Current Issue

June 25, 2008

On The Cover

Freedom’s Price: Counterfeit Patriots Outed

By Frosty Troy

The 56 colonists who signed the Declaration of Independence could hardly have foreseen the results of their action.

What’s Inside

Frosty’s Notebook: The 4th Of July

By Frosty Troy

The U.S. Constitution may seem just a fragile relic, its yellowed parchment pages sealed in a helium-filled enclosure in the National Archives. But the approaching Fourth of July should remind us what a vital document it is and how badly is has been trampled by the Bush Administration.

In Midst Of Ethical Lapses, A Silver Lining

By Arnold Hamilton

This year’s headlines leave the unmistakable impression that graft and corruption pervade Oklahoma government: State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan quits after being convicted in federal court of accepting illegal campaign contributions, jewelry and trips. And Rep. Lance Cargill resigns as House speaker amid revelations he failed to file and pay taxes and faced an investigation of questionable campaign finance dealings.

Great Session For Natural Resources

Conservation leaders in Oklahoma are hailing the just completed legislative session as “landmark” for natural resource work statewide. It was one of the few success stories.

Kid Wellness Is Better, Still Low

Oklahoma ranks 43rd in the nation in a new state-by-state study on the well-being of America’s children.

Hey! Don’t Be So Quick To Bury America

Before you bury a “failed” America, check a few facts.

Public Forum

Drive 55, Keep Your Family’s Budget Alive

By Deborah Astley

Whether one is a Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian or apolitical [how can there be such an animal?], there is one thing that affects all of us and that is the price of a gallon of gas.

Sadly, Bigotry Still Abounds In Oklahoma

By Daniel Humphrey

I’ve always had pride in my Oklahoma roots. Throughout the 30 years I worked in Washington, DC, I unabashedly let people know where I grew up.

America’s Cowardly Response To BushCo

By Steve Waterman

I believe George Bush is guilty of treason. Never mind that he is one of the dumbest, most incapable presidents ever in the history of the nation [OK, maybe the only STUPID one], but he should be held responsible and impeached at least, imprisoned at most [as the death penalty for treason is so passé.]

Saving The Illinois Before It’s Too Late

By Phil Lorenz

Is the runoff from poultry operations in Arkansas into the Illinois Rivera threat to health?

Observations

Feds Speak

The Feds have told Oklahoma’s Mental Health agency that it cannot use $2.5 million of a federal grant balance of more than $5.4 million for a brain scan machine.

Theocracy?

The Oklahoma Observer defends the separation of church and state for a good reason – it’s in the Constitution and George W. Bush has sought to erase it.

Big Bad Bill

We thought the Legislature was well rid of Rep. Bill Graves, a Republican homophobe whose ears are bookends for a vacuum.

Merit Pay?

You know public education faces problems with Barack Obama when he wins praise from the far right Reason Foundation.

Go Jim Go

We don’t often have kind words for Oklahoma’s Republican senior Sen. Jim Inhofe, but his action to help stop using corn for fuel is worthy of plaudits.

Barr Disgusted

As a George congressman Bob Barr was definitely not a libertarian but shared some of their views. Now he’s the Libertarian Party’s presidential nominee.

New GI Bill

On July 4th the nation will join its nearly 24 million veterans in remembering the American heroes who have lost their lives in war.