Russia/India unveils Sukhoi top secret new fighter - PAK FA

Russia on Friday unveiled a new fighter aircraft touted as a rival of the US F-22 stealth jet and developed amid the highest secrecy as part of a plan to modernize the armed forces.

The fifth generation fighter, manufactured by the Sukhoi company and known as the PAK FA, made a maiden flight of just over 45 minutes at the firm's home base of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Far East region.

"The flight lasted 47 minutes during which all the aircraft's systems were tested. It was successful," Sukhoi spokeswoman Olga Kayukova. "This is the first time it has been unveiled."

Pictures broadcast on state television showed the fighter jet -- which has been kept closely under wraps for years -- flying at altitude and then landing on a snow-surrounded runway.

"The aircraft performed well in all stages of the flight programme. It is easy and comfortable to pilot," said Sergei Bogdan, the pilot for the flight, in comments published on the Sukhoi website.

The new jet has the capability of carrying out long flights above the speed of sound as well as simultaneously attacking different targets.

Russia is currently embarking on a major programme to re-equip its military, not least the air force which is still using largely Soviet-era equipment and suffers from frequent crashes.

The new fighter, which has been in development since the 1990s, is due to enter the armed forces in 2015, Russian news agencies said.

The first flight of the PAK FA (Prospective Aviation System of Frontline Aviation) is being seen in Russia as a major boost for the military after the project was hit by repeated delays over the last years.

“Today we’ve embarked on an extensive flight test programme of the 5th generation fighter. This is a great success of both Russian science and design school.

This achievement rests upon a cooperation team comprised of more than a hundred of our suppliers and strategic partners. PAK FA programme advances Russian aeronautics together with allied industries to an entirely new technological level.

These aircraft, together with upgraded 4th generation fighters will define Russian Air Force potential for the next decades.

Sukhoi plans to further elaborate on the PAK FA programme which will involve our Indian partners. I am strongly convinced that our joint project will excel its Western rivals in cost-effectiveness and will not only allow strengthening the defense power of Russian and Indian Air Forces, but also gain a significant share of the world market”, - said Mikhail Pogosyan, Sukhoi Company Director General commenting on the launch of the flight test programme.

"There is no doubt that the plane is needed," the ex-commander of the Russian air force, Anatoly Kornukov, told the Interfax news agency.

"Our Su-27 and MiG-29 planes are good but have aged. They are 20 or more years old and it's time to have something as a replacement," he said.

He said the new plane could easily stand comparison with the US F-22, also a fifth generation stealth fighter.

"It's going to be no worse than an F-22. I've been in an F-22 and I know."

Russia's campaign to modernize its military has been marred by repeated setbacks with new equipment, above all a string of failed tests of its new Bulava sea-based intercontinental nuclear-capable missile.










Russia is currently embarking on a
major programme to re-equip its military

China suspends military exchanges with US

China suspended military exchanges with the United States, threatened unprecedented sanctions against American defense companies and warned Saturday that cooperation would suffer after Washington announced $6.4 billion in planned arms sales to Taiwan.

The response to Friday's U.S. announcement, while not entirely unexpected, was swift and indicated that China plans to put up a greater challenge than usual as it deals with the most sensitive topic in U.S.-China relations.

"This is the strongest reaction we've seen so far in recent years," said Stephanie T. Kleine-Ahlbrandt, northeast Asia project director for the International Crisis Group. "China is really looking to see what kind of reaction it's going to receive from Obama on this."

China's Defense Ministry said the arms sales to self-governing Taiwan, which the mainland claims as its own, cause "severe harm" to overall U.S.-China cooperation, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Vice ministerial-level talks on arms control and strategic security were postponed.

The warning comes as the U.S. seeks Beijing's help on issues including the global financial crisis and nuclear standoffs in North Korea and Iran. Tensions were already high after recent U.S. comments on Internet freedom and a dispute between Google and China, as well as President Barack Obama's plan to meet with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama this year.

China's Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei told U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman that the sales of Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and other weapons to Taiwan would "cause consequences that both sides are unwilling to see," a ministry statement said.

The Foreign Ministry also threatened sanctions against U.S. companies involved in the arms sales, which hasn't happened in past sales to Taiwan.

"Our action regarding Taiwan reinforces our commitment to stability in the region," U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Saturday. "We know China has a different view. Given our broad relationship with China, we will manage this issue as we have in the past."

The United States is Taiwan's most important ally and largest arms supplier, and it's bound by law to ensure the island is able to respond to Chinese threats.

China responds angrily to any proposed arms sales, however, and it also cut off military ties with the U.S. in 2008 after the former Bush administration announced a multibillion-dollar arms sale to Taiwan.

A similar cutoff of military ties was expected this time, but it comes as Washington and Beijing wanted to improve normally frosty relations between their armed forces. The U.S. has tried to use military visits to build trust with Beijing and learn more about the aims of its massive military buildup.

"In the past, these kinds of suspensions have lasted for three to six months, with some parts of the military-to-military relationship suspended beyond that," said Phillip Saunders, a distinguished research fellow at the National Defense University in Washington. "I expect something similar this time."

It's not known whether the arms sale will affect President Hu Jintao's expected visit to the U.S. this year or a summit on nuclear safety in the U.S. this spring.

Experts on China warned Beijing could take further steps to punish the United States to show its newfound power and confidence in world affairs.

Jin Canrong, a professor of international studies at China's Renmin University, said the sale would give Beijing a "fair and proper reason" to accelerate weapons testing. China test-fired rockets in recent weeks for an anti-missile defense system in what security experts said was a display of anger at the pending arms sale.

"The U.S. will pay a price for this. Starting now, China will make some substantial retaliation, such as reducing cooperation on the North Korea and Iran nuclear issues and anti-terrorism work," Jin added.

The latest suspension of military ties should affect planned visits to China by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. A visit to the U.S. by the Chinese military's chief of the general staff, Gen. Chen Bingde, could also be called off.

The U.S. Congress has 30 days to comment on the newest arms sales before the plan goes forward. Lawmakers traditionally have supported such sales.

Though Taiwan's ties with China have warmed considerably since Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office 20 months ago, Beijing has threatened to invade if the island ever formalizes its de facto independence. China has more than 1,000 ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan.

China often argues that arms sales to Taiwan hurt their relations, but Saunders said that despite the latest announcement and the one in 2008, "cross-Strait relations have never been better."

The arms package announced Friday dodged a thorny issue: The more advanced F-16 fighter jets that Taiwan covets are not included.

The Pentagon's decision not to include the fighters and a design plan for diesel submarines - two items Taiwan wants most - "shows that the Obama administration is deeply concerned about China's response," said Wang Kao-cheng, a defense expert at Taipei's Tamkang University.

Taiwan's Ma told reporters Saturday that the deal should not anger the mainland because the weapons are defensive, not offensive.

Beijing & disaster-relief judo

Beijing learning about soft power
By James Holmes
Wednesday, Jan 27, 2010, Page 8

Call it disaster-relief judo.

China pulled off a nifty feat of diplomatic one-upsmanship following the Haitian earthquake, rushing 6 cargo plane loaded with relief supplies to the stricken country before US Navy vessels (or USAF plane) could reach the scene.
Bragged the official People’s Daily: “It was the Chinese rescuers, not the Americans, who were among the first relief personnel to arrive in the Caribbean country, even though China is farther away from Haiti than the US.” Not so fast. In the contest for first impressions, China emerged the clear victor. However, unless Beijing follows up with a serious humanitarian campaign, history will remember its post-earthquake relief flight as a publicity stunt, if at all.

“Soft power,” a concept much in vogue in Asia and the West, helps explain why. Harvard University professor Joseph Nye, who coined the term, says soft power represents the “ability to entice and attract.” It is a byproduct of an appealing culture, policies or other attributes. Nye says a nation rich in soft power improves its chances of success in world politics “because other countries want to follow it, admiring its values, emulating its example, aspiring to its level of prosperity and openness.”

As my colleague Toshi Yoshihara puts it, soft power is like a “pheromone” inherent to attractive nations. A nation so gifted can apply it as “perfume,” enhancing its ability to persuade. However, a nation’s good name requires careful tending. Claimants to soft power must profess altruistic ideals and back them up with deeds consistently over time, setting a pattern of benign behavior. Soft-power diplomacy involves more than atmospherics, boastfulness or isolated acts of mercy.

These subtleties appear lost on Beijing. The US enjoys major reserves of soft power owing to its openness and to liberal traditions embodied in founding documents like the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. India benefits from its history of nonviolence and nonalignment. As the historic center of a Sinocentric order in Asia, China too might seem awash in soft power, but by Nye’s definition, the outlook is more mixed.

China — or, more specifically, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime — must earn a reputation for benevolence.
True, China’s beguiling history and Confucian heritage exert a power of attraction, throughout Asia and beyond. However, not so long ago, the CCP regime went to extravagant lengths to dissociate itself from — and indeed destroy — much of that culture. That gives fellow Asians pause. In a sense, consequently, Beijing is starting anew in its quest for soft power. Rendering assistance after natural disasters represents one opportune way for Beijing to establish a good name.

China got off to a slow start refurbishing its reputation. It stood idle from 2004 to 2005, after a massive tsunami swept across South Asia. Twenty-one nations — including minor powers like Switzerland, with a fraction of China’s resources — rushed a combined 102 ships and 196 aircraft to the afflicted region. The size of the Chinese contingent? Zero. Despite Beijing’s claim to leadership in Asia, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) found itself a spectator, unable to stage naval forces beyond China’s immediate environs.

Nor was Beijing especially generous by other measures. The People’s Daily was reduced to arguing lamely that the miserly US$90 million donated by China constituted a “tangible” contribution to tsunami relief. The leadership’s puzzling indifference, coupled with the PLA’s shortfall in capacity, left the US military, the Japan Self-Defense Forces and other expeditionary forces to reap the goodwill that repays acts viewed as selfless.

China, in short, found itself upstaged by prospective rivals in Southeast and South Asia, regions of real and growing Chinese interest. Its leadership in effect vowed “never again” to miss out on major humanitarian undertakings.

By rushing supplies and personnel to the Caribbean, Beijing wants to burnish an image tarnished through past inaction, expiating memories of the tsunami debacle. As a bonus, it hopes to outshine the US military in its own backyard.

That last goal is whimsical. Belated or not, US relief efforts will dwarf any effort China can mount in the Caribbean, but that doesn’t really matter.

Soft power is not a zero-sum game, in which one player gains only at another’s expense. Lending a hand so far from Chinese shores represents an admirable act on Beijing’s part — an act that will energize Chinese soft power, provided it’s part of a sustained errand of mercy. James Holmes is an associate professor at the US Naval War College. The views voiced here are his alone.

Controversy Swirls Around Missouri Blogger Arps

Hat Tip to Mike @ The McCarville Report Online and Jamison Faught @ the Muskogee Politico's

Missouri blogger Christopher Arps routinely attacks Oklahoma Republicans from his Florissant location.

This week, he's been in the news for printing on his Oklahoma Political News Service an unproven (and refuted) allegation about GOP Senate leader Glenn Coffee from former Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes.

Arps routinely posts scathing, unverified attacks that purport to be from anonymous tipsters to his blog.

His attacks prompted this retort from the Muskogee Politico's Jamison Faught yesterday: "Oklahoma Political News Service likes to tout themselves as a reputable blog, but most of their material is just political sleaze and unproven smears.

Ironically, OKPNS isn't even based in Oklahoma - it's run out of Missouri. Unfortunately for the blogger at OKPNS, he has discredited himself too many times to be taken seriously."

Given the attention Arps is getting here, a review of the attention he's gotten in Missouri is appropriate.

*****

From The St. Louis American's Political Eye ~ Christopher Arps, a former staffer for former U.S. Senator Jim Talent (never did the word “former” sound so sweet) brags about speaking at (Ward) Connerly’s press conference on his “New Leadership” blog, a forum he routinely uses to bash The American and U.S. Rep. Wm. “Lazy” Clay, as Arps insultingly styles the 1st District congressman from St. Louis.

The EYE wonders where Arps got the gas money to make the trip to K.C.

The man is a deadbeat dad, and not just a missed-one-payment type; according to the Missouri Department of Corrections, Christopher Arps of Florissant was convicted of non-support for six out of 12 months in St. Louis County in 2001.

According to the Department of Corrections official, Dean Watson, the dude is on active (felony) probation in District 8E (Florissant) until 2011.... Maybe he needs to spend less time on Republican politics and more time on his family. And maybe instead of preaching responsibility, Arps should start practicing it.

*****

From johncombestblog.com ~ I’m embarrassed to say I knew Christopher Arps, and even more embarrassed to say that I liked him when I first met him in 2001.

Eventually, though, the people who gave him chance after chance to turn his life around — including myself and the patient souls at Talent’s district office — had to show a little tough love. Arps struck back in anger and spite, which I guess shows he wasn’t fit to be much of a father anyway.

...Expect to hear more about this disappointing — but not particularly surprising — case soon.

*****

Arps Fined By Missouri Ethics Commission ~ http://oa.mo.gov/ahc/case/Arps04-0383EC.JJK.doc

*****

Arps also engendered controversy with his attempted involvement in the National Black Republican Association, and with his attacks on the Missouri news media in a Missouri blog.

*****

Arps routinely claims credit for "breaking" stories on the flimsiest of evidence. Among his favorite targets are members of the Oklahoma news media, including the State Capitol Press Corps: "You know for years we’ve enjoyed tweaking the capitol press corps, which is simply the worst group of reporters in the free world."

Usually, Arps criticizes them for not picking up his innuendo-driven, factually-challenged anonymous-tipster-based "stories." His favorite targets appear to be Michael McNutt of The Oklahoman and Tim Talley of The Associated Press, both veteran and respected journalists who, unlike Arps, actually know where the Capitol men's rooms are located.

Arps has directed special scorn at often-honored, veteran journalist and investigative reporter Nolan Clay of The Oklahoman. Arps alleges Clay conspired with a state official to "smear" a local politician. Those who know Clay find the claim laughable.

What Arps doesn't brag about are his unfounded-stories-that-don't-come-true. Among them: A story that claimed GOP Senator Harry Coates of Seminole was going to switch to the Democratic Party. When it didn't happen, Arps' story mysteriously disappeared from his blog and he hasn't mentioned it since. A source gave TMRO the same "tip," but after checking it out, we dismissed it as untrue.

*****

A St. Louis Republican official familiar with Arps soiled reputation says Arps is "a black racist. If you disagree with him and you're white, you're a racist; if you disagree with him, or cross him, and you're black, you're an 'Uncle Tom.'"

Arps' pursuit of some sort of personal validation by constantly denigrating others is displayed in virtually everything he posts and if you disagree with him, he pulls out the "racist" label or describes you in sophomoric or insulting terms, as numerous Republicans in Missouri and Oklahoma will attest.

Budget agreement keeps corrections workers on job

Op Ed

Published January 29, 2010

Legislative leaders can get a lot accomplished if some members didn't spend time grandstanding. Even before they start the session next month, some lawmakers have been hard at work trying to forestall state employee furloughs.

We appreciate the work of central Oklahoma legislators Sen. Anthony Sykes and Rep. Randy Terrill in helping craft an agreement with the governor on a $7.2 million cash infusion into the Department of Corrections budget.

State Corrections Director Justin Jones had started the process of requiring prison guards to schedule furlough days this spring. That means prisons, already short-staffed with high turnover, will be able to maintain security levels. This is helpful to the guards and the inmates.

The state's public employees association has commended Sen. Sykes and Rep. Terrill as well as House Speaker Chris Benge and Senate Pro Tem Glenn Coffee.

The agreement also is a tribute to state workers who helped demonstrate the need to keep the agencies at full staff. Corrections employees are kind of like the offensive line in football. They don't get noticed until something goes wrong.

Man Visits Texas State Sentaor Dan Patrick's Office, Fires Shots Outside Texas State Capitol

The blog LaVida Studios has photographs of the Texas Department of Public Safety apprehending the suspect.

Hit Tip to Texas Tribune / Abby Rapoport

Three or four shots were fired outside the State Capitol on the South Steps at 12:15 p.m. Thursday (22 Jan 2010).

An official in Governor's Rick Perry Office said the shooter entered the Governor's Business Office on the first floor and looked around.

The man was also spotted behaving strangely in the office of Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. Logan Spence, a spokesman for Patrick, said the man, who was about 20 years old and spoke broken English, walked into Patrick's Capitol office and asked to speak to “the woman in the white shirt.” Apparently, Spence said, the visitor had seen another Patrick staffer in the hall and had followed her into the office

According to messages on Patrick's Twitter and Facebook page, the staff called security.

"He was acting in a way that made my staff concerned," writes Patrick on the Facebook page.

The visitor, who Spence said was “nervous and uncomfortable,” repeatedly asked to speak to the female staffer in private. When she wouldn’t go with him, he left the office — and shots were fired moments later.

“He was definitely not a constituent,” Spence said. “I don’t think he was targeting our office.”

“Several of us in the past have called for added security measures at the Capitol," Patrick told the Tribune. "Today’s event recalls the fact that we need to reevaluate people's access freely into our building. Currently, anyone can walk in at anytime. That’s not a safe situation. If it turns out indeed that the person who came into our office was also the person arrested, then my staff was in danger.”

There are no reported injuries, but DPS officials are going through the building to ensure everyone is safe. There's no word on a possible motive, or whether the suspect was aiming at particular individuals.

DPS spokeswoman Lisa Block says the crime scene is secure. The Capitol Grounds remain on lockdown; however employees may come and go in the building, according to emails to House employees. No one parked in the drive may leave and everyone must keep their identification badges visible.

Here are the emails:

________________________________

From: House Information
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 12:48 PM
To: House; O0665
Subject: Capitol Lockdown

The Capitol is currently on Lockdown so please stay in your office and lock your door until further notice.

________________________________

From: House Administration
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 2:03 PM
To: House;
Subject: Update - Employees with Valid State ID May Now Enter

Employees with valid State ID are now cleared to enter the building, including the parking garage. There was some confusion as to why the Senate sent out an email earlier stating that the lock down had been lifted, which was only true for the interior of the building. The perimeter was still under lock down at the time.

Again, the building is no longer being kept on lock down. The Capitol Grounds are still on lockdown, and at this time no one parked on the drive is being allowed to leave.

You may now enter and exit the Capitol Building on foot at all entrances except the south entrance. Please keep your ID with you and be prepared to produce it. State ID's are mandatory at this time. If you are an employee, you must wear your ID Badge visibly, and you may still be questioned. We ask for your full cooperation as DPS moves forward with the ongoing investigation. More updates will come as we receive more information.

Thank you for your patience during this time.

________________________________

Gov. Rick Perry Commends DPS Troopers Who Nabbed Capitol Shooter:

“I commend the Texas Department of Public Safety troopers who responded swiftly to a shooter on the South Steps of the State Capitol," Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement. "Thanks to their efforts no one was injured and the shooter was apprehended immediately and taken in to custody.”

REESE RESPONDS TO SCURRILOUS, BASELESS ATTACK

Labor Commissioner Candidate
Rebukes Opponent for
Distracting from Issues

Labor Commissioner candidate Jason Reese responds to a report on Oklahoma Political News Service concerning an alleged campaign finance infraction.

One day after Reese publicly questioned the OK House Leadership - which includes his primary opponent Rep. Tad Jones - on a matter of policy concerning Oklahoma's small businesses and economic growth, an anonymous attack was levied against the Reese campaign.

Reese wondered about the motivation of the attack,

“I find the timing of this baseless attack very interesting, given our press release yesterday. Nonetheless, had they bothered to inquire with us directly, we could have easily supplied them with copies of the correspondence with the Ethics Commission Executive Director in which she expressly authorizes the contribution in question.”

Reese continued, “Frankly, we're not surprised by this attack and expected it at some point in the campaign. But we'd prefer our opponent stick to the issues at hand and that are of great interest to the voters rather than try to distract them with a political sideshow."

Reese is a Republican candidate for Labor Commissioner, a statewide elected post that is involved in the enforcement of workers’ compensation laws. He is also an Oklahoma City attorney who represents small and medium-sized businesses in Oklahoma with employment issues.

Corrections Training Academies to Move to OKC

Action Will Save
More Than
Half-Million Dollars
a year!

The Department of Corrections will relocate its correctional officer training from Wilburton to the Highway Patrol Training Center in Oklahoma City, officials announced today.

The agency will also relocate a separate employee training facility from the OU College of Continuing Education in Norman to the Oklahoma City facility.

The move is expected to save the state more than $500,000 without a reduction in services.

“In this time of budget downturn, this is going to save money in one of our most vital public safety areas – corrections,” said state Sen. Anthony Sykes, a Moore Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary. “This helps both agencies better utilize existing resources in the most cost-effective way possible while maintaining public safety standards.”

Sykes noted the announcement comes a day before Senate Republicans plan to discuss their public safety agenda – on Thursday at an 11 a.m. press conference.

“This move will centralize and consolidate training for correctional officers,” said state Rep. Randy Terrill, a Moore Republican who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee on public safety and judiciary. “We believe this move will produce a nice synergy between the DPS and DOC and save taxpayer money while maintaining training standards.”

Closing the Wilburton facility is expected to save about $250,000 annually and moving the training center at the College of Continuing Education at OU will save another $350,000 – bringing the total annual savings to approximately $600,000.

Staff at the Wilburton and OU facilities will be relocated to fill higher-priority positions currently vacant or understaffed at DOC.

The Department of Corrections just completed the agreement with the Department of Public Safety to use the DPS facility.

As part of the agreement, inmate labor will be used to provide food, janitorial, maintenance and grounds-keeping services at the Oklahoma City facility. As much as 70 percent of food products served at the facility will come from prison farms.

“From a budget standpoint, the Department of Corrections is out of cash,” said Justin Jones, director of the state Department of Corrections. “We have no other option than to look at consolidation of services with other state agencies. This happened to be one option that was very workable and amenable to both state agencies and it provides greater efficiencies without reduction in quality of training or reduction in public safety preparedness.”

“Some agencies have assets that can be used by other agencies in these tough economic times,” said Commissioner of Public Safety Kevin Ward. “It appears the Department of Public Safety’s facility is compatible with DOC’s training needs, so we are glad to share assets and make better use of personnel and infrastructure at both agencies. By combining resources, we believe our two agencies will both save money and put out a great work product.”

The move should also enhance recruitment and retention efforts as well as save some correctional officers the cost of extensive travel to southeast Oklahoma to attend the more-than-month-long training sessions.

Late night agreement at capitol...

With a agreement last night at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Watch for public safety related press release coming out this morning...

After Last Night, Let just hope...

After last night with Scott Brown, U.S. Senate race win in Massachusetts.

Let just hope that the Oklahoma GOP (State & County Party, House Caucus, Senate Caucus) do not drive people away with dumb thing, like not letting the people vote to capping property taxs at 3%.

Let just hope that Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge and the House Republican Caucus, get a CLUE!

OKIE AUTHOR INTRODUCES 'TWEET THIS! TWITTER FOR BUSINESS'

Hey! My OKIE Twitter buddy Jessica, has a book coming out!

Calling it a 'Social Media Mullet'. Business in the front and party in the back. More than a tongue-in-cheek reference to a 1980s hair style, the phrase is now serious strategic advice professionals can follow to improve the way they connect with others online.

According to Jessica Miller-Merrell, a nationally recognized recruitment expert and author of Tweet This!

Twitter for Business, encourages professionals to follow what she refers to in her new book as the Social Media Mullet Rule when using Twitter for branding.

“Basically, following the mullet golden rule means keeping most of your tweets professional and related to your business, roughly 70 percent,” Jessica said. “The remaining 30 percent should be personal, allowing the reader to see your true, authentic self.”

Tweet This! is Jessica’s first book. The self-published, 128-page Twitter tome was created as an easy-to-read resource intended for busy entrepreneurs, small business owners and nonprofit organizations.

“Busy people will appreciate the way it’s structured, short and to the point,” she said. “Anyone, regardless of their level of Internet savvy, should be able to pick up this book and immediately get started building their Twitter profile, based on solid business principles.

Oklahoma Twitter experts will enjoy seeing their success stories included among national case studies that show the incredible influence social media can have on the bottom line.”

According to Jessica, Tweet This! is currently the only book available that provides a daily 30-minute Twitter time management system. Worksheets are also included in the appendix that guides readers through the process of creating a Twitter marketing plan.

A Tweet This! launch party is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sapphire Bar & Grill, located at 208 East Sheridan Avenue in Oklahoma City.

Copies of the book can be purchased at www.tweetingmybusiness.com, $19.95 for the paperback version and $14.95 for the e-book.

Mr. Speaker time to Step Up or Step Down on Property Tax Reform

The state representative who has been most active in pushing for property tax reform today urged House Speaker Chris Benge to “step up on this vital issue or step down and let someone else lead the House” in enacting it.

“I was frankly astonished by the Speaker’s recent statements in opposition to these simple and fair reforms,” said state Rep. David Dank (R-Oklahoma City), who has authored measures that would cap annual property tax increases at 3 percent, and freeze those taxes for seniors over 65.

“Not only are his statements out of touch with the core Republican principle of limited government we were sent here to espouse, they are factually incorrect,” Dank said.

He said his property tax reforms would result in no revenue reductions to schools or counties, and would have no impact on the state budget. Benge was quoted as claiming they would “reduce revenue.”

“How is a 3-percent annual increase a reduction?” Dank said.

“The simple truth is that we have a built-in annual tax increase for literally thousands of Oklahoma homeowners during a severe recession.

At the current 5-percent rate of increase, when you compound it, that amounts to doubling everyone’s property taxes every 13 years. That’s just wrong and I am baffled that a Republican Speaker is opposed to alleviating it.

“Speaker Benge needs to step up on this vital issue by allowing the House to vote on it or step down and let someone else lead the House to make it happen,” Dank said.

“It is especially troubling that he continues to oppose sensible property tax reform when the Senate Republican Caucus has made it a centerpiece of their 2010 legislative agenda.

Honestly, either he just doesn’t get it or he is carrying water for those special interests who think the higher the taxes--the better. I know I am not the only one in the House who is terribly disappointed with Speaker Benge.”

Dank said many of his fellow GOP House members have told him they are eager to support the two property tax reforms. He said several Democrats have also voiced their support.

“I am convinced the votes are there in the House and Senate to send these reforms to a vote of the people,” he said. “Right now, one man is standing in the way.

“When I discussed this initially with Speaker Benge he told me that if we put these two measures on the ballot to let the people decide--they would pass,” Dank said. “I told him that was the whole idea. We’re here to represent the taxpayers—not the special interests.”

Dank’s twin measures “are not tax cuts, but tax restraints,” he said. “All we are asking is that we slow the annual growth in property taxes and freeze these increases for seniors, who are often on fixed incomes. These measures would not reduce ad valorem revenues by one thin dime. They would have zero impact on the state budget. The Speaker is simply wrong on that.”

Dank said he would be happy to work with Benge on repealing a number of questionable tax credits which are costing state coffers millions in annual revenue.

“Unfortunately Speaker Benge was the House author of a bill that authorized some of these costly transferable tax credits that drain millions from the state budget without any transparency, accountability, and without creating a single job,” Dank said.

Dank said if the Legislature fails to act on his twin property tax reforms, a much more drastic limitation similar to California’s Proposition 13 is likely to be introduced by initiative petition.

“People see school districts giving large raises to superintendents and counties trying to raise executive salaries at the same time they are pleading poverty and threatening to lay off front line workers.

Taxpayers have simply had enough,” he said.

“These sensible reforms would allow reasonable revenue growth and curtail those abuses.

I call on Speaker Benge to bring them to the floor early in the 2010 session or return to the ranks and allow us to choose a Speaker more in tune with the people’s will.”

Congrats Bro. Don Demeter, one of this year's OK Sports Hall of Fame Inductees!

Anyone who knows Don Demeter will be thrilled that he’s going into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Even if they don’t know anything about Don’s baseball career.

For the record, Don was an excellent ballplayer. A star at Capitol Hill High School who signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1953, reached the Dodgers by 1956 and was in the big leagues to stay by 1958.

In 11 major league seasons, Don hit 163 home runs, including four straight years of at least 20. With the Phillies in 1962 and 1963, Don received MVP votes; in ’62, he hit 29 home runs and was seventh in the National League with 107 runs batted in.

Don was traded to Detroit before the 1964 season, then traded at mid-season 1966 to Boston and at mid-season 1967 to Cleveland. Then with two young boys at home, he decided enough moving. Time to be a dad.

Don Demeter, now a Baptist minister, is a hero and mentor to many.

German government says no to Microsoft

The German government has issued an official warning, asking people to avoid using Internet Explorer, versions 6, 7, and 8.

Microsoft had recently confessed that its browser provided the weak link in attacks on Google’s system, prompting The Federal Office for Information Security the give the notice.

Microsoft disputes the warning, but German authorities aren’t budging.

Looks like IE will stay in the German dog house.

C-SPAN Bus to be in OKC this Saturday

C-SPAN Bus to be in OKC this Saturday

The C-SPAN Civics Bus will be parking at the OSU-Oklahoma City Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, January 16 at the Horticulture Pavilion, 400 N. Portland Ave. Farmers’ Market shoppers are invited to explore the bus for free during their visit.

According to C-SPAN, the bus program was launched in 1993 as a way to bring the world of public affairs into schools and communities nationwide. Working with cable television partners across the nation, the buses have visited students, teachers, and citizens in all 50 states to discuss media, public affairs, and C-SPAN’s programming and free educational resources.

Entering their 16th year as C-SPAN’s Civics Buses, they continue to stop at schools, colleges, book festivals and other public events. These 45-foot long mobile multimedia demonstration centers are equipped with TV production units that can be used as studios during live programs. Students, authors, journalists, and national leaders have been interviewed aboard the buses.

The public is invited to board the bus and gain a better understanding of the C-SPAN Networks’ unique brand of public affairs programming during the OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market.

The weekly Farmers’ Market gives attendants the opportunity to fill their fridges with the freshest food in Oklahoma. Featuring only Oklahoma-grown products from more than 30 vendors, the Market allows local farmers and ranchers to provide consumers with the best the state has to offer. With fresh foods, seasonal produce, certified organic products, fresh-cut flowers and a variety of handmade skincare and craft items, this market has something for everyone.

To find out what’s fresh this month, visit the seasonal produce availability calendar at http://www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket/produce.aspx

To find out more about the C-SPAN Civic Bus, visit http://c-span.org/schoolbus/index.asp. For more information about the Farmers’ Market, visit www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket or call (405) 945-3358.

OK-5 Candidate Kevin Calvey to Protest OKC Area Meeting of Terrorist Front Group

For more background click here

Fifth District Congressional Candidate Kevin Calvey (R-Oklahoma City) today announced a protest of tomorrow’s scheduled meeting of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the Oklahoma City area.

“CAIR has been identified by several law enforcement sources as a front group or propagandist for terrorists, including Hamas, and CAIR has been frequently denounced by the Anti-Defamation League for their anti-Semitic and anti-American statements,” said Calvey, who prosecuted terrorists while deployed with the Army National Guard in Iraq in 2007-2008.

Calvey was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his service in Iraq. “Oklahomans should be outraged that a group like CAIR is operating in our midst,” said Calvey.

“I urge fellow Oklahomans to join me in peacefully protesting the CAIR meeting tomorrow night.”

CAIR is an unindicted co-conspirator in the US Justice Department’s terrorist-financing case against the Texas-based Holy Land Foundation.



The FBI broke official ties to CAIR a little over a year ago due to concerns about CAIR’s ties to Hamas.

See:
http://www.adl.org/Israel/cair/default.asp

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/11/fbi-ties-cair-remain- strained-obama-administration/

CAIR, which styles itself as the nation’s largest Islamic advocacy group, announced it will host a “Town Hall” meeting on the subject of airport profiling and security. The meeting will be held tomorrow, Friday, January 15, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. at Home Creations, 2280 North Broadway, Moore, Oklahoma.

Calvey urged protesters to arrive early to make their views about terrorism known.

“This is not about protesting Islam. This is about protesting terrorism. There are many Muslims who cooperate with America and our allies in the fight against terrorism,” said Calvey. “This is about protesting one group that appears intent on pushing propaganda for terrorists and hampering America in the fight against terrorism.”

Kevin Calvey is a small businessman and a conservative former State Representative from Del City.

Kevin volunteered to deploy to Iraq as a Captain in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 2007, and his mission in Iraq was to prosecute al Qaeda leaders and other terrorists in the Iraqi court system. Kevin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service.
Kevin and his wife, Toni, live in Oklahoma City with their baby, Anastasia.

CAIR-OK to Host Town Hall, Crying about Profiling of Muslims at Airports

On January 15, the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) will hold a town hall meeting at Home Creations in Moore to discuss issues of concern to the Muslim community such as airport profiling, youth empowerment and civic engagement.

WHAT: CAIR-Oklahoma Town Hall Meeting

WHEN: Friday, January 15, 2010, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Home Creations
2280 North Broadway St.
Moore, OK 73160
CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-415-6851 or 405-248-5853, E-mail: rhashmi@cair.com

“It is important for the community to know more about one of the fastest growing civil rights groups in the metro area that is serving the needs of the Muslim and greater community alike,” said CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi.

A commentary distributed by CAIR challenged calls for profiling and suggested security-enhancing alternatives to ineffective religious profiling: “First look at behavior, not at faith or skin color. Then spend what it takes to obtain more bomb-sniffing dogs, to install more sophisticated bomb-detection equipment and to train security personnel in identifying the behavior of real terror suspects.”

CAIR is urging American Muslim individuals and institutions to review advice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit.”

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-415-6851 or 405-248-5853, E-mail: rhashmi@cair.com; CAIR-OK Chair Michael Aziz Gipson, E-Mail: mgipson@cair.com; CAIR-OK Operations Coordinator Huda Abdul-Razzak, E-Mail: habdulrazzak@cair.com

People's Republic of Norman Mayor & Council filing

Nine residents completed candidacy declarations on the first day of filing Monday for Norman City Council Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, as well the mayor's office, although none filed on Tuesday.

Races are assured in the March 2 election for Norman City Council Wards 4, 6 and 8, as well as the mayor's office after the filing period ended at the close of business Wednesday.

Councilman Tom Kovach, Ward 2, will run unopposed.

Councilwoman Carol Dillingham, Ward 4, filed a candidacy declaration for the upcoming municipal elections at the Cleveland County Election Board on Wednesday, making her the last incumbent council member to do so.

The battle for the Ward 4 seat on the Norman City Council is now a four-way contest.

John Dawson, 65, filed his candidacy declaration earlier Wednesday at the Cleveland County Election Board.

Two challengers already had filed in Ward 4 earlier in the week.

Austin Dyches, 28, 619 Kansas St., and J. Michael Sherrod, 55, 904 N. Peters Ave., filed candidacy declarations for Ward 4 on Monday.

Dillingham, 57, lives at 1711 S. Pickard Ave.

In Ward 6, the incumbent, Dr. James Griffith, filed for re-election. The 60-year-old dentist lives at 5 Wildwood Court. Challenger Matt Zellner, 23, 105 W. Vida Way, filed for the seat as well.

Filings in Ward 8 include the incumbent, Realtor and former high school principal Dan Quinn, 63, 3221 Greenwood Drive, and X-Norman police officer (retired) now now Cleveland County Sheriff's deputy Steve Lucas, 52, 804 Fairway Drive.

Leonard Youngblood, 50, filed his candidacy declaration for Ward 8 late Wednesday, joining Quinn and Lucas.

Youngblood lives at 3201 Swan Hollow Drive.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, 59, 903 Carey Drive, and attorney Hal Ezzell, 39, 4601 Fountain Gate Drive, filed for the mayor's post on Monday.

People's Republic of Norman Mayor & Council filing for Monday

The filing period for potential City of Norman council members representing Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, as well as the mayor's office, began Monday morning.

Interested parties must file at the Cleveland County Election Board by the close of business on Wednesday.

The fee for filing for a city council seat is $50, the mayor's office fee is $75.

For more information, call the CCEB, 614 E. Robinson St., at 366-0210.

9 residents completed candidacy declarations on the first day of filing Monday for Norman City Council Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, as well the mayor's office.

Ward 2 Councilman Tom Kovach was the first to file for re-election Monday morning. Kovach, 47, resides at 1426 Beverly Hills.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, who teaches political science at the University of Oklahoma, was the first to file a candidacy declaration for the mayor's race. Rosenthal, 59, resides at 903 Carey Drive.

Councilman Hal Ezzell, Ward 3, filed his paperwork for the mayor's race Monday as well. Ezzell, a lawyer, is 39. He lives at 4601 Fountain Gate Drive.

Austin Dyches, 28, filed paperwork Monday to join the race for the Ward 4 council seat. Dyches resides at 619 Kansas St.

J. Michael Sherrod, 55, also filed a candidacy declaration for Ward 4 Monday. Sherrod resides at 904 N. Peters Ave.

Ward 4 Councilwoman Carol Dillingham said last month she'd run for re-election, but didn't file paperwork to do so by mid-afternoon Monday.

Ward 6 Councilman James Griffith also filed his candidacy declaration Monday. Griffith, 60, a dentist, lives at 5 Wildwood Court.

Matt Zellner, 23, filed his candidacy declaration for Ward 6. Zellner lives at 105 W. Vida Way.

X-Norman PD (Ret), now Cleveland County Sheriff's deputy Steve Lucas (52), filed his declaration of candidacy Monday to become the next Ward 8 council member. He lives at 804 Fairway Drive.

Ward 8 Councilman Dan Quinn, a real estate agent, filed his paperwork Monday. Quinn, 63, lives at 3221 Greenwood Drive.

CA-Sen: Carly Fiorina Raises $1.1 Million for Senate Campaign in Two Months While Chuck DeVore Moans

Hat Tip to my California Boomer Sooner buddy Flap

Republican United States Senate candidate Carly Fioria in San Deigo
(visitng Hawthorne Power Systems)

Remember former CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina announced her candidacy for the United States Senate from California on November 4, 2009. In the meantime, she has raised over $1 million for her campaign.

From the press release:

Since the official launch of her campaign 60 days ago, support for Fiorina’s candidacy has continued to grow with more than $1 million in financial support coming in large part from Californians in nearly 500 cities and towns across the state. Eighty three percent of all donations are in amounts of less than $250 and the overall average donation amount to Carly’s campaign is less than $350. Carly’s online fundraising has raised $232,000.

In addition, Carly and her husband Frank have personally invested in her campaign. She has loaned the campaign $2.5 million. Click here to view a PDF of the summary page of Carly’s first fundraising quarter.

The Fiorina campaign reports having over $2.7 million of campaign cash on hand.

Whereas, her opponent for the Republican nomination California Assemblyman Chuck DeVore reports far less in receipts. I have reported Chuck DeVore’s lack of fundraising ability before – both here and here.

Yet, DeVore sends out his spokeshole Josh Trevino to try to spin the shortfall and his lack of campaign fundraising ability.

The DeVore campaign argues that it’s been able to do more with less, by keeping the race a dead heat despite Fiorina’s higher spending. According to the DeVore campaign, he has spent $352,000, compared to $830,000 spent by Fiorina.

“Carly Fiorina sunk well over twice the funds into her campaign, just to get to polling parity with Chuck DeVore,” DeVore spokesman Josh Trevino wrote in an email.

Trevino also cautioned that, “I wish to stress that the DeVore for California numbers here are only approximate. We don’t have final figures yet, but these are broadly correct.”

But, Chuck, Carly did not start fundraising until November of 2009 and you have been unable to raise money for over a year now.

And, what is this BS about polling parity? There hasn’t been a poll in this race for about two months and the last one only a week or so after Carly formally announced.

Keep moaning Chuck as Fiorina drops the targeted direct mail and runs television commercials while you can only twitter and watch.