151 Band

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Media Malpractice: A Review

Cruising through the selections on Netflix, I have found some very entertaining and enlightening documentaries over the past couple months and last evening, I found one that got my attention.  Media Malpractice:  How Obama Got Elected and Palin Was Targeted is a new release on Netflix, but came out in 2009, I believe.  A fascinating documentary that truly enlightened me on some very serious issues.

Throughout the documentary, Sarah Palin is interviewed, discussing some of the more difficult moments of the McCain/Palin race and the interviewer shows her watching video segments of members of the media ripping her to pieces.  In one segment, the now infamous Katie Couric interview is reviewed and after listening to how the whole interview went, and what was left out of the final product, my heart absolutely broke for Palin. 

Another point that the documentary makes is how "in the bag" for Obama the mainstream media was during the election cycle.  We all knew that the media thought he was - and is - salvific, but the documentary highlights many of the subtle ways even Fox News helped Obama. 

If you're looking for some interesting perspective on the last presidential election, I highly recommend this video.

Enjoy.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Break From Politics: Alice In Chains

Probably one of the more influential bands of the Seattle-influenced "grunge" era, Alice In Chains had a distinctive sound as illustrated by the below video.  Intense and creative production, AIC's powerful vocals came to an end when Layne Staley died of a drug overdose.  The band still exists, but hasn't reached the acclaim it did under Staley's vocal leadership.


Radicals or Freedom Fighters?

The Tulsa World published a story today about the Southern Poverty Law Center's attack and targeting of three Oklahoma legislators:  Representatives Randy Terrill, Charles Key and Sally Kern.  In the article, the three legislators are called "radicals" by the SPLC. 

Randy Terrill has been an outspoken advocate for controlled borders and punishment of those who come to the United States illegally as well as punishing employers who knowingly and willingly hire illegal immigrants.  Is that a radical concept or is a question of standing up for the rule of law?  It is Constitutional for states to enact laws that deal with illegal immigration because the federal government has failed to do anything about the issue. 

Sally Kern is the wife of a Baptist minister first and foremost and her religious affections drive her.  She has campaigned on conservative, religious moral issues and has resoundingly won re-election in her House District.  While many would disagree with her push of Christianity in the public schools, her District approves of her doing so because she campaigned on these issues - and as a former school teacher, it gives her more credibility with her base of supporters.  Is she a radical or is she fulfilling campaign promises that meet the desires of her constituency? 

Charles Key has always leaned more Libertarian in his views of the role of government and has been a Ron Paul supporter in the past.  Key is a guy who has authored plenty of legislation to reduce the size and scope of government and again, it is what his constituency in his House District asks of him.  Is Key a radical because he believes, according to the article, that the federal government was aware of the attack on the Murrah Building or is he simply misguided and overly suspicious?  Key is not a part of any militia and frankly, there are a lot of people who question the federal government's role in Ruby Ridge, in Waco and in the Oklahoma City bombing but does that make each and every one of them a radical to be targeted by the SPLC?

It seems to politically expedient in today's media climate to attack what most would have considered just a few years back as "common sense" leadership - particularly where the issue of illegal immigration is concerned.  Illegal immigration is expensive to taxpayers, so much so that We The People have decided that something must be done.  We elect members to state legislatures to do something about it but then the Chamber gets a hold of them and with a few exceptions, the argument is forgotten or pushed under the rug to focus on "more important" issues such as "job creation."

You can judge for yourself whether or not the SPLC is off base.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Monday, March 07, 2011

Newsok.com Superintendent Salaries

The Oklahoman has outdone itself with a recent listing of school superintendent salaries.  Whatever you do, you must read this and pass it along to your friends.  The link has a drop-down to search by county and the listing includes the salaries, the number of enrolled students and the pay per pupil equivalent.

It's magnificent and you MUST share with your friends and then, get very, very pissed off. 

Karl Springer - Oklahoma City Public Schools, $170k/year, $5 per pupil.
Teresa McAfee - Crutcho Schools, $97k/year, $330 per pupil

This is just too much fun.

Read this and share it!