December 10/25, 2007

On The Cover

Angels In Alva: An Unforgettable Holiday

By Keith Smith

In September 1960, my mother woke up one morning with four hungry boys and just 75 cents in her pocket. Our father was gone.

What’s Inside

In Memoriam: Founding Publisher Helen B. Troy

[Editor’s Note: As we went to press with this, our final edition of the year, we unexpectedly lost our beloved founding publisher, Helen Troy. Frosty’s tribute to his remarkable wife of 54 years and best friend will appear in our Jan. 10th issue.]
Helen Bernice [Nix] Troy of Midwest City, OK, died Nov. 28, 2007 in Oklahoma City at the age of 75.

Frosty’s Notebook: Nazareth Carpenter Is Held Without Bail

By Frosty Troy

BETHLEHEM, Judea – Alerted by the Daily Disappointment which had tracked down a family living in a barn, Department of Human Services personnel, accompanied by police, descended on the barn.

Forbes, Wall Street Journal Trash Oklahoma – We’re Soviet-Styled?

Under the headline “Has North Korea Annexed Oklahoma?” Steve Forbes, editor of Forbes magazine, launched a vicious attack on Oklahoma for upholding the rule of law. Forbes termed Oklahoma “a Soviet-styled” government establishment.

Uninsured Motorist: Who Pays? You Pay!

By Jerry R. Fent

An Oklahoma Department of Public Safety [DPS] report states: “Be careful who you run into or who runs into you. Oklahoma has more than 800,000 uninsured motorists. Some 40,000 are estimated to be in Oklahoma illegally.”

Pension Reforms Improving Teachers System

Thanks to Tulsa’s Republican Sen. Mike Mazzei, the Legislature is finally paying attention to the long-neglected Teachers Retirement System.

Bragging Guide For Oklahomans

Texans are raised to brag on their beloved Lone Star State. Arkansas kids grow up hearing about the lore of the Ozarks. Kansans pop their buttons about their agricultural prowess. Why won’t Oklahomans brag?

Rural School Kids Are Doing Just Fine

The National Center for Education Statistics [NCES] has released the report “Status of Education in Rural America.” Among the findings: Oklahoma’s rural schools are among the state’s best, despite gross underfunding.

Books

A Century Of Assault On Freedom Of Speech

By Alvena Bieri

Freedom of speech is guaranteed to Americans in the bill of Rights in our Constitution. How this basic right has been interpreted and often abused through our history is the subject of many books.

Public Forum

Parties Beware: Wake-Up Call Nears

By Edwin E. Vineyard

There are changes in the wind! Changes are coming! Hallelujah!

A Patriot Urges America: Be Silent, No More

By Bob Bearden

When will we as American citizens be willing to say enough is enough? What more do those who run this country need to do to make us willing to stand up and collectively say – “Stop the madness and give us our country back!”

Betty’s Dream Now An Un-American Nightmare

By Phillip L. Cunningham

We often flippantly toss around the phrase “It’ll take an act of Congress” whenever we encounter roadblocks or challenges to our pursuit of happiness. However, for thousands of young people, nothing else but an act of Congress will enable them to fully pursue their life goals.

Observations

Social Issues

With no clear heir apparent to President Bush, and a nominating contest that remains very much in flux, Republican presidential candidates are vying for the support of an influential segment of the primary electorate – social issue voters.

Lying Liar

How many remember the propaganda of Lyndon Johnson about the "winning" adventure in Vietnam. History repeats itself in the form of George W. Bush's continuous lies.

Media Fiat

When French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville came to the United States in the 19th century, he marveled at the country's "division of the influence of the press."

Bigotry

Memo to Republican legislators: If you don't want to be called a bigot then don't act like one.

Hate Crimes

The FBI released statistics showing that incidents of hate crimes rose by nearly 8% in 2006, as there were 7,722 criminal incidents "targeting victims or property as a result of bias against a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin or physical or mental disability."

O’Reilly Lie?

For two months, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly has criticized Brian DePalma's controversial new film, Redacted, which was financed by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.