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VOL. 44, NO. 1 An Independent Journal of Commentary JANUARY 10, 2012 Blue Dog’s Lucrative Politics The Boren Identity By Eric Lipton Editor’s Note: ’s main- and campaign finance laws. stream media – particularly the Boren often works in close coordi- state’s two largest daily newspapers nation with the lobbying and promo- – have failed yet again to perform tional groups in Washington financed their most basic function: inform the by the natural gas industry in an at- citizenry. A virtual code of silence en- tempt to wield influence in a city veloped last month’s extraordinary where energy debates have long been New York Times’ front-page expose dominated by oil and coal interests. on U.S. Rep. that raised Boren, 38, a conservative four-term serious questions not only about Democrat, has announced that he will the Blue Dog Democrat’s ethics, but not seek re-election [in 2012]. Instead, also about who he represents most he plans to return home and work in fiercely – the rank-and-file voters of the private sector – he would not say his eastern Oklahoma district or the with what industry – and consider a state’s powerful, well-heeled energy run for governor. Whatever happens, interests. With permission from the he said, he will continue to promote Times, The Observer reprints the re- Oklahoma’s natural gas industry. port in full: “It is a part of who we are,” he said. CALUMET – Gas money is trans- “East Coast liberals don’t really have forming vast stretches of Oklahoma. a frame of reference. They are eager Here, 40 miles west of the state capi- to get the resource – and heat their tal, crews work through the night homes – but they don’t understand drilling new wells deep into the earth, us.” and a small army of laborers rips One of Dan Boren’s first jobs out through just-planted fields of winter of college was in oil – as vice presi- wheat to install miles of gas pipeline. tinental Resources, whose stock has cess with which shale gas is extract- dent of the small company run by his Across the state in tiny Atoka, a Ca- surged while it helps lead the explora- ed, known as hydraulic fracturing, or stepfather, John C. Robbins, in East dillac and a Jaguar park next to pick- tion of gas reserves nationwide. fracking. Texas. Energy industry executives ups outside the local store that sells The congressman’s income has Serving as co-chairman of the helped drive his political career, urg- cowboy boots and overalls; in nearby jumped in the last six years, thanks House Natural Gas Caucus, Boren has ing him to follow the lead of his father Coalgate, the natural gas industry has to two family businesses he partly worked to block any move by federal and grandfather, Lyle Boren, and run created six overnight millionaires. owns that have signed more than 300 regulators to restrain the drilling and for Congress in 2004 after one term in The spreading wealth from gas fields mineral leases, worth hundreds of efforts by the Obama Administration the Oklahoma House. has also benefited Rep. Dan Boren, a thousands of dollars. Many of those to curtail tax benefits for the gas and “It’s in your blood,” Mike Terry, Democrat who has deep family ties to deals are with Chesapeake Energy, a oil industries. He has also pushed for president of the Oklahoma Indepen- the industry – and has acted as one of top donor to his campaigns. federal incentives to increase demand dent Petroleum Association, recalls its best friends on Capitol Hill. Boren is a champion in Washington for natural gas. And he sees no prob- telling Boren. “It’s part of your heri- Boren’s stepfather is an indepen- of an industry that is experiencing lem with entangling his professional tage. And we need you there.” dent oil and natural gas producer in a historic boom but also increasing advocacy and his self-interest. The pitch came just as a revolution East Texas, just over the border. His scrutiny. He argues that the drilling “There’s zero conflict,” Boren said in natural gas drilling was ignited. father, , a former sena- can help solve the nation’s energy in an interview. “It’s like if you are liv- Devon Energy, a business based in tor and Oklahoma governor, received problems and dismisses concerns ing in a timber community and your Oklahoma that is now one of the na- $350,000 last year in total compensa- about the potential environmental parents are working for the local mill. tion’s largest natural gas companies, tion for serving on the board of Con- and health perils posed by the pro- You should go and advocate for your had bought out a competitor whose local mill, even if you derive some owner had perfected the fracking benefit from it.” technique, which uses a mixture of House ethics rules do not prohibit water, sand and a soup of chemical lawmakers from taking steps to aid lubricants to free natural gas trapped industries in which they have a finan- deep underground in the pores of cial stake. But some ethics experts dense shale rock. say such actions are still inadvisable. The drilling boom started in com- “Even if it is legal, if every member munities like Atoka in Boren’s dis- of Congress pushed for industries trict. Mayor Charles A. McCall III was that they have financial ties to, there startled when local farmers began would be an outcry from the public,” showing up at his family-owned bank said Robert M. Stern, a California law- with giant checks from gas compa- yer who has helped draft state ethics See BOREN Page18 Observations Howdy!

With this issue of The Observer we tive journal for generations to come. welcome hundreds of new readers, We’d be especially grateful if you many opening these pages thanks to would introduce younger readers to the generosity of loyal, longtime sub- The Observer. Encourage them to scribers. visit our beautiful web site at www. It won’t take long to discover The okobserver.net – and to check out our Observer is unlike any other publica- new user-friendly mobile versions for tion in Oklahoma. iPhone, iPad and Android users. For 44 years, we’ve spoken truth to As you become familiar with The power, peering behind closed doors Observer, please don’t hesitate to into smoke-filled rooms where deals tell us how we’re doing. We welcome are cut, skewering the pompous, ex- other points of view and constructive posing the hypocrisy – generally infu- criticism – no name-calling, innuendo riating the state’s powers-that-be. or slander. Our little journal of free voices is Welcome aboard! beholden to no one – only to the truth as we see it. We don’t wear the col- lar of either party, but are driven by Fallin’s Disgrace again next year to make the bill a law. the conviction that all – regardless of “Oklahoma taxpayers deserve to Vatican Support race, religion, sexual preference or Hard to believe that Gov. Mary Fall- have more accountability over their A Vatican news release is a clear socio-economic status – deserve an in’s mother was a social worker, given tax dollars,” Derby said. ‘When a com- sign that it supports the message of equal shot at the American dream. that she recently signed an emergen- pany breaks their word by taking state the Occupy Wall Street protests, ac- We don’t labor under the thumb of cy rule eliminating birth as a qualify- tax dollars and then moves jobs out cording to Vincent J. Miller, the Gu- big advertisers. We endure because of ing event for individual health insur- of Oklahoma or overseas there should dorf Chair in Catholic Theology and the support of Oklahoma’s most in- ance coverage. be consequences for that action.” Culture at the University of Dayton. tellectual, progressive, civic-minded Here’s an average week in Okla- According to the Oklahoma De- With protesters taking to the streets readers who may not always agree homa: 1,053 babies are born; 144 are partment of Commerce, the state has around the world to fight for better in- with our unabashedly liberal analysis born to teen mothers ages 15-19; 357 given over $110 million in taxpayer come equality and economic opportu- or priorities, but who can’t abide the are by cesarean section; 141 are born dollars to companies that are on the nities for the poor and middle class- mainstream media’s lockstep, righ- preterm; 87 are of low birth-weight, Department of Labor’s list for out- es, the Vatican is urging an overhaul twing conservative rhetoric, inces- and nine babies die before their first sourcing American jobs. of the world’s financial systems and a sant establishment butt-kissing and birthday. “Companies that are sending Amer- return to a global economy based on routine failure to tell the whole story, Expect those figures to zoom, given ican jobs overseas or out of state ethical behavior and “achievement of without fear or favor. the emergency rule. Fallin claims it should not be rewarded with taxpayer a universal common good,” the AP re- We don’t agree – or expect you to is to attract insurance companies to dollars,” Proctor said. ports. agree – with everything we publish, Oklahoma. “Last year much of the Legislature While the Vatican has, in the past, but it will make you think. Nothing Oh, having an insurance company voted to cut our funding for military criticized uncontrolled capitalism, contributes to a healthy democracy here is worth a baby’s life? Mary Fal- veterans at the same time they gave the new call goes further, decrying quite like a raucous public square, lin is a disgrace. tax dollars to companies who are not “an economic liberalism that spurns full of diverse ideas and respectful de- keeping their word. This practice is all rules and controls.” bate. wrong, unconscionable and it should The call for greater control and We believe Oklahoma’s greatest be brought to an end.’ Anti-Outsourcing equality in financial markets comes days can be ahead if good-hearted, Let’s hope bipartisanship pays off at a time when Republican presiden- fair-minded folk are provided the facts Two Green Country legislators are in the upcoming session. tial candidates – many of whom tout necessary to demand good-hearted, working across party lines to protect their religious credentials on the fair-minded public policy from our taxpayer dollars and Tulsa-area jobs. campaign trail – have called for the elected leaders. The Oklahoma Jobs and Tax Dol- Kochs Winning repeal of the Dodd-Frank financial re- Finally, you should know The Ob- lar Accountability Act would prohibit form law aimed at preventing a crisis server is a labor of love. We don’t have taxpayer benefits from going to com- The evil billionaire brothers Charles similar to that of 2008. the deep pockets of the owners of the panies that ship jobs overseas or out and David Koch finally got their It is heartening that the Vatican Oklahoman or Tulsa World. of the state. way in 2011. After their decades of sides with the Occupiers because If you like what you see, please help State Reps. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa, funding the American Legislative Ex- truth and justice are on their side. spread the word. Your endorsement and David Derby, R-Owasso, began change Council – the collaboration will help determine whether we sur- working together on the effort during between multinational corporations vive as Oklahoma’s premier alterna- the last legislative session and will try and conservative state legislators – the project began finally to yield the Texas Tragedy intended result. For the first time in decades, the Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry saw a steady disman- needs to properly govern his state be- tling of the laws, regulations, pro- fore taking on the United States. www.okobserver.net grams and practices put in place to The sad state of the Texas economy make real the promise of American appears to have taken at least one FOUNDING PUBLISHER • Helen B. Troy [1970-2006] PUBLISHER democracy. more life. [ISSN 0030-1795] Beverly Hamilton That is why civil rights groups and A Texas welfare office became the The Oklahoma Observer [USPS 865-720] is published scene of an ugly suicide, where a the 10th and 25th of each month, except July 25th and Dec. [email protected] their allies rallied recently outside the 25th, by AHB Enterprises LLC, 13912 Plymouth Xing, P.O. Box 405.478.8700 New York headquarters of the Koch mother shot her two children before 14275, , OK 73113-0275. Periodicals postage brothers to begin a march for the re- successfully killing herself. paid at Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Her kids, aged 10 and 12, were criti- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Oklahoma EDITOR newal of voting rights in America. Observer, P.O. Box 14275, Oklahoma City, OK 73113-0275. Arnold Hamilton For the Koch brothers and their cally wounded. SUBSCRIPTIONS: 1-Year [22 issues] $40. Send check to [email protected] kind, less democracy is better. They The 38-year-old woman first applied The Oklahoma Observer, P.O. Box 14275, Oklahoma City, OK 405.478.8700 fund campaigns with millions of dol- for – and was denied – food stamps in 73113-0275. Online: Visit www.okobserver.net to use a credit July. card. lars in checks that have helped elect UPDATE ADDRESSES: Please notify us at least two weeks FOUNDING EDITOR the likes of Wisconsin Gov. Scott State welfare offices have come before your move to ensure uninterrupted service. E-Mail to Frosty Troy Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. under scrutiny in the past for being [email protected] or mail to P.O. Box 14275, overburdened. A spokesman was full Oklahoma City, OK 73113-0275. [email protected] The crude calculus, usually cloaked LETTERS TO EDITOR: E-mail to [email protected] or 405.760.1843 in bureaucracy and back-room deal- of alibis – wait times are shorter, and mail to P.O. Box 14275, Oklahoma City, OK 73113-0275. making, came into full view in 2011. that the mother involved was sched- SPEAKERS BUREAU: To book Founding Editor Frosty Troy OUR MOTTO: To Comfort the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfort- uled for her initial interview just one able. Across the country, and to a great- for your Chamber banquet, convention or other gathering, and day after applying. The woman didn’t for rates and availability, call 405.760.1843. You also may sub- OUR CREDO: So then to all their chance, to all their shining er extent than at any time since the mit your request via e-mail to [email protected] or by U.S. golden opportunity. To all the right to love, to live, to work, last days of Southern resistance to make the appointment, she said. mail to P.O. Box 53371, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3371. to be themselves, and to become whatever thing their vision desegregation, voting rights were be- The fact that her children were hun- To invite Editor Arnold Hamilton to address your civic and humanity can combine to make them. This seeker, is the gry made little difference to the Texas club, students or political gathering, contact him directly at promise of America. ing systematically diminished rather 405.478.8700 or at [email protected]. - Adapted from Thomas Wolfe than expanded. bureaucracy. THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 2 Observerscope

Brandon Dutcher wins the Worst Laurel: To U.S. Sen. , Person of the Year in Oklahoma, fighting any congressional attempt to hands down. This Oklahoma Council pass a farm bill that grants tax breaks of Public Affairs flunky’s latest attack to the rich and super rich. Bravo! in on early childhood education. Here’s a disheartening report – 20% Laurel: To OG&E, named the best of the poor die six years earlier than electric utility in North America for the rest of us. The poor are often 201l. It was honored by Electric Light obese – not from over-eating but from & Power magazine. eating too many carbs such as pota- toes. Is the Oklahoma Department of Commerce out of its mind, consider- Dart: To the lack of concern for ing $8.8 million for Tulsa billionaire Oklahoma black male youth – 53% Bill Bartmann. He’s already bankrupt- drop out. Minorities are also over-rep- ed one company. He claims his new resented in special education. Little debt collection agency would provide wonder many end up in prison. No 500 jobs. Read the November Forbes education means no good job. Dart: To Gov. for endors- Laurel: To Oklahoma City Indian in which he is called a huckster. ing a reduction of the state income Clinic Nurse Randi Schoeppel, named The Tea Party hates Obamacare. tax from 5.25% to 3% over the next 10 as the Case Management Nurse of the Dart: To the Fallin Administration, How about them chipping in so 46.2 years. She won’t be around to see a Year. gung-ho for cutting taxes while more million uninsured Americans can doubling of the property tax. It would than 6,400 disabled children are on a have health care insurance. Don’t cut $234 million a year for 10 years. A final estimate for the Bush Ad- waiting list for lack of funds. hold your breath. ministration’s bailout of the banks is We join Republican U.S. Sen. Tom $2.9 trillion. There is yet to be a crim- The Oklahoma Policy Institute Laurel: To Norman’s Kara Joy McK- Coburn in bemoaning the fact that inal charge filed although the bailout warns of a dire revenue shortfall if the ee, Human Rights Award winner for the GOP presidential field is a scatter- was riddled with criminality – such as income tax drops to 3% over the next her work in promoting social equality ing of idiots. Thrice married Newt led robo signed mortgages. 10 years. The present rate of 5.25% and environmental health. the pack for a while. President Obama represents a third of the state budget. should pray he’s the nominee. Dart: To Republicans who have so Democratic Sen. Charles Laster of rigged the tax code that Chesapeake Laurel: To the Pew Foundation for Shawnee has called its quits although Laurel: To State Auditor Gary Jones paid corporate taxes of 2.1% last year, its report that only 51% of adults are he doesn’t term out until 2014 – a real for blowing the whistle on the Grand Devon .06%, Williams Co. of Tulsa 1% married, down 5% in the past year. blow to the Democratic Party. River Dam Authority. His performance and Oneok 1.1%. Fifty years ago 80% of all Americans audit revealed, among other things, ages 18-29 were married. Today it’s Dart: To U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, so- self-dealing and lack of attendance Oklahoma ranks 48th in wellness, 20%. called Democrat, voting in favor of a records. topping only Mississippi and Loui- Republican bill to extend the payroll siana. We rank 39th in health insur- Diane Ravich, foremost expert on tax cut that doesn’t force the top 1% Three Oklahoma counties – Tulsa, ance and 48th in smoking. – United public education, argues that the to start paying taxes. Delaware and Ottawa – have shelled Health Foundation annual survey No Child Left Behind law should be out $24 million to settle sexual abuse killed, not mended. Worst problem: We hope evangelicals are proud of complaints by female inmates. That Laurel: To Rep. Eric Proctor, D- Districts are forced to game the sys- freshman Republican U.S. Rep. James means as much as an 18% property Tulsa, who promises to pursue leg- tem rather than be put on a “failed” Lankford. He voted for the Ryan Plan tax hike to pay the money off. islation that would create a recovery list despite good scores. to kill Medicare, turning it into a provision aimed at companies that voucher system. Dart: To many Americans for los- receive taxpayer subsidies, then out- Dart: To the Legislature for not ing their moral compass. A new Pew source the jobs. granting oversight on 20,000 home- Laurel: To Arvo Q. Mikkanen, presi- research survey found that 40% of all schoolers – only state in the Union dent of the Oklahoma Indian Bar As- births last year were to unmarried fe- What passes for a Republican U.S. that doesn’t. On average homeschool- sociation, winner of the 2011 Excep- males. Senator, , is attacking the ers are two grades behind when trans- tional Service Award for his work in U.S. Environmental Protection Agen- ferring to public schools. fighting violent crimes. He’s a Yale Household worth fell 4% in the Ju- cy for blaming fracking for destroying Law School graduate. ly-September quarter to $57 trillion. a Wyoming aquifer. With 26,000 in prison at $20,000 At the same time corporate America per inmate, House Speaker Kris Oklahoma is next to dead last in was amassing record cash stockpiles Dart: To our disgraceful congres- Steele is trying to reform the system, primary care physicians. That is one – $2.1 trillion at the end of September. sional delegation [with the possible ankle monitors for non-violent pris- reason so many Oklahomans are flee- exception of Coburn]. They join with oners with two years remaining on ing rural areas for Tulsa and Oklaho- Laurel: To Oklahoma County DA Senate Minority Leader Mitch McCo- their sentences. ma City environs. David Prater and Public Defender Bob nnell – anything that helps President Ravitz for their program giving veter- Obama will be filibustered in the Sen- ans a second chance. More than 30 ate or opposed in the House. veterans are getting help. Despite pleas from his admirers in Love’s Travel Shops & Country all 50 states, Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Tom Stores is named by Forbes as the Coburn will not seek the Republican third best private company in Ameri- nomination for president. ca. Last year they did $24.4 billion in sales. Only Cargill [$109 billion] and Laurel: To , 44, con- Koch Industries [$100 billion] topped firmed by the U.S. Senate to be the Love’s. Army’s top lawyer. He has been teach- ing law at the University of Tulsa. Dart: To the District Attorneys Council, “supervising” 40,000 proba- Justice delayed is justice denied. tioners at $40 a week. It has brought Right now 73 people in the Oklahoma the DAs $14 million but the DAs have County jail accused of homicide are no written standards for supervision. waiting trial, including 59 charged with first-degree murder. More than 4,500 American dead, more than 32,000 wounded and more So far five Democrats and seven Re- than $805 billion squandered on publicans have filed as presidential George W. Bush’s war in Iraq. Iraqi candidates in Oklahoma. If we had to casualties are estimated at 150,000 bet, our money would be on Ron Paul killed. capturing the most GOP votes here. THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 3 Letters Editor, The Observer: On Dec. 12, I saw Jon Huntsman on A clue to saving billions in taxpay- CNN. He made the case for the elimi- ers’ money. First, answer this ques- nation of the deduction for mortgage tion: Do you feel safer today than you interest. The super-rich Mr. Hunts- did in 1970? Those 40-odd years ago, man said he’s talked to people in the the right-wingers were screaming law mortgage industry and they are fine and order – lock ‘em up and throw with this idea. Duh! People in the away the key for drug users and any mortgage industry are not the ones who are disdained. They won. Amer- who, primarily, will be negatively im- ica got tough sentencing, tough cops pacted by the removal of this deduc- and bigger prisons. tion. It’s normal Americans. Some- From 1970 until 2009, federal thing the Republican millionaires prisoners increased from 21,094 to don’t seem to know about. 208,118; state inmates numbers went For me and my neighbors and co- from 177,737 to 1.4 million. Adding workers the mortgage interest deduc- those in local jails, 2009’s count of in- tion is crucial. None of the Republi- carcerated people – men, women and can candidates live in the real world. some children – total 2.4 million. They have no idea what life is like for The redneck, law-and-order folks regular people. We need that deduc- in 1970 didn’t reckon about the cost tion! If Huntsman wants to take away better – indeed can only thrive – when service at his center. Orhan asked of incarceration that now exceeds tu- a deduction, remove the millionaires’ individuals care about the needs of Rev. Mark Davies, a Methodist minis- ition and fees at OSU, OU or Harvard! deduction for second homes, vacation others in their community. ter from OCU to officiate the service. The same gang, now called the Tea homes and yachts. Leave the deduc- She rightfully did not draw any po- On that day, the room was filled Party, demand smaller government tion for primary residences and prop- litical conclusions in this interview with people from all faith traditions. and lower taxes. OK, let’s start with erty taxes alone. except to conclude with her belief They came together out of a sense the prisons. Leave schools, teachers, These goofballs are talking about that this last statement was the most of community. They came together public safety, roads and infrastruc- the capital gains tax and colonizing important result of the experiment. to honor the life of a friend and fel- ture uncut. the moon and their line of credit at I would ask anyone who doubts the low human being. They came to share Joseph H. Carter Jr. Tiffany’s. Good Lord! justice of the 99% Occupiers move- in their grief and compassion. They Monkey Island The only thing the Republicans ment or thinks these protesters came to share ... know is that there is a black man in should “take a bath and go find a job” There is something very “right” in Editor, The Observer: the White House and they can’t stand to recall the thousands of complaints Oklahoma when an Islamic Center I was struck by the editorial car- it! he has heard about the lazy poor, the joins with a Christian minister to lead toon published in the Oklahoman Deborah Lewis Food Stamp President, praises for the an interfaith congregation in a re- Dec. 5 showing a donkey [the Demo- Garland, TX “Christian” Right’s refusal to raise membrance and acknowledgment of cratic Party] with a swollen black eye taxes or close loopholes for huge cor- the lifetime of an individual from the [the Occupy movement]. The Occupy Editor, The Observer: porations and privileged billionaires, community in which they all live. movement is non-partisan, but the I want to begin by commending or the passionate reluctance to ex- Kris Ladusau cartoon insists that it gives the Dem- Founding Editor Frosty Troy for the tend the current payroll tax cut that Oklahoma City ocratic Party a black eye. marvelous wind-up dolls [I especially virtually every economist maintains Editor’s Note: Rev. Ladusau is pas- The Occupy movement’s principle like the Clarence Thomas doll, but is necessary to maintain our painfully tor of The Dharma Center [Buddhist] beef is that 99% of Americans have am ready to buy one each for my 10 slow climb from years of recession. in Oklahoma City and a member of been financially screwed while 1% grandchildren] and for his acuity in Instead this group seems perfectly the board of The Interfaith Alliance of Americans got rich as Wall Street locating several more reasons to op- content to help solve our monetary Foundation of Oklahoma gambled with other people’s money pose school vouchers than I had al- distress by cutting programs in edu- and crashed the economy. The Oc- ready thought of. cation, health, social safety nets, and Editor, The Observer: cupy movement supports restoration En route home from the informative the general welfare of our citizenry. How many more statues at the Uni- of reasonable taxes on corporations lecture at the Dec. 9 luncheon, I heard No one enjoys being called a rat, versity of Oklahoma have to be erect- and the very rich to balance deep cuts on public radio results of lengthy, de- but I claim that rats are morally su- ed to football heroes before we get one already made to social programs. Re- tailed, and thorough research by Dr. perior to many elected politicians and to its most famous faculty member? publicans refuse to budge from their Peggy Mason, neuroscientist, and her to the powerful interests who support I refer, of course, to OU’s former “no taxes” stance, insisting that team at the University of Chicago. Af- them. Rats know that they are indeed professor of contract and commercial America balance its budget only by ter much testing of other hypotheses, their brother rat’s keepers. Contrary law, Anita Faye Hill, from the commu- cutting programs serving vulnerable it ended with the conclusion that to popular belief, greed is not a virtue nity of Lone Tree, OK. populations. rats often behave through motives of and will never nourish a successful The recent dedication of a statue The cartoon seems to communicate empathy for their fellow rats. The ro- society. to OU’s championship football coach, that the Republican Party serves the dents unfailingly demonstrate empa- Nancy Zorn Barry Switzer, rubs salt in the wounds 1%, not the 99%. thy by persisting until they learn to Warr Acres of 40% of us working women who have Nathaniel Batchelder free their fellows from a confined cage been sexually harassed. Oklahoma City and even by sharing their beloved Editor, The Observer: The Switzer statue follows statues chocolate with those they have freed. In Buddhism, we have practices of Heisman Trophy winners Billy Ves- Editor, The Observer: Dr. Mason pointed out that mam- called the “Eight Fold Path.” The sels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason What is the opposite of an embar- mals are necessarily exposed to em- name of each one begins with the term White and Sam Bradford. rassment of riches? After observing pathy by their mothers’ sensitivity “Right” – Right View, Right Thought, While a young OU professor in the Republican presidential candi- to their off-springs’ needs, but that Right Speech, Right Action, etc. The 1991, Hill told the U.S. Senate about dates, I think it must be an embar- clearly persists in adult males, at least word “Right,” in this case, means in being sexually harassed by her former rassment of embarrassment. What a in rodents. She ended the interview harmony with Universal Truth – the boss at the Department of Education clown car full of buffoons! by asserting that all social groups do highest choice for yourself and oth- and Equal Employment Opportunity ers. Commission, Supreme Court nomi- Frosty Troy’s The key is to embody these prac- nee Clarence Thomas. tices so that we live from them natu- With much of the nation watching rally, not as something external we on the three commercial TV networks What’s Right About Oklahoma refer to, or have to think about. When broadcasting live, Hill, an African- we function from this integrated per- American, told 14 white male sena- spective, we are highly attuned to tors that at their office, Thomas, also Want a pungent, humorous speech another teaching of Buddhism – the an African-American, did the follow- interconnectedness of everything and ing: 1. Pressured her for dates and to from one of America’s best speakers? everyone. have sex with him. 2. Asked “who has Frosty covers 50 years of Oklahoma’s Recently, a man who had been ac- put pubic hair on my Coke?” 3. De- tive with the Interfaith Alliance here scribed the size of his penis as “larger crazy political scene. in Oklahoma City passed away. When than normal in terms of length.” 4. Orhan Osman who is head of the Turk- Boasted of the pleasure he had given ish Community Center heard that this women with oral sex. And 5. Asked Call Frosty at 405.760.1843 to book a speech. man had no particular church affilia- her to join him in watching porno- tion, he offered to host a memorial See LETTERS Page 5 THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 4 Frosty Troy’s Notebook Church & State

Remember that part of the Constitution regarding separation of church and state? A battle is brewing with a direct bearing on the issue. President Barack Obama finds himself at odds with the Catholic hierarchy but not with the people in the pews. He touched a nerve relating to the battle over how contraception should be covered under the new health-care law – if it isn’t rendered killed by the rightwing U.S. Supreme Court. When Congress enacted health-care reform, it left to the Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] the job of determining which preventive services for women insurance plans would be required to include. In August, the administration announced in- The polemical overkill on the right end of the bishops’ conference is not justi- terim rules requiring coverage for contracep- fied and only feeds a belief among Democrats that compromise with the church FROSTY TROY tive services without co-pays or deductibles. It is pointless because the most conservative bishops will continue their attacks Founding Editor provided an exemption from this requirement no matter what Obama does. to “religious employers,” but the exemption But the question of what a compromise would look like on contraception and was so narrow that it largely left out Catholic hospitals, universities and other the health-care law should not be lost in the political battle. church-affiliated institutions. Even an expanded exemption covering Catholic hospitals and universities Although it was only an interim rule, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops would still go far beyond what the bishops have called for, as Cardinal Daniel immediately denounced it, and Catholics who had supported the health-care law N. DiNardo, chairman of their Committee on Pro-Life Activities, made clear in were taken by surprise. a September statement opposing mandated contraception coverage altogether. Obama should have consulted Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Far from constituting a “cave-in” to the bishops, in other words, a broader ex- Health Association, who backed the health-care bill despite the opposition it emption would be a modest concession, honoring the rights of religious institu- drew from the bishops’ conference. tions that liberals and Obama have long respected. Her support – along with help from other social-justice Catholics such as Sen. As Sister Carol noted in an interview, “we’re not talking about taking away Robert P. Casey Jr., D-PA – was crucial to getting the law through. from women anything they have,” since Catholic institutions that don’t cover Right-wing bishops [aren’t they all?] are not helping the cause of compromise contraception now wouldn’t cover it in any event. with their incessant charges that the Obama Administration harbors an anti- Catholic bishops need to lower the heat – as the head of the conference, Arch- Catholic animus. Nothing could be further from the truth. bishop Timothy Dolan of New York, seems to be trying to do. Advocates of repro- This view gained ground when the administration ended a grant to the bishops ductive rights need to do the same. for a program assisting the victims of human trafficking because it did not pro- If the Obama Administration is pressured into refusing any accommodation vide contraception and abortion referrals. on the contraception rules, the people who will be undercut the most are pro- Stopping that funding was a mistake, but the White House has reason to bris- gressive Catholics who went out on a limb to support the health-care law and tle at allegations of anti-Catholicism, given how much it has actually increased those bishops holding the line against the Catholic Right by standing up for the financing for many leading Catholic groups. church’s commitment to social justice. Administration calculations show, for example, that federal funding for Catho- After all, surveys reveal that more than 70% of child-bearing age Catholics lic Relief Services went from roughly $198 million in 2007 to $362 million in practice birth control. 2010. Once again Catholic bishops expect millions from the administration but want Catholic Charities affiliates have seen an increase in federal help of more than to dictate the terms. It’s like going to a bank and asking for a loan but declining $100 million since 2008. to set up a payment plan. Andy’s Wit & Wisdom

As a longtime fan of the late, great Andy Rooney, he used wit and wisdom in a I’ve learned ... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround very few words to explain what life had taught him. So I have collected some of myself with people smarter than I am. his gems: I’ve learned ... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. I’ve learned … That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly I’ve learned ... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. person. I’ve learned ... That life is tough, but I’m tougher. I’ve learned ... That when you’re in love, it shows. I’ve learned ... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones I’ve learned … That just one person saying to me, “You’ve made my day!” you miss. makes my day. I’ve learned ... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock else- I’ve learned … That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most where. peaceful feelings in the world. I’ve learned ... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more I’ve learned ... That being kind is more important than being right. time before she passed away. I’ve learned ... That you should never say no to a gift from a child. I’ve learned ... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because I’ve learned ... That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the tomorrow he may have to eat them. strength to help him in some other way. I’ve learned ... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. I’ve learned ... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, every- I’ve learned ... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in one needs a friend to act goofy with. his little fist, that you’re hooked for life. I’ve learned ... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart I’ve learned ... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the to understand. happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it. I’ve learned ... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer I’ve learned ... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult. done. I’ve learned ... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. I’ve learned ... That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask LETTERS for. From Page 4 I’ve learned ... That money doesn’t buy class. graphic movies of women engaging Lady Eleanor Roosevelt that Hill had I’ve learned ... That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spec- in sex acts with different people and taped to her OU office door: “You gain tacular. animals. strength, courage and confidence by I’ve learned ... That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be The Senate, an insensitive old boys every experience in which you really appreciated and loved. club, confirmed Thomas, 50-48. stop to look fear in the face … You I’ve learned ... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts. Hill’s statue should commend her must do the thing that you cannot I’ve learned ... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only let- for lifting the veil on sexual harass- do.” ting that person continue to hurt you. ment of American women. And it Virginia Blue Jeans Jenner I’ve learned ... That love, not time, heals all wounds. should also contain the quote of First Wagoner THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 5 From The Editor’s Desk Inhofe Vs. Markey: Who Needs The Donald?

Could you have imagined anything more de- That’s one reason why a public debate between Inhofe and Markey not only licious than The Donald hosting a Republican could be riveting theater, but also informative, even productive. presidential debate? If it doesn’t become just another vehicle for Inhofe’s inane soliloquies, per- The Apprentice, Presidential Style – candi- haps it could help us gain greater understanding of the environmental challeng- dates to become leader of the Free World re- es we face. duced to groveling and whimpering. And maybe, just maybe, it could generate the momentum necessary for us to “Gingrich … you’re fired!” produce real solutions that ensure we leave behind clean air, water and land for There already was a Saturday Night Live- future generations. esque quality to the GOP debates in the pre- • primary, pre-caucus season, but nothing – at Speaking of our senior senator, it’s difficult to know who ought to be more least in my demented mind – could have topped embarrassed by the recent dust-up over his homophobic remarks to the Tulsa a Trump-choreographed battle royal. Metro Chamber of Commerce: Inhofe, the Chamber or the Tulsa World. Just when it appeared the Trump cancellation Inhofe swears he simply was addressing constituent concerns when he as- would render the New Year less-than-inspiring, sured the Chamber audience that repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell hadn’t led to Ralph Nader, of all people, rode to the rescue. legalizing bestiality. The 77-year-old consumer activist offered to Our senior senator frequently lapses into buffoonery, but he’s not stupid: He produce a public policy smackdown that could knows there is no connection between homosexuality and bestiality. prove even more entertaining: He challenged And if some of his redneck, ignorant constituents don’t, then he should be a ARNOLD HAMILTON our senior U.S. senator, Republican James real leader and set the record straight, individually and privately – not by uttering Editor Mountain Inhofe, to debate climate change with such inanities in public. Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Ed Markey. He’s been in the public eye long enough to know that such remarks inflame Inhofe, the world’s foremost climate-change denier, vs. Markey, former chair of rather than inform, often perpetuating bigoted stereotypes. the House Select Committee on Global Warming. Even more preposterous is the Tulsa World’s editorial apologia on behalf of Mano e mano. Inhofe. Both quickly accepted. Now Nader and others are ironing out the details, hop- The senator has not earned the benefit of the doubt in such matters, given that ing to stage it as early as this month. he has proven himself a master at demonizing groups for political advantage – It’s a C-Span natural, but I’m hoping it attracts a far wider audience. After all, he’s built a career on the three G’s: God, guns and gays. only the future of the planet is at stake. It’s also puzzling that the World would suggest the Chamber had overreacted There are two obvious problems, though, with Nader’s proposal: by issuing a statement that Inhofe’s remarks “do not reflect the Chamber’s view First, Inhofe is a professional demagogue – a consummate politician who’s on diversity and inclusion.” proven himself more than willing to say anything to support his point, the facts Imagine that – an organization whose mission is to attract new business, in- be damned. dustry, entrepreneurs and workers distancing itself from inflammatory rhetoric Second, Oklahoma’s image in the larger world – nationally and internationally that makes its city look parochial, narrow-minded and bigoted. Oh, the indignity! – could take a serious hit if Inhofe is just his normal, red-necked, narrow-minded See INHOFE Page 8 self. Nader himself acknowledges the potential pitfalls of a one-on-one debate – es- pecially in Washington, where politicians of all stripes are remarkably adept at reciting talking points and ignoring serious give-and-take. “This is a town where ships pass in the night,” Nader said via phone from his Washington office. “That’s one of the reasons for gridlock. “There are not enough good, connective debates going on. So we hope this one will be that.” Nader’s efforts were born of one of Inhofe’s latest pop-offs: A video message aimed at the climate change summit in Durban, South Africa in which he essen- The Insight And Analysis You’ve Come To Expect ... tially declared victory in the debate over whether human activity is dangerously ... Now Delivered The Way You Want altering the planet’s climatology. Inhofe long has contended climate change, or global warming, is “one of the IN PRINT greatest hoaxes” ever perpetrated – hardly surprising given that his political ca- - OR - reer has depended on the deep pockets of carbon-related industries that fear ON-LINE stricter environmental standards could hurt their bottom lines. He wants to be forever known as the man who debunked global warming, but SUBSCRIBING his victory claim is dubious at best. TO A recent Yale University-George Mason University poll found that an increas- THE OBSERVER ing percentage of Americans believe human activity is causing global warming [up three points since May] – and 65% believe global warming is affecting U.S. IS AS EASY AS weather. Moreover, two-thirds of Americans surveyed say the U.S. should undertake 1-2-3 large [26%] or medium-scale [40%] efforts to reduce global warming, even if it means “large or moderate economic costs.” 1. TOTAL ACCESS I’m no scientist, but I can’t fathom how Inhofe, with a straight face, can deny Only $60 for a full year that we’re not major contributors to Mother Earth’s decline. Unlimited access to Consider this: When driving into downtown Oklahoma City or Tulsa on sum- The Oklahoma Observer on-line and in print. mer days, can you see smog? Many days, yes. Is it because we’re each riding our One-year subscription includes 22 ponies to work, rather than carriage pooling? Of course not – it’s because we’re issues of our award-winning print edition sent to your mailbox, on-line behind the wheels of gasoline-powered horseless carriages that belch nasty ex- access to each issue as it becomes haust into the air for all of us to breathe. available and on-line access to our Or how about this: Why is the state warning us not to eat fish from more than a national columnists and special features.

dozen of our reservoirs? Is it primarily because of naturally occurring toxins? Or $2.50

25,000 Blue Chip could it be that mercury from coal-fired power plants is spread by our persistent Readers 2. DIGITAL VOL. 40, NO. 19 An Independent Journal of Commentary OCTOBER 25, 2008 Only $40 for a full year winds, contaminating water and land in its path? State Oblivious To National Trends Actually, Inhofe is right about one thing: The debate is over. The science is Land Of The Red Voter One-year subscription includes on-line access to 22 issues of The By Arnold Hamilton 7HATSæTHEæMATTERæWITHæ/KLAHOMA /KLAHOMAæ RESIDENTSæ RAILæ AGAINSTæ THEæ 7ITHæ APOLOGIESæ TOæ 4HOMASæ &RANKæ /KLAHOMANSæ hBIASvæ INæ ONEæ BREATHæ Observer as it becomes available and on-line access to our national ANDæ HISæ REMARKABLEæ ANALYSISæ OFæ THEæ næYETæPARROTæITSæ*OHNæ"IRCH ESQUEæEDI +ANSASæ ELECTORATE æ FEWæ STATESæ CANæ TORIALSæWITHOUTæEVENæREALIZINGæITæINæTHEæ settled. Climate change is a reality – temperatures are climbing and weather ex- MATCHæ /KLAHOMASæ POLITICALæ TRANSFOR NEXT MATIONæOFæTHEæLASTææYEARS $Ræ $AVIDæ "AIRD æ Aæ NOTEDæ /KLAHO &ROMæ Aæ STATEæ WITHæ ARGUABLYæ MOREæ MAæ HISTORIANæ WHOæ SERVESæ ASæ Aæ DEANæ SOCIALISTSæ PERæ CAPITAæ THANæ ANYæ OTHERæ EMERITUSæANDæPROFESSORæATæ0EPPERDINEæ columnists and special features. INæTHEæEARLYæTHæ#ENTURY æ/KLAHOMAæ 5NIVERSITYæ INæ -ALIBU æ #! æ SAYSæ THEæ HASæ MORPHEDæ INTOæ !MERICASæ REDDESTæ /KLAHOMANSæINmUENCEæONæTHEæSTATESæ tremes [from drought to flooding to hurricanes] are more common. BASTIONænæALLæBUTæCERTAINæTOæVOTEæOVER DEVELOPMENTæ ANDæ ITSæ POLITICSæ CANNOTæ WHELMINGLYæ 2EPUBLICANæ FORæ THEæ THæ BEæOVERSTATED CONSECUTIVEæPRESIDENTIALæELECTION h)Tæ PLAYEDæ Aæ HUGEæ ROLEæ OVERæ THEæ 7ITHæMUCHæOFæTHEæNATIONæPOISEDæTOæ YEARS væHEæSAYSæh)TæWASæOFTENæSAIDæTHEYæ REPUDIATEæ THEæ '/0Sæ DIVIDE AND CON COULDNTæALWAYSæELECTæPEOPLE æBUTæTHEYæ QUERæ POLITICALæ ANDæ LAISSEZ FAIREæ GOV COULDæALMOSTæALWAYSæDEFEATæTHEMv ERNINGæMODELSænæANDæTOæELECTæTHEælRSTæ /KLAHOMASæ HISTORICALæ RELIANCEæ ONæ And we’re failing to confront the warning signs because too many of our poli- !FRICAN !MERICANæPRESIDENTænæ/KLAHO MININGæ næ FROMæ COALæ TOæ OILæ TOæ NATURALæ MAæGLIDESæALONG æOBLIVIOUSæTOæNATIONALæ GASænæALSOæMAYæHELPæEXPLAINæTHEæSTATESæ TRENDS COLLECTIVEæ INSISTENCEæ ONæ 2EDæ 3TATEæ 3IGNSæ THATæ THEæ PENDULUMæ ISæ SWING POLITICSæATæAæTIMEæWHENæTHEæRESTæOFæTHEæ INGæ NATIONALLYæ næ EVENæ INæ LONGTIMEæ NATIONæ SEEMSæ TOæ BEæ CATCHINGæ Aæ "LUEæ 2EPUBLICANæ HOTBEDSæ LIKEæ 4EXASæ næ AREæ WAVE DIFlCULT æ IFæ NOTæ IMPOSSIBLE æ TOæ lNDæ INæ "AIRD æAUTHORæOFæTHEæNEWæBOOKæ/KLA 3. PRINT cymakers are captives of big money interests driven more to protect their bottom /KLAHOMA æWHEREæ'/0æNOMINEEæ*OHNæ HOMAæ!æ(ISTORY æSAYSæTHEæMININGæCUL -C#AINæ ENJOYSæ HISæ LARGESTæ LEADæ INæ TUREæOFTENæCREATESæAæBOOTSTRAP PULLING æ STATE BY STATEæPOLLS ME lRST æYOURE ON YOUR OWNæMENTALI (OWæ DIDæ /KLAHOMA æ WITHæ ITSæ COL TYæOFæhYOUæHAVEæYOURæMONEYæANDæ)æWANTæ LECTIVEæ PIONEER ERAæ SUSPICIONæ OFæ SILK TOæMAKEæSUREæANDæGETæMINEv STOCKING æBIG BUSINESSæELITES æBECOMEæ !LLæMAYæHELPæEXPLAINæWHYæ/KLAHOMAæ Only $40 for a full year SUCHæ Aæ RELIABLEæ RUBBER STAMPæ FORæ THEæ STUBBORNLYæVOTESæTOæRETURNæAæNATIONALæ lines than to produce sound environmental policy. NATIONSæUNABASHEDLYæCORPORATISTæPAR LAUGHINGSTOCK æ*IMæ)NHOFE æTOæTHEæ53æ TY 3ENATEæ!NDæ WHYæ )NHOFEæ SUCCESSFULLYæ !NDæWHATæCANæBEæDONEæTOæPENETRATEæ WOULDæ ATTEMPTæ TOæ MANDATEæ Aæ RELIGIONæ 4HEIRæTHINKINGæISæILLUSTRATEDæBYæTHEæ CAMPAIGNSænæORæSOæITæWOULDæSEEMænæASæ THEæ RIGHT WINGæ CACOPHONYæ ANDæ RE IG ORæ CERTAINæ RELIGIOUSæ PRACTICESæ THEYæ STORYæ OFæ Aæ  YEAR OLDæ /KLAHOMAæ COL AæMANæOFæPRINCIPLEDæSTUBBORNNESS NITEæ Aæ HEALTHY æ INCLUSIVEæ POLITICALæ DE OPPOSEDæ næ NOWæ AREæ ONEæ OFæ THEæ '/0Sæ LEGEæSTUDENTæWHOæWASæRAISEDæAæ3OUTH )Tæ DOESNTæ MATTERæ THATæ /KLAHOMAæ 22 issues of our award-winning print edition sent to your mailbox. BATEæOVERæ/KLAHOMASæFUTURE MOSTæLOYALæVOTINGæBLOCS ERNæ "APTISTæ BUTæ HASæ DECIDEDæ TOæ CASTæ RANKSæ INæ THEæ BOTTOMæ HALF æ IFæ NOTæ THEæ Whether our senior senator wants to believe it or not, economic freedom and 4HEæ lRSTæ QUESTIONæ næ HOWæ DIDæ THISæ 4HEYæ FREELYæ DISTRIBUTEæ ONE SIDEDæ HISæ lRSTæ PRESIDENTIALæ VOTEæ FORæ $EMO BOTTOMæ lVE æ INæ MOSTæ SOCIOECONOMICæ HAPPEN ænæISæEXPLAINEDæMOSTLYæBYæTHEæ VOTERæhGUIDESvæTHATæPILLORYæ$EMOCRATSæ CRATæ "ARACKæ /BAMAæ 4HEæ YOUNGæ MANæ CATEGORIESæ)TSæASæIFæ/KLAHOMANSæHAVEæ POWERFUL æ TWINæ INmUENCESæ INæ /KLAHO ANDæALLæBUTæNOMINATEæ2EPUBLICANSæFORæ RECENTLYæWASæCONFRONTEDæBYæAæFRIENDSæ BEENæCONVINCEDæITSæBETTERæTOæBEæPOOR æ MAæ HISTORYæ OFæ POLITICALLY ACTIVE æ FUN SAINTHOODæ 4HEYæ WELCOMEæ RIGHTWINGæ FATHER UNEDUCATEDæANDæUNHEALTHYæTHANæTOæBEæ DAMENTALISTæRELIGIOUSæLEADERSæANDæTHEæ ZEALOTSæLIKEæSTATEæ2EPæ3ALLYæ+ERN æ53æ h9OUæ KNOW væ SAIDæ THEæ OLDERæ MAN æ Aæ VIEWEDæASænæGASPænæLIBERAL RABIDLYæ RIGHTWINGæ $AILYæ /KLAHOMANæ 3ENæ4OMæ#OBURNæANDæRETIREDæ#OLæ/LI STAUNCHæ3OUTHERNæ"APTIST æhYOULLæHAVEæ )TSæAæWORLDVIEWæTHATæGOVERNMENTæISæ EDITORIALæPAGE VERæ .ORTHæ INTOæ THEIRæ CHURCHES æ IFæ NOTæ TOæANSWERæONEæDAYæFORæYOURæVOTEv THEæPROBLEM æNOTæPARTæOFæTHEæSOLUTIONænæ environmental quality are not mutually exclusive goals. In fact, they are inevita- 4HEæSECONDæQUESTIONæISæMOREæCOM THEIRæPULPITS æTOæSPEAK æSIGNALINGæTHATæ 4HEæIMPLICATIONæCOULDæNOTæBEæCLEAR AæTHEORYæCELEBRATEDæBYæCONSERVATIVES æ PLEX æBUTæANSWERSæMAYæBEæFOUNDæINæTHEæ '/$æANDæ'/0æAREæSYNONYMOUS ERæ)NæTODAYSæ/KLAHOMA æAæREALæ#HRIS ESPECIALLYæ INæ /KLAHOMA æ EVERæ SINCEæ STORIESæOFæ!MERICASæPOLITICAL æRELIGIOUSæ 4HEæ UNSAVORYæ MIXæ OFæ RELIGIONæ ANDæ TIANæCANNOTæBEæAæ$EMOCRATæ THEæ2EAGANæERA æBUTæONEæINCREASINGLYæ ANDæ COMMUNITYæ LEADERSæ WHOæ RISKEDæ POLITICSæ ALSOæ HASæ CREATEDæ ALLIANCESæ #OUPLEæTHEæPOWERæOFæTHEæPULPITæWITHæ CHALLENGEDæ BYæ THINKINGæ 2EPUBLICANS æ CAREERSænæANDæMANYæTIMES æTHEIRæLIVESæ THATæ Aæ HALF CENTURYæ AGOæ WOULDæ HAVEæ THEæ POWERæ OFæ WHATæ WAS æ FORæ MUCHæ OFæ INCLUDINGæFORMERæ/KLAHOMAæ53æ2EPæ næ TOæ SPEAKæ UNWAVERINGLYæ AGAINSTæ THEæ BEENæUNTHINKABLEæ THEæ THæ #ENTURY æ THEæ STATESæ MOSTæ -ICKEYæ%DWARDS TYRANNYæOFæTHEæMAJORITYæANDæFORæSOCIALæ 3OUTHERNæ"APTISTSæANDæ2OMANæ#ATH POWERFULæMEDIAæOUTLETæANDæITSæNOTæDIF 3O æWHATæCANæ$EMOCRATS æANDæTHOSEæ To Subscribe, Visit bly connected: Who cares how much money you make if you can’t access clean ANDæECONOMICæJUSTICE OLICS æONCEæMORTALæENEMIES æPUTæASIDEæ lCULTæTOæUNDERSTANDæHOWæ/KLAHOMANSæ INTERESTEDæ INæ SOCIALæ ANDæ ECONOMICæ 4HEæCONmUENCEæOFæRELIGIONæANDæPOLI AæSEEMINGLYæUNBRIDGEABLEæTHEOLOGICALæ COULDæ BEæ PERSUADEDæ TOæ VOTEæ AGAINSTæ JUSTICE æDOæTOæGETæTHEIRæGROOVEæBACKæINæ TICSæISæSTRONGæINæAæSTATEæTHATæCONSIDERSæ DIVIDEæ INæ ORDERæ TOæ UNITEæ ONæ Aæ SERIESæ THEIRæSELF INTERESTS æECONOMICALLYæANDæ /KLAHOMA æ ITSELFæTHEæBUCKLEæONæTHEæ"IBLEæBELTæ OFæ SOCIALæ ISSUES æ INCLUDINGæ ABORTIONæ SOCIALLYæ 7HILEæITæISæALMOSTæCERTAINLYæTOOæLATEæ &ORæEXAMPLE æ3OUTHERNæ"APTISTSæWHOæ ANDæGAYæMARRIAGEæCREATINGæAæPOWERFULæ %VENæ MOREæ REMARKABLEæ )Næ ANæ ERAæ TOæ OVERCOMEæ WHATæ THEæ POLLSæ SUGGESTæ ONCEæ CHAMPIONEDæ THEæ SEPARATIONæ OFæ POLITICALæ FORCEæ THATæ OFTENæ DOMINATESæ WHENæ THEæ INmUENCEæ OFæ DAILYæ NEWSPA ISæ -C#AINSæ INSURMOUNTABLEæ LEADæ INæ drinking water? Who cares if you make the Forbes 400 list if your respiratory CHURCHæ ANDæ STATEæ næ FORæ FEARæ THEæ STATEæ /KLAHOMAæELECTIONS PERSæISæWANINGæACROSSæ!MERICA æMANYæ See RED STATE Page 16 WWW.OKOBSERVER.NET system is under constant assault from foul air? Who cares if you can afford to travel the world if there is no Glacier National Park left to visit? THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 6 Policy Goals Best Achieved Simply By Gene Perry Recently Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs, sug- gested that school gyms, playgrounds, and athletic fields should be opened to the public after hours. She argued that these “shared-use agreements” for pub- lic facilities would reduce obesity, especially in poor communities that may not have access to private gyms, parks, or safe sidewalks. Aragon’s idea would be an effective and efficient use of public dollars based on a simple premise: the state identifies a public good and directly provides it. Contrast that with an obesity-fighting idea from a few years ago, when Sen. Mike Mazzei proposed a tax credit to reimburse 20% of the cost of health club memberships. This would have been more expensive than simply opening up schools and limited to those who could afford 80% of a health club membership. In addition, a substantial part of the credit would be wasted on those who would have joined a health club without it. OVERCOMING THE STIGMA Sen. Mazzei’s tax credit was not made law, but it is emblematic of a common problem in public policy. Because we have stigmatized direct government action in many areas, we look for workarounds that are less efficient than if the state private sector. However, we can’t always assume privatization is more efficient. just went ahead and provided the service. A prime example is support services in public schools. In an attempt to re- This creates gaps in both efficiency and accountability. spond to complaints about under-funded schools without actually putting more Another example is how the state has encouraged rehabilitation of historic money into schools, one lawmaker suggested privatizing food, medical, janitori- buildings. Lawmakers decided this was in the public interest, so they created a al, and transportation services, as if that would free up money for the classroom. tax credit. Yet if we think it through, it’s not clear how privatization would help. We However, because the credits were transferable, recipients sold many of them haven’t introduced more competition, as there’s still only one buyer – the school at 80 or 90 cents on the dollar. The buyers likely had no relationship to the re- district. habilitation project, so a significant percentage of the money was immediately PRIVATIZING ADDS BUREAUCRACY wasted. Privatization would in fact add more bureaucracy, since instead of simply hir- A more straightforward way to accomplish this goal would be to provide grants ing janitors, the schools will be hiring janitorial companies with their own layers for the restoration. The state could collect proposals for projects and award of management [not to mention a profit margin taken off the top]. funds based on merit and need. That type of program is more likely to be at- That explains why when the Project On Government Oversight reviewed hun- tacked by critics of public spending, but if lawmakers believe a program is worth- dreds of federal contracts, they found that public employees were less expensive while they should not be afraid to stand by it. than contractors in 33 of the 35 occupational classifications. SAFER, NOT SMARTER POLITICS Contracting with private companies or monkeying with the tax code are com- Tax expenditures may be safer politics, but at a large cost. plicated workarounds compared to directly providing a service. The most effi- Tax credits are not the only inefficient back door used for public goals. Priva- cient way to achieve public goals is usually to keep it simple. tization can create a similar problem. – The author is a policy analyst for Oklahoma Policy Institute. An earlier In some situations, a private company will have specialized skills that the state version of this essay appeared on the OKPolicy blog. You can sign up for OK needs to contract for, and certainly some activities are more appropriate to the Policy’s e-mail alerts and daily news digest at http://okpolicy.org Pushing Back Against Rightwing Overreach By Mike Brown

In the last seven years Republicans felt it necessary to drive through led to Chesapeake Energy paying an campaign against policies that form have consistently won elections on an alarming amount of destructive effective corporate tax rate of -2.1% the very foundation of economic op- the promise to create a fairer and legislation that eroded the rights of from 2008-10, Devon Energy paying portunity and the middle class, but more business friendly tax policy, to workers by overhauling the Work- 0.6%, Williams paying 1%, and Oneok their mantra of “jobs” along with the improve vital government services ers’ Compensation system to better paying 1.1%. political exploitation of religion and like education, public safety and favor doctors, lawyers and insurance Don’t look for things to change Second Amendment rights has been health care, to prepare students for companies. under the current regime, as the exposed as merely a smokescreen for a competitive marketplace and to There is now a $350,000 hard cap chairman of the Task Force on State an anti-worker, anti-public services protect Oklahoma families. on noneconomic damages that can- Tax Credits supports oil and gas doctrine. On the surface, these promises not be lifted by a judge or jury, even incentives, regardless of the loss of This next session more efforts will resonate with the average Oklaho- in cases where the victim suffered revenue to the state and, thus, public be underway to disenfranchise voters man who reacts positively to terms permanent and substantial physical services. and shortchange vital government like “improve,” “protect” and “fair.” abnormalities or disfigurement. Now the talk is centered on the services. But a sober assessment of their Republicans have assaulted our Republicans efforts to reduce and/ As the Republican agenda contin- agenda reveals that what this has public education system as failing in or eliminate the state income tax, ues to benefit corporations and the amounted to are attacks on workers, order to further their agenda of sup- which is the single largest source of wealthy at the expense of the middle the middle class, and public services porting charter and private schools, support for education, health care, class, I promise to be at the front and institutions. but of the 1,845 school sites in transportation and public safety. lines of these critical fights. Republicans were successful in Oklahoma, only 8% are on the “needs There is no talk of backfilling – The author, a Tahlequah Demo- convincing much of the public that improvement” list. the major budget cuts any of these crat, represents District 4 in the state budget shortfalls were in part a Nonetheless, rather than providing programs have endured over the last Oklahoma House of Representatives result of teachers and public ser- adequate funding to improve these several years. vants being lavishly overpaid and schools they instead took dollars As classroom sizes continue to granted extravagant benefits pack- from our public coffers to provide grow, caseloads increase, fewer ages – and were not deterred by the vouchers for private schools. nutrition sites open their doors and What’s up @ the facts that the average pension is The school voucher bill lauded fewer law enforcement officers patrol $19,000 a year, and teachers pay is this past year by Republicans to our streets and guard our prisons, Capitol? ranked 48th in the nation. create educational opportunities for Republicans continue their right- Follow The Observer They purposely distorted the word “needy” children will award scholar- wing overreach to dismantle demo- up-to-the-minute on ... “union” to justify denying municipal ships to eligible “needy” families, cratic institutions and government employees their right to negotiate at which according to them is a fam- services. arm’s length and in good faith with ily of four that makes as much as There is an enormous chasm their employer. $122,000 a year. between the Oklahoma Republican In order to make the state more The “fair” business environment regime and the average Oklahoman. http://twitter.com/okobs “business friendly” Republicans the Republicans have created has Republicans have waged a successful THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 7 Task Force Endorsement Opening Up Tax Credit Pre-Approval Process Members of the Task Force on State Tax Credits and Economic Incentives voted recently to require greater tax-credit transparency and mandatory pre-approval for those seeking tax credits. Those recommendations, along with several other reforms endorsed at previ- ous meetings, will now be presented to the governor and legislative leaders. “There is a general consensus here that says tax incentives that create real, lasting jobs are worthy, while those that fail that basic test are not,” said state Rep. David Dank, an Oklahoma City Republican who chairs the task force. FEW KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON In calling for greater transparency, Dank noted that it had become clear that until recently “few members of the Legislature had even the dimmest concept of The group has previously endorsed elimination of transferable tax credits and how many tax credits we had on the books, how much they cost or even where called for mandatory fiscal impact reports on all tax credits, caps on tax credits, they were going. The taxpayers certainly didn’t either.” annual audits of tax credit programs, routine analysis of each credit’s effective- He endorsed a system of reporting that will ensure that “everyone involved ness at permanent job creation, and expiration dates for all tax credit programs sees and knows exactly what is going on and what is at stake, down to a dollar- with the option for legislative re-authorization. by-dollar accounting of where these credits and incentives are going and what The group also endorsed a prohibition on hearing tax-credit bills during the they are achieving.” final hectic days of the legislative session. In calling for a pre-approval process, Dank noted that the current system for Although elimination or restriction of many tax credit programs will likely obtaining many tax credits seems “to be almost automatic” with no future cross- draw strong opposition from the groups that have benefited from them, Dank checking or re-approval process for recipients. urged lawmakers to consider the bigger picture. HOW INCENTIVES OUGHT TO WORK “Starting right now, remind yourself every day that the only lobbyist that “If I go down to buy a car this afternoon, it doesn’t matter that I bought one 10 counts is the people who elected us,” Dank said. “They may not hang around in or 20 years ago,” Dank said. “I’m going to have to be pre-approved before I drive the halls here at the Capitol, but they are here in spirit.” that car off the lot. The same rules should apply to tax incentives.” The report, presented to legislative leaders and Gov. Mary Fallin, will be used The task force voted to include both recommendations in their final report. to craft legislation for the 2012 legislative session. Fair Sentencing Act Sends Prisoners Home By Philip Smith Hundreds of federal crack cocaine prisoners – an estimated 300 in Oklahoma crack cocaine sentence that was handed down pursuant to that law. I say justice – began walking out prison recently, the first beneficiaries of a U.S. Sentencing demands this result,” said Ketanji Brown Jackson, vice chairwoman of the Sen- Commission decision to apply retroactive sentencing reductions to people al- tencing Commission, after it decided on retroactivity in June. ready serving time on federal crack charges. Both the Fairness in Sentencing Act and the Sentencing Commission’s deci- As many as 1,800 federal crack prisoners were eligible for immediate release sion to make it retroactive provoked ire from congressional conservatives. House and up to 12,000 crack prisoners will be eligible for sentence reductions that Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-TX, opposed both. will shorten their stays behind bars. “This bill reduces the penalties for crack cocaine,” Smith said during debate The numbers of those released vary by region, but federal prosecutors and de- on the bill. fenders said they would be freed by the dozens in different cities across the land. “Why would we want to do that? We should not ignore the severity of crack ad- The public defender for Virginia’s Eastern District expected 75 to be released diction or ignore the differences between crack and powder cocaine trafficking. the first week, while his colleague in San Antonio estimated 15 or 20 and his col- We should worry more about the victims than about the criminals.” league in St. Louis estimated 30 to 50. The federal prosecutor for West Virginia’s But after a quarter century of skyrocketing federal prison populations driven Northern District projected 92 would walk free there the firis week. almost entirely by harshly punitive drug laws like the crack statute, Smith’s view At this point, there is some confusion over how many people will be released no longer holds sway. and how fast. That’s in part due to years of efforts by reform advocates, who decried the evi- The releases come after Congress passed the Fair Sentencing Act in August dent racial disparities in the prosecution and sentencing of crack cases, as well 2010, which shrank the much maligned disparity between mandatory minimum as the Sentencing Commission itself, which for more than a decade has urged sentences for crack and powder cocaine from 100:1 to 18:1. Congress to fix the law. After Congress acted, the Sentencing Commission then moved to make those Some people imprisoned for too long under racially disparate U.S. drug laws changes retroactive, resulting in the early releases. are walking free now. Others are not. “For the past 25 years, the 100:1 crack/powder disparity has spawned clouds And as long as the drug war keeps rolling along, the federal prisons are going of controversy and an aura of unfairness that has shrouded nearly every federal to keep filling up with its victims. Bill Would Crack Down On Child Molesters Rapists and child molesters could face long-term confinement in a mental in- said several major cases in Oklahoma show the need for a civil-confinement law: stitution after completing a prison sentence under legislation filed by state Rep. • After his release from prison, Marcus Berry, a two-time convicted sex of- John Trebilcock. fender, kidnapped a two-year-old girl from her front yard in Tulsa. HB 2190 would allow sex offenders to be involuntarily confined in a mental • After Bobby Stine was arrested near Jay, OK and accused of molesting a institution upon release from the prison system. 14-year-old, Stine confessed to having committed sexual crimes with multiple “As we have seen with the Penn State scandal, a single child molester is ca- children prior to the arrest. pable of devastating the lives of countless innocent children,” said Trebilcock, “Sadly, there are numerous cases demonstrating the need to require civil con- R-Broken Arrow. finement of child rapists,” Trebilcock said. “My legislation will give prosecutors “These criminals typically remain a public-safety threat even after completing the ability to keep these dangerous and violent criminals off the streets.” a prison sentence and it is necessary to ensure they are not allowed to return to the communities they have victimized.” Under the proposal, when a sex offender nears the end of his prison sentence, INHOFE a prosecutor can seek a jury hearing to have the criminal civilly confined. From Page 6 If the jury finds there is “clear and convincing” evidence a sex offender does Of course, it gets worse: The Tulsa Chamber itself started backpedaling when not have control over his actions and is likely to commit similar crimes upon Inhofe got his panties in a wad and all but threatened to never again lift a finger release, the convict can then be confined to a mental institution upon comple- on behalf of his hometown’s premier business group. tion of his prison sentence. The truth is, Inhofe’s a bully. He thinks he can stomp his feet and bellow and The bill is modeled on laws in Kansas and New York that have been upheld in get his way – just because he’s a United States senator. He seems to have forgot- court. ten that he works for all taxpayers, whether gay or straight, rich or poor, Chris- “Because civil confinement provides treatment, not punishment, the courts tian or otherwise. have ruled that double jeopardy does not apply in these situations,” Trebilcock The Tulsa Chamber never should have apologized for clarifying that its core said. values include “diversity and inclusion.” Instead, it should have been the one In addition to recent national scandals involving alleged pedophiles, Trebilcock lifting a finger to, uh, salute Inhofe. THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 8 The Keating Years, Part I A Belly Full Of Acrimony, Distrust, Gridlock By Cal Hobson

Following the turbulent times of Gov. Keating and Gen. Cortright the David Walters Administration worked together closely for weeks [1991-95], many of us in the Legisla- with emergency services people not ture hoped for a change of pace from only from Oklahoma but from around the next governor, regardless of party the country. affiliation. My job was to help coordinate Frank Keating was the Republi- responses and information to the can nominee, Lt. Gov. Jack Mildren nearly 200 media personnel who im- carried the Democratic banner and mediately flowed into Oklahoma City long-time Congressman to cover what was, up to that date, [don’t call me Yellow Dog anymore] the worst act of terrorism in our ran as an independent. Keating, a country’s history. man rich in governmental experience Due to Keating’s background in at both the state and federal levels, law enforcement as an FBI agent and won although he only garnered 44% U.S. attorney he, unlike many oth- of the vote. Mildren was second, ers, resisted jumping to conclusions hurt badly by the fact that Watkins as to who committed this terrible siphoned off many of the hard-core crime and why. Some immediately Democratic votes in his home base of presumed “Islamic terrorists” did it the 3rd Congressional District. and there were even eyewitnesses Although I had only served for coming forth describing such people three years simultaneously in the in detail. Legislature with the newly elected As we all know now, McVeigh, a governor [1978-81] his reputation at Former Gov. Frank Keating, right, had some memorable battles with Senate Demo- young white military veteran, trig- that time was as an urbane, thought- cratic leadership, including another former Pro Tem, Stratton Taylor, left. gered the bomb and he had been as- ful and progressive legislator from a – Illustration: Steve Hill sisted by another American veteran silk-stocking district in Tulsa. While many Republican legisla- executive. named Terry Nichols. Both were later For example, while the Senate tors grumbled privately, for most it But for now I will wrap up this convicted with McVeigh being execut- Minority Leader, he was a supporter was a good trade – no primary, no column by covering the tragic Okla- ed and Nichols given a life sentence of Oklahoma’s ill-fated effort to pass need to think for themselves, and homa City Murrah Federal Building without the possibility of parole. He the Equal Rights Amendment. money would flow to them from the bombing on April 19, 1995, car- is now serving that sentence in the Keating came to politics perhaps rich white men who funded then, and ried out by an unspeakable coward federal supermax prison in Florence, genetically since his grandfather now, the GOP. named Timothy McVeigh, a Gulf War CO. was a member of the United States Leading up to Keating’s election veteran-turned-government hater As I said before, Gov. Keating was Congress from Illinois in the 19th in November 1994 to his first of two and drifter. One hundred sixty eight exactly the kind of leader most need- Century. His father had been a long- terms as governor, and after he had innocent men, women and children ed in a crisis of such horrific propor- time Tulsa Chamber of Commerce left the Legislature in 1982, he had perished in the blast while 800 oth- tions – calm, deliberate, reserved, executive, another form of politics, [1] run and lost a close race for Con- ers were injured. Gov. Keating’s calm and focused. and his wife Cathy also came from a gress against House Budget Chair- leadership, measured demeanor, and Unfortunately, after the dead were prominent T-town family. man Jim Jones; [2] was appointed comforting reassurances to families, buried, the wounded began to heal, Keating was a product of Cascia by President Ronald Reagan as U.S. rescuers and Oklahomans in general the rescuers returned home, and Hall High School, Georgetown Uni- Attorney for Oklahoma’s northern came during this darkest day in our Oklahomans laid claim to some form versity and OU Law School. district; [3] had served in the U.S. state’s history. of normalcy, the governor returned Thus, due to a background of Department of Justice under Reagan; April 19 was a sunny, beautiful day to his legislative agenda with exactly heritage, government experience and and [4] was appointed to other high as I arrived at the Capitol shortly af- the opposite kind of characteristics education, Keating generally viewed positions of authority in the U.S. ter 9 a.m., but it was clear something – guaranteeing division, acrimony, himself as the smartest guy in the Department of Housing and Urban was terribly wrong. Both the House distrust and gridlock between the room ... and often was. Of course, Development under President George and Senate went into session where executive and legislative branches. it depended on who else was in the H.W. Bush. the leaders announced a terrible In the next Observer I’ll give my room. He also was nominated for an ap- blast had destroyed the federal build- insider view of these monumental Early in Keating’s first administra- pointment to the 10th Circuit Court ing downtown. battles, their results and, of course, tion as governor, and in my service of Appeals in Denver. However, the The power unleashed at 9:02 a.m. more about money man Jack Drey- as a member of the Senate leadership nomination languished in the Demo- was so strong there were particles of fus, his “gifts” to Gov. Keating, and team, I found him to be funny, affable cratically-controlled U.S. Senate and, ceiling tiles on our desks. good old Cal’s first and only trip and a good storyteller – generally after the election of a fellow named No one knew what caused the ex- before a grand jury. traits that serve the political animal Bill Clinton to be the next president, plosion at that moment but we soon At the time I would have rather well. Frank and Cathy returned to Oklaho- adjourned and most lawmakers left been sent to Siberia since grand ju- However, as time passed, other ma and launched their campaign to town. However, as the public affairs ries have the reputation of being will- Democrats and I were introduced to become Oklahoma’s next governor. officer for the Air National Guard, I ing – as the phrase goes – to indict a a different Keating, one who could be Shortly after his inaugural address reported for duty on the state mili- ham sandwich. short-tempered, mean-spirited, quick in January 1995, Keating outlined tary staff where our Adjutant General – The author, a Lexington Demo- to judge harshly and even vindictive and had introduced in the Legisla- Stephen Cortright and hundreds of crat, served in the Oklahoma Leg- toward those who had the temerity to ture a popular, aggressive and very guardsmen and women were already islature from 1978-2006, including disagree with him on policy, which, conservative agenda that fit well with deeply involved in the rescue of sur- one term as Senate President Pro of course, we Democrats did early the priorities of most Oklahomans, vivors and recovery of those killed. Tempore and often. regardless of party. He managed to keep the legislative In a future column I will cover Republicans in line and they sus- these initiatives in some detail, and Southern Driving tained every one of his many vetoes, their successes or failures. Also I even when it made little sense except will provide an insider’s view of a Etiquette Detailed to pander to the party’s extreme right particular Oklahoma State Bureau of wing. Investigation inquiry and grand jury 1. Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles, even if the gun is loaded and the Thus, while forfeiting their inde- testimony of a politician I know very deer is in sight. pendent decision-making, they also well ... me. You’ll also read about 2. When approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires does not knew it helped them avoid at election the Jack Dreyfus affair where Keat- always have the right of way. time their only real risk of losing to ing will find himself being judged 3. Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape. an opponent within their own party for accepting a cool $250,000 in 4. When sending your wife down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her and perhaps to one even more con- “cash gifts” over a seven-year period, to bring back beer, too. servative than they. including time as our state chief 5. Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession. THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 9 BOOKS U.S. Revival Plan Full Of Revisionist History By Lawrence A. Wilcox They like to point out that Jimmy Carter’s presidency was plagued by inflation, THAT USED TO BE US implying his policies created it. They overlook the fact Gerald Ford’s adminis- How America Fell Behind In The World It Invented tration was responsible for inflation that carried into the Carter years. Did they And How We Can Come Back forget Ford’s “WIN” button – “Whip Inflation Now”? By Thomas Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum Friedman and Mandelbaum frequently rage about Medicare and Social Secu- Farrar, Straus and Giroux rity and the Baby Boomers that are starting to draw from them. They touch very 400 pages, $28 lightly on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, going instead into great detail about how noble and courageous our soldiers have been in fighting these wars. NPR and The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart promoted Thomas Friedman’s and Mi- CUTTING VETERANS’ BENEFITS chael Mandelbaum’s new book as a non-fiction recovery plan for the U.S. Actu- They fail to point out that Republicans have been the ones cutting veterans’ ally, it is Republican revisionist history – in other words, fiction – and not a plan benefits, care and support. They overlook the trillions spent on wars, but are for the nation’s recovery. greatly concerned about the cost of medical care and retirements. It appears the The authors ignore most history and modify the rest to fit their agenda. The authors enjoy war and praising soldiers more than helping people live or even historical lessons that should guide United States recovery are eschewed to be helping returning soldiers. complimentary to Republicans and not contradictory to their suggestions for If they are planning a recovery, stopping the wars and finding jobs for returning recovery. vets would be a major concern. I fail to find this in their book. Reaganomics does not work and changing semantics does not make it a re- They argue that taxing the wealthiest 1% would not eliminate the deficit, so we covery plan. The authors use relabeled Reaganomics through the book. The au- should not tax them. They do not explain why the richest 5% should pay lower thors’ philosophy depicts individual achievement as a national recovery. They See BLUEPRINT Page 13 fail to recognize government as part of or leading the solution. The authors spend a great deal of time describing the present economic situ- ation, referring to it as the “flat world.” They contend that we have more oppor- tunities in the “flat world” to create, manufacture and market products than in the past. They also explain how many people worldwide and especially in the U.S. have invented products and became millionaires or billionaires. In fact, they insist the “flat world” is open to everyone in the U.S. thanks to the Internet and access to resources worldwide. WHAT ABOUT WEALTH INEQUALITY? The authors fail to see the widening gap in wealth as a problem, but refer to it as opportunity for every person and a national economic recovery. Their anti- union views are subtle but discernable, especially their opposition to the teach- ers’ union. They view unions as counterproductive in this flat world. The problem in the U.S. is mass unemployment, a decline in manufacturing and deteriorating infrastructure. These are only resolved with a strong govern- ment and bringing industry back to the U.S. A time of growth in this country was during the ‘60s and ‘70s when the unions had some influence on all jobs. The authors like to credit this time to the greatest generation’s work ethic and noth- ing to do with a balanced labor and management system. A great deal of the book is swapping Democrats’ achievements with Republi- cans’ actions. They try to give the impression all good was from Republicans, or at least shared by Republicans, and all bad things were from Democrats or at least they shared in the blame. The purpose of the invasions and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were not to cre- ate democracies in the Middle East as the authors state. The wars were rational- ized on lies. The book omits the cost of the wars when their focus is on financial problems. The authors are extremely concerned about future retirements and medical costs and ignore trillions spent on wars that return nothing. Their “equal time” approach to analysis stretches beyond the political par- ties to television news. They divide TV broadcasts into liberal and conservative, drawing the conclusion both are equally biased. They must get a different cable system than the rest of the country. INFLUENCE OF BIG MONEY The book describes and explains the function and dysfunction of political ac- tion committees [PACs] and lobbyists. They suggest both sides, liberals and con- servatives, employ lobbyists equally when attempting to influence legislation. For example, they give the impression that the oil industry and Planned Par- enthood donate the same amount of money and buy the same influence. They are not even close on this one! The book completely overlooks the legislative objectives: Oil companies want restrictions removed that protect people and the environment. Planned Parent- hood wants to limit restrictions placed on doctors and women to control their lives. The two sides are not equal in money or objective. On the subject of lobbying, they cite Jack Abramoff, implying “Casino Jack” contributed equally to Democrats and Republicans. Again they are wrong. Much of the book is concerned with deficit spending and the national debt. This is a real concern and should be. PREPOSTEROUS STEREOTYPING The problem is that, once again, they blame both parties but leave the impres- sion that Democrats are “the spend and tax party” and Republicans are the ones WHY WAIT? cutting programs and taxes. There are many websites, including official government sites, that quantify the Now you can subscribe to The Oklahoma Observer debt. It was not created by one party – nor can the parties be equally blamed for it. The authors seem especially irritated that President Clinton had a surplus at the Full Circle Books checkout counter during his administration. At two points in the book the authors give credit to and receive your free book certificate on the spot! George H.W. Bush for setting up the policies and aligning government spending to create the Clinton years’ surplus. At other points, the authors credit Ross Pe- IMPORTANT RESTRICTIONS To take advantage of this offer, visit Full Circle Books, where you can subscribe to The Oklahoma Observer at the checkout counter rot for creating a public awareness that forced Clinton into balancing the budget. and receive your free book certificate immediately. You also may subscribe to The Observer using the coupon on page 3 of this issue They fail to mention that Ronald Reagan in his two winning campaigns prom- or by visiting our web site www.okobserver.net. You then will receive via U.S. Mail a certificate from Full Circle Books for a free book [$20 limit]. The certificate is not transferable and must be presented in person at Full Circle Books in order to receive your free book. ised to balance the budget – yet he created the largest deficits in history at the No facsimiles, printouts or photocopies will be accepted as a substitute for the original Full Circle certificate. This book offer is for new time. subscribers only. Not valid with any other offer. THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 10 Point-Counterpoint Whither The Heartland Flyer? Elmore: Rail Support Pales Coburn: U.S. Can’t Afford Against Highway Excesses To Continue Subsidy By Tom Elmore By Tom Coburn Dear Sen. Coburn: Dear Mr. Tom Elmore: Now hear this: You are not listening. THE HEARTLAND FLYER had every op- Thank you for contacting my office about the inclusion of the Heartland Flyer portunity to become a self-supporting service – except that your predecessor in the “Oklahoma Waste Report.” It is good to hear from you, and I appreciate the Don Nickles dropped it into the lap of the highway lobby masquerading as the opportunity to discuss this issue with you. Oklahoma Department of Transportation. I want to be clear that my inclusion of the Heartland Flyer in the “Oklahoma I’ve followed your nonsensical, self-proclaimed “principled stands,” sir. Do Waste Report” is not based on any opaque political motives. you remember our little confrontation at Plainview, OK over your vote for the During my time in the Senate, I have taken many principled stands against “stinky” highway bill that included funding for the destruction of Oklahoma’s wasteful spending in order to save taxpayers money and ensure that the federal magnificent OKC Union Station rail government is running as efficiently center – to make way for four whole and effectively as possible. My re- miles of highway? port’s inclusion of the Heartland Flyer Do you remember what the cost of is no exception. that road was supposed to be? It was To elaborate, according to statistics “$236 million.” Only now – to date – I received directly from Amtrak, of the project cost, not including the cost $7.8 million that Heartland Flyer ac- of replacing the rail center, exceeds crued in operating costs in 2010, tick- $933 billion. et revenue only covered $1.8 million. If you had really been interested in Subsidies from Oklahoma and Tex- “cutting costs,” that, sir, would have as state governments accounted for been the place to do it. $3.3 million of the operating deficits, I remember your ragging on [then- and federally funded Amtrak operat- Mississippi Sen.] Trent Lott about ing grants covered the remaining $2.7 his effort to fund removal of a CSX million. rail mainline inundated by Hurricane Given our nation’s fiscal condition, Katrina – even as you funded the de- the federal government simply cannot struction of the independence of the afford to subsidize unprofitable pas- longstanding Oklahoma rail line link- senger rail service. ing the state‘s most populous cities Amtrak was created by Congress in along with Altus AFB, Ft. Sill and Tin- 1970 to be a self-supporting business ker AFB. with temporary federal subsidies. That’s right, pal – YOU, not Trent Amtrak has received more than $30 Lott – funded the mindless destruction of that line’s independent passage billion in federal subsidies and billions more from states that have provided rail through the state, and along with it, the direct rail line from downtown OKC to service since then. Will Rogers Airport. Despite these subsidies, which now cover a third of Amtrak’s operating costs, You oughta be real proud of your “principled stand” on that one – while you cut Amtrak’s service has not improved and American taxpayers have had to repeat- Sen. Lott to ribbons in the media. edly bail out losses of more than $1 billion in recent years and $2 billion per Today, the state of Oklahoma faces something well in excess of $40 billion in year on average for the next six years. Congress could not even bring itself to unfunded maintenance liability on just its road system. Sort of makes the life- end subsidizing Amtrak’s food service, which results in over $80 million in an- time subsidy for the national rail passenger system pale by comparison, doesn’t nual losses. it? My experience in Washington has shown me that politicians are ill-equipped Has this obvious black hole of debt made ODOT or FHWA change their prac- to select winners and losers in the market by subsidizing certain technologies tices? No sir. Every new mile of concrete roadway they build adds to this deficit over others. Both consumers and taxpayers could benefit from allowing the free – which “sharp eyed cost cutters” like you can’t seem to see. market to determine the most efficient and cost-effective technologies. What are you doing about the spiraling, un-repaid costs the trucking industry Our economy is unique because it is Americans who determine how it pro- visits on the nation’s public roads every single day? Don’t you understand the gresses by their ability to purchase goods and services – not the government. problem when the chief, overwhelming damager of public roads, the trucking Those enterprises that respond to the needs and desires of the consumer are industry, gets away with paying less than one-third of annual contributions com- rewarded; those companies that do not fail. prising the vaunted Federal Highway Trust Fund – which, as it turns out, is actu- This is what has made our economy so strong and resilient and fostered a ally just one more “black, hocus-pocus curtain” behind which the unknowing strong spirit of enterprise and innovation. taxpayers get to fund your pals in the trucking and highway contracting lobbies. Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any further comments or con- What are you doing about weaning this nation off of dependency on foreign cerns, please feel free to write again. Best wishes. oil? – The author, a Muskogee Republican, is Oklahoma’s junior United States What are you doing about safer, cleaner, more cost-effective transportation? senator What are you doing about conservative preservation of longstanding, irreplace- able rail corridors now being abandoned and scrapped by the nation’s deregu- lated, mega-monopoly Class 1 rail companies? Your flowery, self-congratulatory speeches cut no ice with those of us who Truth And Consequences know what’s actually going on in the field of surface transportation. A married couple had been out shopping at the mall for most of the afternoon. Sud- Once again, Senator, you need to change what you’re doing. Hard to “repre- denly, the wife realized her husband had “disappeared.” sent” anybody when you talk more than you listen. The somewhat irate spouse called her mate’s cell phone and demanded, “Where – The author, executive director of the North American Transportation Insti- the hell are you?” tute, lives in Moore Husband: “Darling, you remember that jewelry shop where you saw the diamond necklace and totally fell in love with it and I didn’t have money that time and said, ‘Baby, it’ll be yours one day.’” An IQ of 64, Wife, with a smile blushing: “Yes, I remember that, my love.” Husband: “Well, I’m in the bar next to that shop.” • a smart mouth, Eskimo: “If I did not know about God and sin, would I go to hell?” Priest: “No, not if you did not know.” and the Truth ... Eskimo: “Then why did you tell me?” • Recently at an Irish wedding reception someone yelled: “Would all the married men, please stand next to the one person who has made their life worth living?” www.bartcop.com The bartender was almost crushed to death.

THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 11 New Profit Center: Detaining Immigrants By Kasey Hughart Look up the definition of commodity and you will find that it means “something of use, advantage, or profit” and “an exchangeable unit of economic wealth.” Things that come to mind are most likely common economic goods such as pe- troleum, coffee, and livestock. What about people? In 21st Century America, people, and specifically undocumented immigrants, are commodities. No matter what side you take on the immigration issue, you should know that the current immigration enforcement laws are subjecting undocumented immi- grants to an inhumane process where they are arrested, detained, transported across the country, and then deported in mass numbers. ENFORCEMENT WITHOUT REFORM For the past decade, the U.S. government has focused its efforts in enforce- ment-without-reform initiatives that have resulted in regular increases in gov- ernment spending to operate a vast patchwork of detention facilities throughout the country. Since the creation of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] in 2003, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] has spent over $2.8 billion on efforts to deport immigrants. Under President Obama’s administration, DHS has made it a goal to deport 400,000 undocumented immigrants per year through the implementation of Se- cure Communities, a national database that determines which immigrants are deportable under federal law. There are plans to implement this program in each of the 3,100 state and local jails across the country by 2013. IMMIGRANTS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS for the Tulsa County jail over an 18-month period” allowing for the sheriff’s de- After feeling political pressure from immigrant rights organizations, President partment to expand from a staff of 230 to 360. Obama recently announced that he would focus on undocumented immigrants A recent analysis of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holds in Tul- with actual criminal records. [Being undocumented is not a crime, it is a civil sa County shows that only about 8% of the roughly 5,200 detentions since 2007 violation of the immigration process that determines who is granted the right to involved violent offenses. Most of the detainees were brought into ICE custody remain in the United States.] as a result of traffic violations, such as driving without a license, or minor crimi- However, the majority of deportations carried out by DHS include people who nal complaints. have no criminal records at all. According to the Washington Post, as cited by As more than 30,000 immigrants [both documented and undocumented] are the Detention Watch Network, “with roughly 1.6 million immigrants in some detained on any given day, private prison corporations as well as city and county stage of immigration proceedings, the government holds more detainees a night governments will continue to earn billions of dollars in revenue. than Clarion Hotels have guests, operates nearly as many vehicles as Greyhound CHILDREN SUFFER CONSEQUENCES has buses, and flies more people each day than do many small U.S. airlines.” Children ultimately suffer the consequences of our country’s failure to find a Much of this is driven by profit. Although many Americans want undocument- humane, practical solution regarding immigration reform. ed immigrants out of the U.S., the business of detaining and expelling them has The Applied Research Center states that “between January and June of 2011, turned into a lucrative industry. the United States carried out more than 46,000 deportations of the parents of A report in the Oklahoman noted that, “Millions in revenue for transporting U.S.-citizen children,” leaving over 5,000 children in foster care. and detaining immigrants for the federal government have financed jobs, depart- If the Department of Homeland Security continues to remove immigrants from ments and, in some cases, entire jails.” the U.S. at the current pace, the number of U.S.-citizen children forced into fos- TULSA DETENTION FACILITY ter care due to the deportation of their parents could reach as high as 15,000 Among the 312 city and county prisons nationwide, the David L. Moss Crimi- within the next five years. nal Justice Center in Tulsa serves as the only detention facility in Oklahoma Our broken immigration system is taking a huge human and financial toll on that allows local officials to exert federal authority for immigration enforcement. both immigrants and U.S. citizens. Some are profiting off this system, but at the The Tulsa County Sheriff gains financially from this federal agreement, be- cost of billions of tax dollars and unnecessary suffering. cause they make $54.13 per day per federal immigration detainee, almost twice – The author is an intern with the Oklahoma Policy Institute. An earlier ver- as much as the $27 per inmate paid by the state Corrections Department. sion of this essay appeared on the OKPolicy blog. You can sign up for OK Poli- According to NewsOK, “transport and detention brought in nearly $6 million cy’s e-mail alerts and daily news digest at http://okpolicy.org Coates’ Guest Worker Law Would Lead U.S. In an effort to stimulate Oklahoma’s economy and allow the state to be more these workers, who contribute so much to our economy.” competitive with out-of-state companies, Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, filed Under Coates’ bill, the state Department of Labor would administer the pro- the Oklahoma Guest Worker Program Act. gram which would allow undocumented individuals, 18 years of age or older, SB 995, which is similar to Utah efforts, would allow illegal immigrants to le- to stay in the state legally if they purchase a guest worker permit for $2,000. gally work in the state providing a boost to sales and tax revenues. Individuals would also have to find a guest worker program sponsor who would The bill will stop workers from continuing to flee to surrounding states such agree to hire them as well as provide them with basic health insurance coverage. as Texas as well as attract hundreds of workers back to jobs that are chronically Should a worker lose his or her job, they would have 30 days to find another unfilled in the state. employer to sponsor them. “Since the passage of HB 1804, we’ve seen a mass exodus of undocumented In order to be eligible, workers would have to agree to a criminal background immigrants who have taken up residence in Texas and other surrounding states check and not have a felony on their record. They would also have to provide a where they pump millions of dollars into those economies,” said Coates. residential address as well as a phone number in order for officials to be able to STATE FIRMS WOULD BE HELPED keep in contact with them. “HB 1804 did little more than put Oklahoma companies at a disadvantage SB 995 would also establish an immediate family permit that would provide by sending dedicated, knowledgeable workers to competing companies in other protection to the immigrant’s immediate family members including spouses and states. Losing that workforce has been devastating for many of Oklahoma’s in- children. Each family member would be required to purchase a permit for $500. dustries including agriculture, energy and construction.” WHAT IT HOPES TO ACHIEVE Coates explained that out-of-state companies are now coming to Oklahoma, Coates explained his bill would accomplish several things. First, it would pro- competing for and winning contracts with the workforce that was driven out of vide a way for undocumented individuals to legally work here and provide for the state by HB 1804. their families as well as contribute to Oklahoma’s economy. Second, it would al- He pointed to the 2010 hail storms in Oklahoma City where much of the repair low the state to track illegal immigrants. Next, it would hold businesses that hire work was performed by Texas companies, simply because in-state businesses undocumented individuals accountable and mandate severe penalties for those could not supply an adequate workforce. who do not follow the law. Businesses found violating the new law would face a “While the authors of HB 1804 perhaps originally had good intentions, we’re $5,000 fine, per individual, for each incident of noncompliance. seeing that the bill has put millions of dollars in the pockets of out-of-state com- Lastly, it would provide health benefits to undocumented workers, saving tax- panies who have eagerly welcomed the workforce we chased away,” said Coates. payers from having to pay for the medical costs of emergency room visits. Often AWAITING FEDERAL ACTION that is the only place illegal immigrants can get medical care being that doctors “Until the federal government steps up and passes meaningful immigration re- are constitutionally required to treat anyone seeking help regardless of their form, we’re only shooting ourselves in the foot by not figuring out a way to keep citizenship status. THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 12 What Hath ‘Bubble-In’ Tests Wrought? By John Thompson As the 10th anniversary of No opment for better math instruction. Child Left Behind approaches, the And Schneider’s evidence is consis- obvious question about bubble-in tent with that of Linda Darling-Ham- mania – I mean “consequential ac- mond who makes an overwhelming countability” – is being asked by case for better teacher preparation. Mark Schneider in “Has the Account- I want to be clear. Schneider’s ability Movement Run Its Course?” research skills are unassailable. And Schneider acknowledged that the nobody yet has the skills to evaluate “accountability movement has likely the interaction of educational policy reached a point of diminishing [or with the economic and cultural perhaps no returns],” but he claims changes in the 1990s. that the Texas experience in raising It makes no sense, however, to as- math test scores shows that NCLB sume that the one simple correlation “ought not be dismissed as a failed described by Schneider was remotely initiative.” as important as other causes of Schneider compares the NCLB- improvements before NCLB. Neither type accountability to a meteor that does he address the powerful expla- produced an “exogenous shock” to nations of how and why NCLB slowed schools. He admits that accountabili- test score growth. ty has not improved reading, because Less seriously, it raises the ques- that skill may be “dependent on what tion: happens early in children’s lives – be- 4. If you believe that it is pos- fore they enroll in school.” ended, meaning that indicators of schools serving students who did not sible to conduct the high-quality He holds hope that a new type of family well-being improved for poor learn to read in elementary schools professional development needed to “meteor” will hit schools, and shock people, generating the hope that during the late, great age of account- properly implement Common Core in education into improvement. is crucial for educational improve- ability; tandem with teacher evaluations that Schneider does not speculate on a ments; c] Join Schneider in the hope that are driven by test score growth, then second meteor, however, that could d] During the 1990s, much of the Common Core and better measure- you must also believe: hit families in their homes or in pre- revitalized energy sector relocated to ment of teacher performance will a] Increasing math scores is school where reading for comprehen- the gulf coast and NAFTA attracted shock the system, and “if the United enough to justify the imposition of sion should begin. corporate relocations to the I-35 cor- States is lucky, one or both of these primitive test prep, narrowing the Given Schneider’s apparently ridor, creating demographic changes shocks will produce yet another up- curriculum, pushing out of more continuing faith in bubble-in tests to that improved NAEP scores faster tick in math scores;” difficult-to-educate students, burning create meteoric change, questions than the rest of the country. d] Join Schneider in hoping “if we out teachers, and promoting statisti- arise, such as: 2. True or False. Before 1992, are really lucky, these shocks will cal gamesmanship; 1. After 1992, Texas scores on the Texas and other states were investing produce upticks in reading and other b] This time, the billionaires boys federal NAEP math tests increased heavily in professional development subject areas.” clubs’ consultants will get it right; because: for teaching deep understanding of Seriously, Schneider’s analysis c] Bill Gates should fund a Measur- a] The “Texas Miracle” turned out math, so elementary teachers had is just the latest attempt to explain ing Effective Meteor Project, target- to be a mirage producing a “bubble” always had the knowledge of how to away the inconvenient truth that the ing extraterrestrial strikes on the in state test scores which did not do a better job but needed a kick in growth in NAEP test scores slowed parts of teachers’ brains that inhibit translate into other tests, but it the pants. after billions of dollars were invested the instruction of reading, but not increased performance on that one 3. Since the elementary school in NCLB. math; test; teachers who dramatically improved Common sense says that the large d] NCLB-type accountability has b] The recessions caused by voo- math scores were the same teach- gains in student achievement that not failed. doo economics ended, as did the ers who failed to increase reading occurred during the Clinton years – The author is a former Okla- Texas oil bust, and the banking col- scores, the best way to improve were mostly attributable to improve- homa City public schools’ teacher lapse created by Reaganomics; education is: ments in the economy and the health who blogs for The Huffington Post, c] During the Clinton years, long- a] Reconsider the idea that test- of low-income families during the This Week In Education and other term joblessness plummeted, the driven evaluations of teacher quality boom years. It was that prosperity sites and is wrapping up work on his unemployment rate for parents with- can drive reform; that allowed some “early adopters” new book Getting Schooled: Battles out high school diplomas dropped b] Fire secondary teachers of to invest in both “consequential ac- Inside and Outside the Urban Class- dramatically, and the crack epidemic subjects that require reading in poor countability” and professional devel- room BLUEPRINT From Page 10

rates than the average American, but simply imply that tax breaks for the rich Some knowledge of the Middle East would have helped them here. create jobs – something that isn’t and hasn’t ever been true. The authors suggest a Tea Party-like candidate could shock the nation into a They want to retry “Reaganomics”? It has failed every time. The period of new reality by winning – or at least coming close enough to influence the winner. growth during the ‘60s and ‘70s occurred with high taxes on the wealthiest What a “radical center” tea-partier brings to the government will be of no as- Americans, but they fail to mention this and ignore it as part of the recovery. sistance in restoring the American Dream. The authors spend considerable time urging that students be educated in I would like to suggest that if readers are concerned with rebuilding the U.S. math and science. This, too, is a very conservative, Republican point of view. and ensuring it remains a beacon for human development that they read The Math and science are important. But even more important is the ability to think Man Who Sold the World: Ronald Reagan and The Betrayal of Main Street Amer- that comes not from rote learning of arithmetic, physics and chemistry. People ica by William Kleinknecht. also need to understand the arts and history – and especially culture. Better yet, if you can invest the time, read them both objectively and see which GOP ATTACK ON PUBLIC EDUCATION you would recommend. They not only ignore learning to think, but also the GOP strategy of eliminat- – The author lives in Shakopee, MN ing public education. Republicans have tried many ways to eliminate or reduce public education with vouchers, supporting private church schools, cutting edu- THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER cation budgets and holding down teachers’ pay. Not a word of it in this book. Instead, Friedman and Mandelbaum propose a sort of “shock therapy” which essentially calls for a Tea Party-type candidate to run the country. And they try Your Passport To Oklahoma’s Most to re-label the Tea Party as the “radical center” – calling it a “grass roots” type Progressive, Socially Responsible party. Did they not look closely those who comprise the Tea Party? It is almost en- And Intellectual Audience tirely white, elderly, affluent, male Christians. The Tea Party exists on bigotry Advertising rates start as low toward and hatred of Obama. Its adherents know nothing of restoring the coun- as $20 per issue. try. A significant portion are fundamentalist Christians who want to establish Biblical rule. Are the authors oblivious to the damage wrought by theocracies? Call 405.478.8700 for details. THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 13 Public Forum GOP’s 3-D Strategy: Defund, Discredit, Destroy By John E. Orr In recent years I have written too assist for the poorer citizens. much [although I stand by it] – doz- Certainly the same scenario exists ens have been driven to glasses. [Of in Oklahoma for DHS. Have you ever course, age may have been a fac- heard any suggestion that most of tor – but I won’t say that out loud!] the DHS problems are a lack of fund- Nonetheless, my year-end letter will ing? But then it really doesn’t matter, be brief [well, somewhat], though the because the human beings involved, issues are far more complex and so- for the most part, are poor or disad- bering than ever before. Just in case vantaged people. Defund, Discredit, there have been some “tea partiers” and Destroy. slip into our friendship tent, let me And here’s the latest: our gov- urge you to STOP RIGHT HERE. Your ernor has announced intentions time can best be spent in arranging a to eliminate the state income tax. much-needed Sanity Hearing. The income tax provides 36% of all The stark, ugly truth is the party state funding. The chair of the study of Lincoln has been stolen. The group [appointed by the governor] is traditional GOP is gone. So many the president of the goofy Council traditional Republicans don’t know on Public Affairs. His group favors it, and, alas, so many Democrats are cutting state government spending still more concerned with the lat- by $243.3 million each year for 10 est Thunder scores and are wholly years! unaware of what’s happening to our Why is this such a great idea? The country. wackos think it is the way to stimu- The strategy of the Republican Par- deficits – and demanded an imme- complete education. late the economy [or so they say] and ty is ruthless, though well thought diate reduction in social programs Gov. Henry Bellmon [a traditional destroy our state government servic- out. It’s called “Starve the Beast.” ... And that same charade is being Republican] recognized education es. Once again a plan to benefit the The “beast” is education, social ser- played out in state Capitols, where as one of the keys to a successful rich and destroy all services. Wake vices, Medicare, Obamacare, mental governors like Wisconsin’s Scott society. He was right; but all of his up Oklahoma before it’s too late! health services, and, yes, even Social Walker and Ohio’s John Kasich historic efforts have been destroyed It would appear COMPASSION has Security! These are just a few of slashed taxes, created deficits, and by the New Republicans in the Leg- been banished from the language of the long-time institutions that are then – surprise, surprise – found islature. Naturally, with less time Republicans. targeted for defunding, discrediting it “necessary” to decimate public for individual students, dropouts Do all human beings deserve a and, ultimately, destruction. See any services, firing thousands of school increase and the quality of education break? Does a laborer deserve unem- similarities? Well, of course, they teachers and state employees. declines. ployment insurance when the corpo- are all crucial to the “little people” Let’s use our own state as an ex- A teacher is one of the most impor- ration he has worked for most of his and those on the bottom rung of the ample: education in Oklahoma has tant influences in a child’s life. Yet life shuts the plant and moves out of economic ladder. Is it just a coinci- never been adequately funded, but the discrediting begins as the quality the U.S.? At retirement age he is left dence? Hell, no! last year the budget was slashed an- dips; any missteps are played big on with meager savings, a mortgage and Here’s how it works: [1] a quick other 10%! Fifty years ago, a teacher the front page. The next Legislature no job. Should the corporation be and quiet, huge tax cut [for the rich]; was held in high regard. Today, we will cut funding again – muttering given a reward with no taxes on the [2] in April 2011, after forcing an have seen a deliberate and sys- about the shortcomings, but never additional millions of profit? Oh, and extension of that same tax cut [for tematic effort to discredit them, to wanting to see the real causes. yes, the CEO of the corporation takes the rich], Republicans were ABSO- increase the work load, enlarge class Defund, Discredit, and Destroy. a couple of million extra salary ... LUTELY SHOCKED to see ballooning size … and the result has been a less Vouchers will be next; not exactly an See GOP Page 19 Freddye Fought For The Folks By Wanda Jo Stapleton While looking through one of my farm south of Tecumseh. That’s when photo albums recently, I saw a photo I learned from the League of Women of former State Rep. Freddye Wil- Voters that there were some laws liams and me, taken when we were on the books that seriously affected both members of the state House. women in my situation – that is, Freddye had inscribed the photo: “To women working with their husbands Wanda, Thanks for being my friend. in small businesses or in farming Freddye Williams.” operations. Freddye, an Oklahoma City Demo- In addition to the Head-of-the- crat, was a bold, sassy African Ameri- Household law, the League of Women can. While looking at that photo, I Voters said that Oklahoma is a sepa- felt the urge to write about one of rate property state as opposed to a Freddye’s major accomplishments community property state. in the state Legislature – an accom- In a community property state, the plishment which has never been fully wife has the legal right to half of the appreciated. property acquired during marriage. Indeed, Freddye was not only my But in a separate property state, good friend, she also was a friend the property belongs to the person of all Oklahomans. One important who earned the money to buy it; and reason: She got an outrageous law since the husband was the head of affecting Oklahoma women and their the household, the automatic as- families off the books. That law dated sumption was that the husband back to 1887 and was one of the owned the property. “Compiled Laws of the Territory of That law affected young Oklahoma tor from Tulsa. Under the law, the So I got to thinking, “If I died Dakota” which also became law in women in college who married out- woman in Tulsa would have been in- first, this property would belong Oklahoma soon after statehood. of-state men. Because of this head- eligible to represent her constituents to my husband free and clear with According to that 1887 law, “the of-the-household law, these women because her legal residence became no questions asked; and if he died husband is head of the family. He were automatically supposed to pay Oklahoma City. first, I would have to prove money or may choose any reasonable place out-of-state tuition. My first interest in politics oc- money’s worth to own my very own or mode of living, and the wife must Also, a male legislator in Okla- curred because of this law. In the property.” conform thereto.” homa City married a female legisla- 1970s my husband and I lived on a See FREDDYE Page 19 THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 14 From The Observer Blog New Year’s Resolution: Protect Freedom By Sharon Martin A column in the Washington Ex- The real danger is this idea that aminer lamented that members of one religion should dominate the Congress were banned from saying country. Merry Christmas in letters mailed Consider Saudi Arabia. It’s a to constituents. Fortunately, the religious country. Women are not columnist, Mark Tapscott, included allowed to drive, but a ruler recently the actual ruling from the franking suggested that they might get the commission. It made perfect sense. chance to vote someday. Legislators cannot mail out their Consider Afghanistan. A rape vic- Christmas cards at taxpayer expense. tim can be sent to prison for adultery That didn’t stop angry Christians if she refuses to marry her rapist. from crying, “Foul.” Pat Robertson implied that he One commenter wrote, “It’s time would like us to be more like these for a constitutional amendment pro- religious countries. He would deny tecting the rights of Christians.” us a cherished freedom. Freedom We already have one: the First isn’t the right of Christians to have Amendment. their own nation but the right of What we may need is an amend- Christians to worship as they please ment to protect taxpayers from in a country where their neighbors unscrupulous legislators who mail have the same right. A secular coun- out their holiday greetings at our try where freedom to worship as one expense. chooses is written into the Constitu- In that same vein, Chris Wallace, tion is both more free and more safe in an interview with Archbishop of than a religious country. Washington, Donald Wuerl, asked May there be no “bodies in the about the regulatory changes that streets,” as Robertson suggests, will pull some federal funds from Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich courts “enormously dangerous,” because of an actor’s right of free Catholic hospitals and charities. has his own religious worries. and he suggested that federal judges speech. And may each of us do what Cardinal Wuerl was deeply dis- “There is steady encroachment should be arrested for unpopular rul- we can to protect all our freedoms in tressed. He should be. Until church- of secularism through the courts to ings. He was most upset by a Califor- the coming year. es are expected to pay taxes, they redefine America as a nonreligious nia ruling that was later overturned Happy New Year. should not receive any taxpayer country,” Newt Gingrich said on Face in a higher court. – The author lives in Oilton. More funding. What do they think they are, the Nation. Isn’t that the way unpopular rul- of her essays can be found at www. multinational corporations? Gingrich called the power of the ings should be handled? okobserver.net. Regarding Occupy’s Right To Assemble By Danny M. Adkison

It wasn’t too long ago that police The Supreme Court decision that said is that when it comes to public court ruled that in spite of the fact were dragging Occupy Wall Street applied the right of assembly to the forums, the government may pass that a company town was privately protesters out of Zucotti Park. The states was decided by unanimous time, place, and manner restrictions owned, individuals still had the right police arrested nearly 200 individu- court. It dealt with some communists on assemblies. But – and this is an to distribute religious circulars. In als. Then dozens of like-minded indi- who were assembling in Oregon. important but – the restrictions must the case of shopping malls, in a late viduals were arrested in Los Angeles In overturning the conviction of a be content neutral. It is important 1960s decision the court ruled that and Oakland. Likewise in various man in attendance, the court noted, to remember that streets and parks shopping malls, though privately cities in Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota, “Peaceable assembly for lawful dis- are the forums that the court has owned, were to be treated as public and several other states. cussion cannot be made a crime.” been most amenable to protecting in forums. In the 1970s, however, the One protester was shouting, as The right has been particularly terms of allowing those assembling court changed direction [following they dragged him from the park, “I important in the establishment of to demonstrate and express them- several new Nixon appointees] and have my constitutional right!” the so-called public forum doctrine. selves. So that would be the case now asserted that comparing shop- Well, yes he does. But this right Much of the constitutional discus- of those encamped at Zucotti Park, ping malls to a public forum was a is more complicated that one might sion over the right has been where right? mistake. Rather, the court suggested, think. Free speech, freedom of the people may assemble. The notion of Actually, Zucotti Park is privately as law professor Kenneth Karst put press, freedom of religion, these are a public forum is important because owned. But it is still a park. One it, “that a shopping center owner had First Amendment phrases that not its existence is where an individual’s could say it is a quasi-park. Is there a constitutionally protected property infrequently are the focus of stories right to express himself is at its anything in constitutional law which right to exclude [forms of expres- on the evening news. Not so much apex. The Supreme Court has recog- would relate to a privately owned sion].” That’s the way things stand the other right mentioned in that nized three types of public forum. park which is open [generally] to the today. amendment: right to peaceably as- One is “public property which is general public? How about a compa- The problem for the original semble. not by tradition or designation a ny town [an older notion during min- protesters of the Occupy movement Which is kind of odd since that is forum for public communication.” An ing days]? Or more contemporarily, would seem to be that Central Park one of the oldest and most cherished example of this would be the internal what about a shopping mall? Shop- just isn’t close enough to Wall Street. of America’s freedoms. It was one of mail system used in a public school. ping malls, though mostly privately – The author teaches constitution- the rights listed in the Magna Charta Another one “consists of public owned, have the feel of being a public al law at Oklahoma State Univer- and the English Bill of Rights. It was property which the state has opened place. sity. More of his essays can be found also prominent in our Declaration of for use by the public as a place for Concerning the former, in 1946 the at www.okobserver.net. Independence. Of the states having expressive activity.” An example bills of rights in their constitutions would be the atmosphere on some following the revolution, four explic- state university campuses. Finally, itly mentioned it. there are those “places which by Read The first right in the Bill of Rights long tradition or by government fiat to ever be applied to the states was have been devoted to assembly and THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER ON-LINE the First Amendment’s free speech debate.” An example would be streets provision. Right of assembly was the and parks. By subscribing second such right [prior to religion, Ah, parks. That was what was @ www.okobserver.net search and seizure, and right to trial involved in the case of the Wall by jury]. Street Protesters. What the court has THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 15 Thomas Rewards Friends With Vote? By Adele M. Stan When Clarence Thomas took his seat before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991, things were not looking good for him. Anita Hill, a former employee of Thomas’ at the Equal Employment Opportu- nity Commission, came forward with explosive allegations of sexual harassment against the judge, and she was a credible witness. Thomas needed more than a Hail Mary to survive his confirmation hearing; he needed a major assist. Enter Floyd Brown and L. Brent Bozell, Republican operatives with a history of making brutal media attacks on opponents; Brown was responsible for the racially charged “Willie Horton” ad run during George H.W. Bush’s 1988 cam- There’s his failure to disclose his wife’s income for 20 years, as required by paign against former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, in which Dukakis federal law, which led Common Cause and 20 Democratic members of Congress was made to look like a champion of a brutal murderer and rapist. to call for an investigation under the Ethics in Government Act. THE TWO COLLABORATED on the making and distribution of a television THE JUSTICE INTEGRITY PROJECT also supports that call. Recent news ad headlined, “Who Will Judge the Judge?” that targeted three liberal members reports suggest that the income Thomas neglected to report may amount to as of the Judiciary Committee whose lives were haunted by prior scandals of their much as $1.6 million. own: Edward M. Kennedy, D-MA, Alan Cranston, D-CA., and Joseph Biden, D-DE. Then there’s his all-expenses-paid visits and speech-making to the biannual Time magazine estimated that the ad cost $100,000 to air and reaped about $1 gatherings hosted by the Koch brothers at swanky resorts. Common Cause con- million worth of free publicity. Although Biden had a raft of witnesses available tends that Thomas should have recused himself from the Citizens United case, who would have corroborated Hill’s characterization of Thomas, Biden chose not since the Koch brothers, prodigious political donors, stood to gain substantially to call them, as the New Yorker’s Jeffrey Toobin noted this summer in a compre- in political influence from the decision as it was rendered. hensive profile of Thomas and his wife, Virginia [Ginni] Lamp Thomas. Thomas also has enjoyed a relationship with a deep-pocketed donor, Harlan The organizations sponsoring the ad were Bozell’s Conservative Victory Com- Crow, who, Politico reported, bankrolled Ginni Thomas’ short-lived Tea Party mittee, and Brown’s group, called Citizens United. If that name sounds familiar organization, Liberty Central, which was criticized as being little more than a to you, it is because it is the title of a case that came before the U.S. Supreme slush fund for Mrs. Thomas’ travel expenses as she toured the country, rallying Court – a case whose outcome is commonly described as having opened the opposition to the 2010 health-care reform law, which is likely to come before the floodgates of corporate money into the nation’s election system. Supreme Court. [Liberty Central, had it survived the scandal caused by a New CITIZENS UNITED WAS the plaintiff, challenging a decision by the Federal York Times expose, would have stood to gain by the Citizens United ruling, as Election Commission. Justice Clarence Thomas cast his vote for Citizens Unit- would Ginni Thomas’ former employers, the Heritage Foundation and the U.S. ed, truly a deciding vote in that 5-4 decision. ProtectOurElections.org, a coali- Chamber of Commerce.] tion of progressive groups, asserts on its web site that Thomas was required to CROW ALSO PUT UP the money for a library dedicated to Thomas and bank- recuse himself from the Citizens United case because, the group contends, the rolled the restoration of an historic cannery that once employed Thomas’ moth- ad amounted to an “in-kind” donation to his quest for a seat on the Supreme er. Court. As AlterNet reported, Ginni Thomas’ Liberty Central also counted among its More recently, a related web site, OccupyForAccountability.org, has joined that partners two far-right groups, Gun Owners of America and the Missouri Sover- call. [ProtectOurElections’ counsel is Kevin Zeese, an organizer of the Occupy eignty Project, that have advocated making war on the U.S. government. DC movement, whose Oct. 15 sit-in on the Supreme Court steps resulted in 19 I wrote this in June, and it’s even more true today. At a time when Americans’ arrests.] faith in their institutions of governance is at record lows, the continuing pres- The ethical problems posed by Thomas’ involvement in the Citizens United ence of Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court undermines the very underpin- case hardly mark the end of questionable behavior by Thomas and his wife, nings of democracy. It’s time for him to go. Ginni. © Alternet ‘Can’t-Do’ Leaders Belie ‘Can-Do’ U.S. Spirit By Jim Hightower “We the people of the United 100-watt sockets. As a result of our of the middle class and taking away What we Americans have the most States, in Order to form a more leaders’ dimness, America’s uniting the public tools that ordinary people of is the very thing our failed leaders perfect Union, establish Justice, and constructive ethic of “We’re all must have to do the extraordinary have the least of: bigness of spirit. insure domestic Tranquility, provide in this together” and “Together we things that truly make America great. They say “no,” but we say “yes” – for the common defence, promote can” is being supplanted by a shriv- Our “leaders” have given up on on everything from repairing and the general Welfare, and secure the eled, dispiriting ethic that exalts plu- greatness because there’s no great- extending our nation’s crumbling in- Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and tocratic selfishness and scorns the ness in them. frastructure [a 2009 poll even found our Posterity, do ordain and estab- public interest as intrusive, wasteful, However, there is hope in the that 74% of Republicans are willing lish this Constitution for the United ideologically impure and morally people themselves. We see it in the to swallow a tax hike to get going on States of America.” ruinous. They’re pushing us toward ongoing Wisconsin rebellion that is this] to reclaiming our democracy by What a paragraph! Whatever hap- a forbidding Kochian jungle in which rejecting the Koch-fueled autocracy banning corporate money from our pened to that BIG idea of America there is no “we” – money rules, of the imperious Gov. Scott Walker; elections [84% of Americans support – the creation of a society that everyone’s on their own, and such in the 61% grass-roots victory in a constitutional amendment to do it]. embraces and fosters such egalitar- matters as justice, general welfare, Ohio on Nov. 8 to throw out the While it can be disheartening to ian values as justice, tranquility, tranquility and posterity are none of repressive anti-labor law that the see the smallness of those in power, common effort, the welfare of all and society’s damned business. right-wing Gov. John Kasich ar- don’t let it get you down. Better liberty? So here we are, the wealthiest na- rogantly tried to hang around the that we turn their failure into our We know, of course, that our na- tion on earth, with massive needs people’s neck; in the Occupy protest inspiration for more agitation. After tion has never attained the fullness and an industrious population eager that is so big and so deeply felt by all, they’re the ones who’re wrong – of this ideal, but over the decades, to get working on those needs, yet so many angry/hopeful people that wrong about the can-do power of the generation after generation has at our leaders throw up their hands even police sweeps cannot make it people they pretend to lead, wrong least strived to get closer to it – and and say, “No can do.” Heavily fi- go away; and in still more uprisings about the depth of this nation’s his- made impressive progress. But today, nanced political forces are rumbling that are coming – coming from such toric commitment to egalitarianism some 224 years after the penning of throughout the country to crush the corners as frustrated jobseekers; and the common good, wrong about the preamble, America’s corporate- union movement, eliminate wage tens of thousands of misused war what they think they can get away financial-political establishment is protections, privatize everything veterans returning from the Mideast with. insisting that it’s no longer possible from schools to Social Security, kill to mistreatment at home; hundreds As we head into the New Year, our or even desirable to pursue those poverty programs, un-regulate Wall of thousands of homeowners being task is to confront their pusillanim- democratic ideals that make our Street, repeal environmental rules, mercilessly foreclosed on by bailed- ity – demand from every candidate country important – and make it suppress voter turnout, stack the out bankers; and others who’re for every office to explain why their work. courts, corporatize elections and simply fed up with the corporados vision is so myopic and why their What’s happened is that, from Wall delegitimize the democratic values and political flim-flammers who’re idea of what Americans can do is so Street to Washington, we now have expressed in the preamble. They knocking ordinary Americans down small. too many 5-watt bulbs sitting in are dynamiting the underpinnings and holding America back. © Creators Syndicate THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 16 U.S. Health Care Nowhere Near ‘Best’ By Wendell Potter A little more than a year ago, on the day after the GOP regained control of the House of Representatives, Speaker-to-be John Boehner said one of the first or- ders of business after he took charge would be the repeal of health care reform. “I believe that the health care bill that was enacted by the current Congress will kill jobs in America, ruin the best health care system in the world, and bank- rupt our country,” Boehner said at a press conference. “That means we have to do everything we can to try to repeal this bill and re- place it with common sense reforms to bring down the cost of health care.” BOEHNER IS NOT the first nor the only Republican to try to make us believe that the U.S. has the world’s best health care system and that we’re bound to lose that distinction because of Obamacare. I’ve heard GOP candidates for president say the same thing in recent months, charging that we need to get rid of a President who clearly is trying to fix some- thing that doesn’t need fixing, something that isn’t broken in the first place. Well, those guys need to get out more. Out of the country, in fact. They need to travel to at least one of the many countries that are doing a much better job of delivering high quality care at much lower costs than the good old USA. IF THEY’RE NOT INTERESTED in a fact-finding mission abroad, then perhaps they might take a look at two recent reports before they make any other state- average length of a stay in the hospital. And we have high rates of avoidable hos- ments about the quality of American health care. pital admissions for people with asthma, lung disease, diabetes, hypertension Recently, the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation [OECD] re- and other common illnesses. leased the results of its most recent study of the health care systems in its When it comes to access to physicians, we’re also near the bottom of the pack. member countries, including the U.S., plus six others, for a total of 40. And those We rank 26th in the number of physicians, especially primary care or family doc- results are illuminating. tors, per 1,000 people. If Boehner and his fellow Republicans had characterized the U.S. system as In terms of life expectancy, we rank 28th, just behind Chile. The average age of the most expensive in the world, they would have been right on target. But they death in the U.S. is 78.2, well below the average of 79.5 years in the other OCED would have been way off base by calling it the best. countries. The OECD report is just the most recent evidence that Americans are not get- THE OECD STUDY backs up the results of a report released by the Common- ting nearly as much bang for the health care buck as citizens of most other de- wealth Fund in October, which showed that the U.S. is actually losing ground veloped countries – and even some countries in the developing world. to other countries in assuring that its citizens have equal access to affordable, THE OECD FOUND that the United States spends two-and-a-half times more efficient care. on health care per person than the OECD average. The U.S. even spends more The Commonwealth Fund “scorecard” found that the U.S. is failing to keep up than twice as much as France, which many experts contend has one of the best with gains in health outcomes made by other nations. We now rank last out of 16 health care systems on the planet. countries in the Commonwealth Fund study when it comes to deaths that could The average expenditure per person in the U.S. is $7,960, a third more than in have been prevented by timely and effective medical care. Norway, the second highest. The OECD average, by comparison, is just $3,233. A big reason for the dismal results is the fact that more and more Americans [It is $3,873 in France.] are falling into the ranks of the uninsured and underinsured. As of 2010, accord- Here are some reasons why: Hospital spending is 60% higher than the aver- ing to the Commonwealth Fund, 81 million adults in the U.S. – 44% of all adults age of five other relatively expensive countries [Switzerland, Canada, Germany, under age 65 – were either uninsured or underinsured at some point during the France and Japan]; spending on pharmaceuticals and medical goods is much year, up from 61 million as recently as 2003. higher here than any of the other countries; and administrative costs are more So the next time you hear a politician claim that the U.S. has the best health than two-and-a-half times the average of the others. care system in the world, be aware that he or she is trying to get you to believe IT WAS NOT ALL BAD news for us. We’re No. 1 in the five-year breast cancer something that is demonstrably not true, undoubtedly for no reason other than survival rate and No. 2 [behind Japan] in the five-year colorectal cancer survival to advance their political agenda. rate. We’re also No. 1 in costly knee replacements and No. 2 [again behind Japan] We deserve better – in both rhetoric and results. in the number of MRI units per million people. – The author is Center for Public Integrity analyst and a former health insur- But we rank 29th in the number of hospital beds per person and 29th in the ance company executive-turned-whistleblower Poor Rich And ‘Scrooginess’ Of Congress By Jim Hightower It’s at this time of the year that The only balm for their little fi- pecting downsized workers to be like Assistance Program, which helps the generous, big-hearted Americans nancial ouchie is they are using the Bob Cratchit – grateful to be given poor afford the steadily rising price reach out to aid the less fortunate slight setback to rebuke the 99-per- an extra piece of coal for the fire in being charged for the heating oil that among us – like those who’ve re- centers of the Occupy Wall Street Ebenezer’s cold workspace. As you Northeastern states rely on. Home cently been knocked down by the protests. recall, Scrooge was a nasty old miser, heating oil in Maine is presently run- recession and seen their incomes See, say the rich, waving the but even he came to see the soul- ning $3.66 a gallon, up from $2.87 a plummet. I speak, of course, about federal report, our slice of the pie destroying evil of his ways and found year ago. our nation’s severely squeezed mil- in 2009 was the smallest it’s been redemption in the end. Yet, in a concession to GOP lead- lionaires. in a decade, so your protest about One wonders, though – is there any ers, Obama has proposed whacking Yes, many in the infamous 1% inequality is out of date. “Get a time hope for the Scrooges of Washing- LIHEAP’s funding so severely that class are no longer feeling like a machine,” one front man for the ton? average benefits this winter would million bucks. According to a new Koch brothers barked at the Occupy Congressional Republicans contin- fall from about $800 per home to just federal report, the income of these movement. ue to protect nonsensical tax breaks over $300. That’s not just throwing high-living swells averaged a robust OK, but let’s travel back only a few for Wall Street billionaires and Big a program’s budget into the Repub- $1.4 million in 2007, but after Wall short years in time to 1980, when Oil, while demanding that programs lican shredder, it’s throwing people Street crashed in a heap of greed the top 1% was very happy to pocket to aid America’s growing number into it! In Bangor, ME, where the av- late that year, their average income a meager 10% of all of America’s of poor people either be slashed or erage January low is only 7 degrees took a tumble. In 2009, it fell below income. And, by the way, today’s eliminated. The Obama White House above zero, the slashed benefits will the millionaire threshold, leaving 1-percenters have had big income is fighting most of this absurdity, but buy only about 100 gallons of fuel for these poor rich folks struggling to gains since 2009, while the 99% have it keeps trying to appease the GOP the typical low-income home. It takes make it on an average income of only lost income. by offering to sacrifice programs 850 gallons for those homes to stay $957,000. So the Occupiers are right – the that ordinary people really need. For heated through the winter season. Also, talk about getting a lump of inequality is increasing – yet, shame- example, LIHEAP. Rather than literally tossing the coal in your Christmas stocking, the fully, those who’re back making a Much of the country doesn’t poor into the cold, how about cutting share of our nation’s total income killing want America’s hard-hit ma- know what that is, but people who off all heat to the White House and taken by the 1-percenters fell from jority to feel sorry for them! go through the long, bitterly cold Capitol? Let those Scrooges feel the a whopping 23% in 2007 [the high- The 1-percenters and the politi- winters in the Northeast know that sting of their budgetary miserliness, est since the Roaring Twenties] to a cos who serve them are modern-day LIHEAP literally is a lifeline for the and maybe they’d seek a bit of re- mere 17% in 2009. How sad for them, scrooges, oblivious to the hardships thousands of poor families there. demption from those they’re hurting. huh? of others. “Humbug,” they mutter, ex- It’s the Low Income Home Energy © Creators Syndicate THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 17 BOREN From Page One nies. Signing bonuses that were once for eliminating the tax breaks, which $200 per acre soared to $2,000 and Of the 32 signifi- so far have survived. eventually to $20,000 an acre, in addi- cant votes it has The coordination between Boren tion to any eventual royalties. lobbied Congress and the Independent Petroleum As- “It was like a lot of people had won sociation of America has been par- the lottery,” McCall said. on since 2005, ticularly close, ties that were only Devon Energy alone is spending $1 Boren has taken enhanced last year when his legisla- billion on drilling operations in Okla- the [Independent tive director, Wendy Kirchoff, left to homa this year. It is also building a become one of the group’s top lob- skyscraper in Oklahoma City unlike Petroleum Associ- byists. Of the 32 significant votes it anything the state has ever seen – it ation of America’s] has lobbied Congress on since 2005, towers over the Capitol like the oil- side 31 times ... Boren has taken the association’s man’s version of the Washington side 31 times. Monument. During his ca- Perhaps his most important role Boren’s family was among those reer, Boren has re- has been his alliance with T. Boone who shared in the bonanza. ceived more than Pickens, the billionaire oilman who Between 2005, when Boren entered grew up in a small town in Boren’s Congress, and 2011, his family signed $690,000 from the district. Three times in the last three 325 oil and gas leases on thousands oil and gas indus- years, Boren co-sponsored legislation of acres of mineral rights; in the pre- try, and in the 2010 drafted with Pickens that would cre- vious five years they signed only 35, ate billions of dollars in federal incen- according to state records. election cycle, he tives for companies to build or buy Boren is one of 13 family members took in more than trucks fueled by natural gas. It would who share in the proceeds, earn- any other House also benefit a company, Clean Energy ing between $120,000 and $1.1 mil- Fuels, in which Pickens is the single lion last year [2010], according to Democrat from in- biggest investor. his financial disclosure report, and dustry executives, Pickens and executives at Clean between $450,000 and $2.6 million according to the Energy have given at least $24,000 since he was first elected. Both Boren to Boren’s campaigns, most of it be- and Dan Little, his uncle who man- Center for Respon- ing donated around the time the ages the family businesses, said the sive Politics. American Gas Association sponsored earnings last year [2010] were closer an “Energy Industry Breakfast” for to $100,000. the rush to tap the gas has at times director at the state agency that su- Boren in 2010 at its headquarters in Boren points out that selling min- caused real harm. pervises the work, called most of the Washington. eral rights is a common practice in A study published in May by the Na- incidents minor and said the state During his career, Boren has re- Oklahoma, and that he himself is not tional Academy of Sciences reported mandates a cleanup if contamination ceived more than $690,000 from the in the oil and gas business, nor is he potentially dangerous levels of natu- is found. “We have a pretty good sys- oil and gas industry, and in the 2010 directly involved in negotiating the ral gas in drinking water near drilling tem in place,” he said. election cycle, he took in more than leases. Rep. Frank D. Lucas, an Okla- sites in New York and Pennsylvania. In Washington, Boren has made it any other House Democrat from in- homa Republican, has also sold them Walt Grabow, 65, a farmer in King- his mission to defend the industry dustry executives, according to the to drilling companies, but records fisher County, now has what he calls a and the federal tax breaks he says are Center for Responsive Politics. show that his lease revenues are far “dead zone” in his wheat field, a four- essential. Even before Barack Obama For his family, the benefits from the smaller than those of Boren, and he acre area where state tests have con- had secured the Democratic presi- industry continue to accumulate. His has not played a similar leadership firmed that gas is leaking to the sur- dential nomination, Boren began his stepfather still collects revenues from role on the industry’s behalf. face but could not locate the source, appeals. hundreds of oil and gas wells he has To industry boosters like Boren, the despite the 12 wells within a mile of Boren asked him to reconsider his invested in or drilled from Mississippi boom has brought little but benefits the spot. “They seem to be more wor- proposal to eliminate a provision to Kansas, a company executive said. to his state and the country. “This is ried about the oil and gas companies in the federal tax code that is worth The congressman’s father, in June, the answer,” Boren said, saying natu- than they are for the people’s rights,” more than $1 billion a year to oil and cashed out on $402,000 worth of ral gas is abundant and can be safely Grabow said in an interview. natural gas drillers, allowing small shares in Continental Resources extracted. State records show that more than companies to get a 100% tax write-off stock, part of his compensation for Boren was among the 41 House 5,500 oil and gas industry pollution on labor, fuel and other costs. serving on the board. In November, Democrats who joined Republicans complaints have been filed in Okla- After Obama moved into the White he was issued an additional 3,890 in 2005 to pass legislation that large- homa since 2007, including reports of House, Boren – who introduced legis- shares, valued as of Saturday at about ly prohibited the federal government groundwater contamination, oil and lation to expand industry tax breaks $270,000. from regulating fracking under the gas leaks and spills of drilling water. – met with Energy Secretary Steven Boren’s extended family, mean- Safe Water Drinking Act, and he has Officials issued 380 violation orders Chu to press his case. Rebuffed, he while, has recorded at least 48 new repeatedly pushed the Obama Admin- with fines, but dismissed most of the went on the attack. leases this year for mineral rights, istration since then to keep the prohi- complaints, a record that some envi- “If the president doesn’t want to state records show. bition in place. ronmentalists say shows the need for stand up and be a leader, then his si- – Toby Lyles and Barclay Walsh But some Oklahoma residents – and more federal oversight. lence would be appreciated,” Boren contributed research environmentalists elsewhere – say Tim Baker, the pollution abatement said in April after Obama again called © New York Times After Christmas Gift Order Form It’s Never Too Late! Please enter gift subscriptions for the people listed below Gift Rate [please print] $35 for new Observer subscribers only. Good only in U.S.

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THE OKLAHOMA OBSERVER, JANUARY 10, 2012, PAGE 18 In 2012, Give Gifts That Really Matter By Jim Hightower It wasn’t that long ago that the act homeless centers, church bazaars, commercialism and are genuinely ap- a water buffalo [$250]. Heifer then of “gift giving” didn’t require a mad- charities and other sources of the preciated by the people who receive distributes the animals to families dening trip to Walmart or a desper- burgeoning non-corporate economy. them. I wholeheartedly recommend around the world who put these liv- ate online search for this season’s And what if you used your gifts such gift-giving to you. ing donations to work, lifting them must-have toy. Rather, a gift implied as a way to inspire the recipients of For example, I gave a goat to my and entire villages out of abject something from within, a little piece your presents to tap into their own mother, Lillie. It was for her birthday, poverty. of yourself, no matter how small, generosity? This is surprisingly so I even named the animal after her. Not only does Heifer connect us to showing you care. easy to do. As proposed by a Meth- Although she was raised on a farm, specific needs, but it also has teach- Could that old-fashioned concept odist church group in my town of Momma is now in her 90s and really ers and development experts on staff possibly become new-fashioned? Austin, TX, just send a bit of cash doesn’t want to tend to a goat – but who work directly with the recipients Yes. With today’s working-class to that grandson, niece, mother-in- she loved getting it. That’s because to ... well, to make the gifts work. depression severely restricting the law or whomever – on the condition the critter wasn’t delivered to her, There are dozens of good groups ability of most people to splurge on that they must donate the money but to an impoverished family in that offer such “gifts that matter.” “stuff,” and with the public’s ris- to a charitable organization of their Nepal that desperately needs the nu- For example, my Christmas gift to ing unwillingness to keep shoveling choosing. tritional, economic and life-affirming Momma came from the catalogue of their money at narcissistic corporate Yes, they might very well donate to benefits that can flow from some- The Nature Conservancy. She is now profiteers, a return to a more modest some group that you don’t like, but thing as basic as a goat. the symbolic “owner” of two acres – but also deeper – spirit of gift-giving stimulating the philanthropic im- Her gift – which indeed will keep in Appalachia that are part of the seems to be spreading. pulse in today’s self-focused society giving – was made possible by Heifer group’s conservation efforts. Realizing that buying globalized is itself a radical act. Five dollars, 50, International, a terrific charitable or- For her – and for me – this kind of corporate crap is not really a gift, 100 or whatever can make recipients ganization based in Little Rock, AR, giving is a lot more satisfying [and a more and more people are putting think beyond their own posses- that copes with global poverty one lot truer to the spirit of giving] than their money where their values are. sions – and that alone is a big social animal at a time. buying another “thing” that she They’re buying from local artisans, advancement. Heifer publishes a gift catalogue doesn’t need. For information about fair-trade merchants, certified sweat- This year, I finally mastered the art that allows you and me to make a these groups and more – go to www. shop-free manufacturers, recycling of finding perfect gifts for people on donation that purchases anything charitynavigator.org. shops, co-ops, farmers markets, my list – gifts that rise above crass from a flock of baby chicks [$20] to © Creators Syndicate GOP FREDDYE From Page 14 From Page 14 Corporate power is out of control. and more than 1,200 state legisla- That’s when my husband and I Rep. John Monks, D-Muskogee, Or is this the new Republican an- tors. Very simply, no politician who got wills! It’s a good thing we did adamant foe of the Equal Rights swer: “The Senate’s second-ranking is unwilling to compromise is worthy because a few years later, he died of Amendment, came “unglued” and Republican secured a deal to slash of any office. All the wacky Repub- cancer and, under Oklahoma law, I ruthlessly attacked Freddye on the inheritance taxes on the rich by $23 licans running for president have would have been in a mess without House floor. He even questioned her billion – while fighting to deny un- signed the commitment in opposi- that will. sanity. But Freddye, knowing that employment benefits for five million tion to “any and all efforts to ever After years of working [without she had the votes, remained cool Americans left jobless.” increase taxes.” [The exception is success] to get the Equal Rights and calm. Sure enough, the vote was Thank goodness for the Occupy former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.] Amendment ratified in Oklahoma, I 67-to-26 to get that sucker off the Wall Street movement; at last a few I remember well a class at OU; the ended up in 1986 in the Oklahoma books. people realize what’s happening. May professor explained in some detail House of Representatives with my Freddye’s bill went to the state they continue to grow, despite at- that a successful capitalistic system friend Freddye who had already been Senate where the bill – authored by tempts to Discredit and Destroy. must have mechanisms to readjust there eight years. Sen. Bernest Cain, D-OKC, passed President Obama is doing an ex- the wealth periodically if the econ- Freddye had already tried once, 30-16. cellent job – despite an impossible omy was to continue to grow long- without success, to get the Head- Finally, Gov. Henry Bellmon signed Congress. term. The inheritance tax has been of-the-House law off the books, but the bill into law. Another word New Republicans that mechanism. Now, every effort is she persevered, and in 1988 filed HB So Freddye’s perseverance paid have forgotten is compromise. Unfor- being made to destroy the remnants 1193 to try again. off for Oklahoma women and their tunately, 238 House members [99% of that tax. Isn’t an inheritance ex- This time, I quietly gathered up families. of the GOP caucus!] have committed emption of $5 million per individual the votes but remained silent while – The author, a former Democratic to oppose “any and all efforts to in- estate reasonable enough? Freddye “battled it out” on the House state representative, lives in south crease taxes” – plus 41 U.S. Senators – The author lives in Okla. City floor on Feb. 25, 1988. Okla. City

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