Watts Refers Questions To Former Manager

Former Congressman J. C. Watts, who has said he is "looking at" the 2010 governor's race, today issued a memo telling recipients that his former campaign manager, Chad Alexander, is the contact for questions about the governor's race.

Alexander, also a former Republican Party chairman, sent the memo:

"To: Political Reporters, Editors & Producers. Re: J.C. Watts, Jr. Contact Information. Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr., requests all media seeking comments concerning the possible 2010 gubernatorial campaign or any inquiries into the 2010 governor's race be directed to Chad Alexander. Alexander is a former Watts' campaign manager and a longtime friend and associate. He also is former Republican party state chairman."

Alexander served as Oklahoma co-coordinator of John McCain's presidential race last year. Ironically, Democrats pounced, and Republicans recoiled, after statements by Watts last year that seemed to indicate he favored Barack Obama in the race; The Associated Press circulated a story saying Watts was considering casting his vote for Obama. Watts sought to clear the air following publication of those remarks, saying he had not endorsed Obama. But those remarks, and more recent comments criticial of Republicans in Congress, have stirred considerable discussion about him in GOP circles.

Benge Names GCCA Members

House Speaker Chris Benge today announced 22 appointments to the General Conference Committee on Appropriations.

Those named are Reps. Ken Miller, R-Edmond; Scott Martin, R-Norman; Doug Cox, R-Grove; Lee Denney, R-Cushing; Dale DeWitt, R-Braman; Jeff Hickman, R-Dacoma; Mike Jackson, R-Enid; Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City; Ron Peters, R-Tulsa; Randy Terrill, R-Moore; Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa; Tad Jones, R-Claremore; Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond; Steve Martin, R-Nowata, Osage and Washington Counties; Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore; John Auffet, D-Stilwell; John Carey, D-Durant; Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs; Larry Glenn, D-Miami; Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita; Neil Brannon, D-Arkoma; Danny Morgan, D-Prague.

Lucas Named Co-chair Of Rural Solutions Group

Congressman Frank Lucas announced today he will serve as a co-chair of a new group charged with the task of addressing issues facing rural America.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) created the Rural America Solutions Group.

Lucas along with two other Committee Ranking Republicans, Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) and Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), will serve as co-chairs.

President Obama promised to hold a summit on rural issues within his first 100 days in office, but has not done so.

The Rural America Solutions Group will focus on solutions that create jobs and economic opportunities as well as address the unique challenges rural communities face.

Coffee Names GCCA Members Today

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee named the 23 members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to the General Conference Committee on Appropriations today. They are: Senators Mike Johnson, chair; David Myers, vice chair; Patrick Anderson, Randy Bass, Brian Bingman, Randy Brogdon, Kenneth Corn, Brian Crain, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mary Easley, John Ford, Jay Paul Gumm, James Halligan, Ron Justice, Charlie Laster, Debbe Leftwich, Richard Lerblance, Mike Mazzei, Susan Paddack, Jim Reynolds, Gary Stanislawski, Anthony Sykes and Jim Wilson. Coffee and Todd Lamb are ex officio members.

Boren Rejoins House Armed Services Panel

Congressman Dan Boren says he will rejoin the House Armed Services Committee to fill an open seat He took a temporary leave of absence from the panel earlier but retained his seniority.

As the Armed Services Committee gets set to discuss the next Defense Authorization and Defense Appropriation bills this spring and summer, this committee assignment could mean millions more in federal funding for Oklahoma’s military institutions and service members, Boren said.

He added he expects to serve on the committee for the next 1 to 5 months. Boren will retain both his current seats on both the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Natural Resources Committee while serving on Armed Services.

Poll: Oklahomans Not Impressed By Obama

The Tulsa World reports that Oklahomans remain unenamored with their new president based on a just-released poll.

Fewer than half those surveyed by SoonerPoll.com on April 23-26 said they approve of the way Obama is doing his job, and most were skeptical about his administration's plans to turn around the economy and reform government.

The survey of 318 likely voters has a 5.5 percentage point margin of error.

Only 47 percent said they approved of Obama's job performance, while 48 percent disapproved.

Thirty-six percent said they strongly disapproved.

The Oklahoma results contrast sharply with national polling, which shows about two-thirds of Americans approve of Obama's job performance.

"Oklahomans are very polarized," said SoonerPoll.com President Bill Shapard. "Two-thirds of Democrats said they approve of Obama. That's in line with national figures. Among Republicans, only 25 percent approve of him."

Read more at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20090429_16_A1_OLHMIY212294.

Gun Owners See Limbaugh 'Red Flag'

To the shock of gun owners, talk show host Rush Limbaugh has become a spokesman for the Humane Society of of the United States (HSUS). They accuse him of abandoning them for an organization focused on opposing hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Twenty-eight groups representing millions of hunters and sportsmen are demanding that the conservative radio commentator end his collaboration with the HSUS and stop "helping them to mainstream their image in the minds of reasonable people."

The HSUS is considered a foe of groups supportive of gun rights which is said to have a secret agenda to end all hunting in the U.S. Millions of hunters and sportsmen that are represented by organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Sports Alliance have prevailed up Limbaugh to end the public-service radio spots which include cracking down on dogfighting and other animal cruelty crimes.

Supporting an organization such as HSUS is out of character for Limbaugh, who usually concentrates on politics. Just the fact that he made the recording for the organization became a red flag for gun owner organizations. It is considered a part of an anti-sportsman agenda.

Read more at http://www.examiner.com/x-2547-Watchdog-Politics-Examiner~y2009m4d29-Gun-owners-being-deserted-by-Russ-Limbaugh.

Nielsen: MSNBC, CNN Ratings Plummet

MSNBC and CNN’s primetime news programs have suffered an incredible nosedive in ratings since Barack Obama was elected president, Newsmax reports.

Ratings for “Countdown With Keith Olbermann” on MSNBC at 8 p.m. have plunged a dizzying 42 percent since October, shortly before the election. CNN’s 8 p.m. show, now being hosted by Roland Martin, has seen a 49 percent plunge over that time period, while “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox News has dipped only 15 percent, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Bill O’Reilly’s 8 p.m. show remains the top-rated cable news program, averaging 2,650,000 million households per night in April, more than the combined totals for Olbermann’s program (938,000) and CNN’s 8 p.m. offering (613,000) — with more than a million households to spare.

In the key demographic of viewers 25 to 54 years old, Olbermann has lost 53 percent of his average nightly audience, a precipitous plunge. Rachel Maddow, who follows him at 9 p.m. on MSNBC, has lost an astounding 65 percent of her 25-to-54 audience since October, and her 819,000 households in April compare poorly to Sean Hannity’s 1,953,000 households on Fox.

O’Reilly has also trounced Olbermann among viewers aged 35 to 64 in April, with 1,724,000 viewers, down 19 percent since October. Olbermann suffered a 49 percent drop in that demographic and had 1,151,000 viewers.

Read more here.

Papers Ask Employees To Take Unpaid Furloughs

From www.tulsaworld.com ~ Community Publishers Inc., parent company of several area newspapers, has announced that it has asked employees to take five-day unpaid furloughs between May 1 and July 31, according to a story posted Tuesday on the Broken Arrow Ledger’s Web site.

The cost-cutting move was prompted by declining advertising revenues related to the national recession, the story says.

Clear Channel Cuts 590 More Jobs, Five In OKC

Clear Channel Communications, one of the nation's largest radio station owners, said Tuesday it is cutting 590 jobs, including some on-air personalities, in its second round of layoffs this year due to reduced budgets by major advertisers. The cuts brings the total of jobs cut by the company this year to 2,540.

There's no immediate definitive word on how the company's Oklahoma City stations, including the news/talk flagship KTOK, is affected, if at all. The company also operates several FM stations. Word from industry sources, however, indicates that five employees were cut, including two FM on-air personalities. There's been on official confirmation of that, however.

Clear Channel's parent company, CC Media Holdings Inc., also said it will suspend its 401(k) match for all employees for the rest of the year, starting Friday. However, if the company hits 90 percent of its budget goals at the end of the year, the matches will be retroactively restored, a company spokeswoman quoted by The Associated Press said.

The latest cuts represent 2.7 percent of company's total work force of 22,100. They affect operational jobs like engineering, accounting and customer service, all in the radio division. The company also has an outdoor advertising division, which sells items like billboard space and wasn't affected by the job cuts.

The previous cuts of 1,850 jobs came in January; that was 9 percent of its workforce, and were also in the radio division, mostly in sales. In Oklahoma City, two veteran KTOK producers with 40 years of service between them were among those who lost their jobs.

Clear Channel didn't break out the latest cuts by geography or job function, but said they do include some on-air personalities, whose identities weren't disclosed. Employees were notified of the cuts Tuesday. In Oklahoma City, the word came from Market Manager Bill Hurley during a hastily-called all-employees meeting late this morning.

McClendon's Chesapeake Pay Questioned

By Jerry Bohnen/NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ The $112 million dollars in salary, bonus and stock paid last year to Aubrey McClendon, CEO of Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy company, is making the kind of news the company probably doesn't want.

The headline in today's edition of the Wall Street Journal boldly pronounces, "Chesapeake Holders Denounce CEO's Pay".

The paper quotes stockholders who are angry after learning payment details from Chesapeake's proxy statement. The statement indicated McClendon received a $975,000 base salary, a one-time $75 million bonus and $32.7 million in stock. Plus, there was a deal to buy a collection of maps and artwork valued at $12.1 million from McClendon.

One shareholder was quoted as calling the proxy statement a "shameful document." The statement was prepared for the company's annual meeting in June.

Fallin Poll: She Leads Watts, Brogdon

Supporters of Congresswoman Mary Fallin are touting the results of an in-house poll by The Tarrance Group that measures her strength against former Congressman J. C. Watts as speculation swirls that he may enter the Republican primary for governor.

Fallin and Senator Randy Brogdon of Owasso have announced they are running. Watts has said he's thinking about it and may make a decision in a few weeks.

The poll reports, "In a trial ballot with Mary Fallin, J.C. Watts, and Randy Brogdon, Fallin has 48% support, including 23% 'definite' support. Watts has 34% support, including 15% 'definite' support and Brogdon receives 4% support, including 2% 'definite' support. The remaining 13% of the Republican electorate is undecided."

The poll also reports that Fallin has a 77 percent favorable rating and Watts has a 79 percent favorable rating.

Fallin, the poll shows, "has majority support from key regions like the Oklahoma City DMA (64%) and from key GOP primary electorate demographic groups like seniors (53%), weekly church attendees (54%), and veterans (54%)...Fallin and Watts are well known and well liked by Republican primary voters. However, on a trial ballot, GOP primary voters prefer Mary Fallin to J.C. Watts by a double digit margin."

Schwartz Criticizes Henry On Lawsuit Reform

Rep. Colby Schwartz today challenged Governor Henry's claim that he supports efforts to rein in frivolous lawsuits.

“It seems Governor Henry supports reducing frivolous lawsuits until the moment an actual bill reaches his desk to do that – and then he immediately vetoes it,” said Schwartz, R-Yukon. “It’s unfortunate that the governor continues to oppose common-sense reforms that would target bogus lawsuits while preserving access to the courts for legitimate claims.”

House Bill 1570, by Schwartz, would have simply required an expert opinion confirming professional negligence before a lawsuit can be filed.

Henry vetoed the bill even though he signed similar legislation applying only to medical malpractice cases in 2004. That law was later thrown out by the state Supreme Court in 2006 because it was too narrowly tailored and applied to just one industry.

To resolve that problem, House Bill 1570 would require an expert opinion in all cases, regardless of industry.

“This legislation was clearly constitutional and would have been successful in driving down junk lawsuits based on the results of the 2004 law,” Schwartz said. “The governor knew this and still chose to side with special interests instead of working Oklahomans.”

Schwartz noted the 2004 law resulted in a significant decline in lawsuits. In 2007, officials with Oklahoma City-based Physicians Liability Insurance Company (PLICO) said the number of lawsuits filed against physicians in Oklahoma dropped roughly 40 percent after the law went into effect, according to The Journal Record.

Noted Quote: This Will Be News To Brogdon, Fallin

"I think Republicans are not satisfied with the (gubernatorial) choices.” ~ Former Congressman J. C. Watts, quoted in today's The Oklahoman on whether he will join Senator Randy Brogdon and Congresswoman Mary Fallin in the Republican primary for governor.

On his blog, KTOK afternoon host Mark Shannon observes, "J.C. Watts is sounding like he'll run because (he says) people have told him they're not satisfied with the candidates. And who are these people? People he knows that want him to run. He'll have to explain why he refused to openly support John McCain initially, and alluded to possibly voting for Obama."

The Gadfly On The Wall

History: It was 37 years ago on Monday that I resigned as assistant news director at KWTV and joined the U. S. Senate campaign of Dewey F. Bartlett, the former governor I had served as press secretary in both the governor's office and the 1970 reelection campaign we lost. Bartlett served one term in the Senate and was preparing to seek a second (I was his campaign manager) in 1978 but was forced to withdraw in 1977 while battling lung cancer. He died in 1979 three months after leaving office.

More History: It was 23 years ago that I resigned as executive director of the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC) as we prepared to move its operations to Washington from Oklahoma City. It's true: Washington held no allure for me then and it doesn't now. NABPAC flourishes today as a major player on the Washington scene. Proud to have been there when it was founded and to have played a role in its growth.

Spare Us: Had enough of the media pandering over offspring of the Sarah Palin and John McCain families? The actions and words of both daughters are (insert your own adjective here).

Flaming Lips: Some folks are ablaze over the controversy involving the state song by this group, but I'm not sure it's them.

The Verdict: I taped an edition of this show last week with attorney John Coyle and, as we did on The Verdict eight years ago, mildly debated the issue of legalizing drugs. Coyle's for, I'm against. Claim to fame: It was my 13th appearance on The Verdict; Coyle's right behind me at 12. Brad Henry (at 11 or so), eat your heart out.

Oh Yeah: In a couple of weeks, I head to Phoenix to join the NRA's broadcast team at the organization's annual meeting. Last year in Louisville, we rubbed elbows with Ollie North, Ted Nugent, Wayne LaPierre and others. Two years ago in St. Louis, our guests included Lee Armey (the "Gunny" of History Channel fame) and Edmond country and western singer Ty England. Best part of the annual meetings: Row after row of guns, guns, guns.

Defend The 2nd Amendment: Congressman Tom Cole has an online petition drive going at http://www.defendthe2ndamendment.com/. If you believe in the right to keep and bear arms, check it out and sign up.

Duty Calls: Grandson Colby, the Navy Seabee, is in California in training for a second tour of duty in Iraq. This time, Colby goes with his entire unit; the first tour, he was detached for duty with another unit.

Noted Quote: Defend The 2nd Amendment

"The threat to our individual right to bear arms is immediate and real. That's why I've started an online petition demanding President Obama faithfully execute his duty to defend the Constitution and our individual right to bear arms. Since taking office, President Obama's administration has been quick to blame American gun owners and manufacturers for the violence committed by Mexican drug-runners south of our border. No wonder, when Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel announced the Obama strategy just days after his election: 'never let a serious crisis go to waste... it's an opportunity to do things you couldn't do before.'" ~ Congressman Tom Cole, R-4th District

To sign Cole's petition, click here.

Anti-Coffee Ad Donors Are Mysterious No-names

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee's critics spent about $80,000 on ads attacking the state Senate leader and used a Texas advertising firm favored by Oklahoma Democrats to create them, records show.

The critics, operating as "Citizens For Transparency," is "a secretive organization whose only identified members are a 24-year-old substitute teacher and a two 21-year-old University of Oklahoma students," The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reports today.

Read all of Clay's article at http://www.newsok.com/anti-glenn-coffee-ad-details-murky/article/3364375?custom_click=pod_headline_ae.

Federal Jury Acquits Randall Erwin

A federal jury in Muskogee has acquited former State Rep. Randall Erwin of seven felony charges.

The jury, the second one to hear the case against Erwin, found Erwin innocent on counts of conspiracy, money laundering and failure to provide honest public service.

Erwin was accused of involvement in the conspiracy involving southeastern Oklahoma businessman Steve Phipps. Phipps, former State Senator Gene Stipe and former Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan all were implicated in the federal investigation. McMahan and his wife just began serving prison terms after their convictions.

Ron Black: Autism Insurance Coverage DOA

We kind of knew that this would not be the year to see autism coverage mandated, nor really is there a chance next legislative session.

Opinion By Ron Black

But the rally for health care reform proved that once again, it's all about the money - all about cash flow rather than human life.

It is ironic that the Chambers of Commerce and Pam Peterson are going at it over the issue of human life, but children with autism don't mean much to the pro-lifers I suppose. Heck, I am seriously pro-life but the irony of how folks are up at arms over stem cell research on embryos but couldn't give a rats ass about kids with disabilities such as autism is staggering.

We members of the pro-life community love the little babies, we love them as they are in their mother's wombs, but once they are born, they are on their own and clearly someone else's problem.

Yes, I know. It isn't the "conservative" thing to require insurance companies to cover anything, but as a conservative, aren't there principles more important than just cash flow? Child labor laws were enacted for just such a cause. Perhaps child labor laws should be repealed for children with autism?

Ron Black is a consultant, blogger and commentator and creator/host of "Wild Oklahoma" radio and television.

Henry Vetoes 10th Amendment Resolution

Governor Henry has vetoed a legislative resolution that suggests Oklahoma should return federal tax dollars to Washington and that past and present U.S. leaders violated the U.S Constitution and committed crimes against the states.

The resolution was billed as an expression of support for the 10th Amendment, which deals with the rights of states.

Henry says it goes beyond that and makes allegations without offering explanation or evidence.

Federal Jury Hears Arguments In Erwin Case

Closing arguments were delivered this afternoon in the federal corruption trial of former Rep. Randall Erwin.

The southeastern Oklahoma Democrat faces seven felony counts, including conspiracy, money laundering and failure to provide honest public services.

This is the second federal jury to hear the case; a first jury failed to reach a verdict last year.

Erwin’s defense rested today without calling any witnesses, officials said.

Prosecutors allege Erwin took kickbacks from Steve Phipps in exchange for $1.1 million in taxpayer money Erwin earmarked for Phipps' businesses in 2003 and 2004. Phipps was involved with former Senator Gene Stipe and others in what prosecutors said was a criminal enterprise that included campaign contributions in the names of straw donors, money laundering and conspiracy. The case sent former Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan and his wife, Lori, to prison.

Image courtesy The Oklahoman.

The Coming Storm: 2010 Governor's Race

Mary Fallin is in.

Randy Brogdon is in.

J. C. Watts may be in (many suspect he will be) and more Republicans may join this trio in the GOP primary for governor next year.

Analysis By Mike McCarville

Jari Askins is in.

Drew Edmondson is in.

Is Scott Meacham in the Democratic primary race? And will other Democrats get into the primary?

It's a scenario for a political storm unlike any in recent memory: A sitting member of Congress (and the former lieutenant governor). The sitting lieutenant governor (and a former State House member). The sitting attorney general. A state senator. Perhaps a former member of Congress (and member of the Corporation Commission) and perhaps the sitting state treasurer.

Of these six announced and possible candidates, five have been on the statewide ballot before: Askins, Edmondson, Fallin, Meacham and Watts.

Meacham won election in 2006 after being brought to the Capitol by Governor Brad Henry as state finance director in his first term and subsequently appointed treasurer by Henry.

Brogdon has limited electoral history other than in his Owasso senatorial district, but he's a familiar face at GOP functions and has built alliances with party officials and workers.

On the Democrat side, Askins was the first officially in, sending a clear signal she's ready to use whatever of her personal exchequer she needs to help finance a move up the political ladder and she proved in her race for lieutenant governor that she's a tireless, effective campaigner and vote-getter.

An Askins-Edmondson primary would generate large expenditures, most believe. Some observers say this could be a race to remember, as Edmondson reaches for the brass ring to cap a long career in public office and top off his family legacy of elective office.

A GOP primary with Brogdon, Fallin and Watts also could be a benchmark. Some party officials and workers believe it could be a race that will split the party; Brogdon is appreciated by arch-conservatives, Fallin by conservatives and moderates and Watts by conservatives who like the idea of helping elect a black Republican.

Fallin clearly is the early favorite. Watts hasn't been on the statewide ballot in years, has not had much of a real presence in the state since he left Congress and angered some Republicans with his near-endorsement of Barack Obama in the presidential race and some of his statements about the GOP since. Brogdon's name identification statewide is nowhere near that of either Fallin or Watts, and whether he could raise enough money to change that given the star power of Fallin and Watts is an open question.

Some of Fallin's supporters argue that "it's her turn." They believe that Fallin was talked out of the 2002 governor's race in favor of Steve Largent and the same forces who influenced her then are now behind Watts. Further, they say, the stumbling Largent campaign gave underdog Democrat Brad Henry the governor's office. Others argue it was the presence of Independent Gary Richardson in the 2002 race that helped elect Henry. There's probably truth in both beliefs.

While the final fields on both sides are far from set, the major players with the possible exception of Watts and Meacham appear to have their sails in the political wind. The question, as always, is which of them will catch the wind and ride it into the governor's office.

'King Corn' A DVD Worth Watching

“America wants and demands cheap food.”

That statement, made by the operator of a large cattle ranch in Colorado, appears to be all too true as one watches and learns about the origins of much of our food in the fascinating documentary, King Corn (Mosaic Films).

By Andrew W. Griffin, Editor, Red Dirt Report

And yes, a lot of that “cheap food” that is the result of farm subsidies and commercial farming practices, is consumed by most folks in America. Much of it, notes this 2007 documentary, contains corn, usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup.

Two mild-mannered college-aged guys from the East Coast, Curt Ellis and Ian Cheney, decided to conduct a film experiment. Cheney and Ellis chose to move to Greene, Iowa, a small farming community where both, interestingly enough, had ancestral links.

While there, they got permission from a farmer to grow one acre of corn on his land, their “field of dreams,” so to speak. It’s Iowa, after all. Their goal? To plant it, tend to it and hopefully get an idea of where it ends up down the chain.

That process, including a number of interviews with farmers, doctors, scientists, ranchers and corn industry spokespeople, are all featured.

Oh, and the corn, the real star of this film? Well, Cheney and Ellis use genetically-modified seeds, nitrogen fertilizers and powerful herbicides to grow their crop.

Now, King Corn is not an expose or hit piece. There’s actually a very methodical Midwestern feel to the film that is different from the Michael Moore or Morgan Spurlock style of documentary filmmaking. It’s almost quiet, too quiet at times, with it’s acoustic folk music soundtrack and the nonobtrusive personalities of Cheney and Ellis, who look a little out of place at times.

But it is interesting to hear how in the 1970’s during the Nixon administration, there was a big push to expand agricultural production in the country. This led to bigger and bigger farming operations that pushed out the smaller farmers and changed the way food was grown in America. From the obese, grain-fed cattle, to the corn syrup that has replaced sugar cane as sweetener of choice.

Talking to a farmer near harvest time, the guys hear it straight, like only a farmer could, “We aren’t growing quality. We’re growing crap. Poorest quality crap the world’s ever seen.”

The farmer then says he doesn’t care what is done with his corn crop, he just cares about selling it.

And much of it goes to make that high-fructose corn syrup, which the guys actually make in their own apartment kitchen at one point.

In fact, it’s when Cheney and Ellis go to New York, where a lot of corn-laden products end up, that they meet a guy who comes from a family devastated by diabetes, the young man showing a photo of himself looking morbidly obese, a result of a steady diet of corn syrup-laden soda pop.

And then there is the interview with Earl Butz, Nixon’s agriculture secretary, who played a major role in shaping food policy. Butz, an Indiana native who was a controversial figure in his time, had no apologies for his policies. A man who lived through the Depression and knew a time when food took a big chunk out of an average family’s budget.

And what is impressive is that Ellis and Cheney and writer Aaron Woolf and their crew show that corn really impacts our lives in ways that we might never think about, from fast food to farming to our long-term health.

This is not your grandfather’s farm. This is an industrial operation and the acre planted by Cheney and Ellis are pretty much a speck in a sea of corn kernels heading to the grain elevator, bursting at the seams.

King Corn is a highly recommended documentary and educational tool. Repeated viewings may even be in order.

Jay Paul Gumm: Writing The State Budget

The most important job of the Legislature each year – writing the state budget – is largely undone. This, to me, is very strange as we face a significant budget shortfall.

By Senator Jay Paul Gumm

Cuts will be unavoidable; the challenge is to ensure the cuts do not unduly impact state services on which Oklahomans depend. I certainly hope during the final four weeks of session, more attention must be given to what should have been “job number one.”

Dozens of bills were considered by the Senate each day this past week. There simply are too many to mention, but I do want to share with you one measure that could mean big benefits for Oklahoma families.

Last year I passed a bill that created the Oklahoma umbilical cord blood bank. That would allow new parents to bank the umbilical cord blood from the birth of a child.

Umbilical cord blood, which is currently discarded as medical waste after the birth of a healthy baby, is rich in adult stem cells which can be used to treat a variety of diseases. More than 70 maladies that can be treated through therapies developed with adult stem cells.

It is beyond the financial means of most Oklahoma families to privately bank umbilical cord blood. A fully-funded public cord blood bank would allow every family who chooses to do so to bank cord blood, ensuring a wider genetic diversity of available adult stem cells.

Because of the budget shortfall, we have been struggling to find a funding mechanism for the cord blood bank. This week, a possible solution appeared as we considered a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Oklahoma voters to direct up to 10 percent of the Tobacco Trust Fund to pay for adult stem cell research.

I proposed an amendment that would allow the money to be used to fund the start-up of the cord blood bank as well. Given the fact the proposed amendment would allow Tobacco Trust money to be spent on adult stem cell research, it just makes sense to allow the money to be spent on the most efficient means of gathering adult stem cells.

The amended bill was approved and sent to a conference committee where a final version will be worked out. It is my hope the funding for the cord blood bank survives the conference committee; it would be a great first step in helping families fight more than 70 disorders today, and countless more in the years ahead.

Will Obama Blame This On U. S. Guns, Too?

Canadians who have recently returned from Mexico should be on alert for flu-like symptoms that could be connected to a severe respiratory illness, federal health officials said in issuing a travel advisory.

A severe respiratory illness appears to have infected 137 people in south and central areas of Mexico, with cases concentrated in Mexico City and three other areas, including 20 deaths, the Public Health Agency of Canada said.

Don't Bet On This Guy's Future

This is a photograph of President Obama's economic adviser, Larry Summers, taken during Thursday's Cabinet Room meeting with credit card industry officials.

Todd Goodman Seeks Democratic Party Reins

Todd Goodman, acting executive director of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, has announced his candidacy for the chairmanship.

"Our state - and our party - stand at a crossroads today," said Goodman. "Despite the serious problems that face us, including two wars, an uncertain economy and serious questions about our energy future, I believe we have an incredible opportunity to shape our future. The big problems force us to ask the big questions – and to find innovative answers.

"I am running for chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party because I believe those questions should be answered in a way that adheres to the Democratic principles of freedom, opportunity and security," he added.

"We need to shape a future in which all Oklahomans can achieve their dreams if they are willing to work hard and follow the rules. This is the essence of our Democratic values and it's ingrained in the spirit of our nation."

Goodman has worked for I.N.D.N.'s List and Senator Andrew Rice. He currently works for the Oklahoma Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee, where he has served as field director, voter file manager and communications director. In August 2008, he served as executive director for the Oklahoma delegation at the Democratic National Convention.

Suitable For Framing (Or Being Framed!)

Hat tip to http://tcoverride.blogspot.com/.

Flaming Lips' Song Controversy Ablaze

The House today killed a resolution to make Do You Realize?? by the Flaming Lips the state’s official rock song, but Governor Henry said he'll sign an executive order to that effect next week. Henry said the song was chosen in a public vote and won over other songs by a huge majority.

State Employee Arrested As Claims Questioned

Department of Rehabilitation Services Administrative Programs Officer Teresa Kruta has been suspended after her arrest by Oklahoma County authorities following an investigation of allegedly fraudulent claims filed against the state.

An investigator for the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office arrested Kruta. The arrest is based on information provided by DRS from an internal review and an independent investigation, officials said.

An agency official said Kruta is suspected of filing false, fictitious or fraudulent claims against the state.

DRS officials suspended Kruta after they identified questionable expenditures and asked for an investigation. That was completed on April 1 by the Office of Public Integrity in the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Henry Postpones Gilson Execution

Governor Henry today postponed the execution of Donald Gilson while he considers the Pardon and Parole Board's recommendation that Gilson's sentence be reduced to life in prison without parole.

Gilson was scheduled to die May 5th.

Henry granted the brief stay, he said, to give him more time to review the recommendation. He rescheduled the execution for May 14th.

Gilson was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 8-year-old Shane Coffman, whose body was found in a freezer in Newalla.

Cole Launches 2nd Amendment Website

4th District Congressman Tom Cole today launched a new website on which viewers can show their support of the 2nd Amendment by signing an online petition.

Cole began circulation of the petition at last weekend's Republican State Convention and reportedly secured more than 700 signatures.

Today, Cole said, "The threat to our individual right to bear arms is immediate and real. That's why I've started an online petition demanding President Obama faithfully execute his duty to defend the Constitution and our individual right to bear arms.

"Since taking office, President Obama's administration has been quick to blame American gun owners and manufacturers for the violence committed by Mexican drug-runners south of our border. No wonder, when Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel announced the Obama strategy just days after his election: 'never let a serious crisis go to waste... it's an opportunity to do things you couldn't do before.'"

The website is http://www.defendthe2ndamendment.com/.

Keith Gaddie: Whipsawed Republicans

The week of April 20 was notable for several reasons, but mostly for the return of the moderates in the Oklahoma legislature. Dreams of the most conservative elements of the Republican majority crashed on the rocks of moderation in the Republican-controlled legislature. And the grand ambitions at the beginning of the legislative session are strewn across the rocks like the splinters Odysseus’s boat crashed by the trident of Poseidon.

Opinion By Keith Gaddie

But there were no gods at work, just lawmakers and governors.

The most notable event was the stunning reverse of the Senate leadership on tort reform. Having failed to pass a tort reform law, Republicans led by Senate president pro tempore Glenn Coffee promised to send a measure to cap attorney’s fees to the people. New rules in the Senate assure that the leadership will not bring up a measure unless they have the needed votes to pass, so when SB 1602 was called on the evening of April 23, it was supposed to be a lock.

Then Senator Steve Russell found voice on the flaw of attorney fee caps – the government is limiting what an attorney can earn. The former army lite colonel took up his microphone, and spoke passionately about why he couldn’t support the measure. Two other Republicans crossed with him to beat SB 1602. Under the rules of the Senate, the measure is now dead until the next legislature in two years.

Earlier, the language of Representative Randy Terrill’s English-only bill was stricken and substitute language was inserted and passed that is less likely to set off a confrontation with federal laws. Rep. Terrill was “visiting” on the floor of the Senate in order to rally support for his cause, but that effort failed. The legislation is designed to protect the language of Shakespeare, which after all is only spoken fluently by 1.2 billion people around the world including many Oklahomans.

Meanwhile, Governor Henry who may or may not have recently returned from Mexico, brandished his terrible swift pen and vetoed the embryonic stem cell ban. This particular issue divides business Republicans from social conservatives. Embryonic stem cell research is being promoted by the national government, and there are many research dollars that medical researchers and local companies would love to harvest as we build centers of research excellence. Henry's willing to fight it out on this line, which is a surprise to some Republicans who viewed our phlegmatic governor as something of a political marshmallow.

So what are the lessons?

For Republican leaders, the lessons are ones known by congressional Republicans for years when they held the House and Senate: narrow majorities guarantee narrow opportunities. Republicans only have a 26-22 majority in the Senate. They can win losing one Republican – lose two, it’s a tie. Lose three, it’s an embarrassment.

The actions of this session drove a hard partisan wedge in the Senate. This leaves leadership with just one vote to burn when they pass legislation. Republicans cannot afford to have any unhappy members, or, alternatively, they can’t move divisive legislation. English-only passed in watered down form. Attorney fee caps failed because it was too severe a change in law. And the governor evidently is confident enough in his veto.

Playing With Fire: Calvey Campaign Ignites One

There's not much that's more important to a political candidate than his credibility and campaigns that issue misleading fundraising reports quickly learn they are playing with fire.

Commentary By Mike McCarville

Today, 5th District congressional candidate Kevin Calvey has a bonfire raging in his fledgling campaign. Calvey's campaign ignited today's blaze on April 14th with a news release claiming Calvey had raised "over $125,000 in three and a half weeks."

And nine days later, we learn from Republican Calvey's official Federal Election Commission report that the hyper-inflated figure, obviously used to try to show financial strength in his campaign, is based almost totally on Calvey's loan of $100,100 to his campaign. The fact is he's raised just $27,000 from donors, his finance report shows.

Here's the text of Calvey's news release:

For Immediate Release Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Contact: Dustin Gabus, Calvey for Congress 2010 Communications Director OKLAHOMA CITY – The Calvey for Congress 2010 campaign today announced the results for the first fundraising quarter. Kevin Calvey, who is running for the Oklahoma 5th District Congressional seat being vacated by Mary Fallin, raised over $125,000 in three and half weeks. Calvey kicked off the campaign early last month. "We are pleased with the strong response from donors in spite of the current recession and the short time period. Oklahoma conservatives are responding positively to our message of fiscal responsibility and common sense values," Calvey said.

"$125,000 Fuels Calvey Congress Campaign," The McCarville Report Online reported based on Calvey's misleading claim. Turns out the Calvey campaign tank had far less fuel in it than the news release claimed.

Asked today about the claim, Calvey told TMRO, “I’m very pleased with our fundraising performance in the first three weeks of our campaign. I’m proud to have invested some of my own funds into the campaign, and I’m proud to have raised what we did in such a short period. I expect to continue and expand this fundraising pace, and with well more than a year until the primary, I’m very confident that we will have the funds necessary to win the race.”

Calvey's FEC report shows he spent $846.65 in the 1st Quarter and had $126,328 in cash on hand as of March 31st.

$100,100 of it from the candidate himself, of course.

Henry's Stem Cell Veto Faces Override Attempt

UPDATE: The House today overrode the veto, but the Senate failed to do so. It appears likely that Governor Henry's late-night veto of a bill that would make it a crime for a scientist to perform any form of embryonic stem cell research will face an override attempt by the Legislature.

Henry vetoed the bill, opposed by the Oklahoma City and Tulsa chambers of commerce for what they claim would be its economic impact on scientific research, saying it has nothing to do with abortion as its supporters claim.

Canada Asks 'How Did Napolitano Get Her Job?'

From The National Post Of Canada ~ Can someone please tell us how U. S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano got her job? She appears to be about as knowledgeable about border issues as a late-night radio call-in yahoo.

In an interview broadcast Monday on the CBC, Ms. Napolitano attempted to justify her call for stricter border security on the premise that "suspected or known terrorists" have entered the U. S. across the Canadian border, including the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack.

All the 9/11 terrorists, of course, entered the United States directly from overseas. The notion that some arrived via Canada is a myth that briefly popped up in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, and was then quickly debunked.

Informed of her error, Ms. Napolitano blustered: "I can't talk to that. I can talk about the future. And here's the future. The future is we have borders."

Just what does that mean, exactly?

Just a few weeks ago, Ms. Napolitano equated Canada's border to Mexico's, suggesting they deserved the same treatment. Mexico is engulfed in a drug war that left more than 5,000 dead last year, and which is spawning a spillover kidnapping epidemic in Arizona. So many Mexicans enter the United States illegally that a multi-billion-dollar barrier has been built from Texas to California to keep them out.

In Canada, on the other hand, the main problem is congestion resulting from cross-border trade. Not quite the same thing, is it?

Dueling Groups Oppose, Support Glenn Coffee

ActionPlanOK has begun airing television spots in Oklahoma City suggesting trial lawyers are behind an advertising campaign launched by Citizens For Transparency that questions Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee’s finances.

“It’s no surprise now that courageous leaders who stand up for lawsuit reform, like Sen. Glenn Coffee, are being personally attacked,” the spots say.

Patrick Lively, executive director of Citizens for Transparency, the group that paid for the anti-Coffee ads, said they have nothing to do with lawsuit reform.

“I have no comment on tort reform,” Lively said. “That’s not my issue.”

The Citizens for Transparency ads, which appeared in the Tulsa World and on Oklahoma City television, called for Coffee to disclose details of his campaign expenditures and a loan he used to pay back taxes. Citizens for Transparency has not revealed its financial supporters.

ActionPlanOK was formed about five years ago. Its directors include former Rep. Robert Worthen, R-Oklahoma City, Tulsa County Director of Development and Governmental Affairs Terry Simonson and Tulsa businessman Mike Arrington. Worthen’s son Trebor Worthen, also a former state representative, works for AH Strategies, which is a campaign consultant for many Republican legislators.

Coffee, however, is not an AH Strategies client, Worthen said.

Fallin Tops Brogdon, Watts In Online Poll

Congresswoman Mary Fallin has won an unscientific, online poll of announced and possible Republican contenders fror governor next year conducted by KTOK radio talk show host Mark Shannon on his popular website.

Final results show Fallin with 51.4 percent, Senator Randy Brogdon with 26.5 percent and former Congressman J. C. Watts with 20 percent.

Fallin and Brogdon have announced they are running. Watts has indicated he's "thinking" about the race.

Tulsa's No. 1, OKC No. 10 On Best List

BatesLine reports that Relocate-America.com has named Tulsa No. 1 and Oklahoma City No. 10 in its new list of best cities in which to live.

The top 10 best cities: Tulsa, OK; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Pittsburgh, PA; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Huntsville, AL; Houston, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Lexington, KY; Little Rock, AR; Oklahoma City, OK.

Income Tax Rate Cut Advances, Passage Unlikely

From www.tulsaworld.com ~ Although the state faces a $900 million budget hole, the House approved a measure Tuesday that would drop the state's income tax rate from 5.5 percent to 4 percent.

Rep. Jeff Hickman, the House author of the bill, said passage of Senate Bill 315 keeps alive the possibility of an income tax cut, even though House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, and Gov. Brad Henry have said any tax cut seems unrealistic this year because revenues alone are estimated to be down more than $600 million compared with a year ago.

The bill heads back to the Senate and will end up in a conference committee as work develops on crafting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, said Hickman, R-Fairview.

It's estimated the state's actual budget deficit will be closer to about $300 million, as federal economic stimulus money and some available cash on hand could take care of about $600 million of the expected shortfall, he said.

Peterson, Chambers Of Commerce Square Off

The Tulsa and Oklahoma City chambers of commerce remained steadfast Tuesday in their opposition to a state ban on embryonic stem cell research, despite harsh words from a Tulsa-area legislator who called the organizations’ position “shocking.”

“The idea that Oklahoma should condone the destruction of innocent human life in the name of 'economic development’ is indefensible,” said Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa. “Our law clearly states that human life begins at conception. Now the chambers are advocating the destruction of a legally recognized life in exchange for research dollars, saying the state should determine the best use of a person’s life for the state’s purposes.”

Read the entire story here.

GOP Leaders React To Henry's Court Veto

House Speaker Chris Benge and Rep. Dan Sullivan, both Tulsa Republicans, commented this afternoon on Governor Henry’s veto of SB 609 and the immediate Senate passage of HJR 1041, which would send the requirement of Senate confirmation of any future appointees of the state Worker’s Compensation Court to a vote of the people.

“Requiring Senate confirmation of Worker’s Compensation Court judges is a reasonable reform that adds accountability to the current system,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. “We are disappointed in Gov. Henry’s veto, but are pleased that with passage of HJR 1041 the people of Oklahoma will likely be able to decide this issue themselves.”

“Worker’s Compensation judges are the only judges in the entire state who never appear on any ballot whatsoever,” said Sullivan, R-Tulsa. “Today, Gov. Henry sided with the status quo instead of a commonsense reform that would help ensure injured workers across the state are given their day in court in front of judges that are approved by their representative government. We will not let one person defeat this reform. We believe the people deserve to have their say.”

OSBI: Record Number Seek Firearms Permits

By Jay Marks/The Oklahoman ~ A record number of Oklahomans are seeking permits to carry concealed handguns.

More than 21,000 people applied for concealed-carry permits in 2008, the most since the program began in 1996, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

There have been twice as many applications so far this year as the same point last year, said Felicia Jackson, who manages the permit registry.

"This is kind of a nationwide phenomenon,” Jackson said.

Read it all at www.newsok.com.

In Time Of Victory, Why Is The Left So Angry?

By Byron York/Chief Political Correspondent, Washington Examiner ~ These should be happy times for liberals and the Democratic party as a whole. They control the White House and both houses of Congress, while opposition Republicans are leaderless and lost.

So why do some Democrats, particularly those farther to the left, appear so angry?

If you doubt it, just watch a few minutes of MSNBC, where the recent nationwide series of "tea parties" to protest federal spending and taxes set off an angry, almost manic response. The most telling came on Keith Olbermann's program, during which the actress Janeane Garofalo, who plays an FBI computer geek on “24,” denounced the tea parties as "racism straight up."

"Let's be very honest about what this is about," Garofalo said. "It's not about bashing Democrats. It's not about taxes…This is about hating a black man in the White House."

Read it all at http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/In-time-of-victory-why-is-the-left-so-angry-43315892.html.

'Juli's Law' Wins House Approval

Legislation that would require more than 30,000 violent criminals to provide a DNA sample for a state database was approved today by the Oklahoma House of Representatives as "Juli's Law," Senate Bill 1102, advanced.

The bill, by Senator Jonathon Nichols and Rep. Randy Terrill, would expand existing law requiring DNA samples to include individuals convicted of certain violent misdemeanor crimes as well as illegal aliens upon arrest for any crime.

“DNA is an important tool that could allow police to identify suspects in numerous cases,” said state Terrill, R-Moore. “Criminals don’t usually confine themselves to one type of crime. By casting a wider DNA net, I believe we will quickly identify individuals who have committed numerous crimes that remain unsolved.”

“DNA evidence was crucial to identifying the killer of OU student Juli Buskin,” said Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing. “By enacting this law, we will be able to solve similar crimes and provide closure to other families like the Buskins.”

DNA evidence led officials to a suspect in the 1996 rape and murder of Jewell “Juli” Buskin, a University of Oklahoma ballet student. Forensic evidence from the crime was linked to a man already incarcerated in Oklahoma on an unrelated charge.

“Justice delayed is justice denied for the families of victims,” Denney said. “While we cannot bring back a loved one, we must do all we can to identify these murderers.”

“Representative Denney feels very passionate about and has been a tireless crusader for this issue and was crucial to gaining final support for it this year,” Terrill said.

Under the bill, anyone convicted of the following violent misdemeanor crimes would have to provide a DNA sample for inclusion in the state database: assault and battery, domestic abuse, stalking, possession of a controlled substance, outraging public decency, resisting arrest, escape or attempting to escape, eluding a police officer, peeping tom, pointing a firearm, unlawful carry of a firearm, illegal transport of a firearm, discharging of a firearm, threatening an act of violence, breaking and entering a dwelling place, destruction of property, negligent homicide, or causing a personal injury accident while driving under the influence.

The bill would also apply to illegal aliens upon arrest for any crime.

The law will add another 32,500 samples to the state DNA database each year, according to estimates.

The bill passed the Oklahoma House today on a 73-18 vote. It now returns to the Senate.

Rasmussen Reports: Obama Splits Nation

OU Students, Faculty Explore 'Queer Theory'

From The Oklahoma Daily ~ Fifteen students and faculty explored queer theory at the “What is Queer Studies?” panel Thursday night, learning more about the first queer studies class at OU and brainstorming ways to bring similar courses to the university.

Held in the Women’s Studies Library, the panel discussed topics of OU’s first queer studies class, Queer Theory, which the Women’s Studies Program will offer this summer. Student requests for queer studies classes brought this new course to OU.

Sponsored by OU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Friends as part of OU Gay Pride Week, the panel featured Lisa Foster, panelist and women’s studies professor; Clemencia Rodriguez, women’s studies program associate professor; and Madeline Ambrose, women’s studies sophomore.

“‘To queer’ means to say ‘OK, instead of this person being cast as a straight person or being cast as a gay person, why don’t we look at the person?’” Foster said.

In an interview prior to the panel, Rodriguez, who will be teaching Queer Theory, said the course will study theories of modernization as well as studies of gay and lesbian social and political issues. Rodriguez said this critique of modernization, which led to the social norm of pigeonholing people in rigid societal roles, will allow students to better understand queer studies.

“All those categories and labels come from modernity, which basically forces you to categorize everything – gender, race, class, ethnicity, sexuality, etcetera,” Rodriguez said. “Most of the time our personal experiences actually spill over the categories.”

This new class will incorporate studies of social and political theories that evaluate social norms and how marginalized groups become viewed as second-class citizens, Rodriguez said.

“Gay and lesbian people also ... have been pushed by modernity to the status of second-class citizens” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I think that all these theories need to be looked at as a family of theories.”

Foster said Rodriguez’s method of teaching queer studies using broad social and political theories better allows students to discuss queer theory.

“In our [society], we have cognitive folders for racial struggle, civil rights and even gender struggle, and so I think when you start putting queer theory as a critical theory in conversation with these other theories, that helps make it more understandable and palatable,” Foster said.

Jessie St. Amand, English sophomore and OU GLBTF president, said the prospect of having more queer studies classes at OU shows the community matters in the university setting.

“It would mean that issues that relate to their lives are given privilege in academic departments for the first time,” St. Amand said.

Remembering April 19, 1995...

Gary Jones Wins Resounding Reelection Victory

State Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones won reelection today by a margin of almost 4-to-1 over challenger Cheryl Williams, who sought to move up from the vice chairman's seat.

Convention delegates also voted overwhelmingly to keep the party's presidential primary instead of replacing it with a caucus system, Jones said.

Senator Tom Coburn urged delegates to oppose the switch to a caucus, saying it will dilute the party's message and result in divisions among Republicans in the state.

Coburn also deflected criticism of his vote in favor of a federal bailout package, saying it was the right vote to cast for the security of the nation's financial system.

"If that's the only vote you've got against me, you're in trouble," Coburn said after a convention delegate chastised him for his support of the bill. "To do the right best thing for the country, rather than the right best thing for the politician, is a good way to lead this country."

Coburn also renewed his criticism of a federal report on right-wing extremism by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent this month to law enforcement officials that suggest military veterans and Americans with certain conservative beliefs could be potential terrorists.

"It's a signal of how disconnected Washington is from society," Coburn said. "Dissent is the purest form of patriotism. "The people she (Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano) was describing fits the description of every one of our founding fathers."

Senator Randy Brogdon, who said today he will join Congresswoman Mary Fallin in seeking the GOP nomination for governor, was given a warm reception by those in attendance.

Fallin told that she can be the conservative leader who moves Oklahoma forward. She said she shares the frustration of other conservatives over the Obama administration’s support of higher taxes and bigger government. With the president and Congressional liberals pursuing a series of “misguided” initiatives, Fallin said Oklahomans should not look to Washington for help.

“It is up to us on the state level to enact the reforms that will help insulate us from the misguided policies of the Obama administration and do what Oklahomans have always done: roll up our sleeves and do the right thing,” said Fallin. “Now is the time to put our state on the path to long-term economic stability and prosperity. It is up to us to get Oklahoma moving again, out of recession, out of stagnation, out of the past and into the future.”

Fallin listed the economy, education, health care and tort reform as some of the issues the state needs to focus on.

Former Speaker of the House Todd Hiett said he liked what he heard. “Mary is going to be a great governor,” said Hiett. “She has been serving this state for over 19 years, and she has always been an effective advocate for Oklahoma. She’s got what it takes to move this state forward.”

Poll: Fallin Leads Gubernatorial Pack

By Randy Krehbiel/Tulsa World Staff Writer ~ U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin appears to have a head start on four other possible candidates for the 2010 governor's race, a recent poll indicates.

Fallin, a Republican from the Fifth District, was the only one of the five with a favorable rating of more than 50 percent. She also had the highest name recognition.

"Even 20 percent of Democrats said they have a strong favorable impression of Mary Fallin, which is pretty high," said Bill Shapard, president of SoonerPoll.com in Oklahoma City.

The survey of 339 likely voters across the state was conducted Feb. 27-March 4. It has a 5.32 percentage point margin of error. The poll was not commissioned by the Tulsa World, although SoonerPoll has conducted other polls for the World.

The sample was 49 percent registered Democrats, 45 percent registered Republicans and 6 percent registered independents, reflecting the state's overall voter registration. All of those surveyed have voted regularly.

Respondents were asked their impressions of five potential gubernatorial candidates: Fallin; U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, a Republican from the Fourth District; state Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso; and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, both Democrats.

The poll was released at about the same time Brogdon said he's officially a candidate. He had indicated earlier he would join Fallin in seeking the GOP nomination.

Fallin was viewed strongly or somewhat favorably by 57 percent, including 75 percent of Republicans. More than 40 percent of Democrats were strongly or somewhat favorable toward Fallin, a two-term member of Congress who previously spent 12 years as the lieutenant governor.

Among Democrats, Edmondson had a combined favorable rating of 45 percent and Askins 32 percent.

Although the 2010 primaries are more than a year away, there is some indication that voter opinions are already taking shape, Shapard said. He noted that only 15 percent of the Republicans surveyed and 29 percent of Democrats said they are undecided about the race.

"A lot of people are already looking toward it," he said. There was some indication that voters don't know much about individual candidates. Even Edmondson, the state's attorney general since 1995, was unknown to more than a third of the respondents. Askins, the lieutenant governor since 2007, was unknown to nearly half. Cole was unknown to just more than half the respondents, with a favorable rating of 36 percent. Only one-fourth of those surveyed said they had no opinion of Fallin.

Frankly Speaking: Obama's Religious Beliefs

I was disturbed to discover that President Obama requested the religious symbols in Gaston Hall, most notably the inscription “IHS” that symbolizes the name Jesus, at Georgetown University be covered during his economic address earlier this week.

By Congressman Frank Lucas

This follows his comments in 2007 that America is “no longer a Christian nation.”

While the President continues to quote the scripture and reference his faith, it seems the White House is subtly attempting to remove God from our every day lives.

Georgetown University is a Catholic institution, founded by the Jesuits. Their heritage, much like ours, is based in religion and on religious doctrine. We are, after all, a nation founded on the principle that we are one nation, under God. And I, for one, am proud of that.

Georgetown University should not be forced to hide their religious beliefs in order to appease the President, just as the people of this country should not be forced to hide their religious beliefs in order to appease liberal interest groups determined to impose their anti-religion stance on the entire country.

The Founding Fathers had no intention of removing religion from our lives. In fact, many religious tenants are the backbone of our Constitution. Instead they wanted to ensure that we were all able to worship God as we pleased. How dismayed they would be to learn that our nation’s leader has taken to covering the name Jesus Christ at a Jesuit university.

Whether the President agrees with me or not, I still believe that we are a Christian nation- one nation, under God.

Noted Quote: Bolton On Obama

"(Barack Obama) is the most radical president in the history of the United States." ~ Former U. N. Ambassador John Bolton, during a Friday night interview with Mike McCarville and Ginny Simone on the National Rifle Association's "Cam & Company" Internet show broadcast at www.nranews.com and on Sirius Satellite Radio Patriot Channel 144.

Noted Quote: Obama's Gun Control Agenda

“The idea that American-manufactured firearms are responsible for the growing violence in Mexico isn’t grounded in reality, but the Obama Administration is using this violence as justification to require stricter licensing requirements and markings on firearms by U.S. manufacturers. The majority of the gun violence that is occurring in the drug wars in Mexico is the result of assault weapons, including fully automatic versions, which aren’t even available for sale in the United States. Many of these weapons are coming from other countries in Central and South America and deserters from the Mexican military. I am strongly opposed to placing more stringent requirements on U.S. gun manufacturers, especially when the evidence shows that they are not the problem. This is an instance of the Obama Administration using alternative means to place greater regulations on the manufacture and sale of legal firearms in the United States. I believe that my colleagues in the United States Senate understand this to be the case and will do as they have for the last 10 years and not ratify this treaty (Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials).” ~ U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe

ALG Acts On 'Witch hunt' Homeland Security Memo

Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today filed a Freedom of Information request demanding all documents related to the drafting of the controversial “right-wing extremism” memo.

“The American people have a right to know why the Department of Homeland Security is drafting political documents, by what process these documents were drafted, who was responsible for writing them, and who authorized it,” said Wilson.

Wilson believes that the memo “deliberately and unjustly targets mainstream political constituencies and unjustly labels their beliefs as 'extremist.'”

“The American people are not the enemy,” Wilson declared. “The only thing extreme is a government agency using the power of law to create boogeymen.”

In defining “rightwing extremism,” the Department of Homeland Security memo targets “groups, movements, and adherents… that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority” and “groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”

Said Wilson, “The memo describes beliefs held by millions, I believe a vast majority, of Americans as 'extremist,' and promises to work with 'its state and local partners over the next several months' to determine the extent and factors driving this purported 'rise.'”

“It is apparent that DHS is monitoring political speech and thought, whether on the Internet or via other forms of communications,” said Wilson.

Wilson says that the memo makes the accusations all the more chilling by not saying which groups are being investigated. “What is so disturbing, and why Americans across the country should be alarmed, is that the memo does not mention any specifics as to what groups or individuals are currently being investigated.”

Wilson notes that in similar memos, the names of terrorist organizations are often listed with specificity.

“It is unclear what, exactly, the Department is actually investigating in this case. It lists numerous potential motivations, mostly ideological, for violent acts, but does not illuminate on any actual planned attacks or any groups known to be planning attacks, or any groups with histories of perpetrating attacks that are currently conducting any types of operational recruitment, meeting, or planning attacks,” said Wilson.

“Which is, by definition, a witch hunt,” Wilson concluded.

I Dreamed A Dream

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Senators Blast Napolitano 'Extremism' Report

Oklahoma's two U. S. senators and five others today blasted Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and the department's report on "Rightwing Extremism."

Senators Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn joined David Vitter (R-La.), Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in sending a letter to Napolitano expressing serious concerns about the release of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report entitled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.”

“I was shocked to learn that this report classifies the brave men and women returning home from combat and operational deployments around the globe, who have been honorably defending our country, as potential terrorists,” Inhofe said.

“As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am especially proud of our soldiers returning home and I find it extremely regretful that they have been subjected to such an insult by this report. Furthermore, I find it reprehensible that within this report Americans who hold certain beliefs regarding issues such as immigration, the Second Amendment, and abortion fall under the report’s broad generalization of rightwing extremists, and are therefore considered a potential threat. I believe this report to be very offensive to many Americans.”

Russell Rips Napolitano Indictment Of Vets

Senator Steve Russell, a retired Army Colonel and veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, has authored Senate Resolution 42 which demands that President Obama’s Administration retract a Department of Homeland Security report that suggests returning veterans could be a threat to the country.

Russell said the report should be withdrawn and an apology issued to America’s returning war veterans.

The department's office of intelligence and analysis distributed the report to state and local law enforcement agencies April 7. The office regularly publishes intelligence analyses of domestic and international threats to the nation's borders and infrastructure.

The report drew sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers, conservatives and veterans groups, who said it unfairly targets returning military veterans and gun rights advocates without citing specific threats.

The report said the return of military veterans facing challenges with reintegrating into their communities "could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks."

"To characterize men and women returning home after defending our country as potential terrorists is offensive and unacceptable," House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said in a statement. "The Department of Homeland Security owes our veterans an apology."

A footnote in the report, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment," said that while there is no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are planning acts of violence, such acts could come from unnamed "rightwing extremists" concerned about illegal immigration, abortion, increasing federal power and restrictions on firearms -- and singled out returning war veterans as susceptible to recruitment.

“To suggest that we would terrorize the very nation we risked our lives for should give all Americans pause,” said Russell, Oklahoma City Republican.

“Yesterday afternoon I participated in a rally with thousands of good, law-abiding, God-fearing Oklahomans who voiced their concerns about the Federal government’s expenditures of our hard-earned dollars,” said Russell, referring to the Tea Party rally that was held on the steps of the State Capitol. “According to the Department of Homeland Security report, these people would also be considered threats to the national security.

“It is vital that we take a stand and express, in our constitutional right to peaceful assembly and our extreme displeasure and disagreement with the Administration on this important matter,” Russell continued.

“Taken at face value, this report from our Department of Homeland Security would qualify the vast majority of Oklahomans as threats to our national security,” Russell added. “If upholding traditional American values such as the sanctity of life, the right to bear arms and defending your country is extremist, then I stand so accused,” Russell concluded.

Senate Resolution 42 further states that the Oklahoma State Senate supports America’s military veterans, who have risked their lives preserving the nation instead of attacking it, and believes that the traditional American values under attack by the Obama Administration should be respected and revered by the federal government.

The resolution will likely be heard in the Senate on Wednesday.

Noted Quote: 'Trying to demonize political dissent'

“We recognize that many conservative gun owners will feel threatened by this Obama administration report,” said Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “It appears that DHS under Janet Napolitano is trying to demonize political dissent.”

GOP Convention Addresses Primary, Leadership

This weekend's Republican state convention in Oklahoma City could generate considerable heat.

With a contested race for chairman and a battle to change the GOP's presidential primary system, interest in the event has grown.

The two issues are intertwined; the group pushing the change from a primary to caucus presidential system includes many of the same who seek to oust incumbent Chairman Gary Jones in favor of challenger Cheryl Williams.

The group includes arch-conservative Republicans, including national committeeman James Dunn; Rep. Mike Ritze of Broken Arrow; Rep. Charles Key of Oklahoma City; and Charlie Meadows, a Guthrie house painter and leader of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee.

Burglar Flees As Armed Homeowner Shows Firearm

Portsmouth, Maine ~ When Christopher Duhan kicked open the back door of a Seabrook residence to commit a Monday afternoon burglary, he was met by the lady of the house who chased him off with her handgun, according to police.

Duhan, 28, of 147 Ashworth Ave., Hampton Beach, was arraigned Tuesday in Portsmouth District Court on a felony count of burglary.

According to an affidavit by officer Scott Mendes, Seabrook patrol officers were dispatched to a B Street residence at 12:30 p.m. Monday, for an "active" daytime burglary. The homeowner told police she was about to take a shower when she heard "loud crashing," so she grabbed her pistol and came face-to-face with the intruder, who she recognized as Duhan, a drug-dependent friend of a family member, according to court documents.

Gun in hand, the homeowner told Duhan she was calling the police before he fled across Route 1, police allege.

Based on a clothing and vehicle description, Seabrook police arrested Duhan at a Hampton hotel where he has been residing, according to the affidavit.

While seeking high cash bail, Mendes told the court that Duhan was on bail for two counts of receiving stolen property and was just arraigned for a second-offense charge of driving while intoxicated when he attempted to burglarize the Seabrook home.

Napolitano Seeks To Remove Foot From Mouth

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today sought to douse anger among conservatives and veterans groups like the American Legion over a report from her department warning of a rising threat of right-wing extremism.

"We are on the lookout for criminal and terrorist activity but we do not -- nor will we ever -- monitor ideology or political beliefs," Napolitano said in a statement amid charges that the department had done just that.

American Legion chief David Rehbein on Tuesday blasted the report as "incomplete, and, I fear, politically-biased" and took special aim at its warning that returning veterans having difficulties reintegrating society could be recruited by right-wing groups for possible terrorist attacks.

In a letter to Napolitano, Rehbein underlined the document's mention of Oklahoma City bombing author Timothy McVeigh's US Army background and called it "as unfair as using Osama bin Laden as the sole example of Islam."

"The American Legion is well aware and horrified at the pain inflicted during the Oklahoma City bombing, but Timothy McVeigh was only one of more than 42 million veterans who have worn this nation's uniform during wartime," said Rehbein, who group comprises some 2.6 million members.

Napolitano said she accepted Rehbein's request for a meeting and stressed: "I will tell him face-to-face that we honor veterans at DHS and employ thousands across the department, up to and including the deputy secretary."

The report said that fears of possible new restrictions on firearms, as well as troubled veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, "could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks."

Rehbein said the accusation, levelled in an April 7 document designed for local law enforcement officials, was "without any statistical evidence."

Taxpayer Tea Parties Mark Taxes Due Day; More Than 5,000 Jam Capitol Area To Protest

UPDATE: A crowd estimated earlier by Capitol police at more than 2,000 and later at more than 5,000 by officers of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol jammed today's anti-tax rally on the south steps of the Capitol. The State Capitol will be the scene at noon today of one of hundreds of "Taxpayer Tea Parties" held across the country and two dozen or so in Oklahoma to protest taxes and government spending, especially the bailout bill.

Rallies in the state include three in Tulsa and those in Duncan, Durant, Lawton, Miami, Muskogee, Norman, Poteau and Tahlequah.

The Wall Street Journal reports how the rallies have been organized: "Today American taxpayers in more than 300 locations in all 50 states will hold rallies -- dubbed "tea parties" -- to protest higher taxes and out-of-control government spending. There is no political party behind these rallies, no grand right-wing conspiracy, not even a 501(c) group like MoveOn.org.

"So who's behind the Tax Day tea parties? Ordinary folks who are using the power of the Internet to organize. For a number of years, techno-geeks have been organizing 'flash crowds' -- groups of people, coordinated by text or cellphone, who converge on a particular location and then do something silly, like the pillow fights that popped up in 50 cities earlier this month.

"This is part of a general phenomenon dubbed 'Smart Mobs' by Howard Rheingold, author of a book by the same title, in which modern communications and social-networking technologies allow quick coordination among large numbers of people who don't know each other."

Photo courtesy www.markshannon.com.

Coffee Defends Morgan's Mexico Trip

The Tulsa World's Barbara Hoberock reports that Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee says a recent trip that top aide Fred Morgan took with a private prison lobbyist was not improper.

Morgan, Coffee's senior policy adviser and a former Republican House member, traveled to Mexico in December with Brett Robinson, a lobbyist for GEO, a private prison company that has a facility in Lawton.

Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said that there is no validity to suggestions of wrongdoing surrounding the trip, adding that Morgan paid his own way: "They had a prior relationship before they were a lobbyist and a government official," Coffee said in an interview with the World. "I think people have personal relationships and they have lives outside of the Capitol building."

Robinson said the trip to Punta Mita, Mexico, involved Morgan and his wife, Page; Robinson and his wife, Karma, and another lobbyist and her husband.

OFRG Salutes Statewide Term Limits Measure

Oklahomans for Responsible Government today praised the House of Representatives for joining the Senate in passing Senate Joint Resolution 12 which will allow voters to decide if statewide elected officials should be limited to two terms in office.

“This is such an important measure that will change the way state government operates,” said Brian Downs (pictured), OFRG Executive Director. “Oklahomans overwhelmingly supported legislative term limits and I’m confident that voters will be in favor of term limits for statewide elected officials, too.”

That confidence is bolstered by the 67% vote that legislative term limits received in 1990 and recent polls which have shown 70% support or more for statewide officers to be term limited.

“OFRG has worked very hard for the past two sessions to try to get term limits passed,” said Downs. “It feels good to see that hard work pay off in the form of a ballot measure that gives voters an opportunity they’ve been asking for.”

SJR 12 does not require the governor’s signature, so it will go directly to the Secretary of State’s Office for inclusion on the 2010 ballot.

“We have seen how term limits have brought new ideas into the legislature over the past decade,” said Downs. “This should continue that trend and put a stop to the recent problems Oklahoma has had with our state-wide elected officials."

SJR 12 was authored by Sen. Randy Brogdon (R-Owasso) and carried in the House by Rep. Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie). OFRG commends both legislators as well as those that voted in favor of SJR 12 for allowing the people of Oklahoma to decide if they want this important tool of government.

$125,000 Fuels Calvey Congress Campaign

Kevin Calvey said today he's raised about $125,000 for his campaign for the Republican nomination for Congress in the 5th District.

The former State House member and Iraq Army veteran seeks the seat being vacated by Mary Fallin, who has announced as a candidate for the GOP nomination for governor.

Meacham: Collections Fall Below Estimates

From The Treasurer's Office ~ Led by lower collections in all major tax categories in March, year-to-date revenue collections have fallen below the estimate for the first time in almost six years, State Treasurer Scott Meacham announced today.

Preliminary reports show General Revenue Fund collections through the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2009 totaled $4.207 billion.

That amount is $33.4 million or 0.8 percent above the prior year; but $34.5 million or 0.8 percent below the estimate.

The last time year-to-date revenue collections failed to meet estimates was in June 2003, the end of Fiscal Year 2003.

“Current projections have anticipated this dip below the official estimate,” Meacham said. “This drop is in line with the Tax Commission’s revised February projections and we remain hopeful we will finish the fiscal year in June without needing to make any cuts.”

Last month, Meacham said March collections would give a clearer picture of what lies ahead for the remainder of the fiscal year.

“Today’s numbers indicate that unless the revenue reduction accelerates more than the Tax Commission predicted over the next three months, we should be able to end the fiscal year without having to make cuts,” he said.

Meacham said projections made by the Tax Commission in February showed the state would finish the fiscal year collecting some 96 percent of the original estimate.

“Year-to-date collections are generally in line with the February projections,” he said. “We expect collections for the next three months to also fall below original estimates, but they are not forecasted to fall enough to require cuts between now and the end of June.”

The state constitution requires the legislature appropriate only 95 percent of the certified estimate. This year, that leaves a cushion of approximately $297 million. Currently, some $262 million of that cushion remains.

Meacham issued a reminder that this report is not related to budget cuts that the legislature will have to make for the next fiscal year.

“The next state budget year that begins July 1 of this year will definitely require cuts,” he said. “While federal stimulus money will help offset some of those reductions, we will most certainly have to cut spending. We anticipate making targeted reductions in funding for the coming year. If we were to experience a revenue shortfall in the current year, we would be required to make across-the-board cuts.”

Net income tax collections produced $1.641 billion through March,which is $57.6 million or 3.4 percent below the prior year and $24.6 million or 1.5 percent below the estimate. Net income tax collections include personal income taxes and corporate income taxes less refunds paid for the month.

Year-to-date personal income tax payments totaled $1.436 billion. That is $79.5 million or 5.2 percent below the prior year and $45.3 million or 3.1 percent below the estimate.

Corporate income tax collections are $204.7 million year-to-date.That is $21.9 million or 12 percent more than the prior year and $20.8 million or 11.3 percent above the estimate.

The state sales tax produced $1.269 billion for the first nine-months of the fiscal year, which is $52 million or 4.3 percent above the prior year but $5.4 million or 0.4 percent below the estimate.

The gross production tax on oil and natural gas yielded $645.8 million through March, which was $121.2 million or 23.1 percent above the prior year and $105.4 million or 19.5 percent above the estimate.

Motor vehicle taxes produced $132.3 million, which is $53.3 million or 28.7 percent below the prior year-to-date and $49 million or 27 percent below the estimate.

Investment of state funds produced $121.9 million for the year-to-date. That is $6.4 million or 5.0 percent less than the previous year.

Other revenue, which includes investment earnings along with taxes on insurance, inheritance, alcoholic beverages and others, produced $518.7 million for the first three quarters of the fiscal year. This is $29 million or 5.3 percent below the prior year and $61 million or 10.5 percent below the estimate.

For the month of March, General Revenue Fund collections fell below the prior year and the estimate, Meacham reported.

Preliminary reports show General Revenue Fund collections in March totaled $394.9 million. That amount is $93 million or 19.1 percent below the prior year; and $81.8 million or 17.2 percent below the estimate.

Net income tax collections, a combination of personal and corporate taxes, totaled $146.8 million for the month. That is $29.1 million or 16.6 percent below the prior year and $25.2 million or 14.7 percent below the estimate.

Personal income tax collections for March totaled $96.5 million. That is $27.8 million or 22.4 percent below the prior year and $23.4 million or 19.5 percent below the estimate for the month.

Corporate collections for the month totaled $50.3 million. That is $1.3 million or 2.5 percent below the prior year and $1.8 million or 3.5 percent below the estimate.

Sales tax collections for March totaled $125 million. That is $4.4 million or 3.4 percent below the prior year and $11.3 million or 8.3 percent below the estimate.

Gross production taxes totaled $46.6 million for the month, which is $32 million or 40.7 percent below the prior year and $29.3 million or 38.6 percent below the estimate. Motor vehicle tax in March totaled $11.1 million, which is $3.8 million or 25.4 percent below the prior year and $6.8 million or 38 percent below the estimate.

Investment of state funds by Treasurer Meacham produced $13.5 million for the month. That is $0.4 million or 3.4 percent more than the previous year.

Other revenue sources in March produced $65.4 million for the month.That is $23.8 million or 26.7 percent below the prior year and $9.2 million or 12.3 percent below the estimate.

America's Gun-Buying Spree Continues

From The Christian Science Monitor ~ What do an elderly Oklahoma homeowner, a Virginia Citizen Militia member, and a Texas airline pilot all have in common these days?

They're all part of America's massive gun-and-ammunition buying spree – a national arming-up effort that began before last year's election of President Obama and continues unabated. Across the United States, it has led to shortages of assault-style weapons, rising prices, and a broadening of gun culture to increasingly include older Americans, women and – gasp – liberals.

The causes are varied – from fears over crime, both rational and irrational, to the concern that Second Amendment rights will be curtailed by a Democrat-controlled Washington.

With the stock market deeply uncertain, some buyers simply think guns are a good investment. The run on guns suggests a shift in public attitudes about gun rights, and it presents a snapshot of a country that has historically turned to powder and balls in times of turmoil.

Read it all at http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0413/p02s01-ussc.html.

Rape Victim Treatment Bill Goes To Henry

After receiving unanimous approval from both the Senate and House, Senate Bill 894 by President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee is on Governor Henry's desk for action.

Senate Bill 894 allows a rape victim to have access to medical care immediately without having to file legal charges against her attacker. Rape victims are often too traumatized to seek medical assistance when they know their case will be immediately reported to law enforcement. It is currently required that a nurse or other medical professional contact local law enforcement at the time a victim seeks medical attention.

If SB 894 is signed into law, a victim can seek help, and pursue legal recourse at a less stressful time in the following hours or days.

“Victims of sexual attacks often delay seeking critical medical treatment due to the fear of dealing with legal consequences,” said Coffee.

“The reforms in Senate Bill 894 supply security and peace of mind to the victims of these cruel, violent acts, giving them the time they need to seek legal action under less pressure,” Coffee added. “Oklahoma is also brought into compliance with the federal Violence Against Women Act through Senate Bill 894.”

Noted Quote: 'I'm in to stay'

"I'm in to stay. ~ Congresswoman Mary Fallin, when asked today what she'll do if former Congressman J. C. Watts joins her in the Republican primary for governor next year.

'Pro-English' Group Targets Patrick Anderson

Republican Senator Patrick Anderson of Enid's opposition to English-only legislation is being targeted in a radio commercial that began airing on Enid stations over the weekend.

He's among those who disagree with Rep. Randy Terrill's "official English" plan.

Sapulpa Republican Senator Brian Bingman was targeted in a full-page newspaper ad in Sunday's edition of the Sapulpa Herald.

The State Chamber of Oklahoma has distributed a memo opposing Terrill's resolution, claiming it will deter trade, commerce and tourism.

Taxpayer Tea Parties Due Wednesday

Taxpayer tea parties are being held across the state on Wednesday to protest the federal bailout. The flyer at left, courtesy the blog Muskogee Politico, advertises one in that city. For a complete list of planned events, go to Mark Shannon's blog.

Behenna Case Draws More Attention

Oklahoma City television station KOKH-Fox 25 recently profiled the case of Edmond Army Lt. Michael Behenna, whose murder conviction in the death of an Al Qaida operative in Iraq is being appealed based on the withholding of evidence favorable to Behenna by military prosecutors.

The KOKH report reiterates the comments of former Oklahoma City federal prosecutor Robert McCampbell, who first spoke about the case on Reid Mullins' morning show on radio station KTOK, and Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, who spoke out on The McCarville Report Online. Both men believe the withholding of evidence by the prosecution is an ethical and legal violation and should result in a new trial, or dismissal of his conviction.

Behenna is the son of retired OSBI agent Scott Behenna and federal prosecutor Vicki Behenna.

For more details on the case, see http://www.defendmichael.com/.

View the KOKH report at http://kokh.com/players/news/top_stories/kokh_vid_2290.shtml.

Noted Quote

"The only way we will ever achieve full independence is another constitutional amendment, which would take away from the Legislature the purse strings of this agency and allow it to be funded by some other means." ~ Ethics Commission Chairman John Raley

Henry To Tour Fire-Ravaged Midwest City

Governor Henry and other state officials will tour fire-ravaged areas of Midwest City this afternoon and firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots. The fires, which raged for at least 12 hours on Thursday and Friday, destroyed dozens of homes in Midwest City, Choctaw and Spencer. Homes also were lost in other areas of the state. This photograph from The Oklahoman shows a burned-out home in Spencer.

Henry Names Ridley Secretary Of Transportation

Governor Henry today accepted the resignation of Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Phil Tomlinson and immediately announced the promotion of Oklahoma Department of Transportation Director Gary Ridley to the cabinet post.

Ridley has served as the head of ODOT since 2001.

Tomlinson, who also serves as Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, recently informed the governor of his desire to reduce his workload and relinquish his cabinet duties.

The Shawnee resident will continue to lead the OTA, which oversees the state’s toll road system.

“Phil has worn two hats in my administration for almost seven years now, so he certainly deserves to have some additional time of his own,” said Henry. “I will miss his expertise on my cabinet, but I am happy that he has decided to remain in his leadership position at the OTA.”

Henry appointed Tomlinson to his cabinet shortly after being inaugurated in 2003.

Tomlinson has been instrumental in advancing the governor’s agenda to improve the state transportation system, including the approval of record state funding commitments to road and bridge repair and rehabilitation.

“I appreciated the opportunity to serve the governor and the state as a cabinet officer, and I’m proud of our accomplishments,” said Tomlinson. “I know the cabinet post will be in good hands with Gary Ridley.”

Ridley, a registered professional engineer, has worked at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for some 40 years, earning promotion to agency director in 2001.

“During his lengthy career in public service, Gary Ridley has done great things for the state of Oklahoma, and I’m thrilled that he has agreed to serve in my cabinet,” said Henry. “The transportation secretary is a critical position and it is important to have someone who can hit the ground running. No one knows more about Oklahoma transportation than Gary Ridley.”

Ridley will remain ODOT director and assume his cabinet secretary duties immediately.

The cabinet post requires confirmation from the State Senate. “I look forward to serving the Henry administration in this new role,” said Ridley.

Behenna Case Just The Tip Of The Iceberg? Prosecutorial Misconduct Becoming A Major Issue

While Army Lt. Michael Behenna of Edmond sits in a cell at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, serving time in the death of an Al Qaida operative in Iraq, it's becoming evident that his is just the latest in a string of controversial cases in which alleged prosecutorial misconduct and withheld evidence played a major role.

The Behenna case has shaken confidence in the military justice system and fueled what, by all accounts, is a flood of protest calls, letters and emails to members of Congress, the Army and others from across the country. For more information, go to http://www.defendmichael.wordpress.com/.

Behenna's conviction by a military tribunal is being appealed based on evidence from the prosecution's own forensics expert that was withheld from Behenna's defense team and the members of the tribunal until his trial was over. The expert told Behenna's attorneys he agrees with Behenna's version of events that resulted in the death of Ali Mansur, believed to be one of the leaders of an attack on Behenna's platoon that resulted in two of his men being killed. The prosecution claimed Behenna executed Mansur; the defense said Behenna, earlier fast-tracked for promotion because of his combat leadership skills and excellent service record, shot Mansur when Mansur attacked him as he was being questioned, and the forensics expert hired by the prosecution agreed with Behenna's account. The prosecution did not call its own expert to testify, but the expert, Dr. Herbert L. MacDonell, told defense attorneys of his concern about the evidence being withheld. An appeal by Behenna's attorneys resulted in the trial judge recommending a reduction in the 25 year sentence to 18 years; that decision will be made by the Convening Authority (Army general) within a couple of months.

The Legal Definition Of Prosecutorial Misconduct: "Failing to disclose evidence that might tend to exonerate the defendant."

While attention is increasingly focused on the Behenna case by military associations, veterans groups, bloggers and legal experts, some federal judges have taken steps to correct what they see as prosecutorial misconduct in several cases. Ironically, Behenna's mother, Vicki Behenna, is a federal prosecutor in Oklahoma City. His father, Scott, is a retired special agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

The Senator Ted Stevens case in Alaska is only the latest example, one in which Judge Emmet Sullivan threw out Stevens’ conviction and launched a criminal contempt investigation against a half-dozen federal prosecutors, calling their actions “shocking and disturbing.”

Attorney General Eric Holder announced Tuesday he’s replacing the head of the office that investigates misconduct by Justice Department attorneys, just a day after Sullivan publicly complained about the unit’s slow pace. But other federal judges, too, are complaining about the work done by Justice Department prosecutors.

• Federal Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly recently removed a Justice Department lawyer from a Guantanamo detainee case for flouting several deadlines, then lambasted his supervisor for submitting a “shockingly revisionist” sequence of events to the court.

• In Miami last month, federal Judge Alan Gold complained of "flagrant violations" by prosecutors who did not disclose the existence of secret recordings of a defense lawyer for a doctor charged with prescription fraud.

• Another federal judge in Washington, John Bates, last year cited a failure to turn over evidence as he ordered a new trial for a man convicted of illegal business dealings with Iran. Bates said he had “grave concerns” about the government’s actions, which “severely prejudiced” the defendant’s fair trial rights.

• And in a separate Gitmo case, Sullivan also lashed out at the government, vowing that “someone’s going to pay a price” for withholding evidence.

What’s remarkable about several of those cases is that judges – usually loath to interfere in the mechanics of the prosecution or the defense — took the dramatic step of removing Justice Department lawyers, or simply throwing out verdicts in cases that began during the prior administration. This repeated criticism delivered to DOJ attorneys suggests they are facing a credibility gap, particularly before judges in the Capital—and perhaps elsewhere in the country as well—that could have profound effects in a variety of other cases.

Attorneys said that in the wake of the Stevens imbroglio, prosecutions of public officials, undertaken by Justice’s Public Integrity Section, are likely to face particular scrutiny from judges and defense lawyers.

Use Of Force To Protect Pregnant Women Measure Passes Legislature, Goes To Henry For Action

From The President Pro Tem's Office ~ Senate Bill 1103 by President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee will now go before the governor for his signature after receiving unanimous approval from both chambers.

Senate Bill 1103 provides protections for pregnant women who are subject to domestic violence abuse.

The “Use of Force for the Protection of the Unborn Act” defines circumstances that give a pregnant woman the right to use force or deadly force against another to protect her unborn child. Such protection includes reasonable beliefs that the unborn child is threatened, making the use of force immediately necessary for the child’s protection.

“The overwhelming support of this bill shows how important of a safeguard it really is,” said Pro Tem Coffee. “We have chosen today to support a critical measure that allows a pregnant woman to not only save her life but the life of her unborn child as well. I commend my colleagues on rallying together as a legislative body to protect life, and I urge the Governor to join us by signing this bill into law.”

Holder Backs Off Gun Control Stance

Attorney General Eric Holder is signaling that the Obama Administration is not interested in getting into a major political battle to pass sensitive gun control legislation, such as re-instituting a ban on assault weapons or requiring background checks at gun shows.

In an interview aired on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, Holder indicated that the administration plans to take a pragmatic approach to the issue.

“I think the thing we need to do is come up with those things we can do right away,” he said, addressing a question about guns purchased in the U.S. for use in the drug-related violence plaguing Mexico.

Back in February, Holder told a Senate confirmation hearing that the gun-show and assault-weapons measures would be constitutional and “good from a law enforcement perspective.”

Asked by Couric about his change in emphasis, Holder said: “No one’s told me to back off. I understand the Second Amendment. I respect the Second Amendment.”

Holder was noncommittal about whether the administration would take any steps to advance the gun control legislation. “These are issues that we'll have to discuss. The president will be the one who will ultimately set policy. Things that are politically saleable and things that will ultimately be effective,” the attorney general said.

Henry Receives Political Donor Measure

Governor Henry has on his desk a bill that would ban political contributions from legal judgments or settlements.

The bill was filed following a series of articles in The Oklahoman about contributions made by cliernts to political committees operated by attorneys.

The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee said the bill was filled following the reports that money from workers' compensation awards was funneled into the political process by plaintiff attorneys without the knowledge of injured workers.

House Bill 1601 passed on a 26-22 party-line vote.

Henry Veotes Voter ID Bill; House Takes Action

Governor Henry today vetoed the voter ID bill backed by Republicans.

Following announcement of the veto, the House passed Senate Bill 692, which will send the voter ID requirement to a vote of the people.

Senate Bill 4, vetoed by Henry, would have mandated registered voters to present additional identification in order to cast a ballot on election day.

“The right to vote is one of our most precious freedoms, guaranteed to all eligible U.S. citizens regardless of their race, gender, religion, income level or social status, and policymakers must be especially careful when tinkering with this fundamental right,” said Henry in his veto message.

“Senate Bill 4 would have established an unnecessary impediment to exercising this most basic freedom in conflict with Article III, Sec. 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution which states, ‘All elections shall be free and equal. No power, civil or military, shall ever interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage…’ A small but still important minority of registered voters, many of whom are senior citizens or the working poor, do not have easy access to an official form of identification and, therefore, could be discouraged from participating in the electoral process by the restrictions contained in SB 4.”

Currently, voters’ names must be listed on their local precinct’s registry and voters must identify themselves verbally and with a signature. No other form of verification is required.

The League of Women Voters, AARP and other advocacy organizations oppose voter identification laws, citing projections that as many as 21 million registered voters, including 78,000 in Oklahoma, do not have appropriate identifying credentials and could be negatively impacted by such legislation.

“Oklahoma already has a model state election system, one that has earned national praise for its accuracy and efficiency and has operated without the taint of voter fraud. It is not in the best interest of the election system or Oklahoma citizens for the Legislature to enact new requirements for registered voters and additional and potentially confusing verification duties for election workers that could cause undue delays and longer waiting lines at the polls, potentially discouraging even more citizens from voting,” said Henry.

“At a time when it is difficult to attract more than half of the registered voters to the polls at any given election, I believe we should be attempting to make voting easier and more convenient for registered voters, not more difficult and confusing.”

SB 4 also contained a separate provision expanding early voting days, an initiative advocated by the governor. Gov. Henry urged lawmakers to submit the early voting proposal to him in separate legislation that does not contain voter identification mandates.

“As I said in my State of the State address, I support making voting easier and more convenient by expanding the early voting period. If lawmakers would deliver that proposal to me in a separate piece of legislation free of voter ID mandates, I would sign it into law,” said the governor.

“I’m very disappointed, but not surprised by the governor’s veto of this very reasonable reform," said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee.

“We believe this is a very positive reform for all voters of the state of Oklahoma. We met the governor half way on early voting, and had hoped the governor would view this legislation favorably.

“When the House passes SB 692, this issue will go to a vote of the people, where I anticipate wide support, and we’ll see Voter ID as a stand alone measure on the ballot. One way or another, we will see to it that our election process remains clean and fair, and that no legitimate votes are nullified by activist groups who seek to tip an election in their favor.”

McCullough Addresses 'Family Fragmentation'

Rep. Mark McCullough believes Oklahoma’s course is clear when it comes to shifting resources to address family fragmentation.

“We are overrun with data showing the effects of family fragmentation going back 30 years,” the Sapulpa Republican said. “It is the source of a myriad of problems that consume both state and federal resources and lead to problems we see everywhere – education, crime, mental health and economic dependence on government.

“Unfortunately, family fragmentation has become a ‘dog bites man’ story to many,” McCullough said. “But it affects all of us. Who hasn’t been personally affected by this problem? And because we don’t talk about it, because it has been accepted as part of the social fabric, we find ourselves paralyzed to address this widespread problem.”

A recent interim study conducted by McCullough found children from broken homes are 12 times more likely to be incarcerated, which is one reason state spending on the criminal justice system has grown 510 percent since 1982 and Oklahoma has one of the highest incarceration rates. Those same children are also three times more likely to be expelled and to receive lower grades.

“The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing” conservatively estimates the resulting taxpayer cost of divorce (largely through public assistance programs), at $112 billion per year nationally and $430 million annually in Oklahoma. It shows family fragmentation is at the epicenter of much of the demand for state-funded services.

The study also presented validated methods of preventing family fragmentation. The National Institute of Marriage has been working with thousands of couples in severe crisis. Their research has shown that 100 percent of the couples leaving the intensives would recommend the intensive to others. After two years, approximately 80 percent of couples, who were in severe crisis, are still together.

McCullough said Oklahoma’s foray into relationship training, the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative, will soon be able to provide information on whether or not its pre-marital counseling programs are showing success.

“One thing I do know is that the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative has done an excellent job in reaching would-be couples by promoting its programs through churches, schools and even prisons,” McCullough said.

The recent conference, a follow-up discussion of the interim study, drew prevention professionals from state agencies, the non-profit sector and Oklahoma’s faith community.

“All the participants thought that more could be done to coordinate efforts between these groups and that a better model to address family fragmentation would be to preserve families rather than wait for the problem to reach a crisis,” McCullough said. “Coordination is a key to achieving prevention of these problems that result in higher costs to taxpayers and down the road."

Claudette Selph, representing the Tulsa County Child Protection Coalition, spoke about her group’s efforts to create changes to the child protective systems in an effort to reduce trauma on children. Hosted by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, the discussion also featured Kelly Nichols on the impact of family fragmentation on corporate America, Steve Buck from the Department of Mental Health and former District Judge Gary Miller.

Miller helped start a cutting edge locally-funded juvenile intervention effort in Canadian County. He said that Canadian County was able to create an omnibus juvenile center to better ensure the county’s young people were given the support needed to get out of the system.

“Last year we had 41 percent of our children born in this state were born to a single parent head of household,” Miller said. “So you have fragile children being born into a fragile environment. I think that’s exactly what’s concerning to Representative McCullough and what he’s trying to address with his study of family fragmentation. I think that’s what Canadian County is also trying to address fragmentation, again in partnership with the state.”

Selph said the Tulsa County Child Protection Coalition has showed success because of how many people and organizations it has brought together to work on systemic problems.

“We’ve been very excited that Howard Hendricks from DHS has given permission to all his staff to work with the community,” Selph said. “We have Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, all the service providers that provide treatment and the district attorney’s office. When you bring all of these players together, you’re going to find that you’re going to get some significant changes when you have a staff structure in place to move the agenda along through committees.”

Selph said the coalition has broken ground on a new shelter to replace an older, worn-down one. The coalition has also started family group conferencing, which has as a priority to find relatives, family friends or teachers that the children can stay with rather than entering into foster care where they are being cared for by strangers. She also said many entities around the state would be interested in forming coalitions if they had a dedicated staff to run them. The Tulsa coalition’s paid staff positions would not be possible without the support of several Tulsa foundations committed to system change in the child protection system, she said.

“We have made many improvements in Tulsa County and we would be very excited for this model to be taken to the state level.”

McCullough also cited the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ Systems of Care program, which is designed to aid children before a mental illness becomes even more costly to the state. The program boasts a 49 percent reduction in the arrests of the children it serves, a 45 percent reduction in the number of school detentions those children receive, a 68 percent reduction in their attempts to harm themselves and a 45 percent decrease in the number of out-of-home placements. Each year, untreated mental illness and substance abuse costs Oklahoma $3.2 billion in direct expenditures and as much as $4.4 billion in indirect costs attributed to premature death and lost productivity.

McCullough said questions remain as to whether or not Oklahomans’ tax dollars are being used effectively to address social problems. While validated prevention programs are underfunded, “clean up” programs are draining government resources. He envisions that by rerouting money from “clean up” programs to prevention, possibly through incentives to state agencies, the state could save millions in the long-run and improve the lives of thousands of Oklahomans.

“I am advocating for expanded prevention efforts because I am a fiscal conservative. Programs shouldn’t be perpetuated because they make us feel good – they should work,” McCullough said. “If a first duty of government is public safety, then implementing data driven prevention policy is simply a best practice in promoting that end.”

John Stanley, director of the Marriage and Family Foundation, estimates that $1 spent to prevent family breakdown could save $1,000 down the road spent on cleaning up the aftermath of fragmentation.

McCullough said he plans to continue advocating for prevention, indentifying the best approaches to addressing the problem.

“How do we get the divorce rate down from 50 percent to 25 percent?” McCullough said. “How do we get births among unwed mothers down from 40 percent to 20 percent? The goal is better outcomes. My hope is that we can all work together to make that happen.”

The Gadfly At The Bar (Of Justice)

Free Lt. Michael Behenna: The following commentary aired on NRA News and Sirius Satellite Radio Patriot Channel 144:

Ordinarily, I come before you in defense of the 2nd Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms.

Tonight, I come before you in defense of an Army 101st Airborne platoon leader who has been, in my opinion, wrongfully convicted of the murder of an Al Qaida operative in Iraq following the deaths of two members of the platoon in an Al Qaida attack.

Lt. Michael Behenna now sits in Fort Leavenworth facing an 18-year sentence. Military prosecutors claimed he executed Ali Mansur. Behenna says he shot Mansur in self defense.

The military prosecutors hired a forensics expert to bolster their case. Two problems: First, the expert agreed with Behenna's version of the shooting, saying the evidence supported Behenna. Second, the prosecutor did not call the expert to testify and worse, did not disclose his findings to Behenna's defense attorney during the trial. In other words, the prosecutor failed to disclose evidence favorable to the accused.

That's a violation of the judical code of ethics, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and fairness. Most times, that violation by the prosecution would result in a conviction thrown out, the charge dismissed, or a new trial. In this case, the military tribunal reduced Behenna's sentence but refused a new trial.

Behenna's conviction is being appealed to the Army Court of Appeals in Washington. Let us all hope, for justice's sake, that this wrongful conviction is reversed and Lt. Behenna is given a fair trial, one in which all the evidence is presented. ~ Mike McCarville

World: Coffee Late With Ethics Reports

The Tulsa World reports today that Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee has been late in filing some reports with the Ethics Commission.

Read the story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20090408_16_A11_OKLAHO718322.

Oklahoma Taxpayer Tea Parties Scheduled

For everything related to the April 15th schedule of "Taxpayer Tea Parties," go to www.TaxpayerTeaParty.com (click Oklahoma).

Barry Admits Guilt, Cheated Customers

The Republican nominee for insurance commissioner in 2002 has pleaded guilty to cheating customers who gave him items to sell on the Internet site eBay.

Douglas Barry admitted guilt on a charge he violated the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act and was ordered to pay $14,221 in restitution.

He was also placed on four years probation.

Prosecutors say Barry operated You Bring It, We Sell It in Warr Acres where customers would bring him items that he placed on eBay for sale. He was accused of not giving customers their money from the sales.

CBS: Obama Approval Rating Hits New High

From CBS ~ As President Obama concludes his well-publicized trip to Europe, his approval rating has reached a new high, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll.

Obama's overall approval rating is at 66 percent, up from 64 percent last month. His disapproval rating stands at 24 percent. Nearly all Democrats and most independents approve of the way the president is handling his job, while only 31 percent of Republicans approve.

Delegation Opposes Obama Defense Cuts

Oklahoma's Congressional delegation said today they stand united against the Obama Administration’s proposed massive cuts to the defense budget and pledged to work together to ensure Congress does not allow them to take effect.

New Law Honors Those Killed In Combat

Governor Henry has signed into law a bill that requires the governor to order flags on state property flown at half-staff on the day of the memorial service for Oklahomans killed in combat.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm is the principal author of the new law.

All state agencies, interested organizations, groups and individuals are authorized and requested to fly the flag at half-staff. The director of the Department of Central Services is charged with implementing the new law.

Prater On Behenna Case: 'The justice system, both civilian and military, is about seeking the truth'

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater is "disgusted and angry" about the handling of the Army's prosecution of Lt. Michael Behenna of Edmond.

Prater, in a statement to The McCarville Report Online, said, "As a prosecutor, if the allegations against the military prosecutors are true, I am disgusted and angry. The justice system, both civilian and military, is about seeking the truth, not just convicting the accused. If the military prosecutors failed to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense team of Lt. Behenna, they have lost all understanding of their duty. As disturbing, is the fact that the military judge did nothing to address this egregious, ethical and moral violation of duty by the prosecutors."

Prater joins former federal prosecutor Robert McCampbell and others in criticizing what appears to be a breach of legal ethics in the case. McCampbell spoke out last week on Reid Mullins' morning show on radio station KTOK.

Behenna, a member of the 101st Airborne and an Army Ranger and the son of federal prosecutor Vicki Behenna and retired Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent Scott Behenna, was convicted in a court martial in the 2008 death of Al Qaida operative Ali Mansur in Iraq.

His conviction is being appealed based on the expert opinion of prosecution witness Dr. Herbert L. MacDonell, who was not called to testify and who says it is his belief that the evidence supports Behenna's defense that he shot Mansur in self-defense when Mansur charged him. The prosecution alleged Behenna executed Mansur while he was on the ground. MacDonell said the forensic evidence supports Behenna's defense and that's why the prosecution did not call him to testify.

MacDonnel revealed his opinion to Behenna's defense counsel. It was not revealed to the military tribunal by the lead prosecutor, Captain Meghan Poirier, until MacDonell sent an email after Behenna was convicted and before he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The tribunal refused an appeal of the conviction on Behenna's behalf based on the prosecution's failure to disclose MacDonnel's forensics evidence, but reduced his sentence to 18 years which he is now serving at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Read MacDonnel's belief in Behenna's innocence at http://defendmichael.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/govexpertwitness.pdf.

Justice Denied? Why Did Behenna Military Prosecutor Ignore Attorney's Code Of Ethics?

Army Captain Meghan Poirier of the Judge Advocate General Corps is a skilled attorney. She's a graduate of the Wake Forest School of Law and West Point.

So, some now ask, why did this well-educated and skilled military prosecutor ignore one of the basic tenets of the law, military or civilian, by failing to inform a defense attorney or the court of information that pointed to the innocence of an Army lieutenant she was prosecuting for murder?

It's a question being asked by many following the conviction of Edmond Lt. Michael Behenna on charges he murdered an Al Qaida operative, Ali Mansur, in Iraq last year. Behenna said he acted in self-defense as the operative stood to attack him. Poirier argued Behenna executed the operative while he was seated on the ground being interrogated by Behenna, who had lost two of his men in an Al Qaida attack.

One of Poirier's expert witnesses in the case was forensics expert Dr. Herbert L. MacDonell. He was listed as a prosecution witness, but was not called to testify. After Behenna's conviction and before his sentencing by a military tribunal, MacDonell told Behenna's defense attorney that his expert opinion favored Behenna's version of events but the prosecution was sending him home and he would not testify. MacDonell obviously realized HIS duty to reveal his favorable expert opinion to Behenna's defense attorney.

The tribunal denied a new trial, but requested the convening authority to reduce Behenna's sentence from 25 years to a sentence not more than 18 years.

MacDonell's opinion now forms the basis for an appeal by Behenna's civilian defense team to the Army Court of Appeals in Washington.

In a letter dated February 27, 2009, MacDonell told Poirier he was “concerned that I did not testify and have a chance to inform the court of the only logical explanation for this shooting. From the evidence I feel that Ali Mansur had to have been shot in his chest when he was standing. As he dropped straight down he was shot again at the very instant that his head passed in front of the muzzle,” MacDonell wrote. “It fits the facts (as described by Behenna) and I can not think of a more logical explanation.”

MacDonell, acclaimed and respected, has conducted important research and investigation in the field of forensic science for over 40 years. He is the inventor of the MAGNA Brush fingerprint device, and is considered an expert in blood splatter analysis. MacDonell has written and lectured about a wide range of forensic science topics, and has consulted on several high-profile criminal cases, including the O. J. Simpson trial and the murders of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

Poirier and Army lawyers prosecuting Behenna had a legal duty to reveal to the defense MacDonell's expert opinion of “exculpatory evidence” that could clear Behenna and failed to do so, Behenna’s appeals lawyer Jack Zimmermann of Houston said.

From the American Bar Association's Code of Ethics: Rule 3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor. The prosecutor in a criminal case shall: (d) make timely disclosure to the defense of all evidence or information known to the prosecutor that tends to negate the guilt of the accused or mitigates the offense, and, in connection with sentencing, disclose to the defense and to the tribunal all unprivileged mitigating information known to the prosecutor, except when the prosecutor is relieved of this responsibility by a protective order of the tribunal....

Saul Alinsky's 'Radical' Views Rile Catholics

Read This Entire Story On Tulsa Today ~ Efforts to foster community organizing within local congregations, including several MidTown Catholic parishes, are linked to a national group with a philosophy rooted in the 1960s-style political organization philosophy of Saul Alinsky. That is provoking reaction among many who disagree with Alinsky's self-described “radical” views on politics and economics.

TV Firm's Deal With State Raises Eyebrows

From http://www.tulsaworld.com/ and http://www.newsok.com/ ~ The state is paying more than $3 million to an Oklahoma media company, Griffin Communications, to advertise a state insurance program and the company has promised to air television news stories on its Tulsa (KOTV) and Oklahoma City (KWTV) stations as part of the deal, records show.

One media analyst expressed concern that by taking state money, the company has compromised the integrity of its television news outlets.

“This kind of question arises when news media organizations try to diversify, when they are looking at more ways to make money,” said Joey Senat, associate professor of media law at Oklahoma State University. “It does create the potential for unethical behavior,” he said.

The key is whether a company discloses the sponsor of the information and “the number of walls they put between the newsroom and the other arm of the company doing the marketing,” Senat said.

David Griffin, president and chief executive officer of Oklahoma City-based Griffin Communications LLC, said the company believes in transparency.

“We don’t sell the news. We never have and we never will,” he said. “The spots that run match up to our commitment to Insure Oklahoma.”

Rasmussen: Obama's Approval Rating Falls

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 34% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-one percent (31%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of +3, matching his lowest rating to date.

A Letter To The Oklahoman's Editor

Ed (Kelley): This story appeared in today's (Friday's) paper:

Most of the weapons being used in the Mexican drug wars — 6,290 people died last year and more than 1,000 this year — are smuggled across the border from gun dealers in the U.S.

I don't know where this came from, but it reads like U. S. gun dealers are smuggling firearms across the border. Patently, untrue. Were it true, the BATFE would be having a field day slamming the door on gun dealers. If the story had read "some firearms purchased from gun dealers are smuggled across the border into Mexico," it would be a provable statement.

And the assertion/implication that "Most of the weapons being used in the Mexican drug wars" come from the U. S. is unproven based on what the BATFE reports. Latest figure I've seen is 17 percent of the weapons seized in Mexico have been traced to U. S. sales. That number is based on this report:

In 2007-2008, according to ATF Special Agent William Newell, Mexico submitted 11,000 guns to the ATF for tracing. Close to 6,000 were successfully traced -- and of those, 90 percent -- 5,114 to be exact, according to testimony in Congress by William Hoover -- were found to have come from the U.S.

But in those same two years, according to the Mexican government, 29,000 guns were recovered at crime scenes.

In other words, 68 percent of the guns that were recovered were never submitted for tracing. (It is reported that's because they had manufacturer-of-origin markings from other counties.)

Do the math and it appears, based on these numbers, that about 83 percent of ALL the firearms recovered were not traced to the U. S. ~ Mike McCarville

Voter ID Measure Faces Opposition

The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma has asked Governor Henry to veto a voter identification bill that it says would present a barrier to voting, and the American Association of Retired Persons isn't enamored of the bill, either.

Senate Bill 4 would require voters to show state, federal or tribal photo identification. Voters also would be allowed to use their county election board voter registration card. Provisional ballots would be available to people who could not produce acceptable identification.

The measure would disenfranchise thousands of voters, League of Women Voters spokeswoman Gloria Caldwell said. "There are numerous valid reasons why certain populations of Oklahomans — elderly, low income, disabled and minority — can't easily obtain an ID," she said. "There are an estimated 78,000 eligible voters in Oklahoma who would be deprived of their right to vote under this legislation."

But Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville, said the bill he introduced "disenfranchises absolutely no person or group of voters."

Henry has until Wednesday to make a decision on the bill.

Henry Names Pete White To Air Quality Council

Governor Henry has named Oklahoma City Councilman Pete White to the state's Air Quality Advisory Committee.

White's term is seven years.

He represents Ward 4 and is chairman of the city's Water Utilities Trust and the Judiciary Committee.

Putting The Lie To Mexico Gun Claims

From Fox News via Mark Shannon ~ You've heard this shocking "fact" before -- on TV and radio, in newspapers, on the Internet and from the highest politicians in the land: 90 percent of the weapons used to commit crimes in Mexico come from the United States.

There's just one problem with the 90 percent "statistic" and it's a big one: It's just not true.

In fact, it's not even close. The fact is, only 17 percent of guns found at Mexican crime scenes have been traced to the U.S.

What's true, an ATF spokeswoman told FOXNews.com, in a clarification of the statistic used by her own agency's assistant director, "is that over 90 percent of the traced firearms originate from the U.S."

But a large percentage of the guns recovered in Mexico do not get sent back to the U.S. for tracing, because it is obvious from their markings that they do not come from the U.S.

"Not every weapon seized in Mexico has a serial number on it that would make it traceable, and the U.S. effort to trace weapons really only extends to weapons that have been in the U.S. market," Matt Allen, special agent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), told FOX News.

In 2007-2008, according to ATF Special Agent William Newell, Mexico submitted 11,000 guns to the ATF for tracing. Close to 6,000 were successfully traced -- and of those, 90 percent -- 5,114 to be exact, according to testimony in Congress by William Hoover -- were found to have come from the U.S.

But in those same two years, according to the Mexican government, 29,000 guns were recovered at crime scenes.

In other words, 68 percent of the guns that were recovered were never submitted for tracing. And when you weed out the roughly 6,000 guns that could not be traced from the remaining 32 percent, it means 83 percent of the guns found at crime scenes in Mexico could not be traced to the U.S.

Proof Of Citizenship Requirement Passes Panel

A bill requiring proof of citizenship for those seeking office has been approved by a Senate committee and now goes to the Senate floor for a vote.

The bill, by Rep. Mike Ritze and Senator Anthony Sykes, would require candidates filing in Oklahoma to provide documentation of their citizenship.

House Bill 1329, by Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, and Sykes, R-Moore, requires prospective candidates to provide a birth certificate showing U.S. citizenship, a non-birth U.S. citizenship certificate, a certificate of naturalization or a passport in order to file. U.S. presidential and vice presidential candidates would not be able to use either certificate of naturalization or passport. It would also make those documents subject to the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

Ten Commandments Bill Advances For Vote

A state Senate committee has approved a bill by Rep. Mike Ritze and Senator Randy Brogdon that would authorize the placement of a monument of the Ten Commandments on state Capitol grounds.

House Bill 1330, by Rep. Ritze, R-Broken Arrow and Brogdon, R-Owasso, would require that a monument to the Ten Commandments be placed on the state Capitol grounds. It would be funded by private entities.

The bill now goes to the Senate floor for action.

Gumm: 'Worse Bill I Have Ever Seen'

Every session of the Legislature, we see bills that may sound like good ideas on the surface. The deeper you study, however, the worse these bills become.

By Senator Jay Paul Gumm

This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee – on a straight party-line vote with Republicans voting “yes” and Democrats voting “no” – gave its approval to what may be the worst bill I have ever seen in all my years at the Capitol.

The bill is a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that, on the surface, sounds fairly reasonable.

The proposal says that the Legislature shall not be required to use a “predetermined formula of any kind” when writing budgets. On its face, that is not a bad idea. We learn in government class that the top job of the legislative branch of government is writing budgets.

Where this idea goes horribly wrong is in the first words of this proposed amendment to our Constitution. The proposal begins with the words, “Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution to the contrary…”

That would set this one amendment up to be superior to the every other section of the Oklahoma Constitution. Oklahoma’s balanced budget amendment is a “predetermined formula”; the restrictions voters have put on us to raise taxes is a “predetermined formula.”

In a single stroke, this unprecedented power grab would wipe out our balanced budget amendment and restrictions on the Legislature’s ability to raise taxes. It might even prohibit this section from ever be amended or repealed by voters in the future.

In all of state history, we have never seen legislative leaders attempt to consolidate so much power into its own hands. It is shocking, it is frightening, and it is a slap in the face to every voter in this state.

Everyone knows the target of this proposal. An education organization has gathered enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to put more money into public schools. That would put in our constitution a “predetermined formula” that this legislative power grab would trump.

Clearly, legislative leaders behind this power grab think voters might support the education funding proposal. Instead of trusting the people to make the right decision, legislative leaders decided to use sleight-of-hand in a pitiful attempt to overrule what may or may not be the people’s will.

It is not too late to stop this power grab in the Legislature. Even if it passes there, thankfully, Oklahomans would have the final say on it. Only the people have the power to amend the Constitution. However, the fact this bill has already passed the House and made it through a Senate committee should concern every Oklahoman.

That is why we must dig deeper into every bill. Only by learning their true intentions can we stop measures to empower legislative leaders at the expense of Oklahomans.

OCPA's Brown Honored By Heritage Foundation

Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs Chairman Dr. David R. Brown has received the highest award of The Heritage Foundation, the leading Washington, D.C., think tank he helped build.

In presenting Brown with Heritage's Clare Boothe Luce Award at an Oklahoma City dinner gathering, his Heritage colleagues cited his instrumental role in the 1993 founding of OCPA, an early example of a trend toward conservative, state-level policy research shops.

Former Prosecutor Rips Behenna Case Handling

Former federal prosecutor Robert McCampbell (right) of Oklahoma City said today the failure of military prosecutors to reveal exculpatory evidence in the murder trial of Lt. Michael Behenna of Edmond constitutes a failure of the legal system.

McCampbell told Reid Mullins of KTOK this morning that the first thing a lawyer learns is that prosecutors have a responsibility to disclose all evidence and seek the truth. Withholding evidence, he said, diminishes the legal system.

McCampbell cited several legal cases in which evidence was withheld. In the Behenna case, military prosecutors failed to disclose that their own expert witness concluded that Behenna likely acted in self defense when he shot and killed an Al Qaida operative in Iraq last year, and for that reason, that did not call him as a witness. They also did not disclose his opinion to Behenna's attorney. Behenna was convicted of murder and faces years in federal prison. His conviction is being appealed.

Several groups of veterans have come to Behenna's defense and urged members to donate to a legal defense fund. For details, go to http://defendmichael.wordpress.com/.

Tom Cole Opposes Obama Budget

Statement by Congressman Tom Cole, R-4th District, on the House floor: "I rise to oppose this Democratic budget. As we have heard repeatedly tonight, it spends too much, it taxes too much, and it borrows too much.

"But I want to be fair to my friends on the Democratic side. There is one area of the budget where there is a glaring exception to that rule, and that is the defense of the United States of America.

"Over the course of a 10-year projected Obama budget, we will move from 20 percent of the Federal budget down to 14 percent devoted to defending the country. We will move from just over 4 percent of the gross national product to 3 percent to defend the United States of America. We will risk canceling major weapons systems, like the future combat system, a tanker that will help us project air power around the world and missile defense, at a time when the North Koreans and the Iranians are developing missiles. That risks jobs, that risks security. That is reckless in a dangerous world.

"That is not just my opinion, Madam Chairman. Let me read from Robert Samuelson's recent article, 'Obama, the Great Pretender.'

"'It would be responsible for Obama to acknowledge the big gamble in his budget. National security has long been government's first job. In his budget, defense spending drops from 20 percent to 14 percent of the total from 2008 to 2016, the smallest share since the 1930s. The decline presumes a much safer world. If the world doesn't cooperate, deficits will grow.' "More importantly, American soldiers and American security will be at risk, Madam Chairman. So let's reject this budget because it does spend too much, it does borrow too much, it does tax too much. And let's embrace the Republican alternative which spends less, borrows less, taxes less, but, most importantly, puts more resources where it counts, defending the United States of America."

Voter Proof Of Identity Bill Goes To Henry

Legislation requiring identification to cast a ballot is headed to the governor’s desk following House passage today.

Senate Bill 4 would require citizens to provide “proof of identity” before voting. Under the bill, proof of identity could be established by producing a document containing a photograph of the voter that was issued by a state, federal or tribal government.

The legislation also would allow voters to cast a ballot if they showed their free voter identification card issued by their county election board.

Governor Henry said today he is troubled that the bill may result in a reduction in voter turnout.

“This bill will not prevent one Oklahoman from voting, not a single one,” said Rep. Sue Tibbs, House author of the bill.

Catholic Leaders Want Obama Speech Nixed

From The Oklahoman ~ The highest-ranking Roman Catholic leaders in Oklahoma are calling for the cancellation of President Barack Obama’s upcoming commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame.

The Most Rev. Edward J. Slattery, Tulsa bishop, and the Most Rev. Eusebius Beltran, Oklahoma City archbishop, have joined reportedly thousands of Catholic clergy and lay people who have sent letters and e-mails to the university expressing outrage at Obama being graduation speaker. His support of abortion rights is the source of the anger.

Read the entire story at www.newsok.com.

Lawyer: NY Times Killed Obama-ACORN Story

A lawyer involved with legal action against Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) told a House Judiciary subcommittee on March 19 The New York Times had killed a story in October that would have shown a close link between ACORN, Project Vote and the Obama campaign because it would have been a “a game changer.”

Read the entire story at http://thebulletin.us.