June 10,2008

On The Cover

Ten Best & Ten Worst: 2008 Legislative Performances

By Arnold Hamilton and Frosty Troy

The 2008 Oklahoma Legislature began in February with House Republicans scrambling like Keystone Cops to replace their ethically challenged speaker. It ended 16 weeks later with barely a whimper, a session so unremarkable that even the eternally sunny Gov. Brad Henry could only muster a much-too-charitable grade of C+.

What’s Inside

Frosty’s Notebook: Cowardice

By Frosty Troy

Our illustrious Legislature has passed a bill allegedly guaranteeing that Oklahoma students who express religious views at school are granted the same protections as students expressing secular views.

Appreciation: For Jack Mildren, It Was All About The Option

By Andy Oden

I kept reading the news stories and the sports stories, scanning the quotes to hear about our late Lt. Gov. Jack Mildren. Many people said great truths about Jack, but I kept missing some important things about the Jack Mildren I know. Since I did not hear what I feel needed to be said, I’m grateful to The Observer, and Jack’s wife, Janis, for this opportunity to share a few words about a man I greatly admire.

What’s The Matter With Oklahoma? – Xenophobic And Anti-Gay?

By Richard Fricker

The Republican-dominated Oklahoma Legislature is defining the frontier of xenophobic immigration laws, anti-Muslim bigotry, gay bashing and encouragement of gun-toting students – with Democratic legislators often too timid to resist.

Pat Buchanan’s Clueless High Court Analysis

By Danny M. Adkison

Patrick Buchanan is a former presidential candidate who is now an analyst for MSNBC. He has written books on American foreign policy. I haven’t read any of them and so I won’t present to be able to critique his thoughts on that subject. I have, however, read his recent analysis of Justice John Paul Stevens’ interpretation, in particular, and the Supreme Court’s interpretation, in general, of the “cruel and unusual punishment clause.” Based on that I would have to say, he should stick to foreign policy.

Tax Credit Scam Costing State Millions

By Wallace Collins

Taxpayers are losing hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue, much of which can be recovered with timely action.

Bond Issue Hits Public Education: A Session To Forget

Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders approved a $475 million bond package – a knife in the heart of public education.

Lawsuit Reform Bill Protects Education

The Oklahoma Senate voted 26 to 22 to pass the School Protection Act, a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill providing teachers and schools protections from lawsuits. The House of Representatives passed the bill by a 94 to 0 vote.

Oklahoma’s Dismal Duo Opposes New GI Bill

Currently, there are 56 senators, including 10 Republicans, who have joined Virginia Democratic Sen. Jim Webb’s effort to dramatically expand educational benefits for returning veterans. Oklahoma’s dismal Senate duo is against the bill.

Public Forum

A Differing View On State Mental Health

By Jeff Tallent

While I have been a fan of you and The Oklahoma Observer for some time, I have to say that your recent article, Mental Health Woe, really rocked me back on my heels.

Why It’s Wrong To Invoke ‘A’ Word

By Colin T. Bent

There are two dates in 1968 that I remember very well and none of them bring me any pleasure.

Will Today’s Vets Be Forced To March?

By Cecil Acuff

In 1929, the veterans of World War I marched en masse on Washington, DC, against the Hoover Administration at the state of the Great Depression over promised pensions which the government refused to honor.

Books

Hagee’s Old Time Apocalyptic Politics

THE GREAT DERANGEMENT
A Terrifying True Story Of War, Politics & Religion At The Twilight Of The American Empire
By Matt Taibbi
Spiegel & Grau
272 pages, $24

By Don Wilkey

Rolling Stone author Matt Taibbi has just published a new book called The Great Derangement. Since Jeremiah Wright occupied so much media attention some were shouting that people needed to look at McCain’s spiritual connections. A media conspiracy was suggested.

Observations

’08 Session

We gagged when Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, rose on the Senate floor the last day of the unlamented 2008 session to exclaim that it had been one of the great sessions of all times.

GOP Loss

In life you seldom get do-overs, but it’s not hard to imagine how different Oklahoma would look if Republicans in the Oklahoma House has chosen Susan Winchester as speaker.

Ritalin

Most of the 1,400 respondents to an informal, non-scientific, online survey reported taking drugs to improve concentration.

Judge Not

Did you see the full-page, anti-gay ad in the May 21 issue of the Oklahoman? It was paid for by the Church of Christ in Elk City. It consisted of five sermonettes but not one quoted the Bible wherein it says, Judge not lest ye be judged.

Misnomer

When Ronald Reagan took office the national debt was $750 billion. He left with America owing $1 trillion. When President Bush leaves, it will be $10 trillion.

Vouchers

In 1992, Sweden, a social democracy, enacted a universal voucher program. Paradoxically, the United States, a decentralized liberal democracy, has only implemented small-scale voucher programs targeted toward disadvantaged students primarily through local legislation.