JUDGE RULES SQ744 LITERATURE AS “ADVOCACY”

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK:  Judge Patricia Parrish ruled today that Yukon Superintendent Bill Denton’s request for teachers to distribute materials supporting State Question 744 to be “advocacy,” and that political advocacy in is not allowed by law.  While not issuing an injunction or restraining order, Judge Parrish admonished the defendants not to “engage in advocacy within public schools.”

Shawnnessy Black, plaintiff attorney stated, “While the relief was not granted, we are not disappointed with the ruling of the judge in this case.  We are hopeful that the unethical electioneering styles conducted by superintendents across the state will cease as a result of this ruling.”

Anthony J. Ferate, co-counsel said, “It was fun to watch the defendants do their song and dance, saying that none of them were responsible.  Sandy Garrett’s office directly claimed they ‘had no control of the superintendents across the state.’  It really makes me wonder what the Superintendent’s job truly is.”

If anyone has additional information about possible electioneering in public schools, both attorneys would appreciate correspondence via email for the express purpose of ensuring appropriate law enforcement agencies, including District Attorneys, are notified promptly.

Shawnnessy Black:  Shawnnessy@hotmail.com

Anthony J. Ferate:  aj@feratepllc.com

Citizen Files Injunction Against Garrett and Yukon Schools

"It's for the children," we hear all the time and this time, school superintendents and officials plan to use our children as campaign volunteers for the infamous State Question 744.  Today, a Yukon resident filed a temporary injunction and restraining order against Sandy Garrett and Superintendent Bill Denton of Yukon.  The plan was to give out materials to children to take home the day before the vote on State Question 744.

Bill Denton and Sandy Garrett have a great deal of explaining to do and friends, this is exactly the kind of campaign tactic that has created the tsunami of support against incumbents and against the status quo.

Contact your local school superintendents immediately and tell them that this kind of behavior will not be acceptable under any circumstances and if they try to pull what Denton has pulled in Yukon, you will work diligently to see them ousted.

We have seen the news reports, we have put up with the garbage from the teacher's unions, it's time for us to act.  Attorneys Shawnnessy Black and Anthony Ferate have assisted a citizen in the move to tell the status quo system HELL NO.  Please share this link with your friends and let them know that they now have another reason to vote NO on SQ744 and demand the prosecution of public officials who use the schools as their campaign headquarters.

Here is the contact information for Yukon Public Schools:
Yukon Public Schools Administrators

Mr. Bill Denton, Superintendent
Dr. Fred D. Rhodes, Assistant Elementary Superintendent
Mr. Kent Mathers, Assistant Secondary Superintendent


Office: (405) 354-2587

HEARING SCHEDULED, 4PM, 7TH FLOOR BEFORE THE HONORABLE JUDGE PATRICIA PARRISH.

Behind the Green Doak

I have just learned that consultant Chris Lowther is working on the Doak for Insurance Commissioner race and that OCPAC stalwart Richard Engle is Doak's campaign manager.

Well, that certainly changes things, doesn't it?

Stand Up To Obama? From Oklahoma?

I have been called a "partisan hack" for many, many years.  I've been a Republican conservative and have made no bones about it.  I have completely decimated Democratic leadership on the air while on WKY and have ripped to shreds many liberal, feel-good policies that hinder our economy and have cost jobs.

But I am an equal opportunity offender.

So, while cruising Facebook, I came across a picture of Congresswoman Mary Fallin speaking at a State Chamber event and the caption to the picture read:

From The State Chamber forum: "I believe President Obama and Nancy Pelosi are out of touch and out of control ... and I'm the candidate who is ready to stand up to them."

Mary Fallin in Washington where, apparently, she was too close to Pelosi and Obama to actually take them on.

Now, I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but that statement BEGS the following questions:
1.  Are you running for Congress?
2.  Why are you choosing NOW to "stand up" to Obama and Pelosi?
3.  Didn't you serve in Washington where you could have "stood up" to Democratic leadership?
4.  Why did it take you four years IN WASHINGTON to muster up the courage NOW to stand up to Pelosi/Obama?
5.  How freaking stupid do you think we are?

Apparently, very.

No doubt, Congresswoman Mary Fallin will win her bid for governor.  Jari Askins will fall victim to the anti-Obama/Pelosi/Reid sentiment and Fallin will be the first-ever female governor of the great state of Oklahoma in the same year we send a camp counselor to Washington as our congressman.

I like Mary Fallin.  She's fun, she's funny and a very, very sweet person.  This being said, if she says that she is going to take on Washington from the governor's mansion one more time, I may lose what's left of my cotton-picking mind.

State Question Guide - Share With Your Friends

Here is my take on the upcoming state questions, how I plan to vote and since I am such a cult of personality, you'll very likely do whatever I say...


SQ744 - EDUMACATION FUNDING
Hayl No. This "regional average" line of crap they are feeding us is just that - crap. The teacher's unions and bureaucrats use an intellectually dishonest formula that does not include even the most simplistic of measurements...cost of living indexes.

SQ746 - VOTER PHOTO ID
Hayl Yes. While I think it would be more important to have poll workers who aren't busy watching reruns of Matlock, having photo identification for voters is important.

SQ747 - TERM LIMITS
Hayl Yes. This will term-limit statewide elected officials from serving more than two four-year terms (total of eight years). Unfortunately, this doesn't go far enough. We need to limit terms for offices that include PRIOR service as an elected official.

SQ748 - REDISTRICTING
Hayl Yes. Increases the redistricting commission members from three to seven. We need more accountability, this is one way to get it.

SQ750 - BALLOT ACCESS
Hayl Yes. I am all about the First Amendment to the Constitution and this question protects our right to petition the government. I like it a lot.

SQ751 - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE...ENGLISH, PLEASE
Hayl Yes. While we may still be stuck "pressing 1 for English," state agencies will no longer be required to print documents in Swahili.

SQ752 - HERE COME DA JUDGE COMMISSION
Yep. Increases the number of members of the Judge's Commission to 15 members.

SQ754 - APPROPRIATIONS
Hayl No. If this passes, the legislature would not be required to use predetermined formulas to set agency budgets. It would end up being a free-for-all with your tax dollars and we just can't give Ken Miller that kind of power.

SQ755 - SHARIAH LAW
Yes, yes, yes. This is that state question everyone on the Right is talking about...forbidding state courts from considering or using international law or even Shariah Law (scary Muslim stuff) when deciding cases. We prefer the Constitution, thank you.

SQ756 - Obamacare No-Go
Hayl Yes. We don't need no stinkin' Obamacare.

SQ757 - RAINY DAY MONEY
No, no, no. Increases the Rainy Day from from 10% to 15% of the general budget. Look, our state government has already proven that the Rainy Day Fund is not being used for emergencies like FLOODING, why give them more money to jack with? VOTE NO on this pile of waste disguised as a state question.

Political Circle of Life

Every two years, we get ourselves all lathered up about how this candidate or that candidate will save us from ourselves, save our country from this or that perilous course and how our involvement in the process itself can make or break our future.  We wear our campaign t-shirts with pride, we decorate our front lawns with signs showing our allegiance to our particular candidate(s) and we tell the world how important our political affections are to us.

We lather, rinse and repeat.  Tragically, we expect different results every single time.

Sometimes, there are new faces in the crowd but even those "new" candidates are owned and operated by the same cast of characters who brought us the perennial candidates from years gone by.  Their tepid messages are the same, their lack of coherent policies are the same, their negative and often misleading attacks are no different than that which we swore we would refuse to accept in years past.

As Solomon wrote, "There is nothing new under the sun," but we fool ourselves into thinking so.  Candidates promise us the sky but deliver nothing more than hot air, and we love every minute of it because they inflate the balloons that are out carnivorous egos.

Politics is not life itself, but it is an unfortunate part of life.  We live in a country where we have been led to believe that "one person can make a difference," but the evidence points to something completely different in the macro, doesn't it?  Tea Party rallies, pastoral convocations, reclaiming this or that for this or that - all part of the cyclical processes by which we entertain ourselves and pretend that the man behind the green curtain doesn't exist...unfortunately, he does.  As a matter of fact, there are lots of green curtains, lots of men (and women) hiding behind those green curtains and you and I know it to be true...we just refuse to accept the truth and do something about it.

We are born, we live, we give birth, we die.  The circle of life is what it is and there isn't a damned thing we can do to change it.  As I have said before:   "Life is a series of mistakes.  Sometimes, we get it right - but that is a mistake too."

Once in a while, we can do something to make a minor change, to implement something for a short period of time that actually has meaning, that can create a blip on the radar and perhaps the effort therein is worth it for that brief moment in time.  We find reasons, excuses to justify our excitement about the temporal, ignoring the eternal or worse yet, intermingling the two - making that which is sacred somehow secular and making that which is truly secular, sacred.

The cycle continues and even though this litter of candidates has within its brood a couple potential superstars who can and will deliver that which they have promised, we will probably overlook them because we enjoy feeding at the trough of hyperbole and flashy television commercials.  And in two years, then again in four, the political circle of life will continue and we'll be bitching and complaining about the incumbents like we are right now.

Cue the Lion King...

(Not So) Serious Sunday

It's time for the weekly round-up and analysis of the week to come brought to you by your friendly former 400lb Gorilla of Oklahoma media...you ready?

Oklahoman Takes After Terrill (Again):  In a story published by the ever-so-objective Oklahoman, questions about the "investigation" of Representative Randy Terrill by Oklahoma County District Attorney, David Prater.  Michael McNutt implies that Terrill didn't return calls for an interview, but answered questions in an email and in the email (which Terrill sent me), McNutt was given the pimp-hand.  One of the funniest exchanges was where the implication that Terrill's opponent said there were many voters out there concerned about the so-called investigation, to which Terrill replied, "To be completely candid, most of my constituents say they don’t even know who my opponent is, so I  seriously doubt many of them are “voicing concerns” to her. Be that as it may, i have knocked a lot of doors, and not many have told me they have any questions on the subject.  That's most likely because they recognize the allegations as the baseless, politically-motivated election-year garbage that they are."

Ouch.  But seriously, the real problem is that since Terrill was the unashamed author of HB1804 and plans a tougher illegal immigration bill next session, the Oklahoman has painted a target on Randy's back.  Why?  It's simple:  Cash.  Large corporations that comprise a significant revenue stream for the down-sizing Oklahoman do not support HB1804 and the advertising agency that handles said corporations place ad dollars with the Oklahoman.  As long as Terrill is a hawk on immigration issues, and the Oklahoman is in the hip pocket of one or two ad agencies and their "branded news," Randy can expect continued attacks.  Hell, if Gene Stipe himself were running against Terrill, the Oklahoman would endorse Stipe over Terrill.

RGA Is A-OK For OK Corps:  Wondering where all the money came from to fund those anti-Askins commercials?  Well, the money flowed from the heavenly streams of Oklahoma corporations, of course.  According to the Oklahoman's Paul Monies' analysis...here is the breakdown of contributions:

Devon Energy....$650,000

Rooney Holdings....$282,145

Chesapeake Holdings....$225,000

And so on, so forth totaling $1.4 million.  Contrasted with the Democratic Governor's Association wherein Oklahomans contributed a whopping $1,250.  And you wonder why Jari Askins is getting spanked in the polls?  You have to wonder why Devon and CHK is so willing to fund such nasty ads against Oklahoma's Lt. Governor - particularly since Jari Askins is a mineral rights owner...

Sooners/Cowboys/Huskies Get Whipped:  It was a bad week for my Washington Huskies as well as the Oklahoma college franchises (yes, I called them franchises because that is truly what they are), but we live to fight again next week.  Oklahoma's undefeated streak comes to an end. 

Jones Goes It Alone:  Gary Jones has been fighting corruption for a very long time in Oklahoma and because of his work, former State Auditor Jeff McMahancan't is gone.  And now, the Republican Party has all but forgotten the fact that it was under Jones' leadership that the House and Senate went to Republicans and we maintained control of the Corporation Commission.  Todd Lamb, Mary Fallin, Ken Miller, Dana Murphy, Glenn Coffee and Speaker Steele owe Gary a debt of gratitude and their support - financial and otherwise.  Locked in their own races of course, they are focused on their own opponents and it's understandable.  BUT, the GOP continues to support the other statewide races and have even purchase ads on social networking media such as Facebook on behalf of Mary Fallin, but has failed to adequately support Gary Jones.  The irony is that when these other candidates needed Gary, he was there for them but in politics, there is rarely a quid pro quo.  What these candidates need to remember, however, is if that Henry appointee wins, his office will be auditing the hell out of them just for political purposes...   It's time for the GOP to support their candidate for Auditor.  Period.

How To Beat A Democrat: Invoke the "O"-Word

There are some words in the English language that are just wrong.  No matter who says them and in what context they are used, people cringe when they are heard and in this election cycle, no word is more powerful than the "O"-word.  The Big "O", if you will is being invoked across the land and in Oklahoma, it has reached epic proportions and so far, it's working out very well for Republicans.

The word?  Obama.

To use a quote from my favorite Robin Williams film, Dead Poets Society:

No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.

Doesn't matter whether the idea is good, or that the words are in and of themselves meaningful, it's the use of the Big O that is changing the tide for Republicans throughout Oklahoma and dare I say, the rest of the country.  In a story written by the conservative blogger and Oklahoma talk radio legend, Mike McCarville, friend of the 2nd Amendment Jay Paul Gumm may be getting a lashing because of his so-called connection with the Big O - through a polling firm.   It doesn't really matter to some that Gumm really does not support Obama's policies, what matters is that the needle in the haystack has been found and the Republican machine is at work to make sure that the six degrees of separation from the Big O and Gumm is in full effect.

In my home state of Washington - a Democratic stronghold to be sure - the Big O is being invoked across the state with some of the most blistering attacks on incumbent Democrats ever seen in politics.  The "P" word is being used there as well and it is working thus far.

Truth be damned and the heavens fall, for this is the year when the Big O becomes a problem for virtually every Democrat running for office in any state, county or even city.  The Republican apparatus is laser focused on finding any connection to Obama and exploit it through the use of every known form of media.  The Big O is so toxic, that none of us should be surprise if the private sector doesn't start invoking it to increase market share:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From:  Scope


NEW YORK, NY:  President Obama uses Listerine.  Good, patriotic Americans use Scope and if the Founding Fathers were here, they would have used only the constitutionally conservative and remarkably delicious Scope, not the communist, socialist Listerine.

Well, you get the picture.

Words and ideas can change the world and sometimes, these words have meaning and sometimes they don't.  You make the call.

The Plan: Talk About A Plan

Some day, I plan to see the Grand Canyon.  Some day, I plan to once again ski Whistler/Blackcomb mountains.  One day, I plan to see my kids head off to college.  We all have plans and apparently, Congresswoman Fallin has a few plans too for when she is elected governor of the great state of Oklahoma, but you'd be hard-pressed to find said plans anywhere in writing, so we're forced to simply take her at her word.

Her new ad claims she is the "only conservative" in the race for Governor and I suppose we're to take that at face value.  She's been endorsed by the NFIB - a small business lobbying group.  And of course, she stood up to Obamacare.  The ad also informs us that she supports the Arizona immigration law - which is horrifyingly ironic because the biggest problem with illegal immigration has been caused by inactivity in Congress...where she has served for the last four years.

She has a plan to:
Lower Taxes
Reduce Government Spending
Bring New Jobs

But we don't know what those plans are, or how she intends to lower taxes, reduce government spending or to bring new jobs to Oklahoma.  Can't find the "plans" on her website.  Can't find her plans for any of the three anywhere.

But that's kind of what we expect in this election cycle, isn't it?  Talk about a plan without really telling what that plan entails.  We have heard over and over again that we need to lower taxes, we need to reduce government spending and we need to bring new jobs to Oklahoma but not a damned one of the Republican or Democratic candidates have shared with us just how in the hell they propose to do just that.  Instead, we're being pumped full of feel-good messages that pollsters have vetted and makes us feel all tingly inside.

Well, here's Mary's new ad.  Enjoy.

Lamb With A Side Of Corn

Ladies and gentlemen, we have one of Oklahoma's very first edible elections in memory and it is being served up piping hot.  Grab a beer to wash this one down...

I have a confession:  I really haven't been paying much attention to the Lt. Governor's race and it appears as though I have missed out on quite the delicacy.  Kenneth Corn apparently went on the attack against Todd Lamb and Lamb responded with fire and vigor, using comments even from Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater.

I have known Kenneth Corn for a while now and though our relationship started out on rocky ground after he was a guest on my former talk show on WKY, he and I got to know each other and he even invited me on a hunt down in his part of the state.  We hunted hogs with dogs and it was an experience I will not soon forget.  He is well known, and very well liked in his part of the state and while there, it was almost like he was a celebrity.

I have also had the opportunity to meet Todd Lamb at a Friends of the National Rifle Association banquet a couple years ago and he seemed engaging, intelligent and though a little polished for my liking, very approachable and friendly.  Lamb has the "look" of someone running for office, someone who will probably run for one office or another for the rest of his life.  More than likely, if he wins, he will bide his time until the Governor's mansion becomes vacant or the opportunity to run for Congress or the U.S. Senate presents itself. 

Both men are really good guys and it is rather disgusting that their campaigns have devolved to this negative garbage.  Yes, people are wickedly sick of negative campaigning but at the end of the day, negative campaigns often work well.  People respond to negative attacks as well as negative robo-calls and I fully suspect calls to be flying within the next couple weeks.

The GOP coffers are emptying on behalf of Lamb and Fallin (which is just plain silly to me) and by the time comes to help out Jones for Auditor or Doak for Insurance Commissioner, there will be little left - other than a compulsory mailer or two that will be sent out using one of the GOP consultant's mailing houses.

Lucky for the GOP, the Democratic party machine needs a tune-up and hasn't been lubricated so well these days.

Negative Ads, Same Sorry Excuses

What happens when fear takes over?  If you're trained to control fear, make it your ally and use it to your advantage, it can be a good thing.  A little fear of the Creator is certainly a good thing - we need to remember that He is God and we're not.  But without training, fear can make us do some crazy things.

Steve Burrage apparently experienced a little fear after seeing that he was losing in recent polling and what was his response to Gary Jones?  A typical negative attack ad that tells us a lot about whether or not he is "political" or not.

Burrage was appointed by Governor Henry to fill the Democratic statewide office vacated by former State Auditor Jeff McMahan - who is now dealing with much bigger issues than he was as Auditor and that is largely thanks to the work of the man who desires to replace the Henry appointee.  Gary Jones has been tenacious and that is really the kind of person we want as auditor and inspector.  Jones has the respect of many Blue Dog Democrats across the state and that probably scares the crap out of Burrage.  And his response to the fear and losing in the polls shows that he is not the outsider he has tried to portray himself as and accuse Gary of being.

Gary is a good guy and he is more than qualified for the job he seeks.  He has private sector experience and he has a good relationship with people from both sides of the aisle. 

When fear takes over, we can do some stupid things.  In my opinion, Burrage has proven my point.

State Auditor Race

Yes, we're at the cusp of election day and  most of us have already realized that the Republicans are going to have a clean sweep.  There are a couple races that the state GOP needs to get more involved in - such at the State Auditor race and the Labor Commissioner race as well, but I have spoken to Matt Pinnell personally, and he has assured me that the GOP will be doing something to ensure we don't have another four years of a Henry-appointed Auditor.

Think about it:  If Gary Jones does not receive the help necessary from the GOP and loses to a Henry-appointed Democrat, and the Republicans sweep other races, Gary's opponent will have something to prove and he will expend untold energy toying with the other statewide office holders.  It is critical that Matt Pinnell and the new leadership team at the GOP focus time and energy on this race otherwise, Burrage will be a proverbial bee in the bonnet of every statewide Republican-controlled office.

Conventional wisdom dictates that the GOP will be laser focused on the Governor's race, but in this climate, the Governor's race probably requires the least amount of attention.  Mary Fallin has a pretty damned good team around her and she has incredible financial resources at her fingertips.  Not only that, but the RGA (Republican Governor's Association) has spent a bunch of money in this market as well.  So, you see, Fallin doesn't need Pinnell nor the Victory Fund to waste untold dollars on her race - Jones, Doak and Costello need the help.

I consider Gary Jones to be a friend and though we have not agreed on every finer point of political dogma, Gary is probably the best suited candidate for State Auditor we Republicans have seen in many years.  Gary has uncovered more corruption and fiscal shenanigans in state government than the last three auditors combined - and he's not even our State Auditor yet.

I highly recommend you vote for Gary, November 2nd.  We need a State Auditor who will work hard for the people of Oklahoma and not spend $350,000 of our hard-earned dollars to redecorate their office.

Gary's website.

"I'm You." Again.

The new Christine O'Donnell ad. She didn't go to Yale, by the way.  Nor did she inherit millions.

I don't care what you say about Christine...she's a little hottie. And though she's not doing well in the polls right now, this ad makes her seem approachable and not the loon many have made her out to be. Of course, she is a little nutty, but we like our hotties to be just a little crazy, don't we?

Perfect Example of Government Disaster

Michael McNutt knocked it out of the park with his story in the Oklahoman about a House panel investigating legal costs for two of my favorite government money-suckers:  The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.  Gorilla Rants has brought to your attention previously the deplorable condition of much of the Department of Human Services and if you've been alive and breathing in Oklahoma, you know for a fact that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation needs an audit as badly as Obama needs a teleprompter.

Concerning DHS, McNutt writes:

Charlie Waters, general counsel for the Department of Human Services, said his agency has paid about $2 million the past two years to a Tulsa law firm to defend a major class-action case filed in federal courts by attorneys from Children's Rights, a national child advocacy group, and four other law firms. The lawsuit seeks to place the state's foster care and child welfare system under a federal court order because of alleged violations, he said.

Waters said the firm, Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison and Lewis, was paid $958,455 during the 2010 fiscal year.

This is a very telling story...look at the names mentioned of the above mentioned law firm.  Sound familiar?  DHS is a disaster.  While some branch offices seem to run rather well - in spite of the lack of efficacious leadership from Howard Hendrick (a Frank Keating appointee, mind you), the news is replete with stories of children who have been placed in danger and some have lost their lives as a result.  Oklahomans should, in my opinion, be supportive of any legislative move to audit DHS and eventually, get rid of current leadership with impunity.

And then the story moves on to ODOT, where we find Gary Ridley (probably the state's highest paid bureaucrat) basically whining about the House panel where he feels "ambushed."

Gary Ridley, who serves as director of both the Transportation Department and the Turnpike Authority, was in the meeting but not given a chance to respond. He said after he left the meeting he felt he was ambushed.

"We certainly were not advised ahead of time that they were going to bring up specific cases," he said.

It's hard being Ridley...accountability is not something I would argue he is used to.  With Oklahoma being at the bottom of the infrastructure totem pole, Ridley and the administrative staff have a long way to go before they can whine about being "ambushed."  You would be hard-pressed to find anything of value where ODOT is concerned, with the exception of perhaps the men and women on the front lines, working their asses off during the hot summers while Ridley and his entourage make excuses.  And I find it absolutely fascinating to find out the Ridley also works for the Turnpike Authority.  The way I look at it, Ridley must have some dirt on someone in high places to be able to keep both jobs...Oklahoma is well known for its horrible infrastructure.

Kudos to Representative Mark McCullough for putting the screws to these bureaucrats who seem to think that taxpayer dollars are an entitlement to them, and a hat-tip to one of the only reasons anyone actually buys the Oklahoman any more - Michael McNutt.

Read the entire story here.

Term Limits? Yes, Please.

Term limits.  In Washington, it just isn't going to happen because the Supreme Court has ruled it unconstitutional for federal candidates.  But that isn't the case for state candidates and I think there are two things that could potentially clean up some of the mess we find ourselves in right now.  They are not the "silver bullet," but it's a start.  Term limits and meaningful campaign finance reform right here in Oklahoma.

1.  Term limits.  Sure, we have term limits in Oklahoma.  Two terms for the Governor, 12 years for the House and the Senate.  We need term limits for every statewide office and those term limits should include time already served.  If a candidate has served for 12 years in the House or Senate (or any combination therein), it should apply to whatever office they seek.  For example, a candidate who served 6 years in the House and runs for Governor, that candidate will only get to serve for 6 years if elected.  Pretty damned simple if you ask me.  And yes, elected officials who have already served for 80 years should be included as well.  Don't give me the crap about "we have term limits opportunities every election cycle" either because the system itself favors the incumbents.  They weild the power, and their consultants have their hands on the lobbyist and insider money.  It is a ridiculous argument, left for the purists at the 50,000 foot level who can't see what's going on down here on planet earth.

2.  Campaign finance.  I believe there should be no limit to campaign contributions whatsoever, however, any campaign contribution should be listed within 24 hours and made public.  If the Chickasaw Tribe wants to give $500,000 to Congressman Cole, they should be allowed to - but we need to know about it.  If trial lawyers want to give Brad Henry $500,000, they should be allowed to - but we need to know about it.  

We're in a mess, people, but we just don't see it.  The average voter is so pissed off at Obama and his insane policies that they are willing to get behind just about any Republican candidate regardless of whether or not that candidate's brain generates enough electricity to keep his/her heart going.  Realistically, it's all cyclical.  I predicted on WKY after the last Bush election that Democrats would take over if Republicans didn't fulfill their campaign pledges, and it happened.  The Democrats have not fulfilled their campaign pledges and now, the cycle of political life continues.  After Republicans sweep this election cycle, their promises will not be kept and after we elect a Republican to the White House in 2012, 2014 will be a Republican massacre.

Until we get some real candidates with real experience from within the private sector to run for office, until we stop believing the hype from either party and start looking at facts ourselves, we're participants in this train wreck we call politics.  But we kind of like it this way right now, don't we?

Biggest Endorsement Yet

United States Senator Jim Inhofe has endorsed Congresswoman Mary Fallin for Governor and without question, this is the biggest endorsement and probably the most significant for Fallin to date. 

People say that Democrats don't like Senator Inhofe - they are wrong.  This is a monster of an endorsement.  Period.  Jari is done with this one.

Perhaps it's time to start addressing Fallin as Governor Fallin...

Mary Ain't Jari and Jari Ain't Mary (Glad We Have That Settled)

It was really only a matter of time, folks, before the GOP lashed out against all of the independent websites against Mary Fallin and it appears as though the best and the brightest in the Oklahoma GOP has done their level best to draw distinctions between Fallin and Askins.

Fortunately, most of us with more than 50 functioning brain cells left know the differences between Mary Fallin and Jari Askins, but there are a few points brought out in this one-page website that I found very interesting.

First, on "Energy," the distinction is made this way:

Jari:  When given the chance, Askins didn’t stand up to Washington and issue a strong statement against Cap & Trade, legislation that would devastate the energy industry in Oklahoma.

Mary:  Unquestionably the most qualified candidate when addressing Oklahoma energy issues. Her 20 years of legislative experience both here and in Washington have prepared her to both fight back against Washington cap and trade policies and protect energy jobs in Oklahoma.

Maybe I missed something, but Jari Askins didn't generate her wealth through government paychecks, but as I recall (and I could be wrong), but I thought Jari Askins was/is a mineral owner and has made money through the oil and gas industry.  So, because Jari didn't hold a press conference bemoaning cap-and-trade, she is somehow not qualified on the issue?  One could argue that since Mary Fallin did virtually nothing about illegal immigration (as she promised during her 2006 and 2008 campaigns) that she is also unqualified as governor.  Which leads to...

Second, "Immigration."

Jari:  Refuses to support Arizona’s illegal immigration law. Supports the DREAM Act, an amnesty law backed by Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

Mary:  Supports the Arizona illegal immigration law and tough, common sense reforms to cut down on illegal immigration. Cosponsored a bill in Congress to beef up border security.

Now it gets fun.  Jari's support of the DREAM act is most assuredly problematic, but in many ways, it resembles the amnesty Ronald Reagan granted illegal immigrants.  And whether Jari supports the Arizona law or not is not a big deal to me...why?  Because each state is now putting together a patchwork of laws because the federal government has failed to do its job.  Istook was slammed by Henry for the same thing that Mary should be criticized for during her four years in Congress.

Yes, Mary "cosponsored" legislation, but I remember that Mary promised (yes, promised) that she would author (not cosponsor) legislation that would deal with the biggest issue, motivator for illegal immigration:  The 14th Amendment.  To "beef up border security" is political-speak for "let the next Congress deal with it." 

Look, let's be honest here.  Jari Askins scares the crap out of the GOP because she has the money to run a serious race and she will do just that.  I have already predicted that Mary will win the race and ironically, it will be because of the "anti-Washington" sentiment right now.

Congrats to the new GOP Chairman, Matt Pinnell, for leading the charge and putting forth some serious effort for a statewide candidate who will probably win.  Now, he needs to concentrate on other statewide candidates wherein the offices hold serious power and where we need accountability - like the State Auditor and Inspector, or Labor Commissioner.  We're waiting, Matt...

Wednesday (Not So) Happiness

The mainstream media has been labeled as deplorably negative, wickedly biased and often blamed for influencing the negative attitudes Americans have towards pretty much everything in life.  But negativity knows no political boundaries and today, let's share some of the unbelievable headlines from the Drudge Report - a decidedly conservative news catch-all:

"Private Sector Hiring in Sept. Falls 39,000"
"POLL:  Working-class whites shun Dems"
"Middle Class Slams Brakes on Spending"
"GOLDMAN SACHS:  Economy 'fairly bad' or 'very bad' over next 6 months"
"New Yorkers' Income Falls for 1st Time in 70 Years"
"More:  25 NATO fuel tankers attacked in Pakistan"
"Murder Captured By GOOGLE Street View Car"
"Tourist dies after he was pulled from water ride at SEA WORLD"
"Limbaugh Calls President Obama 'Jackass'"
"Saudi Prince strangled servant at London hotel"
"UFO closes Chinese airport"

I don't know about you, but that's some doggone depressing news. 

Have a great day!

Christine Responds

Here is the latest Christine O'Donnell ad....
"I'm You."

Lankford Disappointed - But In Whom?

I wasn't really sure how to take a recent story in the Oklahoman concerning the 5th District Congressional candidates and their dialog at Oklahoma City Community College.  On one hand, camp counselor-turned Congressional candidate James Lankford expressed his disappointment about Congress adjourning without a budget deal.  On the other hand, faulted Congress for not doing anything about the Bush tax cuts.  Here's a snippet:

The Republican candidate for the 5th Congressional District seat Monday criticized the Democrat-controlled Congress for adjourning last week without approving a budget. He also faulted Congress for not dealing with tax cuts that are scheduled to expire by the end of this year.

"If something doesn't occur when this lame-duck Congress comes in November or December, all of our tax rates go up,” said James Lankford, of Edmond. "It's one of the most basic things to be able to deal with. Those are issues we're going to have to deal with in the coming Congress.”

Though he blames a "lame-duck Congress," it was Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District Representative who missed the vote that very possibly could have changed the outcome.  The story continues...

Lankford said Congress has known about the tax-cut deadline since 2001, when Republicans inserted a provision in the bill that said the cuts would expire at midnight Dec. 31 unless extended.

I don't understand who he is disappointed in more - "lame-duck Democrats," or the Republicans in Congress who have apparently been too busy campaigning to do that which we elected them to do.  And how will James be any different?  These are the questions Republicans like me want answers to, but have resigned ourselves to realize that the answers will not come in this election cycle.

Kudos to the Oklahoman for covering a story in a race where the outcome is pretty much a fait au compli. 

Cooler Temperatures, Hotter Campaigns

During the summer months, it is the true believers who get out and knock doors.  I've seen volunteers over the summer for former Congressional candidate Mike Thompson, former Independent Congressional candidate Dave White, former Treasurer candidate Owen Laughlin and even some for Mary Fallin out knocking doors and bearing the brunt of the humid summer heat for their candidates.  But with the cooler temperatures, one can expect a deluge at the door.

On the Republican side, I've seen supporters of Gary Jones for Auditor out and about already this past weekend, I've heard reports from Tishomingo that the Breechen campaign against Jay Paul Gumm has hit high gear, I've heard reports from Tulsa that the Doak campaign is full-tilt and of course, the cooler temps this weekend also brought out some of the Billy Coyle supporters as well.

November 2nd will have record numbers at the polls and October will see record numbers of door-knockers in key precincts throughout the state.

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.

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.   

Congresswoman Mary Fallin's New Ad

She has a plan...

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.

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.

Good News: Underworld 4 Is Set

Kate Beckinsale will be back and she will be back to kill the bad vampires though she herself is a vampire.  Kind of like Karl Rove attacking Republicans though he is one himself.  But I digress.

For movie buffs (particularly male), the Underworld series was a good one, coupling great CG with a great cast of characters, the most prominent being Kate Beckinsale.  The petite Beckinsale, clad in her form-fitting leather/something outfit with all types of firearms and wicked vampire-killing ammo is splendid.

It's really the way the Twilight series should have ended - with Kate showing up on the scene making short work of Edward and whatever that creepy other dude's name is.

Coming to theaters whenever they find a director for the film, it will be the fourth of the series.

Read more here.

3 Card Monte From the Fallin Campaign

I have written blogs that went after candidates in the past and one campaign in particular has asked me to contact them if there were any questions before I published.  So, I did.  I had a question of the Fallin campaign and before I wrote a word, I received a response.

In truth, what I received was a game of 3 Card Monte with the truth.

In a story that actually broke on Demookie.com, an Askins staffer was asked to leave an event sponsored by the Regents for Higher Education because if he didn't leave, Congresswoman Fallin would not take the podium.  Who was this staffer for Askins?

A former State Senate leader, Mike Morgan.

This is what was written on the Demookie.com website:

Fallin Wont Take the Podium Until Opposition is Removed from the Room

Yesterday the Jim Thorpe Museum was host to the annual President’s Forum, a gathering of University and College Presidents, the Board of Regents, and a handful of other dignitaries and invited guests. Speaking before this distinguished audience were the two candidates for governor, Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, and Congresswoman Mary Fallin. The format for the event was that Fallin would first deliver remarks, then take questions, and then Askins would do the same.

However, just before she was to begin, Fallin made a strange request of the event organizers; she didn’t want the Lieutenant Governor in the room while she spoke. Nor did she want any of Jari’s staff in the room. In fact, she even scanned the crowd for faces that might be unfriendly, to see who else she could have ejected. Apparently she didn’t like the look on State Senator Mike Morgan’s face, because she told the event organizers she would not take the podium until he had left the room.

Senator Morgan was a guest of the event. He was seated at a table enjoying his lunch, until he was unceremoniously asked to gather up his things and leave the room until it became Jari’s turn to address the crowed, at which point he was welcome to re-take his seat.

This kind of behavior, from a candidate for governor no less, is both paranoid and more than a little ridiculous. As a public official she’s going to have to get used to being in a room full of people who agree and those who disagree with her. To petulantly refuse to take the podium until everyone who might be unfriendly to her way of thinking has been ejected from the event isn’t the kind of behavior this blogger is willing to accept from an elected official. This isn’t Soviet Russia, it’s Oklahoma.

As a side note, if memory serves, one of the issues Fallin primary opponent Randy Brogdon was most passionate about was transparency in government. Hopefully his supporters have noticed that Fallin is no fan of transparency, going so far as to have people thrown out of a forum because they might not like what it is she has to say. For shame!

When the story broke on the Democratic forum, I sent Alex Weintz, spokesperson from the Fallin campaign, an email asking one simple question:  Is this true?

His response on September 22, 2010, 2:25pm...  "That is absolutely not true.  Who wrote this?"

This is the story in the Tulsa World (Here) (emphasis, mine): 

Askins staffer asked to leave lunch

by: BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Friday, September 24, 2010
9/24/2010 7:10:12 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY - Former state Senate leader Mike Morgan said Thursday that he was embarrassed after being prodded to leave an event at which U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin was scheduled to speak.

Morgan, a Democrat from Stillwater, said he was attending an event sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education on Tuesday in Oklahoma City. The event included a lunch at which gubernatorial candidates Fallin, a Republican, and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, a Democrat, were speaking.

Morgan said he was scheduled to participate on a panel after the lunch.

Morgan, who is affiliated with the Askins campaign and has spoken on her behalf, said he was approached by a member of the regents staff and told that there was an agreement between the two candidates that no staff members from Askins' campaign would be present when Fallin was speaking and vice versa.

Morgan said he was told that Fallin would not speak if he was in the room.

"I took my sandwich and went to the lobby," he said. "I was embarrassed. I complied because I didn't want to make a scene."

Regents spokesman Ben Hardcastle said, "We simply advised him of what we were told was the agreement between the two campaigns."

Askins' campaign manger, Sid Hudson, said there was no agreement regarding opposing staff members' attendance. Hudson used to work for Morgan in the Senate.

Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said someone with the Fallin campaign brought the issue to the attention of the regents' staff.

"We went there thinking an agreement had been made with the regents and the Askins campaign," he said. "If there wasn't, then it was a misunderstanding."

Weintz said the issue had nothing to do with the fact that Morgan might disagree with Fallin.

"We don't always have agreements like that," he said. "Sometimes, when you know you are going to speak to a group, you can address their issues and speak candidly."

Feeling as though I have been bamboozled, hoodwinked and flim-flammed, I contacted the young man from the Fallin campaign and this was Alex sent me:

You asked me earlier this week if a blog post bashing Mary was true. I obviously disagree with the spin and the interpretation of events that were conveyed in that post and I still do. 

After the Tulsa World and the Oklahoman contacted me yesterday I circled back around and tried to get all the facts straight (I was not actually at this event). I conveyed those facts to their reporters as accurately as I could and this is the first contact I've had with you since then. I did not lie to you, never have and never will.

Spin.  He didn't like the spin so his initial response was, "That is absolutely not true." He "circled back around" to get the facts straight after the mainstream media contacted him about the stories that were sourced, more than likely, from the Demookie website.  Classic establishment Republican responses from people who want us to believe the hype their candidate is pushing down our necks.

To me, this kind of crap is what was expected from the Gene Stipe-era Democrats, not from this new, bold and beautiful Republican establishment posing as Constitutional conservatives.

So, you tell ME.  Did Alex lie to me or not? 

How did the story change so significantly in the last 24 hours?  I know I'm just a former talk show host, blogger and all around annoying guy...and I probably don't deserve the truth from a spokesperson from the Fallin campaign.  I'm just a regular guy like you.  I don't work for the Oklahoman nor do I work for the Tulsa World. 

But if Alex is willing to put some serious spin on a story like this, imagine what the campaign will do when the rest of us regular Joe's ask some questions...

But, I suppose this is what statewide campaigns have come down to, haven't they? 

Askins A-Million

News Radio 1000, KTOK, is reporting that Jari Askins has loaned herself $1 million for her gubernatorial bid.  Some politicos are finding it a point of contention.  I find it to be laudable.

The fact that Jari Askins has that kind of money to loan her campaign shows that she is self-made, has made wise investments and after all, isn't that what we "conservatives" really desire?  Aren't we all trying to reach that financial brass ring on the carousel of life? 

Contrasted with Congresswoman Fallin, Jari Askins is exceptionally wealthy.  Which would explain, in part, why the attacks against Askins have been so aggressive.

Non-Politics: American Idol Off The Radar

Simon Cowell was the lifeblood of American Idol.  His grumblings, his back-and-forth with Paula, his witty retorts...all made American Idol the show that it was for the last few seasons.  This year, Simon Cowell is replaced with Steven Tyler from Aerosmith and Paula Abdul is replaced with Jennifer Lopez.

While Lopez is certainly easier on the eyes than Paula and arguably more talented, there is no way in hell Tyler will be more catty and delightfully annoying than Cowell.  And you can lie to yourself all you want - we all watched AI to see and hear Cowell take someones face off.

Randy Jackson will be there this season, providing us with his insight and the ridiculously annoying "Yo, dawg," commentary but it will hardly be enough to save the show. 

American Idol has produced some amazing talent, including the likes of Oklahoma's very own Carrie Underwood...who is a vegetarian and supports PETA (sorry to burst your Underwood bubble, guys). 

Hell's Kitchen Tonight

Tonight marks the beginning of the 8th season of my favorite show on television.  Hell's Kitchen.  It has humor, intensity and of course, Chef Ramsay.  This new season looks more intense than ever and yes, the Gorilla will be plopped down to watch.  Join me on FB to share thoughts about the season premier - aired locally on Fox 25.

Coyle Gets Switzer/Henry To Host Fundraiser

Billy Coyle is the Democratic candidate for Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District where he faces Republican James Lankford and Independent Libertarian Clark Duffe.  And Billy Coyle has pulled out a couple of the big guns to help with his campaign in Governor Brad Henry and Coach Barry Switzer.

Hosting a fundraiser this very evening in the backyard of country club Republicans (Nichols Hills), Coyle looks to walk away from the fundraiser with a ton of cash and photo opportunities that will make his campaign team giddy with excitement.  Unfortunately, thus far, the only people who really know about Coyle are the Democrats who are pinning their desperate hopes on a guy who is probably one of the best candidates the Democrats have put forth in years.  Coyle is running at the wrong time - a time when the anger and ire against Washington Democrats.  We have already seen the GOP fire shots at Jari Askins in the gubernatorial race, comparing her to President Obama. 

I think that was in the Republican campaign talking points memo that went out nationwide because that's what all the campaigns are doing.

And Coyle's opponents are tough.  Clark Duffe, the Libertarian, is wickedly intelligent and knows the "red meat" issues better than anyone in the race.  He is a perpetual candidate, true, but he is a bright fellow.  But electing a Libertarian in pro-life, anti-drug Central Oklahoma is about as likely as Matt Pinnell hosting a fundraiser for Al Franken.

Which leads us to the Republican boy-wonder, James Lankford.

Lankford is the red-haired "New Moses" of the Republican Party, a Baptist camp program director who will lead the 5th District Republicans into the promised land of milk, honey and s'mores.  Lankford's popularity  in Central Oklahoma rivals only that of Hannah Montana, only without the singing.  Lankford came from nowhere to defeat the armies of Pharaoh (establishment Republicans) and is poised to be the first-ever Baptist camp counselor to serve in Congress.  Oklahoma truly is a trend-setting state.

Will Switzer be able to help Coyle increase his name identification?  It's hard to say.  Switzer helped pull off an upset for Jari Askins against Drew Edmondson, but this is decidedly a higher mountain to climb.  And in Central Oklahoma, Brad Henry might as well be Barbara Boxer.  He did, however, voice his opposition to SQ744 which shocked many in the conservative universe.  Coyle is going to have to get up on media quickly because he sure as hell is losing the battle on the Internet and on social networking sites.

Lankford's site.

Coyle's site.

Duffe's site.

McCarville Lays Out The Gubernatorial Gunk

Mike McCarville has an excellent expose' on his blog today about some of the negative websites dedicated to the two gubernatorial candidates and he paints a very unflattering picture.  As is the case every election cycle, some nerdlingers with far more time on their hands than sense come out with websites that take shots at various candidates.  Some of the sites are funded, some are not.

Read Mike's story here.  It's worth the time.

Kudos to Oklahoma State University

For any of you who have frequented this blog (and there are more and more of you every day - thank you), you know that I am a veteran and have supported veteran's causes for a long time. Whether it be the Mid-America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America or the Hugs Project, I believe we could all do more to support our men and women in uniform.

And you also know, I am not a Burns Hargis fan.  But now, Oklahoma State University has given us a reason to cheer them on beyond just their football team.

According to this outstanding article in the Oklahoman (here), OSU has teamed up with Pepsi and Waste Management to put together a recycling program that will provide revenues for a boot camp program for veterans with disabilities.

Read the whole article here.  Please.

Between A Rock and Hard Place

The McCarville Report simply dominates the blogosphere right now and he is to be commended for running his story about the RGA/Fallin connections.

This part of the story says it all:

Goeas, an Oklahoma native, is the primary consultant to Fallin's campaign. Goeas also is the primary consultant to the RGA's chairman, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, and counts the RGA itself as a client.

Game, set and match.  If you're part of the Askins campaign, you know that you have been handed a gem that could potentially end the Fallin campaign, IF used properly.

But again, this is Oklahoma politics...

OMG! Seriously? Like, No Way, Dude!

Wait staff are critical to the success of any restaurant.  Service needs to be prompt, courteous, knowledgeable and enjoyable.  I know many people who have made a good living working as a waiter or waitress, so what you're about to read is in no way a discredit to those in the service industry.  But this really happened.

Decided to make a call to the local Buffalo Wild Wings locale in Edmond (not known for their prompt OR courteous service) to see if my Seattle Seahawks game or the Washington Redskins game would be broadcast on their big screens.  The conversation kind of went like this:

BWWW (Buffalo Wild Wings Waitress):  Buffalo Wild Wings.
Me:  Hey there.  I was wondering if you would be airing either the Seattle Seahawks against the Denver Broncos or the Washington Redskins against the Houston Texans this afternoon.


BWWW:  What?
Me:  Will you be showing the Seahawks or Redskins on your widescreens this afternoon?


BWWW:  Right now we have Cincinnati on and I think Dallas or something.
Me:  I meant later this afternoon.


BWWW:  What teams?  
Me:  Seattle Seahawks playing the Denver Broncos or Washington Redskins playing the Houston Texans.


BWWW:  Is that football?
Me:  Um, yes.

[At this point, my wife is laughing, asks for my cell phone.]

Wife:  Can I talk to a manager, please?
BWWW:  Sure!


BWW Manager:  This is _____ can I help you?
Wife:  Yes, will you be airing either the Seahawks or the Redskins this afternoon.


BWW Manager:  Absolutely.
Wife:  Thank you!

What a day.

Speaking of Sunday...

Seahawks.  My beloved Seattle Seahawks take on the Denver Broncos...should be an interesting game and the hope is that they will be victorious.  I remember growing up in Seattle, watching the games with unbelievable enthusiasm because they were OUR team.  I miss that atmosphere.

Fallin/Askins Flap.  This gubernatorial race has been exceptional to watch.  The RGA launches against Askins, Askins responds appropriately - calling for Mary to denounce the ads, Mary goes on the attack and blames Askins for going negative.  THEN, Mary's campaign says how they are running a positive campaign and will continue to run a positive campaign - at the very time that their consultants are putting together a negative ad to air.  When the Fallinistas are asked about how they feel regarding their fearless leader going back on their word...they follow the talking points memo to a fault and say, "But Mary didn't have anything to do with the RGA ad."  Classic avoidance.  This is only going to get better.  Jari Askins won't put up with the double-talk for very long and for the first time in her political career, she is facing a general election opponent who is well liked and has the money to get out her message.  Jari beat Drew Edmondson in a tough race, Mary needs to be very, very careful or that whistle stop train ride she's on will land her in the caboose.

Good Lobbyist/Bad Lobbyist.  I heard some talking head nutjob on Fox News the other evening talking about how bad lobbyists are and really, it's easy to hate lobbyists.  But there are two sides of the coin.  The NRA, for example, has lobbyists on the payroll.  The National Right to Life operation has a lobbying arm.  Even former governor Frank Keating is a lobbyist for the insurance industry and lest we forget, gubernatorial candidate and Congresswoman Mary Fallin's daughter is now a lobbyist - and her mom is quite proud of that fact.  Lobbyists are what they are and ultimately, we get to be lobbyists too.  Every time we head to the polling place, we get to decide which candidate will be wined and dined by lobbyists.  Exciting, isn't it?

Wronged Man.  Watched a very poorly produced film about a horrific story down in Louisiana where an African-American man (Calvin Willis) was arrested for allegedly raping a 10 year-old girl and spent 20 years in prison, only to be found innocent after the Innocence Project conducted DNA testing.  It reminded me of the Jeffrey Todd Pierce case here in Oklahoma and I often wonder why there isn't prosecution of those who knowingly sent to trial and convicted a man who clearly was not guilty.  How does that happen in this culture and society?  Jeffrey Todd Pierce's story is much like others and frankly, underscores why I am no longer a fan of the death penalty in the state of Oklahoma.  If we put to death one innocent man, it's one too many.  Jeffrey Todd Pierce received a settlement from the city of Oklahoma City, but how can we realistically think that money will cover the loss of family, loss of dignity, loss of career and God knows what kind of brutality he experienced in prison?  Based on what I know and have seen, Bob Macy and Joyce Gilchrist should be in prison themselves.   But I digress.

More Sunday thoughts later...