The Gadfly Bouncing Off The Wall
Television News: While generally I am a huge fan of television news, several recent reports have me bouncing off the wall. Report #1: Channel 4 in Oklahoma City aired a report about (gasp!) a rattlesnake that was found with its fangs removed and its mouth sewn shut. The breathless news anchors obviously felt great pain for the rattler, lamenting its condition and, even more breathlessly, reported its mouth was being unsewn and it would be taken care of, obviously meaning it would be treated gently. In my part of the world, "taken care of" when referring to rattlers has a whole different meaning. Report #2: Channel 5 anchorette in Oklahoma City reported that former House Speaker Lance Cargill resigned as speaker when the Ethics Commission began investigating his unpaid taxes. Wrong and extremely sloppy reporting.
Hoot: Though I live in the city, my wee (almost) acreage has huge trees, as do the adjoining lots of my neighbors. This week, we have been visited by a huge owl who appears to have an appetite for squirrels...at least, he keeps swooping them in the back yard. I find this exercise amusing, since the squirrels are far too fast for the owl, but my wife is upset. She loves to watch the (six) squirrels who visit us frolic and she'd just as soon the owl move on.
Wind: We have redefined "the wind comes whistlin' down the plain" in recent weeks. And, result of the December ice storm, every time the wind gusts, the small limbs come falling down. Yesterday, I policed the front yard twice. Turned my back, it had several new limbs upon it. I give up.
Diverson: I report all of the above as my way of getting my brain out of filing week at the Capitol and out of the Clinton-Obama slugfest. Hillary comes across thus far as something of a spoil sport and Barack, who limped across the finish line, is trying to get his gait back. John McCain continues to befuddle me.
Chicken/Egg: Others continue to ask whether this is a blog or a website. Hell, I don't know. A blog, to me, is a reel of opinions from many. A news website, to me, disseminates information. That's our thing. And when we "blog," as with this occasional column, we make it clear it's our opinion. Others, who aspire to be news sites, recognize no such differentiation. Vindication: GOP Chairman Gary Jones has said for six years that Jeff McMahan's 2002 victory, and 2006 as well, came as a result of funny money funneled into his campaign. Testimony in McMahan's federal felony trial makes it clear that was the case. In the opinions of many, Jones would have been elected auditor in 2002 had it not been for the illegal cash used to propel his campaign in the closing days. The McMahan saga, should the allegations about him and others be found true, is troubling on many levels and brings more dishonor to our state. Ixnay: Governor Henry says he, too, is opposed to the proposed Shawnee tribal casino on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City. His opposition, coupled with that of Mayor Mick Cornett and others, lengthens the possibility the casino won't get off the ground. Finally: Hillary Clinton threw in the towel and endorsed Barack Obama today. Obama Think: The Democratic nominee for president says a college education paid for by the government is the "birthright" of every American. God save the Republic; this man will give it away. Citty Citty Bang Bang: Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty says recent gang shootings mean we need more controls on the registration and ownership of guns by law-abiding citizens. He's been suspect in my mind for a while now and this bit of "it's the guns, not the criminals" malarkey confirms my suspicion. Citty seems of the opinion that criminals obey laws. Duh! Headline ~ Obama Ditches Press For Secret Meeting: Don't blame him; would have done the same thing myself.
Hoot: Though I live in the city, my wee (almost) acreage has huge trees, as do the adjoining lots of my neighbors. This week, we have been visited by a huge owl who appears to have an appetite for squirrels...at least, he keeps swooping them in the back yard. I find this exercise amusing, since the squirrels are far too fast for the owl, but my wife is upset. She loves to watch the (six) squirrels who visit us frolic and she'd just as soon the owl move on.
Wind: We have redefined "the wind comes whistlin' down the plain" in recent weeks. And, result of the December ice storm, every time the wind gusts, the small limbs come falling down. Yesterday, I policed the front yard twice. Turned my back, it had several new limbs upon it. I give up.
Diverson: I report all of the above as my way of getting my brain out of filing week at the Capitol and out of the Clinton-Obama slugfest. Hillary comes across thus far as something of a spoil sport and Barack, who limped across the finish line, is trying to get his gait back. John McCain continues to befuddle me.
Chicken/Egg: Others continue to ask whether this is a blog or a website. Hell, I don't know. A blog, to me, is a reel of opinions from many. A news website, to me, disseminates information. That's our thing. And when we "blog," as with this occasional column, we make it clear it's our opinion. Others, who aspire to be news sites, recognize no such differentiation. Vindication: GOP Chairman Gary Jones has said for six years that Jeff McMahan's 2002 victory, and 2006 as well, came as a result of funny money funneled into his campaign. Testimony in McMahan's federal felony trial makes it clear that was the case. In the opinions of many, Jones would have been elected auditor in 2002 had it not been for the illegal cash used to propel his campaign in the closing days. The McMahan saga, should the allegations about him and others be found true, is troubling on many levels and brings more dishonor to our state. Ixnay: Governor Henry says he, too, is opposed to the proposed Shawnee tribal casino on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City. His opposition, coupled with that of Mayor Mick Cornett and others, lengthens the possibility the casino won't get off the ground. Finally: Hillary Clinton threw in the towel and endorsed Barack Obama today. Obama Think: The Democratic nominee for president says a college education paid for by the government is the "birthright" of every American. God save the Republic; this man will give it away. Citty Citty Bang Bang: Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty says recent gang shootings mean we need more controls on the registration and ownership of guns by law-abiding citizens. He's been suspect in my mind for a while now and this bit of "it's the guns, not the criminals" malarkey confirms my suspicion. Citty seems of the opinion that criminals obey laws. Duh! Headline ~ Obama Ditches Press For Secret Meeting: Don't blame him; would have done the same thing myself.
Labels: Gadfly's Columns
posted by Mike McCarville @ 4:57 AM
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