerous charitable golf tournaments at the Fort Sill golf course but in over 30 years of attending such events had never once heard of a political fundraiser being held at the course: "It is common knowledge that political fundraisers are strictly prohibited on federal property and when this was brought to the officials at Fort Sill they were quick to investigate and take measures to cancel the event," said Jones.

See our previous story, posted Tuesday, below.

Rinehart Faces Another Investigation

From The Oklahoman ~ Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart is under investigation, accused of plotting to misuse county funds to pay for plans for a controversial bridge. Three of his employees testified Tuesday before the state's multicounty grand jury. Read reporter Nolan Clay's article at http://newsok.com/article/3174444/1196226086.

Vehicle Tags Due Redesign, Jolley Says

For well over a decade, Oklahoma’s vehicle tags have borne the slogan “Native America” along with an Osage shield. But Senator Clark Jolley (pictured), co-chair of the Oklahoma License Plate Design Task Force, says it’s time to update those tags, many of which are now a public safety concern because of fading, making them difficult to read.

“Since we need to update our tags for public safety reasons, it’s also a great opportunity to rebrand our image on the tag. The slogan ‘Native America’ is a brilliant way to market our state, but people outside of Oklahoma may not understand the symbolism of the Osage shield,” explained Jolley, R-Edmond. “Our tags are really like billboards for our state, so we want to update the design to something that will better market Oklahoma as a tourist destination while also making sure public safety needs are met.”

At Tuesday’s task force meeting at the State Capitol, officials with the Department of Tourism and Recreation presented about 26 different tag design prototypes, with task force members narrowing it down to five choices. There are two different versions of a tag depicting the Guardian statue, which sits atop the State Capitol’s dome. Another tag depicts a cowboy doing rope tricks. There are also two variations of a tag depicting a statue of a Native American shooting an arrow into the sky, which stands in front of Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum.

“At this point, Tourism will refine those designs, and ultimately they’ll be placed on their website so that the public can give their input on the selection. We’ll also have the input of the Governor, Department of Public Safety and others. My hope is that we’ll have the new tag selected and available to the public in early 2009,” Jolley said.

Nuclear Power's Potential Outlined To House Panel

Nuclear power has the potential to significantly reduce Oklahoma's expanding energy burden in the future, experts today told the House Energy and Technology Committee.

But some who spoke disagreed, citing the costs and time involved.

Oklahoma's energy needs are expected to increase by 40 percent over the next 25 years, and Rep. Doug Cox (pictured) said all energy options should be on the table to help meet that growing demand.

"We can't escape the fact that our energy demands are outpacing our capacity," said Cox, R-Grove. "It is perhaps easier in Oklahoma to just turn to natural gas and coal to meet our immediate demands and put off planning for the future. But if we don't even have a plan to at least meet our future minimum energy demands, then we can't possibly expect to attract and retain new business and sustain economic growth down the road."

Experts told the committee that regulatory approval and construction of a new, 1,600-megawatt plant could take as long as a decade and could cost more than $8 billion, not including the multi-million dollar application process and the risk that worldwide construction demand could drive materials costs up significantly over the next decade. Though the financial costs of applying for a permit and building a new plant are a significant obstacle, Cox believes the discussion should remain open, specifically because the state's current energy portfolio is incapable of meeting future demand.

Mike McGarey, a nuclear energy expert at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), told the committee that the nation's electricity demand will increase by 41 percent over the next 25 years. If the nation's current energy supply mix of nuclear, coal and natural gas remains the same through 2030, the nation would need to build 50 new nuclear plants, 261 coal-fired plants and 279 natural gas plants to keep up with demand.

Currently, there are 104 operating nuclear power plants in the United States that supply 20 percent of the nation's energy capacity. In September, a Texas energy company submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission the first complete application for a permit to build a new nuclear plant in nearly 30 years. Since the beginning of the year, at least 17 partial or complete applications have been filed with the NRC for permits to build 31 new nuclear power plants. Since 2000, the NRC has approved 48 license renewals for existing power plants that will allow those plants to continue operating for the next 20 years.

McGarey told the committee that nuclear energy continues to be the cleanest source of energy and remains the cheapest.

Cox said the state should begin to look at federal incentives currently being offered to build new plants and also at other states that are implementing creative ways to spur nuclear energy development.

"The fact is that these plants are vital for not only sustaining current energy demand, but also for attracting new jobs to a state," said Cox. "It is very tough to compete with states that get much of their power from nuclear energy because it is cheaper and cleaner, and that plays a significant role in a company's decision-making process when it is looking to relocate or expand. A new plant would employ more than 800 people to construct it and more than 600 skilled employees to operate it."

Cox said it will take the cooperation of the state and all of the state's utility operators to develop a plan to meet future energy demands, whether or not that includes nuclear energy.

"I get the sense that the Corporation Commission and our larger public utilities recognize the energy crisis we could experience in the coming years and that all are on board with coming up with a solution," said Cox. "Despite the high costs, I think nuclear power is the best solution for providing energy for our state in the future. We'll continue to study the issue and try to develop a viable plan that is safe for our citizens, cost effective and efficient."

But some Oklahoma power producers say a nuclear power plant is too costly and would take too long to build to meet rising consumer demand in the state. Representatives of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co., Public Service Co. of Oklahoma and other energy companies spoke at today's hearing.

John Wendling of OG&E, Oklahoma's largest energy producer, said the company is too small to afford the estimated $6 billion cost of building a nuclear power plant. Wendling said OG&E needs additional generating capacity within the next five years. A nuclear plant would take 10 years or longer to build.

Mike Kiefner of the Grand River Dam Authority said the financial resources of all of Oklahoma's energy providers may be needed to afford a nuclear plant.

Edmondson Clears Transformational Justice Act

Attorney General Drew Edmondson today ruled in favor of the state's recently-enacted Transformational Justice Act, a new law designed to encourage partnerships with faith-based and community groups to provide services to the state’s prisoners.

"This is a real victory for the important reform of offering faith-based solutions to the problems that we face in society today," said House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, who authored the legislation.

“Government alone doesn’t have the solutions for the problems we face in society. These faith-based programs can make a real differnece in a person’s life in a way that no big-government program ever could. So government should be partnering with charities and faith-based organizations toward these goals, not pushing them away”

Edmondson's opinion found that the new law supports and does not conflict with the duties of the state Board of Corrections.

Casino Industry Supports Giuliani, McCain

Republican presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani and John McCain are the favorites of the casino industry, raking in $177,850 and $105,500, respectively, to top all presidential candidates.

The numbers are reported by Open Secrets. For the complete list, click http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.asp?Ind=N07

GOP Chairman's Call Nixes Democrat's Plan

A fundraising golf tournament for Democratic State Senate candidate Rick Wolfe at Fort Sill's golf course has been cancelled after Republican State Chairman Gary Jones alerted Fort Sill officials about the political nature of the planned event.

Jones confirmed today that he made the call to Fort Sill officials when he learned about Wolfe's planned political event on federal property through a newspaper advertisement (at right) Wolfe placed.

The advertisement announced the December 3rd event and the site and said players would be charged $100 per person, proceeds to Wolfe's campaign for the Democratic nomination in the district.

Wolfe seeks to unseat Republican Senator Don Barrington, elected to the District 31 seat in 2004.

Jones said he was told that the course was reserved for the Wolfe tournament by a woman who gave few details and did not mention it was for a political candidate or involved raising money for his campaign.

SPR: Huckabee In 2nd Place In Florida

From The Southern Political Report ~ Mike Huckabee has moved into second place among Republican presidential hopefuls in Florida, according to a new InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research poll of likely voters in the January 29 GOP Florida primary. Read the entire poll report at http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_1127_50.aspx

Gumm: Deep Drilling Tax Incentive Law Working

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, says that despite "left-wing" attacks on his support of a tax incentive bill two years ago that benefitted companies drilling deep gas wells, the measure has brought "new wealth" to southeastern Oklahoma.

"Two years ago this week," Gumm writes in a column, "several extreme left-wing activists from Oklahoma City passed out leaflets across our area attacking my support for a particular bill.

"The bill, which I carried on the Senate floor, was a tax incentive benefiting companies that drill deep gas wells. These are the very gas wells being drilled all across the Senate district I represent and much of southeastern Oklahoma. These wells might not have been drilled except for the incentives I support and these activists oppose.

"The drilling is happening in what is called the Woodford Shale formation. This is not a new gas discovery; geologists have known for some time this formation likely contained a great deal of natural gas. Even though everyone was confident the gas was there, it had to be financially feasible to get or it would stay locked in the ground.

"The deep drilling necessary to reach this gas is among the most expensive and financially risky. The tax credit helped make the drilling more attractive for the drilling companies.

"The tax credit was a good investment because these wells also generate six times the economic activity in surrounding communities than traditional-depth gas wells do. My position has always been that tax policy should encourage good behavior. In my book, the best behavior any company can exhibit is to create jobs and opportunity in Senate District 6.

"Already, we are seeing new wealth pouring into southeastern Oklahoma because of this deep drilling into the Woodford Shale formation. The new prosperity is staggering. We have one company reporting it has already paid more than $3 million in royalties to mineral owners in the five counties I represent.

"That is just the start because this drilling is the launch pad for even more economic growth. New workers come into the area, while local residents have opportunities to get good-paying jobs on drilling rigs. As the gas rises from deep within the earth, local economies also rise.

"The drilling is generating new tax revenues and helping to boost hope and create even more jobs across our region. The 'deep-drilling tax credit' was an investment in the future of southern Oklahoma that could pay dividends for generations.

"For most of Oklahoma’s history, oil and gas has been the sea on which this ship of state floated. Even so, our area has been pretty far removed from prosperity energy brings; now, this resource the Lord has given us is helping to generate prosperity here in our area.

"We are taught from an early age that the Lord helps those who help themselves. The deep-drilling tax credit was a way for us to help ourselves. It was the right policy for our state and for our area; I am proud to continue supporting it."

Henry, Blunt Make OU-Mizzou Game Outcome Bet

Governor Brad Henry and Missouri Governor Matt Blunt have made a friendly wager on the Big 12 Conference football championship pitting the top-ranked University of Missouri Tigers against the 9th-ranked University of Oklahoma Sooners.

Each governor is wagering 12 products from their respective states on the outcome of the Saturday evening game at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

If the Sooners prevail, Blunt will send 12 products from the Show-Me State. In the event that the Tigers win, Henry will pony up a dozen goods from the great state of Oklahoma. Those items have yet to be determined.

Henry said he has faith the Sooners will be victorious: “Missouri is an excellent team, but so, too, are the Sooners, and we have a wealth of experience on the championship stage,” he said. “I am confident that Bob Stoops and the Sooners will triumph in San Antonio, and I look forward to sampling some of the finest goods that Missouri has to offer, courtesy of Governor Blunt.”

Blunt expressed similar confidence in his team: “The Missouri Tigers are on a roll, and I cannot wait to watch them roll over the University of Oklahoma Sooners after mauling the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday night," he said. "The Tigers are ready for this historic game with the Sooners and we are ready to chalk up another victory."

Missouri enters the 12th annual Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship Game with an 11-1 record for the season, while OU posted a 10-2 record for the season.

Brogdon Questions Edmondson's TABOR Motives

Senator Randy Brogdon today questioned Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s motives in his effort to prosecute three participants in the 2005 Taxpayer Bill of Rights petition drive.

Calling the actions of the Attorney General an embarrassment to the state, Brogdon urged Edmondson to end his “politically motivated” prosecution.

Brogdon noted that when asked by reporters whether his prosecution was politically-motivated, Edmondson stated that the indictment of the petition workers did not come from his office, but was the work of a multi-county grand jury. The Attorney General recently filed a motion to dismiss the multi-county grand jury’s indictment against the three petition activists, making a statement that a new indictment would be issued directly from the office of the Attorney General.

“Amazingly, there was no news coverage when the Attorney General quietly dismissed his once trumpeted indictment,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso. “Attorney General Edmondson needs to come clean. Is there something so wrong with his grand jury process or with the indictments themselves that he has to re-issue the indictments from his office after dismissing them from the grand jury?"

Brogdon also pointed to recent negative news coverage of the Attorney General’s prosecution against the “Oklahoma 3”. Editorials in The Wall Street Journal and Forbes magazine compared Oklahoma’s justice system to that of Pakistan and North Korea, respectively.

“Drew Edmondson and this outrageous prosecution are an embarrassment to the state,” Brogdon said. “His politically motivated decision to prosecute three innocent people has cast the state in a negative light and has been criticized by publications read throughout the nation and world.”

The “Oklahoma 3” are Rick Carpenter of Tulsa, Paul Jacob of Virginia and Susan Carpenter of Michigan, president of National Voter Outreach, a petition management company. The three worked to gather signatures for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights initiative in 2005.

“This is a good time of the year for our Attorney General to reflect on what is at stake and end the persecution of three innocent people,” Brogdon stated. “This politically motivated prosecution sends a chilling message to our citizens to never buck the political system.”

Bill Would Create 'Religious Viewpoints' Act

State Rep. Mike Reynolds plans to file legislation creating a Religious Viewpoints Anti-Discrimination Act that he says will create a level playing field for religious and secular expression in Oklahoma's public schools.

"Oklahoma families need to know their children will not be persecuted for exercising their constitutional rights and expressing religious beliefs at school," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City.

"While students and guest speakers can't use state resources to proselytize, they have every right to express their personal beliefs and should be given the same protections afforded non-religious or even anti-religious officials."

The legislation, modeled after a Texas law, states, "A school district shall treat a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the district treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject."

Blogosphere Boom Creates Libel Lawsuit Growth

Blogging has increased dramatically over the last few years, marked by a proportionate increase in lawsuits. The alleged dangers of internet anonymity prompted Forbes writer, Victoria Murphy Barret, to write in her October article “Anonymity & the Internet” that “Today the Net still protects the abused and the disenfranchised...But it also shields creeps, criminals and pedophiles. It emboldens the mean-spirited and offers them a huge audience for spewing hatred and libel.” Libel remains the largest reason for all reported blog-related lawsuits, followed by privacy, copyright disputes, and harassment, noted Robert Cox, President of the Media Bloggers Association at a Society of Professional Journalists presentation. Read all of this Accuracy In Media column at http://www.aim.org/aim_column/5918_0_3_0_C/.

Fox News: Lott To Resign U. S. Senate Seat

Mississippi Senator Trent Lott, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, will announce his resignation effective this year, FOX News has learned.

Lott, 66, was re-elected in 2006 amid speculation that he would retire. Instead, against his wife Tricia's wishes, he ran again, regaining a Senate leadership position after being forced from the top Republican seat in 2002, following remarks he made that were seen as racially insensitive.

Lott, who is serving his fourth Senate term, was expected to discuss his plans later Monday.

Lott becomes the sixth Senate Republican this year to announce retirement, possibly posing more difficulties for an embattled GOP that will be trying to retain the presidency and fight further losses to Democrats who regained control of both houses of Congress last November.

Lott's decision to remain in the Senate last year was aimed in part at using his clout to push for repairs to his state's coastal region after the wrath left by the 2005 hurricane season, including hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Lott's own coastal home was destroyed by the storms. Two senior Republican aides tell FOX News that Lott has informed a small inner circle of colleagues about his plans.

The senator, after 34 years of public service in Congress, is not wealthy like many of his colleagues and has talked for some time about leaving so he could earn more money. So, aides said, the senator decided to leave by year's end to circumvent new lobbying rules — instituted by Congress this year and effective in 2008 — that that would bar members from lobbying their colleagues after two years.

The so-called "revolving door" policy in effect now keeps former members from lobbying their colleagues for one year. The changes were made in the wake of the scandal surrounding former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, R, would appoint a replacement for Lott, although it was not immediately clear clear whether an election would be held during the regular general elections next November, or whether there would be a special election before. Whoever wins would serve out the remainder of Lott's term, which ends in 2012.

In his Senate position, Lott is the whip, or vote-counter-in-chief, second in GOP seniority only to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The position — to which he was elected by his Republican colleagues — was a sign that Lott had been forgiven for the remarks four years earlier during the 100th birthday celebration for then South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond, who ran for president in 1948 on a segregationist platform.

At the event, Lott said Mississippi voters were proud to have supported Thurmond's candidacy, and added: "If the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years either."

A few days later, Lott issued a statement saying he had made "a poor choice of words" that "conveyed to some the impression that I embraced the discarded policies of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I apologize to anyone who was offended by my statement." Lott's many apologies were to no avail. He lost the support of President Bush, who said his comments did not "reflect the spirit of our country."

Lott later wrote in a book — "Herding Cats: A Life in Politics" — that President Bush hurt his feelings by disavowing the comments in a tone that was "devastating ... booming and nasty."

Democratic Forum: Rice 'Worst Candidate'

UPDATED ~ An administrator of the popular Oklahoma Democratic Forum demonstrates why freshman State Senator Andrew Rice of Oklahoma City will have a hard time (a) winning his party's nomination if he draws a conservative opponent, and (b) defeating Republican U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe should Rice be the Democratic nominee. Today, there's this post on the site: "Andrew Rice is the worst candidate Oklahoma Democrats could ever have running for the US Senate. He has made statements that are pro-gay, pro-abortion, anti-gun...." The comment apparently was prompted by a Rice story in today's The Oklahoman.

This article has prompted an attack by a second, liberal Oklahoma Democratic forum, Demookie, known as the "Democrats of Oklahoma Community Forum." There, posters argue that their fellow Democrats should be careful what they post lest their comments appear on Republican blogs. One regular poster, firebrand Chris Heldenbrand, wrote, "Rusty's (first Democrat blog administrator) been posting anti-Andrew s#$t for months. I certainly wasn't surprised by that. He hates gays and all things liberal far more than he loves Democrats. What really p@!#ed me off is McCarville, in his dotage, apparently doesn't know the difference between Oklahoma Democratic Forum, which would translate to Demookie, and the schizoboard. Well, maybe he does, but it suits his purpose as the Goebbels of the Oklahoma Republican Party to make Rusty a 'popular' Democratic voice. The only difference between McCarville and Rusty is that one of them is openly Republican."

The two Democrat forums exchange blows regularly, demonstrating to some the obvious split among Democrats in the state and perhaps foretelling the difficulty the liberal Rice faces in a conservative state.

Sooners Dump Cowboys, 49-17

OU's Sooners dumped the OSU Cowboys 49-17 in today's Bedlam football game in Norman. OU running back Allen Patrick rolled up 202 yards on the ground and caught a TD pass. Quarterback Sam Bradford set a new NCAA freshman quarterback passing record for the season with a total 32 TD passes with four today.

The win sends Oklahoma into the Big 12 championship game at 7 p.m. next Saturday in San Antonio. OU will play the winner of tonight's Kansas-Missouri game. The KU-Missouri winner will claim the Big 12 North title and could be ranked No. 1 in the country next week.

The Gadfly On The Bedlam Wall

Bedlam: OU takes on OSU in Norman today. Which OU team will show up? And which OSU team will show up? I know not. Should be a whale of a game. Doubt it will measure up to last night's nail-biter between LSU and my Arkansas Razorbacks, who dumped LSU and its No. 1 rating in a three-overtimes thriller keyed by Darren McFadden, Heisman candidate, and Peyton Hillis, the Conway (my childhood home town in Arkansas) running back who scored the final Hogs TD in OT. Bedlam in Norman is special. In one of my previous lifetimes (read that as in decades ago), it was my good fortune to sit in the Owen Field press box and keypunch The Oklahoman's teletype machine for sports gurus John Cronley and Volney Meece. Great times.

It's News: I am bemused by Democrats who criticize this wee effort to provide news on politics and government. Every day, it seems, they find some ulterior motive for almost every news story we post. We follow immigration reform news or take note of gang violence, we're racists; we follow Republican politics, we're in Gary Jones' hip pocket. We're accused of a hidden agenda with regularity. We have no hidden agenda; my personal agenda is pretty transparent: Less government, not more; Republicans as a rule, but not blindly so; Democrats sometimes, but not often; get us out of the UN; support for the 2nd Amendment; civility as opposed to the lack thereof. I am at that stage in my life where petty criticisms from those whose life experiences have yet to match mine no longer provoke me. I've got my own rudder and I keep her amidships most of the time.

You Never Know: Decades ago, Jack Werner was a (very) conservative Republican activist in Oklahoma County politics. He always struck me as well-read, articulate and unbending. I had lost track of Jack until last summer, when I needed an inspection on a home I was buying. Looked at the list of home inspectors; wham, there's Jack. Did a fine job inspecting the home I bought as a rental property. Last week, I had Jack inspect another property we're buying and I was pleased to note, again, that he's still very conservative. As my realtor observed, "He took two hours and most of 'em are done in one." Actually, Jack and his assistant spent more than two hours on the inspection and looked, literally, at almost every square inch of this 1900-square foot home. I've had other encounters with folks I knew previously from politics or campaigns. Just proves it's a small world and you never know when acquaintances will be renewed, albeit in a different context.

It's BEDLAM In Norman

Bedlam football today...Sooners versus the Cowboys, 2:30 on Cox 37 in Oklahoma City. Buckle up.

Razorbacks Upend Tigers, 50-48, In 3 OTs

In what likely will become another college football classic, the unranked University of Arkansas Razorbacks upended the No. 1-ranked LSU Tigers on Friday, 50-48, in a three-overtimes game. The Razorbacks did it with a balanced effort headed by running backs Darren McFadden, who ran for three TDs and passed for another, and Peyton Hillis, who scored a critical touchdown. The loss by the Tigers dropped them to 10-2 on the season, thus jumbling the BCS championship standings even more. It is the 12th time this season a top-ranked team has lost to an underdog opponent.

Texas A&M Downs Texas, 38-30

Texas A&M clipped the No. 13 Texas Longhorns today, 38-30, in another game in which an unranked team defeated a ranked team.

Coats For Kids In Home Stretch

The annual "Coats For Kids" program that seeks to provide a warm winter coat for every Oklahoma City School District elementary school student who needs one is in its home stretch for this year.

Donations in any amount can be sent to Coats For Kids, 900 North Klein, Okahoma City, OK 73106, or dropped off at any MidFirst Bank location.

Every dollar donated goes to buy coats; there is no administrative overhead. The program is operated by the district using volunteers who sort and deliver the coats to elementary schools.

Mainstream Media's Selective Reporting Noted

Fox News Opinion ~ The mainstream media likes to brag about bringing us all the news that’s fit to print. Remember these recent stories?

~ Public schools in California next year will be required to teach 5-year-olds that homosexuality is normal and healthy — and that kids pick their "gender."

~ Television meteorologist John Coleman, who founded the Weather Channel, published a scathing article dismissing global warming as "the greatest scam in history."

~ Rocket and mortar attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq fell in October to the lowest level in 21 months, after peaking in June before the "surge" in forces got under way.

Draw a blank? It could be because the mainstream media mostly ignored these stories, or briefed them on page A13. To hear about them, you likely had to rely on talk radio.

Buried speech isn’t free.

Read this entire oped piece at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312489,00.html.

Harold Hamm Named Entrepreneur Of The Year

Harold Hamm of Enid, founder and CEO of Continental Resources, has been named "Entrepreneur of the Year 2007" by Ernst & Young.

Hamm was honored for building his company into a major independent oil and gas exploration and production company. It began as a one-truck oilfield-service business and now operates in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast regions.

Turpen: More Than Bluff and Bluster

Former Attorney General Mike Turpen, now known mostly for his outspoken bluster as half of the Democrat-Republican team on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point," is featured in The Oklahoman's "Friday Night Lights" column today by Robert Przybylo. If you think bluff and bluster is Turpen's total persona, read Przybylo's column at http://newsok.com/article/3172458/1195791815.

Happy Thanksgiving: Love's Helps Guard Troops

Fuel for the 60 buses carrying Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Brigade home for the holidays will be donated by Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores, company Chairman Tom Love announced. The 2,600-plus members of the 45th Infantry Brigade are training at Fort Bliss, Texas, for a January deployment to Iraq. They have 10 days of leave from December 23 to January 2.

"Love's is an Oklahoma company and proud of it," Love said. "We're delighted to be able to do this."

He estimated that the soldiers' round trip total would be just less than 2,000 miles. Governor Brad Henry announced Operation Holiday Homecoming earlier this month, asking Oklahomans to donate the $600,000 needed to pay for 60 buses and meals during the trip.

Donations can be made at any BancFirst branch or by mail to The American Legion of Oklahoma, Operation Holiday Homecoming, P.O. Box 53037, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

Claim: Rinehart Ignored Summons From IRS

Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart, facing trial on campaign finance charges, now faces the ire of the Internal Revenue Service, The Oklahoman reports today.

Rinehart reportedly ignored two IRS summonses for 2003 records relating to his company, Unta Bent Inc., also known as Rinehart Air Conditioning and Heating. Now, he's been ordered to appear before a federal judge in January.

Its reported the IRS is investigating Rinehart for tax liabilities. He ignored one summons, then refused to answer questions or provide documents. He did meet with an IRS agent in August, but did not answer questions or provide any of his company's records as requested.

McVeigh Files Secretly Held At University Of Texas For 10 Years; Jones Donated Them In 1997

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Ten years after defense attorney Stephen Jones (pictured) made his first contribution of Tim McVeigh defense files to the University of Texas, the donation has come to light.

Word of the existence of the files was revealed today in a story by the American-Statesman newspaper in Austin, Texas in which reporter Ralph Haurwritz wrote about a federal court ruling. A court ruled against Jones' attempts to take a charitable tax deduction for the gift of 700 feet of boxes valued by an appraiser at nearly $295,000. (See American-Statesman article at http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/21/1121mcveigh.html )

As the newspaper reported, Jones made his first contribution of McVeigh files in 1997 and another in 2002 because he is a graduate of UT. But the University of Texas History Center did not want to reveal their existence out of respect for the families who lost relatives in the 1995 bombing of the Murrah building.

"I think that's a shame," said Gloria Chipman, whose husband was killed in the blast. She also belongs to an organization called VOTIVES which stands for 'Victims of Terrorism Information and Vital Exchange Services'. "We're not that sensitive. We are strong and we're stronger since the bombing. We've had to rely on ourselves. Many of our husbands and wives were killed and our children."

Chipman said she is excited for all of the families and survivors who do not believe the official story that Tim McVeigh and Terry Nichols acted alone.

"We hope that with this new information, this revelation, they will send investigators down to where this achive is and they will glean from them the information that was not permitted during the trial."

A Denver federal judge ruled against Jones in his effort to produce evidence of a wider conspiracy than just McVeigh and Nichols. Since the government prosecution was actually a narrow case against McVeigh, Jones was not allowed to introduce evidence and testimony about others who might have been involved in the bombing of the Murrah building. Similar rulings were made against defense attorneys who tried to raise the same evidence and arguments in the State murder trial of Terry Nichols two years ago.

One man who has been in a legal fight for nearly 12 years to get government investigative files on the bombing case is Jesse Trentadue, an attorney from Salt Lake City, Utah. His brother died in the Oklahoma City Federal Transfer center a few months after the bombing in what Trentadue contends was murder. He contends Kenneth Trentadue was beaten to death by guards and other federal authorities because he matched the identity of a possible "John Doe" suspect seen with McVeigh as he exited the Ryder truck the morning of the bombing. A Federal judge in Utah has sided with Trentadue in his attempt to get FBI files but the government has fought him for years.

OU Marching Band In Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

The University of Oklahoma marching band will represent the state and its centennial during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. The band will appear on camera about 10:20 a.m. CDT behind the Cornucopia float and Mr. Potato Head balloon. It will be the first time for OU's marching band to perform in the famed parade, which is viewed by an estimated 44 million persons worldwide. It is broadcast on NBC-TV.

Corn: Divert Some Casino Proceeds To Universities

Senator Kenneth Corn today filed legislation that could lead to changes in the way the state of Oklahoma provides matching funds for endowed chairs at colleges and universities by diverting 12 percent of casino gaming funds.

Corn's statement said that since 2004, the state has issued revenue bonds to provide matching funds for endowed chairs. His Senate Bill 1142 would establish a permanent funding source for endowed chairs by diverting a portion of casino gaming revenues to the Oklahoma State Regents’ Endowment Trust Fund.

Corn said the establishment of a permanent funding source is sound fiscal policy that would represent a strong commitment to improving higher education in Oklahoma.

“In our effort to establish Oklahoma as a research hub in the Midwest, providing a permanent funding source for endowed faculty must be a priority,” said Corn, D-Poteau. “A permanent funding source will help draw better researchers and educators to our colleges and universities, while getting the Legislature out of the business of issuing bonds to provide matching funds.”

Corn’s plan would apportion 12 percent of revenues from casino gaming to establish a permanent funding source. Corn estimated that between $9 and $11 million annually would be needed to cover the cost of matching funds.

“Endowed chairs not only conduct research that can benefit our state and nation, but they also help draw the best and brightest students into our universities,” Corn said. “Establishing a permanent funding source to provide funds for endowed chairs represents an investment in the future of Oklahoma. Our university presidents and private donors have done an admirable job of securing funding, and it’s time for the Legislature to hold up our end of the bargain.”

Classy Jane Jayroe Gives Thanks

From Jean Warner's Oklahoma Women ~ Jane Jayroe Gamble’s Remarks Upon Her Induction Into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame: They say the young person looks forward, the older person looks back and the middle aged person looks startled.

This award is a bit startling; I am so overwhelmed by this honor and by the generosity of others . . . certainly those at the Oklahoma Heritage Association.

You know, I’ve had a lot of unexpected things happen in my life. Certainly the most unlikely was becoming Miss America. But as I’ve had the chance to glance back, I’m so impressed by the goodness of God’s grace to cover me---in good times and bad.

It was surely grace to be born in America and in Oklahoma, where the red earth holds you close and stains your soul, the wind teaches you to grow with deep roots and bend with hard times, and the sense of open space makes you believe in opportunities as big as the sky.

It was grace to be born to Pete, Helene and Judy and a whole pack of joyful aunts, uncles and cousins. What a gift!

To be raised in small rural communities, where every time you stepped up to the line, so to speak, you only had to glance over your shoulder to see a whole host of folks there applauding, urging you on, encouraging your success.

How grateful I am to have played basketball, grown up in the Church, entered pageants, sung on stages, studied with caring teachers, given the news, promoted Oklahoma and shared a friendship with so many of you.

It was grace to win a contest years ago that lifted up Oklahoma to a national spotlight for a moment in time. The greater grace was to share that honor with so many others who even today remind me of how that moment changed them in some small way.

I’m so grateful for a family that has always kept me grounded in life. I’ll never forget one Christmas when I came home following the Miss America year and commented to my family about how great it was to have main street in Laverne renamed Jane Jayroe Blvd. My nephew who was a senior at Laverne High School remarked, “Yeah, it’s really neat. Now, on Saturday night instead of dragging main, we drag Jane.”

I’m so grateful to my mother Helene Grace, who has taught by example the great joy that comes from living a life that values others more than self.

To my sister, Judy, who learned that lesson better than anyone and her family of sons and their families. They are mine as well.

To my son Tyler and Elaine and their children. He has been my greatest joy.

To my husband, Jerry; I’m so grateful for the person he is. This honor truly belongs to both of us.

To my OCU family, my Church of the Servant family, my family of precious girlfriends, my Esther Women family, and my family of volunteer organizations who have taught me leadership and service.

I have such a grateful heart . . . for all of life’s journey. Grateful, not in a superficial, cheery cheerleader kind of way, but in a faithful, trusting way that believes there’s more at work in the world than what the eye sees and that underneath the surface of circumstances is an anchor that holds firm.

So, tonight, I am especially thrilled to accept another moment of grace, an undeserved gift, but so appreciated.

I accept it on behalf of Oklahoma girls from small towns with big dreams.

On behalf of those who fall down in life and by the grace of God stand tall again.

And on behalf of all of us who are crazy in love with Oklahoma.

You know, God created us with a need to belong . . . to each other and to a place. . A land . . . home. . Oklahoma.

Happy Birthday, sweet Oklahoma, God bless us all.

Pennsylvania Preserves 2nd Amendment Rights

From www.nraila.org~ The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee struck down three gun control bills and successfully preserved Second Amendment rights for law-abiding gun owners in the Commonwealth. The National Rifle Association was opposed to all three bills.

House Bill 18 would have gutted Pennsylvania’s pre-emption law and would have allowed local municipalities to place further restrictions on the sale, possession, carrying and use of firearms. Without preemption there would be countless local firearms laws, making compliance impossible for law-abiding gun owners. This bill was struck down by a bipartisan vote of 19-10.

House Bill 22, commonly known as “one gun a month” legislation, was denied by a vote of 17-12. This bill would have prevented law-abiding citizens from purchasing more than one handgun at a time and would have imposed a 30-day waiting period between single handgun purchases.

House Bill 29, “lost or stolen firearms” legislation, was tabled by members of the committee. This legislation would have criminalized theft victims by making it a crime to fail to report the loss or theft of a firearm to police within 24 hours of discovering the firearm missing.

Huckabee Surges In Iowa, Closes On Romney

From www.washingtonpost.com ~ Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, buoyed by strong support from Christian conservatives, has surged past three of his better-known presidential rivals and is now challenging former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney for the lead in the Iowa Republican caucuses, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News Poll. Huckabee has tripled his support in Iowa since late July, eclipsing former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, former senator Fred D. Thompson (Tenn.) and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). Huckabee now runs nearly evenly with Romney, the longtime Iowa front-runner.

Iowa: Pollster's Worst Nightmare

By Matt Towery, Southern Political Report ~ It's a pollster's worst nightmare. This year's Republican and Democratic Iowa caucuses have been forced to take place so early that not only will the Jan. 3 caucuses conclude the Christmas/New Year's holiday season, but they will also happen on the same day that one of the top Bowl Championship Series college football games airs on national TV. Read Matt's column at http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_1115_37.aspx.

Former Bush Press Secretary Says He Was Misled

From www.foxnews.com ~ Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan is lashing out at the Bush administration, claiming in his new book that the White House intentionally misled him concerning the CIA leak case and that President Bush was involved in his passing along "false information" to the press.

Hearings Focus On Government Modernization

House Republican leaders spearheading a series of hearings on government modernization raised concerns today about Oklahoma's state purchasing system, and they pointed to a two-year-old IBM study that showed the state could save tens of millions of dollars through simple reforms.

"We're encouraged that the Department of Central Services is taking to heart some of IBM's recommendations, but clearly more needs to be done," said Rep. Ken Miller, vice chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. "This study was performed two years ago, and we shouldn't delay its implementation any longer."

Miller and other members of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee asked DCS Director John Richard about a study performed by IBM consultants two years ago, which examined state purchasing practices to identify cost savings.

IBM projected tens of millions of dollars in possible savings and found problems with current DCS purchasing practices.

"When we began these hearings and said Oklahoma needed to move beyond the horse-and-buggy era, we didn’t mean it literally," said Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah. "But today we heard testimony that DCS cannot adequately track and monitor state contracts and that some employees who manage hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer-funded contracts are not proficient in things like Excel and spreadsheet programs. We heard that DCS cannot move to online bidding to save taxpayers money because some vendors don't know how to use e-mail or get online."

"Whose interests is the state protecting? Some technological dinosaur vendors who won't learn to use e-mail, or the taxpayers of this state?" Cargill continued. "What's the delay in implementing IBM's recommendations? Tens of millions of dollars are at stake annually. I think there needs to be some urgency."

Cargill pointed out that the state's surplus storage practices are also a concern. The state leases some 20 separate agency warehouses storing massive amounts of surplus items, and even outright junk.

"The state doesn't even really know how many desks we own," said Cargill. "It's clear we need a central inventory system, and it's concerning that we don't have one."

Richard testified that he was working to implement some of IBM's recommendations. But he also conceded that much work remains to be done.

The House A&B Committee will continue its series of government modernization hearings on December 4th.

Supreme Court To Hear D.C. 2nd Amendment Case

After a hiatus of 68 years, the Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to rule on the meaning of the Second Amendment, the hotly contested part of the Constitution that guarantees “a right to keep and bear arms.”

Not since 1939 has the Court heard a case directly testing the Amendment’s scope — and there is a debate about whether it actually decided anything in that earlier ruling.

In a sense, the Court may well be writing on a clean slate if, in the end, it decides the ultimate question: does the Second Amendment guarantee an individual right to have a gun for private use, or does it only guarantee a collective right to have guns in an organized military force such as a state National Guard unit?

The city of Washington’s appeal (District of Columbia v. Heller, 07-290) seeking to revive its flat ban on private possession of handguns is expected to be heard in March, slightly more than a year after the D.C. Circuit Court ruled that the Second Amendment right is a personal one, at least to have a gun for self-defense in one’s own home. (The Court took no action on Tuesday on a conditional cross-petition, Parker, et al., v. District of Columbia, 07-335, an appeal by five District residents seeking to join in the case. The absence of any action may mean that the Court has decided not to hear that case. If that is so, it will be indicated in an order next Monday. The Court also may simply be holding the case until it decides the Heller case.)

The Justices chose to write out for themselves the constitutional question they will undertake to answer in Heller. Both sides had urged the Court to hear the city’s case, but they had disagreed over how to frame the Second Amendment issue.

Here is the way the Court phrased the granted issue: “Whether the following provisions — D.C. Code secs. 7-2502.02(a)(4), 22-4504(a), and 7-2507.02 — violate the Second Amendment rights of individuals who are not affiliated with any state-regulated militia, but who wish to keep handguns and other firearms for private use in their homes?”

The first listed section bars registration of pistols if not registered before Sept. 24, 1976; the second bars carrying an unlicensed pistol, and the third requires that any gun kept at home must be unloaded and disassembled or bound by a lock, such as one that prevents the trigger from operating.

The Court did not mention any other issues that it might address as questions of its jurisdiction to reach the ultimate question: did the one individual who was found to have a right to sue — Dick Anthony Heller, a D.C. resident – have a right to challenge all three of the sections of the local law cited in the Court’s order, and, is the District of Columbia, as a federal enclave, even covered by the Second Amendment. While neither of those issues is posed in the grant order, the Court may have to be satisfied that the answer to both is affirmative before it would move on to the substantive question about the scope of any right protected by the Amendment. The D.C. Circuit ruled that the Amendment does apply to the District because of its federal status, subject to all provisions of the Constitution. At this point, therefore, it appears that the Court’s review may not reach a major question — does the Second Amendment also protect individual rights against state and local government gun control laws? But a ruling by the Court recognizing an individual right to have a gun almost surely would lead to new test cases on whether to extend the Amendment’s guarantee so that it applied to state and local laws, too. The Court last confronted that issue in Presser v. illinois, in 1886, finding that the Amendment was not binding on the states.

Some observers who read the Court’s order closely may suggest that the Court is already inclined toward an “individual rights” interpretation of the Second Amendment. That is because the order asks whether the three provisions of the D.C. gun control law violate “the Second Amendment rights of individuals.” But that phrasing may reveal very little about whether the Amendment embraces an individual right to have a gun for private use. Only individuals, of course, would be serving in the militia, and there is no doubt that the Second Amendment provides those individuals a right to have a gun for that type of service.

The question the Court will be deciding is, if there are individuals who want to keep pistols for use at home, does the Second Amendment guarantee them that right? Just because the Second Amendment protects some individual right does not settle the nature of that right.

One of the interesting subsets of the question the Court will be confronting is whether the 1939 case of U.S. v. Miller is a precedent for what the Second Amendment means, individual or collective right. If that decision did find in favor of a collective right, the current Court would have to decide whether this was a binding precedent, or whether it should be overruled. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has already taken a stand on that question. At his nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, he said that “the Miller case sidestepped” the issue of whether the Amendment protected a collective or an individual right. He added: “An argument was made back in 1939 that this provides only a collective right, and the Court didn’t address that….So people try to read into the tea leaves about Miller and what would come out on this issue, but that’s still very much an open issue.”

Democrat Partisans Behind Quran Attack Ad?

The signers of a half-page ad attacking state lawmakers for declining copies of the Quran are largely partisan Democrats, State Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, said today.

"Virtually every person involved in this attack ad is a Democrat or Democratic campaign contributor," said Reynolds, who monitors political dollars with an intensity few can match.

Headed "A Letter to Oklahomans," the advertisement is signed by more than 100 individuals, including Attorney General Drew Edmondson and his wife Linda, and Secretary of State Susan Savage, a former Tulsa mayor. Others signing the letter include former Treasurer Robert Butkin, now a University of Tulsa law professor; Energy Secretary David Fleischaker; former Senate President Pro Tem Cal Hobson; Pulitzer Prize-winning author N. Scott Momaday; Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal; Secretary of Environment Miles Tolbert; former Attorney General Mike Turpen; and former Tulsa lawmaker Penny Williams. A spokesman said those signing the letter belong to no formal organization, although many of them met through the Oklahoma Symposium, a three-day event held every year at Quartz Mountain State Park.

"It's clear this group is simply throwing up a smokescreen to divert attention from Governor Brad Henry's sponsorship of Muslim activists in state government."

The Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council, which consists of Muslim activists, recently received national attention for its efforts to provide "Centennial edition" copies of the Quran (the holy book of Islam) to Oklahoma state lawmakers. Several legislators did not accept copies of the book.

The council's official efforts have included "outreach" programs targeting Oklahoma school children and efforts to introduce Muslim content into school textbooks endorsed by state regulators, Reynolds said.

On Sunday, a half-page ad signed by 147 individuals ran in the state's two largest newspapers attacking lawmakers who did not cave in to the demands of council members, Reynolds said. Of the 147 signers, 123 are registered Democrats, seven are registered independents and seven are Republicans according to voter registration records, Reynolds said.

He said 10 individuals could not be found in state voter registration records. Records show that four of the 14 signers registered as Republicans or independents have contributed money exclusively to Democratic candidates, Reynolds said. Over half of those 14 individuals also share an address with one of the registered Democrat signatories.

"This ad is nothing more than a partisan attack funded by Democrats to benefit Governor Henry. If they don't have the backbone to criticize the militant strain of Islam that resulted in the murder of thousands of our fellow citizens on American soil, that's their right, but I think it's sad that they have allowed political considerations to cloud their judgment," Reynolds said.

He noted that campaign records indicate Ethnic American Advisory Council member Mohammad Farzaneh and members of his family have donated more than $100,000 to Oklahoma candidates, including Henry.

Reynolds renewed his call for Henry to disband or at least reform the council so its membership will include a "truly diverse group of people of Middle Eastern heritage who represent all faiths in that region, not just one."

Cornett Opposes Possible New Tribal Casino

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said today he is opposed to a possible new tribal casino on Interstate 35 at Britton Road.

Cornett told KTOK's Reid Mullins Oklahoma has too many casinos already; he added he's not a fan of casinos.

The Shawnee Tribe, it was revealed Monday, has a contract to buy 104 acres in the area.

Tribal Casino Due At I-35, Britton Road?

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Another Indian casino might be coming to Oklahoma City, this one along I-35 and Britton Road.

The Shawnee Tribe headquartered in Miami has paid $4.6 million for 104 acres of land west of the interstate between Britton Road and Wilshire Boulevard.

Tribal leaders recently paid a courtesy call on Oklahoma County Commissioners to inform them of their intentions of building a casino, hotel and retail and office space.

The land sale was made by Tannenbaum Developers to the tribe and was finalized last Thursday morning. A spokesman for Tannenbaum has not returned a phone call for a comment. An Oklahoma City spokesman working with the Shawnee tribe confirmed the business deal. Other sources indicated that the tribe had to convert the property to a trust and win approval from the Indian Gaming Commission before the casino and hotel could be built.

But the project already has at least one opponent, businessman Sam Emmert and his wife Kathy Emmert, who are owners of the Statuary World at 8401 North I-35.

The property purchased by the Shawnee tribe wraps around theirs and they fear the site where they've been for the past 12 years could be acquired through eminent domain. "This is all brand new to me and I haven't heard anything at all concerning this. But yeah, I would be extremely concerned because under these new crazy federal laws, they been going out and taking people's property," said Sam Emmert from his offices at the west Statuary World site, located in the former Cimarron Pottery building at I-40 and Cimarron Road.

"I don't know how it would feel to be located in between this type of an operation. Some would say 'well, it would bring a lot of people to your area' but I don't know if I'd be happy with the type of people it might bring to your area."

Emmert said he's worried enough that he plans to discuss things with his attorney.

Mike Reynolds Chides Edmondson, Henry, McMahan

State Rep. Mike Reynolds said today that Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who recently admitted receiving illegal campaign contributions, has yet to correct all the “mistakes” his campaign finance reports show.

“Several months ago I questioned whether Attorney General Edmondson truly cared about Ethics laws in Oklahoma. I don’t know if he asked the State Auditor to help him clean up his errors, but it appears that he has many additional mistakes that have not been corrected,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City.

“While Edmondson decided that he disagreed with the Ethics Commission’s interpretation of its own rules, he apparently thought it best to comply. After taking a week’s vacation to sort the mess out, he wrote a note to the commission saying he was paying back his own campaign for the money he had taken from it.

“When other people that don’t have their own law enforcement branch make these mistakes, they suffer far greater consequences. They may wind up paying legal fees, accounting fees, or fines to the commission – fines that are supposed to be triple the amount of the illegal contribution.

“I would like to thank the AG for correcting his mistakes – OR at least some of them. I have been waiting to see when he would find additional errors that seem to be all too obvious. In addition to the 12 illegal contributions already reported by Edmondson, he might add these to the list.”

(First date is "expense date," second is "contribution date") 09/14/06 $250.00 Brad Henry 09/22/06 Tickets to event; 12/12/06 $500.00 Jari Askins 12/21/06 Event-Campaign Expense; 03/08/06 $100.00 Sandy Garrett 03/14/06 Registration Event; 03/29/06 $100.00 Robbie Kerr 04/17/06 Registration Event; 02/01/06 $100.00 Neil Brannon 02/08/06 Tickets Event; 01/28/06 $100.00 RC Pruett 01/30/06 Tickets Event; 01/24/06 $100.00 Terry Harrison 02/02/06 Tickets Event; 03/13/06 $100.00 Wade Rousselot 03/13/06 Tickets Event; 05/16/06 $100.00 Casey Davis 05/16/06 Tickets Event; 06/14/06 $100.00 Steve Gallo 06/24/06 Registration Event; 07/19/06 $100.00 Eric Proctor 07/31/06 Sponsorship Event; 01/30/06 $100.00 Glen Smithson 01/30/06 Unreimbursed Expense; 09/29/06 $100.00 Wallace Collins 10/15/06 Tickets Event

“When the AG finishes with these corrections, he might also want to see if he received any illegal corporate contributions,” Reynolds said. “I bet if he looks hard enough he can find at least one.

“After taking care of these oversights he might explain to Governor Brad Henry that $5,000 is the maximum that can be legally received.

Friends of Brad Henry 11/12/06 $4000.00 Harry Wilson; Friends of Brad Henry 11/02/06 $4000.00 Harry Wilson

“And last, but certainly not least, are the contributions to Jeff McMahan. Since his campaign is broke (although he does have enough to repay his personal loan) and cannot refund the excessive contributions received from Gene Stipe, Steve Phipps and their cronies, there must surely be another way to solve this problem,” Reynolds said. “Although he probably would not have his job today if he hadn’t taken these illegal contributions, please add the following to the growing illegal debt. As a certified fraud examiner and State Auditor, I’m sure McMahan will have no problem finding the paperwork.”

Mark Bilbrey* 12/17/03 $1000.00; Mark Bilbrey 12/29/05 $5000.00

Randy Dittman* 12/17/03 $1200.00; Randy Dittman 01/01/05 $5000.00

Beverly Jones* 12/17/03 $1000.00; Beverly Jones 08/07/03 $500.00; Beverly Jones 06/03/04 $500.00; Beverly Jones 04/29/03 $500.00; Beverly Jones 08/16/05 $3000.00; Beverly Jones 05/15/05 $500.00; Beverly Jones 05/25/05 $1000.00

“Each of the above is an abstractor, one of the industries the Auditor oversees!” Reynolds said.

“In addition to these oversights there was $12,500 in Campaign Loans that were on the Dec. 31 report that have disappeared on the Report for March 2007.”

Supporting ethics documents, Reynolds said, may be found at www.oklahomadata.com/EthicsProblems.pdf

Sweeden Says He May Run, Takes Swipe At Rice

From The Tulsa World's "Political Notebook" ~ State Sen. Joe Sweeden, D-Pawhuska, said last week that he is considering a race for the U.S. Senate. Sweeden said he is exploring the idea and has not committed to running. He said he has been approached about a campaign and would be a "moderate choice all Oklahomans could get behind." Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, has already announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination to run against U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. Sweeden, 46, a rancher, is term-limited in 2010. He would not have to give up his state Senate seat to run, he said.

Publication Weighs In On TABOR Indictments

From www.okiecampaigns.blogspot.com ~ A veteran political activist is facing 10 years in prison and a hefty fine for attempting to petition government for redress of grievances. The latest news from Pakistan? No, this is happening in Oklahoma.

McMahan Used Funds To Pay Personal Loan

The Oklahoman's Tony Thornton reports today that Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan used much of what his campaign raised at a July golf tournament to pay on a personal loan rather than pay others who guaranteed campaign loans, and that McMahan's attorney says there's been no indication his client is about to be indicted by a federal grand jury. Those are just two points in Thornton's lengthy article. Read it at http://www.newsok.com/article/3170873/.

Bottom Falls Out For Sooners

The OU Sooners fell to No. 10 in the BCS rankings after Saturday's loss to Texas Tech, in which OU became the 11th top-ranked team to lose to an unranked opponent this season. This Saturday, it's bedlam in Norman as OU faces the OSU Cowboys. The Cowboys defeated Baylor 45-14 on Saturday.

Broken Arrow Among Safest US Cities

Broken Arrow is listed as one of America’s safest cities in a new study that analyzes FBI crime statistics.

Broken Arrow was listed No. 22 in the study published by Washington-based CQ press titled, “City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America.” It is the only Oklahoma community listed.

The study examined cities with at least 75,000 residents and ranked the safest and most dangerous cities.

Mission Viejo, California, was listed as the safest city, followed by Clarkstown, N.Y.; Brick Township, N.J.; Amherst, N.Y.; and Sugar Land, Texas.

The study listed the most dangerous city in America as Detroit, followed by St. Louis; Flint, Mich.; Oakland, Calif.; and Camden, N.J.

Drawing A Bead On The United Nations

By Richard A Pearson In Adventure Sports Outdoors ~ The United Nations (UN), aka United Nuisance, is once again preparing a new attack on the United States’ Second Amendment, i.e. our rights.

Why do the UN and its member countries dislike the Second Amendment so much?

The answer lies in both current events and history. Buried in the middle or back of most newspapers is a story about the country known as Union of Myanmar, formerly Burma. When we think of Burma, we get romantic thoughts of Mandalay, allied troops completing the Burma Road, and of course, Errol Flynn’s semi-documentary trial called "Objective Burma."

The thoughts of the Burmese fighting Japanese oppression is baloney; Burma did not become allied with the United States until 1945 when it was evident Japan would lose the war. The citizens of Burma have always been under the boot heel of some despot, and modern day Myanmar is not much different. A military junta rules Myanmar – democracy or any semblance of it does not exist. Win Shwe, leader of the National League for Democracy (NDL), seems to have died mysteriously during interrogation. His family found out of his death only when they were notified to come pick up his ashes. This has happened to many pro-democracy advocates in Myanmar. Myanmar has no Second Amendment, and the people have no way to defend themselves from their government, so who is to save them? Never fear – the international community is on the way to save the day!

On Thursday, October 11th, 2007, the UN Security Council met behind closed doors for four hours to discuss changes in a draft on the situation in Myanmar. Not only that, but the U.S. is about to step in!

On Wednesday, October 10th, 2007, Laura Bush said Washington was poised to impose more sanctions on Myanmar, unless the government loosens its grip on the people within the next couple of days – maybe. How is that for decisive action by the UN and the United States? I cannot imagine the fear among the Myanmar junta leaders upon hearing this news. Nor can I imagine the relief some Myanmar civilian feels knowing this great news as he watches government troops murder his fellow countrymen. The UN and the U.S. really showed these guys who is the boss.

On Wednesday, October 10th, 2007, the House of Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution labeling the murder of 1.5 million Armenians by Turks in 1915 as genocide. The Turks are upset the White House is not happy about this resolution and the White House is not happy about the resolution. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, stated the resolution was “highly destabilizing” to U.S. government in the Middle East. Maybe so, but it points out what happens when a population is disarmed. In short, the Turks promised the Armenians protection – instead they disarmed them and slaughtered them. Would the UN have saved the Armenians? No! The UN’s official position is that the right of self-defense is not a human right.

Undoubtedly, the UN would have drawn a strong letter of protest. That would have shown the Turks. The moral of these disasters is to never, ever give up our Second Amendment rights!!! But this is Illinois 2007 – we are in the heart of the U.S. Oh, yeah. We are safe. But just let people write letters to an Illinois Senator and in return they receive visits from the State Police.

That is exactly what happened to Tom Warchol and his wife Joanne when they sent faxes to Senator Dan Kotowski. The faxes were not threatening and did not contain any derogatory words – they were simply faxes written to exercise their First Amendment right to protect their Second Amendment right. To their surprise, the Warchols found State Police beating on the door of their house. Think about it – some of the Illinois politicians believe they have unlimited power. Then go and think once more about the Second Amendment rights, think about the above incidents and treasure that right!

I'm Just Sayin'...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311824,00.html

OSU Shows Up, OU Doesn't

The Cowboys took care of business Saturday, defeating Baylor 45-14. The Sooners, however, fell to Texas Tech 34-27 in a game that wasn't even that close. The OU defense was no defense, and the offense, even with quarterback Sam Bradford in the game, struggled. With backup Joey Halzle in after Bradford suffered a concussion, it seemed to run in reverse. With the loss went any hope OU will play for the national championship, and they appear in a battle for a spot in the Big 12 Championship race.

OSU-Baylor At 6, OU-Texas Tech At 7

The OSU Cowboys meet Baylor today at 6 p.m. in a game televised by Fox Sports Net (Cox Channel 37 in Oklahoma City).

The OU Sooners take on Texas Tech in Lubbock in a game with Big 12 Championship ramifications. If OU wins, they cement a shot at the Big 12 Championship. The Sooners were ranked 4th in the BCS poll before Oregon lost to Arizona on Thursday night, so stand to move up if they win tonight. The game will be nationally televised by ABC-TV at 7 p.m.

Another Example Of Blogosphere Political Garbage

There's a new example today of the political garbage that sometimes shows up in the blogosphere. This time, it is on http://www.demookie.com/, a forum for Oklahoma Democrats that has a history of allowing posters to make unsubstantiated allegations.

FALLIN HIRES ILLEGAL ALIENS the headline today on the site reads and the poster ("edwardwhiteokc") immediately confesses, "I don't know that the teaser is true, but the odds are that some of our representatives are currently felons. That is, they are employing illegal aliens. Wouldn't it be nice if they got bit by the snake they let go?"

The administrators of this site, Tim Reese, Jane Luttrell and Calvin Rees, say they don't prohibit such untrue or misleading material because they support the 1st Amendment.

Recently, Reese wrote, "This site is different from a blog, in that we don't censor the stuff initially coming in. WE do try to police it the best we can. This board is the creation of our readers. It's clearly the only two way internet conversation in this state."

Romney Fights Iowa Push Poll On His Faith

Real Clear Politics is following the Republican presidential race push poll controversy and columnist Lawrence Kudlow posts this exchange with Mitt Romney after such a poll about his Mormon faith surfaced in Iowa:

I asked Romney what he thought of a push-poll that emphasizes the positives of his Republican presidential rival, John McCain. I also asked him what he thought of Sen. McCain's 95-year-old mother blaming Mormons for the problems surrounding the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. Is there a pattern? Is this a McCain-organized assault?

Romney said he didn't think he knew the true origin of these attacks. But he went on to thoroughly trash McCain as the author of the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance bill, which opened the door to these push-poll assaults. "He's the Dr. Frankenstein for a bill I consider a monster." Essentially, Romney asserted that the creation of the 527 organizations in the wake of this bill allowed people to contribute massive amounts of money to candidates without disclosure.

But does Romney or his staffers have any evidence that McCain himself is behind these push-polls? The answer was no. Nor does Romney have any confirmation of just who is organizing the various mail and e-mail campaigns that are attacking him and his faith.

Is Romney ready to give a speech on his religious beliefs, such as John F. Kennedy did back in 1960? Again Romney's answer was no, not at this point. Although he added, "We'll see what happens down the road."

Read all of Kudlow's column at http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/11/romney_has_the_right_stuff.html

Anti-Romney Push Poll Angers McCain

Presidential hopeful Senator John McCain’s New Hampshire campaign has filed a complaint with the state’s attorney general’s office after reports surfaced of push polling aimed at McCain rival Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor. Former Rep. Chuck Douglas (R-N.H.) issued a statement on the complaint after an Associated Press story Thursday night reported push polling in the state aimed at Romney’s Mormon faith and other characteristics. Read The Hill's entire story at http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/mccain-files-push-poll-complaint-in-n.h.-2007-11-16.html.

Francis Stipe Faces January Trial

His politician brother might be the bull's-eye of a federal investigation into Little Dixie corruption, but McAlester businessman Francis Stipe faces the same charges as his older sibling and will go to trial first. Stipe, 76, pleaded not guilty Friday before U.S. Magistrate Steven Shreder to conspiracy, mail fraud, tampering with a witness and engaging in an illegal monetary transaction. A trial date was set for Jan. 7. The maximum punishment on all four counts is 45 years in prison; the maximum fine would be $1 million. Stipe was allowed to leave court after posting an unsecured bond for $20,000, but he must not leave the state. He also must report to the U.S. Probation Office on Monday. Read all of the Tulsa World story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/.

McCarville On Sirius Patriot 144 Tonight

Mike McCarville will host the National Rifle Association's "Cam And Company" Internet-streaming and satellite radio show from 8 to 11 p.m. CDT tonight. The show can be seen and heard at http://nranews.com/ and on Sirius Satellite Radio Patriot Channel 144.

Are The Sooners Bowl-Bound? It's Texas Tech Next

The University of Oklahoma Sooners, now ranked 4th in the BCS standings but likely to move up as the result of Oregon's loss to Arizona Thursday night, take on Texas Tech Saturday in Lubbock. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on ABC-TV. The Sooners can nail down a shot at the Big 12 Championship with a win. The OSU Cowboys meet Baylor in a 6 p.m. game, televised by Fox Sports Net (Cox Channel 37 in Oklahoma City).

Gene Stipe Saga Continues; Appeal Filed

Former State Senator Gene Stipe of McAlester doesn't have to report today to a prison hospital after all, his attorney says. Stipe will remain under house detention and his attorney says he doubts Stipe ever will have to report for another mental evaluation.

Defense attorney Clark Brewster said a notice of appeal puts on hold a judge's order requiring Stipe to receive up to four months of treatment and mental competency testing. He said the stay is in effect until the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals makes a ruling, which could take up to 18 months.

U.S. District Judge Ronald White had ordered Stipe, 81, to appear by noon today at a hospital designated by the Justice Department. It generally was assumed Stipe would return to the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo., where he spent 11 days undergoing a mental evaluation in September.

"Honestly, I don't expect him (Stipe) ever to report to Springfield because I thoroughly believe the 10th Circuit will reverse Judge White's order,” Brewster said.

Is Hargis Top Pick For OSU Presidency?

Oklahoma City banker Burns Hargis is mentioned again today as a candidate for the presidency of Oklahoma State University.

Hargis, co-host of KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show with Mike Turpen, is a former member of the OSU Board of Regents.

The Oklahoman reports that a search committee expects to name the next president of OSU by the middle of December.

The job was vacated in March by David Schmidly, who left to take the helm of the University of New Mexico. Since then, provost Marlene Strathe has been interim president.

You're Doing Fine, Oklahoma!

One hundred years ago today, Oklahoma became a state. Ceremonies and celebrations yesterday and today mark the event. The "Centennial Spectacular" will be staged tonight at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, where the state's musical stars and others will entertain. On Saturday, Devon Energy hosts the Centennial River Parade on the Oklahoma River in downtown Oklahoma City. Other events are being held across the state.

Thank You, Mike Stoops

Arizona upended No. 2-ranked Oregon Thursday night, opening the way for the OU Sooners to move up in the BCS rankings. Arizona's coach is Mike Stoops, brother of OU coach Bob Stoops.

Coburn Rips Senate For Lack Of Debate On Bill

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn ripped the Senate today for its attempt to pass a complex and critical mortgage reform bill without the opportunity for debate or amendment.

“This bill will exacerbate problems in the mortgage industry by making it easier for big banks to exploit potential homeowners who can’t afford the loans for which they are applying. The solution to the mortgage crisis is fewer risky loans, not more,” Coburn said.

“It is naïve, irresponsible and reckless for the Senate to claim it can fix this national challenge by blowing a bill through the chamber without debate and without the opportunity to improve the bill through amendments. This bill was reported out of committee only two days ago and has been read by only a handful of staff and very few elected Senators,” Coburn said.

“The Senate’s growing tendency to pass critical bills without debate and without a roll-call vote is disgraceful,” he added. “One reason we have an 11 percent approval rating is that we are neglecting our basic duties to read and debate the bills we consider. Between January and August of this year, only 29 of the 399 bills the Senate passed (7 percent) were subjected to a roll-call vote. This track record is beneath the dignity of the world’s greatest deliberative body.”

“While some Senators will claim passing this bill is an urgent priority, it is important to note that if Senators spent less time earmarking funds for special interest projects like Teapot Museums and First Lady Libraries we would have more time to devote to addressing the real problems we see in the mortgage industry," he continued.

“Congress can relieve borrowers and homeowners by reducing the amount of money we borrow from them every day to pay for wasteful Washington spending. Families across America don’t have the luxury of loaning themselves any money when they’ve maxed out their credit. Yet, that’s what Congress did this past September when it increased the federal debt limit by nearly 10 percent, or $850 billion, from $8.965 trillion to $9.815 trillion. Congress can take steps to reform the mortgage industry. Yet, our most important role in this area of our economy is keeping more money in the hands of potential homeowners and less money in the hands of politicians who continue to spend and borrow far beyond our means."

Report: U. S. Senate Republicans In Trouble

U. S. Senate Republicans are in trouble, and last week’s Democratic victories in Kentucky and Virginia suggest their challenges may be steeper than even they thought, Politico reports today.

The report comes a day after Republican Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher was tossed out of office, and one of his biggest political patrons launched ads to protect himself from the fallout.

Who was the patron? No less than Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). The off-year elections and a steady drumbeat of negative public opinion polls indicate the poisonous mix of issues and voter discontent that wiped out Republican majorities a year ago isn’t abating. Worse still, the new minority is in a much weaker position to defend itself. Read the the entire column at http://www.politico.com/pitboss/.

Fallin Notes Centennial On House Floor

Congresswoman Mary Fallin spoke today on the House floor about the Oklahoma Centennial, noting that the state's 100th birthday occurs tomorrow, and U. S. Senators Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe noted the event in the Senate.

Fallin recounted Oklahoma's history and praised the people of Oklahoma for their strong character and accomplishments.

"Tomorrow, the state of Oklahoma will celebrate its centennial anniversary,” Fallin said. "Today, I come to you on the House floor to commemorate and honor our state's rich history. Most of all, I am here to honor the people of Oklahoma, our greatest strength, whose hard work and pioneer spirit have written a truly unique chapter in American history.”

The two senators announced the passage of their resolution (S.Res.377) honoring the centennial.

Oklahoma became the 46th state on November 16, 1907. A legislative ceremonial special session is being held this afternoon in Guthrie, the state's first capital. A parade is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow in Guthrie and a concert will be held tomorrow night in Oklahoma City.

"Oklahoma has always been defined by the adventurous nature of the men and women who settled there; and although we are a young state, our legacy is significant,” Fallin said. "Oklahoma has gone from Indian Territory to land runs to a state on the cutting edge of American agriculture and energy production. Each portion of our history has left a unique imprint on the culture of our state and the nation.

"Today, 100 years after Oklahoma achieved statehood, we have much to offer: a tremendous quality of life, a work ethic second to none and a pioneer spirit that is just as much alive as it was a century ago,” Fallin said.

Office Of Disability Concerns Marks Name Change

In an attempt to cast Oklahoma's disabled community in a more positive light, legislation that changed a state agency's name has now gone into effect.

House Bill 1084, by Rep. Paul Wesselhöft, renamed the Oklahoma Office of Handicapped Concerns as the Office of Disability Concerns. This week new signage reflecting the name change was added to the agency's headquarters.

"It was a wonderful sight to see," said Wesselhöft, R-Moore. "It is important that we be sensitive to the disabled community, making sure they are viewed as people with disabilities and not 'handicapped.' We need to do whatever we can to show our support and this is just one more step in that direction."

Steve Stokes, ODC Director, said the word handicap comes from the expression "cap in hand," a reference to beggars that many people with disabilities think is inappropriate and belittles their ability to function as everyday citizens."It was time we utilize more appropriate language and get rid of a derogatory term," Wesselhöft said.

National Group Airs SCHIP Commercial

A national liberal group with ties to George Soros' MoveOn.org is on the air with a critical radio commercial asking Oklahomans to contact Republlican Congressman Tom Cole about his vote on the controversial chidren's insurance measure known as SCHIP.

Americans United For Change, D. C.-based group that espouses "progressive" issues, has been a constant critic of President Bush; it originally was formed to protest Bush's plan for Social Security.

Romney, Clinton Lead In New Hampshire

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads all Republicans in New Hampshire in a new poll with 34 percent, it is reported today. Romney is followed by John McCain, 16 percent; Rudy Giuliani, 16 percent; Ron Paul, 8 percent; Mike Huckabee, 5 percent; and Fred Thompson, 5 percent.

Among Democrats, Hillary Clinton is the leader.

Poll: Giuliani, Thompson, McCain, Romney

The latest Real Clear Politics national poll of the Republican presidential candidates reports the following: Rudy Giuliani - 29.3%; Fred Thompson - 16.1%; John McCain - 14.3%; Mitt Romney - 13.6%.

Among Democrats, Hillary Clinton has a 24+ percent lead over Barack Obama, the poll found.

100 Ideas Initiative Ends On Friday

House Speaker Lance Cargill's successful "100 Ideas" initiative wraps up its idea-gathering on Friday, the final day for submitting ideas.

Cargill has conducted idea-gathering events across the state; some of the ideas apparently will wind up as legislation in the next session of the Legislature.

The 100 Ideas Oklahoma website has more information.

Romney's Man Weyrich Goes Nasty On Thompson

Fred Thompson's campaign lashed out at Mitt Romney Wednesday after one of Romney's key supporters suggested Thompson's recent endorsement by the anti-abortion National Right to Life Committee was traded for cash.

In an article in The Washington Times on Wednesday, Paul Weyrich, the socially conservative co-founder of the Moral Majority who is backing Romney for president, is quoted saying that Thompson's endorsement from NRLC "makes no sense" and speculated that it had been motivated by a pecuniary relationship. "I think in all probability the Thompson people were engaged with the National Right to Life people in financial dealing," Weyrich told the newspaper.

Weyrich offered no proof of his assertion.

An NRLC spokesman denied the accusation, saying it is "false."

Huckabee Surges In Iowa; Democrats Close

Mike Huckabee is making a big move on Mitt Romney's long-held position as the front-runner among Iowa Republicans, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll. While Romney still holds the lead at 27 percent in the poll, Huckabee comes in a strong second at 21 percent, with a 5 percent margin of error. The poll also shows that Democrats are headed toward a heated showdown in Iowa, where Hillary Clinton holds a statistically insignificant lead over John Edwards and Barack Obama.

Rinehart, Pope, Pelfrey Bound Over For Trial

County Commissioner Brent Rinehart, former State Rep. Tim Pope and Midwest City businessman Ray Pelfrey were bound over for trial in Oklahoma County District Court today.

The charges they face grew out of an investigation into the financing of Rinehart's campaign.

Special Judge James Paddleford announced the decision after a long weekend of reviewing the case presented by the Attorney General's office. Paddleford said in his opinion that there is sufficient evidence to put Rinehart, former legislator turned political consultant Pope and Pelfrey on trial.

Stephen Jones of Enid, Tim Pope’s attorney, responded to the court finding: "The prosecution of Tim Pope is dishonest, unfair and political. Tim has tremendous community support from his friends in the Legislature and in politics, his clients, his family and his church. They stand by him and his day of vindication is coming. We intend to show in the weeks and months ahead that this charge is politically inspired, selective prosecution, and is based upon a house of cards which will crumble."

Henry, Edmondson Seek Firearms Case Review

Governor Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson have asked the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review an October ruling that overturned a 2004 state law giving employees the right to have guns in locked vehicles where they work.

In that ruling, U.S. District Judge Terence Kern in Tulsa concluded the state law conflicts with the 1970 federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, designed to reduce workplace hazards. Kern ruled the federal law pre-empts that state law.

In a filing Tuesday at the Denver-based appeals court, Henry and Edmondson asked the court to determine whether Kern was correct. He issued an injunction against the law.

The appellate judges will decide whether to hear oral arguments. Their decision is not expected until 2008 or 2009.

The case is the result of Oklahoma legislators passing the law after Weyerhaeuser Corp. fired eight workers in 2002 for violating company policy when guns were found in their vehicles at a timber mill in southeastern Oklahoma.

Rep. Jerry Ellis, the lead House author of the law, contends it is needed to enable employees to protect themselves.

After the law was passed, several employers at various times challenged its constitutionality and contended the law would undermine company policies to protect workers.

Another federal judge in Tulsa blocked the law from taking effect pending the outcome of the court challenge.

2008: Oklahoma GOP Has Huge Cash Advantage

The Oklahoma Republican Party appears poised to enter the 2008 election year with a formidable financial advantage over the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Ethics Commission filings as of September 30th show the GOP has seven times as much state cash on hand as the Democrats, and enjoyed a 3-to-1 fundraising advantage in the 3-month reporting period. Plus, the GOP's federal fund has $75,000 on hand, dramatically increasing the party's overall financial edge. The party now has about $112,000 in cash on hand in both accounts, compared to the Democratic Party's approximately $26,000 in state and federal accounts.

GOP State Chairman Gary Jones said the party's fundraising is "going great." He said it appears the party will enter the election year in a strong position.

Going into past election years, the party has touched on $100,000 in cash on hand; it appears this election year, the number will be substantially higher.

The September 30th reports show that the Oklahoma Democratic Party raised $15,422 in the period and $68,195 this year. it spent $12,007 in the period and $65,000 this year. It had just $5,846 in cash on hand. In a recent email, Chairman Ivan Holmes told supporters the party is making progress retiring old debt, but still cannot afford a paid staff of its own. The Democratic National Committee has paid staff salaries for a few workers. The party's federal fund, the latest Federal Election Commission report shows, owes $67,360 and has $20,215 in cash on hand.

Jones' report shows the GOP raised almost $47,000 in the period and $132,874 for the year. The party spent $47,732 in the period for a total of $123,000 for the year. It had $37,232 in cash on hand. In addition, the party's federal Leadership Council has $75,000 in cash on hand after raising almost $180,000 this year, it's FEC report as of October 20th shows.

Hearings Focus On Government Modernization

House Speaker Lance Cargill and House leaders today kicked off a series of hearings focused on modernizing Oklahoma’s state government with testimony from the director of Iowa’s “charter agency” reform effort and others.

“Charter agencies are a simple concept: if they agree to be more accountable and measurable for results, then we give agency heads more authority and autonomy,” said Teresa Hay McMahon (pictured), Iowa’s Performance Results Director in the Department of Management.

McMahon said that Iowa went from 64 executive branch agencies in the 1980s to a current 24 as a result of its overall reform efforts. She expressed surprise that Oklahoma has 99 state agencies, with an additional 400 boards and commissions.

Cargill said the Iowa reforms speak to the need for Oklahoma to catch up to the 21st Century streamlining efforts happening elsewhere in the country.

“Oklahoma has been stuck in a horse-and-buggy era of state government since our state's founding,” said Cargill, R-Harrah. “With our centennial celebration underway this week, it’s high time that we moved into the second century of our government.”

“We want to make Oklahoma’s government more efficient,” said Rep. Ken Miller, who as Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee is spearheading the series of interim study hearings. “We want better state services at a lower cost to taxpayers, and this first set of hearings is a good step in the right direction.”

McMahon said the charter agency reform in Iowa focuses on results instead of rules. Charter agencies can waive administrative rules, retain funds and cut through red tape in purchasing. For example, she said, the Iowa Department of Corrections saved $200,000 simply by creating a new pharmaceutical bidding process, while other agencies saved money on airline ticket purchases.

“There is no one single silver bullet that will reform state government,” said McMahon. “Don't let best get in the way of better. The foundation is about managing for performance and results.”

Iowa has also implemented widespread performance reviews of state agencies, similar to the performance audit of Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections spearheaded by House Republicans this year. Iowa has implemented performance audits across state government, and the state requires agencies to release annual performance reports available for public review online at www.resultsiowa.org.

Cargill noted that State Treasurer Scott Meacham and Governor Brad Henry have consistently opposed performance audits, a concept that has met with bipartisan support in Iowa.

Also Tuesday, lawmakers heard from experts with the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

“Oklahoma has too many state employees,” said Brandon Dutcher, vice president for policy for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. “I think we have to ask if a relatively poor state like Oklahoma can afford this kind of overhead.”

Dutcher pointed to an analysis performed by OCPA that indicated Oklahoma ranks 5th in the nation for the ratio of public employees versus private sector employees. Oklahoma has 21.45 people employed by state and local government for every 100 employed by the private sector.

Oklahoma’s public employee ratio is 33 percent higher than the national average, according to the OCPA analysis. Regionally, Oklahoma’s rank is only exceeded by one neighboring state -- New Mexico, which has the highest employment ratio of public employees versus private sector employees in the nation.

Dutcher said that if Oklahoma’s employment ratio were at the national average, the state would have 66,000 fewer state and local government employees.

OCPA research fellow and accountant Steve Anderson also outlined several possible agency consolidations, such as the possible merger of some public safety entities, and other cost-saving measures.

Tuesday’s hearing is the first in a series of three that will focus on opportunities for consolidation of agencies, boards and commissions -- as well as possible cost savings through reforms of the state’s purchasing system and technology upgrades.

The hearings come on the heels of three years of fiscally conservative policies that lay the groundwork for the new effort. House Republican leaders have driven a state income tax cut three years in a row, an innovative “Google government” reform to give taxpayers information on the Internet about how their money is spent, and elimination of outdated boards and commissions.

In 2006, Oklahoma ranked first among six comparable states in the number of government entities. The closest any state came to Oklahoma’s whopping 515 agencies, boards and commissions was Kentucky, with 397. The remaining four comparable states – Arkansas, Iowa, Oregon and Kansas – each have less than 200 ABCs.

The hearings will continue on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m.

High Court Takes No Action On 2nd Amendment

The U. S. Supreme Court has taken no action in the case involving the District of Columbia's ban on handguns. A decision was possible today. The justices discussed the case at their private conference, but reached no resolution. Four justices must vote to grant an appeal, and the court does not always reach a decision the first time it discusses a case. At issue is the capital's 31-year ban on handguns, among the strictest gun-control laws in the nation. In March, a federal appeals court struck down the ban as incompatible with the Second Amendment. The next time the court could announce its decision about hearing the case is November 26th.

Meacham: October Tax Collections Sag

State Treasurer Scott Meacham said today that revenue collections for October fell short in three of four major categories, with only vehicle taxes and licenses up.

Preliminary data shows collections for the General Revenue Fund, which provides money for most state agency functions, were down $30.3 million or 6.4 percent in October from a year ago, Meacham said. October is the first month of the second quarter of the 2008 fiscal year. Collections were $16.6 million or 3.6 percent below the estimate upon which the state government budget was built.

"Although these figures represent only one month's collections, we certainly need to watch future collections closely," said Meacham. "Often times, there are month-to-month variances in collections due to timing and seasonality factors. We know that is part of the explanation for the decrease in sales tax collections this month."

The combination of individual and corporate income tax returns totaled $185.6 million in October, a drop of $23.7 million or 11.3 percent from a year ago. Most of the decline was from individual income tax collections.

Sales taxes were down 0.3 percent or about $400,000 for October from the previous year. The report said sales taxes would have shown an increase if not for a $4.6 million refund to a company that inadvertently overpaid its taxes the previous month.

The gross production tax on natural gas also showed a $7 million decline in October over last year.

The only major areas of taxes that showed an increase was tax receipts from motor vehicle sales and licenses. Those were up $3.7 million.

Wyatt: 58 State Armories To Be Closed

The Oklahoma Military Department plans to close 58 National Guard armories, Major General Harry M. "Bud" Wyatt III, adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard, said today.

The armories are of historical signficance and once were centers of community activity, as was the one pictured here in Watonga.

Wyatt said Land given to the department to build armories will be returned to the original owners if a reversionary clause is invoked. In other cases, the Guard wants to transfer the property to another agency or municipality.

The facilities also could be appraised and sold, but Wyatt said he doesn't envision that happening because of the cost involved, The Associated Press reports. Last month, Wyatt told lawmakers that he was seeking legislative input on what to do with the facilities.

"A lot of people remember that it is an armory and if it is turned into something of questionable value, we don't want to be associated with that," Wyatt said. "So far, the community response indicates they seem to be in demand."

Of the 58 facilities, 52 need to be cleaned up because of lead contamination, said Angela Brunsman, a Department of Environmental Quality environmental programs manager. Wyatt said the armories contain low levels of lead contamination, caused by indoor firing ranges in use for long periods of time.

The DEQ also will conduct asbestos abatement, removal of lead-based paint and take other actions so they can be used by schools and communities for purposes ranging from classrooms and warehouses to fire departments and office space, she said.

The average cost of cleanup could exceed $100,000 per armory, Brunsman said.

A reduction in the size of the Guard resulted in the need for fewer operational armories, Wyatt said. Many of the armories were built between 1935 and 1938, he said.

Significance Of Oklahoma's Armories

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration, established in May 1934 by the Roosevelt Administration, under the New Deal, provided direct relief, and by the time the Works Progress (later, Projects) Administration came into being in 1935, 33 percent of Oklahoma families qualified for aid. The WPA created make-work projects for Oklahoma's 127,416 jobless men. Among the programs was an armory-building focus.

Approved as a nationwide project in September 1935, through the efforts of Oklahoma National Guard Commander General William S. Key, the armory program began in earnest in the last two months of 1935. Key assigned Bryan F. Nolen, a National Guard major and architect, to the project. Across Oklahoma, towns donated or purchased land for the proposed armories. The first to begin construction was Wewoka, on October 8, 1935. Other towns followed in October and November, with men employed in site preparation, foundation excavation, and stone quarrying. Despite financial and political setbacks during 1936, by the end of that year the first armory was completed, at Kingfisher. By mid 1937, 126 armories had been built nationwide, of which fifty-one were in the state of Oklahoma. Each cost from $30,000 to $60,000, and all in Oklahoma were completed by March 1937. Generally, each community held elaborate dedication ceremonies, usually including a parade, a speech by Key or by Gen. Charles F. Barrett, banquets or barbecues, facility tours, and concerts or dances. The new construction infused $3.5 million into local economies and gave work literally to thousands of citizens. The Public Works Administration, another New Deal program, also built large armories in Tulsa and Oklahoma City before World War II.

Oklahoma's armories are immediately recognizable by their style. Architect Nolen used standard plans for one-, two- or four-unit armories. The buildings were either one or two story, built of stone or brick. Each had its own adaptation of Art Deco decoration that ranged from plain, such as Guthrie, or Konawa, which is detailed with extensive inlays of molded concrete. The strongly horizontal buildings are made to look military by the use of parapets, false towers at the corners, arched entryways, and castellated parapets that look like battlements. Inside each armory were a huge central drill hall and a subterranean rifle range, as well as garages and offices. Following the WPA's practical make-work philosophy, construction was accomplished by unskilled workers, and consequently, artistry and craftsmanship were minimal and depended on the supervisors' skill level and the laborers' experience level and adaptability.

Oklahoma's National Guard was originally part of the Thirty-Sixth Infantry Division and after 1921 formed part of the fabled Forty-fifth Infantry Division. Due in large measure to the WPA and PWA armory-building program, the Forty-fifth Infantry Division was able to achieve a level of military efficiency and readiness that prepared it to be among the first four National Guard divisions that were federalized in late 1940 and pointed toward the nation's emerging involvement in World War II.

National Guard armories became a part of the architectural and social landscape of Oklahoma's communities, the huge drill halls providing a place for concerts, social gatherings, and exhibitions.

With the onset of war, some became holding centers for German prisoners of war detailed from POW camps to perform local agricultural labor. In most cases the building was the most imposing one in town. Many of Oklahoma's armory buildings, but not all, were still in use by the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 2002. Some, like those at Tahlequah, Duncan, and Chickasha, now serve as museums or community centers.

Mark Shannon: An Inconvenient Truth

Former broadcaster Mark Shannon's popular blog has this post today:

Monday was one of those days in life where reality stares you right in the face, and you have no ability to look away.

The cancer I've referred to as an "inconvenience" to deal with, now looms large in my future. It clouds anything and everything else I might think or want to do. In fact, it now is the only thing I can see in my future.

One of the results of my consultation at M.D. ANDERSON, and my local doctors consultations with the doctors in Houston, was a conclusion that I should pursue a bone marrow "mini-transplant" soon.

Monday my wife and I met with a doctor from the transplant team. She painted out a picture of what the next three to four years of my life will be like beginning with the transplant. Nothing about it is appealing. A six week hospital stay where I'll come as close to death as I ever have. Months of being confined to my home. Wearing masks, gloves. Dozens of pills. Transfusions. More chemo plus some radiation. Possibility of rejection and diseases caused by that. A 15-20 percent chance I won't even live through it and no guarantee of success if I do, and success MIGHT mean 5 or 10 more years of life.

If I don't do the bone marrow, I will likely have to go through chemo more often, and soon it will not work, or could cause another form of cancer which will bring the end.

Neither option is real inviting.

To me prolonging life to just prolong life is not appealing, but then I have not been given the grace to die yet, so I see no other alternative but to go through with it.

So now the inconvenience which leukemia has caused in my life, will now consume most of my time and efforts, at least for the next three to five years. And that's assuming nothing stops the transplant from going forward, and that I end up being one of the 60 to 70 percent who survive and fifty percent of those that actually have complete success.

Time to re-learn the meaning of "One Day At A Time" all over again.

Supreme Court's Decision On 2nd Amendment Due

The U.S. Supreme Court may announce today whether it will will take up Washington, D. C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's appeal of a court ruling that found D. C.'s ban on private gun ownership is unconstitutional. Should the justices choose to take up the case, the two sides would argue before the court in February or March; otherwise, by mid-November city officials would be faced with the unenviable task of re-writing the District's restrictive gun laws to square with the decision handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District Circuit in March. That decision found that the city's ban on handguns was unconstitutional.

Thompson Picks Up Right To Life Endorsement

The National Right To Life Committee will announce its endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson today, it is reported by The Politico. Click here to read the blog posting on The Politico.

Bunker Hillary

Read here about the woman who would be president. http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=6e01fdce-ad97-4dab-a07d-bf98dc52f681

OU, OSU Presidents Draw Top Salaries

A new survey, it is reported, shows that pay packages for the presidents at Oklahoma's top public universities surpassed $400,000 a year and are comparable with top educators across the country. University of Oklahoma president David Boren received $412,017 in total compensation last year, while former Oklahoma State University president David Schmidly made $482,870.

Part II: Most Influential Political Figures...And Why

Analysis & Commentary By Mike McCarville

Our first list of the 10 most influential political figures in Oklahoma initially was intended to be a stand-alone piece. However, the volume of suggestions and the merit of many suggestions prompts Part II. There are dozens more who were nominated by insiders; we've not included them because, in most cases, their influence (my opinion) is within a limited group. As with the first list, there's nothing objective here; this is a subjective list, compiled through my own filter.

The McCarville Report Online's initial "State's Most Influential Political Figures" prompted a flood of worthy nominations from insiders in both parties. Here, filtered, winnowed and vetted, is yet another list, in no particular order, of those with considerable influence in our state's politics and government.

Vic Thompson, Senate Democratic leadership assistant: He is the walking definition of influential in the Oklahoma Legislature. He is extremely bright, charming when he has to be, glib otherwise, but knows the legislative process and the personalities better than anybody in the Capitol building. Hands down.

Rep. Danny Morgan, Prague Democrat: If anyone was born to be in the Legislature it was Morgan. He has literally trained his whole life for this, being the son and nephew of former representatives.

Glen D. Johnson, Higher Education Chancellor and former House speaker, Democrat: Another one born to public service. Surrounds himself with great talent and then usually lets them do great things. Good on the “vision thing,” when it comes to policy, both when he was in the Legislature and as a higher ed official. Legislators in both parties will listen to him on higher ed issues and many pick his brain on other policy issues.

Aubrey McClendon, Chesapeake Energy, Oklahoma City: "Can’t have Tom Price (Part I) without Aubrey, for without Aubrey there would be no Tom," wrote the insider who nominated him. "Painted as 'evil' by Democrats for the 'Swift Boat' donations, he is more bipartisan than most would think. That caricature some Democrats draw of him fails to recognize the wide, bipartisan political path he is blazing. Hell, who could blame him for helping beat a guy (John Kerry) who couldn’t carry a single county in Oklahoma? The Club for Growth donations against Brad Carson also didn’t help him with Democrats. He’s the biggest kid on the block, which means there are some out there in both parties who think he ought to be taken down a peg or two, but no one minds collecting the tax revenue his little enterprise at Northwest 63rd and Western generates."

Senator Susan Paddack, Ada Democrat: Lots of talent and a relentless fundraiser, a lethal combination for anyone who might consider taking her on. She backs up her beliefs with solid facts and she’s eloquent and effective when speaking. Were it not for her unshakable support of tort reform, she, in time, would be the leader of Senate Democrats, some believe. Trial lawyers pick the Senate Democratic leader, and they will never pick her. That is the only chink in her formidable armor (keep in mind, that is not necessarily a policy chink, it is a political chink).

Rep. Mike Reynolds, Oklahoma City Republican: Is absolutely despised by just about every member of the Legislature. Still, with his database of campaign finance info, his knowledge of ethics rules, media contacts, and his plain-old hard-headedness, can cause amazing amounts of trouble. Any legislator who is targeted for defeat by his own party leadership and still wins comfortably is a force with which to be reckoned. "He’ll never have any friends in the Legislature of any party as long as he maintains this scorched earth policy," said the insider who nominated him for this list. "He’ll probably never pass a bill, but I don’t think he cares and that is not the reason he’s up there. What that reason is, no one knows."

Rep. Randy Terrill, Moore Republican: His steadfast position on immigration has raised his profile to the stratosphere. Robert Greene and Joost Elffers write that there are “48 Laws of Power.” The first law is: “Never outshine the master.” Randy Terrill has done that in the House. "It may get great headlines, but it is good way to have the political rug pulled out from under you" said the insider who nominated him. "He needs to go dark for a while for his own political future. Clearly running for something else, but when he falls (and he almost certainly will at some point) few if any of his colleagues will even consider slowing down as they step over his political body."

First Lady Kim Henry: Almost as many Democrats seek her endorsement or support as the governor, and she is a "rock star" at events. We all know she has been her husband's not-so-secret weapon; expect her to continue to be a major figure.

Senator Tom Adelson, Tulsa, Democrat: He is perhaps the most politically- and campaign-savvy member of the Senate Democratic caucus, said the insider who nominated him. His personal and family wealth are substantial, causing most elected officials and candidates to seek out his support. For all of those reasons he is able to vote just about any way he chooses in the Senate.

Tim Reese and Calvin Rees, Democrat bloggers: Not so much for their work or even opinions, but due to the blog they maintain, are they found on this list. Their blog, http://www.demookie.com/, is read by every prominent Democratic elected official and many reporters. "For ill or well the postings there can make or break a politician or an operative's day," said the Democratic consultant who nominated them. "They aren't influential in the typical sense, yet the site is possibly the largest distributor of left-leaning views and news in the state," he added. The site often is a window into inner-party infighting and personalities; unfortunately, the site also sometimes publishes unsubstantiated political garbage. (After reading this, posters on the site said it is not a blog, but a forum. Jane Luttrell wrote, "...blogs are online pontifications, with possibly some comment space. Forums are designed for an exchange of ideas, opinions, and debate.")

Senator Tom Coburn, Muskogee Republican: His maverick style and positions have made both sides of the spectrum court him and he remains popular in the state, even as the GOP has taken a hit in polling. Coburn seems the very definition of "Mr. Smith" who went to Washington to get a job done. Despised by some in his own party, Coburn could seem to care less. He is on a mission and unlike most in the Senate, he embraces the thought his service will be short; in other words, he's not driven by the next election, or a Senate career. He is revered by fellow "pork busters" for taking on fellow Republicans as well as Democrats.

Senator Jim Inhofe, Tulsa Republican: For more than 40 years, Inhofe has bedeviled his critics and reveled in being attacked by liberals. Now embroiled in a worldwide fight with Al Gore Et Al over global warming claims, Inhofe seems poised to win reelection in 2008, capping a career that has taken him from the Oklahoma Legislature to the Tulsa mayor's office to Congress to the U. S. Senate.

Congressman John Sullivan, 1st District Republican: Sullivan has a low profile, which seems to suit him. He seldom makes big news but appears well-positioned with Tulsa-area voters.

Congressman Dan Boren, 2nd District Democrat: Some liberal Democrats pick on him, but his independent, mostly-conservative streak make him congressman-for-life if he so decides. Like his father, Boren has a touch that connects to voters. He'll seek higher office in the future.

Congressman Frank Lucas, 3rd District Republican: The man who kicked off the "Republican Revolution" with his 1994 victory continues the D. C. commute despite his disdain for it. Few in Congress know more about farm issues than Lucas, who is steady as a rock and generally avoids controversies.

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, 5th District Republican: Freshman Fallin hit the U. S. Capitol running, spending her first months with her mouth shut and her mind open; both impressed other members. She's not yet a heavy hitter, but don't dismiss her just because she made that "beautiful people" list right out of the box. Fallin has demonstrated she's a smart survivor, politically savvy and in tune with the primary concerns of voters. Congresswoman-for-life.

Frosty Troy, editor emeritus, The Oklahoma Observer, Democrat: Troy's 40-plus years of presence at the Capitol and a publication of considerable influence with liberals puts him on this list even though he's on the wane. Opinionated and outspoken, Troy's nose for news and advocacy brand of journalism make him despised or embraced depending on your point of view. Known for his unprovoked personal attacks on those in and out of government, Troy shows few signs he's slowing down despite advancing age and his faded media presence.

BCS: OU Sooners Ranked 4th

With three weeks left to decide which teams will play for the national title, it’s Oregon against the Big 12 in a BCS battle.

The LSU Tigers moved into the first place in the Bowl Championship Series standings Sunday and the Oregon Ducks jumped into second place, a day after Ohio State was upset by Illinois. The University of Oklahoma Sooners are ranked 4th.

With three games remaining, including the Southeastern Conference championship game on December 1, LSU will likely reach the BCS title game in New Orleans by winning out.

The Ducks have three games left but they’ll have to watch their backs with three Big 12 teams looming, led by third-place Kansas.Oregon is past the toughest part of its schedule. The Ducks play at Arizona on Thursday night, have a road game against UCLA on November 24 and finish the season against rival Oregon State at home on December 1.

None of those teams is ranked, so if the Ducks struggle to a victory it could open up an opportunity for Kansas. Or fourth-place Oklahoma. Or fifth-place Missouri. If either of those three can win out, they could overtake Oregon, especially the perfect Jayhawks (10-0).

November 11, 1918...And Today, Honor Veterans

The Gadfly On The Wall

Most Influential: Our list of the state's most influential political figures this week has gotten way beyond any fair share of comment and discussion. I thought it'd be an interesting exercise, but had no inkling so many folks would weigh in with their own nominees, so many so I'm working on Part II, out next week.

No Logic: Car wrecks kill people all the time, as do nuts behind the wheel who deliberately kill people, but I don't hear safety advocates calling for cars to be banned. Yet, in Finland, I hear the gun control nuts are calling for guns to be banned after a single act of senseless violence. In that act, a teenage boy shot and killed eight people and himself. The main stream media, of course, is all over this story. The Associated Press, and other news outlets, jumped on the story, headlining how the rampage put Finns on the defensive "about their relationship to guns." The story notes that Finland has the third highest rate of firearms possessed per 100 civilians, at 56. The U. S. is No. 1, with 90. The AP story quotes "international gun control activists," but nowhere in the story is there a quote from "international pro-gun activists." So much for balanced reporting.

Hefley Haven: He was the respected elder statesman of the Colorado congressional delegation, she was a respected member of the Colorado Legislature. That was then; today, Joel and Lynn Hefley are (once again) Oklahomans, having "retired" to their ranch spread outside Purcell. I suspect that, as with many of us, that word "retired" simply means they now do things at their own pace instead of the pace of others and stay as busy as before. The Hefleys are OU grads and once lived in Oklahoma City before making their mark in Colorado politics. Why retire to Oklahoma? They say they found their haven and heaven here and they add they don't miss the political limelight at all. Good for them. Welcome home.

Looking At Leaves: Ann and I have made the leaf tour. We crisscrossed eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas and found the best color in the Fayetteville area. The best views were of the Illinois River along Scenic 10 from the Gore area up to West Siloam Springs. And as often as I've driven Oklahoma's highways and byways, I'd never before found Camp Gruber. We did, outside Braggs.

Housing Market Slump? Based on what's in the news, one would believe the housing market in the OKC Metro is in a serious slump. I haven't found it and I've been looking. Being in the residential real estate investment business, we've looked at a couple dozen properties in recent weeks, made low-ball offers (the market's down, right?) and then watched as the properties sold in a few days for full, or near-full, asking prices. We did find a good buy, and jumped on it, catching a motivated seller at just the right time. I suspect that, in time, the property would have fetched the full asking price, or closer to it than we paid. Point is, at least in my recent experience, that "housing slump" is hard to find.

It's OSU-Kansas, OU-Baylor

The OSU Cowboys face a stiff test tonight in Stillwater as the Kansas Jayhawks come to town riding a loss-free season. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on ABC-TV. In Norman, the OU Sooners take on the Baylor Bears in what likely will be a yawner. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Net, Cox Channel 37 in Oklahoma City.

OU/OSU Officials Could Face Theft Charges

Prosecutors still are considering whether to file theft charges against representatives from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University who seized college-themed merchandise from several vendors at an Oklahoma City crafts show, the Associated Press reports.

Last week more than 15 vendors from An Affair of the Heart filed complaints of theft against Suzanne Staley, OU's director of brand development, and Judy Barnard, OSU's director of trademarks and licensing, after the two women seized their merchandise. The women alleged the items infringed on the university's trademarks.

Assistant District Attorney Scott Rowland said prosecutors have decided not to prosecute any of the vendors and will not seek forfeiture of the items.

"We are of course fully supportive of any holder of a trademark or copyright protecting those, but in this case I think apparent irregularities in the seizure of those items by the university employees preclude us from taking action against the vendors," Rowland said in an e-mail.

Henry Announces National Guard Holiday Initiative

Governor Brad Henry today announced a statewide initiative, "Operation Holiday Homecoming," aimed at bringing National Guard troops home for the Christmas holidays.

Joined by state military and veterans affairs leaders at a Capitol news conference, Henry urged Oklahomans to donate to an American Legion of Oklahoma fund that will enable members of the 45th Infantry Brigade to be home from Dec. 23 to Jan 2.

"Oklahomans believe in the importance of family and, as our soldiers prepare to deploy overseas, it is more important than ever that they are home for Christmas," Henry said. "For all they do for our state and our nation, giving them a special holiday season is the least we can do in return."

To ensure transportation for the estimated 2,600 troops, "Operation Holiday Homecoming" needs to raise approximately $600,000 to cover the use of 60 buses. Already, three Oklahoma-based Native American tribes and several corporations have come forward with major contributions. The Choctaw Nation is supplying 14 buses and the Chickasaws are supplying two buses. The Cherokee Nation has donated $35,000.

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade are currently training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and will have 10 days of leave before deploying to Iraq in January, 2008. Nevertheless, U.S. Department of Defense regulations preclude the Army from paying for the soldiers' trip home while on leave. The expense of getting home therefore falls on the responsibility of each individual soldier, many of whom might not have funds to pay for the trip to Oklahoma.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Norman Lamb praised the initiative, saying, "It is very important that every soldier be given the opportunity to be home for Christmas," he said. "This is just the right thing to do for our soldiers who are providing a great service to our country."

Phillip Driskill, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, echoed his sentiments. "This will be the last opportunity these soldiers have to spend with their families before they deploy," he said. "It is so critical that we provide these soldiers and their families the chance to take advantage of the 10 days of leave to be together for Christmas."

Major General Harry M. "Bud" Wyatt III, adjutant general, expressed his appreciation to those entities that already have pledged resources and other help. "It is wonderful that we have organizations such as the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw Nations and BancFirst to provide their support," Wyatt said. "The ODVA and American Legion have stepped forward to assist with the efforts to get these soldiers home for Christmas. I cannot begin to express how much the Oklahoma National Guard appreciates all the efforts and hard work."

Donations to bring the members of the Oklahoma National Guard home for Christmas can be made at any BancFirst Branch to the Operation Holiday Homecoming account or, to The American Legion of Oklahoma, Operation Holiday Homecoming, P.O. Box 53037, Oklahoma City OK, 73152.

"It is a great occasion when we can get our men and women home with family for Christmas," said Michael Taylor, state commander of the American Legion of Oklahoma. "We will continue to support our troops and their families any way we can."

Blogger Geiger Offers Thoughts On Benge, OTRS

Tulsa blogger Stan Geiger has an interesting post today in which he disagrees with Rep. Chris Benge that the Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System is on the mend. Food for thought at http://www.stan-geiger.com/. Geiger presents no credentials to give credence to his argument, but it is interesting nonetheless.

Coffee Selected For Aspen Institute Honor

State Sen. Glenn Coffee, the co-president pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, has been selected by the Aspen Institute for a fellowship program honoring public leaders identified as "the true rising stars" of American politics.

Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, is one of 24 leaders selected for the Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, following an eight-month search involving input from over 1,000 business, political, and civic leaders from across the country.

Drawn from the ranks of federal, state, and local governments, and representing 22 states, the Class of 2007 will form the third class of the Aspen-Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership, designed to bring together “the very best of the nation's emerging leaders” to discuss broad issues of democratic governance and effective public service. This class of Fellows will convene late next month for a conversation centered on the underlying values and principles of a democratic society.

Former Oklahoma Congressman Mickey Edwards, the program's director, said the new fellowship class represents “the true promise of America––an outstanding group of young leaders with a clear commitment to putting aside partisan differences for the good of our nation."

Edwards described the program's goals as twofold: “In a political world in which partisanship has become increasingly negative and public decision-making has become increasingly polarized, we're working to help a new generation of public leaders build lasting relationships across party lines, and at the same time, we're trying to sharpen the focus of the political conversation on our common goals as members of a diverse democracy."

Aspen Institute President Walter Isaacson said the Rodel Fellows "represent the best hope for America's future — upcoming leaders committed to working together for the common good."

Coffee stated, “It’s an honor to be selected as a Rodel Fellow by the Aspen Institute. I look forward to meeting with leaders from across our nation to seek common ground for solutions to the issues and problems facing America today.”

Is Rice About To Draw Senate Primary Opponents?

Blogger Calvin Rees has this scoop about the Democratic primary for the U. S. Senate ~ Billy Mickle (left), Durant (for 15 years a member of the State Senate and majority leader there)...was almost campaigning last night at the fundraiser held by Kitty for the Roosters. About to make an announcement of his decision is (Senator) Joe Sweeden (right) of Pawhuska.

Mike Reynolds Has Election Opponent

Blogger Ron Black has the scoop ~ Rep. Mike Reynolds, the ethics watchdog of the state House of Representatives, has an opponent, Jonathan Echols.

Inhofe Hails WRDA Enactment

From Tulsa Today ~ U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today hailed the enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) (H.R. 1495). The United States Senate voted today by a vote of 79-14 to override President Bush's veto of the WRDA bill. The vote in the Senate follows Tuesday night's vote in the House of Representatives of 361-54. With the Senate and House voting to override the President's veto, the bill now becomes law.

Judge To Decide Fate Of Rinehart, Pope, Pelfrey

An Oklahoma County judge must figure out whether county Commissioner Brent Rinehart lied to cover up illegal campaign contributions or merely engaged in politics as usual. The decision by Judge James Paddleford will determine whether Rinehart, former campaign manager Tim Pope and contributor Ray Pelfrey face trial on felony campaign finance charges. Read the entire story at www.newsok.com.

Blogger: Presidential Winds Of Change Blowing

Ponder this, from blogger D. Martyn Lloyd-Morgan ~ The winds of change are a-blowing again as Campaign '08 begins to heat up in earnest. With less than two months to go until the winter primaries that will decide the Presidential nominees for the two Parties, I see a major shift in the making. Headlining this shift is a subtle but significant change in momentum for both Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani. This is bad for Hillary and good for Rudy.

Colorado Leaders Quietly Retire To Purcell Ranch

By Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News ~ Ever heard of Purcell, Okla.?

It's down from Slaughterville, up from Wayne. About a 15- minute drive south of Norman. It's also the nearest town to the 80-acre horse ranch where the former dean of Colorado's congressional delegation has been lying low.

Joel Hefley and his wife, former Colorado State Rep. Lynn Hefley, quietly moved just outside the town of 6,000 in July. No announcements. No goodbye party. Just Joel and Lynn, riding into the sunset. Like everyone who knows them well figured they might.

"I'm sitting in my shorts out here," the state's longest-serving congressman teased during a phone interview last week while it snowed in Denver. Hefley, 72, retired last year after serving southern Colorado's 5th Congressional District for 20 years.

His departure touched off a scramble that became one of the nastiest Republican primary battles in recent state history. Former state Sen. Doug Lamborn squeaked past former Hefley staffer Jeff Crank in the 2006 primary and easily won the general election in the solidly Republican district. Crank and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn have lined up for a primary rematch to try to pick off the now-sitting congressman.

Hefley still supports Crank's candidacy and remains available occasionally by phone. But he said for now he's content to tend to horses instead of political shouting matches.

"I'm happy to take a breather," he said. "For 30 years I was up to my ears in all of that and loved it. But there's a lot I didn't enjoy about it, when I think about it."

The Hefleys, who both grew up in Oklahoma City and are University of Oklahoma alumni, said they began looking for a big spread to retire on about five years ago.

Last year, after Joel retired from Congress and Lynn was term-limited out of the Statehouse, the couple visited ranch properties from northern El Paso County to central Oklahoma. "We just found what we were looking for here," the retired congressman said.

Lynn Hefley said about 15 different groups tried to throw them a going-away party before they left Colorado: "Joel just said, 'That's not who we are,' " she said. "And that's not who Joel is. He has never tried to grab the limelight."

So the Hefleys called a few close friends, packed up their house and headed out of town.

"Usually, people in politics are egomaniacs," Crank said. "They want 15 parties instead of none. Joel has always been very unassuming."

State GOP Chairman Dick Wadhams still hasn't heard personally from the Hefleys, whose home phone number in Colorado Springs is now disconnected. "I'd heard they'd moved," he said.

The Hefleys raised the bar for ethical standards in Colorado politics, Wadhams said.

Joel Hefley chaired the House Ethics Committee when it formally admonished fellow Republican and then House Majority Leader Tom DeLay three times over actions that went "beyond the bounds of acceptable conduct." And Lynn Hefley carved out her own identity as a statehouse representative - a hard thing for a congressman's wife to do, according to Wadhams.

Lynn Hefley said she and her husband appreciate the kind words from their friends and supporters. She said they plan to visit with many of them in Colorado over Christmas. But for now, she said, they are enjoying their "little bit of heaven" in a sprawling valley with two stream-fed ponds stocked for fishing. "Now it's time to move on and to let us ride off into the sunset and just enjoy life," she said before hanging up her cell phone to watch a warm rain fall.

(Hat tip to John Angier for sharing this article.)

Halligan Makes It Official

As expected, former Oklahoma State University President Jim Halligan on Thursday announced he would run as a Republican next year for the seat being vacated by Senate Co-President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, who is term-limited.

Benge: Teacher Retirement System Fix Is Working

A recently enacted law designed to shore up Oklahoma's Teachers Retirement System is rapidly improving the system's financial standing, state lawmakers announced today.

Projections contained in a new actuarial report indicate the system's unfunded liability has begun to fall and will continue declining thanks to a growing infusion of cash approved by the Legislature this year.

"This is good news for our retired teachers and future retired teachers," said House Appropriations & Budget Committee Chair Chris Benge, R-Tulsa. "It's important that the Legislature remain committed to the contribution schedule we set out last year."

Senate Bill 357, approved during the 2007 legislative session, increased contribution rates paid by schools into the Teacher Retirement System. Oklahoma schools were given an additional appropriation to ensure they have money to contribute to the plan. Once fully implemented in 2010, the plan is expected to provide an annual infusion of $60 million per year for the retirement system. It is expected to pump more than $200 million into the system over the next five years. The plan has already benefited the retirement system's standing, according to the actuarial report. The system's funded ratio - the ratio of assets to liability - has increased from 49.3 percent to 52.6 percent. Most of that improvement came as the result of Senate Bill 357, although a healthy market return on fund investments also contributed, Benge noted.

At the same time, the retirement system's unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) decreased $70 million. According to actuarial projections, the UAAL will continue falling until the system is fully funded. Actuarial projections indicate the system will be 85 percent funded within 16 years - four years ahead of the schedule anticipated when lawmakers approved Senate Bill 357.

"This is great news for the entire state. The actuarial report shows that SB 357 will actually reduce our unfunded liability at an even faster rate than we'd initially projected," said Mike Mazzei, Co-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. "Clearly, our legislative efforts to protect the pensions of Oklahoma teachers are working. Not only will this boost our bond ratings, but ultimately, we have averted a disastrous economic event that would have impacted our entire state. "I also want give credit to the Senate's Appropriation Co-Chairs, Johnnie Crutchfield and Mike Johnson, as well as to Senator Kenneth Corn for their work on SB 357," Mazzei said. "This may well be most important legislation of the 51st Legislature."

The retirement system's external cash flow is also on the right track, Benge said, noting that the $821 million paid into the system this year exceeded the $806 million paid out in benefits. "That's the teachers' retirement system's first positive cash flow since 1997," Benge said. He said legislators from both sides of the aisle should be commended for the reforms approved last year that will benefit Oklahoma's teachers for decades. "We still have a long way to go, but this is a huge step toward addressing a problem that has been ignored for years," Benge said.

Inhofe Says Democrats Stall Military Funding Bill

Senator Jim Inhofe today expressed indignation at Democratic efforts to put vital military funding at risk by including Fiscal Year 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations (MilCon-VA) in a “minibus” funding bill with the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-H) Appropriations bill conference reports.

President Bush had previously expressed he would sign the MilCon-VA appropriations bill, but veto the Labor-H appropriations bill. The Senate today voted on a procedural motion to separate the two bills, removing the MilCon-VA bill from the Labor-H bill.

“I am very disappointed in the politicization by Congressional Democrats of vital funding for our troops, veterans, and military construction," Inhofe said. "Democrats have stalled the critically important MilCon-VA bill for two months, refusing to bring the appropriations bill back to the floor and on its way to the President’s signature until it was unnecessarily attached to a domestic spending bill that will be vetoed.

“Our troops and veterans deserve better than these petty political games. This bill includes critical funding for troops and military bases across the country that should not be delayed, especially during wartime. I am proud of my Senate colleagues who voted today to separate these two bills as they were intended, removing the risk that funding in the MilCon-VA bill will be vetoed.”

Reynolds: Kill Easley's Term Limits Repealer

State Sen. Mary Easley's legislation to repeal Oklahoma's term-limit law should be shot down as soon as possible, Rep. Mike Reynolds said today.

"If Senator Easley is going to run a constitutional amendment, it should probably lift the requirement that senators live in their district since she apparently doesn't live in hers," Reynolds said.

"Frankly, Senator Easley shouldn't have been eligible to run for her seat in 2006 and she will likely have to resign midterm because her 12 years will be up in 2008."

Reynolds noted that Easley first won her Senate seat when her son, Kevin, resigned from the Senate to become head of the Grand River Dam Authority. Before he resigned, Kevin Easley drafted legislation to get rid of the old GRDA board members and reappoint a new board that proved willing to appoint him to the position in possible violation of a Constitutional prohibition on lawmakers working for the state within two years of leaving office.

Reynolds predicted Easley's term-limits bill will "never see the light of day" in the 2008 Legislature "nor should it."

Shelton: Fuel Cost Plan Needed

State Rep. Mike Shelton today called on Governor Henry and legislative leaders to begin developing a plan of action to address the rising cost of fuel.

"Oil is selling for close to $100 per barrel and AAA now predicts gas prices could go as high as $4 per gallon by next summer,"said Shelton, D-Oklahoma City. "If that happens, it will be devastating to all Oklahomans, but especially low-income families and our elderly. Legislative leaders could offset some of that impact during the 2008 session, but we must begin developing a plan to improve public transportation immediately. As part of that effort, I am asking Governor Henry to create an emergency commission to work on this issue."

Holmes: Progress Made On Party's Cash Problem

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes, in an email sent to supporters, says the party is making progress in reducing its debt but still can't afford a paid staff.

This is Holmes' email: I want to thank each of you who are currently making a monthly pledge to our party. We continue to add new monthly pledges each week. We are still working toward our goal of getting 1,000 Democrats to make a monthly pledge.

We have cut our monthly expenses to about $13,000.00 a month. As most of you know we have no paid employees at the state level. We have been able to pay $30,000 toward our precious debt in the past three months. It is our goal to raise enough funds to be able to hire a full-time office manager to run the daily operations so I can continue to build our party in the 77 counties. I have driven 20,000 miles during the past five months and been in 28 counties. We have had great crowds everywhere we have been. I truly believe 2008 will be a great year for Democrats.

Another goal we set for 2008 was to set up six work stations at the Democratic Headquarters for our volunteer workers. The work stations are nearly completed. This will give us work stations for: 1) our newly organized Veterans Organization, 2) our Young Democrats, 3) our Senior Citizens, 4) our Democratic Candidates that don't have an office, 5) our retired Union Members, 6) our Daily Volunteers who do so much for us including updating the VAN.

In order for the Democratic Party to compete with the Republicans party in 2008 we must update our computer equipment at the six new work stations. The cost of adding a new computer and monitor at each of the six work stations should be $3000.00. If you would like to contribute toward the new computer fund please earmark your contribution to the new computer fund drive, and if you donate online please just add .06 cents to your contribution so we'll know you wanted to donate specifically to our new computers. e hope to be able to have the $3000.00 by the end of December.

Thanks again for what each of you are doing for our party. By working together we will get Democrats elected in 2008.

'Wild Oklahoma' Debuts Sunday Morning

"Wild Oklahoma," hosted by Ron Black (center, with cohorts), debuts this Sunday at 5 a.m. on KOKH Fox 25. Featured are segments from the 8h Annual Women’s Fun Shoot at the Oklahoma City Gun Club, a coyote hunt in Seiling and a few funny surprises, Black says. The website is http://www.wildoklahoma.com/.

State's Most Influential Political Figures...And Why

Analysis & Commentary By Mike McCarville

This list was compiled with the input and advice of political insiders on both sides of the aisle. The quotes are theirs, most of the conclusions are mine. I asked 16 respected individuals to submit nominations; they suggested a total of 31 men and women and two groups. Every member of the congressional delegation was suggested, as were the editorial boards of The Oklahoman and the Tulsa World, consultants, staff members, elected officials and several prominent business leaders. Thus, there's nothing objective about this list; it is a subjective one based on their input, my own observations and 40-plus years of experience in Oklahoma politics and government. Consider this Part I in a series. I made no attempt to rank those on this list; they are presented in alphabetical order.

Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Democrat: "Hardest working elected official in the state," said a fellow Democrat. "She’s everywhere, and takes the time to make everyone feel important. Askins will carry more political capital into the 2010 governor’s race than anyone else."

David Boren, University of Oklahoma president, Democrat: The former governor and U. S. senator wags his finger and gets anything he wants, proof positive he's arguably the state's most influential political figure and now, with friend Glen Johnson as higher education chancellor, has an even greater impact on the direction of higher education in the state. Boren's national connections have emphasized OU's prominence and a long string of famous names as guest speakers shows his long reach. Forty years ago, when Boren was a young back-bencher in the State House, I wrote a Tulsa Tribune op-ed piece predicting he'd one day become governor. Little did I know....

Rep. Lance Cargill, House speaker, Harrah Republican: The youngest House speaker in the nation has surprised many with his (apparent) non-stop flow of ideas, energy and initiatives. His "100 Ideas" has been generally well received and embraced by many in both parties. He's had a few bumps in the road and now faces an Ethics Commission investigation into fundraising activities and thus, has become a target of some Democrats. Nonetheless, Cargill's star remains bright.

Senator Harry Coates, Seminole Republican: "Harry is the one member of the Senate for whom I would take a bullet," said an admirer of the opposite party who sits not far from Coates. "He is honest, has the courage to stand up to his leadership when he believes they are wrong. He speaks on the floor rarely, but when he does it is with great eloquence. When I grow up, I want to be Harry Coates." I watched Coates in his first campaign and shared a platform with him and State House candidate Dan Boren in Cromwell. I was impressed with how he worked the crowd and his grasp of the issues folks wanted to discuss.

Senator Glenn Coffee, co-president pro tem, Republican: "Amazing strategic ability, extraordinary work ethic to implement strategy. I don’t think Glenn has a dishonest bone in his body, and he plays the game as well as anyone I have ever seen. A much under-rated leader in the GOP." The quote is from a Senate colleague who is a Democrat. Similar comments came from Republicans who nominated him for this list.

Congressman Tom Cole, 4th District Republican: Any examination of influence in Oklahoma politics in the past two decades must include Cole, who has worn more hats in and out of government than anyone else on this list. From the Oklahoma Republican Party to the Oklahoma Legislature to the governor's office to the secretary of state's office to management of the Republican National Congressional Committee to Congress, Cole's influence has been pervasive. As an Oklahoma political consultant, he advised and elected many of the state's GOP office-holders and did the same in numerous political races across the country. "Well connected" seems a weak description, but it is apt for this astute networker of national prominence.

Pat Hall, lobbyist, Democrat: Enormous level of energy. Was able to effectively shed the “Democratic hack” label and emerge as one of the most effective lobbyists at the Capitol. "The partnership he has with former Senator Jim Dunlap puts two great guys together," said one admirer of the same party.

Governor Brad Henry, Democrat: His detractors hurl the labels ("Governor Late," "The Gambling Governor" but voters love him despite what some say are his warts. With an approval rating consistently in the 75 percent range, Henry rivals David Boren's popularity in Boren's elective politics heyday. With a solid staff of veteran operatives with cool heads and a "Make No Mistakes" mantra, Henry has tip-toed through his first five years in office untouched by political foes. Unlike his predecessor, Republican Frank Keating, Henry watches his words and thus, has avoided the controversies that visited Keating as a result of his quips. Henry's speaking style is sometimes painful to observe, but it only seems to reinforce his connection with citizens who have shown they will forgive lack of eloquence for civility and substance.

Treasurer Scott Meacham, Democrat: "Only for his relationship with an enormously popular governor," is he nominated for this list, one respected, senior Democratic official said. "He has no personality, no ability to persuade, but he has hitched his star to Brad Henry’s wagon and that has taken him farther in politics than his natural gifts ever would have taken him." This assessment of Meacham was echoed by all but one of those who said he should be on this list; it seems the concensus that he's a cold fish but by virtue of the power Henry has vested in him, has the clout that gets him on a list like this.

Tom Price, Sr. Vice President, Chesapeake Energy: "Works both sides of the aisle, and keeps his word. He is a company man, to be sure. He is either respected, feared, or hated, depending on who you talk to – but you always know where he stands."

Halligan Expected To Announce This Week

Former Oklahoma State University President James Halligan is expected to announce this week that he'll seek the Republican nomination for the State Senate in Stillwater, the seat now held by term-limited Senate Co-President Pro Tem Mike Morgan.

Fallin Calls For Action, Defends Immigration Law

Congresswoman Mary Fallin joined Members of the House Republican Leadership today in calling for legislative action on key issues and defended Oklahoma's tough new immigration law. Republican Whip Roy Blunt and Conference Leader Adam Putnam both criticized the Democrat leadership for failing to send a single spending measure to the President’s desk this year and setting the stage for a fiscal crisis.

Fallin, speaking after Blunt and Putnam, echoed their call for Democrat leaders to seek bipartisan compromise and immediate progress on important issues.

“Almost 50% of our work this year has been naming post offices and federal buildings,” said Fallin. “Those are nice things to do, but its time that we get on with the more important business of this Congress, whether that’s helping American families with the price of gas, lowering their healthcare costs, or strengthening education.”

“One of the things we’ve been frustrated by in Oklahoma,” said Fallin, “is the lack of any real immigration reform. Just last week, the state of Oklahoma enacted an immigration law that is being labeled as one of the toughest in the nation.

“We had to enact that law on the state level because the House has yet to bring a solid immigration bill to the floor. We have yet to secure our borders, provide employers with a way to verify the citizenship of their employees, or punish those employers who knowingly hire illegals.”

Fallin went on to express her disappointment that “Congress has not yet gotten its house in order” and called on Democrat leaders to bring bipartisan immigration reform to the floor of the House.

Gotta Love It: It's AC (All Cash) For AD

Former OU star Adrian Peterson isn't just making himself a star on the pro football field. He's also making himself a bigger multi-millionaire thanks to the incentives in his NFL contract. After he passed 701 yards this season, the Minnesota Vikings' rookie earned a one-time, $2.45 million bonus, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Peterson, who made his name at the University of Oklahoma, ran for an NFL record 296 yards last week against one of the NFL's best defenses in San Diego.

Peterson could earn $40.5 million through the life of his five-year contract. He's guaranteed $17 million.

Here is what the St. Paul Pioneer Press found in his contract: He can add $2.5 million to his 2010 salary (already set at $2.695 million) if he rushes for more than 1,000 yards in two of his first three seasons. If he rushes for 1,300 yards once, he puts another $1 million onto his 2011 salary, set to begin at $3.94 million. If he passes 1,300 yards twice, he adds $3 million to that number.

Right now, Peterson is the favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year. That would earn him another $250,000 bonus.

Political Science Association Conference This Week

The 2007 Oklahoma Political Science Association Conference will meet at the state Capitol on Thursday and Friday, House Speaker Lance Cargill announced today.

"The Oklahoma Political Science Association Conference will give lawmakers access to some of the state's top policy experts while also giving us the chance to discuss the conservative reforms we've championed in recent sessions," said Cargill, R-Harrah.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives is sponsoring the event and several lawmakers from that chamber will participate in panels throughout the two-day event.

In addition, former Rep. Larry Ferguson (R-Cleveland) will be the featured speaker at a Thursday evening awards banquet in the History Center.

A series of roundtable presentations will cover topics such as gaming, immigration, higher education, elections, the politics of race, legislative internships, and public policy decision-making.

The event also includes an immigration debate pitting Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore and author of the new sweeping immigration reform law) against Rep. Richard Morrissette (D-Oklahoma City).

A Friday luncheon will include a panel of "political junkies" who will handicap upcoming Oklahoma campaigns.

Members of the public are invited to attend.

Domino Champs Best Henry, Nigh

Oklahoma veterans bested Oklahoma governors in this year’s veterans domino tournament. Philip Jones and Stephen Nida from the Ardmore veterans’ center beat Governor Henry and former Governor George Nigh in the annual domino tournament held in the State Capitol Blue Room on Tuesday. Each year, Oklahoma veterans centers host tournaments that ultimately crown a champion veteran domino team from each center. Those teams then face off in a one-day competition at the State Capitol. As the winners of those championship rounds, the Ardmore team played Governors Henry and Nigh and won the coveted Governor’s Cup.

Tax Cuts Needed, Experts Tell Panel

National experts told state lawmakers today that additional tax cuts must be approved if Oklahoma is to remain competitive with other states.

"Throughout this study, we've focused on the need to keep Oklahoma's tax climate competitive with surrounding states," said Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. "We want to determine if additional tax cuts are necessary and, if so, what shape they should take to be best promote economic development, growth and job creation. Today's testimony indicates, once again, that we have room to improve."

Donna Arduin, a partner with Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics, told lawmakers that some taxes imposed by Oklahoma discourage business investment in the state. For example, she noted that Oklahoma's 6.65-percent capital gains tax rate is one of the highest in the region. "Compared to Oklahoma's neighbors, Arkansas is the only state with a higher short-term capital gains tax, and no neighboring state taxes long-term capital gains at a higher rate," Arduin said. "Nationally, Oklahoma's capital gains taxes are around 30 percent higher than the average state capital gains tax."

She noted that capital gains taxes "discourage investment and, due to their volatility, lead to significant revenue swings for the state."

Because the state generates nearly 85 percent of revenue from other sources (such as income, sales and severance taxes), Arduin said the "minimal amount of revenue that Oklahoma raises from capital gains taxes come at a high economic cost."

Arduin also noted that Oklahoma's top marginal personal income and corporate income tax rates "are too high - especially compared to neighboring Texas and Colorado."

She urged lawmakers to lower those rates "to bring them closer in line with neighboring Texas and Colorado."

Although Oklahoma has experienced decent economic growth rates in recent years, that activity has not created new jobs in corresponding numbers: "Overall employment growth in Oklahoma has barely outpaced the average employment growth in the country even though the state's economic growth rate since 2002 is the sixth-fastest in the nation," Arduin said. "From a jobs perspective, Oklahoma can do better."

Chris Atkins, senior tax counsel with the Tax Foundation, also told lawmakers that several state taxes are a barrier to economic growth: "Compared to many state tax burdens, Oklahoma is doing 'okay,' but there's definitely room for improvement," Atkins said. "If Oklahoma is going to enhance its competitiveness, you need to repeal the franchise tax, inventory tax, and reduce the state sales tax rate."

He said the inventory tax actually punishes businesses for operating in Oklahoma. "Basically, if a business chooses to store inventory in Oklahoma, they're punished," Atkins said. "The tax is a huge incentive for businesses to store inventory in other states even if they plan to ultimately sell it in Oklahoma."

Neither the franchise tax nor the inventory tax generates a large share of state revenue, making their repeal relatively easy while making Oklahoma more competitive with surrounding states, he said. "Most of your regional competitors don't have a franchise or inventory tax and those that do are trying to eliminate them," Atkins said.

Oklahoma's combined state and local sales tax rate is 6.89 percent on average, the third-highest rate in the region, Atkins said. "That tax can have a big impact on retail activity, particularly in your border areas," Atkins said. "At the same time, it affects business-to-business transactions, which directly increases the cost of doing business in Oklahoma."

To reach the regional average, he urged Oklahoma lawmakers to reduce the state sales tax rate by at least 0.5 percent.

Coming Tomorrow: Influential Political Figures

Tomorrow, The McCarville Report Online presents a list of the state's most influential political figures, a list compiled with the help of Democrat and Republican insiders. Make up your own list and compare it to ours tomorrow.

Roth Makes Formal Campaign Announcement

The race for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission next year now has two candidates.

Commissioner Jim Roth, Democrat, announced today he will seek election to the seat in 2008. He was appointed to the position earlier this year by Governor Henry after Commissioner Denise Bode resigned. Before his appointment to the three-member utility rate panel, Roth served as an Oklahoma County commissioner.

Republican Dana Murphy announced over the weekend she will seek the GOP nomination for the seat.

Columnist Cronley: Anonymous Internet Comments

By Jay Cronley, Tulsa World columnist ~ Detailed reports of devastating events wind up in the printed newspaper and also with the publication's online version. Reader response to what's printed comes in the form of letters that are run in the editorial area of the newspaper. Responses and opinions are to be signed; authenticity of the responder is checked.

Online, reaction to matters comical and heartbreaking can be anonymous. Anonymous material can be worthwhile. We vote anonymously. If a cure for an illness were submitted anonymously, it would be no less valuable. Some people actually think better, or at least funnier, and have more to offer anonymously.

'Anonymity is used like a hate crime'

The other side of the issue occurs when anonymity is used like a hate crime. The rules of common decency stipulate that if you get personal, you must use your name; you have to attack in person, as it were, not from behind somebody's back. If you say that somebody is a drunk, signing off on your message with a silly nickname like Internet junkies use simply won't do; if you respond to an online article with a personal comment such as somebody is a bad spouse or a lousy parent, list your name and home phone number. See how that works.

Ripped from the headlines: Last week, a local writer was arrested on a public intoxication complaint at a school. It was his third offense for allegedly being drunk in a relatively brief period of time -- not that three arrests in a lifetime wouldn't be too many. A public intoxication arrest in the morning at a school does not make for very pleasant reading. Most thoughts about the incident probably had to do with, first, the safety of those in the writer's path; then the law pertaining to repeated offenses; then the issue of alcoholism itself, its causes and treatments. But some of the comments at the end of the article online were brutal. One was a hurtful comment about an ex-wife, a claim that had no basis in truth, as it was made without attribution, facts, names.

I don't like to read unfounded and accusatory charges about strangers. Imagine the person whose private life was being assailed.

It is fairly obvious why nobody takes responsibility for unfounded nasty comments; signed, they could be libelous.

Return to sender: A few weeks ago, there was a horrible local small-airplane crash. Two adults and three children were killed on the spot. The aircraft more or less disintegrated. Below that photograph and story online were some inappropriate comments based in rumor about one of the people who was killed. Somebody commenting anonymously was more interested in the conditions of one of the deceased adult's divorce decree. Dead people and people in need of medical help are easy targets.

Some of the unclaimed heartless and soulless attacks don't belong in public; they should be flushed to the dead online message office.

White House Ceremony Notes Centennial

Today, an Oklahoma delegation was hosted by The White House in celebration of Oklahoma's Centennial. A proclamation signed by President Bush in honor of Oklahoma's Centennial was presented on his behalf. Blake Wade, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, served as master of ceremonies and Mark A. Stansberry served as event chairman. Congressman Tom Cole, Frank Lucas, and Congresswoman Mary Fallin made remarks. Staff members were present from all of Oklahoma's Congressional Delegation.

Coburn Endorses Mukasey Nomination

Senator Tom Coburn today endorsed the nomination of Judge Michael Mukasey to be attorney general. Coburn voted in favor of Judge Mukasey’s nomination.

“It is imperative our attorney general puts his oath to protect and uphold the Constitution before all other loyalties. After studying his record and participating in the confirmation process, I am confident Judge Mukasey has a great respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. Additionally, his lengthy tenure on the federal bench has provided him with extensive knowledge in the area of national security, particularly with respect to terrorism,” Coburn said.

Coburn also said, “The Justice Department has undergone difficult times of late, but I know Judge Mukasey has the integrity and competence to carry out the necessary work to restore the American public’s trust in the department.”

Murphey Rips Chambers Over 'Pet Programs'

State Rep. Jason Murphey, Guthrie Republican, issued a statement today taking the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and others to task for opposing tax relief to preserve their own "pet programs."

Murphey's statement: "Last week I was surprised when the leadership of one of the groups which has traditionally supported smaller government came out in opposition to reducing taxes. The comments were made by leaders of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce at a recent hearing of the House of Representative's Economic Development and Financial Services Committee.

"I have always articulated the common sense belief that the best way to reduce the size of government is through reducing the level of taxation. With less money, the government will naturally tend to prioritize the limited number of functions it should be involved in and leave the rest to the free market. I have also observed that groups who oppose tax relief are probably afraid of having a pet program of their own de-funded by this prioritization process.

"It has become clear that the leadership of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce understands this viewpoint all too well.

"And, shockingly, they appear to fear that if state government continues to cut taxes, one of their pet programs may not be funded to their level of satisfaction.

"The pet program is known as the Oklahoma Opportunity Fund. It is funded with $45 million of our taxpayer dollars. Most of that money has already been spent. Because the manner in which the fund was created has been ruled unconstitutional, the sole discretion for how the money is spent appears to have been left to Governor Brad Henry. Henry recently approved spending $10 million out of the fund on improvements benefiting a privately owned airline.

"In opposing the continuation of tax relief for Oklahomans, the economic development director of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce said, 'I would take the Opportunity Fund over future tax cuts in a heartbeat.'

"I do not believe it is right for the government to take money away from taxpayers and give it to targeted businesses. I certainly do not think it is right that politicians are given the power to play God when it comes to deciding who the winners are in the business world.

"The process of government subsidizing business operations is completely contrary to the important free market principles that empower consumers to decide who will be successful, based on which business is providing the best product at the best price.

"I do not believe it is appropriate for chambers of commerce to advocate for a fund that benefits such a small number of business. This is at the expense of all the hard working business owners across Oklahoma who are forced to pay high taxes which inhibit their ability to grow their own businesses. And, I do not think it is right or fair for Opportunity Fund money to be used to entice new businesses to move to Oklahoma when they will be competing with businesses that are already in Oklahoma. Taxing one business and then giving money to a competitor is not right.

"This latest position reflects one more step in what is becoming a disturbing trend. Big business is partnering with and being empowered by big government. I believe it is important for the small business members of the Chambers of Commerce across Oklahoma to reassert themselves and reclaim control of the organization that is supposed to represent all Oklahoma businessmen, not a select few."

Firearms Expert Debuts New Website

Firearms expert Tom Gresham of the radio show "Gun Talk" (heard on KTOK-AM 1000) and The Outdoor Channel's "Personal Defense TV" show, has a new website with training and safety videos. Gresham's http://www.guntalk.tv/ now has more than a hundred videos available for viewing. He's shooting for 500 within a year.

Judge Finds Stipe Mentally Incompetent

The Oklahoman's Tony Thornton reports from Muskogee: A federal judge today decided that former state Sen. Gene Stipe is mentally incompetent and committed him for up to four months of further treatment and testing.

By law, that is the longest Stipe can be held until it can be determined whether his competence can be restored. Stipe, 81, is to remain on house arrest until he reports to a designated hospital by Nov. 16 unless his attorneys appeal. Defense attorney Clark Brewster said he will appeal. Read the entite story.

Laughlin Says Term Limits 'A Great Thing'

Term-limited State Senator Owen Laughlin is about to enter his final year in office, and he believes legislative term limits have been a great thing for Oklahoma, he said today.

Laughlin said he is disappointed that a senior Democrat Senator, Mary Easley of Tulsa, has introduced a bill for the 2008 legislative session that would repeal term limits for state legislators.

“Term limits were overwhelmingly approved by the people, and they have been a wonderful thing for the Legislature and for the state of Oklahoma. Getting rid of term limits would be a very bad idea,” stated Laughlin, R-Woodward, the Senate’s Republican floor leader.

“Thanks to term limits, the Oklahoma Legislature has attracted new legislators who have experience in the ‘real-world.’ There is a different mindset because the newer legislators have come here to serve for a finite time, and to make a difference. They don’t want to make a career out of being in the Legislature,” Laughlin said.

He noted that the change of leadership at the Legislature is a positive development for the state.

“The Legislature now has a new generation of leaders who are energetic and forward-thinking. We’re considering fresh ideas and dynamic reforms that would not have seen the light of day back when members of the ‘Old Guard’ dominated the Capitol,” Laughlin said.

“I can’t think of a single good reason to repeal term limits,” Laughlin stated. “If anything, we need to look for ways to expand term limits to other offices in our state.”

Easley’s legislation is Senate Joint Resolution 35.

ABC Schedules OU-Texas Tech Game November 17; OSU-Kansas Game Saturday Will Air On ABC

The University of Oklahoma's road football game against Texas Tech on November 17th has been set for a 7 p.m. kickoff and will be televised on ABC. The Sooners play Baylor this Saturday at Owen Field. The Baylor game will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Net.

The Oklahoma State-Baylor football game on November 17th will kick off at 6 p.m. and will be televised by Fox Sports Net. The game will be in Waco, Texas. The Cowboys are at home this week, playing red-hot Kansas on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m., and the game will be televised by ABC.

Watching The Leaves Turn...

A spot of personal business and the urge to see the leaves turn finds us in the Lake Tenkiller area. Can't believe the real estate prices around here! Lake Tenkiller State Park must be one of the neatest places anywhere, and the lake itself has long been a fishing favorite of mine. Locals say the leaves are a week to 10 days away from their peak. Lots of yellow, bit of red.... Life is good. - Mike McCarville

Shumate Plans Initiative Petition Bill

State Rep. Jabar Shumate today announced he will file legislation to crack down on what he says are fraudulent practices that have plagued Oklahoma's initiative petition process.

"Too often, the paid signature collectors working in our petition process will say just about anything to get someone to sign his or her name," said Shumate, D-Tulsa. "Several of my constituents have signed a petition only to later learn of the true contents of the ballot question they are 'supporting.' Unfortunately, there's no way for them to correct their mistake."

Under current law, there is no method for a voter to have his or her name removed from an initiative proposal.

Shumate plans to file legislation in the 2008 session that will allow voters to contact the Office of the Secretary of State to have their name removed from a ballot petition.

The legislation will also establish guidelines for individuals collecting signatures to ensure they face penalties if they mislead citizens about the content of a ballot proposal.

"Our initiative petition process cannot survive if it lacks integrity," Shumate said. "My legislation will help ensure that voters signing their name to a petition truly support the proposed ballot question."

In recent years, he said, the state's initiative petition process has been plagued by alleged abuses. When an initiative petition effort was launched to place a fuel tax increase on the ballot in 2005, there were numerous reports of voters being misled to believe the proposal would slash fuel prices. That may be one reason the initiative obtained enough signatures to go to the ballot while being rejected by 87 percent of the voters - the largest margin of defeat for any state question in Oklahoma history.

Currently, an initiative petition is being circulated that would put a state question on the ballot to dramatically alter state efforts to aid minority groups. Shumate said his constituents have complained of misleading tactics used by signature collectors on that effort. "Our initiative petition process must be above reproach," Shumate said. "My legislation will clean up the system and reduce fraud. I believe it will receive bipartisan support."

The 2008 session of the Oklahoma Legislature will convene next February.

Henry Mission Trip Cost State $21,314

Oklahoma taxpayers paid more than $21,000 in security and miscellaneous expenses when Governor Brad Henry and first lady Kim Henry traveled to Ghana for a mission trip in June, it's reported. The Henrys paid their own travel and lodging expenses during the 10-day trip. But it cost the state $21,314 to provide a three-trooper state security team, Public Safety Department records show.

Cargill Plans Reduction In State Boards

Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill said Sunday that Republican leaders in the Oklahoma House are looking for ways to consolidate some of the 515 state agencies, boards and commissions in Oklahoma.

Cargill made his remarks on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show with Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen.

Cargill plans an interim study this month to look at the number of agencies the state has and how many might be consolidated or eliminated to boost efficiency in state government.

Stipe Due Back In Court Today

The outcome of a mental competency hearing in Muskogee federal court today could determine the future of a government effort to revoke the federal probation of former Senator Gene Stipe.

U.S. District Judge Ronald White said last month that a prison hospital psychologist had found the 80-year-old Stipe to be mentally incompetent. Outside the courtroom, Stipe continued to maintain he is mentally sound, saying banks that lend him money think so, too.

If Stipe is found competent, a hearing will be held on the bid by federal prosecutors to revoke Stipe's probation for a campaign law violation.

Dana Murphy Seeks Corporation Commission Seat

Former Oklahoma Republican Party Vice Chair Dana Murphy, an oil and gas attorney, says she'll seek the GOP nomination for the Corporation Commission to oppose incumbent Democrat Jim Roth next year.

Murphy served as an administrative law judge before the Corporation Commission.

For her work at the Commission for almost six years, Murphy received the 2001 Commissioner’s Public Servant Award. “I was fortunate to grow up in a large family devoted to Oklahoma farming, ranching and the energy business, so I learned early on the importance of a strong work ethic, committed service to others and care for our land and resources,” she said.

“From my service at the Commission, I know first-hand the Corporation Commission directly impacts our daily lives. Every time we flip a light switch, adjust the thermostat, and pump fuel into our cars, we have been affected by the Corporation Commission. As an Administrative Law Judge, I presided over more than 5,000 cases at the Corporation Commission. I’m ready and prepared to hit the ground running to do what’s right and tackle the challenging and often complex issues faced by the Commission.

“I’m running because I believe Oklahomans deserve a commissioner who has a great balance of academic, legal and business credentials to best serve the State. In the constantly changing regulatory and market conditions impacting Oklahoma consumers and businesses, it is extremely important to elect the best qualified and most knowledgeable individuals.”

Murphy said she believes that by encouraging energy development and innovation, advancing conservation and promoting energy efficiency in the workplace and at home, the Commission can help lead Oklahoma into a brighter future.

“I’ll be a watchdog for Oklahomans at the Commission. Too often, citizens are overlooked in favor of a narrow special interest group that puts its interests ahead of what’s best for the people of our state. I pledge to work my hardest to make Oklahoma a place of bustling commerce and fair deals for the ratepayers,” she adds.

A fifth generation Oklahoman and Woodward native, Murphy now lives in Edmond where she owns and operates an oil and gas legal practice. She graduated in 1983 from Oklahoma State University with a degree in geology. After working for 10 years as a geologist, she earned her law degree cum laude from Oklahoma City University in 1993.

Murphy's website is www.danamurphy.com .

Worldwide Quran News Coverage Surprises Some

From The Tulsa World ~ Marjan Seirafi-Pour and state Rep. Rex Duncan can agree on one thing. Both were astounded by the state, national and international attention given to the lawmaker's refusal nearly two weeks ago to accept a centennial copy of the Quran, the holy book of the Islamic faith. The Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council, whose members are Muslim, offered copies of the Quran to 149 state lawmakers, and 35 declined, said Seriafi-Pour, a Norman resident and the council's chairwoman. Most of those who declined, including Duncan, are Republicans. Read all of Mick Hinton's story at www.tulsaworld.com.

McCarville On 'The Verdict' Sunday Morning

Mike McCarville (left) is the guest on The Verdict this weekend and explores a number of issues, including the Gene Stipe scandal, the Oklahoma Lottery, and the U. S. Senate race. Next week, Mike rejoins the show to discuss the influence of the political blogosphere this election cycle and the 2008 presidential race.

Hosts are Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett (center) and attorney Kent Meyers (right).

The Verdict can be seen on Cox Communications Channel 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday at 9:00 a.m., Monday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and Friday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

It airs on Cox Communications Channel 3 in Tulsa on Sunday at 9:30 a.m., Monday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and Friday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

OU Upends Texas A&M 42-14

The Sooners took care of Texas A&M 42-14, dominating after a slow start.

Texas Outlasts Cowboys 38-35

The Texas Longhorns pulled one out of the hat, defeating the OSU Cowboys with a last-second field goal, 38-35. The game was OSU's to lose, and they did so. They were ahead 21-0 and held a 21-point lead at the end of the first half. Texas stormed back, however, and dominated the second half. OSU's kicker missed a field goal late in the 4th quarter, opening the door for the Texas victory.

The Hill: Schumer Praises Andrew Rice Campaign

From The Hill's Current State-by-State Senate Race Assessment ~ Oklahoma: With Senate Democrats’ growing list of pickup opportunities in 2008, state Sen. Andrew Rice’s (D) uphill campaign for Sen. James Inhofe’s (R) seat has flown largely under the radar. But it appears Democratic leaders and his opponents are starting to take notice. At a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) suggested Rice might make the state competitive. Rice raised about $310,000 in the third quarter, a figure Schumer found encouraging. “State Sen. Rice in Oklahoma is a good candidate,” Schumer said. “He’s going to surprise people.” Also on Wednesday, the state Republican Party launched a website (www.andrewricesweb.com) attempting to tie Rice to a series of left-of-center groups, including MoveOn.org and Daily Kos.

Report: Blog-savvy Pros Fuel Campaigns

The political blogosphere is in high gear this election cycle and campaigns have hired blog-savvy "techies" to make certain their candidate is front and center. Get the details by clicking on the story in our scrolling news site at right or by going to http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/11/03/MNSFT5J6F.DTL

Poll Results: Majority Would Have Accepted Quran

UPDATED ~ A majority of those who voted in The McCarville Report Online's poll say they would have accepted a copy of the Quran from The Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Committee.

The Quran controversy erupted when some lawmakers declined to accept copies of the Muslim holy book inscribed with the Oklahoma Centennial seal.

In our just-concluded poll, 58 percent said they would have accepted and kept a copy, while 34 percent said they would have declined to accept a copy. Seven percent said they would have accepted a copy, then discarded it. One percent said they don't know what they'd do.

It's OSU vs. Texas, OU vs. Texas A&M

Huge football day, as the OSU Cowboys take on Texas and the OU Sooners take on Texas A&M in games televised by ABC. The Cowboys kick off at 2:30 p.m., the Sooners at 7 p.m.

Rinehart Sought PAC Donation, Engineer Testifies

Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart asked a contributor for more money during his 2004 campaign, even though he already had given the maximum amount allowed by law, that donor testified this morning in Rinehart's preliminary hearing. Midwest City engineer Robert Larkin said he gave Rinehart three checks while he was running for county commissioner, but the candidate wanted more. Later, Larkin struggled to recall details of conversations with Rinehart. Read the entire story at http://www.newsok.com/.

Brown, Cannaday Deride 'Reckless' Tax Cuts

State Reps. Ed Cannaday, (left) Porum Democrat, and Mike Brown, (right) Fort Gibson Democrat, said today Oklahoma "cannot expand its economic base and provide the needed labor force and infrastructure while instituting reckless tax-cutting programs."

They made their joint statement after officials of the Oklahoma City and Metro Tulsa Chambers of Commerce announced their opposition to expanding state tax cuts at a recent hearing.

"It is encouraging to see business leaders acknowledge something that many of us in the Legislature have been proclaiming for some time," Cannaday said.

The chambers announced their position during a House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee interim study on the issue of restructuring the Oklahoma Opportunity Fund. The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently ruled that the fund's Review Board was unconstitutional because it violates the separation of powers portion of the Oklahoma Constitution.

As part of the review of the Opportunity Fund, lawmakers focused on funding for projects that provide "a significant economic benefit to the state." The goal of the Opportunity Fund was to have state money that can be made immediately available to entice businesses to locate in the state.

"When officials were asked about the potential conflict between the Legislature's continued focus on cutting state taxes and expanding this business incentive program, the presidents of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Chambers of Commerce both stated unequivocally that having low state taxes is not an incentive that spurs a state's economic growth," Cannaday said. "Roy Williams said that 'cheapest is not best.' I hope my colleagues will take note."

Coburn: Deficit Spending Worse Than Abortion

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) says Congress’s deficit spending has become a moral issue surpassing abortion because it saddles future generations with massive debt before they’re born. Read the entire story at http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/coburn-deficit-spending-is-bigger-moral-issue-than-abortion-2007-11-02.html

Gumm: Extend Tax Break To Wives Of Veterans

One of the first bills filed for the 2008 session of the Oklahoma Legislature would extend an important tax break to the surviving spouses of disabled veterans, Senator Jay Paul Gumm said today.

Gumm filed Senate Bill 1131, which would allow surviving spouses of veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability to keep the veterans’ sales tax exemption.

Gumm was the primary author of the bill that created the sales tax exemption for disabled veterans on every purchase up to an annual total of $25,000. The Democrat from Durant was named “Senator of the Year” in 2006 by the Oklahoma Department of Disabled American Veterans for his work to pass the original law.

The lawmaker said surviving spouses of disabled veterans endure extra hardships on the passing of their spouse. “Not only do they lose their soul mates, they often face severe financial difficulties,” he said. “The financial hardship is increased when the tax exemption dies with their loved one. It is an extra burden they should not have to bear.”

Jones Trailer Theft Figure Faces New Charge

Justin Lewis, the City of Tecumseh employee who faces trial on a charge that he knowingly concealed the stolen trailer being used by Gary Jones in his campaign for auditor and inspector a year ago, now faces a new charge.

Pottawatomie County records show Lewis is charged with driving 105 miles per hour in a 65 miles per hour zone. He's faced previous traffic charges.

Lewis faces a felony charge carrying up to five years in prison after the trailer, belonging to a supporter of Jones, was found on his property after being stolen from downtown Tecumseh, hometown of Jones' opponent, incumbent Jeff McMahan. No charges have been filed in the theft of the trailer; authorities say they continue to investigate that aspect of the case.

Coburn: SCHIP Debate About Politicians, Not Kids

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), a practicing physician, released the following statement today after voting against a bill, H.R. 3963, that fails to insure poor children first.

“This vote shows that the S-CHIP debate is about the politicians, not the kids. Congress could have easily sent President Bush a compromise bill he would have signed. Unfortunately, too many politicians seem to be concerned that settling this dispute will contradict 30-second attack ads that depict one party as being on a mission to take health care away from children. What Washington politicians don’t understand is that building a political war room underneath uninsured children harms the integrity of Congress more than either party. We were elected to solve problems, not use difficult issues to raise campaign funds,” said Dr. Coburn, a practicing physician who provides free health care to children and other citizens in his hometown of Muskogee.

“In recent weeks, Congress’ actions in this debate have revealed its true motives. Last week, the House rushed through a ‘new and improved’ S-CHIP bill that insured 400,000 fewer kids at an additional cost of $500 million. In the previous week, I invited my colleagues to prioritize securing health insurance for kids ahead of funding for their own special interest pork-barrel projects. According to the Washington Post, the final tally was ‘Pet Projects 68, Kids 26,’” Dr. Coburn said.

“Instead of setting aside money for pork in a reserve fund that could be used for something more important, like health insurance for children, the Senate went ahead and protected, among hundreds of projects, $130,000 for the National First Ladies’ Library in Ohio, $500,000 for a ‘Virtual Herbarium’ in New York and $50,000 for an ice center in Utah. Are we to believe the uninsured would rather go ice skating or tour a First Ladies’ Library than have health care?” Dr. Coburn asked.

“Today, the Senate refused to even debate an amendment I offered that would have redirected funding for all congressional earmarks funded through the Department of Health and Human Services into the S-CHIP program,” Dr. Coburn said, adding that in the state of Iowa, the cost of earmarks in the Labor-HHS-Education bill – $157.4 million – could buy health insurance for each of the state’s 43,783 uninsured kids.

“I will support a bill that will expand coverage for poor children. However, if Congress wants to fundamentally change and expand the nature of S-CHIP, we need to be honest with the American people. To pay for this bill, we’d need to recruit 22 million new smokers at a time when we’re debating how to decrease the number of smokers in America. We are also proposing in this bill to spend $4,000 of taxpayer funds to pay for $2,300 worth of care,” Dr. Coburn said.

Dr. Coburn has proposed providing every American family a $5,000 tax credit to purchase the health insurance of their choice within his comprehensive health care reform bill, “The Universal Health Care Choice and Access Act,” S. 1019. The bill lets individuals, not government bureaucracies, take charge of their own health care dollars and decisions.

Foshee Tops Senate Race Fundraising

Former Oklahoma City Councilman Jerry Foshee is the top fundraiser in the 3-way race for the Republican nomination for the State Senate District 45 seat, Ethics Commission records show.

Foshee reported he raised $26,100 in the reporting period that ended September 30th; he reported spending $26,466 and has $18,830 in cash on hand. He has raised a total of $45,296 for his campaign, including a $19,000 loan from himself.

GOP consultant Kyle Loveless reported he raised $6,426 in the 3-month period and $16,231 in total, including $8,300 in-kind, much of it from himself. He reported he spent $3,639 in the period and has $2,482 in cash on hand.

Retired Army Lt. Colonel Steve Russell reported he raised $10,204 in the first three weeks of his campaign (he announced in early September) and spent $8.50, leaving him with $10,091.50 on hand.

Immigration Law Protesters Gather At Capitol

Several hundred people met on the south steps of the Capitol today to protest House Bill 1804, one of the toughest immigration laws in the nation. "This country is not ours, but since we are here, we are going to fight for our rights,” said Isobel Sauceda, an illegal immigrant who came with about 10 other immigrants from work. Some protesters were legal, others were not.

Several state leaders spoke at the rally, including Rep. Al Lindley, D-Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma NAACP President Roosevelt Milton. The crowd, waving American flags, and many holding signs, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the national anthem and stood for a moment of silence.

Coffee: Lerblance Prison Bed Proposal 'Premature'

State Sen. Glenn Coffee, the co-president pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, said Thursday that prison legislation proposed by Democrat Sen. Richard Lerblance is premature.

“It is premature to choose a course of action for the Department of Corrections until the Legislature receives the report of the independent performance audit of prisons at the end of this year,” said Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

“Senate Republicans believe the first priority of government is to protect the public, and we will lead the effort to keep violent, dangerous, and repeat criminals off the streets and behind bars where they belong,” Coffee stated.

Centennial Celebration Tickets Available

To better accommodate Oklahomans interested in attending The Oklahoma RedHawks Statehood Fireworks Spectacular presented by the Oklahoma Centennial Commission and Bricktown Association, the RedHawks will make tickets to the free event available at the box office beginning tomorrow morning, November 2nd, the groups announced today.

"The response following our announcement to make the simulcast and firework spectacular available free to the public was exceptional," said Scott Pruitt, RedHawks minority owner. "We want people across the state to join us for the grand finale of the centennial celebration."

The Oklahoma RedHawks and the Oklahoma Centennial Commission announced last month that the sold out November 16th Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular concert series will be made available free to public through a partnership between the Centennial Commission and the Oklahoma RedHawks. The collaboration will also bring forth additional entertainment as well as the official centennial fireworks show.

The Oklahoma RedHawks Statehood Fireworks Spectacular presented by the Oklahoma Centennial Commission and Bricktown Association will take place November 16th at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Admission is free, but a ticket is required. The Sweet Adelines will open the evening entertainment at the ballpark with a pre-show at 6:30 p.m. and the simulcast of the sold out Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular concert taking place at the Ford Center will begin at 7:00 p.m. Following the simulcast, at approximately 9:00 p.m., four Oklahoma-based performers will take stage along third base. The line-up includes Oklahoma Centennial Rodeo Opry, Destan Owens, Horseshoe Road, and Bryan White. Following the conclusion of the performances, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Oklahoma RedHawks Statehood Fireworks Spectacular will begin from centerfield.

"We are proud to partner with the RedHawks as they open their doors for all of Oklahoma to experience the all-star line up at the Ford Center, as well as, highlight other talented artists from Oklahoma and host the much anticipated fireworks show," said Lee Allan Smith, chairman of centennial projects and events.

Tickets will be available beginning Friday, November 2nd through Friday, November 16th from 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the RedHawks ticket office located on the southwest plaza of AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. A maximum of six tickets will be available per individual. The event is also made possible through the support of KWTV News 9 and The Oklahoman.

Laws Require Special Driver's Licenses

From www.newsok.com ~ New laws taking effect today will require sex offenders and noncitizens to obtain special driver's licenses or identification cards. The Oklahoma Corrections Department will notify aggravated or habitual sex offenders that they need to get new licenses, which will have the words, "sex offender,” printed on them in three places. Offenders will have 180 days to obtain the new licenses, which must be renewed each year. Noncitizens who are able to prove they are in the country legally will receive licenses marked "temporary.” The licenses are good for four years or less.

Lerblance: Add 3,818 State Prison Beds

As prison overcrowding continues to plague the Department of Corrections (DOC), State Senator Richard Lerblance (D-Hartshorne) wants to tackle the issue head on by increasing space at Oklahoma prisons by adding approximately 3,818 beds.

“Government’s greatest moral obligation is to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens, and that includes making certain we are keeping criminals off the streets,” Lerblance said. “It is simply irresponsible to pass laws that will increase Oklahoma’s prison population and then not fund the bed space to hold these criminals.”

Lerblance said he crafted his legislation to reflect the projected growth in Oklahoma prisons over the next several years, using numbers from the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center.

“These numbers accurately reflect the anticipated growth in Oklahoma prisons and allow the Oklahoma legislature to act responsibly by funding the needs within the Department of Corrections,” Lerblance said. “Creating a safer Oklahoma starts with a responsible approach to public safety policy and that is exactly what this legislation does."

Lerblance explained a $309 million 25-year bond issue would be needed to secure the funding for the additional bed space, with the debt being paid by money appropriated to the Department of Corrections by the Oklahoma Legislature.

Tulsa Arrest Sparks New Immigration Law Debate

A U.S. citizen was arrested under the state's controversial new anti-illegal immigrant law overnight in Tulsa County, an opponent of the law said Thursday. The woman was arrested for transporting her boyfriend, who was an illegal alien, said the Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders. Under the law, which went into effect at midnight, it is a felony to knowingly transport an illegal alien. Read the entire story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071101_1__AUSci58616.

Coburn Ranked 43rd Most Influential Conservative

U. S. Senator Tom Coburn, the London Telegraph reports in an analysis, is the 43rd most influential conservative on a list of 100 top conservatives, and http://www.redoklahoma.org/ has the story.

Nation's Most Liberal Blog Defends Andrew Rice

Daily Kos, the nation's most liberal blog, again defends Democrat Andrew Rice in a new post. Rice, Oklahoma City state senator who seeks his party's nomination for the U. S. Senate to oppose incumbent Republican Jim Inhofe, is the target of a new Oklahoma Republican Party website that presents his ties to liberal groups. Daily Kos ridicules the site, as http://www.okpns.com/ reports this morning.