Hoo-ah: "War on Terror" Vets May Have Special License Plates

"War on Terror" Vets
May Have Special License Plates

Soon Oklahoma's heroes may be honored for their military actions and service in Iraq and Afghanistan with a special military license plate for their automobiles.

State Rep. Randy McDaniel and state Sen. Todd Lamb filed House Bill 2666, which would create a special car tag for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

McDaniel served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard for 11 years, reaching the rank of Captain.

"We should support and encourage all the brave young men and women who make great sacrifices to serve our country overseas during the time of war. We want to give our Iraqi and Afghan War veterans the same opportunities to display their pride as veterans of other wars," said McDaniel, R-Edmond.

Lamb said Oklahomans should take every opportunity to honor the men and women who put their lives on the line in the war on terror. Lamb said his father, state Secretary of Veterans Affairs Norman Lamb, taught him the importance of service to country as well as the importance of honoring the veterans who answered that call.


"Oklahomans have always served valiantly in times of war, and that has certainly been the case during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom," said Lamb, R-Edmond, who was an agent with the U.S. Secret Service prior to being elected to the Senate. "Having tags that honor their service is not only a way for our state to pay tribute to these men and women, it's also a way to help show people in Oklahoma and throughout the nation how dedicated our citizens are to protecting the freedoms that define America."

Currently, there are already special military tags for veterans of previous wars but there are none for the veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"The United States armed forces has a rich and proud history. All American soldiers that put themselves in harm's way deserve recognitions for their sacrifices and service," said McDaniel.

Blackwell to DROP OUT of SPEAKER RACE !

Gus Blackwell to
DROP OUT of SPEAKER RACE !



Gus Blackwell (House Dist. 61) is dropping out of the race to be the next Speaker of the Oklahoma House Representives !

New charges have bubble up that will keep him from running !








It look like most of Blackwell lock in votes are now going for Chris Benge (House Dist. 68), and it look like Benge, will be the next Speaker of the Oklahoma House Representives !

Quote of the Day

"It is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities which occur to him, for preserving documents relating to the history of our country."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to Hugh P. Taylor, 4 October 1823)

Michael Bloomberg: Is He Hollywood's Man For White House?

Michael Bloomberg:
Is He Hollywood's Man For
White House?
Posted By:Julia Boorstin

As we lead up to Super Tuesday I've been reporting on the intersection of Hollywood and politics. Hollywood plays a key role raising awareness about issues, and candidates. (Though I wouldn't say that a Hollywood endorsement is necessarily a good thing).

Hollywood has the kind of power and money to make it the perfect place to feel out a candidacy, which is exactly what Michael Bloomberg is doing. He's been making the rounds, schmoozing with the biggest names in the biz, and feeling out a potential presidential candidacy.

Lions Gate vice-Chairman Michael Burns told me about his hopes that Bloomberg will run for president at Sundance film festival in an exclusive interview. Burns, a self-described moderate Republican, and his partner, John Feltheimer, the CEO of Lions Gate, a liberal Democrat co-hosted a dinner for Bloomberg at Feltheimer's home, with a handful of select A-list Hollywood execs. Burns, who's also a John McCain supporter, said "it's time for common sense", saying he hopes that Bloomberg can, as an Independent candidate draw support from both sides of the aisle, bridging the Blue State/Red State divide.

Lions Gate leadership isn't the only Hollywood brass supporting the New York Mayor. The night after Burns and Feltheimer's dinner, Bob Iger hosted another dinner for him, with more high-powered Hollywood guests. And CBS CEO Les Moonves played golf with Bloomberg. And Bloomberg is said to be best buds with Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose aides and former aides, have reportedly been meeting with Bloomberg's folks.

Hollywood has some outspoken supporters of Barack Obama--from DreamWorks' David Geffen to Scarlett Johansson. Despite a historic affinity to the Clinton dynasty, more big Hollywood names seem to support Obama than Hillary Clinton. So if Clinton gets the nomination, that could spur a move by Bloomberg, to capture some of the vote of those that don't like Hillary. In fact, the rumor is that Bloomberg would only run against Hillary, not Obama, so it all comes together.

Will Bloomberg run? Too soon to say, but if he does, support from Hollywood will surely play a role.

Questions? Comments? MediaMoney@cnbc.com

MIKE HUCKABEE TO VISIT OKLAHOMA

MIKE HUCKABEE
TO VISIT OKLAHOMA

Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, will be campaigning in Oklahoma City and Tulsa this Friday.

Managing general partner of the Oklahoma RedHawks and former state senator, Scott Pruitt, who Chairs Oklahomans for Huckabee said there will be two public rallies for Oklahomans to get a chance to meet Gov. Huckabee.

“I can unequivocally say that Gov. Huckabee is the only candidate running for president who has a unwavering track record on sanctity of life issues, traditional values and conservative tax and fiscal policy. I encourage all Oklahomans to attend one of these two events, meet Mike Huckabee and hear what he has to say first-hand,” said Pruitt.

Former Oklahoma City mayor Kirk Humphreys, who is Huckabee’s state finance chairman said, “As governor, Huckabee cut taxes where he could and made good use of the revenues he had to improve roads and education in Arkansas. That is the kind of common sense leadership the country needs right now.”

Huckabee’s Friday, Feb. 1 schedule is as follows:
· 8:45 am to 9:45 am – Public rally at Coaches Restaurant, Bricktown
· 9:45 am to 10:15 am – Media availability, 2nd Floor West Lobby to Suites – AT&T

Bricktown Ballpark
· 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Tulsa rally – Tulsa International Airport
· 1:15 pm to 1:45 pm – Media Availability – Tulsa International Airport

Parking for the Oklahoma City event will be available at the RedHawks East parking lot across from Coca-Cola Event Center on Joe Carter.

Huckabee supporters will also have an opportunity to gather Huckabee campaign materials and literature for distribution prior to Tuesday’s primary election.

For more information about Mike Huckabee’s candidacy, visit www.MikeHuckabee.com

Hoo-ah: Norman woodcutter helps remember fallen

Norman woodcutter helps remember fallen
Sun January 27, 2008

NORMAN — With the Iraq War still raging and more and more U.S. troops not returning, some people at home are finding ways to show support for the troops.

Ken Younkin of Norman was looking for something to do when he came across an article, "Portrait Freedom Underway” in one of his woodcutting magazines.

"Portrait Freedom Underway” is made up of members of the MSN Scroll Saw Portraits group who are creating custom wooden portraits of every U.S. service member that has died during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The portraits are donated to their families.

There is no charge to the family requesting a portrait.

The Scroll Saw Portrait Freedom Project group includes scroll saw artists and hobbyists from across the U.S.

The finished portrait is posted on the Internet and once it is approved by a moderator, the cutter is notified that the portrait can be sent to the family. Several quality control measures ensure the family receives a quality product.

All labor, materials and shipping are donated.

Their biggest challenge right now is contacting family members and getting photographs to work with, he said.

Younkin was able to do one of Oklahoma Marine Scott Vincent. He has wanted to cut a portrait of an Oklahoman since he began the project. More than 750 portraits have been cut, but only 10 of the 62 deceased Oklahoma troops have been memorialized so far.

"This has been one of the most satisfying endeavors I have ever had the opportunity to do,” Younkin said. "I believe that all the members of Portrait Freedom have a common interest in wanting to honor the memory our fallen military service members and recognize the sacrifice each soldier's family has made.”

For more information, send an e-mail to PortraitFreedom@hotmail.com

The Norman Transcript Editorial: No one is above the law

The Norman Transcript Editorial

No one is above the law
Published: January 30, 2008

House Speaker Lance Cargill's untimely resignation this week came just as his "100 Ideas" book was published and distributed and a week before Monday's opening of the legislative session. Mr. Cargill traveled the state in a series of "idea raisers" this past year. They were designed to gather the best recommendations for Oklahoma's future.

He said the best ideas don't often come from the legislators themselves. They come from average citizens. Many saw the travels as a prelude to a run for governor in 2010. Mr. Cargill pushed aside such speculation and said the program came from an annual New York Times publication that lists the best ideas of the year.

The revelation of Mr. Cargill's failure to file his personal Oklahoma income tax returns on time and pay property taxes on his law office building brought pressure on him to resign.

Mr. Cargill's resignation, the recent indictment of state Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan and the resignation of Oklahoma City School Superintendent Dr. John Q. Porter shows no one individual is bigger than the process itself. All three individuals have been accused of improper activities.

Mr. Cargill, who at 36 was the nation's youngest speaker when he was sworn in, retains his House seat but it's unlikely that a run for governor is in his immediate future. Oklahomans are a forgiving breed but it often takes time for that to take hold.

Suicide by tolerance

Columnists

Suicide by tolerance
Lorne Gunter, National Post
Published: Monday, January 28, 2008

Walt Kelly, the cartoonist and satirist once had his famous character Pogo say, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

In the clash between the West and Islam, that is increasingly true. We are our own worst enemy.

Those of us who care about the survival of Western civilization occasionally rage about the way Muslim organizations feign outrage in the media at the tiniest slight. We grind out teeth when those organizations file human rights complaints against the writings of the likes of Mark Steyn and Ezra Levant. We warn against our governments permitting the implementation of shariah law and against the insidious teachings of radical imams at mosques and Islamic community centres on our own continent.

But really, could radical Islamists take over unless our elites let them?

True, the Alberta human rights complaint against Levant was brought by something called the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC), and the one against Steyn was initiated by the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC), both of which make it look as if Muslims are behind these attacks on our free speech.

Yet would either grievance have gone anywhere in the absence of government-sponsored, tax-supported agencies that encourage vocal advocacy groups to lodge formal complaints against their foes, and then pay their way?

Imagine the fleeting lives of such complaints in the absence of laws -- passed by liberal Western politicians, not professional Muslim cause-pleaders --granting them legitimacy?

The Syed Soharwardys (ISCC head) and Mohammad Elmasrys (CIC boss) of the world might rail on to a sympathetic reporter or two about the indignations the Levants and Steyns are causing their religion, but without the backing of modern Western governments and the politically correct functionaries who pull their levers, open their money spigots and crack their whips, such complainants would be trees falling in the forest with no one there to hear. For most readers, listeners and viewers the response would be turn the page, switch the station, flip the channel.

It wasn't the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIRCAN) that sent chief CIBC economist Jeff Rubin for Muslim sensitivity training three years ago after a bank financial report offended the particularly pugnacious, litigious Muslim organization. It was Rubin's fearful, PC bosses at CIBC.

Yes, CAIR-CAN, the CIC and the ISCC delight in taking full advantage of the official avenues open to them to criticize and intimidate their foes, but they didn't create those avenues and there is little they could do if our governments and politically correct corporations decided to close them tomorrow.

The best example of what I mean surfaced this week from the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency ( BECTA).

Shoo Fly publishers of Newcastle has produced a very innovative, interactive software version of the Three Little Pigs -- a 3D book designed to encourage young children to develop critical thinking abilities. It has won several awards, but was not approved by BECTA because "the use of pigs raises cultural issues." In particular, the company was told, "Judges would not recommend this product to the Muslim community," out of concern the pig images would be upsetting.

British papers were instantly filled with headlines such as "PC gone mad! Muslims devour Little Red Riding Hood."

But, of course, Muslims had done no such thing. Indeed, the Muslim Council of Britain told the Daily Telegraph, "We are not offended by that at all," and called on British schools to welcome the books.

I am not saying radical Muslims pose no threat to our way of life. Of course if fundamentalist Muslims had their way we would all become converts, or at the very least servile dhimmi living at the whim of a worldwide caliphate. Muslims who protested in the Western world two winters ago against the Danish cartoons of Muhammad were not driven by our own PC elites to take to the streets carrying signs with slogans such as "Death to those who dishonour the Prophet."

Still, their fundamentalist vision would go nowhere legally, culturally or politically without our governments, politicians, bureaucrats and experts bending over backwards to appear sensitive and reasonable.

Call it suicide by tolerance. The West-ern world with its institutions of democracy and the rule of law, with its advances in science and medicine, its progress in individual liberty, its historic devotion to reason and its developments in culture and the arts will disappear because its own elites could not be proud enough of its achievements to defend it from within.

lgunter@shaw.ca

HOO-AH: Are We About To Win This Damn Thing?

Hat Tip to my buddy Michael @ Michael Yon: Online Magazine

Al Qaeda is on the run

Major operations against al Qaeda have begun in northern Iraq. Al Qaeda is in serious trouble. These are not ad hoc operations, but are deliberate, systematic, well-planned and working.

I’ve been watching this unfold for months but have not reported due to sensitivity, but the real shooting has started and Maliki has announced it. There is every indication that this series of operations could be the death blow for al Qaeda in Iraq.

AQI can continue to murder people here and elsewhere for years to come, but their grip on Iraq is weakening faster than I can track. The Iraqis and Americans have seized the initiative.

Al Qaeda is on the run. Due to these operations, I anticipate an increase in US casualties, but the operations are working.

I’ll be in the middle of these operations bringing you the good, the bad and the ugly, from up close.

How Cargill's political ascent reversed course

How Cargill's political ascent reversed course
By John Greiner and Michael McNutt
Capitol Bureau
Wed January 30, 2008

A phrase in Lance Cargill's swan song as House speaker probably best describes his political career.

"This has been a very remarkable journey for me thus far,” the Harrah Republican said as he stepped down Monday as House speaker, barely a year into his first term as the No. 1 man of the House.

As Cargill put it himself, he goes from the front of the House chamber where the speaker sits to the back of the chamber where he said he will continue to pursue his ideas.

But what brought him to this point? Of all the controversies Cargill has faced, none became more personal with voters than revelations that he failed to file state income tax returns and was routinely late paying his property taxes, a Republican colleague said.

"For the most part, stuff that's been in the media with regard to Ethics Commission stuff and political kinds of things, most people kind of take that with a grain of salt,” said Rep. Gary Banz, R-Midwest City. "When it was taxes, it immediately connects with the people at an emotional level where they live.”

Rise to the top
Cargill came from the small town of Harrah and from a blue-collar background, he said.
After attending Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, Cargill came home to Oklahoma, he said, because he wanted to live here; he also aspired to be a servant of the people.

He has had a topsy-turvy tenure in House leadership positions.

After achieving the rank of Republican House floor leader, he resigned under pressure in 2006 amid members' complaints about bills being put on or left off the agenda. The floor leader usually sets the agenda.

Cargill survived that, and later that year, went on to be picked by his colleagues to be their choice to succeed Todd Hiett as speaker. The 36-year-old Cargill became the youngest speaker in the U.S. when he was formally elected to the position in January 2007.

Hard fall
The end of his leadership came quickly.
He caused some controversy shortly after becoming speaker last year when he met privately with lobbyists in an office complex near the state Capitol to raise money. He said he was leading by example by holding meetings outside the Capitol with lobbyists.

The state Ethics Commission also is believed to be investigating whether Cargill had anything to do with how checks intended for the state Republican Party instead went to the Oklahoma County Republican Party in 2004. Cargill has denied wrongdoing.

He said that stepping down as speaker puts him in a "better position to respond to and defend against the false charges that have been made against me, whether they be in the Ethics Commission or in other forums.”

An advocate of tax cuts, Cargill was stung by reports in The Oklahoman that he failed to file his 2005 and 2006 state income tax returns until getting a warning from the Tax Commission, and that he was late in paying property taxes on his Harrah law office six years in a row.

Elected officials not following tax laws or paying taxes late tarnishes the basic fundamental trust that constituents have in them, Banz said.

Banz said constituents brought up Cargill's delinquent tax payments "everywhere I went — everywhere.”

Cargill was one of five legislators who failed to file their state income tax returns, but constituents especially were irritated over Cargill's actions because he was in a leadership position, Banz said.

House Republicans also were disappointed.

"When it's the face of your caucus and it's the voice of your caucus, then that elevates it to another level,” Banz said.

In-person absentee voters for Presidential Preferential Primary

Registered voters in Cleveland County who want to vote by mail absentee in next Tuesday’s Presidential Preferential Primary and Annual School Elections have missed the application deadline, County Election Board Secretary Paula G. Roberts said today.

“They aren’t out of luck, however,” Roberts said.

Voters who want to cast absentee ballots can still do so by going to the County Election Board office, Friday, February 1 , from 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, February 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Or Monday, February 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A two-member, bipartisan Absentee Voting Board will be on duty each day to assist in-person absentee voters at the Cleveland County Election Board located at 122 S. Peters Avenue, Norman.

“In-person absentee voters fill out an application form when they arrive at the office. They are not required to state a reason for voting in-person absentee,” Roberts said. “They are required to swear that they have not voted a regular mail absentee ballot and that they will not vote at their polling places on election day.”

According to Roberts, the Absentee Voting Board verifies a voter’s registration information, and then issues the voter’s ballot(s). The voter marks the ballot(s) in a voting booth and then puts them in the voting device. “It is very much like voting at a precinct polling place,” said Roberts.

For more information, contact the County Election Board office located at 122 S. Peters Avenue, Norman, OK 73069. The telephone number is 366-0210.

Now we have 3 + 1 running for Speaker

In the last 24 hours, it look like both Greg Piatt and Chris Benge are now backing Gus Blackwell for House Speaker.


1) Gus Blackwell (House Dist. 61)













2) Susan Winchester (House Dist. 47)











3) Dale DeWitt (House Dist. 38)













+ one...
John Wright (House Dist. 76)













With less than a week to secure votes, potential candidates were seeking support Tuesday from fellow House members.

Blackwell, R-Goodwell, said the House has made "tremendous strides on several key issues" including tax cuts, education and immigration reform.

Winchester, R-Chickasha, served as speaker pro tem under Hiett, the same position that Blackwell now holds. Winchester said she is seeking fellow Republicans' support "and I would ask the Democratic members as well to expedite the leadership transition so we may begin the session united and ready to do the people's business."

Rep. Danny Morgan, the minority leader of House Democrats, said Winchester is "the only candidate that we are aware of who has extended her hand across the aisle."

Morgan, D-Prague, said, however, that DeWitt is "very respected" among Democrats. DeWitt, R-Braman, represents four rural counties.

"If the right Republican candidate is available for our members to vote for, you might see some Democrats" cross party lines and support a GOP speaker, he said.

Wright, R-Tulsa, noted that he has sought the post before but now may be the time when he can bring the factions together.

"I have a little different philosophy," he said. "I don't see individual members having to to give a stamp of approval of the speaker's policies. A speaker should advance what is the consensus policy of the caucuses."

Wright said, "Somebody has to be the cat herder," and he believes he can fill that role.

How to End the Gridlock

How to End the Gridlock
By Bob Graham
Wednesday, January 30, 2008; Page A15

For much of the past two decades, Americans have watched in frustration as presidents and members of Congress have repeatedly achieved deadlock rather than consensus on issues that are critical to our nation. The results of this partisan traffic jam are frightening. For example:

Almost seven years after the Sept. 11 attacks, we still have huge gaps in national and homeland security. Our military is stretched thin and our nation remains vulnerable to catastrophic terrorism.

Nearly 50 million Americans still have no health insurance, and the number of the uninsured rises every year.

As evidenced by the bridge collapse in Minneapolis last August and the crumbling levees in New Orleans, we have recklessly neglected our infrastructure.

Gas prices remain high, but we still have no real energy policy.

Worst of all, we are betraying the fundamental American aspiration that future generations achieve more than those that came before. Seven of 10 Americans now believe that our children will be less well off than their parents.

Many factors have contributed to these ills, but the chief cause is the rampant partisanship that has paralyzed Washington. Early this month, I joined with former senator David Boren and 15 other experienced public officials from both parties to discuss prescriptions for overcoming the stalemate. Our primary focus was the presidential election. The next president will have a clean slate and the burst of enthusiasm that accompanies any new occupant of the White House. He or she has an opportunity -- and an obligation -- to attack the disease of partisan hostility and to set the tone during this election.

We suggested a few initial steps. Each presidential nominee should commit to appointing a truly bipartisan Cabinet that would include the most qualified people available, regardless of their party affiliation. Presidential candidates should be pressured to clearly describe how they would establish a government of national unity. Since results matter more than words, we would also press both major-party nominees to lay out specific strategies for reducing polarization and reaching bipartisan consensus on our agenda of national challenges.

The next president can't do it alone. If we are to break the cycle of partisan gridlock, others who have contributed to the disease must also help with the cure. To this end:

Congress must restore and modernize the campaign finance reforms enacted after Watergate. Today, a presidential candidate accepts public financing at the risk of being discounted as weak and irrelevant.

The media must insist that future presidential debates each focus on a single issue. Candidates can hide behind sound bites when a debate covers every and all subjects. But when candidates must spend a full 90 minutes discussing health care or national defense, voters will learn who is for real and who isn't.

Political parties must fundamentally reform the dysfunctional presidential primary system. We need a better process in 2012 -- one that empowers all Americans. My preference would be four regional primaries, held at three- to four-week intervals from January to April.

Our citizens must be educated to use their powers for effective participation in the political process. Democracy was never intended to be a spectator sport.

History tells us that bipartisanship is possible. In the 40 years after World War II, nine presidents -- four Democrats and five Republicans -- worked side by side with Congresses of both parties to contain the Soviet Union and strengthen the free world. We can resurrect that healthy condition, but it starts with cutting out the cancer of hostile partisanship. It's time to use the knife not to injure political opponents but to cure.

Bob Graham, a Democrat, was a U.S. senator from Florida from 1987 to 2005. He is an associate of the Belfer Center at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and leads the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida and the University of Miami.

Quote of the Day

"Like all politics, all terrorism is local."

-- Chet Lunner

WTF: GOP Commissioners approved revenue bonds for Chickasaw Nations

Ok this is CRAP !

Why are the "ALL GOP" Cleveland County Commissioners issuing up to $50 million in revenue bonds to benefit the Chickasaw Nations and OU?

I think The People of Cleveland County, have been SOLD DOWN the CREEK on this !

Commissioners acting as the Cleveland County Industrial Authority issuance revenue bonds to benefit the Chickasaw Nations Industries and OU. The tribe's business arm wants to build a data center on John Saxon Boulevard near 36th Avenue SE and State Highway 9.

The board unanimously approved issuing the bonds.

Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI) plans to build a "Tier 3-plus" data center. Officials said OU plans to sign a 15-year lease for half of the building if it is open by June 2009.

A "Tier 1" building is the least secure with a "Tier 4" being the most secure, according to Don Wood, executive director of the Norman Economic Development Coalition.

Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI) plans to build a "Tier 3-plus" data center. Officials said OU plans to sign a 15-year lease for half of the building if it is open by June 2009.

A "Tier 1" building is the least secure with a "Tier 4" being the most secure, according to Don Wood, executive director of the Norman Economic Development Coalition.

County Commissioner Rod Cleveland, District 1, expressed concern about sovereignty and asked what courts would be used if a dispute should occur. Wood assured him that CNI has waived all sovereignty and would pay all ad valorem real estate taxes on the property.

The Muskogee Phoenix Editorial: Wise move to resign

The Muskogee Phoenix Editorial
January 29, 2008


Wise move to resign

Lance Cargill did the right thing, but from his comments, he still doesn’t quite get it.

Cargill, who resigned as speaker of the House on Monday, said he was stepping down from the post rather than let the GOP agenda get buried beneath his personal problems.

Cargill, R-Harrah, who is in his fourth term as a state representative, was entering his second year as leader of the House.

But after revelations of failure to file state income tax returns and late property tax payments for six years on his business, along with a state ethics investigation into donations to his campaign, Cargill resigned as speaker.

His resignation was appropriate, but not just because of the media attention his personal problems attracted. His personal problems are the problem, and they raise questions about accountability and leadership.

Leaders are asked to follow a higher standard, and for that, we make no apologies.

Yes, people are people, and they make mistakes. However, Cargill’s mistakes, personal problems and questionable actions compounded within a short period.

Naturally, the question arises, is this a person who has the ability to inspire others and make fair decisions?

This has nothing to do with speculation about Cargill and whether he broke any campaign ethics laws.

This has to do with what we know about Cargill. While he has shown a willingness to lead and a penchant for innovation and change, his example as a leader is sorely wanting.

Panhandle Representative Running for Speaker

Oklahoma House Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell announced today he will seek the position of Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

As Monday kicks off the 2008 legislative session and members take their floor seats, the first measure on their agenda will be to elect a new House Speaker after the resignation of Lance Cargill (R-Harrah).

Blackwell (R-Goodwell), District 61's representative since 2001, has served as Speaker Pro Tempore, the second-highest ranked legislator in the House, for the past year. He was the first Panhandle lawmaker to hold the post since 1955. And Blackwell is also an ex officio voting member on all House committees.

"2007 was a great year to serve as a state representative and the House Speaker Pro Tempore-not only was it a significant year in Oklahoma as we celebrated 100 years of statehood, it was also a year filled with great legislation and initiatives," said Blackwell. "The Legislature was faced with the challenge of turning great ideas into effective policy and we made tremendous strides on several issues that are keys to sustaining economic development and growth ─ specifically in the areas of tax cuts, education, investing in science and technology, immigration reform and health care.

Blackwell holds a bachelor's degree in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and a bachelor's degree in computer science from Panhandle State University. He also earned a master's degree in business administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a master's degree in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

He and his wife, Joanna, have been married for 17 years. They have three children: Corissa, 13; Carson, 9; and, Caleb, 4.

Contact: State Rep. Gus Blackwell
Capitol: (405) 557-7384

"The Oklahoma 3" Rally with Paul Jacob, Sen. Randy Brogdon

The Oklahoma 3, does not deserve to be the target of political retaliation from politicians who want to limit the political choices available to all Oklahomans.

This is an issue that transcends the political spectrum. Every one of us has a dog in this race." All of us may, in good time and for pressing issues, decide in the future to exercise our right to petition for redress of grievance via the initiative petition process. Any limitation on that right is therefore a direct attack on all of us.

Hat Tip to my Buddy Jenn @ forthardknox.com

Paul Jacob Kicks off the
“Save the Initiative Blog Tour”
by Jenn Sierra
January 28, 2008 at 10:20 pm

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Paul Jacob after the arraignment of "the Oklahoma 3" (Paul Jacob, Susan Johnson, and Rick Carpenter). One might think that with the prospect of about a year ahead of him in legal battles, he might want to just relax and take a break, but quite the opposite was true. He stated the arraignment had gone about as expected, and that he would, if needed be back for the scheduling hearing on March 13th.

But then he was ready to talk about several Oklahoma initiatives, about the initiative process in general, and about his new project over the next year - which is is calling the “Save the Initiative Blog Tour.” The goal, partially, is to make bloggers more aware of the importance of the initiative process.

Jacob stated that his three major goals regarding his legal process are:

1) Win in Court

2) Get the residency laws in the states that have them “thrown out.”

3) Make sure this indictment of the Oklahoma 3 does not become a deterrent to intiative-activists, but that it instead becomes a rallying cry for them.

Jacob explained that the initiative process does for politics what the first amendment did for the media, and that a successful revolution of this process would allow citizens to dynamically address te legal system - now and in the future.

He shared that for a citizen, deciding to begin an initiative (e.g. for term limits, spending limits, government accountability, etc..) requires that citizen to count the cost, personally, and those costs can be astromical, personally and professionally. There is an enormous amount of time (away from family, career, personal life), and often a huge financial burden involved. But when the additional cost of legal retaliation by the government becomes a consideration, many citizens decide they simply cannot take that risk, and will “shut up.” Jacob’s goal, in working through his own legal battle, through his foundation (Citizens in Charge), through the Sam Adams Alliance and Foundation, and now through the “Save the Initiative Blog Tour” is to reduce the fear of such legal action against citizens by their government.

When asked what advice he would give to citizens who are considering becoming involved in the initiative process, he said:

1) Go for it.

2) Get an attorney. It may seem ridiculous to need an attorney to petition your own government, and it is, but get an attorney.

3) Look “over your shoulder” on every move. Retaliation from certain government officials can extend to the initiative creators, the petitioners, the volunteers, and even the donors.

4) If a move is questionable, go the “unquestionable route.”

5) Remember that if you can just succeed in getting the initiative on the ballot, you can still win (even if you’re outspent and bullied by the opposition).

6) Don’t give up. If we give up our right to petition our own government, we aren’t going to like what our country looks like for our children and grandchildren.

Finally, when asked how bloggers, and our blog readers can help - both with the legal battle of the Oklahoma 3, and with the citizen initiative process in general - Paul said:

1) Spread the word, by talking with your neighbors

2) Contact the governor (in this case of Oklahoma, Brad Henry)

3) Don’t “harrass” Drew Edmondson or his staff, simply for the sake of harrassing them.

4)Pay attention to current legislative measures pending, and contact your legislators.

The most inspiring thing that Paul said to me during the interview was that he considered the sacrifices he is making now to be insurance for his children’s and grandchildren’s future. Although he made it clear that he fully intends to win this case, he also stated that it was even more important that the end-result of his efforts was an America in which citizens are free to petition their government, and carry out the initiative process. If this meant he had to go to jail, then he would be willing to do it.

For more information, see Free Paul Jacob.

For more info see

Senate Republican Rural Caucus Op-ed

Senate Republican Rural Caucus Op-ed

Rural Oklahoma has roots that extend deep into our state’s history. With a variety of elements, rural Oklahoma is the unrivaled backbone for Oklahoma, and rural Oklahoma’s success and livelihood directly affect our entire state.

As a citizen and senator from rural Oklahoma, it is an honor for me to serve as chairman of the Republican Rural Caucus in the Oklahoma State Senate. As a caucus, we are dedicated to ensuring the voices of rural Oklahoma are heard at the State Legislature.

Last session we accomplished several reforms that benefited rural Oklahoma. The Republican Rural Caucus provided landowners and farmers with protection for their livestock and land, strengthened trespassing laws and modified the permission to hunt and fish on certain land, and authorized the State Board of Agriculture to collect fines from violators of the Boll Weevil Eradication Act.

In addition, we successfully classified animal waste as nonhazardous to protect Oklahoma’s livestock industry from attacks by radical environmentalists, and we increased the funding for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.

The Republican Rural Caucus is dedicated to advancing and protecting the interests of rural Oklahoma. We recently unveiled our agenda for the 2008 Legislative Session, our “Vision for Improving the Quality of Life in Rural Oklahoma.”

At the top of our agenda is the dedication of more existing motor vehicle taxes and fees to the improvement of county roads and bridges. Too often counties are not even able to afford the upfront price tag of road and bridge improvements, so these remain unfixed. These efforts will not take away from the portion of motor vehicle taxes and fees that are already dedicated to education.

Providing quality education in our local schools is a top priority for us as well. Our children are our future and deserve to have great opportunities for learning and growth. The members of the Senate Republican Rural Caucus know that local schools are the lifeblood of our rural communities, which is why we have made very clear that we will OPPOSE any legislation that requires the forced consolidation of public schools.

Another priority for the Republican Rural Caucus will be to immediately eliminate Oklahoma’s Death Tax. Many people have worked hard all their lives to build up a farming operation or small business to pass on to their family. Unfortunately, many families are forced to sell these assets to pay the death tax when a loved one dies. The Legislature has voted to phase out the Death Tax in the year 2010, but we will work to immediately abolish it.

The Senate Republican Rural Caucus will continue to work to ensure the protection of personal property rights in dealing with land and water. In addition to the trespassing bill passed last year, we want to protect property rights with respect to water, and to provide for water conservation. When addressing water conservation, we also will work to improve water quality and quantity.

In Oklahoma, it currently takes too long to move an oversized load as a result of the slow, archaic trucking permit system. This means that products and commodities that should be moving are often sitting on the side of a highway while waiting for a permit. The Senate Republican Rural Caucus will work to modernize this system by putting all Oklahoma roads on a computer-based system to keep the state’s valuable resources moving.

The final area we wish to address is healthcare for rural Oklahoma. Excellence in rural healthcare is vital to economic development and job growth. The Senate Republican Rural Caucus is committed to saving rural hospitals, making healthcare more affordable, and improving access to healthcare by attracting and keeping physicians in rural Oklahoma.

Rural Oklahoma can take pride in our people, our resources and our contribution to this great state. Protecting these assets is essential to the survival of the rural way of life.


Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha

Republican Rural Caucus Chair

Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Co-Chair

The 5 that want to be the next Speaker + one

The 5 that want to be the next Oklahoma Speaker of the House:


1) Gus Blackwell (House Dist. 61)












2) Greg Piatt (House Dist. 48)













3) Chris Benge (House Dist. 68)













4) Susan Winchester (House Dist. 47)











5) Dale DeWitt (House Dist. 38)













+ one...
John Wright (House Dist. 76)

Expired Driver's License Issue Soon Resolved

State Rep. Randy Terrill and State Sen. Cliff Aldridge today (January 28, 2008) praised the state Department of Public Safety for simplifying the process for people to renew expired driver's licenses.

"The people of Oklahoma do not want the state to issue driver's licenses to illegal aliens," said Aldridge, R-Midwest City. "At the same time, however, citizens do not want to be needlessly inconvenienced. DPS' actions have ensured that we are responding to the will of the people on both counts."

Due to the passage of House Bill 1804, Oklahoma's omnibus immigration reform law, individuals with an expired driver's license must now provide proof of legal presence in the United States - for citizens, typically an original, certified birth certificate - before they can renew an expired driver's license.

As a result, individuals with an expired license have had to obtain a copy of their birth certificate and take it to the Department of Public Safety for verification before obtaining a license at a tag agency.

However, DPS will soon allow tag agents to examine and verify birth certificates onsite, eliminating the hassle created by an initial administrative interpretation of the new law. As a result, most drivers will once again be able to renew a license by visiting just one office.

In February, DPS will begin training tag agents to identify fraudulent birth certificates. (DPS officials will continue to serve as the examiners of all documents other than an original, certified birth certificate ─ including but not limited to passports, certificates of naturalization and visas.)

Aldridge predicted the new system will eliminate the inconvenience faced by the vast majority of Oklahomans who allow their driver's license to expire.

"We've been working with Commissioner Kevin Ward and DPS staff to minimize the burden placed on U.S. citizens while preserving the essential and important purpose behind House Bill 1804," Terrill said. "I sincerely appreciate DPS' efforts to simplify the implementation of House Bill 1804 while also ensuring that illegal aliens cannot obtain a state driver's license."

When House Bill 1804 was debated last year, proponents of the bill wanted to stop illegal aliens from obtaining state identification and prevent the state of Oklahoma from being forced to recognize driver's licenses issued in other states that give IDs to illegal aliens.

The bill was also designed to weed out illegal aliens who had previously obtained an Oklahoma driver's license.

Terrill noted that lawmakers had only three options for addressing the problem: do nothing, which was unacceptable; require everyone seeking to renew a driver's license to provide proof of legal presence, which would be untenable; or split the difference.

Officials decided to target only those individuals who let their license expire as a compromise that should gradually eliminate illegal aliens wrongfully in possession of official ID through attrition.

"DPS' decision strikes the appropriate balance between the rights of citizens and those who are lawfully present in this country and the need to weed out illegal aliens who have fraudulently obtained a driver's license," Terrill said.

"This agreement is just the latest example of our ongoing commitment to monitoring the implementation of House Bill 1804 and, if and when any problems are identified, our pledge to fix them in a way that any burdens placed on citizens are minimized while the integrity and purpose of House Bill 1804 is maintained."

Reaction to Lance Cargill's resignation

State government officials are reacting to the resignation of House Speaker Lance Cargill from that post today.

Cargill, a Republican, had been under fire following reports he was late for six straight years in paying property taxes on his Harrah law office.

The reports came after it was revealed Cargill failed to file state personal income tax returns in 2005 and 2006.

State Senate co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, an Oklahoma City Republican, says that Cargill made a difficult decision and s hould be commended for putting his caucus, the House of Representatives, and the state ahead of himself.

Coffee's Democratic counterpart, Mike Morgan of Stillwater, says that if Cargill believes issues in his personal life are interfering with his ability to serve the people of Oklahoma, that Cargill's decision is the best one he could make.

Democratic Governor Brad Henry says he looks forward to working with the new leadership of the House and that bipartisan cooperation will be critical to a successful legislative session.

SPEAKER CARGILL RESIGNS

I was at the Oklahoma County Courthouse
to cover the Oklahoma 3 arraignment.

About 10:00am, I begun to get Text message
after Text message, and many Cel Calls, about
how Speaker Cargill was going to step down
around 3:00pm today.

So I video the Oklahoma 3 Rally, and I was off to the
State Capitol...

Voters confused by e-voting machines

Voters confused by e-voting machines,
study finds
By Gautham Nageshgnagesh@govexec.com

With the presidential election less than 10 months away, a statistically significant portion of voters may accidentally vote for the wrong candidate on electronic voting machines because they find the displays confusing, according to results of a five-year study conducted by three universities.

The study, conducted by the universities of Maryland, Rochester and Michigan, found that 3 percent of people voting electronically selected a candidate they did not intend to choose. While much of the attention to electronic voting machines has been on the security issues involving the machines' software and how the systems are stored during elections, the study's authors emphasized that poor user interfaces -- the way candidates' names and ballot initiatives are displayed to voters -- pose a much greater risk of skewing elections."

Recent history is clear: the election problem most likely to tilt a close race is not security, but the inability of voters to cast their ballots the way they intended," said Paul Herrnson, principal investigator and the director of the Center for American Politics and Citizenship at the University at Maryland. "The hazards of poor ballot design didn't end with Florida's hanging, pregnant and dimpled chads in 2000. Those people walked away not confident and not trusting the vote."

The study's authors said the 3 percent error rate is enough to affect the outcome of close elections, which have occurred more frequently in the past decade. "A 3 percent error rate sounds good until you consider that in the 2000 presidential race, the percentage of uncounted ballots was only 2 percent," Herrnson said. "Voters did pretty well with these machines. ... But it's still enough to affect the outcome of a close election."

The researchers tested five current electronic voting systems and one prototype. These included a paper ballot with optical scanner (manufactured by Electronic Systems and Software); a manual advance touch-screen, which allows voters to control when the next ballot appears (Diebold AccuVote-TS); an auto advance touch-screen with paper trail (Avante Voting Systems); a dial and buttons interface (Hart InterCivic); a full-face ballot with membrane buttons, which are flat, springless buttons (Nedap Election Systems); and a zoomable touch-screen prototype designed by Benjamin Bederson at the University of Maryland.

The highest score went to the manual advance machine and Bederson's zoomable prototype, both of which scored a 5.92 on a scale of 1 to 10. The dial and buttons interface came in lowest (4.70) because voters found it to be cumbersome, time consuming and made more errors while using it. The ballot displaying the entire ballot also scored in low (5.08), with the paper ballot scoring 5.48.

"All the systems had strengths and weaknesses," Herrnson said. "Most people found the touch-screens easy to use, though there were things on all of them that could be improved."

One of the problems voters encountered when using electronic voting machines was difficulty changing a vote because a screen automatically displayed the next race or ballot initiative once the voter selected a candidate. Voters also were likely to vote incorrectly if the ballot included a straight party option, which allows users to vote for all the candidates of one party at once. Many voters felt confused about whether or not they should still vote for individual candidates after voting for a party, according to the study.

The study also found that voters preferred manual advance systems and reported that touch-screen systems were easier to use than buttons or dials. They also said the ability to view each election separately tended to reduce confusion. These differences, however, were more likely to affect the user's proclivity to request assistance than the overall accuracy of the results.

Peter Lichtenheld, director of marketing for elections at Hart InterCivic, the manufacturer of the system that scored the lowest, defended it. "Our system is 100 percent accurate," he said. "Turn the dial, highlight your selection, hit the enter button, and the box fills red to show who you voted for and you move on. There's no mis-marking, and you get a summary screen at the end."

Additional approaches tested by the researchers included adding a paper trail component or an audio verification system to electronic voting machines to ensure accuracy. Voters did not approve of either system. "All the systems increased the number of people needing help, but they didn't really improve accuracy," said Herrnson. "Once you start adding something to the basic voting system, you increase the likelihood of problems and the difficulty of set-up."

The authors urged electronic voting machine manufactures and election officials to improve how the machines display candidates' names and ballot initiatives. "In the short run, election officials should be very cognizant of the way the ballot is designed, whether it's on paper or an electronic system," said Richard Niemi, professor of political sciences at University of Rochester. "They should think very carefully about how the [candidates] are laid out on the ballot."

Herrnson and Niemi said it is imperative that election officials test interfaces to determine if they are confusing to voters. Niemi said the large number of elected offices and initiatives on the ballots in the states, congressional districts and cities makes it "almost impossible" to familiarize voters with a ballot.

"For election officials who've yet to purchase a system, the touch-screens were reviewed more favorably than any other electronic systems," Herrnson said. "For those that already have their systems, the most important thing is to pay very close attention to how they program the ballot into the system."

Russia bans presidential opponent from running

Russia bans

presidential opponent
from running

The former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov will not be able to take part in Russia’s March presidential elections after the Central Election Committee of the Russian Federation voted for him to be banned. He has called on his supporters to boycott the poll.


Hat Tip to my friend Jenn @ Ft. Hard Knox

For more info click here

EBay's retiring chief may run for California governor

EBay's retiring chief may run for
California governor

Meg Whitman, who raised funds for
Romney, has been asking
key Republicans about the possibilities,
sources say.

By Joe Mathews, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
January 25, 2008

As she prepares to depart from EBay after a decade at the helm, Chief Executive Meg Whitman appears to be investigating a new career -- in politics.

Whitman has talked with top Republicans about the possibility of a run for California governor in 2010, according to three operatives who have had discussions with her. Whitman is said to be asking detailed questions about the logistics of a run and the effect she could have as governor, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal the conversations.

EBay president and CEO Meg Whitman arrives at the
Allen and Company media and Technology Conference,
Sun Valley, Idaho, July 13, 2007 in this file photo.

Whitman did not make herself available for comment. A source close to her said she had been talking with Republicans around the state and had become "fascinated" by politics in her work as a fundraiser for GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts and a former colleague of Whitman at the consulting firm Bain & Co.

The source close to Whitman, however, downplayed the seriousness of the conversations, saying that Whitman was still new to politics and that California Republicans, not Whitman, were the ones driving the discussion.

"This thing has come to her," the source said. "She hasn't given it all that much thought. It's not, 'I'm going to run. Give me a game plan.' "

Last September, Whitman switched her party registration from "decline to state" to Republican, according to records in San Mateo County, where she lives. The source close to Whitman said she had made the change in part so she could vote for Romney in the Feb. 5 Republican primary, which is closed to independents this year.

"Whitman has the potential to be a very strong candidate," says former Republican consultant Dan Schnur. "She brings very strong private sector experience to the table, and her involvement in politics gives her a potential base of support as well."

Whitman could breathe life into a party that has little money and few stars beyond Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is often at odds with Republican doctrine.

A moderate, she is a billionaire who could fund her own campaign. She ranked No. 361 on Forbes' 2007 list of the richest Americans, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion.

Another anticipated GOP gubernatorial candidate, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, is also a billionaire from Silicon Valley. The two do not know each other.

Whitman, like Poizner, could face a difficult Republican primary against a conservative candidate such as State Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks). "It will be very difficult for her to explain to primary voters why she and Steve Poizner are different in any respect other than gender," Schnur said.

Former Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim, who was among those who encouraged Schwarzenegger to leave Hollywood for politics, says he sees Whitman as a potential candidate.

Sundheim is leading an effort to find candidates for 2010 and is talking to people inside and outside politics, including nontraditional candidates who are wealthy enough to finance their own campaigns, according to people who have spoken with him. Three sources said Whitman is among the candidates with whom he has talked.

"I've heard from others that Meg may have an interest in running for office someday," Sundheim said in an interview Thursday.

"We have many excellent potential candidates and I think Meg could be one of those candidates, and I hope she seriously considers it."

Margaret C. "Meg" Whitman, a 51-year-old New York native, joined EBay as its president and chief executive in 1998, when the online auction company had 30 employees and annual revenues of $4 million, according to a biography posted on the company's website. The company now has 15,000 employees globally.

Whitman said Wednesday that she would retire from EBay on March 31.

Since launching her career at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati in 1979, Whitman has spent her professional life in the corporate sector, as an executive at toy maker Hasbro, Florists Transworld Delivery, Stride Rite Corp. and the Walt Disney Co.

She did her undergraduate work at Princeton and later earned a master's degree at Harvard Business School.

joe.mathews@latimes.com

Sunrise Bank of Norman, receives approval to raise capital

Sunrise Bank of Norman
has received regulatory approval
to raise capital.

Local banker Clayton Harman is working with local business and community leaders to organize the bank.

"We are pleased to receive the approval to begin our capital-raising efforts for Sunrise Bank of Norman. We are excited to bring a broad-based, locally owned community bank back to Norman and share the benefits of a locally-owned and managed bank," Harman said.

A 25-year veteran of the banking industry, Harman recently held the position of senior vice president with another bank.

The proposed bank will target local investors to help capitalize the bank and build local ownership. Organizers will target approximately 150-250 local investors that they anticipate also will be the foundation of their customer base.

Joining Harman in the venture are the following business leaders and proposed board members: Dr. Robi L. Craig, orthodontist; Cynthia Miller, managing partner, Hisey Minerals LLC; Benjamin Odom, attorney; Stan Ricketts, president, Midwest Region, Capitol Bancorp Ltd.; Charles Wilson, president, ARS Inc.

CLEVELAND COUNTY GOP PRECINCT MEETINGS LOCATIONS

CLEVELAND COUNTY
PRECINCT MEETINGS
Tuesday January 29

The Moore Library, Children’s Reading Room and the Norman Library, Lowry Room, has been reserved from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. to conduct precinct business.

Business is conducted BY PRECINCT— meaning Precinct Officials conduct their meetings themselves. Each precinct may break off into Precinct groups and conduct their required business.

All GOP Voters
are invited to participate

For more info:
call Roger Warren, 912-4341
or email mildman@sbcglobal.net

Precincts to be held at the Moore Library
Children’s Reading Room

to read click here

Precincts to be held at the Norman Library
Lowry Room

to read click here

Precincts and Locations to be
held in Precinct Chairmen Homes

to read click here