March 25, 2007
On The Cover
Republican Priorities: Bills Pile Up But Who Cares?
By Frosty Troy
Tax cuts, especially for the state’s wealthy, are the golden calf of the Republican Party, no matter who they hurt.
What’s Inside
Frosty’s Notebook: What Free Press?
By Frosty Troy
It’s amazing that even the Daily Oklahoman and papers of that rightwing ilk are still supporting Bush, given his record on a free press.
Grandstanding On Immigration Reform
By Arnold Hamilton
State Rep. Randy Terrill crows that his immigration reform package is the nation’s toughest – a model that other states will want to adopt.
Schools Are Victim Of House Politics
By Frosty Troy
Education First! That was the GOP battle cry when Republican Frank Keating was governor. Check that GOP crusade against today’s scofflaw leaders in the House.
Too Many ATV Debates Without Their Helmets
The same Oklahoma House that requires minors to wear helmets when driving or riding on motorcycles couldn’t muster enough votes to demand the same safety gear for those aboard heavier, more powerful ATVs.
Ex-Legislator Hits ‘Prior Restraint’
Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill is illegally using “prior restraint” on information going to legislators, according to a former legislator. Wanda Jo Stapleton said she was “manhandled” by two House employees and escorted out of a House hallway when she refused to quit circulating a pro-choice flier.
Oilfield Assessment Compromise Adopted
CareerTech Grads Boost The Paycheck
Trust Is Created For Healthy Choices
Hazardous Waste Crisis Is Avoided
Our Alternative Ed Nationally Famous
Retirement Fund Bill Clears House
Police Hogtied By County And State
Pauline Mayer Was Fine Public Servant
Homeless Beggar May Be Troubled Herod
Public Forum
Standing Against W’s Distorted Patriotism
By Edwin E. Vineyard
The Militant Moderate has always been patriotic … I love the flag. I am angry at George W. Bush for taking my wonderful flag and making it a political poster for his misbegotten war. I love the flag, but I do not support his wrongful war.
The Power Of One [Percent]
By Nathaniel Batchelder
I have calculated that if just 1% of Oklahomans would communicate with just one of their Congress members, just once a month, that would result in 30,000 communications each month Are you willing to communicate with Congress 12 times each year for peace? Only Congress can stop the war.
Lies About Liberals Reach New Heights
By Karen Webb
Arianna Huffington, Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden are divorced from the reality of what’s going on in Iraq. They are wedded to a deluded perception of the war, unwilling to acknowledge widespread and irrefutable evidence to the contrary. Sound like anyone you know? No, I’m not talking about President Bush … I’m talking about the mainstream media, and their relentless depiction of the Iraq war as a left/right issue.
Observations
Rotten Idea
One of the sorriest ideas to come out of the Legislature this year is legislation creating more charter schools.
Danney Goble
Oklahoma lost one of its finest historians and sharpest wits with the recent passing of Danney Goble at the much-too-tender age of 60.
SciFi
Shades of science fiction! A Tulsa state senator has authored a bill to prevent microchips from being inserted into anyone against their will.
Phony Debate
On June 8, 2006, as Congress mulled a measure to repeal the estate tax, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California rose to oppose the proposal.
Myth Buster
Many thanks to the Rev. Andrew Tevington for his column in the Oklahoman debunking the canard that Muslims are promised virgins if they sacrifice their lives.
Test Mania
For more than a decade, the debate over high-stakes testing has dominated the field of education. A provocative new book by Sharon Nichols and David Berliner provides a fresh perspective on the issue and powerful ammunition for opponents of high-stakes tests.
