OK GOP Chair Matt Pinnell and GOP OK-2 Candidate Dustin Rowe speaking in McAlester

Dustin Rowe – a conservative with a proven record of public service
www.roweforcongress.us


Matt became Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party on June 26th, 2010, and was re-elected in May of 2011 to a full two-year term. He is the youngest State GOP Chair in the country. www.okgop.com

Dustin understands what it means to work hard and build a family business. His parents and grandparents are small business owners who instilled in Dustin the appreciation for hard work and helping others.

Dustin’s proven record began at an early age: 18. That year, he registered as a Republican and ran for mayor of his hometown. Citizens of Tishomingo liked what Dustin stood for and, even more, what he helped accomplish for their community. Dustin became the nation’s youngest mayor and served successfully for two terms.

Dustin worked for U. S. Senator Don Nickles in Washington, D.C. Later Dustin and his wife, Nicole, moved to Stillwater to work on Wes Watkins’ successful congressional campaign. At the age of 22, Dustin was named District Director for the newly-elected Republican congressman.

Dustin obtained his bachelor’s degree from East Central University in Ada and his law degree from the University of Oklahoma. For the past decade he has been practicing law on Main Street in the community where he was raised and loves to call home. He also serves as city attorney and prosecutor to several small towns in the second congressional district.

Dustin and Nicole are the parents of two children, Price and Madison. The Rowe family are active members in the Tishomingo First Assembly of God church where Dustin has attended since he was eight years old.

From the Vault (2008): Sen Harry Coates - It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to

Oklahoma State Sen Harry Coates (60 year old) - 
Talk about how He lost his notebook in the bathroom

And now it look like 29 year old Haley Atwood 
(who is having a extramarital affair with 
Coates) is also crying too, more to come...

Investors Business Daily: SHINING A LIGHT ON SHARIAH CREEP

Background: Federal Judge Agrees: 

CAIR Tied to Hamas

IBD EDITORIAL

The Council on American-Islamic Relations may wish it never sued to overturn an Oklahoma ban on Shariah law. 

Now the entire nation will get to see it and other Islamists' true anti-American colors.

CAIR is thumping its chest over persuading a Clinton-appointed federal judge to temporarily block Oklahoma from enacting a state constitutional amendment that prohibits state courts from considering Islamic law when deciding cases. Fully 70% of Oklahoma voters passed the landmark measure.

But CAIR has ignited a legal firestorm that will likely rage all the way to the Supreme Court. Thanks to CAIR's latest bit of lawfare, Americans will get to hear a long overdue debate not just about the constitutionality of such bans on Shariah law but about the constitutionality of Shariah law itself.

This is not a debate CAIR wants to have, since it ultimately will have to defend the indefensible. It claims in a press release that Shariah law is "a dynamic legal framework" derived from Islamic scripture "and analytical reasoning."

In fact, there's nothing reasoned about it. It's a medieval legal code that administers cruel and unusual punishments such as stonings, amputations and honor killings. Think the Taliban.

Shariah can be seen in action this week with Pakistan's death sentence on a Christian woman for blasphemy. Between 1986 and 2009, at least 974 people have been charged for defiling the Quran or insulting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad.

CAIR, which thinks free speech is a one-way street, is working with the Organization of the Islamic Conference on an international blasphemy law that would criminalize "Islamophobia," according to the book, "Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That's Conspiring to Islamize America."

Shariah also permits wife-beating, something CAIR also knows about. Its sister organization, the Islamic Society of North America, condones it in its fatwas (or religious rulings) for Muslim Americans. More, CAIR distributes a book, "The Meaning of the Holy Quran," which authorizes men to hit their wives.

CAIR says it's just a "civil rights advocacy group." But the Justice Department says it's a front group for Hamas and its parent, the radical Muslim Brotherhood, a worldwide jihadist movement that has a secret plan to impose Shariah law on the U.S.

"From its founding by Muslim Brotherhood leaders, CAIR conspired with other affiliates of the Muslim Brotherhood to support terrorists," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg in a recent court filing.

U.S. prosecutors in 2007 named CAIR an unindicted co-conspirator in a criminal scheme led by the Holy Land Foundation to funnel millions to Hamas suicide bombers and their families.

Federal Judge Agrees: CAIR Tied to Hamas

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has been connected to the terrorist organization Hamas, a federal judge said in a July 2009 ruling unsealed last week.

"The government has produced ample evidence to establish the associations of CAIR, ISNA, NAIT, with NAIT, the Islamic Association for Palestine, and with Hamas," U.S. District Court Judge Jorge Solis said in the July 1, 2009, ruling.

CAIR, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT) had protested to Solis that they were incorrectly named as unindicted co-conspirators in the 2008 trial of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development. Among the allegations, HLF was accused of having provided more than $12 million to Hamas. 

After a 2007 mistrial, five former HLF officials convicted on 108 counts, ranging from money laundering to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.

Following the trial, CAIR, ISNA, and NAIT have argued that their inclusion on the list injured their standing in the community, and their image. They wanted their ties to Hamas removed from the trial records and the list sealed.

However, Solis refused to remove references to CAIR and the other groups from the trial record. That's because the government introduced extensive evidence tying CAIR to Hamas. "The public," he wrote, "may make its own judgment from evidence presented at trial."

Solis filed his July 2009 ruling under seal, and until recently, it was unclear what information was actually contained in the order.

NAIT attempted to have Solis' ruling revised, asking the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to unseal the order and strike any references that tied the organization to Hamas. "The District Court's analysis, NAIT argues, essentially tars it with the same brush of guilt by association that the government used in its pre-trial brief," explained the appellate court. The court agreed to unseal the lower court ruling, but refused to strike Judge Solis' explanation that the groups were tied to Hamas.

"CAIR's status as a co-conspirator is a matter of public record," Solis explained. Examining the trial proceedings, he recounted the numerous ties between ISNA, NAIT, and CAIR.

During the trial, the government introduced documents detailing the Muslim Brotherhood's beginnings in the United States. Amongst those was the May 22, 1991, "Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal for the Group in North America," authored by Mohamed Akram. 

The memorandum includes a section titled "Understanding the role of the Muslim Brother in North America" which states that the work of the Ikhwan in the United States is a "kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all religions."

Also contained in the document was a list of the Muslim Brotherhood's "organizations and the organizations of our friends," which includes ISNA, NAIT, the Occupied Land Fund (HLFs former name, and others).

In another exhibit, titled "Preliminary vision for preparing future leadership," dated Dec. 18, 1998, ISNA is listed as an "apparatus" of the Brotherhood. When the Holy Land Foundation first began, it raised money and supported Hamas through a bank account it held with ISNA and NAIT. ISNA checks deposited into the account were often payable to "the Palestinian Mujahiden."

The Investigative Project on Terrorism has long chronicled the financial ties between ISNA/NAIT and Hamas, including coverage of the trial against HLF. Exhibits entered during the trial included an expense voucher from NAIT, an ISNA subsidiary, made out for $10,000 in the name of Musa Abu Marzook, as well as a check drawn on a NAIT account in the same amount made out to Marzook. Another check for $10,000 on the same account was made out to Marzook's wife, Nadia Elashi. Another check for $30,000 was made out to the Islamic University of Gaza (and has Shukri Abu Baker/OLF written on the memo line), a school long known to be controlled by HAMAS, and which counted such notables as former Hamas leader Dr. Abdel Aziz Rantissi and current Hamas leader Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahar as professors, and the recently deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh is a former dean of the University.

In addition to the financial connections, the trial also revealed cooperation between the organizations and their respective leadership. During the trial, the government introduced documents relating to the creation of the "Palestine Committee," which was established to support Hamas. 

The Committee was run by Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzook, and included representatives from the Islamic Association of Palestine, the Holy Land Foundation, and CAIR, represented by founder Omar Ahmad.

Ahmad also attended the 1993 Philadelphia conference, where leaders of the organizations under the Muslim Brotherhood umbrella met to discuss the future of the Brotherhood in the United States. The Philadelphia conference was attended by several members of the Palestine Committee, which supported and collected money for Hamas.

At the conference, attendees discussed how to proceed in light of the recently negotiated Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians. Hamas opposed the accords because it called for the recognition of the state of Israel. The attendees discussed how they would have to be careful in their opposition to the Oslo Accords because they did not want to be viewed as being against the peace process or as aligned with terrorist groups. 

As Special Agent Lara Burns testified during the trial, President HLF President Shukri Abu Baker explained that the new entity should present a benign face compared to existing Islamist groups: "And let's not hoist a large Islamic flag, and let's not be barbaric-talking. We will remain a front so that if the thing happens, we will benefit from the new happenings instead of having all of our organizations classified and exposed."

Minnesota Court of Appeals: plant "khat" doesn't violate Islamic religious freedom!

This is why Oklahoma SQ 755 is so very important...

For background see Minnesota's Muslim Encroachment -- a second legal system called Sharia?

Hat Tip to my good friend Brandi at ZTruth

****
Minnesota Court of Appeals: plant "khat" doesn't violate Islamic religious freedom!

A Minnesota Appeals Court ruled Tuesday an euphoric-producing plant called "khat" is illegal and it doesn't violate religious freedom which was claimed by several Muslims prosecuted for using it:

Possessing the plant khat is illegal under Minnesota law, and prosecuting violators does not infringe on their religious freedom, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

The ruling marks the third time that Minnesota's appellate courts have found khat (pronounced "cot") to be illegal, although it is unlikely to be the last word. The latest case started in February 2009, when police with a warrant searched the home of Yusof Mohamed Adam and Ahmed Ali Ahmed and, according to court records, found the pair at a table packaging what proved to be 3.5 pounds of khat.

...The Court of Appeals also said the U.S. Supreme Court has never determined that religious beliefs free anyone from compliance with laws prohibiting regulated conduct.

Abdi Bihi, a Somali activist in the Twin Cities, says khat should be legal. He said the East African community is being persecuted over khat, resulting in drug convictions and job losses and ultimately leading to more successful recruiting efforts by terrorist groups.

What???  If we don't allow this Khat stuff to be used,  people might get sucked in to being terrorists?  Give me a break.
****

Minnesota's Muslim Encroachment -- a second legal system called Sharia?

This is why Oklahoma SQ 755 is so very important


This is one the best, clearest-cut examples of how Muslims are attempting to convert America to Sharia law. It is a bold, overt, and aggressive campaign to change the fiber of American way of lfe. The sad part is that it appears to be working.

This practice of ignoring the obvious is the same as condoning the obvious.

Oklahoma Democrat Rep Dan Boren - Nancy Pelosi and Liberal Democrats Didn't Listen to the Voter

Oklahoma US Senator Tom Coburn on Fox News talking about Banning Earmark

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) pledged to force a vote on earmarks even and especially if Republican senators fail to ban the practice in a closed-door vote tomorrow. When the Food Safety bill comes up, said Coburn, "we can suspend the rules and have a vote on whether have earmarks or not."

Coburn's strategy would deny wavering Republicans a chance to defeat the "earmark ban" in a secret ballot. Senator-elect Mike Lee of Utah has asked for tomorrow's vote to be on the record, something that both Coburn and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) say they support. A secret ballot, they claim, is the only method by which the GOP conference won't approve the promise not to request earmarks.

The boy Gov in the Flaming Lip's space bubble

Oklahoma Government Gets More Mobile with OK.gov for Android

OK.gov, the official website of the state of Oklahoma, recently launched the release of a free Android government application, available now on your Android phone by searching for OK.gov.

OK.gov for Android gives Oklahomans convenient access to Oklahoma government directly from an Android mobile device. The new application provides real-time access to state agency news, office location mapping, and professional licensee lookups.

“The state of Oklahoma is excited to offer citizens the opportunity to use this innovative application to gain access and knowledge about our local government,” said Governor Brad Henry.

Features of the OK.gov for Android application include:

• Agency Lookup – Quickly find agencies by keyword or category search. The application displays contact information including main phone number, address, and website address. It also offers a built-in agency location mapping system featuring directions and the option to call directly from the application.

• Professional Licensee Search – Easily search or browse over 122 Oklahoma licensee types from over 20 state agencies.

• Oklahoma Government News – Keep up-to-date with the latest news and announcements from Oklahoma state agencies.

“We are pleased to announce that the new OK.gov for Android is the first state government portal application released for Google Android mobile devices,” said Mark Mitchell, General Manager of OK.gov. “Along with the OK.gov for iPhone app, this new Android application allows the public to access Oklahoma government conveniently and advantageously through handheld mobile technology.”

According to www.admob.com, Android is Google’s Linux operating system for mobile devices. With more than 100k daily activations, Google rapidly produces updates to the Android platform and is the first in total Web and App usage in the U.S. and is second in smartphone sales behind RIM’s Blackberry. There are currently 60 compatible devices,50 carriers, 48 countries, and 21 OEM’s supporting Android. This mobile device has more than 50,000 Android Applications with more than 180,000 developers.

Visit OK.gov's Mobile Site

Matt Pinnell The New Oklahoma GOP Chair

From the June 26, 2010 Oklahoma Republican State Committee meeting.

The election of The New Oklahoma GOP Chairman Matt Pinnell.

I would like to thank Chairman Matt Pinnell, for asking me to video this.

Some background on Matt...

· Former campaign aide to Congressman Steve Largent, State Senator Scott Pruitt, and U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D.

· Worked under two State GOP Chairman: Tom Daxon and Gary Jones in the position of Director of Operations. In this role I helped the State Party raise unprecedented levels of contributions and worked with County Chairs across the state.

· Served as the "Oklahoma Victory" Director for the McCain-Palin ticket, helping John McCain win 65.4% of the vote in OK, the highest percentage in the nation.

· Former Executive Director of American Majority-Oklahoma. Helped train literally thousands of activists and conducted dozens of candidate trainings across Oklahoma.

Oklahoma State Rep. Rex Duncan talking about SQ 755 (outlawing shariah law)

Oklahoma State Rep.
Rex Duncan
talking about
SQ 755
(outlawing shariah law in Oklahoma)

The only opposition to this
at this time is
Razi Hashmi,
executive director of CAIR-Oklahoma

To find out more about Oklahoma State Senator Anthony Sykes, who is running for re-election

To find out more about Oklahoma State Rep. Rex Duncan, who by the way is running for District Attorney in District 10 (Osage and Pawnee County)

Maybe some 'Print Media' and so call Blogger should understand how things work...

Maybe some 'Print Media' and so call Blogger should understand how things work at the Oklahoma State Capitol. They probability think Conference Committee have real meeting. LOL

When a bill go to a Conference Committee, only the people on the Conference Committee and Staff can add or take out language on that bill.
And it look like Demo Scott Meacham hand pick boy, Rep. Ken Miller (Who want to be our 'Republican' State Treasurer) is out campaigning for GOP votes.Rep. McDaniel, Trust the House Staff?

Most of the Lobbist, Media, and other insider at the Oklahoma State Capitol think that, unlike the State Senate Staff, the House Staff RUN the House and control the flow of information in the House.

Marietta, Oklahoma General James D. Thurman Command Philosophy

"To the Soldiers in the formation, you look splendid. Today, you demonstrate the expertise prevalent in our force, and your competence and professionalism inspires all of us. Thank you for your sacrifice and service," said Gen. James D. Thurman, the 18th general to command U.S. Army Forces Command, during his remarks at Fort McPherson after taking command.

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Caveats: NONE

Today Gen. James D. Thurman, FORSCOM commanding general, issued his command philosophy, which should be promptly read and taken to heart throughout Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield:

MEMORANDUM FOR LEADERS AND SOLDIERS

SUBJECT: Command Philosophy

1. Our mission is to train, mobilize, deploy, sustain, transform, and reconstitute conventional forces in order to provide a sustained flow of relevant and ready land power to Combatant Commanders worldwide in defense of the Nation both at home and abroad. I have always believed that leaders should do “what is legally and morally right”; create an environment of mutual trust that enables Soldiers to achieve their potential; and live by the “Golden Rule,” which puts caring, respect and fairness for Soldiers first. Keeping this in mind, our Army mission is to fight and win our Nation’s wars. In order to achieve this, our Soldiers must be mentally and physically tough, led by strong leaders, and trained under realistic full-spectrum conditions. We must be capable of deploying quickly, rapidly seizing the initiative, and winning decisively. In order to achieve success, we must instill teamwork both internally and externally. There are Six Key Imperatives I expect all to follow:

a. DISCIPLINE. All well-trained and maintained organizations and formations are disciplined. Disciplined leaders and Soldiers understand, communicate, live the Army Values and are always accountable for their actions. Disciplined formations train and operate safely, and do routine tasks out of habit which provides them with the flexibility to deal with the unexpected. Disciplined organizations are our most effective units in the decentralized nature of the contemporary operational environment. Disciplined leaders support their Soldiers, Families and Civilians by creating an environment that fosters collaborations, initiative, and demands doing what is right. We must instill and preserve the core traits that sustain our profession and keep our forces strong, effective, and safe.

b. TRAINING AND LEADER DEVELOPMENT. Leadership has always given our Army the edge. In his July 2009 guidance, the CSA presented his goals and objectives for the Army Training and Leader Development. Our country depends on us to be prepared to conduct full-spectrum operations. We will maximize opportunities to train as part of a joint and integrated team. Our Combat Training Centers and Senior Commanders must emphasize the lessons learned from the past nine years of war, while rebuilding the capability for home-station and full-spectrum training support. As the lead for the Army’s Collective Training Enterprise, we will look to the future as we define and rebalance full-spectrum home-station and the Combat Training Center training roles. In coordination with the Joint Forces Command, we will maintain the joint and combined warfare proficiency we have gained over the last nine years of combat. Given the ARFORGEN cycle, our formations will possess, sustain, and maintain the equipment necessary for full-spectrum operations. We must maximize our ability to mix light, heavy, Stryker, and SOF formations into our training opportunities. Leader development is integral to sustaining strong units. Individual and collective leader training will focus on the basics…ensuring our leaders understand and enforce standards for training, maintenance, conduct and accountability. We cannot waste our precious training opportunities; we must be prepared and we must take advantage of every opportunity to train.

c. MAINTENANCE. Maintenance is the cornerstone for ALL units, not only mechanized and aviation forces. With the impending drawdown of forces from Iraq, we must reinstate maintenance and sustainment education throughout the command. After nine years of combat we have deployed many new systems, some obtained through the Commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) acquisition process. We must rapidly institutionalize support for this equipment into our maintenance, sustainment, and education programs. Last, I ask everyone to remain vigilant to the prevention of fraud, waste and abuse. We must conserve the limited resources we have.

d. LEADING. Every leader is expected to set the standard for leadership, management, mentoring, and will be accountable for the health and performance of the force. Leaders must know their Soldiers and Civilians, develop, teach, and coach them so they can reach their full potential. I expect leaders at every level to assess the performance of our people honestly and openly. Soldiers and Civilians deserve the very best from their leaders, and we must do our part to make this happen. I expect leaders to be tactically and technically proficient. Good leaders have fun and have a sense of humor.

e. CARING. Caring for Soldiers, Civilians and their Families is essential to readiness. The performance of Soldiers and Civilians is directly related to their perception of self and their Family’s well-being. All Soldiers, Civilians and their Families will be treated with dignity, fairness and respect. I shall accept nothing less. We will support the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual well-being of our Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members.

f. RISK MANAGEMENT. Composite Risk Management (CRM) is an essential ingredient of readiness and must be integrated into all our planning, preparation, and execution processes as a holistic approach to making sound risk decisions. Conducting CRM to standard is key in preventing accidents, essential to preventing Soldiers from placing themselves and others in vulnerable positions, assists commanders to reduce uncertainty and emplace risk reduction measures, and is essential to ensuring we protect the force with appropriate Force Protection measures at both home and abroad. There is no mission or task so important that justifies compromising safety. I expect all units and organizations to make CRM and the enforcement of the risk mitigation measures developed to protect the force a routine part of their daily business.

2. Remember that our mission is to stay trained and ready…I’ll meet you on the high ground!!!

JAMES D. THURMAN

GENERAL, USA

COMMANDING

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Caveats: NONE

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

General Thurman is a native of Marietta, Oklahoma. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from East Central University and a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University.

In 1975, General Thurman received a Regular Army Commission
from the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor branch.

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

Gen. James D. Thurman (left), incoming U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) commander, accompanies Gen. Charles C. Campbell, outgoing commander, for Campbell's last inspection of the troops, during a June 3 change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga.

Thurman becomes 18th commander
of U.S. Army's largest command

Jun 3, 2010

By By Gary Jones, FORSCOM Public Affairs

FORT McPHERSON, Ga. (June 3, 2010) -- Gen. James D. Thurman became the 18th commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) during a ceremony on Hedekin Field here today.

Thurman succeeded Gen. Charles C. Campbell, who retired today following 40 years of service, becoming the last continuously serving Army officer who saw service in Vietnam to leave active duty.

As commander of the largest command in the U.S. Army, Thurman now oversees the training and readiness of more than 750,000 Soldiers in the active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve, plus 3,500 Army civilians.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. hosted the ceremony. He characterized the event as an important milestone in the life of the Army, describing the tradition of formally changing command in front of the troops as fundamental to the military's vitality.

Speaking about Campbell, the Army's senior general praised FORSCOM's outgoing commander, describing his service by using the outgoing FORSCOM commander's own words. "In his own words in the Army Times this week, (Gen. Campbell said) 'I would argue that the Army is probably more capable today than it was when we entered this fray eight and a half years ago, which is really without historical precedent.' It IS Hondo, and it's largely because of you and the Soldiers that you led," said Casey.

During his remarks, Thurman thanked the Soldiers present on the parade field and the tens of thousands of FORSCOM Soldiers they represented.

"A change of command ceremony is as much about recognizing the great Soldiers, Civilians and Army families as it is about recognizing the outgoing and incoming commanders," said Thurman.

"To the Soldiers in the formation, you look splendid. Today, you demonstrate the expertise prevalent in our force, and your competence and professionalism inspires all of us. Thank you for your sacrifice and service," he said.

Prior to assuming command of FORSCOM, Thurman served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, Headquarters, Department of the Army.

A native of Marietta, Okla., Thurman earned his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at East Central University in 1975.

Prior to FORSCOM, Thurman commanded at every echelon through corps. His first commanded a troop in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, then a squadron in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and another in the 3rd Infantry Division. Next, Thurman commanded a brigade in the 3rd Infantry Division, before taking command of the Operations Group at the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, Calif. He also commanded the 4th Infantry Division, and the V Corps in Germany.

Thurman's career includes extensive Army and Joint staff experience, including assignments as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy (J5), Allied Forces Southern Europe, Regional Command South in Italy; Director of Training, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, Headquarters, Department of the Army; Chief, Operations, Coalition Forces Land Component Command C3 in Kuwait; and Director, Army Aviation Task Force, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, Headquarters, Department of the Army.

Thurman's combat assignments were as a battalion executive officer in the 1st Cavalry Division, during operations Desert Shield/Storm from 1990-91; Chief of Operations for the Coalition Forces Land Component Command, during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2002-03; and as the Commander of the Multi-National Division-Baghdad, Iraq in 2006.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from East Central University and a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University. He has attended innumerable military schools, and Thurman is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.

His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Defense Superior Service Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Legion of Merit (three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (five Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters). General Thurman is a Senior Army Aviator and has earned the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

Plan to Use Cameras to Catch Uninsured Drivers Raises Privacy Concerns

Mike McCarville @ http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/ has done a GREAT job putting some light on this...

DPS Doesn't Have A Clue Where Highway Traffic 'Spy' Camera Revenue Estimate Came From

The Department of Public Safety admits in a solicitation for vendors bidding on Governor Henry's new statewide system of highway traffic "spy" cameras that it doesn't have a clue where an estimate of $50 million in new revenue for the state from the system came from.

That revelation is found in reading questions submitted by bidders, and the DPS response to them (Bid #5850000395). The DPS response to the questions is somewhat surprising given that it is the entity that has been in charge of requesting information from bidders.

Two bidders asked for the source of the revenue estimate; in both cases, DPS replied, "Unknown."

Reading the proposals also reveals that initially, the estimate of new revenue was $95 million. The income would flow from fines assessed against those without vehicle insurance. Even at $50 million, the sum listed in Henry's budget, it is estimated that more than 750 motorists without insurance would have to be fined per day to produce that much money for the state given that the vendor would be paid 25 to 30 percent of the fines collected. DPS reports there are 3.9 million vehicles in the state with 3.5 million of them being properly insured.

A DPS source told The McCarville Report Online he believes the first estimate came during one of the initial discussions about the Oklahoma system. He named the person he believes made the estimate, but TMRO was unable to contact that person during the Memorial Day holiday for confirmation.

The system, which would place 220 cameras across the state to photograph the license plates of passing vehicles, is designed to catch insurance scofflaws, those without the mandatory vehicle insurance.

But privacy advocates and civil libertarians see a much more sinister use of the information that would be gathered by the cameras. They note the apparent ease of tracking the movements of motorists, and the ability of the state to harvest unrelated information about the vehicle owner and place it into a computer database. That fear appears to be reinforced by advocates of the "Automated License Plate Recognition" (ALPR) system.

Governor Henry proposed the system as part of an effort to raise new revenue.

OHP Troop S working 9 to 5, and a ODOT SLUSH FUND?

Did Gary Ridley say that?

So, Gary just how much is in that
Size and Weights fund?

Spy Cameras: Is it about Money? Is It Public Safety? Or is it just Political Payback?

Mike McCarville @ http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/ has done a GREAT job putting some light on this...

Former OU and Dallas Cowboys football coach Barry Switzer, credited by some as being responsible for Governor Henry's upset victory in the 2002 governor's race, apparently is connected to a company that may benefit from Henry's plan to use highway traffic cameras to identify those without vehicle insurance.

While there's been no announcement that InsureNet will be the company chosen to process information obtained through the highway cameras, it has won contracts in other states as a "sole source provider," meaning it is the only firm able to perform the service.

Former Republican House member Wayne Pettigrew of Edmond is a national officer of the firm.

Switzer was a fundraiser for Henry in 2002 and again in 2006. His endorsement of Henry in the 2002 race, many believe, propelled Henry to victory. Switzer also was responsible for placing a last-minute series of Henry radio commercials with a jingle that became the hallmark of the campaign.

Bulletin ~ The House Transportation Committee heard a presentation last Wednesday on InsureNet, which provides paperless verification of motorists’ insurance status. Former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer, who implemented the program in Oklahoma, was present at our meeting.

Following the thread of disjointed information about InsureNet's efforts to bring the controversial cameras to Oklahoma highways also shines light on the involvement of others, including Republican Rep. Ken Miller of Edmond, the chairman of the powerful House Appropriations and Budget Committee and a candidate for state treasurer.

Miller authored House Bill 3326 in the 2008 session which authorized creation of the new license plates, which apparently became the first step in instituting the system and was a member of the committee that designed the plates. Miller, however, says the system would have worked with the state's previous license plates.
And, as with Henry, there's a political connection between Switzer and Miller.

Oklahoma Ethics Commission reports show Switzer donated $2,500 to Miller's 2010 reelection campaign.

In Henry's reelection campaign in 2006, Switzer repeated his 2002 donation generosity to Henry; he donated the maximum, $5,000.

Scott Pruitt - Suing Over Illegal Immigration?

Oklahoma Attorney General Candidate Scott Pruitt wants to sue government over state illegal immigration expenses

Oklahoma State Lawmakers Travel on OUR Dime

California, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, even Cuba and Canada are just some of the places Oklhoma Lawmakers went using our money. Lawmakers spent $1.5 million on travel, more than $155,000 to go out of state.

Senator Brian Bingman (R)

was one of the biggest spenders.

He filed travel claims for $7,661.33 worth of Energy Council conferences. Two of the trips were to Canada.

"It's quite an honor to, you know, represent my state," Bingman said. "We make recommendations, talk about policy that affects our state, other states and we send statements to the federal government, work with them you know, on energy policy."

In 2009, Bingman was the vice chairman of the group of energy producing states and Canadian provinces. He went on two trips while state revenue was down and two trips while state agencies faced a 5 percent cut.

When asked to tell about something he's done specifically after going to these conferences that people could see the benefit of, he said, "Uh, there's probably, I'd have to think about that."

Sen Charles Wyrick (D) traveled to Cuba in December of 2008 with the State Secretary of Agriculture and seven other people. The state paid for three people's trips, including Wyrick's $2,232.92 share.

"If you're trying to be critical of why I went, I think it's obvious why we went," said Senator Charles Wyrick.

Senator Earl Garrison's (D) trip to the National Conference of State Legislators Summit in Philadelphia, last July. The conference suggested 15 hotels but, Garrison chose to stay at the most expensive one, the Ritz Carlton.

Miss Oklahoma in the Spotlight

Morgan Woolard on racy lingerie photos,
Carrie Prejean controversy and
Donald Trump's support