Hillary vs. the coffee maker

Senate Republicans Designate Senator Coffee as Next President Pro Tem

Republican state senators unanimously voted to designate Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, to be the next President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate. The President Pro Tem is the Senate’s top leader.

“I am honored and humbled by the confidence my colleagues have shown by entrusting me with the leadership of our caucus,” stated Coffee.

“Senate Republicans have the issues on our side, and we are confident that Oklahomans will make history in 2008 by electing the first-ever Republican majority to the Senate. As Republicans have already shown while sharing power in the Senate the past two years, we are ready and able to lead the Senate in bringing positive and innovative changes to Oklahoma,” Coffee said.

Under the rules of the Senate Republican Caucus the remainder of the Senate GOP’s leadership team will be chosen following the general election this November.

Coffee currently serves as Co-President Pro Tempore under the power sharing agreement that governs the evenly divided State Senate. As part of the Senate’s power sharing arrangement, Coffee became the first Republican in history to serve as the Senate’s President Pro Tempore in July 2007.

The Senate has 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats, but a net gain of a single seat in 2008 would make the GOP the Senate’s majority party for the first time in Oklahoma history.

Republicans have had a net gain of at least two State Senate seats every in election since 2000, netting three seats in 2000; two seats in 2002; two seats in 2004; one seat in a May 2006 special election; and two more seats in the 2006 general elections. Conversely, it has been 18 years since Democrats last had a net gain of seats in the State Senate.

Hoo-ah: Wyrick Robbins appointed counsel to the Special Forces Association

Wyrick Robbins has been appointed counsel to the Special Forces Association (SFA), a non-profit fraternal organization for current and former U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers. Established in 1964, SFA is based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with 84 chapters located around the world, promoting the interests of Special Forces and the families of soldiers killed in action.

Attorneys W. David Mannheim, Joshua J. Otto and Steven D. Simpson had been providing pro bono support to SFA prior to formal engagement of the firm. Wyrick Robbins is an entrepreneurial law firm with a focus on growth oriented businesses. For more information on the firm, go to www.wyrick.com or call (919)781-4000.

Panel questions requirements for REAL ID and border security program

Panel questions requirements for
REAL ID and border security program
BY JILL R. AITORO

A Senate panel told officials with the Homeland Security and State departments on Tuesday that their strategies to implement two programs to tighten security along the borders were flawed, leading to high costs, threats to Americans' privacy and an interruption of international commerce.

At issue are the 2005 REAL ID Act, which established minimum standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards, and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which Congress passed in 2004 requiring travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States.

States have been concerned about the cost of complying with the REAL ID law, which requires them to issue tamper-proof driver’s licenses. At least eight states have passed laws that reject the Real ID Act, largely because of the expense to comply. DHS estimates it will cost states $3.9 billion to meet the terms of the law. The government will provide $80 million in grants and another $280 million in general funding.

DHS published a final rule for REAL ID on Jan. 29. A phased approach was introduced to help reduce costs, with all citizens required to obtain a DHS-compliant driver’s license by Dec. 1, 2017.

Many of the states that have refused to comply have agreed to incorporate the security requirements of REAL ID into their driver’s licenses, without saying the changes have been included as a result of the law. Stewart Baker, assistant secretary for policy at DHS, said he hopes such arrangements will continue to drive progress toward issuing the new driver’s licenses, “without arguing about what bumper sticker is on the car.” States that don’t comply will not receive dedicated federal funds.

"I'm emotional about Real ID," Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said at a hearing of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia "It's the worst kind of Washington prodigal [legislation]. . . . [States] have no idea whether to go forward, and if they do undertake these costly efforts, they do so with no guarantee that the federal government will compensate their efforts. I'm not impressed with how [REAL ID] is being handled, and I don't have confidence it's getting better."

Congress also questioned DHS’ policy of not requiring states to obtain the personal information on the new driver’s licenses using secure technologies such as encryption. Tester questioned whether hackers could access information maintained in databases, for example, or if retail establishments such as bars, which routinely check IDs, could save the information in their own systems to then use to commit fraud.

DHS' Baker defended the decision to not secure the information. "A state trooper [who] pulls someone over needs to read information quickly," he said. "If [the trooper] needs to find an encryption key, that wouldn't be easy."

Baker also noted that personal information contained on the new driver’s license is no different from the information printed on the front of current driver’s licenses.

Panel members also asked DHS about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. In March, DHS and the State Department announced the final rule to check identities at land and sea ports, requiring all travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting their citizenship. The initiative applies to citizens of the United States, Canada and Bermuda, countries that previously were exempt. The rule will go into effect on June 1, 2009. In preparation, DHS ended accepting on Jan. 31 travelers’ oral declaration of identity and citizenship at land borders.

Panel members noted a number of examples in which the initiative could cause economic problems. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the Aroostook Valley Country Club is a golf course that straddles the borders for Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. The pro shop and parking lot are in the United States, and the golf course and clubhouse are in Canada.

"Members and guests come from both countries and have done so for more than 80 years," Collins said in her statement for the record. "Recently, however, the Border Patrol blocked a road leading from Canada to the golf course. This inconveniences local residents and, if continued, could endanger the existence of the golf course."

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, said the new rules have caused long waits in lines for commercial vehicles entering the United States from Canada. "Canada is a No. 1 trading partner for 36 states," he said. "Our economies are intertwined. We need to protect that."

Government will replace virtual border fence

Government will replace virtual border fence
CongressDaily

The government will replace its highly touted "virtual fence" on the Arizona-Mexico border with new towers, radars, cameras and computer software, scrapping the brand-new $20 million system because it doesn't work sufficiently, officials said.

The move comes just two months after Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff officially accepted the completed fence from the Boeing Co.

With the decision, Customs and Border Protection officials are acknowledging that the so-called Project 28 pilot program to detect illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border does not work well enough to keep or to continue tweaking.

Chertoff accepted the program Feb. 22 after Boeing apparently resolved software glitches. But less than a week later, GAO told Congress it "did not fully meet user needs and the project's design will not be used as the basis for future" developments.

Brogdon, Edmondson Reach Agreement on Term Limits Language

State Sen. Randy Brogdon said Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s office has agreed to compromise legislative language on a term limits referendum. The language ensures that the proposed 12-year term limits for statewide elected officials would not apply retroactively.

“General Edmondson made some suggested changes to the bill’s language. I merged his language with my amended language, and I heard back from his office this morning that he has no additional changes,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso.

“It looks like we will be good to go with these changes if we can get an agreement with Senate Democrats to send the bill to conference committee, make the changes, and bring the bill back to the Senate floor for a vote,” Brogdon said.

“I am confident that the Democrat senators who voted for this term limits bill earlier in the session will appreciate the good faith efforts we have made to ensure that the term limits are not retroactive,” he said.

Brogdon offered the term limits amendment that was attached to SB 1987. If passed by the Legislature, the term limits proposal will go to a vote of the people.

Senate Approves Measure to Close OPERS Loophole

The state Senate on Monday approved legislation to close a loophole in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) that has enabled a small group of former elected officials to double their pensions if they worked most of their careers as public employees before being elected to office.

Sen. Mike Mazzei, author of Senate Bill 1641, said that with pension systems currently saddled with tremendous unfunded liability, the state cannot afford to pay inflated sums to a select group of politicians.

“These benefits are not afforded to the average Oklahoman, and to expect average Oklahomans to foot the bill for these exorbitant sums is morally wrong,” said Mazzei, R-Tulsa. “If the state is to meet its long-term economic goals, fiscally irresponsible laws such as this demand the legislature’s scrutiny. I’m pleased the Senate voted in favor of closing this loophole.”

Under Senate Bill 1641, new members to OPERS who become elected officials will receive benefits based on existing contribution rates and their highest compensation received as an elected official, and only for their years of service as an elected official.

At the top of the list for inflated pensions, Mazzei said, is former Auditor and Inspector Clifton Scott. Scott’s annual salary as Auditor and Inspector was $83,510, while his retirement pension from the state is $147,000. Mazzei said the loophole was created by legislation passed in 1988.

AFP Hot Air Tour stop in OKC

The
AFP "Hot Air" Tour:
The Economic Impact of Global Warming

The Americans For Prosperity Hot Air Tour is coming to Oklahoma City's.

Ride a hot air balloon, eat some FREE BBQ from Earl's.

We'll be discussing the economic impact of the global warming hysteria and all the coming increases in taxes...specifically the Cap & Trade bill.

There's a lot of legislation on its way that will significantly change the way we do business and all in the name of global warming.

Imagine a future where the government controls your home thermostat remotely (a real proposal in California). Where families and businesses will be on the hook to pay for feel-good regulations that do almost nothing. Where you'll be forced to choose between heating your home or a family vacation. Between a full tank of gas or saving for your children's education. Click here to register now.

For more information, please contact Oklahoma Director Stuart Jolly at (405) 514-0514 or sjolly@afphq.org and check out our new cost of hot air website: www.CostOfHotAir.org

Bring the family and have some fun! Short rides will be given in the hot air balloon.

This Thursday from 5-7 pm at the
Bricktown Ballpark parking lot...
parking is free

What: Free rally and cook-out

When: 5:00 PM; Thursday, May 1

Click here to register now

Where: Bricktown Baseball Ballpark, parking lot FREE PARKING

What will the Hot Air in the debate cost you?
www.CostOfHotAir.org

Announcing a Presidential Forum in New Orleans

New Orleans and Louisiana leaders today announce they are working with Google and YouTube to bring American voices into a forum with Presidential nominees that will address critical issues for the nation's future.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and the New Orleans Consortium plan to host the forum on September 18, 2008 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The forum will use Google technology and the YouTube video platform to drive citizen engagement and to create a dynamic, compelling, and constructive live television broadcast.

Will this be the Headline coming out of Tulsa this weekend: Chaos over Paul cuts short gathering

Will this be the Headline coming out of Tulsa this weekend: 'Chaos over Paul cuts short gathering' or maybe it will be 'Jones blow it' ?

Hat Tip to Anjeanette @ www.rgj.com

From the Nevada State GOP Convention, last week:

After a super-majority of Ron Paul supporters captured control of the Republican state convention Saturday, state party officials abruptly canceled the event without electing delegates to the national convention.

Early in the day, state delegates supporting Paul's continued pursuit of the Republican nomination voted through a rules change that forced the state party to abandon its preset ballot of potential national convention delegates and open up the race to the rest of the state delegates.

The vote followed a rousing speech by Paul of Texas, who said his presidential campaign will continue as long as he has support.

But as the convention continued into the evening, chairman Bob Beers said the party's contract for the hall at the Peppermill Resort Casino had expired and the event would be rescheduled.

"Due to a rules change that left us on an overtime basis, we will recess the convention until a date that we are going to announce next week," Beers told a shocked crowd, which stood silent for a few seconds before erupting in boos.

As Beers was escorted out of the building, a short-lived effort to rescue the convention was launched by party activist Mike Weber. Although several hundred Paul supporters stayed, they weren't strong enough to make a quorum to continue the convention.

Throughout the confusion, hecklers battled for the attention of delegates who supported U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

"McCain supporters leave!" one man shouted.

"McCain supporters stay!" a woman answered.

"We're supposed to be on the same team!" another woman shouted.

In a written statement, party chairwoman Sue Lowden said the vote to allow self-nominations doubled the number of people competing for 31 spots to the national convention. That overwhelmed the party's capacity to process the votes.

"Unfortunately, with the rule changes implemented this morning, we did not have time to complete the process," she said. "Our contract for the meeting space had expired, as had our budget, and ballots were unable to be physically produced by the nominations committee. We had to temporarily recess the convention."

Heading to Vegas?

She is exploring whether to move the convention to Las Vegas to take advantage of reduced costs for the Cox Pavilion, which Clark County Democrats used for their convention do-over.

Beers denied the decision was meant to undermine Paul's efforts to win national convention delegates from Nevada.

"I don't see how it does," Beers said as he raced out of the building. "We've given Ron Paul's guy a list of the credentialed delegates and a list of the nominees for national delegates."

Votes that had been cast to elect nine of the 31 delegates were sealed in envelopes and locked in a safety deposit box, a party official said.

But Paul supporter Chloie Leavitt, of Overton, left angry.

"I do blame Bob Beers," she said. "But not only Bob Beers. This was an organized effort to promote the agenda of a few people, the party leaders, over we the people."

Although he is the presumptive nominee, McCain came in third in the Nevada caucuses, the first step in nominating delegates to the county, state and national conventions. That left him with few natural supporters at the state event.

Despite a Paul majority in delegates, McCain will win Nevada support at the national convention, said Ryan Erwin, a Republican consultant from Las Vegas who supports McCain.

"This is still a McCain convention," Erwin said, adding that enthusiasm for Paul's speech was for his message, not necessarily his candidacy. "There are parts of his message that the entire Republican base likes.

"But at the end of the day, part of the job of being a national delegate is to do what is best for the party in November. And that means supporting the party's nominee."

Paul, who came in second in the Nevada caucuses, actively worked to ensure his supporters attended both the county and state conventions.

His contingent came to the state convention prepared for battle. They had a row of printers to print ballots for their supporters to the national convention. They set up a communications network using text messages to cell phones to make sure everyone voted correctly on motions that would benefit their effort. And they scoured the rules for opportunities to level the playing field.

"On the one side you have a candidate with principles, on the other side you have Tammany Hall," said Kelly Edinger, a Reno Paul supporter. "I'm in it for Ron Paul. I still believe he can win."

Earlier in the day, former Gov. Mitt Romney, who won the Nevada Caucuses, delivered a speech calling for a unified backing of McCain.

"I know Americans are going to choose a great patriot, a man who has been tested and proven," he said to loud cheers.

But Paul's 10-minute speech drove the crowd of 1,200 delegates into frenzied applause. They interrupted him repeatedly with standing ovations.

Acknowledging that he likely won't win the nomination, Paul said his presidential campaign will continue as long as he has supporters.

"Our campaign has continued, is doing well and improving, even though we know exactly what the numbers are," Paul said. "But the message is worthwhile. Your vote can really count if you vote for limitation of government power and spending."

Reactions

Some longtime party activists complained about what they called a disruptive influence on the proceedings. Others thought it pointless since McCain has enough delegates nationally to secure the nomination.

"McCain won fair and square," Boulder City delegate Daniel Hancock said to thunderous boos and cat calls. "So, at this point we are electing delegates not to fight out the nomination in Minneapolis, but probably rewarding people loyal to the party.

"We need to strike a compromise between perfect democracy and getting things done."

After Paul supporters displayed their strength by forcing a rules change with two-thirds of the vote, Bill Brainard, of Sparks, said he had no doubt they would elect most of the delegates to the national convention.

"We will be marginalized (at the national convention)," Brainard said. "We will be marginalized because we're a bunch of kooks. Am I concerned? Yeah."

Paul spokesman Jeff Greenspan said the walkout was a first in his 21-year career in politics.

"I've seen factions walk out, I've never seen a party walk out," he said. "I've never even heard of that."

The GOP’s Youth Problem

Hat Tip to my facebook friend Rob @ sayanythingblog.com

The GOP’s Youth Problem
By Rob on April 28, 2008

Yikes...

It’s easy to pass this off on public schools and the universities as they have absolutely become centers for liberal indoctrination (my seven year old came home the other day full of stories about Earth Day and how we’re all going to perish in a fiery apocalypse of global warming if daddy doesn’t sell his SUV immediately), but in large part I blame the GOP too.

Idealism is what attracts young people, and the GOP has been decidedly bereft of idealism since the mid-1990’s. Republicans are supposed to be the low-tax, limited-government, increased-freedoms people but they haven’t stayed true to that brand, and so young Americans are tending not to trust the GOP these days. And for good reason.

Think about it: Why is McDonald’s a ubiquitous landmark all over America? Heck, all over the industrialized world? Because for better or worse, when you go to a McDonald’s you know what you’re getting.

With the GOP, people (especially the young) know what they’re supposed to be getting, but they also know that the reality isn’t often matching the pitch any more.

Ada Evening News backs Terrill and Official English

Ada Evening News Editorial
Oklahoma pushes for English
to be the official language
Loné Beasley Publisher
Published: April 29, 2008

Rep. Randy Terrill of Moore, who author of last year’s highly controversial anti-illegal immigrant law, is currently trying to make English the official language of Oklahoma. Terrill has said his plan would require all official state government business be conducted in English. 

Some have suggested making English official is an unnecessary exercise since relatively few Oklahomans can even speak another language. While it may not be true for all, for most of us, English is all we know. Why go the trouble of codifying it as our language of choice?

Is this effort a thinly veiled example of racism rearing its ugly head in an attempt to put an additional barrier between Spanish speaking residents and others in the Sooner state?

We don’t think so. Rep. Terrill’s measure is designed to save unnecessary expense associated with some committee or bureaucrat suddenly deciding to go to the expense of, for instance, delivering taxpayer services in a language other than English. (His measure also provides exceptions for American Indian tribal languages.) 

Efforts at overcompensating for those who speak a different language from their adopted host country have been noted failures. An all out push was made in California to implement bi-lingual education, the thought being that native Spanish speakers would better learn if they heard the material taught in their own language first. After years of trying it, even those most in favor of the concept have declared it unsuccessful. It did not serve to enhance foreign students’ ability to learn, and hampered their assimilation into their adopted culture.

While there may be symbolic implications to this measure, there are very real practical reasons for adopting it. English is already the language of business the world over. It is silly to think it should not be so in government in the heartland as well.

Senate Leaders Name GCCA Members

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee announced Wednesday that 46 of the Senate’s 48 members have been assigned to the General Conference Committee on Appropriations.

The joint Senate-House conference committee, which will consider legislation dealing with budgetary matters, will include every senator other than the two Senate leaders.

“Crafting the state budget is the single most important job our members are asked to do each legislative session” said Morgan, D-Stillwater. “Naming GCCA members today is a good indication that budget work is going smoothly and ensures we are poised to complete our work on time.”

“A lot of work remains to be done on budget issues this session, but the naming of GCCA members today shows that the State Senate is on track to bring the 2007 legislative session to an orderly and timely adjournment. We’re headed down the homestretch,” said Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

US Supreme Court upholds photo ID law for voters in Indiana

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states can require voters to produce photo identification without violating their constitutional rights, validating Republican-inspired voter ID laws.

In a splintered 6-3 ruling, the court upheld Indiana's strict photo ID requirement, which Democrats and civil rights groups said would deter poor, older and minority voters from casting ballots. Its backers said it was needed to prevent fraud.

It was the most important voting rights case since the Bush v. Gore dispute that sealed the 2000 election for George W. Bush. But the voter ID ruling lacked the conservative-liberal split that marked the 2000 case.

The law "is amply justified by the valid interest in protecting 'the integrity and reliability of the electoral process,'" Justice John Paul Stevens said in an opinion that was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Anthony Kennedy. Stevens was a dissenter in Bush v. Gore in 2000.

Justices Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas also agreed with the outcome, but wrote separately.

Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David Souter dissented, just as they did in 2000.

More than 20 states require some form of identification at the polls. Courts have upheld voter ID laws in Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, but struck down Missouri's. Monday's decision comes a week before Indiana's presidential primary.

The decision also could spur efforts to pass similar laws in other states.

Ken Falk, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, said he hadn't reviewed the decision, but he was "extremely disappointed" by it. Falk has said voter ID laws inhibit voting, and a person's right to vote "is the most important right." The ACLU brought the case on behalf of Indiana voters.

The case concerned a state law, passed in 2005, that was backed by Republicans as a way to deter voter fraud. Democrats and civil rights groups opposed the law as unconstitutional and called it a thinly veiled effort to discourage elderly, poor and minority voters — those most likely to lack proper ID and who tend to vote for Democrats.

There is little history in Indiana of either in-person voter fraud — of the sort the law was designed to thwart — or voters being inconvenienced by the law's requirements. For the overwhelming majority of voters, an Indiana driver license serves as the identification.

"We cannot conclude that the statute imposes 'excessively burdensome requirements' on any class of voters," Stevens said.

Stevens' opinion suggests that the outcome could be different in a state where voters could provide evidence that their rights had been impaired.

But in dissent, Souter said Indiana's voter ID law "threatens to impose nontrivial burdens on the voting rights of tens of thousands of the state's citizens."

Scalia, favoring a broader ruling in defense of voter ID laws, said, "The universally applicable requirements of Indiana's voter-identification law are eminently reasonable. The burden of acquiring, possessing and showing a free photo identification is simply not severe, because it does not 'even represent a significant increase over the usual burdens of voting.'"

Stevens said the partisan divide in Indiana, as well as elsewhere, was noteworthy. But he said that preventing fraud and inspiring voter confidence were legitimate goals of the law, regardless of who backed or opposed it.

Indiana provides IDs free of charge to the poor and allows voters who lack photo ID to cast a provisional ballot and then show up within 10 days at their county courthouse to produce identification or otherwise attest to their identity.

Stevens said these provisions also help reduce the burden on people who lack driver licenses.

Excerpts from Monday's 6-3 Supreme Court decision
upholding Indiana's law requiring voters to present a
picture ID before they vote:

Justice John Paul Stevens, writing to uphold the law:
"Indiana's own experience with fraudulent voting in the 2003 Democratic primary for East Chicago mayor — though perpetrated using absentee ballots and not in-person fraud — demonstrate that not only is the risk of voter fraud real but that it could affect the outcome of a close election."

"The record says virtually nothing about the difficulties faced by either indigent voters or voters with religious objections to being photographed. ... In sum, on the basis of the record that has been made in this litigation, we cannot conclude that the statute imposes 'excessively burdensome requirements' on any class of voters."

"Finally we note that petitioners have not demonstrated that the proper remedy — even assuming an unjustified burden on some voters — would be to invalidate the entire statute."

"In their briefs, petitioners stress the fact that all of the Republicans in the General Assembly voted in favor" of the law "and the Democrats were unanimous in opposing it. ... It is fair to infer that partisan considerations may have played a significant role in the decision to enact" the law and "if such considerations had provided the only justification for a photo identification requirement, we may assume" that the law "would suffer the same fate as the poll tax. But if a nondiscriminatory law is supported by valid neutral justifications, those justifications should not be disregarded simply because partisan interests may have provided one motivation for the votes of individual legislators.

Justice Antonin Scalia, concurring:
"The lead opinion assumes petitioners' premise that the voter-identification law 'may have imposed a special burden on' some voters, but holds that petitioners have not assembled evidence to show that the special burden is severe enough to warrant strict scrutiny. That is true enough, but for the sake of clarity and finality as well as adherence to precedent, I prefer to decide these cases on the grounds that petitioners' premise is irrelevant and that the burden at issue is minimal and justified."

"This calls for application of a deferential 'important regulatory interests' standard for nonsecure, nondiscriminatory restrictions, reserving strict scrutiny for laws that severely restrict the right to vote."

Hoo-ah: Mahdi Army Fades Away

After a month of fighting, the Mahdi Army has disappeared from the streets of Basra, the largest city in the south. The army and police are everywhere, and people are providing information on where Mahdi Army personnel are hiding out, and the locations of their weapons caches. Up north, in the Sadr City section of east Baghdad, the Mahdi Army is still fighting hard. But the army and police have the upper hand, and are pushing the Shia militiamen back block by block. Mahdi Army leader Muqtada al Sadr has responded by threatening to order his men to go after American troops if the government does not back off. That's won't work, because the Mahdi Army is not particularly skillful, and not very united either. He recently ordered his troops to stop fighting Iraqi soldiers and police, and concentrate on the Americans. The Iraqi security forces have not reciprocated, and continue coming after the Mahdi Army.

The dozen or so factions of the Mahdi Army vary in their loyalty to Sadr, or to political solutions. Several of the Mahdi Army factions are basically criminal gangs masquerading as religious zealots. Sadr denies he is a pawn of Iran, but as Mahdi Army houses are captured, more Iranian weapons and equipment show up, as well as religious propaganda from Iran. Iraqi president Maliki has told Sadr that the offensive would halt if the Mahdi Army surrenders all its weapons, stops attacking, or trying to infiltrate (by joining) the security forces, and hands over members wanted for crimes. So far, Sadr refuses, probably because many of his followers would turn on him if he tried. But Sadr also realizes that the Iraqi soldiers and police are capable, eventually, of grinding the Mahdi Army into nothingness. Another month or so of fighting and the Mahdi Army will be no more.

Al Sadr, and many of his followers, see all this violence against them as a plot by the Badr Organization to be the last major militia standing. The Badr Organization began as a Shia anti-Saddam exile group, in Iran, a quarter century ago. But the Badr "Brigade" renounced the use of force, formed a political party, and urged its Brigade members to join the army and police. This they did, and many believe these former militiamen are still loyal to their Badr Brigade bosses. But the Badr leaders insist that the Brigade is no more, and the Badr Organization is strictly political. In any event, the Badr people have been more cooperative with the government than the Sadr crew.

Meanwhile, Sunni Arab politicians have returned to the government. These Sunni Arab political parties had walked out of the government nine months ago, angry over the failure to guarantee their rights, safety and share of the oil revenue. Since then, the Sunni Arab terrorism effort has been shattered, with many of the Sunni Arab terror groups switched sides and joined the war against al Qaeda.

Iraq is trying to get its Arab neighbors to forgive some $65 billion in Saddam era debts, without much success. Most of the money was borrowed in the 1980s, when Iraq was at war with Iran. Iraq has already had some $65 billion in debts, mostly to Russia and European nations, forgiven. But the Arabs want their money. The other Arab states in the region see Shia dominated Iraq as a potential ally of Iran, and not "real" Arabs. Conservative Sunni Arab clerics regularly preach that Shia Moslems (like most Iraqis and nearly all Iranians) are heretics and not to be trusted.

The government is openly proclaiming the decline, if not complete destruction, of Sunni Arab terrorist group al Qaeda, at least in Iraq. There are far fewer suicide bomb attacks, and most of them are individuals wearing explosive belts, rather that more elaborate car or truck bombs. Moreover, the targets are all "soft" (easy to reach civilians). Al Qaeda is trying to be selective, going after the leaders of Sunni Arab groups that switched sides in the past few months. It is this kind of brutality that caused Sunni Arab groups to turn on al Qaeda, but that kind of logic is lost on the remaining terrorists.

Up north, Turkish warplanes and artillery continue to hit suspected PKK bases along the Iraqi border. The Kurdish government in the north protests, but quietly. No one in the region wants to get into a squabble with the Turks, especially not the Turkish army.

HOO-AH: Toby perform at Camp Liberty/Victory Base, Iraq

It look like my High School Buddy Toby is in Iraq, From a email a Army Buddy sent me - Country music star Toby Keith visited and performed for troops on Victory Base Complex April 25 and 26 as part of his sixth United Service Organizations tour. Keith is spending his time meeting with and playing for Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen across Iraq and Afghanistan.


"It's just pretty much get up early, pack a light bag, grab a couple of guitars and hit a couple of forward operating bases," Keith said. "It's always play for a bit and then shake as many hands and take as many pictures as I can before the birds hit."

One thing brought the famous musician here, and that was his vast patriotism, and sincere support for servicemembers and the difficult job they do while deployed, which is evident in his music and performances for military members.

"I just want [the troops] to have a good time, and I want to know when we leave that we brought some sense of home to them, and for a little while maybe it'll lighten their world up and they'll remember what they're fighting for," Keith said. "My father was a Soldier and he set an example, so this is more of a tribute to him than it is to me that I came over here. He taught us when we were kids to respect veterans and the people who serve our country."

Overall, Keith was impressed with how well U.S. forces have adapted over the years since Operation Iraqi Freedom began, and highly confident in their abilities.











"It's a tough war to fight," Keith said. "It's not very conventional, and it's hard to figure out who the enemy is, and these guys get out on the streets and do a hell of job. I'm amazed."

Just as Keith looks up to the troops on the ground, they too look up to him for the inspirational music he writes.

"His songs are an inspiration to all the troops over here," said Capt. Nicole Van Benken, 62nd Medical Brigade. "It makes you motivated to do your job because you feel like you're over here for a purpose. It's great to know that people support you."

While wars may change and the U.S. military may have to readapt numerous times, one thing will always remain, and that's Keith's strong support for all the guys and girls deployed to war zones.

"[Servicemembers] are the never-ending battle for freedom," Keith said.

Pitts: People should decide two key constitutional issues

OPINION

Pitts: People should decide two key constitutional issues

by William O. Pitts
The Journal Record
April 28, 2008

Two proposed amendments to the Oklahoma Constitution should be sent to a vote of the people at the November general election. They are SB 163, making English the official state language for the conduct of its business, and SB 1987, setting term limits for statewide elected officials. Both measures passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives last week and were returned to the state Senate for final consideration.

Party-line voting on both measures was clearly evident in the House. The vote for SB 163 (70-28) was more bipartisan. All the nay votes came from House Democrats but 14 of them voted for the measure.

By a vote of 56 to 44 the House passed a committee substitute for SB 1987 by state Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso and state Rep. Trebor Worthen, R-OKC and returned it to the state Senate, where it is expected to be brought up this week for consideration of the House amendments and final passage.

Both authors insist it is not aimed at Democrats or Republicans, but House Republicans voted 55 to one Democrat – state Rep. R.C. Pruett, Antlers – for the bill. House Democrats voted 42 to two Republicans, Reps. Shane Jett, Tecumseh, and Scott Martin, Norman, against the bill.

If approved by a vote of the people the constitutional amendment limits to three four-year terms or 12 years for the offices for the lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer, state insurance commissioner, state auditor and inspector, and state superintendent of public instruction. The limit set for the three members of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission would be two six-year terms.

All but two of those offices currently are held by Democrats. Republicans Bob Anthony and Jeff Cloud are members of the Corporation Commission. Jim Roth, appointed by Gov. Brad Henry, is the Democrat member of the commission. He is up for election this year.
Anthony is in his fourth six-year term as a commissioner, which ends in 2012.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson is serving his third four-year term, which ends in 2010. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett is working on her fifth term in office. It expires 2010. The rest of the office holders are in their first elected term of office.

In the Senate on the first go-around seven Democrats joined all 24 Republicans in support of SB 1987. Whether that Democrat support will hold when the bill comes back for final consideration is another question. Edmondson has come out in opposition to sending the measure to a vote of the people.

To be successful, Republicans will have to hold the vote of their 24 members in the evenly divided Senate and keep at least one of the seven Democrats who voted for it the first time.

A strong argument can be made for the Legislature to submit both questions to a vote of the people that is not always applicable to other issues. First the Legislature has no power to amend the state constitution. That is reserved to the people.

More importantly, both of these issues are of wide concern among the electorate with seemingly overwhelming support. A July, 2007 Pulse Opinion Research survey of 1,000 likely voters found 77 percent of them would vote for a measure setting term limits for elected state officials. Last December a poll by the Tulsa World and KOTV showed 73 percent in favor.

On the other issue similar polls indicate 88 percent of Oklahomans favor making English the official language for state business. It broke down to 93 percent Republicans and 84 percent Democrats. Given such numbers, it is difficult to see how the Senate can deny voters the right to decide such important issues.

With so much effort being put forth by various groups to hamper the circulation of initiative petitions to get such questions on the ballot, it seems incumbent that the Legislature should give the people the chance they obviously want to decide these two.

William O. Pitts may be reached by phone at (405) 278-2880 or by e-mailingbill.pitts@journalrecord.com

NRA-ILA: Oklahoma: Right to Hunt Legislation Passes House and Heads to Senate!

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3867

Oklahoma: Right to Hunt Legislation
Passes House and Heads to Senate!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Make Your Voice Heard Today!

By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 97 to 2, the House of Representatives approved SJR38, authored by Senate Co-Pro Tem Glenn Coffee (R-30) and State Representative Randy Terrill (R-53). SJR38 provides language to amend Oklahoma's state constitution to protect our right to hunt and harvest game. If passed by the Senate, this amendment will be placed on the ballot and submitted for approval by the voters in this November's General Election.

Please contact your State Senator and strongly encourage him or her to protect Oklahoma's time-honored hunting heritage by voting for SJR38 in its current form. To find contact information for your State Senator please click here.

Senate Review by Senator Randy Brogdon

This past week, the full Senate gave approval to the General Appropriations Bill, which had already been approved by the House of Representatives. This GA bill totaling just over $7 billion dollars represents a stand-still budget, and lays the groundwork for an orderly adjournment well before the Constitutional end date of 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May.

While it is not a perfect budget, it is one that doesn’t cut agencies in a tight budget year. While revenues collections have come in below projections, it is important that many other states are facing tremendous shortfalls, and as a result, their Legislatures are being forced to literally slash budgets. In Oklahoma, we are living within our means while continuing to ensure vital services, likes roads and bridges, corrections and our schools, are funded

Although the last day the Legislature could meet as mandated by the Constitution would be May 30, we approved a target date of May 23 this year. The legislative session normally runs 16 weeks, but because of the way the calendar fell this year, we could have been in session 17 weeks. Adjourning a week sooner will keep us within that 16 week norm.

This basically gives us just four more weeks to complete the 2008 session. However, with the GA bill already agreed to and approved by both chambers, we are confident we will conclude work on several important bills still awaiting final action this year. Some of these bills have already received an initial vote on each chamber and are now being sent to joint conference committees to work out the details of the final versions of these measures.

We have already approved a comprehensive ethics bill, which is among those that have final revisions made in a conference committee. There are also bills that originated in the Senate but were amended by the House. If the authors reject the amendments, those bills will also go to conference committee. If the amendments are accepted and the bills win final approval, they go straight to the Governor’s desk. Among the bills still working their way through the process are an anti-voter fraud measure as well as my bill expanding term limits to state-wide offices that currently have no time limits.

When all is said and done, I anticipate we will have had a productive legislation session.

It is an honor to serve you in the in the State Senate. I can be reached by writing to Senator Randy Brogdon, Room 416, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or by calling (405) 521-5566, or email at brogdon@oksenate.gov.

Respectfully,

Randy Brogdon

Senate District #34

Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee's Weekly Q & A (April 24, 2008)

The Sykes Update for April 24, 2008

Senator Sykes talk with Newcastle Mayor Karl Nail about the Newcastle 2025 Comprehensive Plan Project.

Agencies not complying with record preservation policies

Agencies not complying with
record preservation policies

BY JILL R. AITORO

Agencies are not preserving e-mail records properly because of depleted staffs, an overwhelming volume of messages, and a reliance on an archaic print-and-file storing process, industry and government representatives told a congressional panel on Wednesday.

“Records management in general is afforded low priority across government,” Linda Koontz, director of information management issues at the Government Accountability Office, told a hearing of the House Information Policy, Census and National Archives Subcommittee. “Without a mandate we won’t get too far.”

At the hearing, Koontz released preliminary results from an ongoing GAO study of how four agencies managed e-mail and electronic records. GAO is studying the electronic storage practices at the Homeland Security and Housing and Urban Development departments as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Trade Commission. Koontz said the agencies print and then file e-mails, but about half of senior officials were not following these procedures, and the e-mails for these officials were maintained in e-mail systems that lacked record-keeping capabilities, such as the ability to group the e-mails using a classification system.

“Unless they have record-keeping features, e-mail systems may not permit easy and timely retrieval of both groupings of related records as well as individual records,” Koontz said.

EPA is implementing an electronic application to preserve e-mails, and DHS and HUD are considering introducing one as well. FTC is not considering any change to its current process, Koontz said.

To provide agencies with more guidance on preserving electronic records, the House is considering the Electronic Communications Preservation Act, which Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.; William Lacy Clay, D-Mo.’ and Paul W. Hodes, D-N.H. introduced on April 15. The bill would strengthen policies for preservation of government records by requiring the National Archivist to establish and regulate standards for the capture, management and preservation of White House e-mails and other electronic communications. The bill also would require agencies to preserve electronic communications in electronic format.

The legislation’s potential cost to agencies could be “astronomical,” said Gary Stern, general counsel for the National Archives and Records Administration, especially when other electronic records brought about by Web 2.0 technologies are included, such as instant messaging, wikis, blogs and other types of records. National Archives spends $450,000 annually to support the deployment of a records management application for e-mail and other electronic records for about 60 employees.

“Extrapolating our costs -- and our anecdotal understanding of [records management applications] costs in other agencies -- across the federal government results in potential astronomical outlays by federal agencies if they were to be required to create and provide ongoing support for such [records management applications],” Stern said in testimony.

He also noted the bill’s requirement that the National Archives would maintain authority over the White House’s electronic records might be unconstitutional. “Up until now, under the Presidential Records Act, we’ve worked closely with presidential administrations on issues, but we’ve had no formal responsibility,” Stern said. “This bill would insert NARA [for] overseeing records management in the White House over the president. It’s not clear whether that would be permissible under the Constitution.”

Without the bill, officials with open government advocacy groups are concerned that the White House won’t be held responsible in preserving electronic records. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has filed a suit under the Federal Records Act against the White House Office of Administration concerning missing White House e-mails, because the group cannot sue under the Presidential Records Act, said Patrice McDermott, director of OpentheGovernment.org, which counts CREW among its coalition members.

“I understand the constitutional issues, and I don’t have a good answer for that,” she said. “But one of the concerns is that there is no way to enforce accountability [of] records management in the White House. We understand it’s a difficult dance [for NARA]. They’re there at the invitation of the White House in many cases, but there needs to be some way for the outside community to hold the White House accountable.”

Trading on Promises - Clinton, Obama

We have all heard the promises from the Clinton and Obama Campaigns that they will renegotiate the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement. But is it doable or are they promising more than they can deliver? Is it more empty political rhetoric meant to play off the deep rooted emotions and economic woes of Americans looking for solutions?

Renegotiating NAFTA is not as simple as Senator Clinton and Senator Obama lead us to believe. Amidst the challenges is the rising price of oil, and trade talks with the largest exporter of oil to the United States. In that there are questions that need to be raised in an open, honest dialog about the issues, rather than the hollow and bitter fighting that has lead to negative campaigning and attack ads.

That is unless they don't want us to look too deep into their policies.

GREENPEACE founder now backs nuclear power; no proof global warming is caused by humans...

Greenpeace founder now backs nuclear power

Patrick Moore tells the Boise chamber that the world must wean itself from fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gases.

BY ROCKY BARKER - rbarker@idahostatesman.com

Greenpeace founder Patrick Moore says there is no proof global warming is caused by humans, but it is likely enough that the world should turn to nuclear power - a concept tied closely to the underground nuclear testing his former environmental group formed to oppose.

The chemistry of the atmosphere is changing, and there is a high-enough risk that "true believers" like Al Gore are right that world economies need to wean themselves off fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gases, he said.

"It's like buying fire insurance," Moore said. "We all own fire insurance even though there is a low risk we are going to get into an accident."

The only viable solution is to build hundreds of nuclear power plants over the next century, Moore told the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. There isn't enough potential for wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal or other renewable energy sources, he said.

With development of coal-fired electric generation stopped cold over greenhouse gases, the only alternative to nuclear power for producing continuous energy at the levels needed is natural gas. But climate change isn't the only reason to move away from fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels also are a major health threat. "Coal causes the worst health impacts of anything we are doing today," Moore said.

Plus, uranium can be found within the United States and also comes in large quantities from Canada and Australia. Nuclear Power reduces the reliance on supplies in dangerous places including the Middle East, he said.

Moore spoke at the chamber breakfast after an appearance in Idaho Falls Tuesday night that attracted 300 people. He also spoke to the Idaho Environmental Forum in Boise, all sponsored by the Partnership for Science and Technology.

He represents the Clean Air and Safe Energy Coalition, a nuclear energy-backed group promoting reactors for electric energy generation. He began his career as a leader of Greenpeace fighting nuclear testing and working to save whales.

In recent years, he has taken on causes unpopular with his former group, like old-growth logging, keeping polyvinyl chlorides and now nuclear energy.

He says his change of heart comes from his background in science and a different approach to sustainability.

He sees a need for maintaining technologies that are not harmful while fixing or replacing those that are harmful.

"We don't believe we have been making too much electricity," he said. "We believe we've been making energy with the wrong technologies."

His critics, like Andrea Shipley, executive director of the Snake River Alliance, say he has simply sold out.

"The only reason Patrick Moore is backing something as unsafe and risky as nuclear power is he is being paid by the nuclear industry to do so," Shipley said.

Rocky Barker: 377-6484

Commentary with Neva Hill for April 24, 2008

Political Guru Neva Hill weekly commentary on Political issue


It air on Thursday (@ 7:30 am and 4:30 pm) on KOSU radio

Hoo-AH: Mary Fallin: Memorial Day Marks A Time To Honor Those Who Have Unselfishly Served

As our Memorial Day weekend approaches, I believe it is important to pay tribute and honor to the men and women in the military who have served our country.

I am greatly honored to represent veterans who have so unselfishly served the United States in times of war. They are treasures and testaments to the patriotism and “grit” of our Great State.

Many of our veterans, for one reason or another, never received the recognition and medals they so greatly deserve for their actions and heroism during the time they served in the armed forces.

Janet Petty, the Military and Veterans Affairs liaison in my District office, has worked tirelessly to respond to and work with the men and women who contacted us.

And, it will be our great honor to present medals to our deserving military veterans in a special ceremony May 23rd at the Oklahoma History Center.

As Memorial Day is observed this month, the timing of the ceremony seems even more important and appropriate to me.

While the holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have given their lives in military service to their country, and while we hold ceremonies on Veterans’ Day in November, we need to remember those who served and give them their due much more often and in more significant ways.

It will be a special day for all of us.

North Korea gave Syria nuclear help

In a move that could upset Washington's policy towards North Korea, US intelligence officials are set to tell lawmakers this week that Pyongyang shared nuclear know-how with Syria, one official said Wednesday.

The United States has concluded that the Stalinist regime's help came both before and after a Syrian nuclear reactor being built in secret with North Korean help was destroyed, said the official, who requested anonymity.

"If it had been complete, the reactor would have been capable of producing plutonium for nuclear weapons, but it was destroyed before it could do so," the official said. "That's the result of solid intelligence."

The official did not specify who had destroyed the facility, but Israel carried out an airstrike inside Syrian territory in September in a move widely reported to have targeted a nuclear site.

"The reactor was put out of commission before it was loaded with nuclear fuel, before it became operational," the official said.

"It was not designed to produce electricity," the official emphasized.

US intelligence officials plan to brief US lawmakers from key committees on Thursday, amid deep concern in Congress about progress in six-country talks to dismantle North Korea's nuclear programs.

The revelation was expected to cloud prospects for President George W. Bush's aggressive efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis before he leaves office in January 2009.

The White House declined to confirm details of the briefings, but spokeswoman Dana Perino and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said separately that information on the issue could "soon" be made public.

Asked when the public would be told about what US intelligence believes about such collaboration, Gates told a Pentagon news conference: "Soon." He refused to elaborate.

"I think Secretary Gates said it well. 'Soon' is a good, short answer," Perino told reporters amid a flurry of news reports that North Korea had aided Syria in a covert drive to obtain nuclear capability.

"I'm not going to be able to say much on it today. And I'm not confirming anything at this briefing in regards to the substance," Perino.

Starting late Tuesday, US media outlets, citing unnamed US officials, said that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) would tell lawmakers from key committees that Israel hit a nuclear site, possibly a reactor, being constructed with North Korean help.

The news came at a particularly sensitive time for the six-country agreement aimed at stripping North Korea of its nuclear programs, months after Pyongyang was supposed to have formally "declared" the extent of its nuclear and proliferation activities.

The deadline for the declaration under the February 2007 deal was December 31, 2007.

Washington earlier this week sent a team of experts to North Korea and China in what could be a last-ditch effort at securing such a declaration amid growing signs that Bush may scale back his demands on Pyongyang.

Washington says Pyongyang should not only account for its plutonium program but also clear up suspicions about an alleged uranium enrichment program and suspected proliferation -- claims denied by North Korea.

HOO-ah: Petraeus-Odierno Team Nominated to Lead in CentCom, Iraq

The White House will nominate Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, currently commander of Multinational Force Iraq, to be the next U.S. Central Command commander, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced today.

"I recommended him to the president because I am absolutely confident he is the best man for the job," Gates told reporters. He cited Petraeus' in-depth understanding of the situation in Iraq as well as counterinsurgency operations, and the successes seen in Iraq under his leadership.

"The kinds of conflicts we are dealing with not just in Iraq, but in Afghanistan and some of the challenges that we face elsewhere in the region in the CentCom area, are very much characterized by asymetric warfare," he said. "And I don't know anybody in the United States military better qualified to lead that effort."

Gates also announced today that the White House will nominate Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, who commanded Multinational Corps Iraq until just two months ago, to succeed Petraeus as Multinational Force Iraq commander.

Odierno served as Petraeus' right-hand man in Iraq, Gates said, and like Petraeus, has the experience required for the job.

"I believe in most parts of the world, especially the Middle East, personal relationships make a difference," Gates said. "And General Odierno is known recently to the Iraqi leadership, he's known to the Iraqi generals, he's known to our own people. He has current experience, so the likelihood of him being able to pick up for this baton-passing to be smooth – the odds of that are better with him than with anybody else I could identify."

Odierno had been nominated as Army vice chief of staff. That nomination will be withdrawn, with Army Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, currently Gates' senior military advisor, to be nominated for a fourth star and to serve in that position, the secretary announced.

Gates said Navy Adm. William J. Fallon's decision in March to step down as CentCom commander came unexpectedly, creating a big hole at "one of our most important combatant commands, one engaged in two wars and on many fronts and perhaps the most sensitive part of the world."

Gates said he turned to the person most up to speed on the region to fill the post quickly without losing momentum.

Petraeus said he is "honored to be nominated for this position and to have an opportunity to continue to serve with America's soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians."

Gates said he expects the Petraeus-Odierno team to work together to continue building on progress taking place in Iraq. "I think the course ... that General Petraeus has set has been a successful course, so frankly I think staying that course is not a bad idea," he said. "I would say it's a good idea."

Because Odierno served directly under Petraeus for the past year, his assumption of the Iraq command with Petraeus at CentCom "probably preserves the likelihood of continued momentum and progress," Gates said.

The secretary urged the Senate to move quickly on the nominations, confirming them by Memorial Day, if possible, to pave the way for Petraeus to take the CentCom helm. Gates cited the "high respect" many Senate leaders have for Petraeus and said he expects a fairly smooth confirmation process.

Meanwhile, Petraeus will remain in the Multinational Force Iraq job through late summer or early fall to ensure a smooth hand-off to Odierno. Gates said he expects Petraeus to be on site to evaluate ground conditions following a 45-day pause to begin after the final surge forces withdraw from Iraq.

"I would expect that General Petraeus would carry out not only the evaluation, but that first decision in terms of are we able to draw down another brigade combat team or not, depending on conditions on the ground," Gates said.

At CentCom, Petraeus will broaden his responsibilities to address challenges not only in Iraq, but also in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region. Gates said he expects Petraeus to follow in Fallon's footsteps building relationships throughout the region.

Gates said he believes Petraeus, Odierno and Fallon all share the same views about the dangers of Iranian interference in Iraq. "What the Iranians are doing is killing American servicemen and women inside Iraq," he said.

The secretary expressed special appreciation to Odierno for his willingness to accept another tour in Iraq so soon after returning home, and to his family for supporting the decision.

"I think his extraordinary sense of duty that has led him to accept this tough assignment," he said. "I am personally very grateful to him and to his family for their remarkable service to this country."

Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, who was Fallon's deputy commander, has served as acting CentCom commander since Fallon handed over the reins March 28.

Text of Rep. Randy Terrill's speech on "Official English" legislation

“The gift of a common language is a priceless inheritance” - Winston Churchill

Those are the words of Sir Winston Churchill, and he could not have said it better. The gift of a common language is a priceless inheritance. And like any priceless inheritance, it has to be safeguarded and protected if it is going to be passed on to future generations.

Here in the United States we have special reason to pay close attention to those words. Because it is our common American language, English, and the ‘melting pot’ process it supports, that has made this country the most successful multi-ethnic nation in the history of the world.

Today, however, that priceless inheritance is in danger. It is under attack by those who stand to gain by dividing America into separate communities that do not share a common language, and have little in common except the same geographic location. Using the codeword ‘multiculturalism’ they preach a doctrine of linguistic apartheid.

That is why I am urging you to vote ‘Yes’ on Senate Bill 163 to let the people of Oklahoma decide the path they want to follow on this critical question. Do they want to embrace multilingualism and turn their back on the melting pot? Or do they want to join with the great majority of states – thirty to be exact – and make English the official language of state government operations?

I think we have an obligation to defend our common language and safeguard it as an inheritance for future generations of Americans. And I am convinced that one of the best ways – perhaps the only way – we can accomplish that is to make English our official language.

However, you will hear from opponents who say we shouldn’t worry, that we are overreacting by taking this step. They say we’ve heard all this before and everything turned out well. But I say they are turning a blind eye to what is happening today. There are real warning-signs that our melting pot is breaking down.

In 1999 a Texas border town named El Cenizo adopted an ordinance making Spanish its official language. If you needed an English translation of city council business you had to ask for it in Spanish.[1] That was a proverbial “canary in the coal mine” as far as the need for official English goes. Now the federal government is suing the Salvation Army for requiring its employees to speak English on the job. The City of Philadelphia’s Commission on Human Relations charged the owner of a “Philly cheesesteak” take-out restaurant with “discrimination” for posting a sign asking his customers to please order in English. What kind of human relations can we have if we can’t communicate with each other?

Now we read that a public school in Tucson, Arizona is making kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish. I think the American people have good reason to think that the demand to accommodate other languages is getting out of hand, and that it is time to do something about it.

Speaking English is essential to the melting pot tradition that Americans have valued for generations. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "We have one language here, and that is the English language, and we intend to see that the [assimilation] crucible turns our people out as Americans." But today our linguistic unity is under siege. The record influx of non-English speaking immigrants we have taken in recent years is threatening to overwhelm the assimilation process. And maintaining the incentives that must be in place if we are going to encourage those immigrants to acquire the English fluency they need to thrive and succeed in our society like generations of immigrants before them.

Last year we addressed the issue of illegal immigration, which we agreed we had to deter to the maximum extent we could under the law. This year we are trying to do something about legal immigration. This is to make sure that the record level of legal immigration we are experiencing will strengthen our country and not weaken it. And one of few ways we have to do that is to ensure that immigrants continue to have real incentives to learn English. We want to make it clear that if people are going to come here they have the same responsibility that generations of immigrants before them have had – to learn English and assimilate.

That’s what this bill, S.B. 163 does. It deals only with government speech and carefully defines official actions, so no one can say it will infringe on the private speech or actions of anyone, including government officials. It has common sense exceptions for protecting public health and safety, for teaching foreign languages, for promoting tourism and for many other reasons. It has provision for something that is very important to us in Oklahoma. S.B. 163 fully protects “the use, study, development, and encouragement of any Native American language, in any context, and for any purpose.” And it protects job opportunities for Oklahoma citizens who speak no other language but English.

Let me clarify that official English does not mean “English only.” None of the 30 states with official English laws prohibit government agencies from using other languages when there are legitimate public interest reasons for doing so. Those exceptions are provided for as I said. And the amendment says we can make any other exceptions that may be necessary by passing a law. Having English as the official language simply means that whenever the government acts officially, that is with legal authority, it must communicate its actions and intent in the English language. It means the language of record is English. And it means that no one has a right to government services in any other language unless our government decides that it is in our interest – the people of Oklahoma’s interest to provide it.

S.163 would eliminate multilingual driver’s license exams, multilingual state signs, and government agency telephone recordings in other languages. No longer would you have to press 1 for English. More importantly, no longer would the Oklahoma government be burdened with providing taxpayer funded services in any language other than English. This bill makes sense, not only to me, but to a majority of states, and to an overwhelming majority of Oklahomans.

Last month, the federal government began an investigation of whether the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety violated the civil rights of two Iranian immigrants by not having written driver’s license exams in Farsi, their native language. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched the investigation after the Iranians filed a complaint accusing the Department of discrimination based on their national origin. Since the couple did not understand English well enough to take the Oklahoma exam, according to the news report they went to Kansas and were able to pass an exam using only graphic symbols. They then returned to Oklahoma and exchanged their Kansas licenses for Oklahoma ones.

Now there are many things wrong with this story. For one thing, national origin is not the language you speak. It’s where you were born. Courts have repeatedly upheld that distinction. I can say “I speak Spanish” and no one can say with any certainty what my national origin is. Secondly, drivers who cannot read and understand English threaten the safety of all motorists, including themselves. If they cannot read traffic signs and directions, what are they doing on our roads? Federal regulations that govern motor carriers involved in interstate commerce require drivers to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.” If English is a safety requirement for drivers engaged in interstate commerce, shouldn’t we make it one in Oklahoma?

Now like other states we allow business visitors and tourists to drive on our roads. But we are not talking about people who drive on our roads 365 days a year. And more importantly, we have no reason to expect them to learn our language, adopt our civic institutions, and assimilate. Immigrants are something else entirely.

You have to wonder about that Iranian couple and people who say we don’t need to adopt official English. Did they think we spoke Farsi here when they chose to leave their country and immigrate to the United States? Where did they get the idea that they were entitled to have an Oklahoma driver’s license exam translated and written in Farsi? But here’s the real question, if we fail to make English our official language, what grounds do we really have to deny their request? That’s the issue the Department of Public Safety raised, as well as the huge cost and administrative burden of providing driver’s license exams in the 300 plus languages the Census Bureau says are spoken in the United States.

Why shouldn’t taxpayers have the right to protect themselves by avoiding the high costs and the high salaries of translators required to exist in a multilingual government? It’s time to bring our policy into conformity with practice. The day- to-day default language of all 50 state governments, their legislatures, courts, and executive branches, is English. It’s time to make it our official language too.

S.163 would let Oklahoma voters make that decision and put it in the state constitution. According to a national poll by the Winston Group in 2007, 87 percent of the American people support making English the official language. And a recent poll by the Tulsa World and KOTV-Channel 6 found that 88 percent of Oklahomans favor making English the official language of our state, including 93 percent of Republicans and 84 percent of Democrats. Those margins include majorities of every group. With an overwhelming majority of Americans favoring it and 30 states already adopting official English, why would any lawmaker oppose making English the official language?

This bill was introduced not to inhibit immigrants from receiving government services or to dissuade them from participating in the process, but to maintain critical incentives for immigrants to learn English. One of those most important reasons for doing so is to raise their skills and their income. That’s why I smile at those who argue that this is somehow going to hurt our state economically. Really? Census data shows that learning to speak English is a near guarantee that immigrants will increase their earning power. Success in Oklahoma and every other state rides on your level of English proficiency. And it will strengthen our economy, not weaken it, to make sure we provide incentives to learn English.

It is time for Oklahoma to join the majority of other states that have passed official English laws and begin to respond to the desire of an overwhelming majority of Oklahoma voters. We need to pull together under a common cause, a common sense of history, and a common language. The late, distinguished chair of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, former Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, reinforced the critical importance of preserving our unifying language in the midst of the record wave of immigration we are experiencing when she said, “Cultural and religious diversity does not pose a threat to the national interest as long as public policies insure civic unity.” “As long as public policies insure civic unity.” That’s what this is about. Insuring civic unity and making sure we can pass the priceless inheritance of a common language on to future generations of Americans. I respectfully urge my colleagues in the House, to respond to the will of the overwhelming majority of our fellow Oklahomans, and vote for S.B.163.

Thank you.