The Gadfly Thunders Along

Gadfly McCarville

Just Sayin': Love the Thunder. Watch every game on television that I can. Those pre-game interviews with radio guy Matt Pinto and Coach Scott Brooks...uncomfortable. I'm surprised, with Dan Mahoney in charge, that the duo appear in a static, listless setting. There's the coach, sitting there looking more like a gym rat than a coach and there's Pinto, usually dressed to the nines. Both face the camera; it's like they are miles apart. Pinto, barely facing his interviewee, asks a question. Coach responds, staring at the camera without a glance at his interviewer. Uh, guys...that camera is the observer, not the interviewer or the interviewee. Look at each other. You are, after all, having a conversation. Just sayin'.

Take Me To Your Banker: Lawyer Mike Morgan must have loved his time in the Senate and his years as president pro tem. Regardless of whether he's violated any laws, as alleged, he banked lots of cash during those years from "clients."

Getting A Grip: Schools Superintendent Janet Barresi seems to be getting a grip on her agency with the replacement of Democrat obstructionist Tim Gilpin on the Board of Education and legislation that will give her more authority drawing attention.

Glad It's Not Me: Governor Fallin continues to try to explain the acceptance of $54 million tied to Obamacare. Glad I'm not in her shoes. Tough sell.

What's Next? Insurance Commissioner John Doak and some of his top lieutenants live in Tulsa. So they are moving their offices to Tulsa. Maybe this indicates the decentralization of state government. Let's see: We can move all the other offices to cities where the office-holders live and eliminate their commutes as well.

Made In America: I'm watching an infomercial for Henry repeating rifles. Henry makes a western-style, nifty .22 caliber rifle with an old-style octagon barrel. These little lever-action beauties are made in America only with U. S.-made parts and it's the company's big promotional push these days. The rifle was chosen as the Boy Scouts of America's "franchise" firearm. Henry also makes a nifty youth rifle, a single-shot .22, that weighs under three pounds and is a hot seller for use by beginning shooters. Another Henry favorite: The survival rifle, a .22 AR-7 that breaks down into a package the size of the short stock. Every home should have one; it's obviously not a hefty caliber, but any caliber is better than none when you need protection.

Not Exactly PC: This is an exchange between Seton Motley, writer, television and radio commentator, political and policy strategist, lecturer, debater, website editor and activist, and Mike McCarville, writer, television and radio commentator, website editor and political analyst, on NRANews.com and Sirius/XM Satellite radio Friday night, when Motley said one of President Obama's czars had purchased antiques from Motley's father: Motley: "Everyone in the antiques business, except my Dad, is gay." McCarville: "I knew there was a good reason I got out of the antiques business."

Made In America II: With my interest and background in antique vehicles and sports cars, I always pay attention to the fit and finish of my own vehicles. Since I own only pre-owned cars, wear and tear is to be expected. In our stable at the moment are a Chevrolet Impala, 2006, and a Honda Accord, 1997. Plus four other Hondas and a Toyota I help maintain for family members. The Impala's a well-made, comfortable car with good fit and finish. Time will tell how well it holds up. The Accord is a made-in-America version of the Japanese maker's wildly popular vehicle. At 152,000 miles, it drives like it is new. The door and trunk seals remain pliable...unlike some found on "American" cars of recent years. The dash, even after years of explosure to the Oklahoma sun, is uncracked and again, could pass for new. Ditto our other Hondas, mileage ranging from 122,000 to 235,000. Granddaughter's 1995 Toyota Corolla has 261,000 miles. The upholstery could pass for near-new. The dash and instruments ditto. The engine purrs. We've replaced tie rod ends and done a few other things that have exposed us to the car's construction. First-rate. Made in a California plant alongside the identical-except-for-branding Chevrolet Prizm in the 90s, this particular car, with continued care, will last for years and thousands more miles. Pretty impressive for an "economy" car.

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