April 25, 2008

On The Cover

CareerTech Success: Skills Centers Rescue Prisoners

By Frosty Troy

Until 1970, inmates in state penal institutions were making license plates, growing crops or sitting on their duffs. That changed beginning in 1971 when a magnificent undertaking began.

What’s Inside

Frosty’s Notebook: Guns

By Frosty Troy

These days news reports can make any Oklahoman feel unsafe upon leaving home. Stories abound about shootings in a shopping mall, at a major university, in schools and even in a church.

No More Spin: It’s A House Divided

By Arnold Hamilton

So much for Speaker Chris Benge’s more open, collegial House.

Partisan Wilcoxson Kills Good Nominee

Once again partisanship has reared its ugly head in the Oklahoma Senate – this time under the aegis of the Senate’s worst partisan, Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson.

Follow The Money

Legislative leaders are thumping their chests, touting the “generous” 30% budget increase for the state Ethics Commission. Don’t buy the spin. It’s an insulting example of the old legislative shell game.

DHS Recognized By National Report

By Mary Leaver

Oklahoma is ranked first in the nation for state standards and oversight of family child-care homes, according to a report issued by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

High School Grades Need Less Remediation

Graduates of Oklahoma high schools posted the second-lowest college remediation rate in 10 years and also achieved a dramatic one-year decline.

Diabetes Research Is OSU Initiative

The OSU Center for Health Sciences has launched a statewide clinical practice-based diabetes research initiative through a Center for Diabetes Care and Research network.

Agritourism Boom Hitting Oklahoma

Agritourism in Oklahoma and across America gets even more interesting when you look at current facts and reasons it has become so popular.

Public Forum

Sonics Deal A Real Stinker For Oklahoma

By Wanda Jo Stapleton

The National Basketball Association has announced the Seattle SuperSonics will relocate to Oklahoma City once the team’s legal problems in Seattle are resolved. Imagine that! Oklahoma.

Chaplain: It’s Time To Get Off The Pot

By AnDrea Walker-Skye

I’ve subscribed to the Observer for years, and I will keep doing it. But I really wish you’d get off the marijuana bandwagon. The stuff is too addictive, and causes life-damaging consequences. Don’t believe me – coming out to Valley Hope here in Cushing and talk to our patients.

A Few Modest Proposals For W’s Library

By Bill Howell

The recent announcement of Bush II’s pending library, to be constructed at Southern Methodist University, caused me to reflect on the highlights of his legacy. My initial concern, of course, was the paucity of displays that might be included. However, upon further reflection I would like to make these recommendations for the architectural design.

Can Hope Rise Again – Audaciously?

By Edwin E. Vineyard

Hope is indeed an audacious attribute in the American society, especially in these times. Perhaps hope has always been an audacious spirit in any and all ages.

Truth In Advertising: SB 2093 Is Voucher Bill

Senate Bill 2093, the so-called “New Hope Scholarship Program,” is further proof that the current Republican-controlled state Legislature is in an all-out attack mode on public education.

– The letter was signed by 24 Oklahoma school superintendents

Observations

Bravo Askins!

Thank goodness Jari Askins is the lieutenant governor – she has killed a GOP attempt to lock Oklahoma’s courthouses in favor of corporations.

Inheritance

With Oklahoma phasing out the inheritance tax, those with estates need to know that legacy planning is about more than simply leaving your money to your kids.

Immigration

Wonder why so many in the business community are worried about the impact of the state’s new immigration law?

Earning Money

Another Oklahoma school year is drawing to a close and once again the dropouts will proliferate – some expelled, some bored, some tired of NCLB tests and poor kids willing to work for minimum wage.

Backfire

Florida and Michigan Democratic whining was maddening since they deliberately chose to ignore the national party, losing their chance to send voting delegates to this summer’s Democratic National Convention.

Bush Legacy

Hey, a billion here, a billion there, who’s counting? Not the State Department, which admits it can’t say “specifically what it received” for the $1.2 billion it paid DynCorp., ostensibly to train the Iraqi police.