The Contemplative Tulsan

Same Great Folks, New Location

2011-02-12T16:53:00.000-06:00

I suppose this blog's title is now a bit of a misnomer. If it were to reflect the true reality of the situation, I should probably entitle it The Contemplative Oklahoma Cityite or perhaps more truthfully, The Contemplative Inhabitant of Mustang. In all actuality, life is currently in more flux than I would prefer, so none of the above is entirely accurate. Allow me to explain.

After the Fallin for Governor campaign concluded, I began exploring options for my next line of employment. All along, Sara and I had our sights ultimately set on a move to the Oklahoma City area for numerous reasons. My wife is from OKC and her business, Simply Sisters Wedding Planners, is based here as well. The wedding planning business has been blessed with prosperity, which, in turn, necessitated increasingly frequent weekend trips to the state's largest metropolitan area. Despite pop culture notions to the contrary, my affection and affinity for my wife grows with the passing years instead of having the opposite effect. As such, weekends apart from my beloved are what those of Hispanic descent might describe as "no bueno." Finally, my desire for a long time has been to work in state government in a policy capacity. Since the capital of Oklahoma resides in Oklahoma City, you can see how living in Tulsa just wasn't cutting the mustard anymore.

As it turns out, my dreams of becoming a banker came true...oh wait, that's the plot of an old Seinfeld episode. Let's try that again. As it turns out, my dreams of becoming a policy advisor/International Man of Mystery came true. That's better. In December, I had the honor of becoming the Legislative Director for President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman in the Oklahoma Senate. You can read all about it here. Suffice it to say, I absolutely love my job and take great pride in the fact that I get to use my talents (whatever they may be) to make our great state even better.

After Christmas, we put our house in Tulsa up for sale and moved to Mustang, OK. Did I mention that we moved in with my father-in-law? Yep, consider us boomerang kids. It's just temporary until our house sells. We're not big on the whole "paying two mortages" thing. been quite an adjustment, but things seem to be going okay with the new living arrangements. My father-in-law got internet at his house and purchased a big screen TV, so that went a long ways toward easing the transition. In fact, with amenites like this, we may never leave.

Just kidding, Dave. Just kidding.

Reflections on the Election

2010-11-13T22:36:00.000-06:00

Time to crank up the blog again. I'm not sure how many readers are left after my election season hiatus, but I've got the itch to write again.

We're a few days shy of two weeks since Election Day and since then, I've been thinking about what it all means. I think anyone with even a passing interest in politics recognizes the historic nature of the November 2nd election. The funny thing is that we just had a historic election two years ago. There seems to be some seismeic rumblings going on in the electorate. The impression I come away with is that nobody and no party is safe anymore. The people are demanding change in how the business of government is done. They also want grown-ups who will make grown up decisions. The citizens want their politicians to take a long-term strategic approach to governing versus the short term politically opportune approach. If these characteristics are not present, I believe now, more than ever, people are willing to vote out previously safe incumbents.

Party registration seems to have less and less to do with how a person chooses to vote. Otherwise, we wouldn't see as many party upheavals as there have been in the past few years. In 2004, the Republican Party was on a roll. They had picked up seats in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House in 2002 and won the presidency again in 2004. The political pundits and news writers routinely issued the obituary for the Democratic Party. In 2006, the tide turned. Frustrated by the progress of the Iraq War, voters gave the Senate and the House to the Democrats. In 2008, the Democrats made more gains, including the presidency. Obama charged into office promising to be a force for bipartisanship and transparency in addition to repairing the ailing economy. The Republicans were given up for dead after two bad election cycles. After two years of not living up to expectations, the GOP has come charging back. People want change and they are willing to vote for the opposition party to obtain it.

It remains to be seen what will happen in the next election cycle. If history is to be our guide, the Republicans should not assume the electorate will give them a pass. Those who turned out in force for the GOP in this election will abandon them in the next if they forget the mandate that brought them to office.

Oklahoma Blogging Week

2010-10-04T11:26:00.000-05:00

Hey friends and neighbors, this is Oklahoma Blogging Week. To celebrate, Tasha Does Tulsa is hosting a Tulsa Blogger Meet-up on Thursday evening at 6:30pm. The event will take place at The Melting Pot restaurant on the Jenks Riverwalk. Admission and food are free, but you need a ticket to get in.

To get a ticket, click here and follow the instructions.

On a somewhat related note, I've been a bad blogger lately. Believe me, my blog guilt is at an all-time high. My only excuse is that being involved in the final stages of a statewide political campaign has sapped whatever time and energy I might otherwise possess. I'm also teaching an Ethics in Public Service class at Rogers State this semester, an endeavor that requires quite a bit of time in its own right. I have a couple of good blog ideas, I just need to follow through. One idea involves a recent gift of two Life Magazines, both published in 1968 after the respective Democrat and Republican national conventions. It has been quite fascinating to read articles about those historic events from the timeframe in which those events occurred.

Tulsa World Completely Misses the Point

2010-08-27T10:20:00.000-05:00

This morning, the Tulsa World published a harsh editorial aimed at gubanatorial candidate Mary Fallin.* The opinion writer focused on remarks she made recently in a speech to the Tulsa Republican Club. When expounding on the need for a state government that promotes business and economic growth, Fallin said, "I don't know about you, but I've never been offered a job by a poor person." The World criticized this remark by pointing out that Oklahoma has many poor people and Fallin, as an elected official, has been voted into office by those same people. I've never seen a more blatant case of missing the forest for the trees.

Evidently, the opinion writers at the Tulsa World believe that higher taxes and more government involvement in private enterprise is the way to a more prosperous state. They must not come into contact with many business owners in our fine state who believe quite the contrary. The World accused Congresswoman Fallin of making "oh-so-trite" comments while making some of their own in same sentence about "tax breaks for the rich." The simple fact is that low taxes spur economic development. This results in more businesses investing in Oklahoma which, in turn, results in more people employed by those busiensses. The more people who are employed, the more tax payers we generate instead of tax eaters. It's a simple formula, really.

Mary Fallin has laid out an economic vision for the state which focuses on more employers, more jobs, and smart regulation vs. over-regulation. It's too bad the Tulsa World chose to ignore the theme of her message and focus instead on stoking up the old flames of class warfare.

*In the interest of full disclosure, I am the Northeastern Oklahoma Field Representative for Fallin's gubanatorial campaign.

Fallin Campaign Live Chat

2010-08-17T13:53:00.001-05:00

My fellow bloggers, tomorrow at noon, the Mary Fallin for Governor press staff is hosting an online, Lunch Hour Live Chat with bloggers and online news providers to discuss the Fallin campaign and to answer questions that you might have. This is a great opportunity to obtain the latest information from the campaign and learn more about the Republican nominee for governor. If you are interested in participating, please contact Alex Weintz at alex@maryfallin.org.

A New Chapter

2010-08-16T22:15:00.000-05:00

I've been a bad blogger lately, but I've been a good father, husband, and friend. That's a pretty good trade, in my opinion.

Life has gotten a lot crazier and a lot more interesting in our household. A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to interview for an open position on Mary Fallin's campaign team. I was very excited about the prospect of helping out with the campaign in a professional capacity and even more ecstatic when I was offered the job of Northeastern Oklahoma Field Representative. Over the past week or so, I've been frantically working to ensure a smooth transition away from my American Majority duties while keeping one eye on campaign activities. You can see why blogging hasn't risen to the top of my priority list.

Today was officially my first day with the campaign team. I can't say enough good things about the dedicated staff members I'm working with in addition to the quality of the candidate I have the privilege to represent. While I really enjoyed training the next generation of political leaders at American Majority, I must say it is quite invigorating to be fully engrossed in the political arena again. It seems to fit me pretty well.

I'm not sure what this blog will look like in terms of content over the next few months. I'm now officially representing a candidate for office, which means I have to be careful about what I write, lest it conflict with the official message of the campaign. I still plan on writing when I have time, but I may have to keep a healthy distance from politics for the time being. Nevertheless, I encourage you to stay actively involved in the political discussion and exercise your right to vote in November. If you live in Oklahoma, a vote for Mary Fallin would be much appreciated.

A True Star

2010-08-08T14:18:00.002-05:00

Last night, Emmitt Smith, the longtime running back for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. It was the culmination of a fantastic professional football career in which, among other awards and honors, he became the NFL's all-time leading rusher.

As I watched Smith's speech, I had memories of my boyhood days watching football on Sundays back in Texas. He came into the league in 1990 when I was a seventh grader and left in 2004 when I was 26 years old. He provided hours of great entertainment not only to me, but to football fans across the country. Like many fans, I'll never forget the game against the Giants in 1994 in which he overcame a separated shoulder to propel the Cowboys to victory. It was a courageous performance which merits re-tellling through the generations. Even though my son is only two years old, I pointed at Smith on the TV screen and told him about one of the greatest running backs of all-time. As he gets older, I'll tell him stories about the Triplets (Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith) in much the same way my elders told stories about the days of Roger Staubach, Drew Pearson, and Bob Lilly.

Throughout his college career, Smith was told he was too small and too slow to make it as an NFL running back. Choosing not to give credence to his detractors, Smith pressed on toward the goals he set for himself. In his speech, he spoke of not letting others define you:

"When you claim your inner champion, you will learn to see, hear and feel differently than others. So what I most want to convey here is, never, never let others define you; you define yourself."

Smith words are soaked in the truth. We should never let others tell us who we are or what we are to become. With the courage of our convictions and confidence in our hearts, we should boldly proclaim who we are to the rest of the world.

To Emmitt, thanks for the memories and for being a great example of how to pursue one's dreams. Go Cowboys!

To read Emmitt Smith's Hall of Fame induction speech, click here. To watch his speech, click here.

Changing a Culture

2010-08-04T21:39:00.001-05:00

This is the fourth and final article in a series of blog entries detailing my recent mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. To read the preceeding entries, click here, here, and here.

On our final day of mission work on the reservation, we were back at the Re-Creation Center in Oglala. We spent the morning preparing to conduct a carnival for the children. We had games, face painting, water guns, inflatable swimming pools, and a ton of candy and prizes to hand out. By 1:30pm, the children had swarmed the grounds and the air was filled with laughter and exuberance.

At one point in the afternoon, I spotted a young boy who couldn't have been much older than my two-year old son. I watching him for awhile and didn't see his parents anywhere in the vicinity. He kept running from person-to-person seeking to be held and given attention. Despite his runny nose, many of the girls from the youth group played with him for the duration of the event. I started to get a bit homesick after seeing that little boy. I thought about my own family and how blessed I was to have them in my life.

That evening, I sat around the campfire with several members of our church in addition to Bruce BonFleur, proprietor of the 555 Ministry in Whiteclay. My experience on the previous day prompted me to ask him several questions about the situation there. As a student and devotee of the political arts, I was curious about the response of government to the conditions in Whiteclay. BonFleur related that Whiteclay is the dirty little secret in Nebraska which has been ignored through the years. Due to its remote location on the northern border of the state, it has taken on an "out of sight, out of mind" type of existence. The situation also hasn't been helped by the historic finger-pointing of public officials. Nebraska politicians blame the those at Pine Ridge for creating the market for alcohol in Whiteclay while tribal officials blame those in Nebraska for failing to clean up a mess in its own back yard. He has seen a few positive changes in the political sphere which are encouraging, though. BonFleur has made inroads with some members of the Nebraska legislature and governor's office to shine a light on the conditions in Whiteclay. Going a bit further, the tribal government and the state are beginning to explore ways they might cooperate to alleviate the desperate situation there.

After talking with Bruce, I sense political change may be a breeze compared to the cultural change which is needed. There is a cycle of poverty, drugs, alcohol, lack of education, and suicide which must be broken if real change is to occur. Unfortunatley, those Native Americans who endeavor to leave the reservation and create a better life for themselves are seen as sell-outs and traitors to their heritage. One thing he mentioned in our conversation really stuck with me. He said that people on the reservation usually made a decision to die quickly or die slowly. The quick way entails suicide, which is all too prevalent on the reservation, especially among the teenage population. The slow way involves alcohol, drugs, or embracing a reckless lifestyle. The only way to combat this cycle is to bring hope to a people who have long forgotten what it looks like.

A question I've been pondering since my trip to Pine Ridge is "How do you change a culture?" How do you take a way of life and impact it for the better? My faith in God tells me only He can do that. Nevertheless, my heart is heavy for the good people up there who are stuck in a pattern of continual despair and hopelessness. I know God can make all the difference, but it seems as if He is taking way too long. I hope the little bit we did helped in some way. I hope some lives were touched because of our trip. I hope we helped to bring a little bit of light to a dark place. Ultimately, I can't worry too much about it. God said to go, so I did.

To see a short video chronicling our trip, click here.

Lessons from Askins' Narrow Victory

2010-07-28T15:02:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, in the Oklahoma primary election, record numbers of Republicans and Democrats turned out to cast votes for the candidates of their choice. Many of the races produced results predicted by the polls. However, the race for governor in the Democratic party had all of the pundits talking after the dust had settled. Jari Askins, the current lieutenant governor, defeated favored candidate and current attorney general, Drew Edmonson by 1,493 votes out of over 263,000 cast. Her margin of victory equated to less than one vote per precinct statewide, according to The McCarville Report. A Sooner Poll, released two days before the election placed Edmonson 16 points ahead of Askins.

What, if any, lessons can be learned from this race? To be sure, smart people will be analyzing this race for the next few weeks, but I think there are a few pointers that can be gleaned now.

Hard work is essential – Askins campaigned as if her life depended on it. She showed up at every small town festival, parade, and forum in the state. Many times, she visited multiple locations throughout the state on the same day. Known as one of the hardest workers in Oklahoma politics, she cemented that reputation after last night’s win.
Keep the message simple – One of the things I really liked about her campaign commercials was their simplicity. She didn’t air long commercials which mixed messages about multiple issues (i.e. taxes, jobs, education, etc.). Each commercial focused on one issue of importance to her constituency. It wasn’t hard for voters to figure out what she stood for.
She stayed positive – Contrary to conventional wisdom, Askins kept her message upbeat and positive despite being down in the polls. This complimented the image of her as a matronly, grandmotherly type. She gave people a reason to vote for her instead of against her opponent.

She got the right endorsements – In most cases, endorsements don’t make or break a candidate. Nevertheless, a few key endorsements can really bolster a campaign. Just days before the election, Askins notched the support of Oklahoma football god, Barry Switzer. Commonly referred to as “The Kingmaker,” Switzer ‘s endorsement was a major factor in relatively unknown state senator Brad Henry’s ascent to the governor’s mansion in 2002.

She mastered social media – I followed both the Askins and Edmonson campaigns on Facebook and Twitter. Askins was a constant presence in the social media realm. She Tweeted her campaign appearances, news from the trail, and links to pertinent articles and commentary about her candidacy. When someone asked her a question via social media, she was usually quick with a response. Contrast that to Edmonson’s campaign, whose updates were much more sporadic. Askins genuinely connected with her supporters and it paid off in loyalty at the ballot box.

Askins faces a tough general election battle with the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Mary Fallin. No stranger to politics herself, Fallin has won all eight of the previous elections she has entered. Both candidates are hard workers who will leave no stone unturned in search of votes. One thing is sure, Oklahoma will have woman governor for the first time in state history when the final results are tallied in November.

My Choices in Today's Election

2010-07-27T08:51:00.000-05:00

Here are my official recommendations for today's election:

Governor - The Fonz

He's the only person qualified to deal with an unruly legislature. If they're debating legislation he disagrees with, all he has to do is walk in, snap his fingers, and say, "Heyyyyyyy!" Intimidated by his presence, they will vote his way. Plus, rolling to official functions in a leather jacket and motorcycle is just cool.

Lt. Governor - Bo Duke

Forget promoting state tourism in those boring black SUVs. It's all about orange Dodge Chargers from now on. Plus, it's time we had someone in office who could effectively execute a hood slide.

Attorney General - Jack Bauer

I dare you to commit crimes in Oklahoma. I dare you.

Treasurer - Alex P. Keaton

I want a state treasurer who can hear change dropping on a table and immediately figure out the amount. I also want a treasurer who can pull off Keaton's trademark vest/tie combo.

Superintendent of Education - Jaime Escalante

He won me over with this quote: "If you don't have the 'ganas,' I will give it to you because I'm an expert." We need someone in office with ganas, don't you think?

Labor Commissioner - David Wooderson

He's got a steady job with the city, so he knows the value of a buck. He also knows how to have a good time and "just keep livin' man, L-I-V-I-N." We need a labor commissioner who knows how to work hard and knows that hard workin' folks need a break every now and then, too. Wooderson is that man. Oh, and don't forget his watch party is at the moon tower tonight.

State Auditor - The Bobs

Nobody is better at rooting at waste than the Bobs. They did such a good job at Initech that they're a lock for this position. They're really good at fixing glitches and letting things work themselves out naturally. Nobody likes a gruff, overbearing auditor.

Insurance Commissioner - David Hasselhoff

Why? Because nobody hassles The Hoff.

I hope my recommendations help you make an informed decision today. We need good leaders in Oklahoma and I feel like these choices represent our best chance for effective and efficient government.

Whiteclay

2010-07-26T14:10:00.001-05:00

This is the third in a series of blog entries detailing my recent mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. To read the preceeding entries, click here and here.

On our second full day of the mission trip, the youth group split up by gender. The boys, along with myself and one other adult sponsor, were tasked to the small enclave of Whiteclay, Nebraska, to paint the exterior of a tin building. Leased by a local minister, Bruce BonFleur, the building is to be used in the future as a youth facility or even a community playhouse.

Whiteclay is a town everyone should see. We are so sheltered in our lives that we forget places like this exist in America. Just over the state line from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, it is the place everyone comes to buy their beer and liquor. According to this article, 4.1 million cans of beer are sold each year from this tiny, unicorporated town. It is dirty, run down, and virtually empty except for a couple of small supply stores and several beer joints/liquor stores. Indigent members of the Oglala Sioux tribe camp out on the street daily in an intoxicated state while others purchase their libations and travel by foot or vehicle back to Pine Ridge. To call the town depressing would be an understatement.

It was a hot day. One would expect temperatures in the upper 90s in Tulsa, but not in northwest Nebraska. Nevertheless, our crew of young gentlemen attacked the task with vigor and determination. Those who couldn't paint due to supply limitations began picking up trash around the building.

At lunch time, we drove a few hundred yards south to the epicenter of Whiteclay. 555 Whiteclay is a thrift store and soup kitchen operated by the aforementioned Mr. BonFleur. On the day we were there, approximately 25 Native Americans were seated inside, waiting for the meal to be served. While they were waiting, a family praise and worship band from eastern South Dakota serenaded the guests. I chuckled to myself as I watched this room full of dark-skinned tribespeople being sung to by the whitest people in the world, complete with the socks-and-sandal wearing dad/lead guitar player. I privately wondered how effective they could be in presenting the Gospel to this group, but I suppose the message is more important than the medium.

Once the guests were given the green light to line up for their plates, our group dispersed to the various tables to eat our sack lunches. I have to give our fellas credit. This was not an easy environment to assimilate into. Not only were these people much different than they were in terms of culture, but many of them were inebreiated to some degree. Much like the painting project, the boys dove in head first and wasted no time in striking up conversations.

After I finished my meal, a Lakota man named Rudy struck up a conversation with me. He happily announced that it was his birthday. He was 64 years old. He told me he was once a sargeant in the Army during the Vietnam War. While describing his experiences to me, he broke down crying. His thoughts were jumbled as intermittently complained about our current conflict in Afghanistan and then lamented how many of his fellow soldiers died in Vietnam. One particular statement he made stuck with me. He said, "The Sioux have died for Americans, but America has ignored us." I couldn't disagree with him. As he wept, I patted him on the back, thanked him for his service, and told him he was a good man. He brought his weathered hand to his forehead and saluted me.

After lunch, we continued our task. It was hot out there and even hotter next to the building where the heat radiated off the tin walls. We finally finished the job in the late afternoon. I can say without hesitation that it is now the prettiest building in Whiteclay.

We concluded our day by taking the students to Wounded Knee. We explained to them the significance of the place and why it still holds a great deal of hurt for the Sioux people. They were very respectful and I felt like they came away with a much better understanding of the tribe after being there.

Held Back by the Past

2010-07-22T14:46:00.001-05:00

This is the second in a series of blog entries detailing my recent mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. To read the first entry, click here.

Driving to the reservation for the first time on this trip gave me the feeling of slipping on an old glove. Even though it had been a year since I was here, not much seemed different. The hills still rolled in the distance, hay bales dotted the fields, and there was still a rugged, yet understated beauty about the countryside. When we pulled into the Oglala Re-Creation Center, the first thing I looked for was the jungle gym we constructed during our last trip. I was proud to see it was still sturdy and upright, resolute in its mission to provide enjoyment for the tribal children.

The main mission of our church's team for the duration of our time in Oglala was to paint the gym from top to bottom. You might be wondering how painting a gym qualifies as acceptable mission trip work. It's quite simple, really. The Re-Creation Center is geared to minister to kids on the reservation. It's a safe and hospitable place where children and teenagers can relax, have fun, interact with each other, eat, and most importantly, be shown the love of Christ. This is extremely important given that the teenage suicide rate on the reservation is amongst the highest in the United States. Basketball is a revered sport to the kids up there, so giving them a nice place to play increases the chances they will frequent the facility. The more they come, the more they can be loved on and told how valuable they are in Christ by the ministers who work there.

With the majority of the painting assignments appropriated for the day, I took a couple boys from the youth group with me to tackle the mowing. The weeds had grown a couple feet tall on the playground and around the living quarters of the Re-Creation Center staff. The two boys were given push mowers and I jumped on the riding mower. Before you berate me for taking the easy way out, you should know the riding mower was about 30 years old and had no brakes. Envisioning a teenager on an out-of-control mower and the lawsuit to follow, I decided to put myself in harm's way.

Being on the riding mower for a few hours gave me a chance to think about life on the reservation and my earlier observation that nothing much had changed. I suppose change in a place like this is measured in inches rather than miles. Come to think of it, I guess it's really not that much different here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We are constantly in the process of conquering one mountain and moving on to the next. In some ways, I'm much different from the people who live on the reservation. However, in the fundamental aspects of life, I'm probably much more similiar than at first glance. The plain and honest truth is we all have a past to overcome.

The people who live here have a proud and noble heritage, yet that seemingly great strength seems to be the one thing that brings them down. They can't get past the fact they were wronged so many years ago by the white man. I'm really the same way, though. I have trouble getting past the hurts and wrongs that have been done to me over the years. They hold me back, so why is it so difficult to let them go? Perhaps, in a way, it comforts me. I can always blame my troubles on my past. It's not my fault I'm this way. I have a feeling that is a little bit of what's happening to the people on Pine Ridge.

To be honest, the Sioux people have a genuine reason to be bitter and unforgiving. Over the course of history, their treaties have been broken and their people slaughtered by the white man. We all have legitimate reasons for remaining locked in the past. But, when does it become my responsibility to move forward? When should I forgive and remove the chains of bitterness and anger? When do I take ownership for my own life? The results of prolonged bitterness and unforgiveness were all around me as I mowed the weeds around that playground. Is that what I want for my life? I must choose to let go.

To Be Young Again

2010-07-20T13:01:00.000-05:00

With pretty much every blog I frequent focused on the political races, I'm going to engage in a little counter-programming. The next few entries I post will offer insight and details from my recent mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. What follows is the first article.

On July 10, 2010, from the parking lot of The Life Connection church in Jenks, I embarked on a mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. However, unlike last year, this trip was not to be a solo excursion. Accompanying me were 12 teenagers from our youth group and two other adult sponsors. We had a large, 12-passenger van, a Mercury Grand Marquis, a ton of luggage, and the open road ahead of us. The words of Robert Earl Keen (patron saint of Texas music) came to my mind as we pulled out of the parking lot: "The road goes on forever and the party never ends."

After an overnight stop in Hastings, Nebraska, we arrived at Chadron State Park in the far northwestern corner of the state around 3pm on July 11th. The park, and it's old, but comfortable enough, cabins were our base camp for the duration of our trip. From Chadron, it is only an hour drive to the Oglala Re-Creation Center on the reservation.

It didn't take me long to realize that this year's trip was to be significantly different than last year's. Last year, I had a cabin to myself and was able to revel in the peace and serenity of the journey. This year, chaos and noise were the order of the day. And that's not a bad thing. These young adults were exuberant, excited, and full of vigor. I would much rather that be the case than the opposite. Sometimes, as adults, I think we tend to stamp down the vitality of youth in an effort to make them more like us. The truth be told, we adults could use a little more of their spirit in our lives. It's okay to let kids be kids.

It didn't take being around them very long before I began to think about myself at their age. Sometimes, I feel like I was born at 42 years old. Growing up, I always gravitated toward the adults and their conversations rather than kids my own age. I just always related better to people older than I. In some ways, that's okay, but I think I lost a little bit of the carefree nature of my formative years by doing this. As we drove down the road, I began to think about some things I wish I had done differently while growing up. Here's what I came up with:

Spent more time developing friendships.
Studied less, learned more.
Had more stupid fun.
Less caution and more carpe diem.

It would be awesome if I could get in my time-traveling Delorean and talk to myself as a 16-year old with the wisdom I have now. I guess mistakes and stumbles are all a part of finding your way in the world, but there's a part of me that wishes I could have had the answers to the test. The funny thing is that I could tell these kids some of the lessons I've learned and they probably wouldn't pay much attention. I guess life truly is the best teacher.

In my next entry, I'll talk about my first day back on the reservation.

I'm Back!

2010-07-18T10:43:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, I'm back from my mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. I had an amazing time out there as a sponsor of my church's high school youth group. We did some great work projects, spent time with the little kids, and had a barrel of fun. We even got to see Mount Rushmore. I kept a journal the entire time I was there and will be sharing some insights with you over the course of this week.

Taking a Short Break

2010-07-09T14:18:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to let you know I'll be taking a short break from blogging. Tomorrow, along with members of my church, I am heading on a mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. While there, we will be performing work projects at a recreation center available to all the children and families at Pine Ridge.

I was fortunate to be a part of the trip last year (you can read about my experiences here, here, and here). It was a great opportunity to get away from the comings and goings of everyday life and focus on the things that are really important. One of the benefits of being up there is the complete lack of technological connectivity. In other words, aside from a few instances, I'll be completely cut off from the world. I'm really looking forward to being in the midst of God's amazing creation and the restoration that comes when you take time to focus solely on Him and the blessings He has provided.

See you in about a week.

Convince Others by Writing Well

2010-07-07T12:10:00.001-05:00

I published this post on the American Majority website and thought I'd share it here as well:

In Oklahoma, we are a little less than three weeks away from our Primary Election. The candidates are furiously traveling their districts in an effort to convince the citizens to cast a vote in their favor on the 27th. As an American Majority field representative, my job responsibilities require me to go into my territory and meet as many candidates as possible in order to inform them about the wonderful training opportunities we provide.

As you can probably imagine, in the course of carrying out my duties, I have been handed numerous push cards and position pieces. I have been directed to countless candidate websites. I have read hundreds of blog entries, Tweets, and Facebook posts authored by interested observers, issue advocates, and the candidates themselves. One thing has struck me during the course of this campaign season: we need to become better writers.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Peggy Noonan quoted historian David McCullough as saying, “To write is to think, and to write well is to think well.” The truth be told, people judge the intellectual capacity of the writer based on how well he or she is able to get a point across. If the piece is confusing, not structured properly, rife with spelling and grammatical errors, or even if it takes the wrong tone, the audience will assume the writer is not worthy of the opinion presented. Candidates for office should particularly heed this warning. It is exceedingly difficult to claim you will be thorough in the pursuit of your duties if you have not been that way in the small task of proofreading your marketing materials.

So, what are some other benefits of good writing? The most obvious benefit is the ability to express a clear and coherent thought. If you can effectively take the reader through a logical thought process, they will be more inclined to see things from your perspective. Consequently, another benefit to good writing is the ability to persuade others. Words have immense power, but you have to use them correctly to convince others your ideas have merit. If used incorrectly, the audience will assume your idea is as disheveled as your writing. Finally, good writing builds trust. People may not always agree with your thoughts, but they will be forced to give credence to them if presented properly. Furthermore, readers will be more inclined to seek out your opinion on a regular basis because they know it is good fodder for intellectual stimulation.

Writing, like any other worthy pursuit, is a skill that must be continually practiced for improvement to occur. Here are a few tips to help you hone your writing skills:

• Start a blog or a journal. The more you write, the better at it you will become. Give yourself an excuse to write often. Practice good technique. If you have a question about something you are doing, look it up or ask a friend.

• Try to use correct grammar and spelling even when using social media.

• Make an outline. If you are writing anything longer than a blurb, outline the structure of the piece to assure your points are in the correct place.

• When writing an argument or opinion piece, structure the supporting points from the weakest to strongest. You want to leave your audience with the best point when they finish reading.

• Proofread your work. Look for spelling, grammatical, and structural errors in particular.

• Know your audience. If you are writing for friends or acquaintances, a casual tone is acceptable. If you are writing for the public-at-large or a specific organization, it is best to strike a more formal tone.

Excursion to the Windy City

2010-07-05T14:07:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago, my wife and I ventured to Chicago to enjoy a relaxing weekend away and celebrate our 5-year anniversary. We had been looking forward to the trip for weeks. It had been quite awhile since we got away all by ourselves for some fun. Not wanting to spend our money on plane tickets, we drove the 11 hours to the Windy City on a Thursday and drove back to Tulsa on a Monday. To be quite honest, I prefer driving if the distance isn't too daunting. There's nothing like getting out on the open road and seeing this great country of ours. We took a few pictures during the trip and I wanted to share them with you.

We stopped in St. Louis to get an up-close look at the Gateway Arch.

I thought this picture of the arch turned out pretty well:

On our first full day in the city, we explored Millennium Park and Grant Park. Here is the famous bean in Millennium Park:

From there, we walked to Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park:

That night, we celebrated our anniversary by eating a fantastic steak dinner at Sullivan's in downtown Chicago. Our food was excellent and it was complimented by a fantastic pinot noir called Hob Knob. After our meal, we walked a block south to the House of Blues and spent the next 3 hours enjoying an amazing concert by Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller. Here's a shot of the two artists taken from my Blackberry:

The next day, I went to Wrigley Field with my brother to watch the Cubs play the Angels while my wife and sister-in-law explored the shopping options on the Michigan Mile. We find it's better to split up for these kinds of activities. Unfortunately, the Cubs lost 12-0 that day. Here's the view from our seats at Wrigley Field:

This is my brother and I atop the rooftop terrace at Wrigley Field. You can see the Chicago skyline behind us.

On our third day in the city, my wife and I journeyed to Navy Pier. Unfortunately, we left the camera at the house, so we didn't get a chance to capture the spectacular views from that vantage point. Nevertheless, we had a great vacation and we're looking forward to our next trip up there.

Independence Day 2010

2010-07-04T13:01:00.000-05:00

Here's a little something to help you celebrate America's independence today. It doesn't get any better than the Man in Black singing about the Red, White, and Blue.

My Appearance on KFAQ

2010-06-30T10:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I had the privilege of appearing on Tulsa talk radio station KFAQ with host Eddie Huff during the noon to 1pm timeslot. During the segment, we discussed my work with American Majority and had a great conversation about the prospect of changing Tulsa's form of government from that of a strong mayor to council-manager. It was my first time to appear on a radio show as an in-studio guest and I really enjoyed the experience.

If you would like to listen to the segment, click here. I come on at the 9:18 mark and appear through the duration of the show.

When Fire Burned in Tulsa

2010-06-28T11:46:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, Nancy, at Tulsa Gal's Blog, wrote a short entry on the 89th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Riots. In it, she recommended the historical fiction novel, Fire in Beulah, by Rilla Askew. I'm always seeking a better understanding of my adopted hometown, so I went right out to the Tulsa Library and checked out a copy of the book. I just finished it last night.

I found the book to be a compelling and harrowing tale of what life must have been like in Oklahoma in the years following statehood and the Great War. Oil was the prevailing influence on the populace and nobody could escape its economic influence, for better or worse. The book begins in the late summer of 1920, just after the lynching of Roy Belton, a white man accused of murdering a cab driver in Tulsa. The entire state seems to be on the precipice of violence after lynchings have occurred in numerous locales.

The book artfully weaves the story of the main characters into the fabric of historic Tulsa. We see a lavish dinner party attended by the main characters along with the richest of Tulsa's oil barons. We experience what life was like in Greenwood, the prosperous black neighborhood north of the Frisco rail line. We hear the words of a black church congregation after the lynching of one of their own. We get a feel for the division of society along racial lines.

Reading this book from a modern day perspective, I was shocked at the social norms of that time. Black people and white people did not interact at all, except in terms of employment arrangements. White people did not go into Greenwood and black people only crossed the tracks into downtown Tulsa to work as maids, shoeshiners, chauffeurs, etc. In fact, when traveling through the state, black people had to fear for their lives in some towns, should they be caught there after sundown when the law specifically forbade it. Reading this book gave me a sense of just how far we've come as a society in terms of race relations. That this was the prevailing norm in our town less than a century ago is unfathomable. We still have much work to do, but this book gave me a sense of confidence that progress is being made.

The book's concluding chapters deal with the riot. It must have been pure and utter hell for those who lived through it. To be perfectly clear, this was a race WAR, and many died as a result. Askew's words made me tremble at some points and gave me a deep sense of sorrow. I kept thinking to myself, "How could we devolve to this point? How could we ever treat each other this way?" Even today, after finishing the book, I'm sad that this is a part of our history, not just Tulsa's history, but American history.

I will leave you with one paragraph from the book. To me, it perfectly summarized what it must have been like to be in the midst of that hellish riot in 1921:
They stood on either side, looking down. The flower on the pink cotton did not appear black now; this close, in the reflected firelight, the blood was dark red. Jewell's eyes were half open, her mouth was slack. Hedgemon had never seen a dead girl before, but he knew Jewell was dead. Slowly, very slowly, he began to realize the truth of the thing that was happening. The truth that he could have died just now, running out in the street. You did not have to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. You did not have to sass or rob a whiteman or look at a white woman; you didn't have to lift your eyes the wrong way. You could be a young girl in a pink dress running; or an old woman in the street bent over to help her, you could be anybody. If they saw you they would kill you.

Should Tulsa Change its Form of Government?

2010-06-25T09:07:00.000-05:00

Last night, the Tulsa City Council considered a proposal by Roscoe Turner to change the City of Tulsa's form of government from the current strong mayor system to one in which the council would hire a manager to run the city. Turner hopes to add the measure to the November ballot as a city charter amendment. The issue was tabled for future discussion.

Turner's proposed change, no doubt fueled by the acrimonious relationship between the council and Mayor Bartlett, brings to the surface questions about which type of government would be better suited for the City of Tulsa. Many large cities such as Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, and our neighbors to the west, Oklahoma City, have adopted the council-manager form of government and have been quite prosperous.

For those who may not be familiar with the tenents of each style of government, allow me to summarize them:

Strong Mayor

The city functions more like state and national government with the mayor acting as the executive branch and the council acting as the legislative branch.
The mayor is solely responsible for running the administrative portion of the city. The mayor hires and fires. The mayor is responsible for all of the city departments.
The council sets city policy, which can be vetoed by the mayor. The council can override the mayor's veto.
The mayor is the de facto leader of city government.
The mayor is elected by the people.

Council-Manager

The city functions like a corporation with the council acting as the board of directors and the manager acting as the CEO.
The city council makes all of the policy decisions for the city.
The city council hires a city manager to oversee all of the administrative functions of the city.
The council can vote to fire the city manager at any time.
The mayor may be selected from the council membership or elected separately by the citizens.

As you have probably discerned, each of the forms of government has its pros and cons. Let's take a look at them:

Cons of Council-Manager Government

It becomes harder for the citizens to hold any one person accountable for the actions of city government since it is operated by committee.
There is no recognizable political leader in the city.
The city manager is not directly accountable to voters.
The city manager has 9 different bosses. That is enough to make anyone go crazy.
It is easier for city council members to grandstand on certain issues, knowing their additional power gives them leverage.
Economic development could be hurt as there is no discernable city leader for businesses to approach.

Pros of Council-Manager Government

Power is dispersed into multiple hands.
City is administered by a professionally trained manager. The addition of a professional manager often increases efficiency as the manager is held accountable by the council for how the city operates and functions.
The city manager works for the council. If the manager is underperforming or does not adhere to the council's wishes, he or she can be terminated immediately. There is no need to wait for a new election cycle to get rid of a bad city manager.
Each of the city's council districts are better represented at city hall. Since each councilor has an equal say in how government operates, the manger is more inclined to give everyone a seat at the table in terms of governance. This would most likely eliminate the perceived District 9 bias in city government.
No one person can stonewall consensus. In the strong mayor system, the mayor can deny action based on the power of his office. In the council-manager system, the mayor must use his bully pulpit to build support for an action and then shepherd it through the council.
Citizens would take more interest in the councilors they elect, knowing they would have increased power and responsibility at city hall.

Having served a brief stint as a budget analyst in a council-manager form of government (City of San Antonio), I must say that I prefer it to the strong mayor style. I saw the inherent benefits of an engaged city council working in concert with an extremely qualified city manager. I was particularly impressed with how each city department worked to keep the council members informed and updated on the inner workings of the government. Furthermore, when my office received a request for information from a councilor, it was treated as top priority, not something to be put off until things slowed down. In the process of crafting the city budget, members of the budget office would hold meetings in each council district to ensure the people would be informed about the process and allow them a chance to offer feedback. Perhaps I'm naive, but I don't see that kind of effort being put forth currently to really reach out to the citizens of Tulsa. Interestingly enough, the mayor was not marginalized in San Antonio. Elected by the citizens, the mayor served as the collective voice of the community and was able to champion numerous causes just by the nature of his popularity and level of respect.

I hope the council decides to place the issue of Tulsa's form of government to a vote of the people. I would wholeheartedly support such a measure.

Things I Love About Being a Dad

2010-06-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

Today is Father's Day, so I thought I'd mention a few of the things I love about being a dad. I must say, I never thought I'd take to this fatherhood thing quite like I have. Throughout my life, I was never really a "kid" person. However, each day, I find myself so completely enamored with and thoroughly in love with my 2 year old son that I can't imagine my life without him.

Here are a few things that make fatherhood such an awesome experience for me:

-Every morning, my son crawls into bed with us around 6:30. He snuggles in between Sara and I for a little while. Pretty soon, he starts rubbing my head and saying, "Awake, daddy." I wake up and we go into the living room for our own little time of fun before mommy wakes up.

-He gets a look of joy and pure excitement when he gets to run through the sprinklers. I sit over to the side just laughing as he runs in and out of the water in a state of pure giddy-ness.

-Every morning before I leave for work, he insists on me giving him a hug and a kiss. If I just give him a hug, he demands I come back for a kiss. As if I could ever refuse.

-We play a game called "My Sit." It's pretty much just an excuse to wrestle in the floor. When I'm sitting in the recliner, he'll come up to me with a big smile on his face and demand my chair by saying, "My sit!" I'll refuse by countering with the eloquent argument of, "No, my sit!" He'll then try to remove me from the chair and I play along. The rest of the game is him trying to reach the chair with me tackling him in the floor and tickling him.

-I love teaching him how to do things.

-I love to watch him play. Many times throughout the day, he'll play all by himself. Usually, he'll become engrossed in his big tub of cars, trucks, and tractors. He'll arrange them and then drive them individually. I find myself completely fascinated with observing his little mind work. I wonder what game he's created and what he's thinking as he is playing it.

-I love how he completely trusts me. If I tell him something, he accepts it as the gospel just because I said it. It's an awesome responsibility to raise a boy, but something I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

To all of you out there who are fathers, I wish you a marvelous Father's Day and pray God blesses your family just as much as I have been blessed.

Better Know a Reader

2010-06-15T14:52:00.002-05:00

Better Know a Reader is my semi-regular effort to get to know the people who read my blog. If you'd like to read previous entries, click on the Better Know a Reader label on the right side of this page.

Today's Better Know a Reader submission comes from Erin Conrad, author of the Erin Conrad Photography blog. If you haven't ever visited her blog, drop what you're doing right now and go take a look (linked on the right of this page). I promise you will be amazed at the images she is able to capture on her camera. She's really like the Pavarotti of the lens, if you will. I can say that because I've seen her work up close and personal. She's a fun person and she definitely loves Tulsa, which comes across not long after meeting her.

Without further ado, I present Erin's answers to my crazy questions:

1. Where do you live and what is your profession?

I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and I shoot people.

2. I've heard that you are a movie lover. What is your favorite movie in each of the following genres? Action, Rom/Com, Drama, Comedy, Oldie (pre-1960).

I actually have a top five movie list that I am fairly serious about. And when people say offhandedly "oh, that's in my top 5" I make them tell me exactly what else is in their top 5. So don't say that around me unless you have a concrete answer ready to go!

When I made my top 5 years ago, it just so happened they fell very nicely into separate categories:

oldie - Casablanca (hands down my favorite movie EVER)
foreign (British is foreign right?) - Snatch
western - Tombstone (but I've been told if I would ever watch Lonesome Dove then that would change)
musical - Moulin Rouge
drama - Hoosiers

3. What is your favorite non-chain restaurant to eat at in Tulsa?

I definitely prefer local eateries to chain restaurants for sure and the ones I frequent the most are In the Raw (on the hill) and McNellie's.

4. You've just been elected POTUS. What are your top priorities?

Get pictures taken of me and my First Gentleman. You know, since I'm always the one behind the camera, it'd be nice to have some of us together ;).

Well that and make Jason Boland my Chief of Staff.

5. It's a beautiful, sunny day in Tulsa and you've got nothing on the agenda. What do you do?

I'm either on self appointed project of taking pictures/polaroids or I'm at the lake. It's what makes me happy.

6. What are your 3 favorite books?

Oh come on, this is WAY too easy! Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery, Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Wait. Did you say 4? Thought so.

7. If you could do a photo shoot anywhere in the world, where would you do it?

Without a doubt, Ireland. Any takers?

8. What is the best concert you've ever attended?

Hands down the David Gray concert my husband and I went to in Denver, CO last fall. If you don't know his music, please check him out. But prepare yourself because he might just speak straight to your soul. I think concerts are always better when you get to actually meet the artist. Call me a groupie, but meeting David Gray was a thrilling experience. In fact, I liken it to the way I picture my mom crying at an Elvis concert.

9. Who are your heroes?

I have a few but I won't bore you with all of them. My dad has been my hero for as long as I can remember. And then there's always Horatio Caine.

10. If you had a time-traveling Delorean and could visit yourself in 10 years, what do you hope to discover?

That I'm still dreaming big and loving life.

Matt Pinnell for OKGOP State Chair

2010-06-14T08:00:00.010-05:00

As you may have heard, Gary Jones, the current chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party is stepping down effective today due to his decision to run for State Auditor and Inspector. Angie LaPlante will be the interim party chairwoman until June 26th. On that day, office holders in the OKGOP State Committee will meet to select the new chairperson.

I would like to wholeheartedly endorse Matt Pinnell for the position. In the interest of transparency, let me state up front that Matt is a friend and my former boss from his time as Executive Director of American Majority in Oklahoma. That being said, allow me to lay out a few of the reasons he would be an excellent chairman.

1. He is a principled conservative. With Matt, one need not wonder what they are getting as a final product. I have known him for several years and have never questioned his commitment to lower taxes, efficient and responsible government, the sanctity of life, and the free enterprise system.

2. He has the experience necessary to do the job well. While Matt is young in terms of age, he is a seasoned veteran in terms of political experience. He was the Director of Operations for the state party under Tom Daxon and Gary Jones. In addition, as director of Oklahoma Victory in 2008, he was instrumental in helping the McCain ticket to win all 77 counties in the state! Finally, he has been an invaluable campaign aide to candidates for numerous races in the state.

3. He is a man of vision. Matt isn't content to do things the way they have always been done. Matt will be a constant voice of progress, always with an eye for what can be done to make the party a major player, not only in this state, but on the national stage. He will win new voters, raise more money, and ensure the presence of a robust party, not only this year, but for years to come.

If you are an eligible voter in the OKGOP State Committee, I urge you to cast a vote for Matt Pinnell on June 26th.

If you'd like to learn more about Matt, click here.

A Night Out in Tulsa

2010-06-09T10:28:00.001-05:00

On Monday, my wife and I were excited about taking in our first Drillers game at the newly minted ONEOK Field. Much to our dismay, once we were downtown, we found out the game had been cancelled due to wet conditions on the field. Not ones to give up and go home (especially with free babysitting), we decided to just wing it. Thankfully, we brought our camera along to document some of the places we saw.

We started off walking around the area of 2nd and Elgin and saw this building. I liked the contrast between the flowers and the colors on the brick.

After a bit of walking, we got thirsty. So, we went in here:

We decided to drive over to Cain's and take a few pictures. Cain's is a special place for both of us. We got engaged there.

Looking south from Cain's we saw this view of the Tulsa skyline:

As it was getting close to Sunset, we headed to Centennial Park at 6th and Peoria. I had always wanted to take pictures of the Tulsa skyline from that vantage point.

We had a little fun of our own with the camera:

We concluded the evening by cruising over to Brookside with the windows down and Duke Ellington playing on the stereo. After some ice cream at Sonic, we made our way back home. It wasn't the date night we planned, but it couldn't have been more perfect.

Governing is Harder Than it Looks

2010-06-04T14:56:00.000-05:00

If we've learned one thing over the past few weeks of the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, it's that the actual act of governing is much harder than it looks from the outside looking in. It's so easy for those who aren't in the thick of things to play Monday morning quarterback. President Obama need only look in the mirror for an example of someone guilty of this error. In 2007, in remarks about the Hurrican Katrina disaster, he said, "there is not a sense of urgency out of this White House and this administration." In a classic, "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" moment, the president is finding out that complex national disasters don't just go away because you're the man in charge and you will it to be so.

One thing I think the American public fails to understand is that government was not meant to be a fast-moving organization. Our government was purposefully designed to be slow and plodding. In the legislative branch, laws are passed only with the agreement of 51% of the House of Representatives and generally, 60% of the Senate (it takes this percentage to invoke cloture). If a bill clears the numerous hurdles of subcommittee and committee hearings in order to be debated on the respective floors, it still must be signed by the president. Once those bills are passed, they must be interpreted and put into practice by a vast federal bureaucracy interacting with countless state and local bureaucracies. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that the majority of those people who work in the federal bureaucracy are career employees and were not hired by the administration in power. Finally, if a law is to be challenged in court, it can take years to work its way through the judicial system and in the end, may or may not be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Why was our government designed this way? Simply put, it was to protect us, the American citizens. Our founders realized that the government would have a great deal of influence on the way we live our lives. Think about it. The government influences the economy, jobs, how our food is handled and delivered, how we get our news, our personal safety, relations with foreign governments, and literally thousands of other daily functions. The ability to quickly change policy in any of these key areas would result in constant turmoil and instability. For the most part, the status quo is a good thing because it means we can count on things tomorrow being pretty much the same as today. This allows us to plan for our future and live our lives.

Of course, things don't always stay the same. Throughout our illustrious history, we can see the march of progress. Slavery was abolished. Women were accorded the right to vote. Minorities were given equal status with civil rights leglisation. And so on. What we must realize about these acccomplishments is that they didn't come overnight. Instead, they came after generations of tireless effort by ordinary citizens, influential advocates, non-profit organizations, and representatives from the government itself. In many cases, world events conspired to open the door ever so briefly and allow true change to occur.

Leadership from our presidents is important. We want to see our president take control and be the man in charge during times of crisis. We like it when presidents take responsibility. Harry Truman had a sign on his desk inscribed with the words, "The Buck Stops Here." In this situation, we would like for Obama to at least pretend like he's got things under control. But, we should realize he is only one man. Even as powerful as he is, it takes time to turn the Titanic. The one person who probably empathizes the most with him in this situation is President Bush. How's that for irony?

We Remember

2010-05-31T08:42:00.000-05:00

Help me to remember somewhere out there a man died for me today. As long as there be war, I must ask and answer, "Am I worth dying for?"

-Anonymous, prayer kept by Eleanor Roosevelt at her bedside during World War II

Basic Requirements for Good Citizenship

2010-05-26T15:22:00.001-05:00

I’m continually amazed at the lack of knowledge in our society regarding civics. Over the course of the past year, I have had the privilege of teaching an introductory course on government at the college level. While a few of my students come into class with a sound background in American government, many more seem to be lacking even the most rudimentary understanding of the way our country operates. What’s more, it seems that a love and appreciation for the freedoms we possess and the subsequent duty by every person to sustain those values is fading.

I don’t want to place the blame solely on the younger generation for not fully engaging as citizens of this republic. I meet men and women of every generation and demographic who are completely disengaged from the process. Let me state emphatically that my expectations are not unreasonable. I certainly don’t expect everyone to possess the same degree of political geek-ery that I do. Nevertheless, there are a few basic requirements inherent in being a good citizen of this fine country we live in.

1. Register to Vote

Simply put, you cannot make your voice heard if you do not show up on Election Day. Some may take the cynic’s view and proclaim that all politicians are cheats, swindlers, etc. so a vote doesn’t make a difference in the end. I disagree with that opinion on the basis that it paints a large number of good public servants with that brush. Those running for public office should be judged one at a time on the merits they present to the electorate. If, you do have a Hobson ’s choice at the ballot box, I suggest it may be because not enough good people are involved in holding their candidates accountable.

2. Vote More Than Once Every Four Years

The majority of people registered to vote only show up in years in which the president is on the ballot. It is such a shame. While I grant you that the presidential election is very important, in my opinion, it is not nearly as important as your local and state elections. It is these offices which impact your daily life more than any other. These offices control how your tax dollars are allocated, how your businesses are regulated, how your schools are governed, and so forth.

3. Read the News

You cannot hold your government officials accountable if you are not aware of what is going on in your community, state, and nation. I recommend you find a few good news websites and check them daily, if possible. Notice I said “read the news” and not “read the opinions.” While it is certainly important to read what others think about the important events of the day, I caution the consumer of news to seek out material that is not opinion masquerading as news.

4. Know Who Represents You

You can’t petition the government if you do not know who your representatives are. Most people know their representatives in the halls of Congress. Do you know who represents you in the state house and senate? Do you know your city councilor and county commissioner? Do you know your school board member? These people are your servants. Find out who they are and don’t hesitate to contact them should the need arise.

5. Know How Your Government Works

Because governments are large, complex entities, most average citizens won’t come close to understanding some of the minute intricacies associated with them. I think this is why many people get confused and decide it’s not worth the effort to comprehend how laws, ordinances, etc. get passed. Nevertheless, it is important to have a basic understanding of how policies and laws are made. This information is vital so that you can be sure your government is operating in a transparent, efficient manner. Start out by learning how a bill goes through Congress and the state house from introduction to its approval or veto. Next, spend some time learning how ordinances are passed on your city council. Finally, it is a good idea to understand how your local school board passes new policies.

By following these five simple steps, you will make a lasting contribution to your country and ensure the torch of freedom is passed from one generation to the next.

All I Need to Know, I Learned From Willie

2010-05-24T11:19:00.002-05:00

I was watching an episode of Austin City Limits recently which featured Willie Nelson playing with Asleep at the Wheel. I watched as Willie sung his timeless classics and saw his weathered hands slide effortlessly over his aged guitar, Trigger. It occurred to me that Willie is truly a legend that can never be truly replaced in the pantheon of American music. Then, I started thinking about his vast song catalog and how it has spanned, not only the decades, but every conceivable topic related to the human experience. An idea struck me. I'll bet there are quite a few life lessons contained in the songs of the Red Headed Stranger. This is my effort to document some of them.

Lesson #1 - Being in relationship with someone requires more than just being with them.

Willie warned us of the perils of not engaging in an authentic relationship in You Were Always on My Mind. It's not enough just to think lovingly about the one you're with. You have to express it in word and deed.

"Little things I should have said and done, I just never took the time. You were always on my mind. You were always on my mind."

Lesson #2 - Road trips with friends are good for the soul.

Sometimes you just need to get out on the open road. You need to see new things and have experiences that just don't happen when you're home. Every once in awhile, it's good to get out On The Road Again.

"On the road again - like a band of gypsies we roll down the highway. We're the best of friends, insisting that the world keep turning our way. And our way."

Lesson #3 - Take care of a stranger in need.

As Robert Duvall's character noted in the movie, Broken Trail, "We're all travelers in this world...Birth 'til death. We travel between the eternities." Life is too short and the road is too long not to take care of those around us in need. Willie's song, Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground, talks about caring for a stranger even though he knew his time with that person would be fleeting.

"Leave me if you need to, I will still remember, Angel flying too close to the ground."

Lesson #4 - You can do anything with a good friend by your side.

Think about your best friend. It's the person you've had countless experiences with, both good and bad. In hindsight, you wouldn't trade one minute of even the hardest times with that person because it's an experience that provides a bond between the two of you that nobody else will ever understand. Willie describes just such a friendship in Me and Paul.

"It's been rough and rocky travelin' but I'm finally standin' upright on the ground. After takin' several readings, I'm surprised to find my mind's still fairly sound. I guess Nashville was the roughest, but I know I've said the same about them all. We received our education in the cities of the nation, me and Paul."

Lesson #5 - Our loved ones aren't really gone, we'll see them again someday.

It's hard to lose the ones you love. Thankfully, we can be comforted by the fact that we will meet them again on the other side of glory. Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain speaks of the pain of losing of a loved one, but the hopeful expectation of meeting them again.

"Someday when we meet up yonder, we'll stroll hand in hand again, in the land that knows no parting. Blue eyes crying in the rain."

Do you have any favorite life lessons from Willie Nelson? What's your favorite Willie tune?

Friday Linkage

2010-05-21T10:17:00.002-05:00

I don't publish linkage blog entries very often because I tend to view them as the blogging equivalent of "phoning it in." However, I've read some really interesting articles over the past few weeks and want to share them in case you missed them.

-Ian Speir, a friend of mine from grad school and current law student at Georgetown wrote a blog article entitled, Lopsided Justice. Speir produces a rebuttal to an article by Mike Lux who is “puzzled by how people who claim to be followers of the Jesus I read about in the Bible can be political conservatives.” Here is an excerpt from Speir's article:

What Mr. Lux and his colleagues consistently miss is the cultural milieu in which Jesus lived. Jesus wasn’t fighting for one class over another: he was challenging classism itself. In a society that said, “The rich are blessed — look at how much money they have!”, Jesus said, “The poor, too, are blessed — theirs is the kingdom of God!” (Luke 6:20).

-Joseph Ellis, renowned historian and author of such books as Founding Brothers and American Sphinx, wrote an article in the Washington Post entitled Immaculate Misconception and the Supreme Court. In the article, Ellis challenges the notion of founders' intent noting that the final Constitution was a product of a political process in which the framers had serious debates over the language and wording of the document. Here is an excerpt:

Yet the constitutional doctrine of original intent has always struck most historians of the founding era as rather bizarre. For they, more than most, know that the original framers of the Constitution harbored deep disagreements over the document's core provisions, that the debates in the state ratifying conventions further exposed the divisions of opinion on such seminal issues as federal vs. state jurisdiction, the powers of the executive branch, even whether there was -- or should be -- an ultimate arbiter of the purposefully ambiguous language of the document.

-Last month, an article was published in New York Magazine entitled Mr. Woebegone Goes to Washington. The aricle detailed how the nature of the U.S. Senate has changed over the years from that of an august body which is supposed to remain above the political fray to an entity which is closer in semblance to the House of Representatives. Here is an excerpt:

But the Senate is supposed to be above the game, I tell him, at least in the election off-season. Richard Russell, the legendary Democrat from Georgia, had a saying—

“I know,” he said. “My father used to quote it: ‘The Senate allows you two years as a statesman, two years as a politician, and two years as a demagogue.’ ” He gave me a wistful look right then, and proceeded to say exactly what I’d been thinking. “And that’s actually changed. You’re now a demagogue the full six years.”

-Deadline Hollywood Daily, a blog focused on the enterainment industry, published an article comparing legendary pranksters Paul Newman and George Clooney. These guys definitely took a joke to the next level. Here is an excerpt:

When Hill refused to make changes Newman suggested for a scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Newman had the director’s desk sawed in half, causing it to collapse in Hill's lap when he sat down; Hill once again resisted Newman's suggestions during The Sting, and later found his car in half (Newman bought him a new one).

-Finally, my wife, The Domestic Goddess, has written a funny and insightful article on how God must view us after watching our toddler struggle to accomplish a task. Here is an excerpt:

There are so many instances where I am teaching my toddler a lesson and I wonder, "Is this how I act towards God?" (It's sad that I can sometimes equate my behavior/actions with a toddler's; just keeping it real.)

True Education

2010-05-18T14:50:00.002-05:00

Over the weekend, I began reading The God Who is There by Francis A. Schaeffer. The book speaks about how the world has been moving from a place of rationality to irrationality over the centuries, gradually excluding the rational existence of God. While that is a topic I will have to address at another time, I found this quote on education to be quite insightful:

"In our modern forms of specialized education there is a tendency to lose the whole in the parts, and in this sense we can say that our generation produces few truly educated people. True education means thinking by associating across the various disciplines, and not just being highly qualified in one field, as a technician might be."

It's no secret I don't believe what passes for "education" in our schools these days is that at all. For a longer exposition on my thoughts along these lines, please consider reading my past entry, On Education. Suffice it to say, memorizing facts for a standardized test is no more true education than riding a bike down the Riverside Trail and calling it the Tour de France. Education is thinking, studying, discussing, analyzing, debating, discovering and experiencing. One of my good friends, Sarah from Emerging Mummy, recently highlighted the deficit we've incurred in our educational system in a recent post:

"I don't think that many of us actually know that much about much anymore. For instance, we go to school for 13 years, many of us for more, and yet, once the test has concluded, that information leaks out of our ears. We simply can't remember much about humanities, art, science and philosophy after we take the test."

"Even the stuff that we do "know" is rather lazy. For instance, my husband once asked me a question. I responded by dashing to Google it. Sure enough, it was the same answer I had in my head but I wasn't confident enough to just answer. I had to Google it. We are an entire generation dependent on calculators, navigation systems and Internet search engines."

So, we've identified the problem. The question is, what do we do about it?

The Use of Time

2010-05-14T12:02:00.002-05:00

“Human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be coworkers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation. We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.”

The above quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been a favorite of mine. Perhaps, more than most, King knew how precious time really was. Thinking back to those days before the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s, I’m sure King heard time and again that “things will never change,” and “that’s just the way it’s always been.” Nevertheless, King was so sure of his purpose and so convinced of the rightness of his cause that he was unwilling to let even one second acquiesce without putting it to good use. Taken by an assassin’s bullet at the very young age of 38, King made the most of the time he had on earth. By the time of his death in 1968, centuries of oppression were in the process of being reversed, largely due to his efforts and influence.

The Bible contains many entries concerning the use of time, but one strikes me as particularly salient:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:13-17)

James does not equivocate on how we are to use our time. We are to do right with it. We are not to waste it. We are not to wile it away promising ourselves someday we’ll make a contribution for good. We are not promised a life of 80 years on this earth. In fact, we are not promised tomorrow. Life is too short to spend it in endless empty pursuits that gratify the flesh, but provide no return on investment. We need to engage in our communities. We need to pour ourselves into our families. We need to be there for our friends. We need to fight for a cause. We need to do it today.

Pancakes at Station 5

2010-05-11T21:05:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, I received a Facebook invitation from some firefighter friends of mine to attend a pancake breakfast at Fire Station 5. Held this past Saturday, it was a rousing success as hundred of people came out to eat some delicious pancakes, meet the neighborhood firemen, and get an up-close look at the facilities and equipment. My 2-year old son and I made a great morning out of it. He got a big kick out of exploring every inch of the fire trucks on display. He saw trucks everywhere he turned and kept exclaiming "big truck, big truck!"

Fire Station 5 is located at 18th and Boston in Tulsa. I was told it is Tulsa's oldest station still in use:

Yeah, he's pretty much the cutest little boy ever:

Here we are in front of Engine 5:

These men and women do an excellent job. Many thanks for their service:

Old Glory waving proudly at Station 5. It's good to be an American:

Book Review: Progressive Oklahoma

2010-05-07T23:17:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I finally finished reading Progressive Oklahoma: The Making of a New Kind of State by Danney Goble. I found the book to be quite insightful, well researched, and informative. Goble did a great job of laying of laying out the story of Oklahoma, from the period before the land run in 1889 to statehood in 1907. Better yet, he did a good job of explaining the social history of the state to give the reader an understanding of why our constitution was the most progressive ever written at the time of its ratification.

From the onset of Oklahoma Territory's existence, unbridled capitalism reigned supreme in terms of how the state operated. In fact, it was the capitalist urges which motivated David Payne and his followers to become activists in favor of opening up the Unassigned Lands to settlement. After establishing townships, the town fathers would lobby the railroad interests to pass through in order to bring civilization and prosperity. Realizing the power they possessed, the railroads would run lines through the towns where they got the best deals in terms of pass-through rates and land. This caused a great deal of competition between the towns. In some cases, the railroads deliberately attempted to starve out competing towns in the interest of preserving towns with railroad depots. By 1894, the citizens, unable to find justice in the court system, turned to violence.

"Near South Enid, trestle supports were sawed through, wrecking a fifteen-car freight train as it approached the city. Almost simultaneously, a dynamite blast ripped up tracks and bridges south of Pond Creek."

In August 1894, Congress took up the matter and mandated that railroads must provide depots in county seat cities.

"Appraised of their victory in Congress, a crowd of 2,000 gathered in a bonfire-lit celebration at South Enid. As the Daily Wave reported the scene, 'they cheered their friends that had helped them in Congress, and some fellow took off his muzzle long enough to propose three cheers for the man who 'said nothing but sawed wood.''

The situation wasn't much better in the Indian Territory. The federal government was determined to move the Indian nations off of the communal tribal land system and into a system in which each citizen was given an allotment. In 1887, that vision became reality with the passage of the Dawes Act. Almost immediately, grafters swarmed the Indian Territory in an effort to make the land their own.

"The grafter was involved from the very beginning, whenever his agents located isolated full bloods and others who had not selected allotments. Brought to the land office by the grafter, the Indians willingly chose the land selected for them by the grafter and immediately signed a lease with him that amounted to a virtual gift."

Around the turn of the century, much to the chagrin of established corporate interests such as the railroads and coal mining companies, progressive ideas began to take root. Across both territories, unions and farmers' co-ops were formed in an effort to shift some of the power from the corporations to the workers. Peter Hanraty, a poor miner who, quite miraculously, survived numerous mining accidents became the first leader of the UMWA in Oklahoma. Hanraty later went on the have a substantial role in the state constitutional convention. With the Democrats and Republicans engaged in warfare against each other, it was the Socialists who first put forth a progressive platform.

"While Republicans and Democrats were locked into the old politics of the Guilded Age, the Socialists had advocated a modern, Progressive agenda. What had enabled them to go beyond the old style was their decisive rejection of the old vision of the Boomers. The Socialists had repudiated the ethic out of the conviction that youthful capitalism did not - could not - promote equitable production and distribution. The siren call of the marketplace held no attraction for them."

Over time it was the Democrats in the two territories who eventually co-opted the progressive ideals and made them their own. During all but a few years of the territorial government, the Republicans held the White House and thus, appointed Republicans to positions of political power. The Republicans regarded this as a position of inherent strength, but it was ultimately their weakness.

"Likewise, the long rule of the territorial party had made it useless as an instrument of reform ideas. Excluded from the patronage troughs, the Democrats had been compelled to become issue-oriented while the Republicans had been able to ignore issues...Even in the constitutional convention races most Republican candidates offered no platform at all beyond the hollow-sounding old appeals of the Union, the tariff, and prosperity."

These Republican weaknesses were quite evident after the election process was completed for delegates to the constitutional convention in Guthrie. Only 12 of the 112 delegates were Republicans.

The final constitution included language asserting that the people held all political power. It also declared that almost every major state office would be elected by the people. In an effort to strictly monitor the actions of corporations and trusts in the state, a 3-member elected corporation commission was established. Monopolies were declared illegal in the state. Corporations were also forbidden from influencing elections. The constitution also required that legislators disclose conflicts of interest.

The ratification election on September 17, 1907, saw the constitution approved by 71% of the voting populace. Every single county voted in favor of it. President Roosevelt, despite indicating his opinion of the constitution was "not fit for publication," officially proclaimed statehood for Oklahoma at 10:16am on November 16, 1907.

I highly recommend reading this book if you are at all interested in Oklahoma history. At 227 pages, it is a fairly quick read and, while Goble is an academic, he makes every effort to convey the material in an understandable manner. You can obtain the book through the Tulsa City-County Library.

Sunday Night Random Thoughts

2010-05-02T20:45:00.001-05:00

Here are a few of the things I'm thinking about on this beautiful Sunday evening in Tulsa, Oklahoma:

- Had a wonderful weekend with my son. My wife facilitated a wedding in OKC, so it was a boy's weekend. On Saturday morning, we went to indoor playground at the mall because it was raining. He had a good run, a few good jumps, and eyed a pretty little blond two-year old. When our time at the play area concluded, we rode the carousel a couple times. After that, we went to Wal-Mart where we perused the toy section. I bought him some Hot Wheels and a Thomas train. He hasn't let any of them out of his sight since then. In fact, last night, we had to tell each of them good night. After our toy excursion, we met a friend of mine at Brewburger for some delicious eats. He was tuckered after that, so it was home for a long nap.

-Watched the Correspondents Dinner on CSPAN last night as I was flipping through the channels. I thought Obama got a few funny lines in. Leno was a complete bust to me. I didn't laugh once at any of his jokes.

-Went to San Diego last weekend for work and stayed a couple extra days with a good friend from college. It was absolutely gorgeous out there. On Saturday night, we went to The Comedy Store and heard a few really funny comedians (sorry, don't remember their names). On Sunday, we drove to Palm Desert and went to the Stagecoach Music Festival. There was a huge crowd there which was estimated at 50,000. I heard Brooks and Dunn and Toby Keith perform. I'm not into mainstream country that much, but both put on a pretty good show.

-I really enjoy yard work. It's a stress reliever to me. Planted some fescue in some bare spots on my yard this weekend. We'll see if I'm a good farmer.

-I've been catching up on episodes of Human Target on FOX. It's not one of the best shows in the world, but it's fun and you can turn your mind off for awhile. Sometimes, I don't need anything more than that.

-My grad school professor, Hank Jenkins-Smith, appeared on Frontline this past week. The episode centered on vaccinations. Hank is the Associate Director at the Center for Applied Social Research at the University of Oklahoma. He ran focus groups to determine people's attitude toward vaccinations. I thought he did a great job. I thought the overall episode wasn't as good as it could have been. I generally like Frontline because it does a good job of balancing between points of view. I thought this episode tilted heavier towards the doctor/CDC/NIH point of view and made those who question vaccines out to be a little crazy. My wife and I have researched this issue and find the number of vaccines given to children today to be alarming. In my mind, you can't just discount the stories of thousands of parents who claim their children were fine until after some vaccines were administered. We do vaccinate our son, but on a graduated basis. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find a pediatrician willing to work with us.

-Parks and Recreation is one of my favorite shows. It's worth watching solely for the quotes about government from the Parks Director, Ron Swanson. An example: "I think the entire government should be privatized. Chuck E. Cheese could run the parks. Everything operated by tokens. Drop in a token, go on the swing set. Drop in another token, take a walk. Drop in a token, look at a duck."

Political Activism - Boomer Style

2010-04-27T17:05:00.000-05:00

If we are going to see real change occur in our city halls, courthouses, and state capitols, we must realize the benefits of coordinated effort along with a strategic plan. A great example of such an endeavor can be found in the earliest annals of Oklahoma history.

Recently, while perusing books at our local library in Tulsa, I happened upon a book entitled Progressive Oklahoma: The Making of a New Kind of State by Danney Goble. Not being a native of this fine state, I am always looking for opportunities to learn about its history. Ever since I picked it up, I have been fascinated by the events Goble describes.

During the late 1870s and early 1880s, industrial opportunists (chiefly railroad interests and land speculators) began to set their sights on settling the boundless prairie which made up the Unassigned Lands in Oklahoma Territory. Not content to wait for the federal government to release the lands, these “Boomers” gathered together in formal associations to force the issue. In newspaper articles and other publications, the Boomers claimed that the government had a moral obligation to release the land to the public. They augmented their claims by making illegal sojourns into the territory. Certain of arrest, the Boomers used these expeditions as a way of gaining publicity for their cause and challenging the government’s claim on the lands in court. Goble writes, “At a minimum, the invasions and certain arrests would dramatize the Boomers’ position, attract public sympathy, maintain otherwise flagging spirits, and force the government to some resolution.”

Eventually, the repeated excursions captured the attention of the government and policy began to change. In 1887, the Dawes Act was passed, which moved most Native American tribes from the reservation system to land allotments. While the Oklahoma tribes were exempt from this act, many began to read the writing on the wall. In 1889, both the Creeks and Seminoles sold the U.S. government all claims they had in the Unassigned Lands. This opened the door to the Land Run in April 1889.

The policy change regarding the Unassigned Lands most certainly would not have happened if not for the organized efforts of the Boomer groups. Formed for a singular purpose, they never lost sight of what they were working toward. Goble writes, “Meeting impediments and delays, Boomers were necessarily activists, unwilling to accept routine, postpone action, and trust their affairs to the distant workings of impersonal institutions. It was their way not merely to face the issue; Boomers would force it.” [emphasis mine]

How can these lessons be applied in today’s political climate? I am not advocating breaking the law to prove a point like the Boomers did. I am advocating using all of the tools we have available today to strategically put an issue in the public eye. We must stop using one-pronged advances which might get the issue noticed today, but do not serve to really advance the cause. Groups must be organized and must coordinate not only within themselves, but with other like-minded entities to see change occur. The Boomers saw their efforts realized by always staying true to their ultimate goal and they never strayed from their original purpose. In order realize broad influence, the message must be broadcasted using new media methods such as Facebook and Twitter, in addition to traditional media outlets such as newspapers and radio. Finally, each of the aforementioned tactics must be married to a consistent lobbying effort which keeps the issue at the center of the political discussion.

So You Think Partisanship is Bad Now?

2010-04-23T12:35:00.002-05:00

A week ago, I was perusing through the social science section at the Hardesty Regional Library and came upon a book called Progressive Oklahoma: The Making of a New Kind of State by Danney Goble. I decided to check out the book because my knowledge of Oklahoma history is still a bit dim as I am a transplant from the Republic of Texas. Yes, I'm one of the few people who migrated north of the Red River and stayed.

The book provides marvelous insight into the factors that led to Oklahoma becoming a state. It starts with the Boomer movement in the 1870s and 1880s and progresses through the formation of the constitution after statehood in 1907.

I'll have more commentary about the book in future blog articles, but I wanted to address one particular section now. It deals with partisan politics. The book details the early battles between the Republicans and Democrats during the territorial era. The fights were bitter because a great deal of patronage was at stake. Suffice it to say, I always chuckle a bit when I hear people say that partisanship is as bad right now as it's ever been. To those people I say, "Not even close." Here's an excerpt from the book which will demonstrate just how civil and polite we are these days:

"Both parties stressed their own frugality and blasted their opponents with the charge that they were spend-thrifts and crooks. In fact, the central feature to the Democrats' 1902 campaign was 'Make Them Explain,' a circular alleging minor corruption in a half dozen Republican postmasterships and lessor offices. Two years later, Kingfisher Democrats disinterred a dead woman and paraded the decomposed corpse through the streets of town, claiming she had been murdered in the Republican-controlled insane asylum. Except for its gruesomeness, that sort of appeal was typical of the puerile charges that the parties regularly hurled."

We still call members of the other party spend-thrifts and crooks, but seeing as how there are no dead bodies being marched through the streets, I'd say we're doing pretty good. That, my friends, is progress.

The Government is Us

2010-04-21T08:11:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I left a comment on LD Jackson's Political Realities blog. The article, entitled Should We Trust Our Government?, quoted recent statistics which reveal that the level of trust for our government is eroding steadily. Here is a snippet:

NPR has a good story from All Things Considered last evening that touches on this very topic. In it, they cite a Pew Research Center poll that says only 22% of all Americans say they trust their government. By my count, that leaves 78% of all Americans who do not trust their government, especially on a federal level. Am I the only one who finds these numbers disturbing?

I commented on the article and noted that people tend not to trust a nameless, faceless entity like the government. I went on to say that the government, in reality, is us. It is our neighbors, friends, and relatives. The vast majority of the people who work in government are hard working individuals who have the best interest of the people at heart.

LD took the essence of my comment and turned it into a very fine blog entry entitled, The Government is Us. I'm a little jealous I didn't think of writing something on this myself, however, I'm quite confident that I couldn't have done near as good of a job with it as LD did. Here is an excerpt from that article:

I honestly can not remember reading a more stark and revealing statement at any time in my life and it is worth repeating. The government is us.

We currently have a strong movement that is protesting big government. The Tea Party is doing it’s best to draw attention to the way our government seems to be expanding at every level. Some of their tactics I agree with and some I do not, but we need to keep one thing in mind, above all else. We have the power to change what we do not like about our government and it does not entail blowing things up or brandishing firearms at public rallies.

I highly encourage you to go read the whole thing and then make Political Realities one of your daily blog stops. You won't be disappointed.

Things I've Learned About Myself

2010-04-19T10:25:00.000-05:00

On Friday, Mike McCarville, publisher of The McCarville Report, reproduced my blog entry on militia talk in Oklahoma. I was quite honored to have written something worthy of his fine blog, as it is one I read quite frequently and I have a great deal of respect for his point of view. Evidently, Mr. McCarville has quite a large readership. Up to that point, the readership of that particular entry numbered in the single digits. By the end of the day, my stat counter noted 116 hits, a number quite small for most of the respectable blogs out there, but for me, a banner day. During the day, several other blogs picked up on my post.

Yes, something I wrote went viral on the inter-tubes. It was a first for me. The prevailing response to the post was positive. Most of the comments I received on Facebook, on the entry itself, and in private correspondence were supportive and along the lines of "thanks for writing this." Of course, if you spend any time at all in politics and exhibit any opinion whatsoever, you're bound to get some criticism. And boy, did I get some criticism. Just read the comments on the preceeding post to get a sense of it.

I want to say I appreciate the critics. Through their statements, I learned a lot about myself. Here are just a few things I now know (my comments in parenthesis):

I am a closeted liberal (those who have known me for a long time will be shocked to learn this).
I have been used as a pawn by the main stream media (God forbid I read anything but The Weekly Standard and watch anything except Fox News).
My favorite news channel is MSNBC (I don't have cable, but apparently I watch this network all the time).
The blog post was a result of my anxiety disorder (I had to Google Xanax to find out what it was).
I have no knowledge of the Constitution (perhaps I should ask for my money back from my grad school professors).
I have insulted the State of Montana (guilty as charged).

In all seriousness, I appreciate all of the comments on this blog. I welcome the feedback and invite more people to do so. Just be warned, I won't be put in a political box. If you expect me to toe the line of one particular political party or another, I think you'll be disappointed. However, if you want (what I consider to be) reasoned analysis and thought-provoking commentary, then you'll perhaps be satisfied (or not). In my mind, I've reached a pretty good place when the liberals call you conservative and the conservatives call you liberal.

How mavericky of me.

The Crazy Train Has Left the Station

2010-04-14T10:40:00.001-05:00

On Monday, an article was published by the Associated Press with quotes from some Oklahoma Tea Party leaders and even a gubenatorial candidate supporting the idea of a state-sanctioned militia. Evidently, some of these people feel like it is time to take up arms to protect themselves against the federal government. Al Gerhart of the Oklahoma Constitutional Alliance is quoted as saying, "Is it scary? It sure is. But when do states stop rolling over for the federal government?" Randy Brogdon, a Republican candidate for governor is quoted as saying, "The Second Amendment deals directly with the right of an individual to keep and bear arms to protect themselves from an overreaching federal government."

Randy Brogdon later clarified what he meant by his comments saying they were taken out of context. Unfortunately, others have refused to back down for on their call for a militia.

I would personally like to thank these and other like-minded individuals for giving Oklahoma some national press which makes us look like a bunch of gun-toting hillbillies. Thanks also for using the word "militia" which brings to mind Tim McVeigh, David Koresh, and people in the hills of Montana saving up canned goods and plotting secession from the government. They should know better than to support this type of activity.

We have real, honest-to-God, problems in this state. Our educational system is abysmal, our state and local budgets are in disarray, and we desperately need to make this state more business friendly. These are only a few of the many challenges we face in the future. We need leaders who will address these problems instead of donning tin foil hats and railing against the "gub-ment." If you don't like what's going in the government now, there are plenty of ways to fix it short of taking up arms. I recommend starting with petitioning your members of Congress, forming a coalition to hold government accountable, showing up at the ballot box, and running for office yourself.

Let's get past this black helicopter stuff which only serves to inflame the situation and work on real solutions to our problems.

UPDATE 4/16/10 - I have changed the original wording of this blog post to reflect Randy Brogdon's assertion that he was taken out of context in the original intervew. My intent in writing this article was not to denigrate any person or group, but simply to call attention to what I felt was counterproductive to a healthy debate on the issues facing our state. I applaud Senator Brogdon for distancing himself from the talk of a militia and wish him a productive campaign just as I do for all of the candidates who take the bold step of running for office.

Springtime at the Capitol

2010-04-12T11:28:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I attended the state convention of the Oklahoma Federation of Young Republicans in Oklahoma City. The convention was a lot of fun as I got to network with a lot of great YRs from around the state and attend my very first NBA game.

On Saturday, the convention convened on the floor of the House of Representatives in the state capitol building. We heard speeches from gubenatorial candidates Fallin and Brogdon in addition to others running for statewide office such as Janet Barresi (Education), Jason Reese (Labor), Todd Lamb and John Wright (Lt. Gov.), Ryan Leonard (Attorney Gen.), and Ken Miller and Owen Laughlin (Treasurer). We also heard from Congressman Tom Cole who gave a very uplifting and optimistic speech about the future of our country, which was a nice contrast to the gloom and doom that tends to permeate Republican speeches these days.

I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures while I was there:

Looking up at the capitol dome:

Floor of the House of Representatives:

Here I am listening to the speeches:

Our Response in the Midst of Tribulation

2010-04-02T10:34:00.002-05:00

Easter weekend always brings out a myriad of emotions. The three-day span starts on a somber note as we contemplate the brutality that our Savior endured and sacrifice He made on our behalf. His journey was not an easy one, even though He knew from the beginning of His life on earth that it had to occur. On Sunday, we transition from solemnity to celebration. Christ rose from the dead, He conquered evil itself and made us victorious partners in His everlasting Kingdom! We go forth from that day confident in the knowledge that we are redeemed and partakers in His grace.

Nevertheless, I wonder if we fully grasp the struggle that Jesus endured on His way to winning the ultimate battle. In many cases, I think it is easy to focus on Sunday’s celebration and perhaps marginalize the trials and tribulations because we know the outcome. It is somewhat akin to watching a very suspenseful movie the second time around. On the first viewing, we’re on the edge of our seats and not sure if our hero will save the day. By the time we watch it the second time, we’re still a little on edge, but not nearly to the degree we were previously. The reason for this is our foreknowledge of the endgame.

We are in the midst of struggles, trials and temptations right now. Unfortunately, we don’t always know how the story will end. We do have control over how we approach the things that confront us, though. One of my favorite quotes that illustrates this attitude is from the latest version of the Count of Monte Cristo movie:

Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you: as Albert Mondego, the man!

We shouldn’t run from trials and tribulation. In fact, we should embrace them just as Jesus did on his monumental journey to Calvary. Even though we may not know how our particular situation will play out, we do know where to put our focus in the midst of it:

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Thoughts on the Weekend

2010-03-30T12:02:00.000-05:00

I had a great weekend with a diverse array of experiences. I'll run you through some of them.

Friday night - Earlier in the week, I had agreed to be a chaperone for my church's youth group trip to the Acquire the Fire event at the Mabee Center. Since I'm going with the group on a mission trip in July, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get to know some of them. We had about 30-40 attend. One of my big realizations is that it has been a long time since I was a teenager and in many cases, I felt like a visitor to a foreign country trying to learn the language. Acquire the Fire brought back quite a few memories from my ORU days, and some of them not so good. After sitting through a rock band singing praise and worship music, a play in which the interaction between good and evil was vastly oversimplified, and an alter call, I started wondering to myself about the role of emotion in spiritual decisions. These guys were great using the smoke, lights, music, and spoken word to elicit a response. I just wonder if decisions made in this kind of atmosphere really last or have these kids essentially been manipulated?

Saturday - Sara and I started off the day by watching both episodes of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. It was eye-opening and quite sobering. What struck me the most was the lack of any sort of basic nutritional knowledge on the part of the citizens in Huntington, WV. I'm not picking on Huntington, because I think that would be the case in almost any city in the U.S. I hope this show causes both elected officials and those at the USDA to seriously re-evaluate the nutritional guidelines in our schools. We wouldn't spend near as much on health care in the U.S. if we focused a tenth of our resources on grooming healthy eating habits.

On Saturday night, Sara and I watched (500) Days of Summer. She didn't like the movie, but I did. I found it to be a realistic look at the emotional course of a failed relationship. I could relate all too well to Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character from relationships past. I also liked that the movie ended on an upbeat note. The music and acting in the movie were excellent.

On Saturday evening, I finished the book, Game Change. It was an excellent chronicle of the 2008 presidential election. The behind-the-scenes information was fantastic and I learned quite a few things that I didn't know. For instance, pretty much all of the major contenders for the position really liked to use the F Bomb. I also learned that it wasn't uncommon for George Bush to call up Bill Clinton during the last months of his time in office and shoot the breeze. It isn't a stretch to say that Obama ran an almost flawless campaign and his victory over Hillary Clinton can be attributed to her shockingly unorganized operation.

On Sunday evening, Sara and I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot with the supremely talented Erin Conrad. We did it at a grocery store in Jenks. I would have never thought to do a shoot at that setting, but it was very creative and fun. I can't wait for the pictures to come out. You should check out her blog here and then contact her immediately to take pictures of your family.

What is Fair and How is Need Determined?

2010-03-22T21:11:00.002-05:00

The Official Brother of The Contemplative Tulsan recently got a little upset when he read the letter announcing the impending delivery of the census form. The letter stressed the need to fill out the form so that "each community get its fair share of government funds...and many other programs you and your neighbors need." This set him off on an analysis of the role of government in our society and the arbitrary nature of the terms "fair" and "need." Here are a few snippets:

I hate the word fair except in baseball. And unless we're talking baseball, who the heck can even know what is fair? Who decides what is fair?

And seriously, who decides what is fair? Bureaucrats, that's who. And what's their motivation? Votes.

But the thing that's great about our country is your guaranteed the opportunity to strive for success. And you'll have to overcome many things that aren't fair on the way to that success.

And the programs...well, the programs have all done their "fair share" to cause people to be overly reliant on government. Does the government believe we'd let our needy go unattended to if they weren't around?

I highly recommend you read the entire post.

Coburn Calls Down the Thunder

2010-03-18T22:43:00.001-05:00

Today, while listening to the POTUS radio station on XM Radio, I heard Senator Tom Coburn issue an warning to members of the House of Representatives (hat tip to Batesline for printing the quote):

I want to send a couple of messages to my colleagues in the House.

If you voted no and you vote yes, and you lose your election, and you think any nomination to a federal position isn't going to be held in the Senate, I've got news for you. It's going to be held.

Number two is, if you get a deal, a parochial deal for you or your district, I've already instructed my staff and the staff of seven other senators that we will look at every appropriations bill, at every level, at every instance, and we will outline it by district, and we will associate that with the buying of your vote. So, if you think you can cut a deal now, and it not come out until after the election, I want to tell you that isn't going to happen. And be prepared to defend selling your vote in the House.

I have to admit that I loved hearing him say that. There's no member of the U.S. Congress that has bigger stones than our good senator from Oklahoma. When he was speaking, I couldn't get the image of Wyatt Earp from Tombstone out of my head when he puts the Cowboys on notice:

All right, Clanton... you called down the thunder, well now you've got it! You see that? It says United States Marshal! Take a good look at him, Ike... 'cause that's how you're gonna end up! The Cowboys are finished, you understand? I see a red sash, I kill the man wearin' it! So run, you cur... RUN! Tell all the other curs the law's comin'! You tell 'em I'M coming... and hell's coming with me, you hear?... Hell's comin' with me!

St. Patty's Day in Thailand

2010-03-17T14:23:00.002-05:00

This morning, as I was getting dressed, I noticed my Old Navy St. Patrick's Day shirt from 2005. A wave of nostalgia swept over me as I recalled the first time I wore that shirt. I had purchased it in anticipation of my missions trip to Thailand. Just a few months after the 2004 Christmas Tsunami, the purpose of our trip was to work in the seaside villages north of Phuket in the cleaning and rebuilding effort. We spent just over a week working with the people to do what little we could to help put their lives back together.

I can honestly say it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The Thai people are some of the most genuine and kind I have ever encountered. We were there to minister to them, but I found myself learning so much from their demeanor and outlook on life. After one of the most horrific experiences in the history of their country, they were generous to a fault and were quick to offer anything they had to us.

St. Patrick's Day in Thailand found me cleaning up debris on one of the beaches. The contrast in scenery was stark. On one hand, I was staring at one of the most beautiful blue oceans I had ever seen. The white sand and mountains in the distance resembled a post card photo. Yet, right in front of me, was mile after mile of twisted wreckage. Old boat hulls, rusted wire, and weathered lumber were strewn as far as the eye could see. There was no green beer that day or raucous Irish drinking songs, but it was one of the most joyous days I've ever experienced.

A Faustian Deal for $45

2010-03-15T10:03:00.002-05:00

Late last week, HB 2634 narrowly passed in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Authored by Representative Mark McCullough from Sapulpa, it would incentivize couples to commit to covenant marriage by offering $45 off of a $50 marriage license. The covenant marriage agreement requires couples to receive 8 hours or more of pre-marital counseling and sign a statement indicating, "We understand that a covenant marriage is for life. If we experience marital difficulties, we commit ourselves to take all reasonable efforts to preserve our marriage, including marriage counseling." The bill would also outlaw common law marriages and put more stringent requirements in place for granting a divorce for those signing covenant marriage agreements.

I think most people can agree that it is a good thing to encourage strong, healthy marriages in our state. After all, divorce doesn’t just have a high fiscal cost, it results in high social costs as well. Speaking as the son of divorced parents, I understand the stress placed on children when they must shuttle back and forth between parents. It can be even more difficult if the parents are not on amicable social terms. There are some qualities to admire in the McCullough bill. Encouraging more pre-marital counseling by reducing the cost of the marriage license is a good thing. If this were the singular component of the bill, I could wholeheartedly support it. Unfortunately, it contains other provisions which I believe are troublesome at best and potentially ruinous at worst.

The first provision I take issue with is the elimination of common law marriage. While current common law marriages would be grandfathered in, it would have an adverse effect on future relationships. There are some couples who do not want to get married for various reasons known only to them. However, common law marriage ensures that each member of a long term couple is legally protected should any party decide to leave the relationship. Without this protection, what would happen to the person who didn’t have their name on property, assets, etc. even though he or she may have spent years in the pursuit of acquiring those assets? It is clear that the intent of the legislation is to encourage couples to enter into marriage agreements, yet, I see the potential for unintended consequences as there are some people who will never do that.

The other provision I find difficult to support is the conditions upon which a divorce may be granted in a covenant marriage. The conditions in a covenant marriage are more stringent than in an ordinary marriage. It can be assumed that the intent is to ensure both parties are sure there are no avenues for reconciliation before a divorce is sought. Once again, unintended consequences will most certainly rule the day. One never knows how the marriage relationship will evolve over time and it could make it more difficult for a spouse to get out of a difficult or unhealthy marriage. Ultimately, if the only difference between a covenant marriage and a run-of-the-mill marriage agreement is a $45 discount on the marriage license, I can’t see anyone rationally agreeing to those terms. Nevertheless, many may unwittingly enter into the covenant marriage out of ignorance, not realizing that $45 in savings could result in great misery down the road.

As this bill has now passed the House, I would urge you to contact your state senator to protest its passage. You can search for the text of the bill on the Oklahoma House of Representative website.

Another Reason to Like Mayor Bartlett

2010-03-05T09:43:00.000-06:00

While waiting for a friend at Starbucks yesterday, I picked up this month's copy of Tulsa People magazine. Our own illustrious mayor, Dewey Bartlett, adorned the cover. I flipped over to the article and began reading about his formative years. Unbeknownst to me, Bartlett spent quite a few years running the family cattle ranch near Grand Lake. And by "running," I don't mean he drove around in a white Cadillac with horns on the front supervising all of the real work. He worked cattle, planted grass, baled hay, etc. As someone who comes from a farming and ranching family, this really appeals to me. I like knowing our mayor actually got his hands dirty. One would expect, due to his last name, that he had everything handed to him. Not so, at least according to the article.

In the magazine, on page 35, there is a little section entitled "About the Mayor." It lists a few of the things he likes. For instance, he prefers pie to cake, Coke to Pepsi, and likes wine and beer equally (a true Renaissance man). Under the header of favorite movie, he replies, "Lonesome Dove." Well, this just seals the deal for me. Why didn't this information come out in the campaign? I think he could have won the race by about 10 additional percentage points if this had been communicated. You gotta love a mayor who cites the adventures of Woodrow Call and Augustus McCrae as his favorite of all time. Well done, sir.

Celebrate Texas in Song

2010-03-02T09:20:00.000-06:00

Today is Texas Independence Day. On March 2, 1836, delegates to the Convention of 1836 declared Texas "a free, Sovereign, and independent republic." It is on this day every year that Texans far and wide celebrate the spirit of independence that makes us who we are.

As you may know, Texans have never been shy about proclaiming the greatness of their state. It is ingrained in us from birth. Some people carry it too far by insisting that Texas should secede from the United States even today. Most rational Texans stop far short of that notion and instead carry around a healthy dose of pride for the place of our birth. Much of that pride tends to spill over into song from time to time. So, if you're a native Texan or just wish you were, I have a list of songs you should listen to today as you celebrate our independence:

-What I Like About Texas (Gary P. Nunn) - "It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand. It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys, to play some songs by your favorite Austin, Texas band."

-That's Right You're Not From Texas (Lyle Lovett) - "But at a dancehall down in Texas, that's the finest place to be. The women, they all look beautiful, and the men will buy your beer for free."

-Ballad of the Alamo (Marty Robbins) - "And his eyes turn sorta misty and his heart begins to glow, and he takes his hat off slowly to the men of Alamo. To the thirteen days of glory at the siege of Alamo."

-Screw You We're from Texas (Ray Wylie Hubbard) - "Now I love the USA and the other states, they're OK. Texas is the place I wanna be and I don't care if I ever go to Delaware anyway."

-The Front Porch Song (Robert Earl Keen) - "This ol' porch is a Palace walk-in on a main street in Texas. It ain't never seen or heard the days of Gs and Rs and Xs. And that '62 poster that's almost faded down. And a screen without a picture since Giant came to town."

-Goliad (Brian Burns) - "I am proud to be in your presence tonight, fellow Texians lend me your ears. T'was the grace of God brought us through the fight and it is destiny now brings us here. Let us take off our hats to our brothers in arms and the chances they never had. We are blessed in the bounty of Texas tonight. Let us drink to those who marched that road to Goliad."

This list isn't even close to being exhaustive, but it's a good start for your celebration today. God bless Texas.

Nullification Nonsense

2010-02-28T22:26:00.001-06:00

Since President Obama began his push to enact sweeping reforms to the health insurance industry, groups around the country have revived the doctrine of nullification. Citing the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, the nullification advocates have asserted that states have the right to refuse to follow the dictates of federal legislation if they are deemed unconstitutional. In this legislative session, the State of Oklahoma has set itself up as a leader in the nullification movement. Currently, bills are in process of being heard in committee and advancing to the floor which would allow the state to opt out of federal firearms regulations and, in a pre-emptive strike, opt out of health care legislation should it pass.

Let me be clear in stating that I agree with the sentiment behind some of the legislative efforts. As a proponent of limited government whenever possible, I agree that some of the federal legislation being targeted does indeed seem to encroach upon the sovereign jurisdiction of the states. However, I completely disagree with the methods. As much as the Tenth Amendment advocates would like to believe to the contrary, it is not the only authority on the matter. Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, commonly known as the Supremacy Clause, identifies the Constitution and federal laws as the "supreme law of the land." Furthermore, Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to "make all Laws necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof." These clauses have been used over time to give the United States power to govern a diverse territory. They are ambiguous and open to interpretation, which is exactly the role of our court system.

The current efforts to opt out of legislation seem to be no more than partisan efforts to stymie a Democratic president. I don't recall similar efforts to opt out of the Patriot Act, McCain-Feingold, or the Prescription Drug benefit for seniors during the Bush Administration. If we are to make a stand, it must be a principled one and it must be done through the court system, which was designed to be the ultimate authority on such matters. Lest you think I am alone in this opinion, please take time to read this article by conservative scholar David Barton. It is a lengthy read, but he has done a marvelous job of stating why nullification is not the answer. I leave you with a quotation from article:

The losing side in any federal issue has two constitutional recourses available: (1) it can attempt to convince a majority of the nation that the law is unconstitutional and they can then remedy that law with a corrective measure in Congress (see Federalist #44 76 ) – as was done in many of the cases above; or (2) it can seek to have the federal law declared unconstitutional by the federal courts.

I'm a Loser...

2010-02-22T13:09:00.000-06:00

...in the 2009 Okie Blog Awards. Nevertheless, considering I didn't even nominate my own blog in the "Best Tulsa Blog" category and made the list of finalists, I'll go ahead and chalk myself up as a winner in my heart. As they say at the Oscars, it's an honor just to be nominated. We've got some really good bloggers, not only in Tulsa, but around the state. What makes this hobby so interesting is that we all have our own unique take on the world around us and thus, we have something to contribute to the discussion. That's pretty cool.

I offer a hearty congratulations to all the winners and implore you to keep doing what you're doing.

Random Thoughts - Movie Edition

2010-02-20T20:47:00.001-06:00

I find myself weary of politics right now, so I'm going to divert my attention to other areas of interest. Thus, I present my random thoughts on movies.

Have you ever seen a movie that completely takes you to another time and place, to the point in which you really feel like you live there with those characters? The movie that does this for me time and again is Dazed and Confused. It doesn't just capture the style of the time, it captures what is must have felt like to live in it. Every time I watch that movie, I find myself wishing I could be a high school student in the 1970s, if only for a little while, just to experience what it was like.

I love the movie Payback with Mel Gibson. In fact, it's pretty much my favorite Gibson flick. It's gritty and raw. I love the fact that Gibson is completely cold and unfeeling. It's film noir at its best. It's also got a little bit of humor, which I think is necessary for a movie in which there are really no redeeming characters. It also doesn't hurt that Kris Kristofferson has a small role.

I've seen Field of Dreams dozens of times. I never get tired of the very last scene when Ray Kinsella asks his dad if he wants to have a catch.

I'd pay money to watch Robert Duvall read the phone book. In my mind, he's one of the finest actors of our day. One of my favorite movies of his is Secondhand Lions. My favorite scene is the one in which he fights the young hoodlums singlehandedly in the grocery store. However, I don't like it for the fight scene necessarily, although it is funny. I like it for the speech Duvall gives before he starts giving them a lesson: "I'm Hub McCann. I've fought in two World Wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and tanks. I've seen the headwaters of the Nile, and tribes of natives no white man had ever seen before. I've won and lost a dozen fortunes, KILLED MANY MEN and loved only one woman with a passion a FLEA like you could never begin to understand. That's who I am."

Consider me a follower of The Dude. Right after I graduated college, my roommate introduced me to The Big Lebowski. I didn't get it. I thought it was one of the worst movies ever made. Then, I found myself quoting it. Whenever it was on TV, I found myself watching it. Now, it's one of my all-time favorite movies. The truth be told, it's one those movies that is not so much about the plot as it is the characters. You find yourself becoming friends with Walter, Donny, and The Dude as the picture progresses. By the end, well, you take comfort in the fact that The Dude abides and he's out there takin' it easy for all us sinners.

I used to really love stupid comedies (aka pretty much any movie with Will Ferrell). Now, they just don't hold my interest like they used to. I hope this isn't a sign that I'm maturing in any way. That being said, I'm more than a little intrigued by the prospect of seeing Hot Tub Time Machine.

A few years ago, on a whim, I decided to rent Casablanca. I figured it would be a good thing to at least have passing knowledge of this classic movie. I must say I was hooked. It's really a simplistic movie. The plot isn't that complex and the locations and scenery most certainly aren't exotic. It has Hollywood back lot written all over it. What makes it fantastic are the characters and the excellent lines they get to deliver. Bogart nailed his role perfectly. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

No matter what's going on or how busy I am, I cannot move on if I run across A Few Good Men on television.

Candidate Training This Saturday

2010-02-17T14:48:00.000-06:00

American Majority, a non-profit, non-partisan, political training organization is holding a candidate training seminar this Saturday in Tulsa, OK. I would highly encourage any of you who are interested in participating in the political process, whether as a candidate or volunteer, to attend - and not just because I work for American Majority, either. The training is very reasonably priced and will be facilitated professionals who have worked in national, state, and local campaigns.

Campaigns can be intimidating because in many respects, they are akin to starting a small business. You have to raise revenue, manage people, and convince others that your way is the best way. Nevertheless, we need good people to become involved in elective politics and this training provides an A to Z guide on everything you need to know to run for office.

Here are the details:

When: Saturday, Feb. 20th. 8:30am to 4:00pm
Where: Tulsa Technology Center, Training Center (3638 S. Memorial)
Cost: $50 for candidates and $25 for all campaign staff/guests/interested observers. Cost includes training materials, light snacks, drinks, and box lunch
RSVP: trait@americanmajority.org

Click here to view more information on American Majority's website.

Pennies From Heaven

2010-02-11T09:32:00.000-06:00

I'm not an economist, but as the saying goes, I've played one on TV. So, I won't hesitate to direct a little bit of economic common sense toward some of the proposals being bandied about by the Tulsa City Council.

Earlier this week, I caught an interview with Bill Christiansen on KFAQ in which he implored the citizens of Tulsa to shop within the city limits so that valuable sales tax revenue would not be lost to surrounding communities. This is a noble plea to make. After all, every citizen of a community benefits when dollars are spent locally. However, a couple days later, this article appeared in the Tulsa World in which Councilor Henderson put forth a proposal to add a penny sales tax to fund police, fire, and parks. Economically speaking, the two ideas couldn't be more at odds with each other.

Whenever a new tax or additional tax amounts are added, deadweight loss occurs. The technical definition of deadweight loss is the reduction in social efficiency from denying trades in which benefits exceed costs. Let me put that into plain English: If you were going to buy a product or service absent any taxes, that would be a completely rational and efficient transaction. However, if the presence of a tax caused you to alter your behavior i.e. not buy the product at all or seek alternatives, deadweight loss occurs in the market. Deadweight loss ultimately results because people are rational and they will shift their resources in order to avoid the tax.

In other words, the addition of a new penny sales tax in Tulsa will have the exact opposite effect of what Councilor Christiansen is hoping for. Instead of spending money within the City of Tulsa, the demand curve for elastic goods and services (a.k.a. discretionary items), will shift down resulting in economic distortion. People will most likely still buy groceries and small ticket items at the higher tax rate, but they will migrate to other localities to purchase bigger ticket items due to the cost savings available. Thus, instead of generating extra revenue, the city will drive taxpayers away resulting in very little or no extra revenue in the long run.

Nominated for Best Tulsa Blog

2010-02-08T15:06:00.000-06:00

The final ballot for the 2009 Okie Blog Awards came out today and The Contemplative Tulsan made the cut. I'm very excited to be included in the top 10 with blogs that I read daily and have the utmost respect for.

If you enjoy my blog and think it worthy of such an honor, I would greatly appreciate your vote. Click here for the ballot. Only Oklahoma bloggers are eligible to vote.

The Hurt Locker

2010-02-06T18:18:00.001-06:00

My wife went off to OKC on Thursday evening to spend a couple of days meeting with prospective brides in her wedding planning business. Thus, I was a bachelor last night and decided to spend the evening in my recliner with a movie. After perusing the selection at Blockbuster, I decided on The Hurt Locker. Having heard all of the Oscar buzz, I had been wanting to see it for awhile.

First of all, allow me to say the movie was fantastic. However, it wasn't fantastic in the sense that one would want to see it over and over again. On the contrary, it was raw, realistic (as far as I can tell), painful, and contemplative. The writing was superb and it was shot beautifully.

The movie follows a group of three bomb squad specialists who have 38 days left in their rotation. Their job, day in and day out, is to diffuse IEDs found on the roadsides in and around Baghdad. The leader of the group is Staff Sgt. James, a man who looks at the job as a battle of wits between himself and the bomb's designers. Throughout the picture, one gets the feeling that James has already decided he will die doing the job, and thus has emotionally distanced himself from worrying about it. This is is direct contradiction to the feelings of one of his team members who does everything by the book and is continually frustrated by James' actions.

What struck me about the movie is the feeling of suspense and unease throughout its entirety on the part of the viewer. You never feel like you can let your guard down (just like the soldiers over there). Everywhere they go, they are targets. In the midst of working to disarm IEDs, there are bystanders on balconies and street corners. Any one of them could be holding a cell phone which could be used as the detonation mechanism. However, the soldiers exhibit restraint. They can't just shoot anyone who looks suspicious. Thus, they are continually engaged in a poker game in which their enemies hold the aces.

The Hurt Locker gave me a newfound respect for jobs our soldiers are called to do in Iraq and Afghanistan. What they do isn't easy and it certainly can't be easy to come back home after what they have been through. If anything, the movie shows that a soldier is a soldier and just because they come home, it doesn't mean they can flip a switch and turn off the part of the brain that makes them what they are.

Rent this movie. You won't be disappointed.

What Would a Jobs Bill Really Accomplish?

2010-02-03T09:33:00.001-06:00

If you are interested in national economic policy, I highly recommend you follow Keith Hennessey's Guide to American Economic Policy blog. Hennessey was Deputy Director of the National Economic Council at the White House when I interned there a few years ago and later rose to the level of director in the last year or so of the Bush Administration. I find his analysis of all things economy-related to be well-researched, reasoned, and quite articulate.

A few days ago, he published an insightful article on President Obama's proposed jobs bill. The gist of the article is that the outlook for job creation in the next couple of years is bleak, regardless of whether the bill is passed or not. You can read the entire article here. Here are a few snippets:

"About 2.7 million fewer people are employed today than one year ago, and about 7.2 million fewer people than at the beginning of the recession in December 2007. Since the labor force grows along with population, we would need more than 7.2 million new jobs to return to full employment today."

"Assuming I’m reading CBO correctly, the President’s new 'Small Business Jobs and Wages' tax credit would increase net employment in 2010 by less than 300,000 new jobs, and possibly much less. The employment effects of the other components are difficult to estimate but almost certainly are much smaller than the impact of the tax credit. Those are very small numbers compared to the size of the employment gap."

"...you’re talking about a policy change that at best would restore fewer than 1 out of 25 jobs lost since the recession began."

"CBO’s new baseline projects that, without new policy, the unemployment rate in the politically significant fourth quarter of this year will be where it is now: 10.0 percent."

"As both a policy and political matter, this explains why the President and Members of Congress are desperate to do something, anything. Like a panicked Homer Simpson trying to prevent a nuclear meltdown, Congress is about to start wildly pressing buttons and turning dials on their control panel, almost all of which will have no beneficial effect."

"Everyone’s political instinct is that doing something is better than doing nothing. What makes it hard is that this something is expensive and we have a huge budget deficit. Action has a small policy benefit and a medium-sized cost. Inaction has no policy benefit and no policy cost, but a big political downside because you look like you don’t care about the problem."

"The President and his Congressional allies are courting political disaster by raising expectations that their new 'number one focus on jobs' will result in a measurably improved employment picture as we approach Election Day. They better start lowering expectations fast, because they are setting themselves up (again) for political failure."

Better Know a Reader

2010-01-31T18:32:00.000-06:00

Better Know a Reader is my semi-regular effort to get to know the people who read my blog. If you'd like to read previous entries, click on the Better Know a Reader tag on the right side of this page.

Today's Better Know a Reader submission comes from Sara, the Official Wife of The Contemplative Tulsan, other wise known as the Domestic Goddess. You can find her blog link on the right side of this page. I highly recommend you check it out. In an unofficial poll of my family members at Christmas, I discovered they are about 3 times more likely to check out her blog than mine. I remember hearing phrases like, "Your entries are too long" and "I've been meaning to read yours, but things keep coming up." In any case, her writing is witty, insightful, and from what I've heard by all the moms out there, right on point.

Without further ado, here are Sara's answers to my questions:

First of all, thanks for having me. I brought my big girl words since your blog is smarter than mine. I talk a lot about diapers on my blog...and I don't know much about the 10th Amendment.

1. You're a Domestic Goddess and a wedding planner. What aspect of the wedding planning business has surprised you the most?

That, at almost every wedding, we get hit on by the father-of-the-bride or the officiant. It's disturbing and kind of gross. I think I'm going to start charging a "pervert tax."

2. In your (albeit rare) moments of free time, what do you enjoy doing?

I'm a facebook enthusiast....I love coffee and reading...okay, the truth is I can't get enough celebrity gossip. It's my weakness...gave it up for Lent last year.

3. Name 3 of your favorite books and tell us why you like them.

Till We Have Faces (C.S. Lewis) Stunning portrayal of love, jealousy and redemption. I always weep at the end when she comes face-to-face with God.

The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom) Her story is captivating and always a "reality check" for me.

Calm My Anxious Heart (Linda Dillow) I did this Bible study a couple of years ago when I was a new wife and a new school teacher. I was seriously afraid of everything at that point in my life. It taught me truth and gave me tools to combat the constant fear I was battling.

4. What is the best concert you've ever been to?

My boyfriend (and future husband) took me and my sister to see Patty Griffin at Cain's Ballroom. The woman is a lyrical genius and seeing her live was a dream come true. And, my sister flirted with security and got an autograph for me...which is one of my most prized possessions.

5. What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

Wow- that's hard to sum up. My life and my heart burst open the day he was put into my arms...my favorite part is seeing the world through his innocent eyes. I also love the way my kisses can instantly heal any "ouchie."

6. Where would you like to visit that you haven't been before?

Pearl Harbor. But I'm not going to tell my husband or we'll have to take another history-themed vacation.

7. You've just been elected POTUS. What are your top priorities?

Tort reform, education and government accountability.

And..of course, whatever you, Ian, Joel, Christian, and Robert tell me to do.

8. You grew up in the OKC area, but live in Tulsa now. Compare the two cities.

Tulsa is so much more beautiful than my beloved OKC. However, I miss the social scene and non-stop activity of the "big city."

9. Who are your heroes?

My Mom, my college mentor, Cheri, and my Aunt Jan.

10. If given a time-traveling Delorean and the opportunity to visit yourself in 10 years, what do you hope to discover?

That my son still likes me. That I didn't put work or the "busy-ness" of life in front of my family. That I did things I was formerly afraid of. And...that I do not drive a freaking mini-van.

Should Public Servants be Compensated?

2010-01-27T16:39:00.001-06:00

The City of Tulsa is going through a difficult time. One need only spend a few minutes glancing at the Tulsa World or viewing the lead stories on the local news to get a sense of the budget crunch. One issue that has recently surfaced is that of compensation for city elected officials, namely the councilors and the mayor. Last night, KOTV aired a report which mentioned that six city councilors (Westcott, Bynum, Trail, Christianson, Barnes, and Mautino) would voluntarily give up 5.2% of their $18,000 per year salary. Mayor Bartlett has offered to take a pay cut of 8.6%. Councilors Eagleton and Henderson have indicated they will not take a pay cut while Turner is undecided.

During the report, KOTV aired viewer comments concerning councilor pay cuts and they were not favorable at the councilors who indicated they would prefer to remain at their present rate of pay. While I didn't record the comments verbatim, many of them were along these lines: Councilors shouldn't be compensated at all. Councilors are public servants and should therefore work for free.

On the surface, that sentiment definitely resonates. After all, we want city councilors who are in the position for the right reasons. We want councilors who will serve the public interest. Isn't it right that they should be performing a service to the citizens of Tulsa? However, let's step back a moment. Think about the kinds of people that you want representing your interests at city hall and elsewhere. Do you only want people who are independently wealthy to be able to run for office? Do you only want trust fund kids to serve or do you want laborers, nurses, small business owners, corporate workers, etc. to be able to serve?

Many of our founding fathers believed in the idea of citizen legislators. In other words, they believed that the best government comes from those who have to live under the very rules they make. As it is right now, our city councilors don't just attend meetings on Thursday nights and call it a week. They attend board and commission meetings in addition to various neighborhood and political meetings. They meet at all hours of the day and in the evenings as well. In other words, they put in a great deal of time into public service in addition to the time they spend at their regular jobs. They deserve to be compensated for that time. My economics professor in college used to tell me, "A worker is worthy of his hire." I believe that phrase fits in this situation. Just because someone is a public servant, that doesn't mean they should give away the time, energy, and effort they bring to their jobs.

I admire the six city councilors and the mayor for voluntarily cutting their collective salaries (although it will make a negligible impact on the city budget). In times of cost cutting, it is good for everyone to share in the pain. However, Eagleton and Henderson's stance on the issue isn't wrong and shouldn't be construed as such. In the future, I want to see councilors come from all walks of life in Tulsa, not just the privileged few who have the wherewithal and the free time to take such positions.

Notes from District 2 GOP Meeting

2010-01-24T13:47:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I attended the District 2 meeting of the Republican Party at the public library in Muskogee. There was a standing room only crowd in attendance due to the appearance of the guest speaker, gubanatorial candidate and current state senate member, Randy Brogdon. Many of the attendees were Brogdon supporters, decked out in t-shirts, stickers, and other paraphanelia. The other major GOP candidate, Mary Fallin, was invited to attend, but could not because of a prior commitment. However, members of her campaign team were present at the meeting. These are my notes from the meeting. Brogdon's comments are paraphrased unless quotations are included.

Senator Brogdon took the podium with his wife, Donna, by his side. He introduced her and she spoke for a few minutes about her future role as first lady of Oklahoma. She indicated a desire to encourage volunteerism in the state. She currently volunteers as a mentor at a crisis pregnancy center and teaches finance to incarcerated women.

After his wife sat down on the front row, Brogdon told a joke he's relayed a few times on the campaign trail, but it bears repeating. He said the key to a successful marraige is "I wasn't going to try to run her life and I wasn't going to try to run mine." That got a hearty laugh from the crowd.

From there, he launched into his stump speech. He described himself as a 3rd generation Oklahoman whose father taught him the honor of work and the value of self reliance. He's running for governor because he is concerned about his country, his state, his family's future, and the future of the Republican Party. He believes the founding fathers set in motion the greatest sovereign nation known to man. However, freedom is being stripped away today by land grabs, lack of border control, lack of financial freedom, wars, business uncertainty, and the growing national debt. He is also concerned about the nation's moral decay. In his eyes, we have gone from a people who loved their country to a people of self indulgence. We have slipped into settling for corruption and ignorance by our politicians.

As governor, he pledged to challenge the status quo. He pledged to break Oklahoma's ties to Washington, D.C. He indicated that the problems we now face can be solved by returning to our founding principles of limited government and individual freedom. In his mind, we must protect the Constitution and live by the values it represents. There is a big job ahead, but just like Nehemiah in the Old Testament, we must do our part and build back our portion of the wall. We have an opportunity to reject or accept our purpose, which is to pass freedom down to the next generation. He told the crowd that this must be done by sharing the conservative message.

Brogdon closed his speech by saying the task at hand requires commitment and sacrifice from all. He said that we are in a fight for our lives and we must be prepared for battle in order to win the war.

After his stump speech, Brogdon took questions from the audience. The question topics ranged from the idea of a new Constitutional Convention to firearms and the 2nd Amendment. I will briefly summarize a few of his responses below.

Constitutional Convention - Does not favor a new Constitutional Convention. Any attempt to rewrite parts of the Constitution would subject the entire document to revision.
Enumerated Powers - The federal goverment is limited to 18 enumerated powers listed in the Constitution. All other powers should be left to the states and to the people according to the 10th Amendment.
Fiscal Responsibility - The state of Oklahoma is number one in the nation in terms of overspending. We must prioritize the budget. We need to fund basic services. He is not for corporate welfare or tax credits. In his mind, tax credits are simply a redistribution of wealth. We must get rid of high taxes and burdensome regulations.
2nd Amendment - Sponsored the Firearm Freedom Act. Believes the 2nd Amendment was included so that the people could keep the government from gaining too much power. His law would ensure that any gun, ammunition, or related items made in Oklahoma would not be subject to federal firearms regulation.
Term Limits - Favors term limits for ALL statewide elected officials.
Education - There is a government monopoly within our schools which limits competition and encourages sloth and wasteful spending on the part of educational administrators. Oklahoma is one of 6 states in which schools are funded by the state treasury. We need to transfer ownership of the schools to the local level and break the government monopoly.

All of the above comments came from Senator Brogdon at the Oklahoma District 2 GOP meeting on January 23, 2010. This post should not be construed as an endorsement or a repudiation of his ideas. I simply present the information for those following the Oklahoma governor's race.

The Problem with the 10th Amendment (Part 2)

2010-01-19T09:25:00.000-06:00

For Part 1 of this article, please click here.

It did not take long for disagreements to ensue between the states and federal government. Quite contrary to Madison's prediction, the lines of jurisdiction between the state governments and the national government became increasingly blurred. The country quickly divided into camps officially known as Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Generally speaking, the Anti-Federalists were supporters of states’ rights while the Federalists were proponents of a strong national government. Significant early Federalists were Hamilton, Washington, and Adams. Noted Anti-Federalists were Jefferson and Madison. Yes, you read that correctly – Madison, under the influence of his mentor Jefferson, became an Anti-Federalist and strong advocate for the state sovereignty point of view. In his Virginia Resolutions published in 1799, Madison stated, "...in case of a deliberate, palpable, and dangerous exercise of other powers not granted by the said compact, the States, who are parties thereto, have the right and are in duty bound to interpose for arresting the progress of evil..."

One would assume that Madison, Jefferson, and the other states rights believers intended to utilize the Tenth Amendment as the crucifix by which to the exorcise the demons of excessive national power. If so, it is a pretty good strategy, especially since it never hurts to have the Bill of Rights on your side. However, in doing research for this post, I came upon a fascinating essay by Walter Berns in the book, A Nation of States. The piece is entitled The Meaning of the Tenth Amendment. In the piece, Berns believes that the state sovereignty argument in terms of the Tenth Amendment holds little weight when viewed through the lens of the Constitution. The reasons are thus: A) the states did not intend to be ultimate reviewer on federal power, B) if they did intend to be the judge on the limits on federal power, they would have insisted on such provisions in the Constitution, and C) if the intention of the states was to be the ultimate judge on the federal government's power, there would be no need for the Tenth Amendment.

In essence, if the states were to be the ultimate judge on federal power, they would have outlined this in the Constitution. However, this was not their intent as the founders had experienced just such regulations under the Articles of Confederation. The government under the Articles of Confederation was impotent and the founders did not wish to recreate a scenario in which the states were free to act fully on their own.

Berns sums up his argument this way:

"The Tenth Amendment would make no sense as an admonition addressed to the states. It can be understood only as an admonition to the Supreme Court that the federal government may not legitimately exercise all of the powers of government."

Now, the problem with the Tenth Amendment (if you choose to view it that way) comes into focus. It has no teeth. There is no way, other than by petitioning the Supreme Court, to ensure that the federal government plays on its side of the playground. It's a guidepost and a warning, one which even the founders viewed as superfluous. When taken into account in light of the "necessary and proper" clause and the commerce clause, the Tenth Amendment becomes even weaker. Over time, Congress has used the ambiguous language of these clauses to pass legislation pertaining to all manner of things designated of national importance.

Nevertheless, the states did not intend themselves to be at the complete mercy of the Supreme Court. Quite the contrary, actually. A key event which weakened the Tenth Amendment even further and diluted the power of the states in relation to the national government was passage of the 17th Amendment. The 17th Amendment provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators. Previously, senators were chosen by the state legislatures with the purpose of representing the interests of the state in the U.S. Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives was the only body in the bicameral legislature directly elected by the people and tasked with doing their will at the federal level. This is why the states currently find themselves at the mercy of the federal government. There is no group vested with the responsibility of ensuring that the spirit of the Tenth Amendment is upheld. Instead, we have unfunded mandates and states begging for handouts from the national government because their original advocates in Congress are now beholden to the people. Unfortunately, the people do not care about the line between state and national power. They care that their lives are made easier, even if that comes at the expense of the state's Constitutional jurisdiction and perhaps, their liberty.

New Domain

2010-01-17T09:28:00.000-06:00

Taking a cue from my friend Jameson at The Muskogee Politico, I decided to purchase a new domain for my blog. When I first formed this blog a year and a half ago, I had no idea what to name it, so I settled on something fairly generic. After briefly calling it "Living on Tulsa Time," I scrapped that name because of the overwhelming lack of originality (and the fact that there were already a couple of blogs with this name). Eventually, I settled on "The Contemplative Tulsan." Since then, I've had several compliments on the name and I think it fits (most of) my subject matter pretty well.

Last night, I purchased http://www.contemplativetulsan.com/. You can now reach my blog from this domain. However, don't feel like you have to change anything if my old address (http://www.oklahomawind-trait.blogspot.com/) is in your favorites list or linked on your blog. All clicks to the former domain will still come here.

Above all, thanks so much to those of you who read my work. As I've mentioned before, this is a fun outlet for me and my need to geek out from time to time, but it's especially gratifying to know that you get a kick out of it from time to time as well.

The Problem with the 10th Amendment (Part 1)

2010-01-13T23:38:00.001-06:00

This is the first of two blog entries on the Tenth Amendment:

If you follow the news at all, you've probably heard accounts of state legislators, governors, members of Congress, Tea Party groups, and others call for a return to the principles of limited government. Most recently, these fires have been stoked by the health care legislation currently making its way through Congress and the economic bail outs which were doled out to auto companies, banks, and insurance companies at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009. The argument for limited government tends to be accompanied by the state sovereignty view of the U.S. Constitution. In other words, the states are viewed as completely autonomous entities with the power to nullify federal legislation and decrees which are deemed outside the bounds of the enumerated powers in the Constitution. To that end, the Tenth Amendment is cited which reads as follows:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

These arguments spurred my thinking on the subject and compelled me to look deeper into the history of the Tenth Amendment. I wanted to find out why is was adopted and what power, if any, it contains to truly ensure the federal government plays within its given sphere of influence. Before I do that, however, I think a bit of a refresher on history is necessary.

After the United States won its freedom from Britian, the prevailing task at hand was to form a new government. Rightfully wary of a strong national government, the sovereign states (think of each state as a nation unto itself at this point) entered into a pact called the Articles of Confederation. This arrangement was similar to today's European Union or the Confederate States of America from 1861-1865. At that time, our founders didn't identify themselves as Americans, but rather as Virginians, Georgians, etc. For example, when Thomas Jefferson wrote letters to friends indicating his desire to return to "my country," he was speaking of Virginia. The Articles of Confederation contained very few enumerated powers. In fact, the legislature had no power to tax, raise an army, or control interstate commerce. The legislature could not pass laws, but instead were limited to resolutions which required 9 of 12 votes for passage. With such stringent guidelines for action to occur, the U.S. was not able to effectively address numerous problems, not least of which was the substantial debt from the Revolutionary War.

Our brilliant founding father, James Madison, recognized the issue and realized that the U.S. would be dissolved just as quickly as it was formed if decisive action was not taken soon. Perhaps his greatest feat, Madison convinced George Washington to come out of retirement and chair the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Washington reluctantly agreed as he was not keen on the idea of risking his place in posterity for what could be perceived as a fool's errand. Had Washington not agreed to participate, it is highly likely that the convention would have never occurred.

Seeking to bolster their argument for a stronger national government, Madison and Hamilton wrote the bulk of what we know today as The Federalist Papers. Not ignorant to the fact that many were quite disturbed by the idea of a bolstered national government, they sought to allay the fears. Federalist 45 pointed out that the national government's powers were "few and defined." It went on to note that the powers given to the states were essentially without limit. In Federalist 46, Madison pointed out that the state and federal governments had such different purposes that it was difficult to conceive of the notion that they would encroach on each other's territory.

After the Constitution was ratified by the States, those fearing excessive national power advocated for the Bill of Rights. The Tenth Amendment was proposed in 1789 in the First Congress. Based on arguments previously mentioned in Federalists 45 and 46, both Madison and Hamilton viewed the amendment as redundant. Thomas Jefferson, however, had quite the opposite opinion. He viewed the amendment as absolutely necessary in order to prevent the encroachment of federal power into the arena reserved specifically for the states.

During debate on the Amendment, a representative from South Carolina sought to change the wording to read, "The powers not expressly delegated to the United States by the Constitution..." On the surface, this distinction seemed inocuous, but Madison objected, noting that implied powers were necessary for the national government, otherwise the Constitution would become quite a burdensome document with every granted power spelled out in triplicate. The issue died when no other representatives supported the change in wording. The amendment ultimately was not contested by Madison or Hamilton because they did not view it as harmful to the new federal government's mission or enumerated powers. As we all know, the amendment was ratified by the states and became a permanent part of the Constitution.

That's only the beginning of the story, though. Stay tuned for Part 2.

2009 Okie Blog Awards

2010-01-08T14:45:00.000-06:00

If you're anything like me, you spend quite a bit of time each week perusing the thoughts and observations of your fellow bloggers. Most bloggers don't get any monetary gain from the hours of work it takes to write something others enjoy reading. The motivations for blogging are as varied as the number of bloggers on the web. I do it because I enjoy writing and having an outlet for topics that don't come up in everyday conversation. The Okie Blog Awards provides an opportunity to appreciate those bloggers who entertain, inspire, inform, and make us think. So, if you have some spare time, take a few minutes to recognize some of the fantastic writers we have in this state by logging on here and following the nomination directions.

Christmas Dinner in Texas

2010-01-03T09:03:00.001-06:00

The Tulsa Blizzard of 2009 nearly derailed our plans to go to central Texas and visit my side of the family for Christmas. However, by the afternoon of the 26th, the roads had cleared sufficiently enough to make the journey. We had a marvelous time reconnecting with far-flung family members and exchanging gifts. I don't want to make all of you jealous, but I thought I'd share the main course of our Christmas dinner. That's just how we roll in the Lone Star state.

My All-Decade Team

2009-12-31T19:54:00.001-06:00

At this time of year, it's fashionable in the sports world to issue of list of players who might be considered the best of the previous 10 years. Sports Illustrated's Peter King has compiled just such a list of NFL players here. I'm going to take that concept and modify it a bit. I present to you a list of the moments which make up the All-Decade team of my life for the period of 2000-2009.

JOB
Finalists - Business Consultant (2007-09), White House Intern (2006), Field Representative (2009), College Professor (2009)

Winner - White House intern. Even though I only got to do this job for 3 months in the summer of 2006, it's still one of the best experiences I've ever had. I worked for the National Economic Council and was able to interact with some of the nation's keenest minds on Social Security policy, tax policy, agriculture policy, and financial policy. One of my favorite memories from that job is my participation a West Wing policy meeting about the FairTax in the office of the NEC Director, Al Hubbard. You can read more about my summer in D.C. here.

VACATION
Finalists - L.A. (2001), Seattle (2003), D.C. (2003), Vegas (2003), Europe (2004), Cancun (2005)

Winner - Europe. Looking back over this list, I realize I've been to some really cool places over the past 10 years. While each trip is associated with good memories and good people, my all-decade vacation is the trip to Europe with my wife (then girlfriend) in 2004. There are quite a few things I'll never forget from that trip - the majestic beauty of the Vatican, trying to cram more people into a Roman hotel room than was allowed by the rules, buying her a leather jacket at the open market in Florence, two-stepping to the songs of a jazz quartet in Venice's San Marco Square, driving through Tuscany, relaxing on the beaches of Cannes, touring the Normandy beaches, and kissing at the top of Eiffel Tower on a rainy, windy, Parisian night. I saw some great sights during those two weeks, but the best thing about it was spending hours of quality time with Sara and realizing that I could not spend the rest of my life without her.

CONCERT ATTENDED
Finalists - Willie Nelson (2002), Chris Ledoux (2002), Pat Green (2002), Bela Fleck (2003), The Songwriters (2005), Wailin' Jennys (2008), Jason Mraz (2009), U2 (2009), Avett Brothers (2009)

Winner - The Songwriters. There are so many great concerts to choose from, but my favorite concert was the Songwriters in 2005. Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, Joe Ely, and Guy Clark sat in chairs at the front of the Brady Theater stage and took turns playing acoustic versions of their hits. It was a surreal experience to see these masters of the guitar and the spoken word sing about love and life. I'll never forget that show as long as I live.

SPORTING EVENT ATTENDED
Finalists - Texas A&M vs. OU football game (2002), Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers (2003), Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles (2005), Texas A&M vs. OU baseball (2008)

Winner - Texas A&M vs. OU football game. As you can see, I've attended quite a few sporting events in which Texas A&M was the main participant. That can be attributed to two factors. The first is my brother was an undergraduate student there in the early years of the decade. The second is my time spent in grad school from 2005-2007. Thus, it shouldn't come as any surprise that my nomination for all-decade sporting event is the Texas A&M vs. OU football game in 2002. OU came into the game ranked number one in the country. The game was played at Kyle Field and Reggie McNeal was making his first start for the Aggies. My brother and I attended the game together and didn't have high hopes for the Ags. McNeal lit up the scoreboard and Texas A&M came from behind to win. To this day, I've never been to any sporting event where the crowd was as loud or frenzied as that one.

ACHIEVEMENT
Finalists - Graduation from ORU (2000), Selected as a White House Intern (2006), Presenting My Capstone Project to the Congressional Research Service (2007), Getting my Master's Degree (2007)

Winner - Getting My Master's Degree. I've had a nice decade in terms of personal accomplishments. While I never really intended to go back to school after graduating from ORU, I can say with no uncertainty that getting my master's degree from Texas A&M ranks as my biggest achievement. It took a lot of hard work on my part and sacrifice on the part of my wife, which makes it all the more special. It was the biggest academic challenge of my life and it's very fulfilling to know that not only did I do it, but I did it well.

DATE
Finalists - Patty Griffin Concert (2004), Christmas Choir Concert (2004), Engagement Date (2005), Potomac Dinner Cruise (2006), B.B. King at White House (2006), Bill Cosby (2008)

Winner - Engagement Date. I've had some wonderful dates with my wife over the years, but our engagement date still shines the brightest in my mind. On the one year anniversary of our first date (1/30/05), we dressed to the nines and I took her to a very nice out of the way restaurant. We practically had the place to ourselves as our date occurred on a Sunday evening. With a fire roaring in the fireplace, I gave her a homemade book which chronicled our dating life to that point. From there, I blindfolded her and drove her to Cain's Ballroom, which I had rented for the evening. In the center of the historic dancefloor was a table with lilies (her favorite), champagne, and chocolates. The glitter ball was lit up and a specially made CD was playing on the sound system. All of this was set up by good friends of mine while we were at dinner. On the entrance to the ballroom was a concert poster announcing our appearance. After a couple of dances, we went over to the table and she discovered her ring in a box of chocolates. At that point, I dropped to one knee and asked her to be my wife. She said yes and made me the happiest man in the world.

CELEBRITY MET
Finalists - Ray Benson (2003), B.B. King (2006), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2006), Tony Dorsett (2006), President George H.W. Bush (2007)

Winner - President Bush. At my graduation dinner in 2007, I had the privilege of sitting directly across from the 41st president. I conversed with him for about an hour. It's one of those moments that rarely, if ever, comes along. President Bush 41 is a warm, gracious man who was a pleasure to talk to. It was a great privilege to attend his policy school and be associated with such a respected figure.

LIFE CHANGING MOMENT
Finalists - Getting Married (2005), Birth of My Son (2007)

Winner - Both. These are the two most significant moments of the past 10 years for me. Nothing that ever happens to me will be as profound and spiritual. My definition as a person comes from being known as "husband" and "father." If I succeed in these two arenas, nothing else I do will ever come close in comparison.

I'd love to hear about some of your All-Decade moments. Feel free to leave them in the comments section.

Thanks for the Link!

2009-12-30T19:57:00.000-06:00

I'm continually amazed by the people who find my blog and find it worthy enough to recommend to others. While I take pride in my writing and seek to expound upon subjects interesting to me and others, it still surprises me to learn that people outside of my family and friends enjoy reading this blog. Today, Tulsa World editorial writer Wayne Green mentioned my blog and included a link on his blog entry entitled Oral, Elvis and the Walrus. Thanks for reading, Mr. Greene, and feel free to stop back anytime!

Favorite Songs of the Holidays

2009-12-22T22:15:00.001-06:00

As a follow-up to this post, I'd like to mention a few of my favorite songs of the holiday season.

O Holy Night - This song is the king of all Christmas songs, in my opinion. The lyrics speak of such redemption and hope. It is impossible for me to feel deflated or dejected after hearing a great rendition of this song. "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born..."

White Christmas - This timeless classic has made everyone old and young alike pine for the peaceful calm of a new fallen snow. Growing up in Texas, I can't ever recall experiencing a white Christmas. Now that I live in Tulsa, we have a much better shot at it. The weather reports indicate we may see one this year. Many have sung this song over the past 60 years, but Bing does it best. "May your days be merry and bright. And may all your Christmases be white."

When It's Christmas Time in Texas - This song never fails to remind me of home. I suppose every region of the world has a unique way of celebrating Christmas, but I'll always have a fondness for how it's done deep in the heart of Texas. There's nobody better to sing this than the King of Country Music, George Strait. "When Santa crosses over the border, he'll sound a little different when he sings. 'Cause he'll hear those twin fiddles playin' Christmas songs with a touch a western swing."

Baby, It's Cold Outside - This is one of the most visual songs I've ever heard. I can picture the couple sitting in the living room with a big picture window in the background and furious snow falling. Anybody who has ever dated knows the cat and mouse game that occurs at the end of the night when it's time to adjourn. The girl really wants to stay longer, but has to pretend to want to leave. The guy has no pretense at all. He's really just begging for a few more minutes together. I love Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel's duet of this one. "I really can't stay - Baby, it's cold outside. I've got to go away - Baby, it's cold outside."

The Cowboys' Christmas Ball - This song describes a lively Christmas party out in the desolate plains of West Texas. This is another song where I can visualize everything described in the lyrics and it makes me wish I could saddle up my pony and join in the fun. The song, performed by Michael Martin Murphy, is based upon a classic cowboy poem written by William Lawrence Chittenden. He wrote the poem after attending the original Cowboy Christmas Ball in Anson, Texas, sometime in the 1880s. "The dust rose fast and furious; we all just galloped round, 'til the scenery got so giddy that T Bar Dick was downed. We buckled to our partners and told them to hold on, then shook our hooves like lightning until the early dawn."

Carol of the Bells - While this song has been overexposed and parodied on too many television commercials to count, I still like the beautiful harmony that results when this song is performed. It's a song I try to sing around the house on occasion, but I'm quickly reminded I do not possess the talent to pull it off.

Bellau Wood - This song, performed by Garth Brooks, describes the Christmas Truce which occurred between the German, British, and French troops on the front lines during World War I. The first such truce occurred in 1914. I love this song because it brings to light the fact that we all share a common Savior regardless of our earthly conflicts. Unfortunately, we haven't learned how to carry the peace of the Christmas season into the rest of the year very well, but there's always hope. "Then I thought that I was dreaming, for right there in my sight, stood the German soldier, 'neath the falling flakes of white. And he raised his hand and smiled at me, as if he seemed to say, here's hoping we both live to see us find a better way."

On the Passing of Oral Roberts

2009-12-18T21:35:00.001-06:00

I never met Oral Roberts, yet my life is inextricably tied to his. A large part of who I am is a result of his life's work. Oral Roberts died this week at the age of 91.

I came to Oral Roberts University as a freshman in 1996 from a small, central Texas town. Visiting the school's college weekend during my senior year in high school convinced me to attend. I was struck by the welcoming atmosphere and general kindness displayed by the professors and students alike. Moreover, I loved the idea of going to a university which was centered on Christ. It seemed like a very safe place, which in my mind was quite the opposite from other universities. Over time, we came to refer to this as the ORU "bubble."

I came into my own as an ORU student. Prone to being an introvert (most of my friends now would find this hard to believe), I quickly became an extrovert simply because I was forced out of my comfort zone. To thrive, I had to make friends and become involved. The upperclassmen at ORU took me under their collective wings and encouraged me. To this day, I'm not sure what my life would be like had it not been for my orientation leader, Neal Locke. He is the one who put the Freshman Council application in my hand and told me about involvment in the College Republicans, which was ironic because he was a Democrat. Those simple acts helped me to find myself and my identity. Neal is and always will be a lifelong friend.

It wasn't just Neal, though. ORU introduced me to the world. I met and lived with students from all over the United States and across the globe. I was introduced to new cultures without ever stepping off campus. ORU helped me to understand that the world wasn't confined to Texas and Oklahoma. I was exposed to new ideas and new ways of living that I might never have been confronted with otherwise. I took it for granted back then, but now I lament that other college students don't have the same experience. At most public universities, the majority of students come from the same state and it's very easy to ostracize yourself into a community of like minded individuals. Not so at ORU.

At ORU, we were constantly pushed to think beyond ourselves to a greater calling. We had to look no further than the vision God gave to Oral Roberts for the university: "Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is seen dim, My voice is heard small, My power is not known. Their work will exceed yours, and in that I am well pleased." In other words, we knew, as graduates of ORU, our goal wasn't just to get a job, it was to change the world for the better.

Of course, as with any person or institution, there were downfalls. I've detailed some of them in a previous post. The school was an authoritarian institution where the leadership was not to be questioned. Additionally, I believe the seed faith message that Oral Roberts preached and the prosperity gospel it engendered to be utterly ridiculous and potentially harmful. He also had moments which those who detract from Christianity still recall to this day such as claiming that God would take his life if he didn't raise a certain amount of money. These are part of his legacy, too, and should not be brushed over. Nevertheless, as with anyone or anything controversial, it is possible to celebrate the good and momentarily toss aside the bad.

The fact remains - Oral Roberts had a profound impact on thousands upon thousands of college students by simply being willing to take a grand step and follow the voice of God. He trained students to be focused on Christ as they worked toward a degree and thereafter in the course of their lives. In short, he left this world better than he found it. As graduates of the university he founded, it is our profound duty to carry on his legacy and do the same.

FURTHER READING ON ORAL ROBERTS

My friend and fellow ORU student, Sarah, has eloquently written a piece on Oral Roberts. Read it here.

The Tulsa World writes about Oral's fondness for basketball and how he shaped the sport in Oklahoma. Read it here.

Oral Roberts corresponded with John Lennon about Christianity. Read it here.

Beliefnet looks at the legacy of Oral Roberts. Read it here.

Favorites Movies of the Holidays

2009-12-12T21:09:00.004-06:00

I figured it was time to get festive on this blog. In the spirit of the season, here are my favorite movies of Yule Tide.

A Christmas Carol (1984) - There are dozens of different takes on this classic short story by Charles Dickens, but the version with George C. Scott as Scrooge is my favorite. Scott offers a great portrayal of Scrooge as someone who is almost beyond redemption in his thought and attitude toward others. Nevertheless, his transformation at the end of the movie is believable and quite rewarding for the viewer.

White Christmas (1954) - What's not to like about this movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye? If this movie doesn't put you in the Christmas spirit, then you need to go back to the Humbug Academy. To me, Danny Kaye steals the show with his humor. From his trickery in getting Bob Wallace to agree to go to Vermont to his feigning of a broken leg to throw the general off track, he cracks me up every time. Of course, the ultimate payoff is Crosby and Rosemary Clooney singing "White Christmas" at the end of the flick.

Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) - I can't tell you how many times my brother and I watched this growing up. Believe it or not (those who know us would believe it), we were huge Ernest fans. Ernest Goes to Camp, Ernest Goes to Jail, Ernest Scared Stupid...yep, seen 'em all multiple times. The plot is pretty simple in this one. A teenage girl steals Santa's bag and Ernest has to get it back or Christmas won't come. My favorite scene is Ernest trying to fly the sleigh and he can't remember the names of the reindeer. Look for Tulsa's own Gailard Sartain in this movie as a skeptical airport shipping/receiving agent.

Love Actually (2003) - This isn't just one of my favorite Christmas movies, it's one of my favorite movies in general. Sara and I didn't see this one until a couple of years ago, but we now own it and watch it probably once every few months. I love how all of the stories intertwine with each other. There are too many great scenes in this movie to recount, but the scene in which Colin Firth's papers blow into the pond and the scene in which the prime minister has to go door to door to find his missing love interest are a couple of my favorites. The interaction between Liam Neeson and his son are fantastic. Oh yeah, Bill Nighy as the aging, irreverent rock star is alone worth watching the movie for.

Elf (2003) - Whether you like Will Ferrell or not, this is a movie that everyone should see. In our modern times, Christmas movies are a dime a dozen, but this one really stands out. Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf with a sweet simplicity that really makes you care for him. Jon Favreau directs this one with a steady hand. It could have gotten really silly, but instead it was poignant and sentimental. The scene in which Buddy calls Miles Finch an "angry little elf" is one of my favorites.

Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - This movie is just plain fun. But, don't be fooled, it's not silly all of the time. Michael Caine plays Scrooge straight up. How he managed to play the character so well surrounded by furry muppets, I'll never know. The music in this film is excellent. My favorite song is Kermit the Frog's "One More Sleep to Christmas." Of course, hilarity abounds throughout the movie. Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat provide great narration while Fozzy the Bear is the perfect Mr. Fozziwig. I watch this movie every year and laugh heartily. Give it a try, I think you'll really enjoy it.

Next up...my favorite Christmas songs.

Run for School Board in Oklahoma

2009-12-06T22:12:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow, Dec. 7th, marks the first day of the filing period in Oklahoma for school board races across the state. The filing period ends on Wednesday, December 9th. The election will be held on February 9th.

School board elections tend to fly under the radar because they don't occur at a time when most people are thinking about politics. Adding to the problem is the fact that most citizens don't keep up with what happens on the school board because they don't perceive it as something that affects them. Ironically, when asked in national policy polls about top domestic priorities, education routinely comes in with very high numbers. A poll taken by the Pew Research Center in January 2009 revealed that 61% of the American people view this issue as a number one priority. Yet, unless people have kids in the school system, they tend not to pay attention to what happens there.

Unbeknownst to most, school board members actually have quite a bit of power and influence. School boards set academic and policy goals for the district, formulates and manages the education budget, approves hiring of all personnel, and most importantly, gives parents and community members a voice in how the students in the community are educated.

We need good people to get involved in school governance. Whether you have children in the district or not, I would encourage you to consider running for school board if you live in a district with a seat that is coming open. If you're intimidated about running for election, don't worry. My organization, American Majority, is conducting candidate training seminars on December 19th in Tulsa and Oklahoma City to take some of the mystery out of running for election. If you would like more information or have questions, call my office at 918-289-0159.

Images from Nocona, TX

2009-12-05T16:02:00.002-06:00

My dad and stepmom recently moved to the small Texas town of Nocona. Located approximately 35 miles west of Gainesville, it is known for being the one time home of the Nocona Boot Factory and the only place in the United States where baseball gloves are still made. While in Nocona for Thanksgiving, we explored the downtown area in addition to the historic Molsbee Cemetery. The cemetery is located next to the Church of the Bretheren which was begun by the Molsbee family in the late 1880s. It began as a family graveyard in 1888 when their 20 year old son died. Now a public cemetery, it holds the remains of veterans from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam War. In addition to these finds, we discovered an old cable tool drilling rig behind what looked like as Mason Lodge. If any of you know anything about such pieces of equipment, I'd love to know the timeframe that it might have been used.

A Thanksgiving Proclamation

2009-11-24T20:00:00.002-06:00

In anticipation of our national holiday on Thursday, I present to you Harry S. Truman's 1951 Thanksgiving Proclamation. Read it and contemplate how truly blessed we are to live in a nation of such abundance. May we always be responsible stewards of what God has given us.

More than three centuries ago the Pilgrim fathers deemed it fitting to pause in their autumn labors and to give thanks to Almighty God for the abundant yield of the soil of their new homeland. In keeping with that custom, hallowed by generations of observance, our hearts impel us, once again in this autumnal season, to turn in humble gratitude to the Giver of our bounties.

We are profoundly grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us: the preservation of our freedom, so dearly bought and so highly prized; our opportunities for human welfare and happiness, so limitless in their scope; our material prosperity, so far surpassing that of earlier years; and our private spiritual blessings, so deeply cherished by all. For these we offer fervent thanks to God.

With the cooperation of our allies we are striving to attain a permanent peace, and to assure success in achieving that coveted goal we reverently place our faith in the Almighty.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United States of America, according to our treasured tradition, and in conformity with the joint resolution of Congress approved on December 26, 1941, designating the fourth Thursday of November in each year as Thanksgiving Day, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 22, 1951, as a day of national thanksgiving. Let us all on that day, in our homes and in our places of worship, individually and in groups, render homage to Almighty God. Let us recall the words of the Psalmist, "O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever." Let us also, on the appointed day, seek divine aid in the quest for peace.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this first day of November in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventy-sixth.

An Outsider's Semester at Liberty University

2009-11-19T06:33:00.001-06:00

I just finished reading The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose. This was a fascinating book and I highly recommend it to all of my blog readers, especially those of you with a particular interest in the evangelical brand of Christianity or those who went to an evangelical education institution like I did. I'm a busy person, especially during the semester when I'm teaching, and recreational reading doesn't usually garner much of my time. However, I finished Roose's book in 2 days. I couldn't put it down.

Roose, a student at Brown University, had an opportunity to visit Jerry Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church during a research trip with his boss, journalist A.J. Jacobs. Taking the opportunity to talk with a few Liberty University students in the lobby, he quickly realized that he and the other students came from completely different worlds. He was raised as a Quaker by ultra-liberal parents and attended an ultra-liberal university. They, as you can imagine, were 180 degrees the opposite of him. The conversation led him to study more about the God Divide, as he puts it. He realized that, while he attended one of the more prestigious educational institutions in the country, he knew nothing about evangelical Christianity. He decided to experience it for himself.

He determined to enroll for a semester at Liberty University and learn as much as he could about the culture. Before going in, he decided that he would portray himself as a new Christian. Otherwise, it was unlikely he would get the inside scoop from classmates skeptical about his spiritual background. He also determined to have a completely open mind. He would experience what they experienced. Along those lines, during his time at Liberty, he participated in prayer meetings, Bible studies, a spring break missions trip, sang in the church choir, interviewed Jerry Falwells for the student newspaper, and even went to Every Man's Battle meetings.

His insights along the way are fascinating. While I didn't go to Liberty, his experiences mirrored many of my own when I was a student at ORU. Many of the conversations he recounted from the dorms and interactions with the students were quite similar to those I had in my undergrad days. Not content to stay on the surface and simply comment on the Liberty culture, he sought a greater understanding of his own spiritual perspective. He asked probing questions about the reasons for prayer, the role of God in our lives, and even about the very existence of God.

This book isn't a hit piece on evangelical Christianity or Liberty University. Ultimately, the author concludes that Liberty, like all social institutions, has a mixture of good and bad qualities. The students who attend school there aren't fire breathing demagogues, but regular people who have the same worries, concerns, and struggles as others their age. He even came away with mixed emotions about Jerry Falwell. Having conducted the last print interview of Falwell before he died, he was able to see a personal side of Falwell that was often overlooked in the media. He has plenty to criticize about Liberty such as the lack of intellectual rigor, the attempt to indoctrinate instead of educate, and the way the school handles various social problems such as homosexuality. In the end, he was suprised at just how much he bonded with his fellow students and how, once all of the pretenses were stripped away, they actually had a lot in common.

An Immoral Act of Government

2009-11-16T12:34:00.003-06:00

The Tulsa World ran an excellent story yesterday about the state lottery and the people who spend money on lottery tickets. The results of the newspaper's investigation are hardly surprising. According to the article, "residents of some of Tulsa County's poorest neighborhoods...spend more money per capita on lottery tickets than anyone else in the county." In North Tulsa zip code 74119, the average salary is just over $26,000 per year while per capita spending on lottery tickets amounts to nearly $600. In contrast, those in South Tulsa's 74137 zip code earn an average of 80,000 per year and spend just over $160 per capita.

This story highlights the fact that state lotteries are not just harmless fun or taxes paid voluntarily. The Tulsa World study emphasizes what economists and political figures have known for years. Those who can least afford to participate in the lottery are those who are the most frequent customers. It is the most regressive tax of all available tax options. Our politicians know this, yet time after time in the past 20 years, states have fallen over themselves to put a lottery into place.

State leaders justify the lottery with a variety of excuses. The biggest offender of all is the "money goes for education" excuse. However, as this article shows, the projected cashflow for education just hasn't reached expectations. There are many reasons for this which include the slumping economy, competition from casinos, and bloated overhead costs. Some state leaders washed their hands of the decision, insisting that they were simply responding to constituent requests when they voted to put the proposal on the ballot. This is a cop out. We elect our representatives to make responsible decisions on how our government should be conducted. We expect them to have the best interests of their constituents in mind. Yet, instead of looking out for those who are the poorest among us, they listened to the siren's song of coins dropping into the piggy bank. It's much easier to get people to voluntarily part with their money instead of passing a tax or (gasp!) cutting the budget.

Our representatives are supposed to be in the business of increasing liberty for the citizens of Oklahoma. Yet, by continuing to operate a state lottery, they have confined the poorest and most disadvantaged in our communities to shackles. This isn't just negligent, it is immoral. It's time to end the lottery and focus on getting our fellow community members out of poverty instead of keeping them there.

Veterans Day Quotes

2009-11-11T10:03:00.002-06:00

Today is Veterans Day. It is the day we appreciate those who served in our armed forces, both alive and deceased. This Veterans Day takes on an even greater significance due to the recent tragic events at Fort Hood. We remember them as fallen heroes just as remember those who have fallen in battle.

Here are a few quotes to commemorate this day:

"To us is given the honor of striking a blow for freedom which will live in history, and in better days that lie ahead men will speak with pride of our doings." -Sir Bernard Montgomery

"I have not yet begun to fight." -John Paul Jones

"I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." -Nathan Hale

"I am a soldier. I fight where I am told and I win where I fight." -General George Patton

"Therefore, while Armisitice Day is a day for pride, it is for pride in the achievements of others - humility in our own." -General Omar Bradley

ESPN Columnist on Health Care Policy

2009-10-27T13:59:00.002-05:00

I've said it many times on this page, but I'll say it again. If you're not reading ESPN's Tuesday Morning Quarterback column, you are really missing out. Gregg Easterbrook, a Brookings Institute scholar who just happens to be a huge fan of the NFL, writes the weekly entry. He regularly combines football insight and analysis with his views on matters of public policy. This week, in the midst of making fun of teams for punting in the maroon zone and talking about why football coaches are overrated, he had a fantastic analysis of health care pricing. Here are a few quotes:

"Health care is only the single largest segment of the U.S. economy, so surely there is no risk in passing a 1,000-page health care bill no one understands!"

"My impression is that so much lobbying attention has focused on the handouts, giveaways and interest-group demands for a gigantic new civil-service bureaucracy that not enough attention has gone to a simple change that would remove much of the injustice from health insurance -- standard rates with no denials for existing conditions."

"The distinction between list prices and "adjusted" prices prevents health care services from functioning as a rational marketplace."

"Gradually transitioning to a system in which most people carry catastrophic-cost medical insurance but pay the rest themselves could rationalize health care economics while restraining costs, because the wasteful paperwork aspect of the system would decline."

"Stipulating that health care providers offer standard, published prices would lay the groundwork for an informed free market in health care delivery -- and free markets control costs."

To read the entirety of his thoughts on health care pricing, go here. Midway down the page, you'll see a bold header entitled "Why Not Standard Pricing?" It is an excellent read and it makes a great case that some of the smallest, common sense changes could result in the biggest overall impact.

A Long Gone Hobby

2009-10-21T21:39:00.012-05:00

It's hard to believe, but 20 years ago, I started collecting football cards. I was in the 6th grade. Some might have regarded it as a hobby, but for me and my brother, it was an obsession. We spent every spare dime we had on the shiny foil packs of cards at the local Wal-Mart. One time, when my parents wanted to punish me for doing a sub-par job on my chores, they took my brother to the store and let him buy football cards while I was given nothing. Message received loud and clear.

I'm not sure why the collection of little pieces of cardboard stirred me up so much. I loved watching football, but the culture wasn't nearly as geared toward constant coverage like it is now. I mean, we didn't even have the internet. There was no 24/7 sports talk radio or fantasy football leagues. This was even before the days that ESPN had around-the-clock coverage of Brett Favre.

Perhaps one reason I got into collecting cards was the competition with my brother. We were always trying to one-up each other and get the hottest rookie card or the card worth the most money in the football card pricing guide. When we did manage to find that rare jewel in the rough (I always hated opening a package of cards to find it filled with obscure offensive linemen), we would brag about it incessantly.

Early into our card collecting phase, we started writing to football players and requesting autographs. We would enclose a card to sign along with a self addressed stamped envelope to make it easier for the player to return it. I didn't expect much, but surprisingly enough, the autographs came rolling in. We sent them to famous and obscure players alike. To this day, my dad cannot stand Randall Cunningham because he sent me a letter stating we would need to enclose $20 for an autograph. I've gotten over it, but I don't dare bring it up around him.

Our football card collecting days only lasted a couple of years. By 1992, I was a freshman in high school and had other pursuits to attend to i.e. getting rejected by girls and figuring out why in the world they made us take Geometry. But, I still have the majority of my card collection and every now and then, I love to flip through the thousands of cards and think about all the fun I had collecting them two decades ago.

WWII Warbirds Weekend

2009-10-11T21:06:00.000-05:00

Today, I took my son out to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum to see the vintage World War II planes on display as a part of Warbirds Weekend. The weather was a bit chilly, but the trip was completely worth it. The aircraft were in beautiful condition and visitors like myself were able to get up close and personal with them. For a history nerd like myself, this was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. It was even better because I got to do it with my son. I snapped a few pictures, in case you're interested:

A P51 Mustang:

Getting ready for his mission:

A fun day at the museum:

B25 Bomber:

Jenks School Board Drops the Ball

2009-10-06T16:30:00.003-05:00

I've been following the recent allegations against the Jenks Athletic Program with great interest. Based on all of the information I've read thus far, it is clear to me that the program has exhibited a gross indifference to the rules governing athletes for the better part of a decade. After the allegations surfaced, Jenks high school football coach, Allan Trimble voluntarily suspended himself for the remainder of the semester while Athletic Director Tony Tillingham suspended himself for 15 days.

Last night, the Jenks School Board came out in overwhelming support of Trimble and the Jenks athletic program. Not only that, they voted to renew the contract of Assistant Coach, David Alexander. In the report, Alexander was cited with at least 2 recruiting violations.

The Jenks School Board has sent a message as to what it really thinks is important regarding its athletic program. Honor and integrity can take a backseat as long as Trimble and his staff continue to bring home championships. Does this not disturb anyone else? After uncovering a decade-long pattern of disregard for OSSAA rules, the board didn't vote to remove the offending parties, but instead to pat them on the back and say it's all going to be okay. What message does this send to the students at Jenks High School? Instead of conveying that people must be held accountable for their actions, they have effectively told the students that it's okay to lie and cheat, as long as you're seen as successful.

I hope the OSSAA metes out the harshest of punishments tomorrow when it convenes to consider the evidence at hand. It appears as if they will have to the work that the Jenks School Board doesn't have the stones to do.

In case you're wondering, Jenks School Board members Ron Barber and Jon Phillips are up for re-election in February 2010. Perhaps it's time for members of the Jenks community to do a little house cleaning.

UPDATE: On October 7, 2009, the OSSAA suspended coaches Trimble and Alexander indefinitely. They also put the program on Warning until July 2010. If any additional infractions are incurred from now until that date, the program will be placed on probation, making them ineligible for postseason play. Read more about the ruling here.

The Myth of Founders' Intent

2009-09-26T17:03:00.003-05:00

I hear the phrase more and more these days and it's really becoming one of my pet peeves. It usually goes something like this: "We have to return our country to what the founding fathers intended it to be." It's a phrase that is most often used by Republicans and/or conservatives, but I've heard it used by Democrats and liberals as well. Usually, this phrase is used to describe the eradication of a conglomeration of societal "ills" such as centralization of power at the national level, judicial activism, socialized medicine, the income tax, and so on. Republicans use the phrase to describe their longing for de-centralized government, a simplified and less intrusive tax structure, judicial restraint, and free-form capitalism. Let me be clear, these are things that I agree with. However, these ideals no more coincide with the intent of the founders than the phrase "an eye for an eye" coincides with Jesus Christ. Let me tell you why.

"Founders' intent" is empty rhetoric. It is a meaningless saying. It was devised by politicians to evoke a feeling of patriotism for a certain set of ideals. It was designed to make those who espouse different ideals feel like less of an American.

Over time, because history has been taught poorly in many schools, we came to believe that the founders were divinely inspired, angelic beings who came together in perfect harmony to craft a new government. Thus, we arrived at the conclusion that all of the founders agreed on the principles that formed our republic. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, the founders themselves argued for years amongst themselves about the true meaning of the Declaration of Independence and many of the clauses of the Constitution. You see, the founding fathers were just like our politicians today (GASP!). They disagreed, they compromised, and they fought with each other concerning the direction of the country. Some, like James Madison, started out with one point of view and completely changed it over the course of their lives.

Allow me a few examples.

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which cited the grievances against King George III. Throughout his entire career in public service, he espoused the notion that the majority of power should reside in the states and the federal government should take no action lest it be granted in the Constitution. However, as president, Jefferson singularly took action to complete the Louisiana Purchase with France. One has to take a liberal reading of the Constitution to find permission for such an action.

John Adams and George Washington were avowed patriots who probably did more to ensure the Revolutionary victory than any of their contemporaries combined. Yet, each of them argued for a government with centralized power. They understood the confederation between the states was weak and the only way to hold it together was through a strong national government.

Finally, the concept of judicial review is mentioned NOWHERE in Article III of the Constitution. Yet, John Marshall cited this as a chief responsibility of the Supreme Court in the Marbury v. Madison case. Marshall was probably the biggest judicial activist in U.S. history and he was a founding father.

We have disagreements in this country about which policies make for better government. Nevertheless, it is completely disingenuous for either party to claim to have cornered the market on the intent of the founders. Each founder was a unique individual with a unique vision about how the country should move forward. The founders didn't agree with each other and we shouldn't make the false claim that we speak for them. Let's retire the "founders' intent" phrase and cite our policy goals for what they are: our vision as to the best way to move the republic forward.

Better Know A Reader

2009-09-22T06:50:00.004-05:00

Better Know A Reader is my semi-regular segment in which I attempt to get to know the community of readers that frequent this blog. Over the past year or so, I've learned a lot about you guys and I must say I'm fascinated. You lead extraordinary lives!

Today's entry focues on Jeff Shaw, author of the Bounded Rationality blog. I've been reading Jeff's work for a couple of years. I find him to be a thoughtful writer whose work always causes some introspection on my part. Whether the subject be Tulsa politics, photography, or just a general observation, he never fails to comment in an even-handed, yet free thinking manner. If you aren't reading his blog now, I suggest you start. It's linked on the right side of my page.

Without further ado, here are Jeff's answers to my questions:

1. Where do you live and what is your occupation?

I am a certified paralegal living in South Tulsa, around the ORU area.

2. What is your favorite thing to do when you're not working?

My favorite thing to do when I'm not working is playing music and making photos. I take private violin lessons, and am a professional photographer on the side – but it's more of a hobby.

3. You took a vacation to Mexico this summer. Describe your all-time favorite vacation.

My all time favorite vacation? That was when me and my family hopped on a Greyhound Bus and went to New York City three years ago. That was an experience of a lifetime. The countryside of the United States is so beautiful. We also met a lot of great people on the bus. We did the tourist stuff, but we tried to do it like a non-tourist. We took the sub-ways and buses, and did a lot of walking around. We encountered the pop singer Sting in Central Park, which was cool.

4. You've just been elected Tulsa mayor. What is your number one priority?

My number one priority as Mayor, would be infrastructure. The most important feature of any city is its streets. Ours is beyond lousy. I would carry that message everywhere.

5. What is your favorite non-chain restaurant?

Right now I think my favorite restaurant is La Hacienda on South Peoria. Great Mexican food.

6. Who are your heroes?

My heroes. Wow. I have tremendous respect for Martin Luther King Jr. To accomplish what he did non-violently is a feat that may never be repeated in history.

Other heroes:

My wife – no really – she's the hardest working, most dedicated person I've ever met.

My elementary music teacher – Raymond Johnson. He's dedicated himself to teach low income kids music his entire life, and is still going strong.

My Pastor – Danny Borrell – the most sensitive man I've ever known.

7. What is your favorite spot in Tulsa?

My favorite spot in Tulsa is anywhere downtown, but especially around the Brady District and on Boston Ave. I grew up in the shadows of downtown; it was our playground, and just when I think I've seen everything, I find something new.

8. You're stranded on a desert island. What 3 books would you want with you?

Slaughterhouse 5 – Vonegut
Grapes of Wrath - Steinbeck
Where the Sidewalk Ends – Shel Silverstein

9. If given a time-traveling Delorean and the opportunity to visit yourself in 10 years, what do you hope to discover?

In 10 years, I hope to discover that my son has grown up to be a fine young man, that my love for my wife has grown stronger, and that my violin work has continued to get better.

Movies Everyone Should See

2009-09-15T21:02:00.000-05:00

One of the great aspects of cinema is its ability to inspire as well as entertain. Everyone has seen a movie that has made them think about life, relationships, adversity, triumph, etc. from a different angle. We identify with movies in way that doesn't often happen with other forms of entertainment. Perhaps it's because we see events playing out in real time on the screen and somehow put ourselves in place of the characters. In some cases, we identify with the people on film because we wish we could act like them in those circumstances. We see someone being courageous and we hope we can be like that someday. Or, we see some of the negative aspects of humanity like racism or fear and we hope to God that we wouldn't act like that. Movies propel us to be introspective, to reach beyond the familiar.

With that in mind, I want to start a new blog segment called "Movies Everyone Should See." In these blog entries, I'll talk about movies that have been particularly meaningful to me. Some of them will be familiar to almost everyone. Others will be off the beaten path. They may have come out recently or they may have the dust of age on them. I won't make a promise to post entries in this segment on any particular schedule. That's just setting myself up for failure. Instead, I'll bring out this segment when I see a movie that's just too good to pass up.

On to the first movie...

I was flipping through the channels on Saturday evening and found an old favorite on PBS, Stand and Deliver. I first saw this movie in my high school Algebra II class in 1994. Starring Edward James Olmos as Jaime Escalante, it chronicles the challenges faced by an inner city school teacher who quit his job at a corporation to try an make a difference. In the movie, Escalante takes a group of students who could barely do elementary math and prepares them to take the AP Calculus test. Along the way, he faced opposition not only from the students, but from his fellow teachers who were quite certain that student self esteem would be crushed when they could not meet the standard. Escalante disagreed, insisting that they would meet the standard if challenged appropriately.

The movie, while based on a true story, did the Hollywood thing and condensed the storyline to fit the allotted time. You can read more about the true story here. Nevertheless, the film does not fail to inspire. Why should you watch it? Simply put, you should watch because you will see the potential that ANY student has to be successful (regardless of circumstance) given the presence of caring educators and the appropriate measure of will. I love watching Escalante's dedication to his profession and the way he slowly wins over each of students. More than that, I love watching them believe in themselves for the first time in their lives.

One of my favorite scenes from the movie happens during an all-night cram session just before the students have to take the AP test. One of the students asks Escalante if he's afraid they're going to screw up on the test tomorrow. Showing the student that there's a bigger picture, Escalante calmly replies, "Tomorrow's another day. I'm worried you're gonna screw up the rest of your lives."

Over the past couple of decades, we've been inundated with movies about inner city teachers who make a difference (Dangerous Minds, Freedom Writers, etc.). It's a tried and true format. Stand and Deliver is not only the greatest of this genre, it's one of the best of any genre. Watch and be inspired.

Obama's Education Speech

2009-09-08T08:21:00.002-05:00

Ever since Obama announced his education speech to our nation's public school children, conservatives across the country have been in a frenzy. I've heard and read everything from he's indoctrinating students to the Democratic viewpoint to crazy things such as he's using this as an opportunity to push a humanist agenda and invite students to see him as a Savior figure. Personally, I never had a problem with the speech. Regardless of my political differences with the president, he is a man to be honored in his position. If he wants to address students on the importance of education, I say "Bravo!" We need influential people of all stripes to trumpet the values of education. If my son were in a public school today, I would encourage him to watch the speech and take it to heart. We've become so politcally divided that we see nefarious plots and brainwashing schemes behind even the simplest of gestures. We can have the poltical fight some other time. For now, can't we agree that the president telling students to work hard and stay in school is a good thing?

Click here to read the text of the speech. It is a good read.

Tulsa Mayoral Race

2009-09-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

I'm really torn about who to vote for in the Republican primary election for Tulsa mayor. I've read countless articles and blog posts about the candidates and still find myself unable to make a decision. In my mind, there really are only two choices: Medlock and Bartlett (or Bartlet, if you prefer). Some analysts put Anna Falling in the top tier of choices, but not so much in my mind. She's just a little crazy, in my opinion. Of all problems the Tulsa mayor should address, I don't think a creationism exhibit at the zoo should make the cut.

Here are a few thoughts on each of the candidates:

Medlock - I really like Medlock's platform. I think his plan to change the form of government from strong mayor to council-manager is right on. Most large cities these days have the council-manager form of government and it seems to have much more continuity in terms of the day-to-day operations of city government. In other words, the effectiveness of city government doesn't rely on the personality in the mayor's office. Plus, it puts more power in the hands of the city council, which is elected by the people. I also like Medlock's pledge not to raise taxes and to focus on growing the 98% of the city that isn't contained within the confines of the IDL.

That being said, there are some things about Medlock that really concern me. I think he has some major character issues. He lied about having a master's degree and when confronted, he said that he thought he had obtained it. I find this preposterous. I have a master's degree and believe me, I would know with certainty if I hadn't obtained one. I think the fact that the degree never arrived in the mail would be my first clue. Secondly, he continued to receive Councilor Westcott's emails via a blind copy long after he vacated the council seat. Once again, I don't view this as an oversight. One may tend to regard these as small infractions, but I don't. How will he behave when the stakes are high and he has great power? Finally, I wonder if he has the ability to build coalitions and assemble the necessary support for the kind of change he wants to bring to City Hall.

Bartlett - I spoke with Bartlett at one of the candidate forums and found him to be much more well-spoken than he comes across in interviews. Specifically, I asked him about changing Tulsa's form of government. He indicated that Tulsa has big problems right now and it would take a great deal of political capital to accomplish such a change. Putting such an issue forth to the people might take valuable time away from addressing some of Tulsa's other major problems. I can see the logic in that, but I'm not sure that's a good enough reason for not doing it. One of the things I like about Bartlett is his personality. He seems like someone who could really build coalitions due to his previous city experience.

Like Medlock, there are some things I definitely don't like about Bartlett. In some ways, he seems kind of like an empty shirt. He has spoken a lot of about values and bringing business experience to city government, but he hasn't been specific at all about what he would do as mayor. He wants to run Tulsa like a business, but I agree with Roemerman on that issue. City government, or any government for that matter, was not meant to be operated in the same aspect as a business. I guess my greatest fear about Bartlett is that he will be Bill Lafortune part II - long on personality and status quo, but short on the kind of change we need to really move Tulsa forward.

So, there's my quandry. Each candidate has some pros and cons. As of now, I really am undecided on this race.

What Would Uncle Jesse Think?

2009-08-29T12:58:00.002-05:00

I had something humorous happen in my government class on Thursday night and thought I'd share. To provide a little background, I'm teaching American Federal Government at Rogers State this semester. It has been an interesting experience thus far as most of my students are freshmen, which puts them around 18 or 19 years old. That means they were born around 1990 or 1991. Yeah, it makes me feel a little old.

We were talking about the advantages and disadvantages of federalism and I was trying to come up with some examples on the fly, so they could relate to the topic a little better. One of the disadvantages of federalism is that it is easier for power to coalesce into the hands of a few people at local levels of government. Trying to think of an example to share with them, I remembered a favorite television show from my childhood - The Dukes of Hazzard. I thought about Boss Hogg and how he ran the town of Hazzard. He was the Justice of the Peace, Tax Collector, County Treasurer, Sanitation Chief, etc., etc. Thus, nobody could do any business in Hazzard without Boss Hogg's approval. It was perfect. It was perfect, that is, until I asked my students how many had ever seen The Dukes of Hazzard. Out of 22 people, 2 hands rose up. So much for that.

I can tell I'm going to have to work on my pop culture analogies for these whipper snappers. I guess I won't be busting out my Airwolf or A-Team references anytime soon.

A Few Health Care Solutions

2009-08-24T05:42:00.000-05:00

Things have gotten contentious out there. Members of the House and Senate are now afraid of their own shadows. They're cancelling town hall meetings right and left for fear that they might actually hear something negative from their constituents. Of course, it isn't just the concerned citizens who are showing up at these town halls. Representatives from special interests and lobbying groups are there, too. However, this is representative democracy in action. It's messy, muddled, incremental, and sometimes you have to hear from people who don't agree with you. Regardless of where these people come from and what interests they represent, they deserve to voice their opinions. Whether the members of Congress choose to listen is up to their own discretion.

As a follow-up to my last post, I have a few suggestions on how to improve health care and more specifically, health insurance in this country:

1. Completely divorce health insurance from employment. Originally added as an incentive to keep employees with the company, this benefit is now outdated. It worked pretty well when people were employed 35 years for the same company, but in this era where 2-5 years is the norm, it causes a lot of problems. When you lose or leave your job, you lose your health insurance. A few years ago, the government created COBRA as a way for those without jobs to bridge the gap, but it too has become impractical. The costs for an average-sized family is double or triple what the employee was paying when associated with a company. Health insurance should be purchased separately just like any other form of insurance i.e. vehicle, life, etc. This would automatically insert more competition in the market resulting in lower prices. If employers still wish to provide some sort of health insurance benefit, the federal government should allow them to do it with pre-tax dollars.

2. Eliminate pre-existing conditions. Rules surrounding pre-existing conditions are the main reason why health insurance coverage as it now exists does not work. If a person loses their job and is in the process of being treated for an illness or has been treated for an illness in the past, it is virtually impossible to find private insurance coverage. To go one step farther, even if you have been TESTED for an illness, but results have been inconclusive, it is still almost impossible to find coverage. This puts the insurance seeker in a difficult position. Medical bills begin to mount and financial ruin sets in before long.

This is where I think the federal government has to become involved. The government should mandate that all people are to be provided with insurance if they seek it, regardless of pre-existing conditions. If the insured person were to need medical treatment for the pre-existing condition, the government would subsidize the company for the cost of that treatment. If the insured person were to need treatment for any other illness or injury, the insurance company would be responsible. This removes some of the financial burden from the company (after all, they are in business to make money) and places it on the government.

3. Pass tort reform legislation. Some states have already gone a long way in improving the overly litigious atmosphere in the medical services field. However, more can be done. It is a delicate balance to ensure that patients have adequate recourse in the case true malpractice while at the same time discouraging frivolous legal activity. Doctors are currently overburdening the health care system with needless tests and procedures which are designed to do nothing more than serve as a lawsuit buffer. As I mentioned above, this puts the patient in a terrible predicament when trying to obtain private insurance as they must disclose whether they have ever been tested for any illnesses or conditions.

4. Remove the in-network/out-of-network distinction. I believe this is one of the chief causes of the high cost of health care. There is simply no competition in the market. As I mentioned in my previous post, the ability to compare on the scale of quality and price leads to greater choice. With the current system, you are forced to see one of only a small subset of doctors in your network, each of whom prices their services at what the insurance company will cover, not what the free market will bear. By opening up consumer choice, I believe that doctors would be forced to provide better value for lower costs, otherwise they would lose patients.

5. Reform medical billing procedures. If you have been to a hospital lately and have subsequently received your bill, you most likely noticed that all of your costs were rolled up into a few general categories. Most people do not question their hospital bills and instead blindly pay the stated amount. Those that do request itemized bills often find that their costs were inflated by up to 20% because they were charged for procedures or medication that was never provided. In my opinion, Congress should mandate that every patient automatically receive an itemized bill to prevent medical cost inflation in the future.

6. Provide an incentive to those that stay well. Insurance companies benefit when those they cover do not make trips to the doctor. In fact, it is the well people who subsidize the sick under a typical insurance plan. In order to encourage positive habits such as eating right, exercise, refraining from smoking, etc., insurance companies should provide an end-of-year financial incentive to those that remain in good health. This would do a couple of things. First of all, it would encourage good behavior and it would make people think twice before going to the doctor when it isn't necessary. As I mentioned before, routine trips to the doctor are cheap for the insured patient, but the costs add up for the insurance company if such activity becomes the norm.

These are a few of the things I think should be done regarding health care reform. Does government have a place in this debate? In my opinion, it absolutely does, especially where pre-existing conditions and tort reform are concerned. But, there are free market solutions that must be implemented as well. Whether you agree with the current governmental plan or not, it is a good thing we are having this debate. Expanded quality health coverage for all of our citizens is something we should strive for, not shy away from. In my mind, it is no less than a pro-life issue.

The Ridiculousness That is Brett Favre

2009-08-18T22:10:00.002-05:00

I was driving around today when I heard a portion of the press conference introducing Brett Favre as a Minnesota Viking. I've never been a big fan of the guy, but as one who enjoys NFL football, I can appreciate some of his contributions to the game. However, in my opinion, he has spent the last 2 years making a mockery of himself. When the Packers tried to gently push him out the door, he went back to Mississippi and huffed for awhile before he decided that he really wanted to stick it to them. So, he tried to come back, even though the quarterback torch had been passed to Aaron Rodgers. He really wanted to go to the Vikings at that point, but a deal was worked with the New York Jets.

He's pulled this whole "will he or won't he retire bit" for several years now. For some reason, the sports networks continually cling to this story like it's some kind of big news (I'm looking right at you ESPN). Here's the thing - Favre is a washed up old quarterback with a noodle for an arm and a chip on his shoulder. The year he "retired" for the first time was his best season in quite some time. There are many games in which he's better at throwing wobbly interceptions than touchdown strikes. Plus, during the late season stretch last year, he completely imploded. The fact that this guy merits wall to wall coverage is baffling to me.

During his press conference today, he had the audacity to say that his return was good for the game. I don't care who you are, you have to have a pretty big ego to think that your presence makes the NFL a better product. Make no mistake, this is about Favre and Favre alone. He has found a way to get back at the Packers for trying to put him out to pasture (which they should have done). I give him six or seven games before his arm completely turns to mush, just like it did last year. At this point in his career, the only thing Favre excels at is selfishness.

Moral Hazards of Health Insurance

2009-07-31T12:16:00.001-05:00

Our country is at a crossroads in terms of how health care is administered and distributed. While I identify with the politically conservative position in many cases, I'm not so naive as to think that the free market alone can solve the problem. To that, you may ask, "What is the problem?" In my mind, the problem is twofold: 1) not enough people have access to quality health care and 2) without insurance, it is virtually impossible for anyone without substantial financial means to pay for quality health care.

Some conservative pundits are actually denying that we have a health care crisis in this country. They point out that any person who needs medical services can go to a hospital and receive treatment. While that may be true on an emergency or case-by-case basis, it is not true for people who need long-term steady care. A hospital may treat symptoms, but a person needing prolonged care will be out of luck. If you think I'm wrong, take some time and view this episode of Frontline.

On the surface, insurance companies provide a valuable service. By paying a small fee, you are allowed to hedge your bets in case you happen to incur expensive medical issues while you own the policy. The healthy people who rarely go to the doctor subsidize the costs the company assumes when someone gets sick. Unfortunately, a few moral hazards present themselves when insurance is the primary provider of health funding:

1. There is no incentive for health care providers to lower costs. By and large, the majority of customers are not paying for their own treatment. Thus, the providers know that whatever they charge, it will most likely be paid without question. If it isn't coming out of my pocket, why should I care what it costs? This relates to my second point -

2. Health insurance effectively eliminates competition from the market. Many insurance plans dictate where the insured party can go for treatment. Thus, a consumer cannot shop around for the best deal. When a consumer decides to buy a car, he or she can peruse hundreds of auto dealerships in the city and find just the right mixture of price and value. This option is not generally available for insured customers. So, if a health care provider is virtually certain of maintaining a fixed number of patients, there is absolutely no incentive to lower costs.

3. Those who aren't truly sick go to the doctor. Most people really believe that it only costs them $15 or $30 for a doctor visit. They never look at the statement from the insurance company or the doctor's office relating the true cost. Most routine visits actually cost between $100 and $200, with the price going much higher for blood work, tests, vaccines, etc. But, with the out-of-pocket costs so low, many people rush to the clinic for only a bad case of the sniffles. Taken at a macro level, this raises not only the cost of insurance, but the cost of health care as well.

4. Providers pad their wallets. Doctors know which costs will be covered by insurance and which costs will be dis-allowed. There is an incentive for them to order all sorts of unnecessary tests and procedures because they know they'll be reimbursed for it. In many cases, these procedures aren't complex at all, but can result in a healthier bottom line. Make no mistake, health care, for all it's altruistic associations, is a business in this country and there are some providers out there who treat it exactly so. For those of you who may be doctors out there, it isn't my intent to paint all of you with this brush, but I've had personal experience with these methods and I don't believe I'm the only one out there this has happened to.

These moral hazards are just some of the reasons our system is broken today. I'm quite positive that quite a few have been left off of the list. For our health system to be more accessible and affordable for all, some of these problems should be fixed.

In my next blog entry, I'll offer a few suggestions as to what I think should be done about the health care crisis.

Like Pistons in an Engine

2009-07-24T11:57:00.002-05:00

The following is my final journal entry from my missions trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota:

The purpose of this missions trip is twofold: to do whatever we can to help the full-time ministry in Oglala, South Dakota, and to have some fun with each other in the process.

It’s been a long time since I’ve really felt like a part of a church body. Due to the transient nature of our existence since we got married in 2005, Sara and I really haven’t had an opportunity to put down roots anywhere. We went to one church while we lived in College Station, but aside from a Sunday morning class, we were too busy to plug in and really engage. Now, for the first time in a long time, I feel like we’re part of a community.

This missions trip has certainly accelerated that feeling of community. In three short days, I’ve gotten to know more people than I probably would have in three years otherwise. We work together, we eat together, and at the end of the day, we sit around the campfire and talk to each other. By the third day, most of the cursory conversation has been dispensed with – job, where you live, how long you’ve been at the church, etc. At this point, we talk more about our families, our faith, our aspirations, our sorrows, and our history.

For the entirety of this missions trip, I’ve been on a work crew with about 5 other guys. Our task was to erect a jungle gym/monkey bar set on the barren reservation playground. It was a task that looked easy enough at the beginning, but proved to more difficult than first imagined. For one thing, the piece of ground we had to work with was anything but level. Secondly, we had to dig 18 post holes for the pipes. We figured that would go pretty quickly because we had a power auger. No such luck. As it turns out, South Dakota prairie dirt is as a hard as Texas caliche. This job would be accomplished largely in the old fashioned way – post hole diggers and a pry bar (by the way, do you know how awesome it is to see your pastor digging post holes? Servant leadership at its finest, my friends). Finally, we had to assemble the darned thing and make sure it was level throughout.

At first, our team was tentative with each other. Nobody wanted to step on toes. Nobody wanted to be the overbearing one. Over time, however, we all started finding our roles. We learned what each person was good at. We learned to anticipate what should be done next. By the third day, we were working just like pistons in an engine. We knew what had to be done and we did it.

By 2:00 on the third day, we had erected one heck of a jungle gym. It was solid and sturdy. The tribal children were just itching to play on it. We counseled patience. Wait for the concrete to dry. Tomorrow it’s all yours.

What is it about such work that makes you feel more bonded to the people that did it with you? We started out a group of individuals and over time, became a team. We got to know each other. We joked with each other. We laughed and sweated and dug and leveled and cemented.

So often in life, you don’t get to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of a task. On this day, we felt like we had done something important. Kids who live in abject poverty and grow up in an environment devoid of hope will be laughing and playing on something we built.

Wounded Knee

2009-07-21T09:55:00.002-05:00

This is the second of three journal entries I wrote while on a missions trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota:

As we looked out onto the desolate prairie dotted with all the signs of poverty, the pastor of the Re-Creation Center in Oglala, South Dakota said to me, “This is what happens when people lose all hope.”

Early this morning, we rolled out in a long caravan of vehicles toward the Re-Creation Center and church on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The first structure that greeted us as we passed onto tribal lands was the casino. It was a striking contrast to the beautiful rolling hills that surrounded it. In fact, the entire countryside was a study in contrasts. Rich, rolling green hills dotted with pine trees are supplanted in the foreground by worn out trailer houses and abandoned vehicles. These are the only remnants of a once proud and great people.

There is poverty everywhere I look. Years of government neglect and welfare have taken their toll. The men are no longer proud warriors and providers. Instead, they beg for scraps from the government and succumb to the pain numbing remedy of alcohol. The children see nothing to strive for around them. There is nothing to aspire to. There is no hope found in their spirituality. There is no sustaining presence. Nevertheless, the cling to the ancient ways because it’s one of the last things they have left that is truly theirs. They are distrustful of Christianity. It’s the White Man’s religion and the White Man never did anything good for the Red Man.

We concluded our day by visiting Wounded Knee. Nestled in the beautiful hills of the reservations, it is a sorrowful place. It marks the last time the Sioux dared to resist the encroachment of the federal government. Here, the hypocrisy of our government was exposed for all to see. A nation conceived in liberty sought to put the red man in chains. Here, their culture was effectively destroyed forever.

So, we are in the midst of this. How do we help when the needs are so great and we are so small? I’m reminded of a quote. “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. Because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the one thing I can do.” We aren’t here to shove Christ down their throats. They’ve seen enough of that over the years. We’re here to love. We’re here to work. We’re here to help. We’re here to understand. We’re here to respect. We’re here to do what we can. We’re here to make amends for the errors of our forefathers. We’re here to offer hope.

The Return of Space

2009-07-18T09:56:00.003-05:00

This is the first of 3 journal entries I made while on a missions trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota:

There is space here. It feels like I can breathe again. It is quiet. All I hear is the rustling of the wind outside the cabin. All I see are the tall, majestic pine trees and the lush forest growth. It feels like I’m in another world. I need this.

In his book, Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey wrote something I’ve been contemplating for awhile.

“We are preoccupied with time. If we could learn to love space as deeply as we are now obsessed with time, we might discover a new meaning in the phrase to live like men.”

In my life, I’ve been preoccupied with time a lot. So much to do, so little time to get it done. Check things off the list and go on to the next item. And that’s just work. I also wrestle with having enough time for my family. I’m not a workaholic. Work doesn’t define me. Work is what I do to have enough time for things I really value: family, love, friendship, and, dare I say it…me.

Abbey is right. We’ve forgotten how to add space to our lives. We’ve forgotten how to relax, how to breathe. When did it happen? Did we ever have space? Or is it just an illusion, something we keep striving to attain, but never quite seem to get there, like a mirage in the desert.

I feel like I have space now. Last night, after driving for nearly 12 hours, I arrived here at Chadron State Park in northwest Nebraska. I’m here for a missions trip. We’ll spend the next 3 days in outreach to the Lakota Oglala Sioux nation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation just across the state line in South Dakota. Last night, after we gathered for fellowship and food, we took communion. I don’t think I’ve ever taken communion in a more beautiful place. As I contemplated the sacrifice of my Creator, the sun was slowly setting over the mountains and rays of beautiful, gold light bathed all of us in a kind of warmth that I can only feel, not describe.

As I looked into the expanse, all I saw was trees, grass, and mountains. Horses lazily grazed in a small field below. Yes, I can feel it now. I feel space coming back. And more importantly, I feel peace.

Summer Reading List

2009-07-17T08:46:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, Tulsa World writer Matt Gleason asked the readers of his blog to submit their favorite summer read along with a short description of what makes the book great. My submission made the final cut. The article came out in today's paper. You can read it here.

Where I've Been

2009-07-16T22:13:00.002-05:00

Suffice it to say, July has been an absolute blur. There are several things that have been on my mind to write about, but I haven't had the time to compose them into coherent thoughts suitable for digestion on this blog. I plan on changing that in the next few days, though.

For Independence Day, Sara and I travelled to Pryor to be with relatives on her father's side of the family. We had a wonderful time catching up with a great group of people. They all live out at the lake. Unfortunately, for a good part of the day it rained, which put a damper on some of the activities. We closed out the holiday at the home of some friends. Every year, they put on a fantastic fireworks show right in their front yard (they live in Broken Arrow which allows such activities with a permit). Our son lasted until about 9 p.m., but the loud noises and excitement from the rest of the day eventually got to him and it was time to retire for the evening.

The day after the 4th, I had to go to Topeka, Kansas, on a business trip. My company is doing some work for the state government and we were fully engaged during our time there. Eleven and twelve hour days were the norm. It was not only physically exhausting, but I was mentally fried by the time the engagement concluded that Thursday afternoon.

I was home this past Friday and Saturday before it was time to set out again. Every year, my church goes on a family missions trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota. I had committed to go earlier this year. So, I set out early Sunday morning for the 12-hour drive to Chadron, Nebraska - our home base for the trip. I was there for 3 days and just returned to Tulsa this evening. I had some wonderful experiences and recorded my thoughts in a journal. Over the next couple of days, I'll share some of them with you, my dear readers.

Sorry for the absence of posts as of late, but I hope you'll read my thoughts from the missions trip and comment if you feel so inclined.

A New Day Dawns at ORU

2009-07-02T12:04:00.002-05:00

Today, Mark Rutland assumed the presidency at Oral Roberts University. It is truly an exciting moment for all ORU graduates and former students. Our university has finally been completely transitioned from the overbearing hands of the Roberts family to a president whose chief goals are for ORU to be "warm, inviting, and transparent." In an interview with the Tulsa World, Rutland mentioned that he wanted to "open up and lighten up." I can already feel the freesh breeze blowing through the campus.

For those of you who didn't attend ORU, it's hard to describe the atmosphere that was continually cultivated on campus by the Roberts family. Students were often told that attendance at ORU was a privilege and not a right. We were told that the rules kept us holy. We were told that the leadership of the school was beyond reproach or question. We were also told that sowing a "seed" to God would make us rich - but that's another story.

Why did we stay in an environment like that? Simply put, it was because of the students and professors. In our 4 years there, we met kindred spirits and lifelong friends. We were influenced by professors who genuinely wanted to see us learn and succeed. They invested in us and considered themselves successful when we were successful. We put up with all the administrative crap because it was the cost of doing business, so to speak.

Perhaps most exciting, the ORU debt will be completely paid off in a matter of weeks. In less than 2 years, the school has gone from a $55 million in the red to less than $700,000 currently. This could have never been done without Mart Green's generous contribution and his leadership. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.

Welcome to ORU, President Rutland. We're all praying for you and we wish you a long and prosperous tenure at the helm of our school.

Devastation on I-44

2009-06-28T21:22:00.001-05:00

On Friday, just before noon, my wife and I set out for what promised to be a fun and relaxing marriage retreat in Kansas City with our church. I had taken the day off and we were going to leisurely make our way up there. As we neared Claremore, my wife mentioned that she'd never seen the campus of Rogers State where I teach as an adjunct professor. Thinking that we had plenty of time, I decided a 10 minute detour couldn't hurt anything. We made a quick circle around the school and even stopped for a few moments to take pictures of the Lincoln statue on campus as well as take a bathroom break. We got back on I-44 East and continued on our way.

As many Tulsans probably already know, Friday afternoon saw what some in the OHP are calling the worst traffic accident in the history of the state. I'll spare all the details and allow you to read them for yourself here. Here's the thing, though - we were literally about 200 yards behind the accident. A few seconds quicker and we could have been in it. A few more seconds and we would have gone by never knowing it had occurred until we read the paper. We ended up stranded on the highway for over 4 hours in post 100-degree heat while the rescue and recovery attempt went on.

I walked up to the accident scene and it was horrific. It looked like a war scene. Vehicles were unrecognizable. Being so closely connected to an accident like this causes a great deal of introspection. Sara and I were immediately drawn to prayer to thank God for protecting us. We also prayed for the families of those who had perished at the scene. We prayed He would make Himself real to them as healer and comforter. We prayed that we would use this as a wake up call to not just go through the motions in life, but to really live it. I grieve for the loss I saw on Friday. Since that day, I haven't been able to sleep well and I haven't been able to put it out of my mind. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm supposed to. It' probably right to be impacted by this and it should mess with me for awhile. It's impossible to come out on the other side of something like this and remain the same.

Since we were going on vacation, we happened to have our camera with us. I snapped some pictures of the rescue personnel doing what they do best. I know the troopers in our fine state have gotten a bad rap lately because of one hothead, but these people charged to scene like the cavalry and worked tirelessly in the sweltering heat to rescue the victims. God bless 'em all.

Our Anniversary

2009-06-25T07:28:00.006-05:00

Four years ago today, I said "I do" to the most wonderful woman who has ever walked into my life. She's everything I ever wanted in a wife. She's kind, good natured, easy going, able to laugh at herself, witty, smart, compassionate, devoted, loving, hard working, and to top it all off, an amazing mother to our son.

We got married at 6:00 in the evening at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Tulsa. Neither one of us were of the Episcopal denomination, but having previously experienced the beauty of the church at a Christmas choir concert, we were excited about having our wedding in the historic gothic cathedral. Our ceremony was of the traditional liturgical type. Neither one of us grew up in that tradition, but we both were captivated by the poetry of the words and the gravity given to the celebration of marriage.

In front of God, my family and friends, I made the following vow:

In the Name of God, I, Trait, take you, Sara, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

To close the service, Father McKee prayed the following prayer over us.

O God, the giver of all that is true and lovely and gracious: We give you thanks for binding us together in these holy mysteries of the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that by your Holy Spirit, Sara and Trait, now joined in Holy Matrimony, may become one in heart and soul, live in fidelity and peace, and obtain those eternal joys prepared for all who love you; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As I revisit those words, I'm thankful to God for the wife that He has brought me and I'm thankful that He has been faithful to watch over and protect our marriage. I am today, as I was on that day, a man hopelessly in love with my wife.

Walt Kowalski and Father's Day

2009-06-21T20:11:00.004-05:00

I finally got around to watching Gran Torino last night. Yeah, I know, welcome to the party. I'm sure most of you reading this saw it in the theater. Trips to the theater are rare events for us these days due to the presence of a very busy, but very cute, 18-month old toddler.

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD). It was honest and raw, but not in an overdone way. Some of his one liners were positively hilarious, especially when Eastwood's character, Walt Kowalski, was addressing his Hmong next-door neighbor, Thao (who he constantly refers to as "Toad"). Kowalski is a grizzled Korean War veteran whose wife has just died. He clings to the way things were in the old days and cringes when a Hmong family moves in next door. He uses all manner of racial epithets to describe them not only when they aren't around, but to their faces as well. As we get to know Kowalski, we find out he has a softer side. He regrets some aspects of his life, chiefly the fact that he wasn't a better father to his sons. When the neighbor boy, Thao, is being recruited into a gang, he grudgingly (at first) steps up to become a positive male role model for him.

Some of the movie's best scenes take place between Kowalski and the young, inexperienced parish priest, Father Janovich. Janovich pledged to Kowalski's deceased wife that he would get Walt to come to confession. Walt flatly refuses on the grounds that the priest has no comprehension of life or death. In a stark moment of honesty, Kowalski tells the priest that his guilt doesn't have anything to do with the things he was ordered to do, but instead with the things he did on his own. Walt's conversations with the priest are peppered throughout the movie and add a real depth of understanding to his character.

This movie was sad and funny all at the same time. Not only that, but it has caused me to have quite a few introspective moments on this Father's Day. I've been thinking about the legacy I want to leave to my son. I've been thinking about being the type of father who has a real relationship with my sons, not just an occasional conversation about the weather. I've also been thinking about those who came before me. Have I truly appreciated the sacrifices they made? Do I endeavor to learn their stories and the challenges they have overcome? Or, do I hurry about on my own way, convinced in my youth and vigor that I have all the answers - that new is best.

Today, my wife took me out to eat for Father's Day. Given my choice of venue, I chose Luby's. In line, I met a wonderfully nice man in his 80s who perked up when he saw my son. We struck up a quick conversation. Ordinarily, I would have brushed it off as nothing more than an insignificant encounter. But, in this case, the movie I saw last night was on my mind. I tried to get to know him as much as I could. He was alone on Father's Day. Both of his sons were living in Texas. He had grandchildren and was hoping for his first great grandchild soon. He was a proud graduate of the University of Tulsa who dropped out for a time in 1942 to fight in World War II. He seemed like a wonderful man. Were it not for the impatience of the toddler in my arms, we probably could have talked to him all afternoon. I'm glad I met him. I hope to meet many more like him in the future.

Happy Father's Day everyone. God bless you.

My Wife Featured in Daily Oklahoman

2009-06-13T12:13:00.002-05:00

Late last year, my wife and her sister started a new wedding planning business in Oklahoma City. It's called Simply Sisters Weddings. Most of the events they host are at the Old Trinity of Paseo Chapel. Today, the Daily Oklahoman published a story in which my wife was interviewed about the prevalence of June weddings and wedding trends in general. They also got a beautiful photo of her with the interior of the chapel in the background.

You can read the article here.

Man and Boy Run Amuck

2009-06-07T21:03:00.004-05:00

My lovely wife had a wedding reception to facilitate in Oklahoma City on Saturday night, so my 18-month old son and I were left to fend for ourselves. I decided we should do it up right and have a proper Man Weekend.

So, how does one kick off a celebration of all things man-tastic? Barbeque, of course. On Friday evening, I called up some good friends to meet me and my son in Owasso to partake in the smoky goodness that is Legend's BBQ. I had never taken him there before and I felt it was high time he was properly introduced. While I chowed down on ribs and brisket, he had his fill of brisket, corn, and Texas toast. Yes, a truly balanced meal. Since he was too young for Shiner Bock, I kept all of that for myself. We concluded the evening with a trip to the Freckles frozen custard stand. He enjoyed running around the shop begging my friends for bites of custard and periodically coming back to me with the same look of longing on his face. Of course, I wasn't good at resisting his desperate pleas for the creamy goodness. Let's just say he might have had a little more than the "mommy-approved" allotment of the treat.

We got up bright and early on Saturday morning to head to the Cherry Street Farmer's Market. I had never been before, but heard good things. There were plenty of vendors about hawking fresh vegetables, breads, meats, etc. I was hoping to find some tomatoes, but no such luck. I guess it's a little early in the season. I was with a friend who wanted to take a look at some used vehicles, so we decided to make our way up 11th Street to get back to Highway 169. My son enjoyed running through the rows of vehicles screaming in delight. Noticing some of the unique architecture of the houses in the neighborhoods beyond 11th Street, I decided to take a quick detour to do some sightseeing. We stumbled upon Braden Park and it looked like a perfect place for the boy to run and play. And that he did. So much so that we had to stop the fun and head for home about 45 minutes later as naptime swiftly approached.

We spent the rest of our Saturday playing in the backyard. He ran around throwing his football and soccer ball whilst chasing the occasional bird. He also spent a considerable amount of time in his sandbox. It's fun to watch him play in there. I'm not sure what the qualification criteria is, but he sure spends a lot of time deciding which pebbles are fit to be put into his little bucket and which should be tossed aside. I wish I could just crawl into his little mind for a few minutes just to see how it works. We prepared our final meal of the day by grilling some venison steak on the back patio. After our feast of deer and steamed vegetables, we closed out the day with him throwing his golf ball into the street and me chasing it (this is a favorite game of his).

Alas, Man Weekend slowly came to an end. We went to church this morning and after lunch it was time for him to take a mighty nap. Not long afterwards, my wife returned from OKC, having hosted a successful party. All things return to normal now, but it was surely a weekend to remember.