August 10, 2007

On The Cover

Ties That Bind: State Dollars To Churches

By Arnold Hamilton

In late June, more than 50 religious leaders gathered for lunch in northwest Oklahoma City at the invitation of the state Department of Human Services and its Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

What’s Inside

Frosty’s Notebook: Fabulist Cargill

By Frosty Troy

When freshman Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill opens his mouth he invariably inserts a foot.

Garrett Wants Longer School Day, Year

Do Oklahoma students spend enough time in the classroom? State Superintendent
of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett doesn’t think so.

The School ‘Competition’ Canard

By Lynn Green

I have been a teacher in the Oklahoma City Public Schools for 14 years, so I keep an eye out for what is said in the local media about education, especially public education. Lately, I have seen many letters, op-ed pieces and editorials trying to revive the idea of taxpayer-funded “vouchers” for private schools.

Oklahoma’s Taxes As Deficient As Bridges

By Edwin E. Vineyard

Our shortsightedness in public policy becomes evident to some of us only when it rises up to strike us in the face, as it has now done with our failure to tax ourselves to pay for maintenance of bridges all across the country.

Coal-Fired Plant Makes No Sense In 2007

By Nathaniel Batchelder

Oklahoma does not need a new coal-fired electrical generating plant. Coal is an environmental and health hazard; other sources of electricity are cleaner; environmentally sustainable alternative energy sources are getting cheaper by the day; and as energy-efficiency and conservation become more mainstream, less electricity will be needed.

Plugging Into A Cleaner, More Efficient Ride

By Shane Woolbright

Your newspaper is one of the few that has a strong sense of environmental responsibility, and I greatly appreciate the fact that you care about Oklahoma’s air and water quality. I am among many who believe that America can stay strong politically and economically by leading the world in environmental advancement.

Coburn’s Weird World Gets Weirder

By Larry Hicks

Our junior senator from Oklahoma is probably one of the best-educated members of the United States Senate, possessing an accounting degree from OSU and a medical degree from OU.

Books

What Would Jesus Value? The Three Ps

By Alvena Bieri

Not all religious people think alike on important moral topics. But amid the diversity, is it possible for many, if not most, of us to find a common ground?

A Stunning New Journey On Trail Of Tears

By Mike Nobles

If I had been told that Graphic Arts Publishing was going to publish another Oklahoma themed book of equal importance and beauty to the highly acclaimed Oklahoma 3 [released in late 2006], I would have been a bit skeptical, to say the least.

Public Forum

Time To Preach What You Practiced

By Sherry Blaylock

Do you remember all those typing classes back in your high school years? And how your fingers went in every direction except where they were supposed to while teachers walked around the room to find those of us who dared to steal a look down to try and find where the heck the “M” key was, and then she would scold us, “Don’t you dare look at that keyboard!”

The TXT MSG 411 On Equal Rights

By James Nimmo

I’m a big fan of the Internet and think it’s one of the most momentous advances in human communication since our hairy, howling, hominid ancestors developed spoken language.

Nearly 3,600 Reasons To Impeach Cheney

By Sheila Samples

Recently, Nova M Radio’s Mike Malloy suggested the lethargy that appears to have descended on the American people is more “rage fatigue” than a lack of knowledge or comprehension of the damage wrought by this administration.

Observations

They Did What?

The next time you hear some Republicans brag about their takeover of the Legislature, ask them why their budget did not include adequate funding for the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

Trail Boss

Burns Hargis’ resignation as an Oklahoma State University regent can mean only one thing: He’s a lock to be OSU’s next president.

Charles Nesbitt

One of the finest public officials it has been our pleasure to know was Charles Nesbitt, easily one of the best attorneys general in state history.

Fat City

Anybody surprised that Oklahoma City is the fast food capital of America?

Unfair

A straight shooter with a big heart, Howard Hendrick took on the thankless job of state Department of Human Services director nine years ago.