Thursday, August 28

NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY...GUSTAV SHOULD AWAKEN US:  If you haven't noticed already, crude oil is creeping up to $120 a barrel again after sinking to about $110 a barrel.  Friends, if you don't think that our depedence on foreign oil is kicking our economic asses, you're wrong of painfully stupid.  Almost 70% of our crude oil supply comes from other nations - many of which are hell bent on destroying us.  We need ideas, we need our leaders in Congress to take a look at what energy producing states like Oklahoma are doing to promote American energy sources.  Sure, I work with Denise Bode and the American Clean Skies Foundation but if you recall, I was talking about American energy independence back when I was on WKY and nothing has changed for me.  I am and will continue to be a fan of natural gas because it is largely an American energy source of which we have in abundance.  Granted we don't have the infrastructure just yet to hook up my Chevy Avalanche just yet but when it happens, you can bet your ass that I will.  Think about this - Gustav is bearing down on the Gulf and even though we don't know what it will do, speculators and traders are frothing at the mouth to drive crude oil prices up...and they are doing it.  We need to wake the hell up folks and during the next couple weeks while our elected officials in Washington are picking up their dry cleaning and preparing for the frat party that are the national conventions, it's time for the Average Joe to be prepared to kick our elected officials rear ends for doing nothing about our dependence upon foreign energy.  I don't know about you, but I don't think I can afford $5 a gallon gasoline for very long.

POLITICAL RHETORIC JUST FOR THE SAKE OF RHETORIC:  Yes, the DNC has been one great big fluffy pillow of partisan rhetoric, but soon, the Republicans will have their opporunity to spew forth a bit of their own.  Yes, I am a Republican but it has become increasingly difficult to admit it without hanging my head in shame.  The GOP, the party of Reagan, has lost its way.  We are not the party of fiscal conservatism and one glance at our State Legislature and the U.S. Congress will prove my point.  In the first two years of Republican rule in the State House, we grew state government by nearly 20%.  So much for fiscal conservatism.  And as far as Congress is concerned, there isn't much to be said there either - with the exception of Dr. No, Dr. Tom Coburn.  But before you think that I have jumped the GOP bandwagon, remember that the Democratic Party as evidenced by this DNC event this week has shown that they are still the party on a national level of higher taxes.

MY 44th BIRTHDAY, TIME FOR A LOOK BACK:  Another birthday arrives and it is time for a look back at the last year to determine just what I accomplished in the last 12 months that has any redeeming value whatsoever.
First, my being awarded the 2007 Oklahoma Rifle Association Mike McCarville Media Award was a pretty big deal for me. 
Second, keeping WILD Oklahoma Television and Radio on the air was a pretty phenomenal feat in and of itself. 
Third, and probably most importantly, I forged a relationship with members of the Mid America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and our fundraiser was a big success.

What are my goals for the next year?
First, to stay alive.
Second, to quit smoking.
Third, to raise more money for the MAPVA.
Fourth to make sure my kids do well in school.
Fifth, to make sure my friends know that they are appreciated and loved.
Sixth, to make WILD Oklahoma not only statewide, but the most powerful outdoor programming in the state.
Seventh, to nail every single elected official who fights against our 2nd Amendment and make them rue the day the decided to run for public office.
Eighth, to figure out how to use my Blackberry.

So there you have it kids.  My thoughts on this day when I face my own mortality.

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Wednesday, August 27

RUSSELL, MAUGHN MOVE ON:  Lt. Col. Steve Russell (or now, Senator) begins what will be a long political career as he defeated Kyle Loveless for Senate District 45's seat vacated by Kathleen Wilcoxson (who is planning a run against Sandy Garrett for School Superintendent in 2010).  Steve will have the opportunity to do what Wilcoxson did not - support a campus concealed carry bill because he, unlike Wilcoxson, actually supports the 2nd Amendment fully and without hesitation understands that "shall not be infringed" means "shall not be infringed."  I predict that Steve will serve at least part of his first term and be groomed by CMA to run for higher office - perhaps a Congressional seat?  Who knows?  At least for now we have another 2nd Amendment champion in the State Senate. 

And yes, Wilcoxson will be running statewide in 2 years - you can bet on it.  Personally, I was so horribly disappointed in Wilcoxson for not supporting the campus concealed carry bill and for not even understanding the most recent negotiations regarding background checks, that I will cross party lines on this one and support Sandy Garrett if she chooses to run for reelection.  As I have said before, I am pretty much a single issue voter these days - you either understand "shall not be infringed" or you do not.  In this case, Wilcoxson does not.

And on the county side of things, Brian Maughn defeated J.D. Johnston and will face the Democrat for County Commissioner District 2. 

A FAMILY THAT WIPES TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER:  Hat tip to my friend AJ for sending me this commentary...and it almost made me spit coffee all over the place when I read it.  And it is serious.  The thought of using reusable ass wipe just blows my mind.  Look, I'm a conservationist as a hunter and angler, but there is no way that my family will ever share cloth toilet wipes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS MADISON: Today is my daughter Madison's 11th birthday.  She has her mother's intelligence, my intensity and a sweet spirit from the Father himself.  Madison is a joy to be around and I am blessed that on this day 11 years ago, God blessed me with my daughter.

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Monday, August 25

TONIGHT, SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO/NRA NEWS, INTERVIEW WITH THE GORILLA: Cam and Company have decided to stoop to a new low as to bring me, the Gorilla, on their show to discuss this past weekend's monster fundraising event for the Mid America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.  Tune in at 9:40pm CST on the Patriot Channel or go to www.nranews.com and listen online!

THE DNC CONVENTION KICKS OFF IN DENVER:  Okay!  Trying to get excited about the political season, but I just cannot.  Neither candidate on the presidential ticket gets me particularly excited one way or the other - except when we talk about gun rights, because Obama is a gun grabbing liberal pile of human waste where that issue is concerned.  Anyway, the Democrats converge in Denver this week and other than listening to a bunch of blathering about how President Bush may or may not be the anti-Christ, even many Democrats I hang out with are voicing their displeasure.  Frankly, I am sick of the hardcore, ridiculous partisanship that takes place for no good reason. 

VERY PROUD OF MY FELLOW OKIES:  Oklahomans came from all over the state this weekend to join us for the WILD Oklahoma MAPVA celebration in Del City.  To make a very long but exciting story short, Oklahomans raised almost $13,000 for the Mid America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.  It was a piece of amazing work.  Thank you all. 

I really need to thank the following for coming out and sharing their thoughts (and financial gifts) with members of the MAPVA:
Congresswoman Mary Fallin
Lt. Governor Jari Askins
State Senator Kenneth Corn
State Senator Jim Reynolds
State Senator Don Barrington
State Representative Joe Dorman
State Representative Richard Morrissette
State Representative Wallace Collins
State Represenative Al Lindley
State Representative David Dank
Former Representative Kevin Calvey
Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater
Office of U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe

And of course, the radio legend himself, Mr. Mike McCarville.