March 10, 2008

On The Cover

Deflating School Critics: Successful Against All Odds

By Frosty Troy

From agenda-driven editorials, TV newscasts, talk radio and televangelists – public schools are maligned today with a ferocity usually reserved for serial killers.

What’s Inside

Frosty’s Notebook: Nader

By Frosty Troy

I have a long and checkered relationship with Ralph Nader. It began with his column. The Observer was the only Oklahoma paper willing to carry it – and we did it gladly because it was superb.

State Tax Cuts and $$$ Consequences

By David Blatt

Although Oklahoma’s economy continues to show signs of decent growth, the state budget is in rough straits.

Cargill’s Crew Bids House Adieu

Two members of disgraced former House Speaker Lance Cargill’s political family are moving out of the House.

Dr. Randall Raburn A Super Educator: Retiring After 46 Years

He has dedicated his entire career to education. Now, after 46 years of service, Dr. Randall Raburn is passing the torch and leaving behind his legacy.

A Secular Nation Treasures Religious Freedom

By Edwin E. Vineyard

Religious freedom has been a treasured tenet of American democracy. Since the founding of our nation, religious freedom has been highly valued.

Books

No ‘Straight Talk’ On Iraq War Cost

THE THREE TRILLION DOLLAR WAR
The True Cost of the Iraq Conflict
By Joseph E. Stiglitz and Linda J. Bilmes
Current Affairs
192 pages, $22.95

By Joe Conason

As a presidential candidate, John McCain stands out not only for his vocal endorsement of the unpopular war in Iraq, but also because one of his own sons is a Marine Corps officer on active duty there. He supports the war, even at the price of his own career or the life of a child he loves.

Will’s Witicisms Never Lose Their Punch

WILL ROGERS SAYS …
Edited by Reba Collins
University of Oklahoma Press
86 pages, $12.95

By Mike Nobles

In excess of 25 million visitors from around the world have trekked to Claremore, OK to visit the Will Rogers Memorial and they keep coming at the rate of some 500,000 a year.

Public Forum

Purpose Driven Politics: It’s No Game

By Lynn Green

I would like to reflect on why we are involved in this business called “politics.”

An Open Letter To The Torturer-In-Chief

By Karen Webb

Mr. Bush: I am the same age you are and I never thought I would see the day when the United States of America used my tax money to torture people, and did it in my name.

Observations

Dead Wrong

A lame attempt to defend the Bush zero funding of CareerTech was the lowlight of a PR visit to Oklahoma by his Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings.

Disappointment

There are two things to watch when you’re reading the Daily Disappointment: What they tell you – and what they don’t.

Do As They Say

Barack Obama is promising that if elected, he will see to it that every American has the same health care provided to members of Congress by the taxpayers.

Leaders?

If you are one of those preening legislators bragging about $700 million in tax cuts, never mind the 1,634 Oklahomans on the disability waiting list at the State Department of Rehabilitative Services.

Coincidence?

If you think only Republicans are involved in the pay-for-play at the State Capitol, guess again. Check out Democratic Sen. Susan Paddack of Ada.

Fairy Tale

You couldn’t help noticing that the Republican primaries turned into a Ronald Reagan worshipping contest.