Great Concert in Dallas

Superpages Center in Dallas is an excellent facility for concerts.  Period.  Oklahoma City would do well to have a venue such as this.  It's an outdoor theater with spectacular seating, large monitors on either side of the stage as well as video monitors for the lawn seating area.  Granted, we have the Ford Center, but it is either too large a venue for some bands and generally, the sound there stinks.

As you can see from the photo (right), there really isn't a bad seat in the house.  The sound is phenomenal and as mentioned, this would be a great facility for the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.  But, hardly likely that such a venue would ever be built because we have far too much invested in the Ford Center.

For my birthday, my wife purchased concert tickets for me to see probably my favorite band of all time, Creed.  Opening for Creed was a new band out of California (Theft) followed by Skillet - a very overtly spiritual band with an amazing sound and incredible chops.  Of course, the headliners were amazing.

You either love Creed or you hate Creed.  Their history is interesting, shocking and somewhat sad.  Scott Stapp (vocals) has had his issues over the years, but after seeing them live, it was clear that this is a man and a band who has seen dark days, stared them down and survived with unsurpassed humility.  The whole concert will be one I won't soon forget and Creed is by far one of the best live bands I have ever seen - and I've seen a lot.

Thank you to my wife, Shawnnessy, for getting these tickets.  And thanks to Theft, Skillet and Creed for putting on an incredible show.

Around Town Labor Day Weekend

Bored?  Looking for something to do?  Believe it or not, there is plenty to do in the great state of Oklahoma.  Here are just a few ideas...

Dove Season Opens.  This is opening weekend of dove season in Oklahoma and if you're a hunter up for a challenge, this could be for you.  Dove hunting isn't like some of the more high-brow game bird hunting such as quail or pheasant.  Dove hunting is a serious challenge as those birds are like rockets with wings when they come in.  It's not a stalk, it's a sit-and-wait game but when they come to you, you had better be ready.  It's a blast (pun intended).

OCCC Arts Festival.  Crafts, art, cars and even some food are available at the Arts Festival at Oklahoma City Community College.  If you've driven I44 on the south side, you've no doubt seen the massive tents that are set up in the parking lot.  From what I understand, it's a big one and a lot of fun too.  Jeff Gullet, a friend of mine and former producer of talk radio on KTOK will be there with his glass art - something you really need to see.  He has an amazing talent. 

Community Walk for Suicide Prevention.  While it may not be as fun as the arts festival or slaying a few dove, there is a very worthwhile cause hosting a walk Saturday morning.  The Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Suicide Prevention takes place tomorrow morning and the weather looks good.  It starts at 8am at the Oklahoma City Zoo.  For more information, go to www.outofthedarkness.org. 

There are three things to keep you busy and out of trouble!

More On The Kelsey Briggs Case

We all remember the sweet face of Kelsey Briggs.  We remember the heartache and the thought of an innocent losing her life at the hands of the abusers.  We also remember public officials fighting over media opportunities as well.

But the stories were confusing, the accusations tough to follow and at the end of the day, Kelsey's mother and step-father were convicted - not of murder, but of something else.

The Oklahoman has ongoing coverage of the case and the most recent story (here) adds fuel to the embers still smoldering over the case.  Raye Dawn Smith, Kelsey's mother, is appealing her conviction and the latest story is that of juror misconduct. 

The stories are compelling and there are plenty of websites out there providing different sides of the stories.  There are some common factors though with other tragic cases and again, you find the Oklahoma Department of Human Services right in the middle of it.

Personally, I find myself convinced that there are a plethora of problems with this case - whether it be the District Attorney's statements leading up to the case or the grandparents involved in the middle of the whole mess, there is something horribly wrong here. 

Was Raye Dawn Smith wrongly convicted?  She was not there when the abuse that led to her daughter's death took place.

Was there a conspiracy against Raye Dawn because DHS had been involved prior?  No one with any functioning brain cells can say that DHS is one of our more effective arms of state government.

Here is a very interesting discussion on a paralegal chat board.

I hope we can find some answers.

Another Platform Explosion

Most mainstream media outlets are reporting on the most recent explosion in the Gulf of Mexico and thus far, reports are that the 13 men on the rig are all accounted for, one injured.

The rig was/is owned by Mariner Energy, and was not a a producing rig at the time of the explosion.

What does this mean?  First, it means that there will be more calls for ceasing exploration and development of energy resources offshore.  Second, it means that the NYMEX has cause to raise crude oil prices once again and lastly, we can expect gasoline prices to edge slightly higher at the pumps.

Happy Labor Day weekend, folks.

We should be thankful no one was killed.

Political Fast...Until After Labor Day

Throughout this campaign season, I have been up to my neck in it and frankly, I've missed too much of what's going on around the house.  Rather than hanging out with the kids and spending some much-needed face-time with them, I have been on the phone with this reporter or that reporter or this candidate or that candidate or this legislator or that legislator...and have missed some pretty interesting happenings in the interim.

Something I swore I wouldn't do again after the last couple campaign cycles.

This is technically the last real weekend of summer, the beginning of the hunting season as we see the dove begin their migration.  Of course, I won't be out in the field doing any hunting myself but many Oklahomans will be loading up their shotguns to down a few of the winged rockets this weekend.  Other Oklahomans will be hanging out at the lake, enjoying a three-day weekend. 

I am supposed to be heading to the Creed concert Friday night and if all goes as planned, it will be a night to remember.  From there, it's meat + fire and just some relaxing time around the house.  May even have the guys over to put together new set lists for the band.

So...I'm taking a break from politics for a few days - I'll be posting some art and entertainment oriented garbage for your reading enjoyment.

Enjoy...

Things I Miss Most

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest was really a blessing in many ways and though the rain can wear one completely slick (not to mention the exceptionally liberal political environment), there is a great deal I miss and pray that my two youngest and my stepchildren can see someday.  Here are just a few of the things I miss...

Family.  I miss my uncles, aunts and I miss my oldest, Matthew.  Haven't met my grandson yet and before I kick the proverbial bucket, would like to see him.

Ocean.  The ocean in Washington is not like what you think - the images of California beaches are just not what the Washington coastline offers.  It too is beautiful, but quite different.  The smell of the salt in the air, watching the fishing boats coming in...it's a different and marvelously refreshing visage.

Seafood.  I miss Ivar's Clam Chowder, fresh flounder and of course, the smoked salmon. 

The mountains.  Seattle is nestled between two mountain ranges and just a short drive away from the epicenter of urban life, you can find yourself surrounded by massive evergreen trees and be at the base of one of the most amazing mountains in the country - Mt. Rainier.

Pike Place Market.  You've seen the commercials of the fish throwers, no doubt, but I worked at the Market growing up for a short time and the fresh vegetables, the fresh fish and the shops therein are not only a tourist "must," but they are a staple of life in Seattle. 

Pioneer Square.  Clubs, coffee shops and turn-of-the-century architecture makes the whole environment at Pioneer Square breath-taking. 

Seattle Seahawks.  'Nuff said.

I love Oklahoma, don't get me wrong.  This is a magnificent place to raise a family, to work as well as a great place to hunt.  There's just something about the Pacific Northwest, however, that I miss very much.

Bush Beats Obama In Louisiana. Whodathunkit?

As the anniversary of Katrina comes and goes, there's some interesting surveying going on out there in Creole Country...

An excerpt:

As the five year anniversary again summons up memories of Katrina's devastation of the Gulf Coast, Louisiana voters are giving higher marks to former President George Bush for handling of the storm's aftermath and dealing with crisis than they do for President Obama's handling of the BP oil spill, according to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted Aug. 21-22.

Read the rest for yourself.

Where's Mary? She's over there...

Public Itinerary for Mary Fallin: 8/30 – 9/4
The public itinerary for Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin is below. Please contact Communications Director Alex Weintz at Alex@MaryFallin.org or at 405-535-7317 to request an interview, to acquire photos or for other information.


• Monday, August 30: Perry, Ponca City, Medford, Cherokee

• Perry Public Meet and Greet

• 9 AM

• Ditch Witch Atrium, 1959 W Fir Street, Perry

• Mary will be attending a public meet and greet to talk with supporters and Perry residents

• Dorada Poultry Grand Opening

• 11:00 AM

• City Hall, 516 East Grand Avenue, Ponca City

• Mary will be attending the grand opening ceremony of Dorada Poultry to celebrate their beginning in the Ponca City community

• Ponca City Rotary Luncheon

• 12:00 PM

• 2301 N 14th Street, Ponca City

• Mary will be attending and speaking the Ponca City Rotary luncheon

• Medford Public Meet and Greet

• 2:00 PM

• City of Medford Building, 615 N Front, Medford

• Mary will be attending a public meet and greet to talk with supporters and Medford residents

• Cherokee Public Meet and Greet

• 4:00 PM

• Cherokee City County Library, 123 N Grand, Cherokee

• Mary will be attending a public meet and greet to talk with supporters and Cherokee residents


Tuesday, August 31: Okemah

• Okfuskee County GOP Meeting

• 6:30 PM

• Brickstreet Café, 104 S 2nd, Okemah

• Mary will be attend and speak at the Okfuskee County GOP meeting


Thursday, September 2: Edmond, OKC

• Edmond Republican Women Headquarters Grand Opening

• 10:00 AM

• 3409 Broadway Extension Suite 600, Edmond

• Mary will be attending the Edmond GOP Women HQ grand opening

• Tour KIPP Reach College Preparatory School

• 11:30 AM

• 1901 NE 13th St, OKC

• Mary will tour KIPP reach and meet teachers and students in their classrooms


Friday, September 3: Coalgate, Tishomingo

• Coalgate Meet and Greet

• 12:30 PM

• Community Center, 1 East Post St., Coalgate

• Mary will be attending a public meet and greet to talk with supporters and Coalgate residents

• Tishomingo Meet and Greet

• 3:00 PM

• Johnston County Library, 116 West Main Street, Tishomingo

• Mary will be attending a public meet and greet to talk with supporters and Johnston County residents



Saturday, September 4: Elk City, Norma

• PRCA Rodeo of Champions Parade in Elk City
• 2:00 PM
• Downtown Elk City (7th and Main)
• Mary will be marching in the rodeo parade

• OU vs. Utah State
• 6:00 PM Norman, Oklahoma
• Owen Field, Norman, Oklahoma

• Mary will be attending the game (the Fallin for Governor tailgate will be at Jenkins and Lindsey)

Dave White Hosts 2nd Amendment/Veteran's M&G

My good friend and fellow Navy Veteran, Dave White, is hosting a Meet & Greet this Thursday at 6:30pm at his house in Deer Creek to talk about issues important to veterans and 2nd Amendment supporters. 

Dave is a Naval Academy graduate with an economics degree (gee, kinda helpful with the economy being what it is), a Navy SEAL officer, decorated Desert Storm Veteran, a business owner who is debt-free and has a patent to his name.  Dave has been, and will continue to be, a champion of the 2nd Amendment and unlike other candidates for public office, actually knows which end of the barrel to hold.

I support Dave - not because I don't like any of the other candidates, of course - because he is probably one of the most qualified candidates we've seen running for the 5th District in ages.  His record of leadership is unmatched and with some of the garbage we're facing right now in this nation, we need someone who not only talks about the issues, but has solutions that he himself has lived and proven that can and will work. 

If you're available, you should come by this Thursday evening and meet him and his wife, Lisa (who was a reserve officer in the Air Force).  I make no bones about the fact that I am supporting and working with Dave on his campaign for Congress because when you strip away all the hyperbole, the campaign rhetoric and the partisan pabulum, you realize that Dave is the guy we need to send to DC.

What A Weekend.

My daughter's 13th birthday, my birthday, a candidate forum, friends from out of town and the Back To School Blues Jam all came bearing down over the weekend.  And it was all a phenomenal success.

My lovely daughter, Madison, is now 13 years old and it is amazing to watch how she has become so mature and caring.  She is truly incredible and is so in spite of the fact that I am her father.  She was born the day before my birthday and is the best birthday present any father could ever ask for.

Then, it was my birthday and my awesome wife not only busted her rear getting the Back To School Blues Jam off without a hitch, but she got me tickets to see my favorite band in the world...Creed.  Will be seeing them this weekend.  Absolutely amazing!

Went to a candidate forum at the Oklahoma History Center with my friend, Dave White, and he knocked it out of the park.  It was a sight to behold, I tell you.

The Back To School Jam went exceptionally well, raising almost $700 for the Hugs Project - and there were lots of folks who donated items to send to our troops.  It was a blessing to have the opportunity to play a little music, but really focus on the men and women who have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms.  Thank-you to Pat Paradise for donating her property for the event, to Ruth Ann and her husband for coming out and representing the Hugs Project, to all the volunteers who help set up and tear down the gear and of course, to everyone who attended and donated.

Dave White Completes Biz Move

From Dave White's press release:

(EDMOND, OK) -- Independent conservative candidate for Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District finalized the relocation of his company, Laminating Services, Inc., from its Florida location to its new home in Central Oklahoma. White explained that the process, though long and tedious, has been worth the effort.


“Anyone who has owned a business understands the importance of location and accessibility to infrastructure,” said White. “For over a year now, I’ve been developing plans for a new facility in Central Oklahoma that meets my company’s needs in both location and distribution networks. The timing is perfect.”

Laminating Services, Incorporated (LSI) is a company founded by White in 1992 with a simple idea: To create laminated maps that fold easily. Having been a Navy SEAL, White developed a process that allows articles and maps to fold flat and today, White is named on the patent for the process. White’s experience as a Navy SEAL and as a business owner makes him uniquely qualified to run for Congress—he thrives on the pressure related to both.

“When the voters of the 5th District take a long, hard look at the candidates for Congress in November, they will see some very stark contrasts,” said White. “Being a business owner responsible for profit and loss statements, taxes, equipment and making payroll is not an easy task in this economy but I have done it successfully. I can, and will, take my experience and record of leadership to Congress.”

Relocating LSI in the midst of a campaign was no easy task and required flexibility and the passion to stay on task and accomplish difficult goals. White believes it underscores his credibility as a candidate for Congress.

“Think about it: I have a degree in economics from the United States Naval Academy. I am an entrepreneur with a patent to my name. I am a former Navy SEAL officer and Desert Storm veteran,” said White. “Relocating my business to Central Oklahoma took planning, strategy and desire. I accomplished all of this while spending time with my six children and my amazing wife, maintained my F1 Rocket aircraft, redesigned my hangar and am running for Congress. When elected to Congress, dealing with the bureaucrats and special interests therein will be a challenge, but nothing I can’t handle decisively.”
The successful history and transformation of Laminating Services, Inc. can be found at http://www.laminatingservicesinc.com/. It is the fulfillment of the “American Dream.”

Dave White's campaign website is located HERE.
 
Note:  Yeah, I'm working with Dave - and I'm damned proud to be doing so.  I like both conservative candidates for CD5, but clearly, Dave is the dude.

August 24th - Much More Than A Runoff

My mother would have been 65 today, but she died of cancer at the at of 33 over thirty years ago and days like today make it seem like yesterday.  I was 14, on the downhill slide to the ripe old age of 15, when she died and as I look back at my life thus far, I can see how the loss at such an impressionable age has impacted my decisions and some of the choices I have made.  Some good, some horrific.

I don't blame her death for my bad behavior and the silly things I've done, but there is no doubt that the loss has greatly influenced who I am - rather, the loss and how I dealt with that loss has greatly influenced who I am.

Today is also the runoff election.  The two GOP candidates have spent the last week giving us just what we've come to expect from runoff elections in Oklahoma.  A bunch of he said/she said garbage that at the end of the day leaves the voters less educated about the candidates and how they would deal with the important issues facing Oklahomans right now. 

If my mother were still alive, she would have been ashamed of "both those boys."

I am still befuddled as to whom I will vote for as I enter the polling place for this runoff, but I am darned sure whom I will vote for in November.

Woke up this morning and mom was the first thing on my mind today.  How she would have taken me to the woodshed countless times over the past thirty years, how she was truly a rock in my life - a consistent source of love and admonishment when I needed it most (but often when I liked it least).  She had an amazing way of letting slide the things that truly didn't matter much, but accentuating the issues of importance in a way that drove home the underlying truth and reality of the situation.

I guess it's a "mom" thing. 

She's missed and will be until I get to meet her on the other side.  In the meantime, we have some voting to do, I suppose.

Odd Company

Since the Brogdon/Fallin war left Mary Fallin the victor, there have been numerous questions about where the volunteers would end up hanging their hats.  There was even some banter about whether or not some of the Brogdonites would end up supporting Jari Askins in her race against Congresswoman Fallin.

**Ran into one former Brogdonite at Crest who was clearly in the Pruitt camp.

**Heard from another Brogdon supporter who was so angry, he's putting together a "Republicans for Jari" group - or at least he was threatening to do so. 

**My friend Cheryl Williams who was arguably one of the most staunch supporters of Randy Brogdon is now touting the efficacy of the Lankford machine...which is very interesting because Randy and James are not exactly on the same page politically, but are both Baptists, I believe.

**A handful of others have already decided to throw their support behind my friend and conservative Independent, Dave White in the OK5 general.

This general election cycle will be one for the record books and whether they realize it or not, the supporters of Randy Brogdon will have a lot to say about who gets elected.  While Randy was beaten by Mary Fallin, let's not forget that it cost her $1.9 million to do so.

But then again, what do I know?

Toe-To-Toe

An Amazing Ad

Your Thursday Moment of Zen

Enjoy...

The 5th District Fur Is Flyin'

Kevin Calvey and James Lankford are taking off the gloves and putting on lighter gloves (not bare-fisted yet) and taking some shots at each other and the blogosphere, social networking pages and even the Edmond Sun are chiming in on the slap-fight. 

From the Edmond Sun (article here):

“We as a company do not have a problem when persons pull quotes from articles that we have reported in our newspaper and attribute them to us when they are verbatim. What we report becomes part of the public record,” said Steve Paterson, Edmond Sun publisher. “We as a company do have a problem, when they are used out of context and used to make a point or argument, which is not based on the information reported.

“What Mr. Calvey’s campaign has done is just that in two different incidences. They have structured quotes from our newspaper and interlaced their comments and thoughts then placed it on the postcard in such a way as to purport that this was a report made by The Edmond Sun. One has to just look at the dates the articles were published and review the stories to see that what was printed on the postcards is not what was published in our newspaper,” Paterson said.

“We want to assure our readers who will be voting in the Republican runoff that these were not quotes from this newspaper and do not in anyway reflect the opinion of this newspaper. We encourage our readers who will be participating in the Republican runoff to examine all the facts about the two candidates before they enter the polls,” he said. “One more thing I want to be totally clear on, we have never said in print that James Lankford is not ready to serve in Congress. That decision is made by individuals expressing their freedom to vote at the polls. They will always be the ones who will make that determination.”

The Sun attempted to get a direct comment Wednesday morning from Calvey on the issue but was deferred to Trebor Worthen of the Calvey campaign after The Sun left a message on Calvey’s cell phone.

From the McCarville Report (article here):

The battle escalated earlier this week as Calvey mounted his attack on Lankford, sending a postcard message to voters claiming Lankford disrespected his military record, a line that apparently has become Calvey's closer in his campaign.


Lankford released a statement in which he said Calvey "invented a story" as a straw man and is guilty of "deception."

Lankford's strongly-worded critique of Calvey came as their battle entered its final week.

McCarville quotes the Lankford "note" on Facebook where Lankford tells his faithful to "stay positive," but then goes on to rip Calvey himself.  From the Facebook note:

“If you do not have good character in Oklahoma, you will not gain better character when you go to Washington. Clearly, Kevin Calvey has demonstrated that he is willing to deceive the voters of the 5th District in order to gain a seat in Congress. If he will deceive us now for his personal gain, what will he do in Washington DC.?”

My question is how do either of these guys expect to survive Washington if they can't handle this little bit of heat.

No doubt, Calvey completely misinterpreted the Edmond Sun article in question and Lankford's statements but rather than do what the Scriptures would require of these two "good, Christian men" (If your brother sins against you, go to him...), they both use statements for political gain.  Calvey takes personally what Lankford supposedly said in an article, distorts it, and then goes after Lankford rather than simply calling him on the phone and simply asking, "What was your intention?" 

Lankford, the former Falls Creek Program Director, does exactly the same thing - rather than just calling Kevin on the telephone and asking him why he would do that and then go public with whatever response he received, he tries to portray himself as a victim  and uses it for political gain.  All the while, telling his flock to "be positive" while ripping Calvey a new one - very much a status quo political tactic.

Remember:  It is Lankford who is campaigning as a Christian man of high moral character...

Calvey believed early on that Lankford was "attacking" him by his statements in the March Edmond Sun article and simply waited until now to come forward with it.  Lankford, on the other hand, probably knew this was coming and was just waiting to paint himself as a victim.

On Tuesday, this mess comes to a close and the real race begins.  If you want to know why I'm supporting Dave White, just take a step back and look at this disaster and you'll understand.

 

Update: Ersland Trial Is On

The Oklahoman is reporting (again) that the update is Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater will, in fact, continue with the trial against Jerome Ersland.

Read the story and watch the video here.

Ersland Case...Charges To Be Dropped?

The Oklahoman reported today that Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater is re-evaluated the medical evidence on the Jerome Ersland case and that there is a distinct possibility that charges may be dropped.

Story is found here.

Ersland was charged after a group of thugs entered his pharmacy and he shot one, chased the others out of his location, came back, grabbed another gun and pumped more lead in the thug who was down from a shot to the head.  Ersland was charged with 1st degree murder.

Enter:  The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office.

The ME's office is a train wreck and as the story from the Oklahoman indicates, there are massive problems over there and it should be a priority for the state legislature this next session and we need voices to speak up.  Justice cannot be served when the system is prostituted and the very office created to review evidence from an objective standpoint fails to do what it was intended to do.

It's time to replace the whole lot of them.

What To Do With $2.7 Million?

According to the McCarville Report, Congresswoman Mary Fallin has raised a whopping $2.7 million in her race to be Oklahoma's first female governor and there is more money to come her way before it's all over with.

She presently has about $800,000 cash on hand, which should be just enough to cover the recent acquisition of American Majority's Trait Thompson, an A&M alum. But in all seriousness, Mary's opponent, Lt. Governor Jari Askins, has shown that she's not a bit afraid to cash in her chips and invest in her own campaign.

Which brings up another question - why would anyone frown upon a candidate willing to spend his/her own money on a campaign? In my estimation, many of the regular donors to campaigns are wore slick from the primaries. Energy companies and their executives were hammered by Thompson and Calvey as well as Fallin during the primaries and there is only so much revenue to go around.

Fallin has never had difficulty raising money for any of her campaigns and it is not unreasonable to expect that before November 2nd, Fallin will have had about $4 million in her coffers for this political seat. Will it be enough to beat Jari Askins? It's anyones guess but I have learned recently that Jari has taken a very different approach to campaigning...she was seen at the Watermelon Festival this week and the talk is that she's knocking doors with her team, precinct by precinct as she hits the events.
This is going to be fun to watch.