February 10, 2007

On The Cover

The Invisible Among Us:
State’s Homeless Aren’t Who You Think

By Dallas Tupper

As I entered the men’s dorm at the Salvation Army looking for my bunk for the night I didn’t want to make eye contact with anyone. However, there was one pair of eyes that locked onto mine and wouldn’t let go.
They belonged to an old friend.

Remembering Molly Ivins
[1944-2007]

In Praise Of The Incomparable Molly Ivins

By Gaylord Shaw

As readers of the Oklahoma Observer know, the political columns of Molly Ivins graced these pages for the last dozen years, blending Texas humor and a wicked wit with good ol’ girl charm as she skewered conservative politicians and punctured pompous egos right and left, east and west, north and south, in and out of government, commerce, academe, the arts, religion, you name it.

A Texas Original, and So Much More

By Anthony Zurcher

Molly Ivins is gone, and her words will never grace these pages again – for this, we will mourn. But Molly wasn’t the type of woman who would want us to grieve. More likely, she’d say something like, “Hang in there, keep fightin’ for freedom, raise more hell, and don’t forget to laugh, too.”

A War Molly Would Have Embraced

By Susan Estrich

Molly Ivins was a gem. In a world where women’s voices are still rare, hers could not be ignored. She wasn’t good at what she did, she was great. … She was passionate and inspirational, and now that passion and inspiration is gone. Stolen by breast cancer. Another one lost. When will this end?

What’s Inside

Frosty’s Notebook: Why Unions?

By Frosty Troy

Why do I support unions? A critical step to helping poor and middle class Americans get ahead is to remove barriers that prevent employees from joining unions.

Prolific Lawmakers File 2,200 Measures

The 2007 Oklahoma Legislature returned to work Feb. 5 with an avalanche of bills awaiting action. A look at what lawmakers want.

Henry Proposes Record Public Ed Budget

Gov. Brad Henry proposed a record $3.9 billion budget for public education this year with an emphasis on teacher salaries, dropout prevention and college scholarships, among other things.

Ten Facts To Know On Budget & Taxes

Ten true things you should know about Oklahoma’s tax system.

Working Sooners Are Losing Ground

Working Oklahomans are losing ground despite strong economic growth and lower unemployment. They face higher health care costs and stagnant wages.

Role Of Churches In Secular Society

By Raymond Bailey

Thomas Jefferson’s wall of separation between church and state continues to be bombarded.

Public Forum

7 Modest Proposals For A Better Oklahoma

By Edwin E. Vineyard

The Militant Moderate is intrigued by Speaker Lance Cargill’s public announcements soliciting 100 good ideas for improvements in the state of Oklahoma. Unfortunately, he limited these drastically by putting in the caveat “do not involve spending more money.”

An Independent’s Warning To Democrats

By Norm Rourke

I’m one of almost 200,000 registered Independents in Oklahoma. Therefore I’ve no particular ties to either the Democratic or Republican Party. Over the years, I’ve voted for candidates of both parties after trying to carefully determine their truthfulness and commitment to middle class Americans.

Lessons Of Saddam’s Fall Lost On Bush?

By Kenny Belford

Few people consider arrogance or stubbornness much of an attribute. Sometimes it carries a heavy price tag. We witnessed one of those moments with the execution of Saddam Hussein.

An Oklahoman In Iraq Writes Home

By John Haas, AIA

I am up at five. When I walk to work it is always dark. Sometimes I am alone in a brisk gait and then suddenly surrounded by 17 or 20 gray shirts jogging along side. There is total silence and a platoon of shadows.

Observations

Molly

We can’t begin to express the personal and professional grief we feel on the death of Molly Ivins due to breast cancer. We not only lost a great columnist but a dear friend.

She’s Right

Bravo for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She said there would be no pay raise for
Congress until a minimum wage bill is passed. That’s the kind of leadership the country has yearned for since George Bush took office.

Do It!

We heartily endorse Gov. Brad Henry’s proposals to earmark a fraction of the income tax as a permanent source of funding for the Oklahoma’s Promise – the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program [OHLAP].

Gravy Train

Leave it to the Daily Disappointment editorial page to completely mislead the public on the subject of big oil and the $13 billion in handouts from Bush and the unlamented GOP Congress.