Obituary Lauds Death of Estate Tax

House Speaker Lauds Death of Estate Tax
Obituary Highlights Punitive Nature of Death Tax’s Life



‘Death’ Tax

The estate tax, commonly known
as the ‘death’ tax, died Dec. 31,
2009 in Oklahoma at the age of 74.

It was born in 1935 and has been
one of the most unjust forms of
revenue generation ever concocted
and is a classic form of double
taxation.

The death tax is survived by
countless heirs and business
owners who no longer have to
worry about having to pay an extra
“estate” tax on property upon
death of a loved one, especially
those in rural Oklahoma.

The tax has been gradually
eliminated over the last few years,
with full repeal occurring Jan. 1.

“When people lose a loved one,
they suffer enough without facing
a new tax burden, especially one
that could potentially force the
sale of a family farm or business,”
said House Speaker Chris Benge,
R-Tulsa.

The death tax is a tax on the net
estate of a decedent. “There is no
reason why Oklahomans, who have
paid taxes their whole lives, should
force their loved ones to pay an
extra ‘estate’ tax on their property
upon death,” Benge added.

As recently as 2004, before the
Legislature began the phase-out of
the death tax, Oklahoma families
lost over $111 million to this scheme.

“This change will allow family farms
and businesses to survive as they are
handed down to the next
generation,” said Benge.

Unlike in Washington, where the
death tax has been repealed just
for 2010 and will need
Congressional reauthorization for
the repeal to continue, Oklahoma’s
death tax no longer exists as of
Jan. 1.

“There are plenty of challenges each
day for family farms and small
businesses without having to worry
that the state’s death tax burden
will make it even more difficult,
if not impossible, for the next
generation to continue the family
business,” said Rep. Jeff Hickman,
R-Fairview and chairman of the
House Revenue and Taxation
Committee.

“These type of
operations may have significant
assets but a razor thin cash flow,
making the sale of land that has
been in the family for generations
or the liquidation of a small
business the only way to pay
the estate tax.

“The U.S. Congress should follow
Oklahoma’s lead and permanently
bury this unfair double-taxation
scheme that threatens farmers,
ranchers and small business
owners who are the backbone
of our American economy and
who have paid their taxes once
already on what they own,”
Hickman concluded.

A service of celebration will be held
on each Oklahomans’ tax return next
year who will no longer be forced to
pay this punitive tax.

Oklahoma National Guard officials to discuss deployment

Officials with the Oklahoma National Guard will discuss the possible deployment of thousands of troops with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the Adjutant General for Oklahoma, is scheduled to speak about the potential deployment Wednesday afternoon in Oklahoma City. A Guard spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment, and the governor's office would not confirm the deployment ahead of the 3 p.m. news conference.

The 45th IBCT is the state's largest National Guard element - about 2,600 soldiers from across the state.

The combat team was mobilized in 2007 for a 1-year deployment to Iraq. At the time, it was the largest deployment of state guard members since the Korean War.

RIP My Friend, Former OU professor, filmmaker Ned Hockman

My Friend, Lt.Col. Charles "Ned" Hockman (US Army Air Corps/US Air Force), a former OU photojournalism professor and David Ross Boyd distinguished professor emeritus, and director of "Stark Fear,"pass away this morning in Norman. He was 88.

After a highly-decorated military career as a combat cameraman during World War II, Ned came to OU to learn how to make educational films.

After earning a degree in social science and history educaiton in 1949, he began a career in teaching and filmmaking at OU that lasted more than 40 years.

Ned established and directed OU's Film and Video Studies Program in 1949 while also working as OU's official cinematographer for the college's athletic department, pioneering the use of sports action clips by television stations in sports reports.

Ned co-produced the first nationally-syndicated sports television programs featuring OU football coach Bud Wilkinson.

During his earlier military career, in the US Army Air Corps, as Sergeant Hockman, Ned trained and worked in the Army's first motion picture unit, in Culver City, CA, working in the offices of Adjutant Capt. Ronald W. Reagan.




(above, left) Ned Hockman,
combat cameraman in the Pacific, WW II

Flying combat missions in the China, Burma, and India theaters, Ned was decorated for his service with the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with Three Battle Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, and many more honors.

During the Korean War Ned was recalled into the service as a combat cameraman and unit commander, flying many combat missions before retiring from the United States Air Force Reserves as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1962, he directed an "indie" feature film called "Stark Fear," using a student crew on summer break and a small budget gathered from private investors. The film, shot in Oklahoma and Arkansas, starred Beverly Garland and was released in 1963.

Ned produced more than 200 films and television programs while working on locations all over the world.

At OU he received the university's highest academic rank, the David Ross Boyd Professor of Journalism chair.

Ned was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

He also received the state's Governor's Arts In Education Award.

At Memorial Stadium at Owen Field (OU football field), a bronze plaque names the "photo deck" in Hockman's honor. He retired from OU in 1987.

"No member of the OU family has been more devoted to the university than Ned Hockman," said OU President David Boren in a statement released by the university. "As a photojournalist with an international reputation, he chose to come to OU and invest his life in the education of students. He will be greatly missed by the many friends whose lives he has touched."

Ned was also a founder of the National Press Photographers Association workshop and has won numerous awards in his career.

Ned was inducted into the Heartland Chapter of the National Television Academy's Gold Circle in 2006.

Ned was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. He also received the state's Governor's Arts In Education Award.

Ned had been hospitalized since October and had been undergoing dialysis treatments as well as recovering from surgery. Originally a patient at the Norman Regional Hospital, he had been transfered to the Norman Speciality Hospital within the last few weeks for extended recovery and rehabilitation.

Ned is survived by his wife, Loretta, and two daughters, Shiree and Kyle. In addition he's survived by two sisters, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren

A celebration of Hockman's life and career will take place during the Spring of 2010 on the OU campus.

In lieu of flowers they ask that any memorial contributions be made to The Ned Hockman Filmmaking Award Fund at the University of Oklahoma.

Contributions to The Ned Hockman Filmmaking Award Fund can be made by contacting Karen Renfroe at the Oklahoma University's Office of Development, 339 W. Boyd, Norman, OK, 73019.

OETA Oklahoma World War II Stories
Ned Hockman

Pepsi Ditches Super Bowl Ads for Social Networking Campaign

While watching the Super Bowl this upcoming February, some viewers may notice a conspicuous absence: PepsiCo (PEP), which has advertised during the past 23 Super Bowl shows, won't be running any Pepsi commercials, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Before you brush this off as a non-event, let me remind you of some of the Pepsi commercials of Super Bowl past. The beverage maker has long paraded a series of A-listers to entertain us between plays. Puff Daddy (P Diddy, whatever you call him), Jackie Chan, Cindy Crawford (I will never forget that ad), and Ozzy Osbourne. So where will all of those unused Pepsi ad dollars go?

According to Frank Cooper, senior vice president of PepsiCo Americas Beverages, the company plans to focus its advertising strategy on a "marketing platform" rather than blitzing us with commercials during a single event. Pepsi says it is launching the "Pepsi Refresh Project," a collaboration between PepsiCo and a non-profit/charitable organization that awards grant money to community projects that are chosen by consumers.

A Virtual World of Advertising Possibilities

This so-called "cause-related marketing" evidently works well, as evidenced by several case studies referenced in this article from onPhilanthropy. According to the article, Avon raised $300 million for breast cancer awareness. Obviously, Pepsi's marketing move isn't completely selfless. By using social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to reach out to consumers who might support and vote for a cause, the company is going to tap into a virtual world (literally) of advertising possibilities.

On Facebook, for example, Pepsi can issue invitations to participate in a poll to its followers. When someone votes on a charity choice, a message will get posted on their Facebook page that says they voted for one of Pepsi's cause choices and voila - advertising.

According to a report by Nielsen, Facebook is a virtual treasure trove for advertisers wishing to target 18 to 49-year olds. Twitter's numbers are a little lower - but impressive nonetheless. According to a March 2009 article from Social Media Today, 19% of adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have used Twitter or something like it, 20% between ages 25 and 34, and 10% between ages 35 and 44. For advertisers, this is the demographic sweet spot.

Pepsi's migration away from televised Super Bowl ads is a trend we can expect other big companies to follow. There is far more bang for the buck when advertising online then producing and paying for 30 seconds of airtime during one of the most expensive televised events of the year.

(RINO?) Ezzell announces for People's Republic of Norman Mayor

Just like we said, Ward 3 city councilman (RINO?) Hal Ezzell has announced his candidacy for Mayor of the People's Republic of Norman.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal announced that she would run earlier in the month.

(RINO?) Ezzell said the city is failing miserably at taking care of the resources and infrastructure that already exists in Norman, adding there are $8 million in capital maintenance. He also said the city relies too heavily on costly outside consultants as they make decisions and undertake costly and ambitious projects.

"I want to restore fiscal responsibility and transparency to Norman city government," (RINO?) Ezzell said. "While searching for solutions to difficult and far-reaching issues, we must be mindful of the unprecedented economic circumstances that confront the city, state and nation."

Pointing to his promotion of the curbside recycling program, a better animal control facility and a measured approach to city growth, (RINO?) Ezzell said he's done plenty while a councilmember to benefit Norman.

"I am proud of all I have accomplished during my service on the city council," he said. "I am especially proud of being actively involved with police officers, firefighters and the citizens' group Rescue Norman to pass the public safety sales tax."

(RINO?) Ezzell also criticized Rosenthal and other members of the city council for not adopting tougher ethics reform, instead choosing "weak policy with no real teeth or consequences."

"As mayor, I will adopt a meaningful ethics ordinance to prove we are serious about transparency in city government and fully answers the question of conflicts of interests," he said.

The filing dates for the upcoming election, which includes Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, are Jan. 11-13, 2010.

The election will be March 2, 2010.

THE FRAUD, FALSE REPORTING AND COVER-UP CONTINUE

Nick Baker - The Prowling Owl
keeps a watchful eye on
Oklahoma state government.

THE PROWLING OWL: THE FRAUD, FALSE REPORTING AND
COVER-UP CONTINUE

By Nick Bake

NORMAN, Okla. -- Evidence OTC has been under reporting tax credit program cost by reporting amounts less than 20% and one as little as 2% of information found on other OTC documents. OTC reported two programs as receiving no money yet other OTC documents reveal $281 million.

This is a prelude for a follow up graphic depictions of the extent of false reporting used to hide fraud inflicting the current financial disaster on Oklahoma taxpayers by state legislators.’ Fraud ridden tax credit programs funded using the state’s untracked and unaccounted Tax Expenditure program.

With Oklahoma, experiencing tax revenue short falls ranging in the 25 to 30% of the state’s current, $7 Billion appropriations budget. Oklahoma taxpayers will be facing tax increases to make up what could amount to a $1.5 Billion shortfall; then fund expected future shortfalls that can’t be absorbed in spending cutbacks. The economy, which we have little control, is only partly to blame for the shortfalls, and the least responsible. The more insidious cause is the result of rapidly increasing use of funding tax credit programs using “off the books” Tax Expenditures. State officials have never treated Tax Expenditures the same as appropriations spending. Leaving Tax Expenditures free of budgeting restraints, oversight, tracking and accountability.

When this new fangled thing called tax credits was discovered by government officials in the early 1980s, the tax credit programs were put under Tax Expenditures. Soon creative uses like allowing tax credits to be sold for cash opened the door allowing funding with the illusion there was no increase in budget spending. Tax credits are a way to allow beneficiaries to skim off incoming tax revenue before it reaches the state’s coffers and accountability. This spending does not appear as appropriations spending but is reflected in tax revenue shortfalls.

The only information provided the Oklahoma public about Tax Expenditures is in a biannual Tax Expenditure report (TER) prepared by the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC). While OTC reported $5.4 Billion in Tax Expenditures for 2007-2008 the $5.4 Billion only accounts for 150 of the 500 Tax Expenditure programs. The remaining 350 are reported as “Zero” or N/A. Only 38 of the state’s 80 plus tax credit programs show values which total $68 million.

Examining other state reports that could be obtained, including other OTC reports’ reveals those 38 tax credit programs cost $370 million, a 545% under reporting. Two of the 4 fraud ridden programs where reported as costing $4.8 million and the examination revealed $98 million, under reported by 2,040%. OTC has been reporting $0 cost for the other two of the 4 fraud ridden programs going back to 2005. Examination reveals OTC authorized $281 million in tax credits for those two programs.

These two unreported programs are the Small Business Ventures (SBV) and Rural Small Business Ventures (RSBV), not to be confused with the Small Business Capital Company (SBC) and Rural Small Business Capital Company (RSBC) tax credit programs. The close similarity of terms confuses most into believing the SBC and RSBC are the same or include the numbers for SBV and RSBV. SBV and RSBV are the two programs structured to allow secret involvement in a public funded program paying out $100s million in unearned public funds. Nowhere could we find were OTC reported either the amounts or identities of those receiving tax credits under these two programs.

Given the fact Oklahoma has no law preventing public officials from benefiting from public funded programs these two programs, I submit, were created and operated to reward state official for allowing and protecting the fraud.

The only sign of these two programs is an entry on OTC’s Incentive Review Capco report labeled, not with the proper names, but with the vague term “in conjunction.” There we find some very large numbers, including the largest single entry found on any tax credit report, $133 million attributed to one of the Altus Ventures group of LLCs. The connection to SBV or RSBV can only be found buried in the boring details of the law creating the program. Nowhere else can one find OTC labeling any tax credit amounts authorized or used by the proper terms Small Business Ventures (SBV) and Rural Small Business Ventures (RSBV).

The only accountability state officials provide for reportedly nearly $3 Billion of public spending is so riddled with discrepancies and falsehoods the public is being purposely prevented from learning how one-third of its taxes are used. Mislead and deceived about where the money is going, how the money is used and what if any benefits.

In reality, we should need no proof of the actual acts of wrong doing to see the irresponsible way state officials are operating. Handing out keys to an unguarded state treasury is begging for fraud.

Tulsa World reporter, Randy Krehbiel, and others, inside and outside Oklahoma, have been have been warning of the dangers of Tax Expenditures for several years. Those warnings have been ignored.

******************

AFP Applauds OK-5 Candidate Kevin Calvey

Americans for Prosperity Applauds U.S. Congressional Candidate
Kevin Calvey

-Signs No Climate Tax Pledge-

The Oklahoma chapter of the free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP-OK) today applauded U.S. Congressional candidate Kevin Calvey (5th District) for signing the group’s “No Climate Tax Pledge.” By doing so, Calvey joins over 285 lawmakers and candidates on the federal, state and local levels pledging to “oppose legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.”

“The one thing elected officials should be able to agree on is that global warming shouldn’t be used as an excuse to hike taxes on citizens and businesses,” said AFP-OK State Director Stuart Jolly. “We encourage all of Oklahoma’s elected officials and candidates for elected office to sign the pledge.”

Other Oklahoma signers include U.S. Senators James Inhofe and Tom Coburn; U.S. Representatives John Sullivan and Tom Cole; and Oklahoma Speaker of the House Chris Benge.

Cap-and-trade took its first step toward enactment when the U.S. House narrowly passed the Waxman- Markey energy tax bill, which escaped the lower chamber by a scant seven votes despite significant bipartisan opposition. Senators Boxer (D-Calif.) and Kerry (D-Mass.) have just begun committee hearings on companion legislation in the Senate. However, key Democratic senators have expressed opposition to attempting to pass cap-and-trade this year.

President Obama has made no secret of his support for the bill, which would be the largest tax increase in American history. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has scored the plan as an $846 billion increase in federal revenue, a burden that will be borne by taxpayers and consumers for decades to come.

“Using the guise of climate change to transfer dollars from hard-working citizens to bureaucratic big government is unacceptable,” said Jolly. “Regardless of their stance on global warming, this should be common ground for all of our elected officials at all levels of government.”

INHOFE TO MAKE MAJOR ANNOUNCMENT ON COPENHAGEN ON SENATE FLOOR

Oklahoma US Senator Jim Inhofe, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, will make a major announcement on the Senate Floor regarding his upcoming trip to the United Nations Global Warming Conference in Copenhagen. Senator Inhofe will deliver his Senate Floor speech at approximately 10:00am ET today, (4:00pm in Copenhagen).

Who: Senator Inhofe
What: Senate Floor Speech - Update on Copenhagen
When: 10:00am ET
Where: Senate Floor

Click Here to Watch Live

THIRTY PERCENT OF OKLAHOMA'S ANNUAL EXPENDITURES HAS NO TRACKING OR ACCOUNTABILITY

Nick Baker - The Prowling Owl
keeps a watchful eye on
Oklahoma state government.

THIRTY PERCENT OF OKLAHOMA'S
ANNUAL EXPENDITURES HAS
NO TRACKING OR ACCOUNTABILITY

By Nick Baker
The Prowling Owl
Posted: December 10, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. -- State officials’ use a hidden $3 Billion slush fund to repay favors and insure elections. That is our elected officials’ corruption kitty. This crony club’s corruption kitty has been operating in the closet so long elected officials view it as a necessary tool to hold their office. Break the code of silence and they are political history. Keep their mouths shut and they benefit handsomely. This has been operating so long they feel untouchable.

$3 Billion over and above our $7 Billion appropriations budget, which, unlike other states and the federal government is the only budget most Oklahoman’s are aware. Put another way Oklahoma taxpayers are funding $10 Billion per year in expenditures. $7 Billion we are aware and debate. The $3 Billion slush fund we never hear a peep about.

How many Oklahoma taxpayers have ever seen or heard of our $3 billion per year Tax Expenditures budget? While there are some legitimate programs found in Tax Expenditures, that is the cover for the rest of the more than 500 programs found there that are used as a political slush fund to hand our financial favors. That is where they hide more than 80 tax credit programs, and several other tax avoidance goodies. Programs that hand out credits that the recipient can sell for cash the minute they receive the tax credits. That little $3 billion slush fund off: the books and off the record. Off the screen and when it comes to cuts, off the table.

While other states and the federal government have Tax Expenditures budgets and use the same federal or state financial system to track and account for Tax Expenditures, Oklahoma does neither. Biannually the Oklahoma Tax Commission issues a Tax Expenditures report replete with missing and grossly under reported amounts; to prevent the public from learning how much we are being gouged. A report, few even know exists. Those that do ignore because it is totally meaningless, cryptic and intended to both hide and mislead. Only about 150 of the 500 line items even list amounts. The 350 without estimates: only showing zero, N/A, state “minimal amount” or show nothing. Estimates that have been found to be under reported from 400 to 1,400%. Example:

For the 32 tax credit programs OTC reported on Open Books; OTC’s Tax Expenditures report list $90 million for the years 2007 and 2008 combined. So far we have uncovered from various state documents those same programs cost at least $370 million, or more than four times the amount reported.

Even worse are the 4 fraud ridden rural and small business venture capital programs where the Tax Expenditures report shows $4.8 million for the same two year period. Those same state documents mentioned above show $69.5 million. That is under reported by nearly 15 times.

That is still way to low, the Incentive Review CAPCO report, another OTC report, which is only generated for these 4 programs shows $197 million was allowed for the same period. A closer examination peeling back the slew of discrepancies inserted to disguise the truth reveals that number is at least $251 million. Peeling back the layer of false reporting reveals evidence that suggest those numbers should be even higher. That will be clarified and reported later.

As a reminder the $643 million in fake First State Bank Altus loans, used by Altus Ventures and Affinity Ventures to falsely claim and receive $192 million in unearned tax credits has not appeared on any OTC reports.

Note: By no means is anyone to assume what has been reported here is anymore than the tip of a huge iceberg. It will take a full team of forensic investigators to get to the bottom. The information is intended to show reason for an outside investigation. Outside Oklahoma officials who are responsible for allowing this to occur

For any who have unfamiliar with these issue, Google “Tax Expenditures” where you will find lots of information describing the subject and how the feds and other states treat “Tax Expenditures” the same as all other public spending. Budgets and accountability! The way our constitutions requires all public funds be treated.

Then go find Oklahoma Tax Expenditures report and take a good look at that mess. If you like I can provide copies of other documents..

Now that OKC voted Maps in, If you live in Oklahoma County...

Now that OKC has voted Maps 3 in,
and if you live in Oklahoma County
you are going to be hit up for another
1 penny sale taxs for another
massive $350 million taxpayer project,
A New County Jail!

LOL

Gwin Faulconer Lippert Show
Dec. 6, 2009
KTOK

Oklahoma County voters
to face decision on tax for jailhouse
by Brian Brus
The Journal Record
December 9, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – Right on the heels of Oklahoma City voters’ decision on the MAPS 3 $777 million penny sales tax Tuesday, many of those same metro area residents will soon have to decide another massive taxpayer project.

It’s a $350 million proposal that Oklahoma County commissioners are dreading.

“I’m certainly interested in knowing the outcome of MAPS 3 to get a reading on the sentiment of the voters and how they feel about taking up a countywide tax,” District 2 Commissioner Brian Maughn said earlier this week. “Part of the frustration is that we don’t really even know yet what proposal we’ll introduce for voters to consider.”

And District 1 Commissioner Willa Johnson said, “I personally think it’s going to be a challenge, but I think that our people are reasonable enough to know we’ve got to do something about the jail and we can’t continue to operate the way it is.”

Commissioners and an advisory committee have been discussing how to handle problems with the Oklahoma County Detention Center, which was opened in 1991 about a mile west of the downtown district. Design flaws have plagued the building and last year the U.S. Justice Department reported that inmates receive negligent medical care in overcrowded and often violent conditions, effectively violating their constitutional rights.

County officials reached an agreement with the Justice Department to immediately avoid costly sanctions, but that forgiveness is contingent on the county instituting major corrections or building a new prison altogether. In other words, the county can’t afford to not do something, Maughn said; federal officials will force the issue one way or another.

In 1997, the Oklahoma City Jail merged with the county detention center to share operations. The building is 268,000 square feet and has capacity for about 3,000 inmates. Estimates for a new jail have ranged from about $300 million to $400 million, with repairs not much cheaper.

Maughn said commissioners will meet with a bond lawyer Friday to discuss funding options, which could include some combination of general obligation bonds, sales taxes and property taxes.

“I’m stressing that we don’t know yet what direction we’ll take,” he said.

Johnson said commissioners are open to suggestions from their constituents. When asked if she had a preference about whether to replace or repair the jail, Johnson instead said she would like to see the current building put to a good use.

“That may not mean keeping the county jail there,” she said. “I’m not married to any idea. But I hate to see a building that new go down.’

“Ultimately, I think we’ll get it done,” she said. “But I think it’s going to be a big challenge for the voters to decide.”

ODOT pay $7,500 and still do not know what a Twitter is

Hat Tip to OFRGnews

After ODOT pay Saxum PR (Renzi Stone) $7,500 + to teach them how to use twitter, We as Oklahoma taxpayer get this...

DESPERATE "SAPS" People

A date which will live in infamy...

PEARL HARBOR ‘SUDDENLY, DELIBERATELY ATTACKED
’69 YEARS AGO TODAY,
BEGINNING U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN WWII
By Adam Foglel

When President Franklin Roosevelt went before Congress on the morning of Dec. 8, 1941 to request a declaration of war against Japan, the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Japan had bombed the United States and killed thousands in a surprise attack at Pearl Harbor.
But Roosevelt knew history would forever remember what he said. And 67 years later, his speech continues to serve as one of the most important in American history.
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Benito Mussolini’s fascist Italy would declare war on the U.S. four days later. World War II would claim more than 400,000 American lives and millions more across the world.
It was a high price to pay to learn an important lesson — that we cannot sit idle while threats to our nation run rampant and unchecked. It is a lesson we must never forget.

And it all began 69 years ago today.

Oklahoma County Jail Tax Announcement This Week?

An Oklahoman County Commissioner told members of the media that the County intends to start going hard after 200 million or more in tax payer monies this week to upgrade or rebuild the Oklahoma County jail.

That would mean ANOTHER SALES TAX INCREASE or property tax increase coming to all residents of Oklahoma City MAPS tax, if it passes.

In the case of the County, voters won't have much of an option. If they don't pay the tax, the Feds will force it on the County.

VOTE NO on THIS MAPS

Hat Tip to Mark Shannon

Who Makes Money Off MAPS?

So, who benefits from MAPS 3?

Let's look...
Congressman Tom Cole - His company Cole Hargraves Snodgrass is being paid to do polling for MAPS. Cole didn't reveal that when he endorsed MAPS. He also receives campaign funds from many of the principles involved in shoving MAPS 3 down the throat of voters. It's Tom Cole's company that is behind the annoying "robocalls" and the caller "Laurie" is an employee of his company, though you're supposed to be so stupid that you think it's some "regular" housewife. I'm not even sure LAURIE lives in Oklahoma City. FAKE.

Former Mayor Kirk Humphrey on the Oklahoma River that is/has been improved by MAPS 3. He bought it three years ago, but it remains undeveloped. Why do you suppose he's waiting? Hmm.

MAYOR Mick Cornett is directly paid by Ackerman McQueen, who is a MAPS supporter and who has produced commercials and public relations for MAPS 3. Cornett's salary is also being paid by clients of A-M such as THE OKLAHOMAN, OGE, The State Fair Board, The OKC Chamber of Commerce, Baptist Integris, and Chesapeake, among others. All who are pushing MAPS. The Mayor is ON THE TAKE, legally or otherwise, by MAPS 3 supporters.

Some of his clients do business with the city. Anyone see anything UNETHICAL about that? CORNETT'S CONFLICTS

Billionaire Aubrey McClendon/Chesapeake owns property along the OK River, which will directly benefit from MAPS 3.

OG&E reportedly might stand to gain "big time" depending on where the Convention Center is built. It has something to do with the "need" of a new power sub-station, though I'm unclear about the details.

State Fair Board, who receives money from the HOTEL MOTEL TAX, gets even more money. How much profit do they make? How much do they pay their members or employees? How much money does this so-called NON-PROFIT make off the State Fair and the shows there? Where does it go? Two members of Ackerman-McQueen are on their board, as is Clay Bennett and other YESMAPS money backers.

DEVON already received a special TIFF to subsidize the building of their 50 story office building. This TIFF draws off taxes that normally would go to the school district.

THE OKLAHOMAN has benefitted enormously from expensive FULL PAGE ads, already gets heavy money from the STATE FAIR, (to the point most people think the OKLAHOMAN owns the FAIR,) and the Oklahoman publisher is the head of the Chamber, and heading up the MAPS 3 tax increase.

The CITY GOVERNMENT will grow as a result of MAPS. That means more taxes, more salaries, more control. I guess Oklahomans only care about the size of government when it's Obama's government?

And, the only UNION that benefits is not the police or firefighters, but the UNION that represents State, City, and County municipal employees.

And that's just the connections I am aware of, without doing any serious digging. Too bad a certain newspaper, (which is in the MAPS TANKS) doesn't do some real journalism about the "corruption" in this city.

If You Vote - THIS MAPS is Over!

If I had any doubt about the numbers I've been receiving show THIS MAPS failing miserably, I no longer do.

The people of Oklahoma City have sent a loud and clear message to the pollsters, owned and operated by Congressman Tom Cole's CHS company, funded by a group of clients of Mick Cornett's employer, Ackerman-McQueen:

NOT THIS MAPS....NOT NOW....ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

The evidence that confirms what I'm saying? The MAPS campaign has gone negative! (As predicted in this column earlier this week.)

Their most recent TV commercials now call our Police and Firefighters BULLIES!

These people are desperate.

To refer to these overstretched and understaffed members of public safety as BULLIES is not only complete "B.S." - it's just unbelievable!

AND...its' all a SMOKE SCREEN.

The police and firefighters aren't the issue. The bad timing of many bad projects that will only grow the burden already felt by Oklahoma City taxpayers is the issue.

Swimming pools for seniors that are not needed and who will compete with privately-owned athletic facilities, not to mention the YM and YWCA's.

A whitewater rafting "fantasy" that does will not make break even. (And if it could should be built by private investment, not government.)

A downtown park, which might look good, but which will further burden city government that can barely keep up with what we have already, and that the city cannot provide security for due to the undermanned and overworked OKC Police Dept. (And absolutely no one can fail to see that it will be a gathering place for the homeless and criminal element that already fills that area of the city, and who have already made the nearby Myriad Gardens their home.)

Voting NO will not undue any of the progress this city has made.

It won't stop the building of the DEVON TOWER, it won't send the NBA back to Seattle, it won't hurt Bricktown at all, (in fact many in Bricktown oppose MAPS 3 because it will draw retail away from the still lacking retail business in that part of the city.)

Oklahoma City (the Mayor tells us) is already a BIG LEAGUE CITY, and yet in the middle of the worst recession most of us can remember, at a time when unemployment continues to grow in the city and revenues to the city are down, these disgusting politicians and millionaires want the taxpayers of the city to spend another 777 million dollars for projects the city DOES NOT NEED and in many cases will continue to cost taxpayers long after the 777 million dollars is spent.

Mick Cornett and his clients at A-M and his fellow politicians should be ashamed of themselves, asking taxpayers for more when they don't even know if they'll have a job next week. Not to mention referring to the heroes of April 19, 1995 and the tornados that have torn across this community as "BULLIES."

When your priorities as Mayor appear to be your advertising clients and not the voters who put you where you are, there are consequences.

Especially at election time.

And the first chance to send that message is TUESDAY. VOTE NO.

Norman Mayoral, council seats up for grabs

Norman City Council seats for Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8 will be up for grabs in early 2010.

Filing dates for interested candidates will be Jan. 11-13, 2010. The election is scheduled for March 2, 2010.

Council members Tom Kovach (Ward 2), James Griffith (Ward 6) and Dan Quinn (Ward 8) all said they expect to run again. Calls to Carol Dillingham (Ward 4), weren't returned, although Kovach says he believes all the council members, including Dillingham, will run again.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal announced Monday that she will seek another term. Councilman Hal Ezzell, Ward 3, said last week that he would run against Rosenthal in the mayor's race.

City council seats and the mayor's office are up for re-election every two years. Next year, odd-numbered ward seats will be up for re-election.

Cindy Rosenthal has announced that she would seek a second term as Norman's mayor

Cindy Rosenthal has announced that she would seek a second term as Norman's mayor.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to work with citizens across our community to try to sustain the outstanding quality of life that we have come to expect in Norman," Rosenthal said. "While we have accomplished a lot as a city and a community over the past two and a half years, we face a critical set of challenges that we can tackle by pulling together."

Rosenthal pointed to several accomplishments during her first term, including passage by voters of a public-safety sales tax, which has allowed the city to implement a community-oriented policing strategy and improve fire services. "Plans are well under way for construction of two new fire stations, and we have developed a five-year strategic plan for community-oriented policing that will put more police officers on neighborhood patrols and increase community partnerships aimed at preventing crime," she said. She added that other public safety initiatives include plans to improve city streets, enhance bicycle safety, and replace the city's outdoor warning system, which will be brought to the voters for approval in March.

"I have been privileged to lead a hard-working City Council that has passed a number of new, comprehensive policies to improve public events, animal welfare, ethics, maintenance of public facilities, and energy efficiency," Rosenthal said. "Citizens also soon will benefit from technological improvements that make City Council meetings more accessible on the Internet and other efforts to help ensure city government is more transparent and responsive."

Under Rosenthal's leadership, the city has launched curbside recycling, adopted a fleet management policy utilizing CNG and alternative fuels vehicles, promoted health and recreational initiatives, begun inclusive community dialogues, conducted its first comprehensive citizen satisfaction survey, and promoted beautification efforts that include a master plan for bridge designs in the I-35 corridor.

"We have major challenges ahead on which I hope to work with Council and our citizens during a second term," she said. "We continue to work on the management of storm water to protect water quality in Lake Thunderbird and to mitigate the periodic flooding that threatens homes and businesses. In addition, we have begun the important work of assessing our park and recreation needs, identifying opportunities for trails and greenways for both pedestrians and bicyclists, and evaluating strategies to revitalize the Porter Corridor."

Rosenthal recently was elected vice president of the Oklahoma Municipal League and also serves on the steering committee of the Regional Transit Dialogue sponsored by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments.

"Norman must be a leader in addressing some of the critical issues facing the metropolitan area, including the creation of a 21st century public transit system and dealing with such long-range challenges as water supply and air pollution," she said.

Rosenthal noted that as Norman deals with the effects of the current economic downturn in the coming months, responsible and transparent management of city resources will be a high priority.

"Norman has been recognized by various national media as a great city and our citizens tell us that they are very pleased with city services. Nonetheless, we can always make improvements, and that will be the goal of my second term working with the Council, the City Manager and our citizens," she said.

Twice elected to represent Ward 4 before winning the mayoral election in 2007, Rosenthal also is the director of the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma and a professor of political science and public administration. In 2009, she was awarded the distinguished public service award by the Oklahoma chapter of the American Society of Public Administration.