People and Spam

Spam.

We all hate it.

We despise it with a passion.

We've had too much of it.

Sometimes, it can almost make you sick.


No, I'm not talking about that product that you bought way too much of for Y2K, and ended up eating for the next three years. I'm talking about the electronic kind of spam. (But on a side note, seriously, who eats a spamburger?!)

I don't know how they work, but spammers have got to be the most prolific computer users in history. And for some reason, they seem to by-and-large claim West Africa as their home. I have no idea why they do, but that is typically the case.

I recently received two spam messages that caught my eye on the way to the 'delete forever' button. Both took an angle that was aimed at Christian recipients.

Excerpts from email number one:

From Mrs. Juliana Kwame.
Address: 112 cocody,
Abidjan Cote d' Ivoire West Africa.
Urgent help.

Please use this money for the Churches and Less Privileged in the world.Greetings to you and your family in the name of God,in my search for a reliable and God fearing person and having gotten your contact through prayers and pains taking efforts via searching i made on the internet on my bed side.

Recently,my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church/Islamics [I think they slipped up there] or a God fearing person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.I want a church/God fearing person that will use this fund for orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.

The Bible made us to understand that "Blessed is the hand that giveth". I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my late husband's relatives are not Christians and I don't want my late husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers.

I don't want a situation where this money will beused in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision.I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace".

I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shephard. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian.Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life and pray to God to forgive me my sins.
Pls send this informations of yours,so that i will present you to the Bank as my partner whom i will want the Bank to transfer this money into your account in your country for family use.

Hoping to receive your reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.

Your's Sister In Christ,
Mrs. Juliana Kwame

This spammer was obviously knowledgeable of Christian vocabulary, and thought that could appeal to some unsuspecting, gullible believer.

Excerpts from email number two:

Urgent Attention:
Hello Dear,
My name is Sgt Russell LEE Billington am an American soldier,presently serving in the Supply,Logistics and Relief Unit of the first Armoured Div of the US Army in Iraq.
As you maybe aware,we are constantly being attacked by insurgents and sucide Bombers. During one of the heavy attacks againts our unit, my colleague Sgt Amanda and I managed to secure some fund which was a part of UNITED NATIONS relief package for displaced refugees.

The total amount is US$20 Million dollars in cash, mostly 100 dollar bills.we are in need of a realible and God fearing civilian of non American origin in whose custody we can entrust this funds pending our disengagement from the front line.

Your contact came handy after Sgt Amanda and I agreed to pray and fast for 3 days in order that we may be lead to find the right individual to deal with in this matter.On browsing through the web the next day Sgt Amanda ran into your profile on the web,and she insisted that she believed that discovering your mail contact was a divine occurance after which we both agreed to contact you in the hope that you will agree to be our trustee for this fund.

Now we look forward to your prompt response to this,indicating your willingness or otherwise to work with us to secure this fund for the good of the three of us.
In responding to this mail kindly furnish us with your personal details and direct contact details.So that we can go further to explain to you how we intend to get the funds to you and work out the basis of trust and understanding as well as how to appropriate shares to each parties.
Please do not respond to this if you cannot be totally trusted.Looking forward to read from you soon.
Respond only on the email below for privacy policy.

Best regards
Sgt.Lee Billington
at bahgdad(Iraq)

This one really bothers me - exploiting our troops for spamming.

I can't help but notice how every spam email I've seen had horrible spelling and/or grammar, especially the "Nigerian" messages (which must mean that English is not the mother tongue for most of the spammers, especially given the syntax of their grammar. Have you ever noticed how people who didn't speak English as a first language tend to switch words around, i.e. ending an interrogative sentence with 'yes' or 'no'?).

The abuse of the troops or Christianity like this rubs me the wrong way. The gall of these people...

The Conservative View: Government Realty?

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

Government Realty?

For any city or area to grow the need for infrastructure is paramount. Without utilities and roads it is impossible to have good, healthy growth. In a perfect world easements that are needed for the roads and utilities could be purchased from the landowners and construction could start immediately. Sadly we do not live in a perfect world. Often the landowners have built their homes and improvements in the area where the land will be needed. When this happens it always creates friction between the landowner and the government agency that needs the land. I am a firm believer in the right of private property but I also understand the need for the greater good. If the need for the land is so great, every effort must be made to pay the affected landowner a fair price for his or her land. If the negotiations come to an impasse, the government can use eminent domain to force the sale of the land in question. I feel that eminent domain should only be used as a last resort and used as little as possible. At times the use of eminent domain has been abused and the landowner has become a victim of the government. There is a bill before the state legislature that, if enacted, could provide more protection for the citizens of Oklahoma.

House Bill 3053, by state Rep. Pat Ownbey, would force agencies to declare unused land surplus and offer to resell it to the original owner after 10 years. Many times land is taken for some project and then later, for a variety of reasons, the project will be canceled and the land will not be used for the purpose that it was originally taken for. This bill makes it possible for an individual to get their property back if it is not being used. For example, if a person’s land is taken to build a road on it and, for some reason the project falls apart, the original landowner should be able to get their property back even if the government would like to keep it for some future purpose. We citizens should not have to worry about the government taking our property unnecessarily. HB 3053 will give our citizens more protection from the improper use of eminent domain. Government should be in the business of protecting our liberties and freedoms and stay out of the Realty business.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.

Obama: "We Can't Control Nature"

President Obama spoke today about the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the South American nation of Chile.

"We can't control nature, but we can and must be prepared for disaster when it strikes," he said in a brief statement at the White House, speaking of a potential tsunami looming over parts of the Pacific, including Hawaii.

Ironic, don't you think? Remind me again on what he thinks about global cooling global warming climate change?

Muskogee-based Site Roundup

I'd like to let everyone know about two new (or new to me) sites I have come across recently that are Muskogee-based.


MuskogeeNOW.com is a new alternative news source, started by Leif Wright. Wright, a former editor with the Muskogee Phoenix, explains "why this site is here" [halfway down the page]. Look for great things to come from competition in the Muskogee news market.


The other is MuskogeeUSA.net. The author of this blog talks about a wide variety of topics, but also spends time on Muskogee issues. I'll definitely be adding his blog to my area read-list.

The Legacy

The following column is from Stephens County conservative activist Steve Fair.

The Legacy!

This has been a tough year. I just got out of jail and now the doctor is saying I have lung cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. He tells me there is not much hope and that I have just months to live. He just shook his head when I told him I had abused my body for the school children of Oklahoma. He just doesn’t ‘get it.’

It all started back in 1982 when Oklahoma voters approved pari-mutuel gambling- you know betting on the ponies. There were commercials saying the money I gambled at the track would help educate the kids. I’ve always been about helping kids so I started going to the track every week doing my part to help the schools. In about a year, I had gotten to where I was going every day after work and on my lunch break. I wasn’t winning anything, but I took comfort in knowing that I was helping Oklahoma kids by betting on the ponies. I ‘got it.’

Read the rest here.

Steve is an amazing gentleman, and a prolific and faithful writer. This column is one of my favorite of his pieces. Satire with a sting of truth. You simply must read the entire article!

Brogdon Supporter Beats Fallin to Domain

Ordinarily, when a candidate runs for office, they buy a domain name based on their own name. For example, they may buy JohnDoe.com or JohnDoe.org.

Another option is to get a website with their name and office, such as SmithforSenate.com, or EllenExampleforHouse.com.

A smart candidate, especially when running for a major office, buys multiple domains. They buy all of the above examples - anything someone might type in as a logical URL for their race. In addition, not only do they buy those domains, but they buy them before they officially announce.

One would assume that a gubernatorial candidate would make sure to do this, especially if they had already been in another office for several years.

Apparently, Mary Fallin (or her campaign managers) did not think to buy FallinforGovernor.com. Someone with a head for politics, and a different candidate, thought about it first.



FallinforGovernor.com is now a pro-Randy Brogdon site. The domain was purchased two weeks after Fallin announced her candidacy for Governor. The page now urges Oklahomans to "Vote Conservative. Vote Brogdon."

I actually know the person who capitalized on the Fallin campaign's slip-up, and they were elated at the opportunity presented. Since they weren't going to use the domain for negative attacks on Fallin (such as other sleazy sites I have seen, most likely Democrat-backed), they decided to use it as a positive Brogdon site.

This is a vital lesson for all candidates, but especially those running for such a high-profile office. Make sure that you get your domains before the opposition does! Fallin lost a big opportunity here that could now hurt her.

NRA-PVF Issues Endorsement Statement

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund, the endorsing arm of the organization, issued the following statement today.

Rumor Control:

NRA-PVF Has Not Issued Any Endorsement in the Race for Attorney General!

Recently, it was erroneously reported on an Oklahoma City political news program that the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) had issued an endorsement in the race for Attorney General for the July primary election. This report is untrue and has caused no small amount of confusion among NRA members and political candidates, alike.

Please note that NRA-PVF has made NO endorsement in this or any other race as of today, Tuesday, February 23. The false statement was made by a third party and not by any of the candidates for Attorney General.

Please continue checking your email and www.NRAPVF.org for candidate grades and endorsements.

I have not been able to locate where it was stated that the NRA-PVF had endorsed a candidate, neither have I found out which candidate was rumored to have been the recipient.

Sarah Palin to join Glenn Beck in Tulsa

Talk Radio 1170 KFAQ announced today that former Alaska Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be joining talk show host Glenn Beck in Tulsa for the Taking Our Country Back Tour on March 13th at the Tulsa Convention Center.

You can go here for information on tickets - prices are currently $47, $77, $102, $127, but are sure to sell out very fast.

Help Poll the 2nd District - PPP Polling

Public Policy Polling, a national political polling firm, holds regular online polls to determine where some of their next polls will take place. Seeing the lack of polling in the Oklahoma 2nd Congressional District, I have tried for weeks to convince them to poll the 2nd District race (Dan Boren's seat).

Three weeks ago, they included OK-2 in the poll. We came in a tight third, in a very hard-fought race.

Today, the 2nd District made it on as an option again.

We need your help to get this race polled, though. If OK-2 comes in first, it will be polled. If it comes in second, it will only be polled if the first-place is not a U.S. House race (i.e a gubernatorial race).

If you would like to see this race polled, go to the following link and vote for the "OK-2 (Dan Boren)" poll option. Vote here.

McCarvilles Celebrate 48 Years of Marriage

Respected Oklahoma blogger Mike McCarville and his wife Ann are celebrating their 48th year of wedded bliss today.

So, from one blogger to another, congratulations and happy anniversary, Mike!

CPAC 2010 Straw Poll Results

The 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), hosted by the American Conservative Union, started Thursday, and concluded on Saturday. Somewhere around 10,000 conservative and libertarian activists attended this year's conference - said to be a 20% improvement over last year.

A straw poll was taken, standard fare at CPAC. Here are the results.

CPAC 2010 Straw Poll (Poll details - PDF)

• Ron Paul - 31%
  
• Mitt Romney - 22%
  
• Sarah Palin - 7%
  
• Tim Pawlenty - 6%
  
• Mike Pence - 5%
  
• Newt Gingrich - 4%
  
• Mike Huckabee - 4%
  
• Mitch Daniels - 2%
  
• Rick Santorum - 2%
  
• John Thune - 2%
  
• Haley Barbour - 1%
  
• Other - 5%
  
• Undecided - 6%

Straw poll of 2,395 CPAC registrants, February 18-20, 2010

Ron Paul continues his track record of winning straw polls (or should we say, over-performing?). This is where the poll needs to be clarified.

Only about 25% of the CPAC attendees bothered to vote in the straw poll. 13% of voters were associated with a CPAC cosponsor (such as the NRA, Americans for Prosperity, the Heritage Foundation, the John Birch Society, and the highly-controversial GOProud - a gay conservatives group), 32% were individuals (i.e. non-college age), and 48% were students.

Fiscal issues came out way on top for the attendees; pro-life and pro-traditional marriage issues ranked very low. Not an accurate sampling of the grassroots Republican, or the primary electorate.

Age-wise, 54% were between 18 and 25 years old, 19% were 26-40, 14% were 41-55 years, and 10% were over 55 years of age. 64% of voters were male, 30% female, and 6% refused to answer.

So, the typical voter in the straw poll was a young, college-attending male, focused on fiscal issues. In other words, the standard Ron Paul supporter. In light of this, and given the strong libertarian bent of CPAC, I am not surprised that Ron Paul won the straw poll.

The Conservative View: Where's the Work Ethic

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

Where's the Work Ethic?

One of the virtues that has defined us as a nation is our desire to go the extra mile and have pride in our workmanship. We Americans owe a lot to our ancestors; they did the hard work that made our standard of living possible. I was raised to believe that if you were willing to sacrifice and do the work and devote the time that most people refused to do you would get ahead in life. I believe that prosperity does not come cheap; it requires sweat and a willingness to get our hands dirty. I have noticed that many Americans have gotten into the mindset that we are too good to do hard work.

A few days ago I watched a report on how we Americans are not building anything anymore. Our manufacturing base has been on a steady decline for several years. One example given was on the building of computers. Most all of the computers today are built in countries like Korea and China. The proponents of the current system claim that we make the money on the software and programming of the computers. While that may work today, we Americans had better start to look at the potential problems that can bite us in the backside in the future.

We would be foolish to think that the people building the computers lack the intelligence to design the software and programs that future generations will need. Information can be one of the least kept secrets in the world. Just look at any of our major universities and you will see students from all parts of the world enrolled there. When other countries build their research and development facilities, we could find ourselves outside looking in. It would be a perfect world if we Americans could all work in air conditioned offices and just type on a computer and make six figures a year, but we live a long way from a perfect world. Our parents and grandparents knew the need to roll up their sleeves and be willing to get their hands dirty. During WW 2 it was the manufacturing capacity of our nation that was the deciding factor in our country winning that war. For a country to be strong it must have the ability to build the things that its people need. Government handouts are not the answer, the embracing of freedom and allowing people to prosper or fail on their own merits is the only answer.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.

The Last of the Canadians

John Babcock, 1900-2010

Canada has lost its last living veteran of the 'War to End All Wars', World War I. John Babcock Joined the army as an underage 16 year-old, and the war ended before he could go to the front lines. Shortly after the war, he moved to the United States, eventually joining the U.S. Army and advancing to the rank of sergeant.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the following statements on Babcock's passing:

"John Babcock was Canada's last living link to the Great War, which in so many ways marked our coming of age as a nation. Today they are all gone. Canada mourns the passing of the generation that asserted our independence on the world stage and established our international reputation as an unwavering champion of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law."

Babcock was one of a handful of veterans of the Great War still living.

Frank Buckles, 109 - the last American 'Doughboy', who is crusading for a National Memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to the First World War (currently, the City of Washington has a poorly-maintained monument to their citizens who served in the conflict).
Claude Choules, 108 - British sailor, who moved to Australia in 1926.
Florence Green, 109 - Last known female veteran of WWI. Served as a waitress in the RAF.

Harry Patch, the last combat veteran, passed away in July.

These living testaments to a bygone era will not be here for long. History is about to lose the last first-hand eyewitnesses of one of the world's saddest chapters.

Is Fallin for Governor Breaking Ethics Rules?

Is Mary Fallin breaking state ethics rules with her Fallin for Governor texting club? Jai Blevins at the Musings of an American Everyman thinks so, and apparently, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission is thinking twice about it.

The issue arose from the following post on Twitter from the Fallin campaign: "Text "BECK" to 68683 and you'll be entered 2 win a pair of tickets 2 see Glenn #Beck LIVE in Tulsa. (Standard text messaging rates apply)"

Blevins followed the instructions, and received this response: "Good luck, and thanks for entering! You've also been added to Fallin 4 Governor mobile club. rply STOP GOMARY 2 optout. stdrd txt rts apply."

Click here for the entire story from Blevins.

Presidents' Day? Actually...

Today is not Presidents' Day. It's Washington's Birthday.

Really.

Believe it or not, that's the official name of the holiday. For more information, I'll point you to my post from a year ago.

BREAKING - Bayh Will Not Seek Reelection

Huge breaking news from the Race42012 blog:

Sen. Evan Bayh [D-IN], who had become a major target by the GOP heading into the midterm elections, will announce his retirement, handing the GOP a major pick-up opportunity. Bayh had drawn a brewing backlash due to his support for President Obama’s stimulus and healthcare bills. Recently, Bayh drew his first significant challenger in years in the form of former Indiana senator Dan Coats.

In prepared remarks, Bayh, 54, cited excessive partisanship that makes progress on public policy difficult to achieve as the motivation for his decision.

"After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned,” he said.

“My decision was not motivated by political concern,” he added. “Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election.”

“But running for the sake of winning an election, just to remain in public office, is not good enough,” Bayh said. “And it has never been what motivates me. At this time I simply believe I can best contribute to society in another way: creating jobs by helping grow a business, helping guide an institution of higher learning or helping run a worthy charitable endeavor.”

Only days ago, Bayh’s staff, close associates and Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker, who was manager of Bayh’s re-election campaign, had assured an Indianapolis Star reporter hat he would definitely seek a third term in the U.S. Senate. And Democrats recently released a poll showing Bayh easily ahead of both former Sen. Dan Coats and former U.S. Rep. John Hostettler, two of the four Republicans seeking the GOP nomination.

But in his statement, Bayh cited recent stalemates in Congress.
“Two weeks ago, the Senate voted down a bipartisan commission to deal with one of the greatest threats facing our nation: our exploding deficits and debt. The measure would have passed, but seven members who had endorsed the idea instead voted ‘no’ for short-term political reasons,” he said. “Just last week, a major piece of legislation to create jobs — the public’s top priority — fell apart amid complaints from both the left and right. All of this and much more has led me to believe that there are better ways to serve my fellow citizens, my beloved state4 and our nation than continued service in Congress.”

This is huge news for a resurgent Republican Party and conservative movement. The magic number for a Republican majority in the Senate is getting closer and closer - already, the balance of power may switch, given the current political climate, with incumbent Democrat after incumbent Democrat down significant margins in polls against their Republican opponents.

Could we be looking at a political earthquake on the scale of the 1994 elections, or perhaps even greater?

UPDATE: Tom Jensen at Public Policy Polling, a left-leaning national polling group, says the following about the GOP's chances at taking the Senate.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I really think Republicans have a chance to win back the Senate this fall now."

"Three months ago I would have said Republicans have about a 5% chance of taking back the Senate. Now I'd put it more in the one in three chance range, and rising by the week. And who knows when the bad news for Democrats will stop pouring in..."

This is going to be a very interesting election.

Vancouver Winter Olympics

The Olympics are here once again! Here are two videos to get you in the mood for them.

First, my favorite commercial so far. It's from Protcor & Gamble, and entitled "To Their Moms, They'll Always Be Kids". It's so true, and if you doubt it, just ask your mother!



Second, to get you in the right spirit, here's the best video I could find of my favorite moment of the Beijing Olympics - Jason Lezak's amazing finish to the men's 4x100 freestyle relay. (Sorry for the poor quality - NBC doesn't have anything online...)



Enough of this "Go World" nonsense... USA! USA! USA!

The Conservative View: Children and Paint Jobs

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

Children and Paint Jobs

Over the years I have observed the way children and adults care for their possessions. For the most part our responsibility of caring for our possessions is formed very early in life. I have seen children who received gifts for Christmas or their birthday; some would take care of their toys and get many hours of enjoyment while others would simply destroy theirs in a matter of moments. I have also observed adults that would buy a new car; some will care for their car and get many years of good service while others will hot rod and abuse their car and in a short period of time it will be in the local scrap yard. From personal experience it is much easier to take care of your possessions instead of tearing them up and having to buy replacements. We can understand the need to properly take care of our cars and other possessions but they pale in comparison to the need to take care of most valuable asset, our children and future generations.

Our children rely upon us adults to protect them, in my opinion anyone that would victimize a child is guilty of one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. House Bill 2965, by state Rep. Rex Duncan, would expand the penalties for child molesters, allowing repeat offenders to face life in prison without parole or the death penalty. The key words in bill are “repeat offenders”. There is no excuse for anyone harming a child even once. The emotional damage inflicted upon a child will last a lifetime; unlike a car that may become damaged a simple paint job will not fix this problem. Under Oklahoma law, a child molester can face a sentence of 25 years to life for a first offense. Duncan’s legislation will increase the penalty to include a maximum sentence of life without parole. His legislation will also allow the death penalty to be considered for those convicted of a second or subsequent offense.

Thousands of years ago Jesus Christ said, “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he be cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Some would say that the penalty would seem too severe, I do not agree. I have seen people get mad enough to strangle someone for scratching their auto. Our cars and other possessions can be replaced in a short period of time, our children’s well-being cannot.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.

American Majority Training in Tulsa - Feb. 20th

American Majority, a conservative grassroots training group, is holding a training seminar in Tulsa on February 20th.

American Majority Oklahoma is hosting a Candidate Training on Saturday, February 20 at Tulsa Technology Center (Business and Career Development Training Center) located at 3638 S. Memorial in Tulsa. The training will run from 8:30am to 4:00pm with registration beginning at 8:00am.

Regardless of campaign experience, American Majority’s Candidate Training Program makes running for office easier! American Majority Candidate Training Seminars are designed specifically to educate candidates on every level how to run effective and victorious campaigns and prepare them to become successful elected officials.

The Candidate Training Program includes:

• Lectures* from campaign veterans, including:
  • “Your Campaign Plan to Win: Planning for the Time, People and Money to Win.”
  • “Dollars and Sense: Fundraising for What You Need, Not What You Can Get.”
  • “New Media Engagement: The New Ways to Talk to Voters and Engage Supporters.”
  • “Grassroots Action: How Ordinary People can get Extraordinary Results.”
  • “American Majority’s Core Principles.”

• Personalized communications training.
• Interaction with individuals thoroughly involved with the issues confronting your state.
• The opportunity to network with other liberty-minded candidates.
• A complimentary resource guidebook full of material designed to further assist candidates.

Upon completion of the seminar, candidates will receive continuing education materials, access to podcasts and other presentations, communications curriculum, and suggestions to help them utilize think-tank resources.

The cost is $50 per candidate/first attendee in advance or $75 per candidate/first attendee at the door, and $25 for each additional attendee (spouse, campaign staff, campaign volunteers, etc.) in advance or $40 for each additional attendee (spouse, campaign staff, campaign volunteers, etc.) at the door. Space is limited.

Please click here to use our online reservation system and secure your place now! If you have any questions, please contact Trait Thompson at Trait@americanmajority.org or call (918)-289-0159.

American Majority is a non-profit and non-partisan organization whose mission is to train and equip a national network of leaders committed to individual freedom through limited government and the free market.

I highly recommend this training for anyone interested in running for office.

Free: "I'm Not Going to Run"

In a follow up on our previous story, we have learned that Kalyn Free has ruled out running for office this year.

Free made the statement in an interview with Red Town Radio, an online talk show. The pertinent segment starts around 54:10 into the "Politics in Indian Country" program. I have included a transcript below.

Brenda Golden: and, ya know, I wanted to just bring this up. on the democratic forum, there was a topic started THERE by someone that they want to enlist you to run for Attorney General. what do you think about that; people think so highly of you, Kalyn.

Kalyn Free: Well, I appreciate that, and I'm honored by a lot of the support I have. I did consider briefly running for AG, but there were a lot of reasons why I decided not to. I just spent the last five years representing the Ponca tribe, and I've almost got that situation wrapped up, we still have a couple months left, and my first obligation is to close that out. I was recently married; I've only been married for four months. My first and only marriage! So I need to devote, I want to devote time and energy to my new family and my husband. The timing just was not right for me, for the Attorney General. Very important position, and I thought long and hard about it, did some soul searching, and thought, you know, the timing just isn't right. I'll continue my work with INDN's List, over the next year, that's something I want to do. I don't know... I may run for office again someday. I may not ever run for office again, I don't know. You never know. I'm walking proof that it's a new day in politics every day, but I appreciate my supporters out there who think enough of me, who think I'd be a good Attorney General. But, I'm not going to run.

The suspicion that she was looking at the office of Attorney General was correct. One can only wonder how much the political climate played into her decision to not run. 2008 was a bad year for Democrats in Oklahoma, and 2010 is shaping up to be no better.

Coburn Explains Bernanke Vote

Dr. Coburn on Bernanke Vote
Update Regarding Bernanke Confirmation

Subscribers to my Facebook page have recently asked for my rationale in voting to confirm Chairman Bernanke. Just as I did immediately after the vote on my official Senate webpage, I welcome this opportunity to again share my thoughts on this vote.

First, I share many of the same concerns regarding the Federal Reserve expressed by readers of this page. The Federal Reserve must become more transparent and I have delivered that message directly to Mr. Bernanke. As the author of the most sweeping government spending transparency law in a generation, I am also strongly supportive of pending legislation that will open the books of the Federal Reserve and require a thorough audit.

Second, the Majority in the Senate and White House do not share our outlook on the proper limits of the Federal government and another nominee very likely would have been far, far worse. Instead, I think we are better off working with the current Chairman to bring about much needed reforms, while pushing for greater transparency.

Finally, this vote was designed to provide a scapegoat for the politicians in Congress whose selfish political aims led to the economic meltdown in the first place. We cannot lose sight of the fact that it was Congress, under the leadership of both parties, who designed the policies that inflated the housing markets and whose spend and borrow practices are destroying the American dollar and the value of our savings.

I respect those who wish I had voted against Mr. Bernanke, but I also hope you have a better understanding of how I arrived at my decision. In the days ahead, I will continue to force my colleagues to consider their role in the economic downturn, and their responsibility to all Americans to rein in spending and spiraling deficits.

Sincerely,

Tom A. Coburn, MD

Tulsa GOP Straw Poll: Brogdon Smashes Fallin

The Tulsa County Republican Party held a well-attended rally on Saturday, February 6th. At the rally, said to be attended by between 400 and 600 people, a straw poll was taken of several different races that will be on the ballot in Tulsa County. Here are the results, taken from an email from the Tulsa County GOP (with some minor formatting changes in the results).

Straw Poll Results Are In

The rally that was held Saturday was a huge success. The Lemley Center was packed and almost every Republican candidate running in the federal and state wide election this year was present along with many of the county officials up for re-election.

Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett welcomed everyone and gave a short report on the progress of his administrations actions since being elected.

Vice Chairman J.B. Alexander gave a status report on the Tulsa County Republican Party during which he challenged everyone present to get actively involved with the county party.

Vice Chairman Alexander stated "Our forefathers gave of their time, talents and treasures to create this nation and we need to do the same to ensure our Freedoms and Liberty's are protected in order to save this Republic".

Chairman Sally Bell reorganized our veterans by arranging for the VFW 5th District Honor Guard to present the colors and to present the flags of all five branches of the armed forces. Seventeen year old Elissa Stiles of Owasso gave a wonderful presentation titled "Taught by Example" which honored our veterans.

Elissa took second place with this presentation in last years statewide VFW "Voice of Democracy" competition. Her presentation this year won her first place in the state and she will be traveling to WashingtonDC this spring to compete nationally. Congratulations Elissa!!

Now here is the information many people are waiting for. A straw poll results.

The following question was asked concerning the below listed races:

"If the election were held today, who would you vote for...."

U.S. Congress, District 1
John Sullivan (i) - 52.9%
Nathan Dahm - 26.6%
Fran Moghaddam - 1.5%
Undecided - 13.3%
Not My District - 5.7%

Governor
Randy Brogdon - 68.4%
Mary Fallin - 23.6%
Robert Hubbard - 0.8%
Undecided - 7.2%

Lieutenant Governor
John Wright - 35.7%
Todd Lamb - 22.4%
Undecided - 41.8%

Attorney General
Ryan Leonard - 25.9%
Clark Jolley - 7.6%
Undecided - 66.5%

State Treasurer
Owen Laughlin - 18.3%
Ken Miller - 15.6%
Undecided - 66.2%

Superintendent of Public Instruction
Janet Barresi - 36.9%
Shawn Hime - 6.1%
Undecided - 57.0%

Labor Commissioner
Tad Jones - 18.6%
Jason Reese - 11.4%
Mark Costello - 9.5%
Mark Mullin - 0.4%
Undecided - 60.1%

State Senate, District 34
Tim Coager - 16.0%
Rick Brinkley - 13.3%
Undecided - 17.1%
Not My District - 53.6%

State House, District 68
Howard Pidcock - 11.4%
Glen Mulready - 8.7%
Undecided - 20.5%
Not My District - 59.3%

State House, District 75
Dan Kirby (i) - 9.1%
Dennis Adkins - 3.0%
Undecided - 20.9%
Not My District - 66.9%

Tulsa Co. Commissioner, District 3
Fred Perry (i) - 17.9%
Michael Masters - 10.6%
Undecided - 24.3%
Not My District - 47.1%

A full copy of the survey and straw poll will be posted on the Tulsa County Republican Party web site later this week.

Race-by-race analysis:

1st Congressional District
This is by no means bad news for John Sullivan. In fact, I think it's somewhat disappointing for Nathan Dahm. This would have been the easiest time for Dahm to weight the vote towards him, but he failed to really challenge Sullivan. Dahm's support is going to be higher among the grassroots GOP faithful than it is among the average voters, since the activists will be more upset with Sullivan.

Governor
I was particularly pleased to see State Sen. Randy Brogdon with such a large lead. Congresswoman Mary Fallin again failed to attend, a trait that is occurring far too often to be mere coincidence. Fallin is angering many in the GOP grassroots by ignoring Republican meetings across Oklahoma, and particular on this side of the state. If she isn't careful, there may not be many in the grassroots of the party left who haven't be wooed by Brogdon.

Lieutenant Governor
The underdog in this race, outgoing State Rep. John Wright, had a respectable lead (even if Tulsa County is practically his home turf). Wright has a tough hill to climb in beating State Sen. Todd Lamb, however.

Attorney General
Ryan Leonard held a substantial lead over State Sen. Clark Jolley, who I really think should not run for this seat. Leonard would make a great Attorney General, and I'm glad he's holding a big lead in this race.

State Treasurer
I was very glad to see that former State Sen. Owen Laughlin edged out State Rep. Ken Miller in this poll. Laughlin, being from up near the Panhandle, will have a much harder time getting his name out than the establishment pick, Miller (the current Appropriations chairman in the State House), but it is refreshing to see him leading.

State Superintendent
Janet Barresi holds a huge lead over newly-arrived Shawn Hime. This race may get dirtier than the others, as rumors are already flying over Hime's entrance (such as 'Hime is Democrat Sandy Garrett's hand-picked successor'). Where these rumors originated may never be known, but Hime may face some difficulty nevertheless once he starts to get on the campaign trail.

Labor Commissioner
I was disappointed to see how little support Jason Reese received in Tulsa County. Reese is a stellar candidate, who fits the office perfectly. His main opponent, establishment pick and outgoing State Rep. Tad Jones, has very few (if any) qualifications for the job that I am aware of, but as the Majority Floor Leader in the State House will be able to raise gobs of money. The wildcard is Mark Costello, who loaned his campaign $104,000 on December 29th.

Senate District 34 will be an interesting race to watch. With Randy Brogdon running for Governor, who will take his place? Coager seems to have a slight lead right now. I know nothing of House District 68, other than the race is to replace term-limited House Speaker Chris Benge. House District 75 is currently held by Dan Kirby. Dennis Adkins opted not to seek reelection in 2008, but still has a campaign account open with $130,000 left. Tulsa County Commission District 3 may be an indication of disgruntlement over Fred Perry's support of the failed River tax.

As a straw poll, these figures have to be taken with a grain of salt (take Ron Paul's presidential campaign, for example; he won many straw polls, but ended up with 5% of the vote), but they are a good indication of grassroots support - very important for campaigns. A loss is by no means shattering, but a win is very helpful, especially for an underdog going up against a much more well-known opponent.

Congressman Murtha Dies

Congressman Jack Murtha (D-PA) has passed away due to complications from gallbladder surgery. He was 77 years old.

Murtha was an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, going to the point of accusing several Marines of murdering Iraqis in "cold blood" at Hadita in 2006. He was the chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.

Read more at Breitbart.com.

The Conservative View: Enthusiasm and Reality

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

Enthusiasm and Reality

Many Americans have the desire to own their own home and to have a business that will be profitable enough to meet the needs of themselves and their family. Many people that start a small business learn very quickly that the business world can be very rough. Years ago I purchased a small business and a good friend of mine gave me some very good advice. He said that it is good to be enthusiastic about starting a business, but if you are to be successful you must use logic and take a hard look at the numbers. Many times I have seen people become overwhelmed with the requirements that a business can demand of them. The first year of any business is the most critical. From experience in my own business, I learned of the sacrifices one must make if they are to survive. We Americans need to look at our personal finances but we also need to start to take a more active role in the finances of our nation.

We all hear about the stimulus money and many people can only think of running to the feed trough and making sure that they get their fair share. The additional debt that our county will owe for this current year’s budget is projected to be 1.6 trillion dollars. When you break that amount down by our country’s population it equals $5,300.00 dollars of debt for every man, woman and child in this country… and that is for just one year. In 2008, government spent 38% of everything produced in the U.S. (gross domestic product) and last year the figure shot above 40%. There are estimates that contend that if the current trend continues by 2012 total government spending will exceed the total gross domestic product of this nation.

Some people can relate to the problems that are facing our country. Whatever product a business creates, the business owner cannot stay in business by continually borrowing more money to keep the business open. Whenever it costs more to keep the business open than all of the sales that might come from the business, the owner has to face reality and close the doors. Granted government is different in some respects to business, but without curbing expenses the result will be the same “bankruptcy”. We Americans need to be less enthusiastic about spending money we don’t have and for the sake of our country we must get realistic about the dangers ahead.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.

Is Kalyn Free Planning on Running for Office?

You know you're a political junkie when you dig through the latest ethics reports. That's what I was doing yesterday evening, when I found a rather surprising bit of information.

Kalyn Free, a longtime ultra-liberal Choctaw Indian activist, founder of INDN's List, attorney, and former congressional candidate, filed an exploratory committee for an unknown office with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission on October 19th, 2009.

Her C-1R report for the final quarter of 2009 shows that she loaned the Kalyn Free Exploratory Committee 2010 $10,000 on November 12th. Also on November 12th was a $10,000 expenditure to Gragert Jones Research of Washington, D.C., for "campaign research".

Free ran for Congress against Dan Boren in the 2004 Democratic Primary for the 2nd Congressional District. Boren won the primary by a margin of 57-36, and went on to defeat his Republican opponent in the general election.

Gragert Jones Research is a liberal political research firm, based in Chicago. Members of their staff have worked for groups such as EMILY's List, Media Matters, SEIU, and the DNC. GJR has helped 300 Democrat/progressive campaigns across the nation, ranging from federal races all the way down to local races, and non-profit organizations and labor unions.

On November 2nd, 2009, Gragert Research added a Washington D.C. office, and added a new parter - Dana C. Jones. Jones became the head of the Washington office, and the company was renamed Gragert Jones Research. Jones had worked for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, but had been with the ultra-liberal group EMILY's List for the past six years.

This is where Free and Jones' paths cross. In 2004, when Free was running for congress, EMILY's List was a major supporter of her campaign - Dana Jones was working with EMILY's List at that time. Free paid Gragert Jones Research for their services just ten days after Jones joined the team.

Posters on the DemoOkie forum have encouraged her to run for Attorney General. I would think that she might be looking at running against Dan Boren again (liberals across the state are disgruntled with Boren), but she recently married and may have moved to Broken Arrow - out of district (it's unclear whether she lives there or in Red Oak); besides, she would have needed to file with the FEC, instead of the state Ethics Commission, if she were looking at a federal office.

GJR states on their website that "Gragert Jones is one of the premier opposition and vulnerability research firms in the country". Is she digging up dirt on potential opponents for a statewide office? If so, is she considering running for Attorney General, given her background as a former District Attorney? I have a feeling that we will be finding out in the next few months.

Interview with David Dank on Property Tax Reform

One of the issues in the Legislature this year, besides the current fiscal crisis, is a debate regarding property tax reform. I was at the State Capitol this week, and had the chance to interview State Rep. David Dank (R-OKC), the chief proponent of reforming how the property tax is evaluated here in Oklahoma.

Here is an excerpt from my talk with Dank.

Jamison Faught: Now on the property tax bill...
David Dank: I have two: one that would freeze the seniors [property tax], and then actually the other one I had to sign over to Mike Jackson, and that was a ploy the Speaker did so that he could keep control of it. That was the 5% to 3% cap reduction. He wouldn't hear it if it were mine.
JF: Property tax. What exactly does the property tax fund?
DD: It is local, and it helps fund education, the county government, the career techs, the libraries, and that's pretty much it. Those four things - it contributes to their funding.
JF: A lot of the critics of the property tax cap reduction that you're in favor of say that it's going to hurt the counties, or education. What do you say to that?
DD: Well, I guess my main answer is, and I've got it in there [memo to Republican caucus], that a 3% increase is not a reduction. And it can't be called that. It's just going to slow the growth of government. These people are... here's one example. The property evaluation in OK County has gone from 3.9 billion dollars in 2005 to 5.1-something billion dollars in 2009. So, they'll be raising the homestead property at five percent per year, until they eventually catch up with the value of those homes, the market value. But they assess themselves, based on some complicated, convuluted formula that they have, so that it's just a never-ending deal, kinda like digging in sand - you're just not going to get there from here. They keep raising it, and keep raising it, and keep raising it. To some extent I think it drives seniors out of their homes; they can't afford it anymore. Because when your evaluation goes up on your house too, and a lot of people like some of our leadership didn't even consider this, whenever they say your home is worth $150,000 next year instead of $130,000 (which gives them the leeway to raise it the five percent the next several years), your insurance is going to go up - in fact, it's going to leapfrog ahead of the five percent, because the insurance has got to be the replacement cost. So it's actually going to go up more than the property tax. And then everything else is going up proportionally. You've got utilities going up, you've got the cost of living going up, and you've got people on fixed incomes. And now we've got a lot of people that don't have jobs, or who are underemployed.

I also obtained copies of three memos Dank sent out to the Republican caucus over the past two months. In the documents, he referred to Speaker Chris Benge as characterizing the proposals as "tax cuts" - something Dank vehemently denied, and instead labeled "tax restraints", since the property tax would still be increasing, just at a lower rate. He went on to state, "Those who believe that raising property taxes for seniors each year and boosting everyone's ad valorem taxes by five percent are usually called Democrats."

He called on his fellow caucus members to declare their independence from House leadership, and embrace the property tax measures. He emphasized the popularity of such legislation with the voters, and pointed out that the Democrats lost their majority in the legislature due to ignoring the needs and desires of their constituents - and that the same could very well happen to the Republicans.

The proposals were intended to be put on the ballot in November - Dank said that he has not ruled out using the initiative petition process, if the legislature does not approve the legislation. He has set aside his entire legislative salary throughout his tenure to be used for the purpose of funding the campaign to lowering and/or freeze the property tax for senior citizens.

Rep. David Dank (R-OKC) represents House District 85, and was first elected in 2006. He can be contacted at (405) 557-7392 or david.dank@okhouse.gov.

Bob Coburn Files for Mayor

In a completely unexpected turn of events, Muskogee businessman Bob Coburn filed today for the Muskogee mayoral race. Bob is a cousin of U.S. Senator Tom Coburn. I had the opportunity to interview Bob this afternoon.

According to Coburn, people have been suggesting that he run for quite some time, although it wasn't until just recently that he started taking them seriously. In the past week to ten days, he began to pray about it, and felt that God was leading him to run. Circumstances and people in the past week kept confirming that. Yesterday, he decided to run for mayor.

When asked about his vision for Muskogee, he said that he would like to bring more cohesiveness to the city council through strong leadership. His goal is to work on a list of priorities as a council, and work toward common goals. Coburn said that he will begin to publicly flesh these thoughts out over the coming weeks.

Coburn has vast business experience, having spent about 10 years in manufacturing management with Coburn Optical, and has been involved in retail sales for about 15 years with Coburn Tuxedo's. He also operates four mini-storage facilities in the area, and has extensive commercial and residential properties across the city. He feels that this wide variety of business management is vital to leading the city of Muskogee, and that government should be run more like businesses have to (i.e. efficient, minimal waste, etc).

Bob and his wife of 38 years, Gwen, have attended First Baptist Church of Muskogee for over 25 years, where he is a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and leader in the Men's ministry. He has two children: daughter Jami [Coburn] Divelbiss and her husband Wayne (children Charlie and Carter), and a son, Joey and his wife Mindy [Parks] Coburn (children Kate and Rhett).

Also filing today was Teresa Carol Garris, also for mayor. Currently, only councilor David Ragsdale has drawn an opponent - councilors David Jones, James Gulley and Jim Ritchey have not.

The prospect of a Coburn candidacy excites me, as he is a respected member of the community, and someone with a great deal of business experience, which I feel is needed (and lacking) at City Hall. Stay tuned to this blog for the latest on the 2010 Muskogee mayoral race.

MP Poll: We Like Coburn

I posted a poll regarding Sen. Tom Coburn a week and a half ago, and let it run for a week. The result was a resounding "We Like Coburn".

The question of the poll was "Should Sen. Tom Coburn draw a GOP primary opponent". I had options for 'Yes', 'No', 'Undecided', 'He should run for President' (for those rabid Coburn fans out there), and 'He should get out of politics' (for those rabid Coburn opponents out there). Here are the final results:

Yes: 3 (8%)
No: 24 (66%)
Undecided: 0 (0%)
He should run for President: 8 (22%)
He should get out of politics: 1 (2%)

As I said, the results (non-scientific, of course) show that people really like Tom Coburn.

Vote in online PPP Polling poll

Public Policy Polling, a national political polling firm, holds regular online polls to determine where some of their next polls will take place. Seeing the lack of polling in the Oklahoma 2nd District, I have tried for weeks to convince them to poll the 2nd District race (Dan Boren's seat).

Yesterday, they finally put it on as an option.

However, we need your help to get this race polled. The top two vote-getters will be polled this weekend. If you would like to see this race polled, go to the following link and vote for the "Oklahoma-2 (Dan Boren)" poll option. Vote here.

The Conservative View: Pets, Chips and God

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner
Pets, Chips and God

I am constantly amazed with all of the new technology that is at our fingertips. It wasn’t that long ago that many of the things that we take for granted today were only ideas in some science fiction movie. Just take a look at all of the new phones that are on the market; while you can take pictures with them, they are nothing short of being mini computers. When the home computers came along I thought it doesn’t get any better that this, but now any of us can have the world’s knowledge at our fingertips with a device about the size of a pack of cigarettes. For us that have pets, for a small fee we can put a collar on them with a small chip imbedded it that will allow us to find the location of our pet if it happens to get stolen or lost. There has been a proposal to have such a chip embedded in your driver’s license that would allow someone to track our every movement. In the upcoming session of the State Legislature there has been a bill filed to prevent chips from being a part of our driver’s licenses.

State Rep. Paul Wesselhöft has filed House Bill 2569 which would prevent state and local governments from tracking a person’s location or obtaining personal information from an individual’s driver’s license. If a driver’s license is embedded with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip our location could be tracked 24/7. I value my right to be in control of my life and the freedom to go where I want when I want. Embedding (RFID) chips in a law abiding citizen’s driver’s license would be a huge intrusion of government and big brother into our lives. The 4th Amendment of the Constitution states—‘the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated’.”

While the idea of a (RFID) chip in our animals and pets may be a good idea, there is a huge difference between cats, dogs and humans. We own our pets, they are our property, if our government has the ability to keep tabs on us at any time, and it will only be a matter of time until someone starts thinking of us as property instead of free people. Only God should have the ability to keep tabs on us 24/7, I support freedom and I support House Bill 2569.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.