151 Band

Friday, October 01, 2010

Opening Day

It's the day deer hunters have looked forward to all year long...it's opening day of deer archery season.  Many Oklahoma hunters have been scouting, getting food plots together, watching their trail cameras and ready to let loose with the string and stick in the hopes of bagging that trophy buck.

Or smacking down a doe or two for the freezer.

For more information about deer archery hunting and open public areas, check out the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Oklahoma Way...Blast From The Past

Henry kicked rear-end with this ad...remember?

Jari Askins - Best Ad So Far

By posting this, I'm sure that there will be some brainless, walking, talking drum of Massengill with legs come out and say that I'm endorsing Jari Askins.  They would be wrong, of course.  But seriously, this is one damned good political ad and is an excellent response to all the attacks being leveled at Askins by the Fallinistas.   

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Times Being What They Are...

Times have been exceedingly tough for many in this jacked up economy and it isn't the environment taking it hit...it's the human race itself.  People are checking out emotionally and physically under the stress.  According to a report from Rutgers University and Emory University, baby boomers are committing suicide at alarming rates.  From the article:
Middle-aged people usually have a relatively low risk for suicide as they seek to support their families, but baby boomers are bucking this trend, sociologists Julie Phillips of Rutgers University in New Jersey and Ellen Idler of Emory University in Atlanta found.
Probably old news, but it is rather alarming, isn't it?

Duffe Campaign Stalled?

Running as an Independent/Libertarian is a tough cookie in Central Oklahoma.  The perception of Libertarianism is not very favorable, but Clark Duffe has been a well known commodity - a very nice and wickedly intelligent man who, once you talk to him, you get to like him.

But it appears as though his campaign has stalled.  On the Broadway Extension, no less.

Clark, I feel your pain.  As the not-so-proud owner of a Chevy Avalanche that has been possessed from a demon residing on the 7th plain of hell, it happens.

Here's to hoping that the campaign and automotive difficulties go away.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Gary Jones Lands Coveted Coburn Endorsement

Gary Jones, Republican candidate for State Auditor and Inspector hit a home run this week.  He received the endorsement of United States Senator Tom Coburn - the guy who is the epitome of the "government watchdog" axiom. 

From Gary's website
"Gary Jones is the watchdog Oklahoma voters need as our next State Auditor and Inspector. When it comes to exposing fraud and corruption in state government, Gary has proven himself to be up to the task.

Gary Jones understands that just as important as exposing corruption, we must also address the issues of waste, duplication and inefficiencies in our state. Oklahoma citizens work too hard to see their tax dollars wasted.

Gary knows that we must make tough decisions today if we expect to give our children and grandchildren the same opportunities we were given by our parents and grandparents."  ~ Senator Tom Coburn
This is huge for a number of reasons.  First, there is no one in Oklahoma (or national) politics more in tune with small, responsible government as Tom Coburn.  Secondly, the man is wickedly popular with Republicans and Democrats alike who are all about fiscal conservatism. 

Congrats to Gary.

Fait Au Compli: Fallin/Republicans Win (Unless...)

I can remember what it was like serving in the United States Navy under Ronald Reagan and Bush (41).  It was a remarkably different time and though my fellow sailors were facing a carrier-load of trouble for $400 toilet seat (ouch), it was an amazing experience.  The mere thought of Ronald Reagan coming to one of our military installations was enough to get the troops fired up, ready to take on just about anything.

Since that time, it's as though our expectations have been diminished and have lowered our standards.  We're just not excited about our candidates for public office like we were back then.  While I supported George W. Bush quite emphatically and opposed the candidacy of John Kerry, I did so with a great deal of consternation.  It wasn't that I was in love with "W," but really the thought of John Kerry in the White House made me incontinent.

I remember my fellow talk shows hosts who celebrated with reckless abandon after the victory, whereas I opened my show with Mozart's Requiem Mass (Kyrie) and encouraged my fellow Republicans not to kiss each other on the mouth too deeply because my GOP had made numerous promises that we were duty-bound to fulfill or within a few short years, control would be relinquished and the pendulum would swing so far to the left that we would scarcely even recognize Washington.

Guess what?  I was right.

Here in Oklahoma, we have bucked the trends and not only have we (Republicans) dominated in the House and Senate, but we became owners of arguably one of the most powerful posts in all of Oklahoma - the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.  The demise of Oklahoma democrats has been written on the wall with the election and horrific policies of President Obama, as well as the impotence of Congress.  The frustration has reached epic proportions and now, the Republicans will have virtually a clean sweep in November.

Republicans will maintain the House and the Senate, will win the Labor Commissioner seat, probably the Superintendent of Public Instruction post and Gary Jones will defeat Burrage, the Brad Henry appointee for State Auditor and Inspector.

And, Mary Fallin will defeat Jari Askins to become the first woman governor of the great state of Oklahoma.

No doubt, this blog has been tough of the Fallin campaign at times and yes, I have taken some much-deserved shots at the Askins campaign as well.  The feedback received has been phenomenal and exceptionally entertaining.  But at the end of the day, Oklahomans love Mary Fallin.  The Oklahoman even commented about her "charm" and her exceptionally personable manner.

We live in very different times and our desire to consider the rule of unintended consequences just doesn't factor in whatsoever.  We're not interested so much in elected the most "qualified" candidates and we haven't been really for a few years.  We elect the candidates with the catchy tunes, the impressive commercials and the best catch-phrases.

We're ready for change from the change we experienced this last election cycle (Obama and the borderline Socialist regime that has taken over Washington).  It would take a miracle or an "October surprise" from the Askins campaign that would make the Iran-Contra scandal look like an episode of Big Brother.  Askins has the money, the desire and the ability put together some pretty creative advertisements to re-introduce herself to the majority of Oklahoma voters, but the undercurrent of anti-Washington/anti-Democrat sentiment will eventually be just too much for her campaign staff to handle.

It has been the perfect storm - and the RGA (Republican Governor's Association) ads have given Fallin a golden surfboard to ride the wave to the Governor's Mansion.  Coupled with Mary's smiling, charming anti-Washington ads and her state travel via rail, people may not be overjoyed with the choices, but they will line up excited to cast their vote for Mary.  Mary has received the support of virtually every political blog dealing with Oklahoma politics, and the support of the uber-popular Republican hottie Sarah Palin certainly didn't hurt Mary. 

Unless Askins can generate news about a Fallin scandal of Biblical proportions, the election is a fait au compli - a done deal, my friends.   Mary is a 2nd Amendment supporter, a very outspoken pro-life advocate and she supports Oklahoma's hunting and fishing industry enthusiastically.  All of those issues have been important to me personally.  There are some questions about Mary's credentials on the issue of illegal immigration and yes, it is largely a federal issue - I don't care what the spin doctors try to tell us.  And that certainly is not to say that Askins would be any better, by the way.

Whether Oklahoma becomes a virtual Nirvana (mythical location, not the band) for business is doubtful, but the Republicans will once again have the opportunity to fulfill some promises and get the ship headed on the right course.  Wouldn't it be nice to experience once again the excitement we did back when Reagan was president?  Wouldn't it be spectacular for us to live in a country once again where freedom was was all-important and government intrusion was only a pipe dream for hardcore liberals?

We have a lot of work to do and it begins by getting voters enthusiastic about voting.