Oklahoma GOP State Legislator Wants Oklahoma Science Teachers to Have the Freedom to Question Their Textbooks

Can I say I am tired of Baptist in our Legislature with their 6,000 year old earth and dinosaurs roamed the earth with humans theories?  Not saying that Rep Blackwell subscribes to these theories but know of plenty of Baptist in Oklahoma who won't allow their children to visit the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History on the OU campus because it dates the earth back millions of years.  They don't want their children to hear the truth preferring to feed them the hard right religious version of history of the world.

It is a fascinating place to visit and my children and now my grandchildren love visiting.  It is so well done making it easy to follow as the earth went from one age to the next.


Kids love going up in the elevator to the second floor to be greeted by the dinosaur head -- little kids get so excited. There is a workshop area for kids and on the second floor they cover the wildlife here in Oklahoma where you can hear the birds, see the buffalo, the snakes with their rattlers moving, roadrunners, and all kinds of animals on display that you have to look twice to see they are not real.  It gives a whole history of wildlife in this part of the Country.

Oklahoma used to be under water and today we have the Wichita Mountains which are actually 5,000 feet tall but have gradually been sinking into the ground.  Now the hard right comes along and wants to teach their version of science in our public schools -- how about confusing children or more important why are children of the non-hard right going to be forced to learn junk science that has been debunked. If my kids had not graduated and came home from school with a theory the earth was 6,000 year old from a a science teacher, that school principle would wish my kids were not in their school.  I value a good education and some things are not subject to interpretation and the junk science of the age of the of the earth being 6,000 years old is one of them.  It is mixing someone's religion and science no matter what Blackwell says as this has been part of the curriculum change in the Platform at the State GOP Convention for years.

Several years ago they demanded the Bible be taught in classrooms and made the mistake of asking which Bible and got told there is only one -- have a lot more then that in my home.  I find this bill goes against everything I believe about a public education and time the legislature got their noses out of the classroom.  If they don't like what public schools teach, then send their kids to a private Christian school.  This Country is not theocracy and was not founded on the Bible no matter how much the hard right wants to rewrite history.

Another example of a legislator in Oklahoma trying to tell schools what they can teach.

New bill gives Oklahoma science teachers the freedom to question their textbooks 

Posted on: 4:02 pm, March 27, 2014, by Paige Hill, updated on: 04:17pm, March 27, 2014

OKLAHOMA – The debate over how science should be taught in Oklahoma classrooms is back. 

Lawmakers say teachers need more freedom. 

The Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act makes its way on the agenda every year. It gives teachers the freedom to editorialize hot button issues like evolution and climate change. 

The author, Representative Gus Blackwell believes science is wide open to a range of theories, while science educators disagree. 

“This bill really is misunderstood by a lot of people,” says Blackwell. 

Blackwell says the bill’s current language doesn’t mandate teaching creationism in the classroom, but instead gives teachers the right to talk about it and other scientific theories. 

“We just say a lot of people say it so it must be true and that’s it and you need to accept it,” says Blackwell. 

Blackwell says his law is needed to protect educators who want to explore what he calls controversial scientific issues, like evolution and climate change. 

“Many times they just say, ‘I don’t want to do anything that might rock the boat. I’m worried about it,” says Blackwell. “I think this bill says no you do have the academic freedom to explore.” 

The Oklahoma Science Teachers Association is concerned. They say current text-books describing evolution and climate change are more than wild theories that you can pick and choose. 

Board member Bob Melton says, “There is no doubt, or discussion, or controversy about evolution or climate change.” 

Melton says this bill opens a door for teachers to stray far from accepted science.
“Established theories are that. They are explanations of how the world works and they’re based on solid evidence and that should be the focus of our science and structure,” says Melton. “Any controversy is actually a political controversy.” 

The bill will not allow teachers to teach their own opinion unless they use existing scientific theories. 

It also specifically states teachers do not have the freedom to promote a certain religion or religious doctrine. 

If passed, it will be in effect by next school year.

Freedom to the hard right I have discovered after living years in Oklahoma is freedom for them to say and do what they want and the rest of us have to follow along!

Won't be silenced nor will millions like me who have had it with the religious right and their version of history and now science.  The United States of America's Constitution says freedom of religion which means we are free to choose how we want to worship without state interference.   It would do Republicans some good if they remembered that but it would mean they would have to read and comprehend what something says which they have a hard time doing today.  Common sense has left the Republican Party.  We can thank President Reagan for that when he brought in the religious right types to win his primary and election.  The culture of the white male was  brought back to prominence -- we are paying a heavy price for that today.  Just ask women and minorities about the culture of the white male dominated society they want where they don't want any of us to vote.

We have a chance in Oklahoma to start to right the ship and bring some common sense back to our public schools instead of the nonsense from the heavy Republican Legislature and Governor.  Rep Joe Dorman is the person to get the job done -- he is going to need help of not only parents but all Oklahomans who value a good education.  Many of us have had it with the hard right school agenda they are trying to foster on our public schools!   Let's get behind Joe and take Oklahoma back Blue to Common Sense on November 4, 2014!

Note:  I am not paid or employed by any political campaign.  The views are my own. 

Majority of Oklahomans Oppose Tax Cuts!

Will the Republican Governor and Legislature Listen?

Oklahomans are waking up to the fact these Republicans in State Government will bankrupt state entities in order to give their wealthy donors more tax cuts.  Voters are not happy as recent polling is starting to show:

Voter Support for Income Tax Cuts Falls
By MATT TROTTER

A new poll shows falling voter support for Oklahoma personal income tax cuts. 

Approval of income tax cuts fell from 52 to 46 percent. When surveyed voters were asked if they approve of cuts an analysis says would largely benefit the top 1 percent of Oklahoma households, less than one-third did. 

"There really is nobody at this point, no constituency out there clamoring for tax cuts," said Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt. "At the same time, you have a legislature that still seems hell-bent on passing a tax cut whether anybody's asking for one or not." 

Tax cut support among voters is even lower when asked which public services they favor cutting to support lower income taxes.

The poll also asked voters whether an educated and well-trained workforce or low personal income tax rates were more important to economic growth in the state. 

"People understand that it's an educated and well-trained workforce," Blatt said. "Seventy-four percent responded that an educated workforce is what's needed to create economic growth, compared to 17 percent who said low personal income tax rates." 

The poll of 610 registered Oklahoma voters was conducted earlier this month by Washington, D.C.-based Global Strategy Group.

From OK Policy Email, 24 March 2014:

Less than half of Oklahoma voters now say they support income tax cut plans, and opposition jumps to more than 60 percent when voters learn more about the plan. OETA reported on implications of a study that ranks Oklahoma near the bottom in the nation for family financial security

From Together Oklahoma Email, 24 March 2014:

Oklahomans Agree...
A new public opinion poll shows that less than half of Oklahoma registered voters now support the plan to reduce the state’s top income tax rate. Huge majorities oppose cutting funding for services like education, public safety, and health care to pay for tax cuts. Oklahomans know that isn't a good trade.

The poll shows that Oklahomans are starting to pay attention, but chances are high that our legislators haven't got the message. We are the anti-tax cut majority, but we won't be heard if we don't speak up! 

Tell your legislators: "Fund my services, don't cut my taxes!"

Haven't talked to my conscientious objector State Rep since he was elected and not about to start now.   The man joined the National Guard to have them pay for college and when he found out they were being deployed declared CO status not once but on two separate occasions.  He also lied about where he was living.  First time he ran we had a State GOP Chair who agreed a GOP CO should not be elected along with State House office holders. Then the hard right took over Oklahoma GOP and he got the support of the State Party.  Because he has an (R) behind his name some people here vote for him without any hesitation.   He has accomplished one thing -- help lead me to support Democrats for good.  Cannot take the hard right and their 'my way or no way attitude' which is prevalent in their ranks.

Maybe there is hope after all since people are waking up on tax cuts maybe they will wake up to the fact that our statewide Republicans in some offices in state government are costing taxpayers a lot of money.  Sill waiting for someone to explain why our state Attorney General is wasting tax dollars supporting a law suit by a Republican Major donor David Green who heads Hobby Lobby before the SCOTUS on the ACA mandate for birth control.  

Like many Oklahomans we are getting tired of social issues being the end all be all.  Many of us are upset that vouchers and charter schools are being pushed by the OK State School Superintendent Barrisi at the expense of public schools using text books from Bob Jones University which has been proven to be a fringe University years ago along with Beka Books.  These schools are teaching creationism and substituting conservative ideology for science.   At the same time we are seeing school funding cut by the OK legislature since taking over in January 2009 by over $600M -- why?  Have they gone that far right that normal voters are starting to wake up?  We can only hope!

Now will the Governor finally wake up and realize that Oklahoma cannot afford a tax cut?  We have our serious doubts since major donors are pushing for more tax cuts:

“Lets take this opportunity to show the country that lower taxes and limited government do work,” Fallin said. “We believe in them for a reason. The Oklahoma way and not the Washington way is the best way to support economic growth and help the middle class, Oklahomans and Americans.” 

Secretary of Finance Preston Doerflinger said the $7 billion budget contains $71 million in budget cuts. Cuts would include $47.7 million from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and $49.4 million from the Regents for Higher Education. 

In response to the budget released by the state, University of Oklahoma President Boren released a statement. 

“This budget will be very damaging to the future of our state if it is not modified in the weeks ahead. How can we afford another tax cut when we are already shortchanging the education of our children and grandchildren? Failure to adequately support higher education and all of education will discourage the creation of new jobs and investments in our state. Investors are looking for a highly-educated and trained work force. It is a tragic mistake to invest less per student in education than is being invested in surrounding states.” 

David Blatt of the Oklahoma Policy Institute responded that as Fallin calls for another tax cut, the budget is already $572 million below Fiscal Year 2009 after inflation. Oklahoma has jumped from a budget shortfall in a national recession to an equally serious shortfall of our own creation, he said. 

“Especially troubling is that at a time when Medicaid needs new funding just to continue existing services, the governor suggests cutting state funding for Medicaid while continuing to refuse federal funds,” Blatt said.

If the Governor was truly for limited government, she would tell the hard right there is a moratorium on social issues and quit wasting our tax dollars joining lawsuits against ACA which has been declared the law of the land by SCOTUS.  Gov Fallin knows in her heart the right thing to do for Oklahomans would have been to take ACA Exchanges but she caved to the hard right and now our Medicaid recipients are going to be cut even more along with education.  This is not responsible governing but putting your reelection ahead of what is best for the State of Oklahoma.  Count her as another Republican I was wrong about -- they are mounting up as they put re-election over doing the right thing -- shame on the whole bunch of them.  It is a joke that they say they are for limited government but want to tell the rest of us what we can do -- my way or no way attitude is on full display.

The experiment to put the Republicans in charge of states has failed -- please join in returning common sense to our state government -- no more social issues and fully fund education and infrastructure at the state level.  Today's Republicans have trouble with the facts when it comes to tax breaks:

Republican War on the Unemployed, Poor and Education

When doing the research for this article, totally forgot about the 'chastity training' that wasted $250M of our tax dollars in the Welfare Reform Bill signed by Clinton.  If you count up all the waste on programs that were useless over the years including the War on Drugs, the deficit might be cut to zero.  Feel good titles don't make programs good programs.  

One program that I thought was outstanding was 'Reading is Fundamental (RIF)' which focused on teaching children to read in the public schools plus encouraging parents to read to their kids.  Today that is a program you hear nothing about.  It was replaced by the bi-partisan "No Child Left Behind" which is still being attacked by Republican Conservatives in the States.  It needed some tweaks but it was a good idea that Senator Ted Kennedy fully supported along with President Bush.

My grandchildren are read to by my kids all the time -- it shows up in how well they are doing in school. My son brings a book home every time he travels and has been doing it since his son was very young. RIF was worth every nickel because reading is the basis for all that we do throughout life from reading a newspaper or book to reading recipe's to reading how to do something you have never done around your home and the list is endless.  No child should be left behind when it comes to reading because it is something that stays with them throughout their whole life.  That also means they need start to the day with breakfast to be able to do their best and be able to concentrate.  If you are hungry, concentration is hard.

Worked many book fairs when my kids were in school, bought a lot of books, and now my daughter is doing the same with my two granddaughters.  Kids love going to book fairs at their school so they can pick out a book, take it home, show their parents, and have it read to them or the child read the book to their parents.  At one school my children attended, we had a fund so every child in the school could buy a book at the book fair.  Remember one little girl in first grade who was in a foster home with her siblings leaving the book fair clutching her book.  Later that morning when I worked with her on her reading, we read the book, and she gave me a hug to thank me as I helped her pick it out and paid for her book.  All these years later it still touches my heart and wonder how I was ever in the same party with these bunch of heartless Republicans today because I believe in public education and helping those that need the help the most.

You want to end the cycle of poverty?  Give these young kids a good education.  Instead many red states like mine are cutting back on education to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.  In our case, the Court ruled the tax cut was against the Constitution so now Oklahoma Republicans want to change the way judges are chosen.

Looking back at 1996 and the War on Poverty signed into law by Clinton and pushed by the GOP, it was actually a culmination of the conservative attacks against the poor starting with Barry Goldwater's run for President.  President Bush tried to use the words 'compassionate' conservative to describe himself because unlike a lot of conservatives he believed in helping the poor and those less fortunate. Shame he had Dick Cheney as his VP.   This country went from the War on Poverty of the 60's started by LBJ to end poverty to undermining of the War on Poverty 50 years later by the GOP by cutting food stamps, unemployment benefits, and welfare payments treating the poor like second class citizens.

One thing that bothered me out of the Agriculture Committee in the House in 2013 chaired by Frank Lucas was the drastic cut to food stamps while keeping most of the subsidies to the big farmers some of who are in Congress.  Lucas subsidies are small compared to other members some who get over $1M. Committee chairman Lucas said that the bill’s proposed cuts to SNAP “won’t take a calorie off the plate of anyone who needs help.”  Something is wrong with this picture when a Chairman who receives subsidies says cuts to SNAP food program for the poor won't hurt them.  My comeback is that all farm subsidies should be discontinued for any farmer making over $75,000 a year.  The very idea that the US Taxpayer pays for subsidies to some of the big corporate farms and members of Congress makes me furious.

To this day, I never figured out President Clinton's going along with the GOP led by Speaker Gingrich to undermine the safety net for the poor.  Not everyone on food stamps or assistance is a 'Welfare Queen' as declared by Ronald Reagan.  One big problem at the state level more then any welfare fraud has been the inept Department of Human Services in some states like Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Florida for starters.

Oklahoma DHS was so bad it had to pay $6M to a New York advocacy group who exposed how bad they were so would expect that now they are fixing the problems.  WRONG!  In this article from The Oklahoman, it details the first report of the independent group which shows DHS needs help to improve child welfare practices which they were told to fix by the Legislature.  Guess they couldn't handle the fixes:

THREE out-of-state experts who are monitoring the state's child welfare reform efforts rapped the Department of Human Services pretty good in their first progress report Wednesday. The report also included this message for the Legislature and the general public: Their help is also needed.

Think Progress has the history of the War on Poverty from LBJ to the current time which spans 50 years.  Still trying to figure out why Republican Conservatives were and are so against those less fortunate and what is their objection to giving them a helping hand.  Makes no sense.  But it made no sense to me that in 1996, President Clinton gave into Speaker Gingrich and Republicans:

In 1996, President Clinton signed the law that did away with guaranteed income assistance for poor families with children and replaced it with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The program provided states with federal block grants to support income assistance and other services for low-income families with children and included a “work first” requirement. 

The GOP-backed measure was based on the principle that “Having children out of wedlock is wrong — not simply economically unwise for the individuals involved or a financial burden on society, but morally wrong.” Even Clinton’s Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna E. Shalala, fully embraced the argument in a comment that stigmatized single mothers, telling Newsweek, “I don’t like to put this in moral terms, but I do believe that having children out of wedlock is just wrong,” In fact, the original bill “appropriated $250 million over five years for ‘chastity training‘ for poor single mothers.”

In the lead-up to today's attacks on the safety net, we had former MA Governor Romney running for President when he talked about The 47 percent at a fundraiser for wealthy donors in FL.

The height of the GOP opposition came during Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, when the candidate argued that 47 percent of Americans are “dependent upon government.” Speaking to donors in the days following the election, the former Massachusetts governor echoed the arguments of the 1960s, speculating that Obama won because he was “very generous” to his base. “The President’s campaign,” he said, “focused on giving targeted groups a big gift—so he made a big effort on small things. Those small things, by the way, add up to trillions of dollars.” 

Romney’s running mate, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), authored budgets that would make extreme cuts in the social safety net laid down by Johnson’s War on Poverty, and disproportionately impact women and people of color. For instance, under Ryan’s leadership, the GOP budget would repeal the Affordable Care Act, a law that provides health care security for millions of working poor Americans by expanding Medicaid for individuals and families earning above 138 percent of the federal poverty line, push more than 12 million Americans out of the food stamps program, and secure steep reductions for child care, Head Start, job training, Pell Grants, housing, energy assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and TANF. The majority of those who rely on these programs are the groups who were the targets of attacks on the War on Poverty over the last half-century.

Just when I thought the Republican Party couldn't get any dumber after the 2012 Presidential campaign when it comes to the unemployed, I have been proven wrong once again with the latest out from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor on how Republicans need to spin their lack of support for the unemployment bill.  Sitting here shaking my head realizing the GOP can be that dumb!

House GOP Issues Unemployment Insurance Talking PointsBy Matt FullerPosted at 5:52 p.m. on Jan. 7 

House Republican leadership sent out four talking points Tuesday for GOP members who may be worried that Democrats have some traction on the unemployment insurance issue. 

Here is the full memo: 

KEY POINTS:  EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION

• For every American out of work, it’s a personal crisis for them and their family. That’s why House Republicans remain focused on creating jobs and growing the economy.

• Dozens of House-passed jobs bills remain sitting in the Democratic-run Senate awaiting action, including the SKILLS Act which helps long-term unemployed get training often needed to re-enter the workforce.

• Washington has lost its priorities if it’s more focused on making unemployment easier to tolerate than it is getting people back to work and restoring independence all together.

• If Democrats can produce a plan that is fiscally responsible as well as does something to actually create jobs, the House will give it proper consideration. Until then, our focus will remain where it belongs: on creating jobs and putting Americans back to work.

The memo also provided a link to the website of Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, where members can read “more details about House-passed jobs bills awaiting action in the Democratic-run Senate.” 

Anyone with a brain knows that any jobs bills that passed the House left a lot to be desired like everything but leave it to the GOP to spin a narrative devoid of facts.  Voters need to realize that this worthless GOP House cares more about making the President look bad then getting anything done.

Suggested on Twitter today:

Think it is time Congress got paid by the hour instead of a flat rate.  US Treas could save money w/so few days GOP House works!  

Big question is why are they paid full time for part-time work?  The GOP House plans to work less days this year then last year when they were the least productive House in history.  Now they are out to break that record.

If you are in a Republican Congressional District, please help get out the vote to oust some of these worthless Congressman taking our tax dollars and doing little!

SCOTUS Leaves Intact Oklahoma Supreme Court Ruling on Ultrasound Abortion Law is Unconstitutional

The rebuff marks the second time this month that the high court has declined to reinstate Oklahoma abortion regulations.  

This should come as no surprise but to have this new ruling be the second time in a ten days SCOTUS has rejected an Oklahoma abortion bill may be a record.  First one that was rejected would have ended abortion in Oklahoma because of outlawing any drugs that could be used in abortion including to save the life of the mother.  If the baby died in the womb, the Mother had to carry the baby to term under that Neanderthal law.

First of all this is not a subject that I like to write about since I am opposed to all these new laws that affect a woman's right to choose which automatically gets me labeled as pro-choice when, in fact, I don't think it is any of my business to tell a woman what to do when it comes to an abortion.  It is a personal decision, and I don't walk in her shoes or know her circumstances.  What I do know is the pro-life community is one of the nastiest group of people I have ever met.  The very fact that they demand that we all think alike and they make NO exception for the life of the mother, incest, or rape is all I need to know.  What galls me the most is that many of the people so opposed to abortion for any reason are white males.

Once again the SCOTUS has rejected or outright thrown out an abortion law passed by our hard right legislature who cannot seem to get an education bill passed on time with full funding.  Let a social issue bill come up for a vote and it breezes through the legislature and the Governor signs even when they know chances of being implemented are slim to none.   Big waste of taxpayer dollars.  No one should be in office that allows their personal beliefs to replace the Laws of the Land.  It is not their job to impose their beliefs on everyone else but to conduct their job in an ethical manner according to the law even if they don't agree with the law.  Attorney Generals in red states are way overstepping today and costing the taxpayers millions with their lawsuits.  They need to do their job in an unbiased manner which is what they are elected to do no matter the party.

What is with ALEC Legislatures that pass bills, they get signed into law, and are unconstitutional? What may have started out as a good idea with ALEC has turned into a monster since the Koch Bros became involved.  They write most of the bills and for some reason have made anti-abortion a major centerpiece of legislation as the War on Women's Rights keeps increasing.  I have my theory that it is to raise money from the pro-life community who gives dollars at the mention of abortion to be used by the Koch Bros to defeat all moderate GOP and Democrats.

This is SOP for Oklahoma abortion laws because our legislature keeps overreaching and forgetting that Federal Law trumps State Law which they should not have to be reminded but thought I would throw that in since the hard right GOP seems to forget that fact.  

Oklahoma Rejected by Top Court on Ultrasound Abortion LawBy Greg Stohr - Nov 12, 2013 12:01 PM CT 

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to revive an Oklahoma abortion law that would have required doctors to first perform an ultrasound, show it to the woman and describe what the image depicts. 

Rejecting an appeal by state officials, the justices left intact an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that invalidated the law as placing an unconstitutional burden on abortion rights.

The rebuff marks the second time this month that the high court has declined to reinstate Oklahoma abortion regulations. The justices earlier dropped a planned case over restrictions on drug-induced abortions after the Oklahoma Supreme Court said the state’s law would have outlawed all such procedures.

The rebuff is “another clear message to lawmakers across the U.S. that attacks on women’s health, rights and dignity are patently unconstitutional and will not be allowed to stand,” said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights. That group sued to challenge the law on behalf of Nova Health Systems, an abortion provider. 

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt argued that the ultrasound requirement was a legitimate effort to ensure that a woman wouldn’t later regret her decision to have an abortion. 

Pruitt said in a statement that a federal appeals court had upheld a similar ultrasound law in Texas. 

“The unfortunate message sent by the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision in this case is that when it comes to abortion regulations, what is legal in other states is illegal in Oklahoma,” he said. 

Excerpt:  Read More at Bloomberg

Making women pay for an ultrasound when they want an abortion is just wrong.  Can you imagine having been raped and having to endure an ultrasound or even worse having to terminate a pregnancy due to the danger of a mother's health?  In some states, you cannot get an abortion after 20 weeks even if your baby has died or will never be a viable person.  Do these neanderthal Republicans even think of the consequences of their action?  Is this all about being a he-man on procreation.  The white male dominated GOP of today has idiots in it that say you cannot get pregnant from a rape because of some hormone that prevents the pregnancy.   How demeaning to a woman that has been raped and does get pregnant.

These are the same white males who are cutting the SNAP program for the poor, want to do away with the school breakfast and lunch, head start funds,  and almost forgot the WIC Program that provides nutrition to the mother and child.  What we are left with is a Party that wants no abortion and is against contraceptives, but do not want to take care of the children AFTER they are born?  That defies common sense but then common sense is not two words I would use with the GOP today -- there is none left in about 90% of the Tea Party base as they drove the rest of us out.

Will never understand the fixation on abortion, contraceptives, and pregnancy in the GOP.  Have asked for years why it is okay for men to get male enhancement drugs or drugs for erectile dysfunction but not okay to pay for contraceptives to prevent pregnancy?  The standard reply on a website was that it affects their 'manhood' and that their job is to 'make babies' so I assume they believe that a woman only has one job and that is to have their children with a mentality like that.  Cannot tell you the number of times I have blasted these Neanderthals.  They are the original women should not be allowed to vote or express their opinion on politics, should not be in the workforce unless they work for them, and are to be the good little housewife who stays home with her children and doesn't venture into the real world.

True story:  Was leaving a restaurant talking to a guy about politics when he said he tells his wife he votes for her because she doesn't understand anything about politics and would vote wrong - he got my raised eyebrow, rolling eye look.  I kept telling myself to keep my mouth shut but I said finally said "you must be kidding" and he said "honest truth" and was left to get to my car as fast as I could and then later ask someone close if he really meant that and he concurred he meant that.  Welcome to the GOP white males of today who want to dominate everything when it comes to women.

When someone asks me why I can no longer support Republicans, it is easy -- believe I have as much right to my vote, my opinion, and my beliefs as any male -- they have no right to tell me how to vote, think, or to sit down and shut up.  Women need to become more vocal who are willing to stand up for what is right and fight these GOP Neanderthals at every turn as they attempt to turn back the clocks on women's rights across the board.   The so-called "Patriotic" Republican white male dominated party with their wives who listen to them and follow their lead need a lesson on elections since they cannot take losses and still try to enforce their beliefs on the rest of us starting with abortion after they lost nationwide.  

Oklahoma Won't Process Benefits for Married, Same Sex Couples on State Property

Welcome to Oklahoma where the Governor and Attorney General believe that state law trumps federal law!

Oklahoma Governor Ignores Pentagon Criticism, Still Won't Offer Benefits For Married Gay Couples

The Huffington Post  |  By Paige Lavender 

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said her state's taxpayer-funded National Guard facilities and employees will not process benefits for married, same-sex couples, despite Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel criticizing the move days ago. 

On Nov. 1, Hagel said it's "wrong" for states to defy the Pentagon by refusing benefits for same-sex spouses of military members. 

"Not only does this violate the states' obligation under federal law, their actions have created hardship and inequality by forcing couples to travel long distances to federal military bases to obtain the ID cards they're entitled to," Hagel said during a speech. 

According to the AP, Fallin said Wednesday that all marriage benefits will be processed by federal employees at four federally owned National Guard facilities and at the state's five military bases. Her refusal to allow federal employees to process benefits for same-sex couples is not new -- in September, Fallin ordered the National Guard to stop processing gay couples' requests. 

Tulsa World reports Fallin reached her most recent decision with Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. She said in a statement that her decision wouldn't put Oklahoma in conflict with federal law despite the apparent conflict with Hagel's orders: 

Oklahoma law is clear. The state of Oklahoma does not recognize same sex marriages, nor does it confer marriage benefits to same sex couples. The decision reached today allows the National Guard to obey Oklahoma law without violating federal rules or policies. It protects the integrity of our state Constitution and sends a message to the federal government that they cannot simply ignore our laws or the will of the people.

Do State Leaders know how dumb that sounds when so many of the bills passed through the overwhelmingly GOP Legislature and signed by the OK Republican Governor get overturned as Unconstitutional.  The one that gets me the most and waste our tax dollars is the requirement that only "ONE" subject be in a bill but that doesn't phase our legislature and Governor as they continue to put more then one subject in a bill at the last minute to sneak it through and then it gets overturned because it is against the Constitution.  That is just dumb but frankly that sums up our State Government.  Don't know how many Press Releases have gone out on grading standards for Oklahoma schools as the Governor and her staff try to clarify the clarification.

New Jersey got the message when their DOMA was overturned by SCOTUS so how long will it be before Oklahoma DOMA is overturned?  4.3.2.1!

On June 26, 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled DOMA unconstitutional which opened the way for gays to eventually marry in New Jersey.   On October 18, 2013, after a ruling approving gay marriage by the NJ Supreme Court, Gov Christie back off and even though he personally objected, he decided to abide by the law and help the people of New Jersey who were gay and wanted to marry.

Whether you agree or disagree with Governor Christie that is one example of why he was overwhelmingly re-elected in New Jersey as he abides by the law which is rare out of a lot of GOP Governor's today who believe they know more than the Federal Government.  They have taken the 10th Amendment way too far.

Cannot wait to see heads explode one of these days when the Oklahoma DOMA gets overturned. Today's hard right put out in front social issues as their litmus test which I fail miserably because frankly most of their social issues turn me off as they are so hard right and dictatorial  with no wiggle room.  I am going to sit back and laugh when the day arrives that DOMA in Oklahoma is dead.

There is no place in this Country for discrimination on any level and time Oklahoma finally woke up out of the Republican slumber and realized that we are part of the United States first and Oklahoma second.  When the SCOTUS rules, it affects every last American even if the Oklahoma Governor and Attorney General don't think it does.

Oklahoma State Agency Heads Get $40,000 to $50,000 Raises -- State Employees No Raises for Eight Years

It is unclear how many other state agency heads may have received large pay increases because agencies are not required to report the pay hikes to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services until August, said John Estus, spokesman for that agency.  Randy Ellis, The Oklahoman, who is a true investigative reporter

Just on the face of it, it is bad PR for the Governor and the Agency Heads but it is business as usual in Oklahoma -- move along nothing to see here.  Without Randy Ellis and his investigative reporting doubt if we would have known.   Almost speechless but not quite.  If I was a State Employee, I would be furious!

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and other Republican office holders chose a Philadelphia Company to do a study on state government agency head salaries in Oklahoma where the cost of living is much lower?  This is who they chose:

Hay Group is a global management consulting firm that works with leaders to transform strategy into reality. We develop talent, organize people to be more effective and motivate them to perform at their best.

Why would they choose the Hay Group out of Philadelphia plus why would any State Agency in Oklahoma give a $40,000 or $50,000 pay raise to anyone when the state employees have received no raise in eight years?  The Governor's Office said -- it is because the study on raises for state employees is not finished.  What a cop-out.  Wish I could take back my vote for 2010.  This is insanity at any level but in the State of Oklahoma where we rank dead last or near last in many categories including teacher salaries.  The State School Superintendent wants to give a $2,000 raise to teachers who are ranked 49th in the nation for pay but after the $2,000 they will still be ranked 49th.  Yet we give the head of Tourism a $40,000 pay increase for being on the job 2 1/2 years.  The best one is the new Secretary of State going from $90,000 to $140,000 a year which is $50,000 salary increase for the former Speaker of the OK House.

Next question -- Where are the Democrat voices in this travesty?  So far I can find no comments out of Democrat Chair Wallace Collins.  I swear Republicans put him in office as he does next to nothing and you never hear a peep out of him no matter how great the travesty.  It is like Oklahoma Democrats have no voice in Oklahoma right now.  Republicans can do whatever they want and the State Democrats don't challenge them.  It is amazing to sit and observe the crickets out of the State Democratic Party. Yet they wonder why people don't switch who are totally fed up with the Republican Party?

To put this in perspective, regular members of Congress are paid $172,000 a year and maintain two residences with DC being very expensive.  Cost of living in OK is relatively cheap compared to other states and the new Secretary of State gets a $50,000 pay raise done by a study out of a firm in PA? You cannot equate salaries of Government employees with the private sector -- it doesn't compute for those that want to compare to oil and gas executive salaries to state Government.  No one deserves this type of pay raise - noted they went for the top amount recommended almost every time.

Where is the accountability to the taxpayers?  The whole process should be transparent and every Oklahoman informed of what the heads of agencies make.  Lt Gov Lamb was right to vote against this IMHO!  He was one of two honest people on the Tourism board appointed by the Governor so no one needs to say that she has no input as she and the legislature appoint the board members.    

State employees haven't had a raise in 8 years, yet the Boards of State Agencies appointed by the Governor are giving $40,000 to $50,000 raises which are obscene to heads of their agencies.  The new Secretary of State who works directly for the Governor is getting a $50,000 raise even though he was just hired.  BTW Chris Benge is the former Speaker of the Oklahoma House.

Oklahoma state legislature is one of the highest paid of surrounding states for four months of session every year and yet get year around healthcare provided by the State.  Thought Democrats were bad when we first moved here but the GOP has caught up and gone around them in wasting taxpayer dollars.  That tax cut never should have happened last session until schools are fully funded, infrastructure is fixed, and state employees get a decent wage among other items.  Discovering ALEC controls this state makes me shake my head.

FYI, Deby Snodgrass, who now heads tourism was part of the original consulting firm of now Congressman Tom Cole, known as Cole, Hargrove, and Snodgrass.  Is the picture clearer?  Anyone involved in politics here knows there are several factions in the GOP from the last Governor's race. Suffice to say that Snodgrass's former partner was not on the same side as the current Governor.

Still stunned at how high these raises are for heads of agencies we know about - who knows how high some others are because they don't have to report until August 2014.

Oklahoma agency heads granted five-digit pay increases 

Oklahoma Tourism Executive Director Deby Snodgrass was granted a $40,000 pay increase last week, making her the latest of several state agency heads to be awarded huge salary increases and sparking criticism from the Oklahoma Public Employees Association. 

By Randy Ellis Modified: October 28, 2013 at 9:51 pm • Published: October 28, 2013 

Oklahoma Tourism Executive Director Deby Snodgrass was granted a $40,000 pay increase last week, making her the latest of several state agency heads to be awarded five-digit salary increases and sparking criticism from the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.

Tom Dunning, communications coordinator for the Oklahoma Public Employees Association, said the raises are frustrating to rank-and-file state employees — many of whom have gone years without raises and been told by lawmakers that they would have to await the results of a compensation study due out in November before they would be given pay hike consideration. 

“These raises should only happen after the study is released and the state begins addressing front line staff pay,” Dunning said. “Raising top administrators' pay while their staff waits sends a message to staff that the top jobs are important and the other jobs are not. This just further demoralizes state agency staff, many of whom have not had a raise in years.” 

Besides Snodgrass, other state agency heads confirmed by The Oklahoman to have received large pay increases this year include Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Director Stan Florence, whose pay was increased by nearly $47,000 in June; Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Commissioner Terri White, whose salary was raised by nearly $40,000 in September; and state Banking Commissioner Mick Thompson, whose salary was raised by about $14,000 in May. 

Florence's salary went from $80,138 to $127,000, White's salary rose from $133,455 to $173,318, and Thompson's salary went from $137,239 to about $151,000. 

In addition, the salary of Oklahoma's secretary of state was raised from $90,000 to $140,000 when Gov. Mary Fallin announced last week that she had appointed former House Speaker Chris Benge to succeed Larry Parman in that position, said Michael McNutt, the governor's press secretary. 

It is unclear how many other state agency heads may have received large pay increases because agencies are not required to report the pay hikes to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services until August, said John Estus, spokesman for that agency. 

The Tourism Commission voted 5-2 last week to raise Snodgrass' salary from about $86,000 to $126,508. 

Snodgrass said she was grateful for the raise. 

“I am humbled and grateful to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commissioners for the trust and faith they have placed in me,” she said. “They have decided to increase my compensation to the midpoint established in the OMES Human Capital Management Division's Agency Director Salary Review.” 

“Tourism is a $7.1 billion industry in Oklahoma and continues to experience significant growth, year over year. It is the state's third-largest industry. I am honored to serve in this position and help fine tune this vital economic engine so the industry can go further and faster toward revenue increases and job growth that benefits all Oklahomans.” 

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb cast one of the two votes against the pay increase. Lamb, who serves as chairman of the commission, said his vote was “no reflection on the job of the director or the tourism staff.” 

“They work very hard for the people, but I believe we should be very diligent in how we spend taxpayers' money,” Lamb said. “At this time with our state budget, and also with the current study that is taking place … with all the state employees, that gave me a little pause. And a greater pause and concern that I have is that we're currently in the middle of a state trooper shortage … and the trooper pay in the state is significantly low compared to the region.” 

Law enforcement is a “core function” of government and should get top consideration, he said. 

Many of this year's executive pay increases are linked to a study of agency director salaries done by the Hay Group, a consulting firm retained by the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services to recommend maximum and minimum salaries for each position. The Legislature directed the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to have the study done in HB 1717. 

Read More at The Oklahoman about this travesty

Going to take a while to get over this because it makes little to no sense to give that big of raises to state employees.  It is like taxpayer dollars are being used to buy support for the Governor's re-election campaign by making sure the agency heads are very well paid in a state with a low cost of living.  Note to boards -- Oklahoma is not on the east or west coast with high cost of living but you just gave out huge raises like we are.

Most people I have talked with since I found this last night are appalled and asking why would Oklahoma do this when they refuse to fully fund education or or infrastructure.  The Governor won't even allow a bond to be put to the vote of the people to provide safe rooms in our schools but she has no problem with huge pay raises for her appointees.  Something is wrong!

Welcome to #1 Red State Oklahoma which Ranks #3 in Women Murdered by Men

“Nine women each week are shot to death by their husband or intimate partner,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

Oklahoma and other Red States are not faring well in all of the data that is coming out recently.  The latest on gun violence again women along with other issues affecting women is not something Oklahoma should be proud.  Oklahoma already scored #1 in the amount of money cut from the public schools.  That's one ranking you don't want.  Then they come in at 49th in teacher pay and even with an election year pay raise suggested by Superintendent Barrasi who is up for reelection, they still rank 49th.  Now we are running 3rd in women murdered by men and 48th as the worst state for women to live from pay to healthcare.  Someone tell me how this State can be sold to businesses with these rankings?

Instead of social issues highlighting the agenda of the Legislature, time to get pro-active and start taking care of real issues facing our State.  You would think these rankings would wake up elected officials but they will just come back with the "Oklahoma standard" mantra which is not something I would brag about when you are at or near he bottom on so many issues that are really important.

They keep bragging about the rainy day fund but how about spending that money to improve our education which eventually would show up in how women fare in the workplace instead of being #48. Past time to lose the concentration on social issues and tell the hard right to sit down and shut up on abortion, gays, creationism, bible being taught in schools, and other religious/social issues they push to the front in every session.  Since Republicans don't seem to be able to say no to these groups maybe it is time for more Democrats to be elected.  What I have seen out of Senator John Sparks and Representative Emily Virgin Democrats from Norman, shows they have a ton more common sense then most of the elected Republicans.

These ratings along with the others should get every statewide office holder thrown out of office but will the people of Oklahoma wake up?  I have serious doubts they will.

From Channel 4 News:

Oklahoma ranks 3rd in Women Murdered by Men 

OKLAHOMA CITY – A national study released Wednesday focused on a sad reality of our country and had shocking results for the Sooner State. 

According to the new Violence Policy Center report, Oklahoma ranks third in the nation in the rate of women murdered by men. 

The study covered homicides across the country involving one female murder victim and one male offender in 2011. 

“Nine women each week are shot to death by their husband or intimate partner,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “That’s nearly 500 domestic gun violence deaths each year, more than twice the number of servicewomen killed in military conflicts since the Korean War. We urgently need better policies that protect women and their families from this senseless violence. No American, adult or child, should live in a perpetual state of fear. It’s inhumane.”

For more information on the study, visit the VPC’s website. 

South Carolina and Alaska are 1 and 2 respectively in the murder rate of women by men.  Once again top states are Red States where the NRA is very pro-active and believes the more guns the better.  Tell that to women in abusive relationships.  So sick and tired of the gun culture today and the hard right won't even agree to background checks required by all people purchasing guns at gun shows.  If I am a private seller, I don't have to take down any information and can get paid in cash which should be against the law.  As far as I am concerned the hard right gun lobby supported by the NRA are responsible for all the guns in the hands of violent people and those prone to anger issues.

Oklahoma ranks #48 in Worst States for Women

Women in the United States earn an average of 77 cents for every dollar that men make, face many barriers to reproductive health care and are significantly underrepresented in leadership roles. But the worst state for women by far is Louisiana, according to a state-by-state examination of these issues released Wednesday by the Center for American Progress. 

In terms of economic security, health and leadership representation, the analysis rates Louisiana the lowest. Full-time working women in Louisiana earn only 67 percent of what men earn, on average, and more than one in five women and girls in Louisiana are currently living in poverty. 

Only 12 percent of Louisiana's congressional seats are held by women, and the state has one of the top 10 worst maternal mortality rates in the country. There is only one OB-GYN for every 13,136 women in Louisiana, and nearly 20 percent of non-elderly women in the state are uninsured. Louisiana also requires an ultrasound, waiting period and counseling session before a woman can have an abortion. 

The report also considered in its ratings the state's minimum wage, family leave policies, percentage of 4-year-olds enrolled in pre-K, the gender management gap and publicly funded contraceptive services.  

Other states that earned an "F" overall in these categories are Utah, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, South Dakota, Indiana and Georgia. 

Check out the map at Huffington Post to see where your state fares on women's issues. 

Excerpt:  Read More at Huffington Post

Where are our elected officials in Oklahoma when it comes to women?  Voting for more tough abortion laws that will get overturned and wanting to tell women how to think.  Kind of reminds me of the Mormon Church philosophy where men are to be honored and women do their bidding.  That same mentality must permeate a lot of the legislature thinking or they wouldn't be concentrating so much on women's issues that are none of their business.  Many in our legislature are so against Planned Parenthood that all they think they do is provide abortions which is far from the truth but truth and Republicans today are not on the same page.  Say anything lie or not that advances their agenda and that is okay.

Now for the ranking that shows the Republican Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doke and other Republicans are going to hate since they have been touting Affordable Care Act (ACA) was going to send prices through the roof.  Imagine that -- they lied just like other Republicans have been doing about ACA and its impact on prices of healthcare.

Tulsa has the details where in this instance Oklahoma fares very well:

Oklahoma health insurance rates will be 20 to 30 percent below U.S. average under ACA 

Monthly rates for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act in Oklahoma will be below the national average, and residents can choose from 53 health plans on average, according to new federal data. Monthly premiums in Oklahoma will range from $266 for the second-lowest-cost silver plan to $174 for the lowest-cost bronze plan before subsidies are applied, according to the report released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The report shows that rates in Oklahoma will be about 20 percent to 30 percent below the national average for the three plans listed. 

Excerpt:  Read more from the Tulsa World. 

Did you know that with ACA there will be no lifetime caps allowed or that your child can be on your insurance until they are 26?  First children with pre-existing conditions will be added and then adults with pre-existing conditions so they can get insurance without having to pay huge premiums.  If you want facts and the truth, please visit Healthcare.com to read the about the benefits of ACA and how it will affect Americans.  Time to go to the source instead of believing the crap Republicans and their big donors are pushing with their scary ads meant to keep people from getting the facts.

Because of Oklahoma's ALEC led Legislature and Governor, Oklahoma Republicans turned down running the exchanges so the federal government has taken over which is probably why the rates are so low.  In the process over 150,000 people are going to be denied healthcare because our Governor turned down the expansion of Medicaid and dollars to go with it because they cannot stand IMHO the thought of implementing a healthcare plan written and passed by the Democrats.

When Tom Cole said “It's awfully hard to repeal Obamacare when a guy named Obama is President says it all.  Then he goes on to talk about how unpopular the program is throughout America.  If ACA was that unpopular like the lies/spin of the GOP, Obama would not have been re-elected by a large margin.

Welcome to the #1 Red State Oklahoma that has been bought and paid for by the Koch Brothers, ALEC, and the Chamber.  What does that give you?  Last or near last in education and women's issues for starters. Time for common sense Oklahomans to start to take the state back starting with the Superintendent and Insurance Commissioner.   Going to take work but the truth has to get out instead of the lies from the Republicans and their office holders.

Tornadoes and Flash Floods hit Oklahoma City Area Friday Night

As tornado approaches Norman, fear takes over after seeing devastation in Moore that day.

On Friday, my daughter was here so we toured the devastation that hit Moore with the F-5 tornado.  It looks like a war zone for as far as you can see east and west.  These pictures were taken by my daughter who is also a business journalist:

We saw one home with only the steps and closet underneath remaining, a concrete/steel medical center pretty much destroyed, a post office that is shut from damage, banks destroyed, foundations with nothing left, toys in the lawns with no homes, and the list of devastation keeps going.  The devastation we saw Friday morning is much more then we saw after the May 3, 1999, tornado that hit Moore.  My guess would be the fact that such a huge tornado slowed to almost a standstill at times while it churned and chewed up homes and businesses.   It left you with a feeling how helpless you can be when a tornado takes dead aim on where you live or work.  The images we saw make you stop and think that most of us are not prepared if an F-5 tornado is bearing down at us.

Friday night another round of tornadoes flared up in Western Oklahoma near El Reno along with massive thunderstorms dumping a record amount of rain across the area which meant the storms were rain wrapped and storm chasers could not tell if they were on the ground except for power flashes.  We were watching TV when the tornado approached Will Rogers World Airport and saw the airport radar light go out which meant the airport had some damage as a backup generator should have immediately taken over.  Then it was tracking down I-240 and south and all of a sudden my daughter sees the line has Norman directly in its track After what we had witnessed with the Moore devastation, we decided to load up the car and all of us get out of Norman since the track was only two blocks from where we live.

Neighbors were doing the same as the media were warning people to get underground or as Channel 4 said to leave the area.  No cell phones except for my daughter's with low battery/spotty coverage for text messages from her boyfriend and his friend who were tracking where we should be headed which was south to Purcell but they said to stay off I-35 which was all backed up.  As I drove over to Porter (SR 77) to go south traffic started picking up.  As we crossed out of Norman into the Noble area all of a sudden all the traffic was headed south including in some northbound lanes.

There was traffic for miles - we were in Noble when the local radio said the tornado was coming south out of Norman into Noble but the radio had the wrong info as we  learned a short time later - that tornado had lifted and was headed south of Lake Thunderbird not due south out of Norman.  When we heard Noble is when all lanes started going south to clear people out of Noble.  As we were getting close to Purcell heavy rains started coming down as we were on this huge bridge over a river but it showed on radar according to the guys keeping us informed that rain did not stretch to S. Purcell which is where we ended up.

Chewie, my little fury friend, did really good on the trip except for one time we were almost stopped and he looks out the back of my SUV and sees all the cars behind us with their lights.  He starts really whimpering. Think he realized this wasn't one of his fun excursions he takes with me in town.  He didn't like seeing all the lights behind us is my guess since it was pitch dark.

We had time to get out of the danger zone and took a less traveled road south but even then it had plenty of  other people fleeing Norman a lot of them with pets as we saw at the local McDonald's parking lot.  Except for a few crazy truck drivers everyone was very orderly even allowing cars to pull into the line.  Next time storms fire up in Western Oklahoma like this with multiple tornadoes going in all directions, we are out of here early.  During tornado season will do what we did in fire season in SoCal -- have plastic containers with items you cannot replace filled and ready to go in minutes.

Finally we received the all clear text from the guys to go back to Norman as the heavy rain with huge hail had stopped with no more on the way.  Good thing as my daughter's cell phone was about to die.  We drove back I-35 which was not backed up and took SR 9 to SW 24th and then as we went north on 24th we began to see there were no lights anywhere - pitch dark and water standing in the drainage ditches.  Got home to no lights so my daughter's flashlight on her cell phone got us to a flashlight on my desk so garage door could be opened manually and car driven in the garage.

Lighted candles and then found the message on my cell phone sitting by my chair that said "EXTREME ALERT" Tornado Warning in area take shelter now which was about 20 minutes after we had left.  That was followed by "STRONG ALERT" about the torrential rains and baseball size hail.  Took a flashlight to go look at the green belt behind my home which was filled with water but I could see no damage to my garden which meant if we had hail, it was extremely small.  Potted plants on deck were brought back in the sun room earlier in week due to possible hail - that's the third time pots have been taken inside recently -- good exercise.

At that point that's when I realized how much my shoulders were aching from the last 2 1/2 hours of tension.  Must have been gripping the steering wheel hard trying to stay calm.  Woke up to power and a bright sunny morning Saturday with a mini lake in the green belt which was going down with no damage.  We thought we were home free for me to take my daughter to a wedding shower in OKC.  Then we discovered that roads were flooded out of Norman so it meant taking a road over to I-35 which was a parking lot with the gawkers.  We saw damage in places along I-35 that did not have damage the day before although it wasn't near as devastating but it meant one of the tornadoes had struck Moore again.  We finally cleared the traffic into downtown OKC and dropped my daughter off at the shower and headed back to Norman.

Needed gas but there was no power in the area of Norman gas stations where I normally get gas I planned to get gas at the 7-11 north on Sooner Road but the road was closed to flooding.  After taking my daughter to Bricktown, stopped at three gas stations along I-240 east of the airport in S. OKC and no power but I did see a lake at OCCC and then remembered there was no lake there normally.  Saw one of the huge transmission lines snapped in two and decided only way to go was back to Norman was to take the Turner Turnpike toward Lawton and get off at the Norman exit on SR 9.

Saw devastation along I-44 (Turnpike) from the Moore tornado.  In one place it had thrown around dump trucks like match box trucks and in another a metal bridge was partially in the S. Canadian River.  You could look east and see total devastation as far as you could see.  Was glad to see Riverwind Casino and Love's right across the highway on SR 9.  My SUV only took ten gallons so I had a lot of gas left but with all the traffic jams around the area, gas can go down pretty fast.

We did not realize how much rain had fallen but when I crossed the S. Canadian River on I-35, there were rapids in what is normally an almost dry river bed with little water.  Knew then we had a lot of rainfall and since learned we set a record for amount of rain in a day on May 31st and a record for May for rainfall.  City Hall in OKC had its basement totally flooded so in addition to the tornadoes that destroyed parts of El Reno, there was flooding which took more lives.

Three storm chasers from The Discovery Channel were killed in the El Reno tornado as the tornado changed course rapidly.  One minute the tornado would be going to the NE and then go SE for a while before turning back NE and then south.  Since we moved to Norman in Jan 97 due to a transfer, we have never witnessed a tornado(s) like the ones Friday night going all over the place while being tracked on radar and in the field.

Storm chasers were getting too close as these tornadoes turned rapidly in a different direction.  The Weather Channel had one of their vehicles destroyed and other storm chasers had their vehicles windows damaged along with the vehicle itself.  The tornadoes for the most part were rain wrapped at night which were extremely hard to follow except for the flash from power poles being hit  The professional storm chasers save lives every time.  What has happened is that there are novice storm chasers now on the roads for a thrill which needs to stop and keep the roads cleared for the professional storm chasers.

Best coverage here is Channel 9 with Gary England who stays calm and tries to keep the storm chasers calm as they track the tornadoes.  The whole staff at Channel 9, our CBS affiliate, is first rate.  Their storm chasing helicopter has given all of us a heads up on where the storms are headed.  The data from these storms that the National Weather Service here at the University of Oklahoma is collecting is going to be studied for a long time in hopes of increasing knowledge of storm prediction.

What a weekend - ready for no more storms in the future except soft gentle rain.  One good thing is we are no longer in a drought as I can sit here and almost watch my grass and garden weeds grow.

Oklahoma Republicans Sweep Statewide Races on November 2nd, 2010

Great day to be from Oklahoma! We were happy to see Governor Henry and Governor-Elect Fallin meet today and hear about the kind words of Jari Askins last night which was class all the way. Today we are all Oklahomans ready to roll up our sleeves and make Oklahoma even better with a business friendly environment.

Having lived on both coasts, in Ohio and Texas, can truthfully say that Oklahoma is the best place by far to live -- friendly people, affordable, and a great University right here in Norman that has grown in stature since former Senator Boren exchanged the US Senate to become the President of the University of Oklahoma.

For the first time in Oklahoma history, Republicans will control the Governor's Office, all statewide offices, and the State Legislature. Winning every statewide race starting with Mary Fallin for Governor and increasing our numbers in the Oklahoma House and Senate is something we hoped would happen but now it is reality.

While Mary was running for Congress in 2008, a lot of us were encouraging her to run for Governor in 2010. Remember at our State Convention in 2009 when Mary spoke about running for Governor and looked around to see the enthusiasm. Put her bumperstrip on my car and there is still one on there today (3rd one) right next to the one for Marco Rubio. It was the right time for her to return to Oklahoma to run for Governor and become our first woman Governor-Elect last night.

One piece of history that we were going to have last night was electing the first woman Governor. Current Lt Governor Jari Askins ran a campaign that went against the Republican wind of conservatism sweeping through Oklahoma. She didn't stand much of a chance of winning in this State where every County went for John McCain as she supported Barack Obama in 2008.

What a wonderful sound to hear on the radio -- Governor Elect Mary Fallin. Not sure in the history of our state there has ever been anyone more qualified to be Governor then Mary and there is NO ONE who sells Oklahoma better. She is a one-woman Chamber of Commerce for Oklahoma as she has traveled around the Country. With Mary as Governor and Todd Lamb as Lt Governor, we have a team that will be second to none when it comes to small business and now the sign is out that Oklahoma is open for business.

When we moved to Oklahoma in Jan 1997, Republicans controlled most of the state government except for Attorney General and School Superintendent -- now we control those with Scott Pruit for AG and Janet Barrisi for Superintendent. Frankly I thought they were both a long shot until two really candidates ran.

Our favorite ad person, Mark Costello, will be taking over as Labor Commissioner from the guitar stealing Lloyd Fields. Gary Jones will be our new Auditor which is going to shake up that office. Our last elected Auditor ended up in prison. Treasurer is another position that a long time Democrat had held the seat but now it is going to be held by Republican Ken Miller.

Kept hearing that Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland could not be beat. Wrong -- John Doak is going to be our next Insurance Commissioner.

Republicans control the three members of the Corporation Commission so that gives us a clean sweep for the first time ever of statewide seats and the legislature.

These people have been given the keys to State Government by the voters of Red State Oklahoma and firmly believe that they are going to make us very proud to call them our elected officials. A new day is dawning in Oklahoma and today we are all Oklahomans.

For the first time in four years, I am represented by a Republican in the State Legislature.

God Bless the Great State of Oklahoma!

August 24th: Republican Primary Day in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Vermont, and Oklahoma Run-off

ALASKA:

Senate: Key race to watch where Lisa Murkowski is being challenged by Joe Miller, Tea Party candidate, in the primary. Maybe we have our heads buried but we don't see Lisa Murkowski losing. When it comes to the big votes, she is always standing with Republicans not going off on her own like the New England Republicans. She is an expert when it comes to oil and gas which is the lifeblood of Alaska.

Governor: The Anchorage Daily has endorsed Bill Walker over current Governor Sean Parnell in a close call.

What Alaska needs in the governor's office in the next four years is, above all, a leader who wants to put the state in command of its own future.

Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/08/21/1419448/governors-race-republicans-in.html#ixzz0xRmUXPOT
_________

ARIZONA

Senate: We expect Senator John McCain to win the nomination in a runaway as voters in Arizona have woken up to the fact the Hayworth was voted out of the House for a reason.

Governor: Current Governor Jan Brewer will win hands down.
_________

FLORIDA

Senate: Marco Rubio will become the official Republican candidate with challenges from NO Party Crist and we suspect the Democrat Meeks after Clinton was in Florida campaigning for him.

Governor: One nasty race in Florida with current Governor Bill McCollum against Rick Scott, a businessman. The nastiest has led the Democrat to take an early lead but that will change when Florida finally gets the primary behind and unites behind the Governor's candidate. McCollum wouldn't be in trouble if he had ran a better campaign but his covering for Charlie Crist has hurt plus his extremely negative ads. We will put this one too close to call and state the winner and loser need to get together to defeat the most liberal woman in Florida Alex Sink who is running on the Democrat side.

VERMONT

Senator: Len Britton

Governor: Brian Dubie, current Lt Governor

OKLAHOMA

Tomorrow is run-off day in Oklahoma with the most heated race coming in the 5th District which is the seat Mary Fallin is leaving to run for Governor. We expect Lankford to pull out the win as Kevin Calvey has run one of the nastiest campaigns we have seen but not shocking when you consider who is running his race. Calvey using his National Guard service as a JAG officer like he was active duty 24/7 military turned a lot of people off in this race. Club for Growth made a huge mistake in getting involved in this race and should have stayed neutral. Whoever recommended that they send money to Calvey, didn't know who they supported. Calvey is an opportunist. Unless something changes we expect Lankford to win tomorrow as he won the primary. Next time Mr. Calvey runs, he should think twice about going after someone's religious affiliation. When you misquote the Edmond Sun newspaper like Calvey and then refuse to go on TV because one of the anchors has endorsed his opponent, you have real problems. If we lived in the 5th District, we would be voting for Lankford.

The final fundraising numbers for the weekend are in according to the McCarville Report which are telling:

UPDATE: James Lankford reported $41,800 in new donations through Sunday, bringing his 4-day total to almost $87,000. Kevin Calvey reported $4,800, bringing his total for the period to $20,400.

We would bet the voters of the 5th District are going to give the nod to political newcomer James Lankford.

2nd District: Charles Thompson and Daniel Edmonds -- from various reports we have read, we would expect Daniel Edmonds, another political newcomer, to win this race to face Democrat Dan Boren on November 2nd.

Insurance Commissioner: John Doak should win by a landslide.

This is a quick look at tomorrow's primaries.

Primary Election Day in Oklahoma, July 27, 2010

Tomorrow is the day we elect our candidates to represent the Republicans in the November 2nd general election. Congresswoman Mary Fallin is expected to win going away for the Republican nominee for Governor. Mary has the experience and the energy we need as Governor of Oklahoma.

Help Republicans take the first step of taking back the Governor's Mansion by casting your vote tomorrow for Mary Fallin for Governor and Todd Lamb for Lt Governor.

Oklahoma Primary Race, July 27th for Oklahoma Governor and other Statewide races

GOVERNOR

The Governor's race to replace the Democrat Governor Henry after eight long years is looking more and more like it will be Congresswoman Mary Fallin against Attorney General Drew Edmondson which would give Oklahomans a clear cut difference. Edmondson is the Attorney General who took this Bush Red State in with Gore in 2000, went against the Boy Scouts in CT, and recently refused to file against Obamacare.

We do not see Senator Randy Brogdon gaining much ground on Fallin in the next few weeks and frankly after the nasty reaction on Facebook by Brogdon supporters to the endorsement of Mary Fallin by Sarah Palin, we believe a lot more people have been turned off to the Brogdon's candidacy.

Brogdon has some good supporters who will get behind Mary in her race against the Democrat, but we expect some to keep right on sniping as they have been doing against good candidates over the years when their candidate loses in the primary. That has been something I will never understand since moving to Oklahoma and getting involved in politics here. We have lost races to Democrats because after the primary supporters of the candidate who lost will refuse to get behind the winner or even vote.

Senator Brogdon will be missed in the Oklahoma Senate, but the way he has run his campaign against Mary has left some of us wondering about his choice to go so negative at every turn and in every debate when both are in attendance. We sincerely hope when the primary is over we will see Randy Brogdon out supporting Mary Fallin for Governor against the Democrat.

LT GOVERNOR

We have been supporting Todd Lamb since he announced for Lt Governor and believe he will a great spokesman to sell Oklahoma. Fallin and Lamb will made a great team for Oklahoma as they both are great Ambassadors for our state.

AUDITOR

Some might ask why we rank this one so high, but Gary Jones, our recent State GOP Chair, should have won this race in 2006 but lost in a close race to a Democrat sitting Auditor who is now in prison with his wife. Gary was right in 2006 and now in 2010 he deserves to win the primary against a former Democrat turned Republican and win on November 2nd. The Auditor's office needs cleaned up and Gary is the person to do just that.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Oklahoma has two strong Republican candidates running who both have their strengths -- Scott Pruitt and Ryan Leonard.

Happen to know Scott Pruitt a lot better from his race for Lt Governor and also for being Mike Huckabee's person in Oklahoma. Had the privilege of being at a debate where Scott represented Huckabee and I represented Rudy and along with two others who represented Fred Thompson and Ron Paul. Scott is always the gentleman and my respect for him grew after that debate. One of Scott's areas of expertise is Constitutional Law and he also in business as a co-owner of the Oklahoma Redhawks baseball team. He knows what it is like to have to deal with the laws on the books affecting business owners and would make an outstanding Attorney General.

Ryan Leonard served as a state prosecutor in Canadian County. Now as an attorney in private practice, he specializes in small businesses and defending the rights of individuals, including representing pro bono children in the state’s foster system. Ryan previously served for four years as a senior legislative aide for U.S. Senator Don Nickles in Washington, D.C. who we have always admired as a United States Senator. He has experience in litigation which would also make him an outstanding Attorney General.

Oklahomans cannot go wrong in nominating either one of these men to be our Republican candidate for Attorney General. We will wholeheardedly support the winner of the race.

STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

We support Janet Barresi for the nomination and think she would make an outstanding State School Superintendent. We found the following endorsement to be extraordinary and one more reason why we have chosen to support Barresi:

"Janet Barresi took her passion as a parent and turned it into 14 years of leadership in the education reform movement in Oklahoma," said Bush. "I wholeheartedly endorse her candidacy and her message of greater academic rigor, data-driven accountability, and ensuring that good teachers are rewarded. She has improved the lives of hundreds of children, and I know she will continue her unifying, positive mission as State Superintendent."

CORPORATION COMMISSIONER

We support Dana Murphy who is filling the remainder of the term of Denise Bode hands down for Corporation Commissioner. She may be the best and the hardest working Corporation Commissioner this state has seen. She came to the Corporation with a lot of knowledge which has only grown with her time in office because of her hard work and dedication.

For Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Labor Commissioner we don't have a favorite and will support the Republican nominee. The only thing we have to say is that Labor Commissioner race by Republicans is another race which has turned fairly nasty, and we hope everyone gets on the same page after the primary.

US SENATOR

We support Dr. Tom Coburn 100% to return him to the US Senate. Neither candidate running against him has a chance.

US CONGRESS

We feel the same way about Cong Tom Cole as we do about Dr. Coburn and support him 100% in his primary race.

We are not taking a stand in any local county races or OK Legislature races at this time.

We encourage all Republicans to get out to vote on July 27th for the candidate of your choice and after the primary let's all get behind the winners and take back the Executive Branch of Oklahoma!

"Oklahoma" coming to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

This Saturday night Oklahomans will not only have a chance to view the movie, "Oklahoma," on SoonerVision, but movie viewers will have an opportunity to bring blankets and sit on the grass field of the Oklahoma Sooners. OU will also have throwback prices for the concession stand items for the latest event in this year of honoring the "OU fans" to thank them for their support of the University of Oklahoma athletic teams.

Anyone who has attended any game at the stadium understands that you do not walk on the grass even following games. Saturday we will have an opportunity to not only walk on the field but sit there to watch the movie.

This will give everyone a break from politics for the evening! Great venue, great prices, and great way to meet more fans!

There is only ONE Oklahoma!

NORMAN, Okla. -- A movie night at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is coming as the next activity in the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department’s Year of the Fan celebration.

Oklahoma!, the Rogers and Hammerstein classic released by 20th Century Fox in 1955, will show on the stadium’s video screen on Saturday, June 19. Gates 1, 5, 7 and 11 will open at 5 p.m., with pre-movie programming at 6 p.m., and the movie itself at 6:30 p.m.

The event will be free and open to the public, and stadium concessions stands will feature throw-back prices. No outside food or drink will be permitted in the stadium.

Patrons may sit in the stands or bring a blanket and sit on the Owen Field turf. No lawn chairs or other types of seating will be permitted on the field. The stadium club and suites will not be open.
In the event of inclement weather, the presentation will be moved to June 26.

Oklahoma! is rated G.