tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33092584723266571512024-03-13T11:56:54.315-05:00We the Peopleshakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.comBlogger474125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-47977593761046441062017-10-02T15:06:00.001-05:002017-10-02T15:06:58.995-05:00Poem<p dir="ltr">Violence now a pandemic<br>
Selfishness the creed<br>
Boastful braggers bombastic<br>
Steal what their lust will need<br>
Victim the mob has for a moniker<br>
Rationalize their murderous ways<br>
Living in desperate darkness<br>
Stumbling in a haze<br>
They lie they have been mistreated<br>
They cry they will have their way<br>
Shooting, robbing and beating<br>
Deceived they have gone astray<br>
<br>
The hidden faces directing them<br>
From dens of demon seeds<br>
Conscience calloused and hardened<br>
Follow only selfish greeds<br>
We call to try to awake them<br>
We pray to bring them back<br>
Even in the face of persecution<br>
We pray for them while they attack<br>
Blind they flail unwittingly<br>
And fall to the serpents call<br>
We must pray for them unceasingly<br>
And stand in the midst of the brawl<br>
<br>
Jesus prayed “Forgive them Father,<br>
For they know not what they do”<br>
The same is the case today<br>
His prayer still rings true<br>
We are all truly sinners<br>
In need of Jesus’ grace<br>
We have been made in His image<br>
One people of one race<br>
Lord, pour your Spirit upon us<br>
To bring us repentance that is real<br>
Your presence to bring healing<br>
So once again we may feel<br>
<br>
Violence now a pandemic<br>
Selfishness the creed<br>
Jesus our Holy Savior<br>
Is truly what we all need<br>
He can take way the deception<br>
Open our blinded eyes<br>
Bring us back to the truth<br>
That we may all realize<br>
We are each made in His image<br>
To share this earthly space<br>
Created by and for the Lord<br>
In need of His saving Grace<br>
<br>
Love is the tie that binds us<br>
Love that sees others needs<br>
And places them in our heart<br>
And drive each of our deeds<br>
Love is for all other people<br>
Regardless of age or race<br>
Love that lifts the others<br>
And shines with His Holy Grace<br>
Jesus gave His life<br>
To friend and foe the same<br>
We must live that kind of love<br>
To bring Honor to His name<br>
<br>
Love dos not breed violence<br>
Love does not bear hate<br>
Love is pure and giving<br>
Always wanting to relate<br>
We are made in His image<br>
With love and empathy<br>
To bring home the wayward<br>
By grace with sympathy<br>
Love is not for selfish gain<br>
Or to wave a flag of my deeds<br>
It is to live for others<br>
Always providing for their needs<br>
<br>
Jesus does not teach violence<br>
To kill those who do not believe<br>
Rather He reaches out<br>
And if they refuse, He will grieve<br>
We are each given the opportunity<br>
To accept His gift of grace<br>
To follow, honor and obey Him<br>
Humbly taking our place<br>
Jesus died for our sin<br>
And lives now to show us what to do<br>
Call the lost and the weary<br>
Remember that you were once too.</p>
shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-3845155310531849312017-09-19T15:12:00.001-05:002017-09-19T15:12:25.721-05:00President Trump Address to the UN<p dir="ltr"><br>
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, world leaders, and distinguished delegates: Welcome to New York. It is a profound honor to stand here in my home city, as a representative of the American people, to address the people of the world.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As millions of our citizens continue to suffer the effects of the devastating hurricanes that have struck our country, I want to begin by expressing my appreciation to every leader in this room who has offered assistance and aid. The American people are strong and resilient, and they will emerge from these hardships more determined than ever before.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fortunately, the United States has done very well since Election Day last November 8th. The stock market is at an all-time high -- a record. Unemployment is at its lowest level in 16 years, and because of our regulatory and other reforms, we have more people working in the United States today than ever before. Companies are moving back, creating job growth the likes of which our country has not seen in a very long time. And it has just been announced that we will be spending almost $700 billion on our military and defense.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Our military will soon be the strongest it has ever been. For more than 70 years, in times of war and peace, the leaders of nations, movements, and religions have stood before this assembly. Like them, I intend to address some of the very serious threats before us today but also the enormous potential waiting to be unleashed.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We live in a time of extraordinary opportunity. Breakthroughs in science, technology, and medicine are curing illnesses and solving problems that prior generations thought impossible to solve.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But each day also brings news of growing dangers that threaten everything we cherish and value. Terrorists and extremists have gathered strength and spread to every region of the planet. Rogue regimes represented in this body not only support terrorists but threaten other nations and their own people with the most destructive weapons known to humanity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Authority and authoritarian powers seek to collapse the values, the systems, and alliances that prevented conflict and tilted the world toward freedom since World War II.</p>
<p dir="ltr">International criminal networks traffic drugs, weapons, people; force dislocation and mass migration; threaten our borders; and new forms of aggression exploit technology to menace our citizens.</p>
<p dir="ltr">To put it simply, we meet at a time of both of immense promise and great peril. It is entirely up to us whether we lift the world to new heights, or let it fall into a valley of disrepair.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We have it in our power, should we so choose, to lift millions from poverty, to help our citizens realize their dreams, and to ensure that new generations of children are raised free from violence, hatred, and fear.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This institution was founded in the aftermath of two world wars to help shape this better future. It was based on the vision that diverse nations could cooperate to protect their sovereignty, preserve their security, and promote their prosperity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It was in the same period, exactly 70 years ago, that the United States developed the Marshall Plan to help restore Europe. Those three beautiful pillars -- they’re pillars of peace, sovereignty, security, and prosperity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Marshall Plan was built on the noble idea that the whole world is safer when nations are strong, independent, and free. As President Truman said in his message to Congress at that time, “Our support of European recovery is in full accord with our support of the United Nations. The success of the United Nations depends upon the independent strength of its members.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">To overcome the perils of the present and to achieve the promise of the future, we must begin with the wisdom of the past. Our success depends on a coalition of strong and independent nations that embrace their sovereignty to promote security, prosperity, and peace for themselves and for the world.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We do not expect diverse countries to share the same cultures, traditions, or even systems of government. But we do expect all nations to uphold these two core sovereign duties: to respect the interests of their own people and the rights of every other sovereign nation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is the beautiful vision of this institution, and this is foundation for cooperation and success.<br>
Strong, sovereign nations let diverse countries with different values, different cultures, and different dreams not just coexist, but work side by side on the basis of mutual respect.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Strong, sovereign nations let their people take ownership of the future and control their own destiny. And strong, sovereign nations allow individuals to flourish in the fullness of the life intended by God.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In America, we do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to watch. This week gives our country a special reason to take pride in that example. We are celebrating the 230th anniversary of our beloved Constitution -- the oldest constitution still in use in the world today.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This timeless document has been the foundation of peace, prosperity, and freedom for the Americans and for countless millions around the globe whose own countries have found inspiration in its respect for human nature, human dignity, and the rule of law.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The greatest in the United States Constitution is its first three beautiful words. They are: “We the people.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Generations of Americans have sacrificed to maintain the promise of those words, the promise of our country, and of our great history. In America, the people govern, the people rule, and the people are sovereign. I was elected not to take power, but to give power to the American people, where it belongs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In foreign affairs, we are renewing this founding principle of sovereignty. Our government's first duty is to its people, to our citizens -- to serve their needs, to ensure their safety, to preserve their rights, and to defend their values.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As President of the United States, I will always put America first, just like you, as the leaders of your countries will always, and should always, put your countries first. (Applause.)</p>
<p dir="ltr">All responsible leaders have an obligation to serve their own citizens, and the nation-state remains the best vehicle for elevating the human condition.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But making a better life for our people also requires us to work together in close harmony and unity to create a more safe and peaceful future for all people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The United States will forever be a great friend to the world, and especially to its allies. But we can no longer be taken advantage of, or enter into a one-sided deal where the United States gets nothing in return. As long as I hold this office, I will defend America’s interests above all else.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But in fulfilling our obligations to our own nations, we also realize that it’s in everyone’s interest to seek a future where all nations can be sovereign, prosperous, and secure.</p>
<p dir="ltr">America does more than speak for the values expressed in the United Nations Charter. Our citizens have paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom and the freedom of many nations represented in this great hall. America's devotion is measured on the battlefields where our young men and women have fought and sacrificed alongside of our allies, from the beaches of Europe to the deserts of the Middle East to the jungles of Asia.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is an eternal credit to the American character that even after we and our allies emerged victorious from the bloodiest war in history, we did not seek territorial expansion, or attempt to oppose and impose our way of life on others. Instead, we helped build institutions such as this one to defend the sovereignty, security, and prosperity for all.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For the diverse nations of the world, this is our hope. We want harmony and friendship, not conflict and strife. We are guided by outcomes, not ideology. We have a policy of principled realism, rooted in shared goals, interests, and values.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That realism forces us to confront a question facing every leader and nation in this room. It is a question we cannot escape or avoid. We will slide down the path of complacency, numb to the challenges, threats, and even wars that we face. Or do we have enough strength and pride to confront those dangers today, so that our citizens can enjoy peace and prosperity tomorrow?</p>
<p dir="ltr">If we desire to lift up our citizens, if we aspire to the approval of history, then we must fulfill our sovereign duties to the people we faithfully represent. We must protect our nations, their interests, and their futures. We must reject threats to sovereignty, from the Ukraine to the South China Sea. We must uphold respect for law, respect for borders, and respect for culture, and the peaceful engagement these allow. And just as the founders of this body intended, we must work together and confront together those who threaten us with chaos, turmoil, and terror.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The scourge of our planet today is a small group of rogue regimes that violate every principle on which the United Nations is based. They respect neither their own citizens nor the sovereign rights of their countries.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If the righteous many do not confront the wicked few, then evil will triumph. When decent people and nations become bystanders to history, the forces of destruction only gather power and strength.</p>
<p dir="ltr">No one has shown more contempt for other nations and for the wellbeing of their own people than the depraved regime in North Korea. It is responsible for the starvation deaths of millions of North Koreans, and for the imprisonment, torture, killing, and oppression of countless more.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We were all witness to the regime's deadly abuse when an innocent American college student, Otto Warmbier, was returned to America only to die a few days later. We saw it in the assassination of the dictator's brother using banned nerve agents in an international airport.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We know it kidnapped a sweet 13-year-old Japanese girl from a beach in her own country to enslave her as a language tutor for North Korea's spies.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If this is not twisted enough, now North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles threatens the entire world with unthinkable loss of human life.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is an outrage that some nations would not only trade with such a regime, but would arm, supply, and financially support a country that imperils the world with nuclear conflict. No nation on earth has an interest in seeing this band of criminals arm itself with nuclear weapons and missiles.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime. The United States is ready, willing and able, but hopefully this will not be necessary. That’s what the United Nations is all about; that’s what the United Nations is for. Let’s see how they do.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is time for North Korea to realize that the denuclearization is its only acceptable future. The United Nations Security Council recently held two unanimous 15-0 votes adopting hard-hitting resolutions against North Korea, and I want to thank China and Russia for joining the vote to impose sanctions, along with all of the other members of the Security Council. Thank you to all involved.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But we must do much more. It is time for all nations to work together to isolate the Kim regime until it ceases its hostile behavior.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We face this decision not only in North Korea. It is far past time for the nations of the world to confront another reckless regime -- one that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing death to America, destruction to Israel, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this room</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Iranian government masks a corrupt dictatorship behind the false guise of a democracy. It has turned a wealthy country with a rich history and culture into an economically depleted rogue state whose chief exports are violence, bloodshed, and chaos. The longest-suffering victims of Iran's leaders are, in fact, its own people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Rather than use its resources to improve Iranian lives, its oil profits go to fund Hezbollah and other terrorists that kill innocent Muslims and attack their peaceful Arab and Israeli neighbors. This wealth, which rightly belongs to Iran's people, also goes to shore up Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship, fuel Yemen's civil war, and undermine peace throughout the entire Middle East.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles, and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program. (Applause.) The Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it -- believe me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is time for the entire world to join us in demanding that Iran's government end its pursuit of death and destruction. It is time for the regime to free all Americans and citizens of other nations that they have unjustly detained. And above all, Iran's government must stop supporting terrorists, begin serving its own people, and respect the sovereign rights of its neighbors.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change, and, other than the vast military power of the United States, that Iran's people are what their leaders fear the most. This is what causes the regime to restrict Internet access, tear down satellite dishes, shoot unarmed student protestors, and imprison political reformers.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. Will they continue down the path of poverty, bloodshed, and terror? Or will the Iranian people return to the nation's proud roots as a center of civilization, culture, and wealth where their people can be happy and prosperous once again?</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Iranian regime's support for terror is in stark contrast to the recent commitments of many of its neighbors to fight terrorism and halt its financing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In Saudi Arabia early last year, I was greatly honored to address the leaders of more than 50 Arab and Muslim nations. We agreed that all responsible nations must work together to confront terrorists and the Islamist extremism that inspires them.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We will stop radical Islamic terrorism because we cannot allow it to tear up our nation, and indeed to tear up the entire world.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We must deny the terrorists safe haven, transit, funding, and any form of support for their vile and sinister ideology. We must drive them out of our nations. It is time to expose and hold responsible those countries who support and finance terror groups like al Qaeda, Hezbollah, the Taliban and others that slaughter innocent people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The United States and our allies are working together throughout the Middle East to crush the loser terrorists and stop the reemergence of safe havens they use to launch attacks on all of our people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Last month, I announced a new strategy for victory in the fight against this evil in Afghanistan. From now on, our security interests will dictate the length and scope of military operations, not arbitrary benchmarks and timetables set up by politicians.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I have also totally changed the rules of engagement in our fight against the Taliban and other terrorist groups. In Syria and Iraq, we have made big gains toward lasting defeat of ISIS. In fact, our country has achieved more against ISIS in the last eight months than it has in many, many years combined. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We seek the de-escalation of the Syrian conflict, and a political solution that honors the will of the Syrian people. The actions of the criminal regime of Bashar al-Assad, including the use of chemical weapons against his own citizens -- even innocent children -- shock the conscience of every decent person. No society can be safe if banned chemical weapons are allowed to spread. That is why the United States carried out a missile strike on the airbase that launched the attack.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We appreciate the efforts of United Nations agencies that are providing vital humanitarian assistance in areas liberated from ISIS, and we especially thank Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon for their role in hosting refugees from the Syrian conflict.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The United States is a compassionate nation and has spent billions and billions of dollars in helping to support this effort. We seek an approach to refugee resettlement that is designed to help these horribly treated people, and which enables their eventual return to their home countries, to be part of the rebuilding process.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For the cost of resettling one refugee in the United States, we can assist more than 10 in their home region. Out of the goodness of our hearts, we offer financial assistance to hosting countries in the region, and we support recent agreements of the G20 nations that will seek to host refugees as close to their home countries as possible. This is the safe, responsible, and humanitarian approach.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For decades, the United States has dealt with migration challenges here in the Western Hemisphere. We have learned that, over the long term, uncontrolled migration is deeply unfair to both the sending and the receiving countries.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For the sending countries, it reduces domestic pressure to pursue needed political and economic reform, and drains them of the human capital necessary to motivate and implement those reforms.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For the receiving countries, the substantial costs of uncontrolled migration are borne overwhelmingly by low-income citizens whose concerns are often ignored by both media and government.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I want to salute the work of the United Nations in seeking to address the problems that cause people to flee from their homes. The United Nations and African Union led peacekeeping missions to have invaluable contributions in stabilizing conflicts in Africa. The United States continues to lead the world in humanitarian assistance, including famine prevention and relief in South Sudan, Somalia, and northern Nigeria and Yemen.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We have invested in better health and opportunity all over the world through programs like PEPFAR, which funds AIDS relief; the President's Malaria Initiative; the Global Health Security Agenda; the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery; and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative, part of our commitment to empowering women all across the globe.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We also thank -- (applause) -- we also thank the Secretary General for recognizing that the United Nations must reform if it is to be an effective partner in confronting threats to sovereignty, security, and prosperity. Too often the focus of this organization has not been on results, but on bureaucracy and process.<br>
In some cases, states that seek to subvert this institution's noble aims have hijacked the very systems that are supposed to advance them. For example, it is a massive source of embarrassment to the United Nations that some governments with egregious human rights records sit on the U.N. Human Rights Council.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The United States is one out of 193 countries in the United Nations, and yet we pay 22 percent of the entire budget and more. In fact, we pay far more than anybody realizes. The United States bears an unfair cost burden, but, to be fair, if it could actually accomplish all of its stated goals, especially the goal of peace, this investment would easily be well worth it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Major portions of the world are in conflict and some, in fact, are going to hell. But the powerful people in this room, under the guidance and auspices of the United Nations, can solve many of these vicious and complex problems.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The American people hope that one day soon the United Nations can be a much more accountable and effective advocate for human dignity and freedom around the world. In the meantime, we believe that no nation should have to bear a disproportionate share of the burden, militarily or financially. Nations of the world must take a greater role in promoting secure and prosperous societies in their own regions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That is why in the Western Hemisphere, the United States has stood against the corrupt and destabilizing regime in Cuba and embraced the enduring dream of the Cuban people to live in freedom. My administration recently announced that we will not lift sanctions on the Cuban government until it makes fundamental reforms.<br>
We have also imposed tough, calibrated sanctions on the socialist Maduro regime in Venezuela, which has brought a once thriving nation to the brink of total collapse.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The socialist dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro has inflicted terrible pain and suffering on the good people of that country. This corrupt regime destroyed a prosperous nation by imposing a failed ideology that has produced poverty and misery everywhere it has been tried. To make matters worse, Maduro has defied his own people, stealing power from their elected representatives to preserve his disastrous rule.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Venezuelan people are starving and their country is collapsing. Their democratic institutions are being destroyed. This situation is completely unacceptable and we cannot stand by and watch.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As a responsible neighbor and friend, we and all others have a goal. That goal is to help them regain their freedom, recover their country, and restore their democracy. I would like to thank leaders in this room for condemning the regime and providing vital support to the Venezuelan people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The United States has taken important steps to hold the regime accountable. We are prepared to take further action if the government of Venezuela persists on its path to impose authoritarian rule on the Venezuelan people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We are fortunate to have incredibly strong and healthy trade relationships with many of the Latin American countries gathered here today. Our economic bond forms a critical foundation for advancing peace and prosperity for all of our people and all of our neighbors.<br>
I ask every country represented here today to be prepared to do more to address this very real crisis. We call for the full restoration of democracy and political freedoms in Venezuela. (Applause.)</p>
<p dir="ltr">The problem in Venezuela is not that socialism has been poorly implemented, but that socialism has been faithfully implemented. (Applause.) From the Soviet Union to Cuba to Venezuela, wherever true socialism or communism has been adopted, it has delivered anguish and devastation and failure. Those who preach the tenets of these discredited ideologies only contribute to the continued suffering of the people who live under these cruel systems.</p>
<p dir="ltr">America stands with every person living under a brutal regime. Our respect for sovereignty is also a call for action. All people deserve a government that cares for their safety, their interests, and their wellbeing, including their prosperity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In America, we seek stronger ties of business and trade with all nations of good will, but this trade must be fair and it must be reciprocal.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For too long, the American people were told that mammoth multinational trade deals, unaccountable international tribunals, and powerful global bureaucracies were the best way to promote their success. But as those promises flowed, millions of jobs vanished and thousands of factories disappeared. Others gamed the system and broke the rules. And our great middle class, once the bedrock of American prosperity, was forgotten and left behind, but they are forgotten no more and they will never be forgotten again.</p>
<p dir="ltr">While America will pursue cooperation and commerce with other nations, we are renewing our commitment to the first duty of every government: the duty of our citizens. This bond is the source of America's strength and that of every responsible nation represented here today.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If this organization is to have any hope of successfully confronting the challenges before us, it will depend, as President Truman said some 70 years ago, on the "independent strength of its members." If we are to embrace the opportunities of the future and overcome the present dangers together, there can be no substitute for strong, sovereign, and independent nations -- nations that are rooted in their histories and invested in their destinies; nations that seek allies to befriend, not enemies to conquer; and most important of all, nations that are home to patriots, to men and women who are willing to sacrifice for their countries, their fellow citizens, and for all that is best in the human spirit.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In remembering the great victory that led to this body's founding, we must never forget that those heroes who fought against evil also fought for the nations that they loved.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Patriotism led the Poles to die to save Poland, the French to fight for a free France, and the Brits to stand strong for Britain.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Today, if we do not invest ourselves, our hearts, and our minds in our nations, if we will not build strong families, safe communities, and healthy societies for ourselves, no one can do it for us.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We cannot wait for someone else, for faraway countries or far-off bureaucrats -- we can't do it. We must solve our problems, to build our prosperity, to secure our futures, or we will be vulnerable to decay, domination, and defeat.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The true question for the United Nations today, for people all over the world who hope for better lives for themselves and their children, is a basic one: Are we still patriots? Do we love our nations enough to protect their sovereignty and to take ownership of their futures? Do we revere them enough to defend their interests, preserve their cultures, and ensure a peaceful world for their citizens?</p>
<p dir="ltr">One of the greatest American patriots, John Adams, wrote that the American Revolution was "effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people."</p>
<p dir="ltr">That was the moment when America awoke, when we looked around and understood that we were a nation. We realized who we were, what we valued, and what we would give our lives to defend. From its very first moments, the American story is the story of what is possible when people take ownership of their future.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The United States of America has been among the greatest forces for good in the history of the world, and the greatest defenders of sovereignty, security, and prosperity for all.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Now we are calling for a great reawakening of nations, for the revival of their spirits, their pride, their people, and their patriotism.</p>
<p dir="ltr">History is asking us whether we are up to the task. Our answer will be a renewal of will, a rediscovery of resolve, and a rebirth of devotion. We need to defeat the enemies of humanity and unlock the potential of life itself.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Our hope is a word and world of proud, independent nations that embrace their duties, seek friendship, respect others, and make common cause in the greatest shared interest of all: a future of dignity and peace for the people of this wonderful Earth.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is the true vision of the United Nations, the ancient wish of every people, and the deepest yearning that lives inside every sacred soul.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So let this be our mission, and let this be our message to the world: We will fight together, sacrifice together, and stand together for peace, for freedom, for justice, for family, for humanity, and for the almighty God who made us all.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Thank you. God bless you. God bless the nations of the world. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. (Applause.)<br>
END <br>
10:46 A.M. EDT<br>
<br></p>
shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-79772051820645481482015-07-01T19:37:00.001-05:002015-07-01T19:44:10.913-05:00Equality or Hypocrisy?<br />
The media and activists are now claiming there is marriage equality. That is like saying there was freedom for all men in the early years of the United States. One of your calling points- the founders claim freedom but not for all. This is the same. You claim there is marriage equality – but it is only for the privileged.<br />
There are millions born with a proclivity for multiple spouses. However, I did not see anyone marching and calling for equality for bigamist marriage. Where is their equality? Bigaphobes!<br />
There are millions who are born with an affinity for tweens. Where is the equality for the 40 year old wanting to marry their 13 year old consensual lover? Where are the people enabling the love of a 14 and 12 year old that were born with a higher maturity than average and wish to only express their love in matrimony?Where is their equality? Pediphobes! <br />
Equality in marriage? I hardly think so. Is equality special privileges for a few while the people you decide are not “normal” are left out of society? If so then you have marital equality.shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-9554944970322419992015-05-16T11:38:00.001-05:002015-05-16T11:38:58.737-05:00Divorce Corp<p> </p> <p>Maybe we should only have Church weddings and eschew the “state” legalism.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPQw5OQk6Jo" target="_blank">Divorce Corp 2014 - Documentary, Drama, History, News</a></h3> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-51045835033803712052015-04-24T19:50:00.003-05:002015-04-24T19:50:28.617-05:00Senate Bill to Give Immunity to School Staff to Use Necessary Force<p> <p>School employees will soon be protected from liability for acting in their official duty at school functions under legislation signed into law Tuesday. Senate Bill 5, by retired educator Sen. <a href="http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/sharp_bio.html">Ron Sharp</a> and Rep. Josh Cockroft, will provide immunity from liability for teachers and other school employees for use of necessary and reasonable force to control and discipline a student during any authorized school function.<br>“This bill is about keeping both students and school employees safe. When there’s an altercation, be it in a classroom or other school function, school employees should be able to do whatever is necessary to stop it. Sometimes, physical restraint of a student is required to calm the individual down and stop the fight,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee. “Unfortunately, because of fear of lawsuits, some school employees won’t get involved but will simply call for help allowing more time to pass and the fight to escalate, which can be extremely dangerous for everyone involved. This bill will allow school employees to use reasonable force to stop an altercation without fear of being sued by the kids’ family.” <br><a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB5&Session=1500" target="_blank">SB 5 provides</a> liability protection to school employees for the use of necessary and reasonable force to control and discipline a student during school hours, in transit to or from the school, or any other function authorized by the school district. <br>The new law will go into effect November 1, 2015. shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-32345809326293642032015-04-24T19:50:00.001-05:002015-04-24T19:50:11.830-05:00Measures to protect religious liberty clear final legislative hurdle<p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5RmP6YZqZK4/VTrkvOD0hLI/AAAAAAAABLA/O3TESR07QFo/s1600-h/First%252520Amendment%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="First Amendment" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="First Amendment" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EsZegB6OHqI/VTrkweYmRaI/AAAAAAAABLI/eFXe5DJ7Vkw/First%252520Amendment_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="178"></a> Sens. <a href="http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/sykes_bio.html">Anthony Sykes </a>and <a href="http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/newberry_bio.html">Dan </a><a href="http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/newberry_bio.html">N<a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb788&Session=1500" target="_blank"></a></a>ewberry</a> Wednesday said the Legislature has acted to protect religious liberty with the passage of <a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb788&Session=1500" target="_blank">Senate Bill 788</a> and <a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1007&Session=1500" target="_blank">House Bill 1007</a>. Authored by Newberry, SB 788 would prevent any church or clergyman from being required to solemnize a marriage in violation of his or her right to the free exercise of religion as protected under the First Amendment. <br>Newberry said the passage of SB 788 marked an important victory for clergy members. <p>“This legislation will ensure that clergy members are not forced to act in violation of their religious beliefs or conscience,” said Newberry, R-Tulsa. “Given the decision of the Supreme Court not to take up our appeal of a lower court’s ruling on our ban on same-sex marriage, it was critical that the Legislature take action this session to defend religious liberty. With the passage of these two bills, we have fulfilled our promise to protect religious liberty in Oklahoma.” <p>Sykes, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, praised passage of the measures, saying the Legislature has taken strong action to protect members of the clergy. Both bills were heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. <p>“The Senate remains dedicated to supporting and defending the rights of clergy members,” said Sykes, R-Moore. “Senate Bill 788 and House Bill 1007 provide meaningful protections and affirm our commitment to defending religious liberty.” <p>Rap. David Brumbaugh, author of HB 1007, said the measures were critical for protecting clergy members. <p>“HB 1007 precludes pastors or religious officials from violating their conscience or religious beliefs to solemnize or recognize a marriage that violates their beliefs. With 66 lawsuits nationwide pastors are rightfully concerned about civil claims or cause of action for public accommodation.” <p>Rep. John Echols, House sponsor of SB 788, said he was pleased by the approval of both measures. <p>“The passage of these laws sends a clear message that the Legislature has acted to protect religious liberty. I am pleased we were able to pass legislation to implement meaningful protections for members of the clergy. <p>The House of Representative approved SB 788 by a vote of 87-8. House Bill 1007 includes language similar to SB 788 and was approved in the Senate by a vote of 38-5. shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-24438689588567231482014-02-25T18:08:00.005-06:002014-02-25T18:08:52.232-06:00Senate bill filed to ensure visitation rights of noncustodial parents<p><strong><br></strong> <p>A measure filed Wednesday in the Senate will help ensure that the visitation rights of law-abiding noncustodial parents are protected. Sen. <a href="http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/sharp_bio.html">Ron Sharp</a> filed <a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1612&Session=1400" target="_blank">Senate Bill 1612</a> after visiting with attorneys and community leaders from around the state and learning about the growing problem of noncustodial parents being denied their visitation rights by bitter custodial parents.</p> <p>“We have noncustodial parents who are paying their child support and doing everything else the court ordered them to do but the custodial parents are still not allowing them to see their children because of past animosities. Just as noncustodial parents can be punished for not paying their child support, we need to hold custodial parents responsible for honoring court ordered visitation,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee. “While these custodial parents may think they’re hurting the other parent, they’re really only hurting their children. This is wrong and has to be stopped.” </p> <p>Sharp pointed out that nearly every District Attorney’s office in the state now has a division completely dedicated to securing child support payments from noncustodial parents. Those who do not pay their child support face imprisonment and fines. However, there has hardly been any effort to protect the visitation rights of noncustodial parents. </p> <p>SB 1612 would require the custodial parent to provide the noncustodial parent, who is current on child support, the court ordered visitation schedule. Offenders would face a fine. The legislation would also create a form that noncustodial parents could fill out at their local courthouse informing the district court that their visitation rights have been denied by the custodial parent. <br>The bill is coauthored by House Assistant Majority Whip and family law attorney Rep. Jon Echols who has seen firsthand how many noncustodial parents are not able to see their children because they simply cannot afford the legal expenses to fight for their visitation rights. </p> <p>“One of the major problems facing many noncustodial parents is that after paying all of their support obligations they cannot afford an attorney to secure their visitation rights when the custodial parent has violated the schedule,” said Echols, R-Oklahoma City. “This bill would allow the noncustodial parent to directly file a claim to the District Court, similar to completing a small claims form. The court would then decide whether or not an attorney is necessary to restore the visitation rights. We must protect children, and that includes being able to see both of their parents.” </p> <p>SB 1612 would also require that future divorce decrees define the penalty should the custodial parent deny the visitation rights of the noncustodial parent. The decree would also explain that the custodial parent must show cause as to why the visitation schedule was violated. </p> <p>“This bill is an effort to ensure that both parents are involved in the child’s life regardless of the circumstances of the divorce. While a marriage may not last forever, these individuals will be parents for the rest of their lives, and their children need them,” said Sharp. </p> <p>The bill reportedly has the support of numerous district attorneys, family law attorneys and community leaders from around the state.</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-69140244453923958362014-02-25T18:08:00.003-06:002014-02-25T18:08:27.680-06:00Puppies Breastfed by Mom (Human)<p> <p>A Colorado woman says she did the only thing that she felt would save his life: breastfeeding the sickly pup from her own breast when the puppy refused to eat anything. <p>“I just felt like he just had an hour left. That’s how weak he was, he wasn’t moving and I just did it,” the woman, whose identity has not been revealed, <a href="http://www.krdo.com/news/breast-fed-puppy/-/417220/24343536/-/6bmhlb/-/index.html">told local news outlet KRDO-TV of her decision to breastfeed the dog</a>. "I </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3ac80373-42ae-4fc9-be8a-d0fe67f42ea7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/puppy" rel="tag">puppy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/breast+fed" rel="tag">breast fed</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/odd+news" rel="tag">odd news</a></div> <p>didn’t know what else to do, I was desperate and I just couldn’t bear sitting there watching it die." <p>According to KRDO, is the runt of a litter of orphaned pups that the woman fostered. She has a 15-month-old child and admits that she felt "weird" about breastfeeding the dog, but she insists that the puppy would've died had she not taken action. The puppy is reportedly now doing much better and is no longer being breastfed. <p>A photograph of the puppy suckling on the woman's breast has been making the rounds on the Internet after the woman posted the picture on her personal Facebook page with an explanation of why she chose to breastfeed the dog. <p>While many netizens wondered why the woman didn't rush the pup to a vet before choosing to breastfeed it, some leapt to her defense. "I think it's great she did that to save the puppy, why not?" wrote a commenter on KRDO's website. <p>This isn't the first time that a breastfed dog has made headlines. In 2012, mother of two <a href="http://imgur.com/n1TZc">Terri Graham</a> told U.K.'s Closer magazine that she had been <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/17/terri-graham-mother-breastfeed-dog-photo_n_1974596.html%5C">regularly breastfeeding her daughter's dog</a>, Spider, for the past two years. <p>"Having Spider suckle on my boob means I finally feel complete and a better mother," she told the magazine. shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-42893632139528331952014-02-25T18:08:00.001-06:002014-02-25T18:08:11.749-06:00Employers Can Discriminate Against Younger Workers<p> </p> <p>We are coming to the time of year employers may be receiving an increased number of resumes or job applications from recent graduates who are still looking for their first job out of college or even high school. While they bring many positive attributes to the workforce such as technologically savvy, confidence, and have high expectations, there are negative stereotypes associated with the group as well. </p> <p><a href="http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/age.cfm" target="_blank">While The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)</a> clearly states that you may discriminate against younger age. While it unlawful for you to “discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s age.”, it is important to note that only workers who are at least 40 years old are allowed to file a claim under the ADEA.</p> <p>The Supreme Court’s February 2004 decision in General General Dynamics Land Sys., Inc. v. Cline was a stunning legal development in that it allowed the discrimination of younger employees. The Court observed that “if Congress had been worrying about protecting the younger against the older, it would not likely have ignored everyone under forty.”</p> <p>Writing for the majority, Justice Souter explained that while the ADEA makes it unlawful for an employer to “discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges<br>of employment, because of such individual’s age,” the word “age” can have two meanings. “Age” can either refer to any number of years lived, or it can be regarded as common shorthand for old age. The majority concluded that “age” had the latter meaning in the context of the ADEA’s prohibition against age discrimination. Therefore, it did not prohibit discrimination against the young.</p> <p>Justice Scalia dissented on the grounds that the word “age” was ambiguous, and the Court should defer to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s understanding, which was that the ADEA barred<br>employers from making any age-based employment decisions.</p> <p>Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Kennedy, dissented separately, stating that “age” was not ambiguous and clearly was not intended to mean “old age.”</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-77810141067137647012013-12-07T07:54:00.001-06:002013-12-07T07:54:33.115-06:00We the People - The Temple of Liberty<p> <p>There are points in the course of time in which a noble direction has been shifted enough to warrant measures of redirection. Those points where a strong foundation has had built upon it a weakened frame. The foundations - the core values - are sturdy and enduring. The framework that has been erected around and upon this foundation has been, from time and neglect, found in need of repair. <p>The framework, that "our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that 'all men are created equal'" is as enduring as the word of our creator. The instinctual ideals of liberty and freedom in their framework of a government that is of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth, is stronger than ever. <p>In order for this framework to have upon it a building of majesty and beauty that is profitable for all people must , from time to time, be renovated and repaired. The open floor plan of freedom has had walls of intrusion laid upon the foundations of liberty and justice for all, causing a separation of the people from the government. The rooms of government are now locked and hidden from the people whose fathers and mothers gave their last full measure of devotion to protect the openness of this liberty. <p>We the people are the builders and maintainers of the temple of liberty that is this great nation. The great commission of the protection of the tangible daily execution of freedom has been passed from generation to generation in this land of liberty. This noble task is inherent in those of us living here today. It is therefore, our duty to restore the government by the people of the people and for the people for this generation and generations to come. <p>In order for us to maintain a nation maturing in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal, we must maintain a government that is of the people by the people for the people. It is of the people in our fellow citizens being the servants of the public good. By the people as we elect and place the people we believe hold fast to the actual execution of liberty and justice for all. It is for the people in the written precepts - the law and the rules and regulations - that are in accordance with and protecting of the individual liberty of all people. This republic can only stand of the people by the people and for the people. <p>The time has come to remove the walls of secrecy and deceit that have degraded this temple of liberty. It is time for a war of knowledge and reason to remove the corporate interests that have taken this government of the people away from the people. We must be strong and abhor the notion of convenience that begets a false security in the loss of liberty. We must actively seek those citizens that are dedicated to the preservation of a government that is of the people by the people for the people. These people will marginalized and demonized by the media that is owned by the same corporate builders of the walls of deceit. We must not let our decisions be made for us as this is the greatest loss in the constant battle for independence. It is time to eschew the material media ensnarement, the bread of circuses of our time, for the interaction with our fellow citizens to rebuild and restore the temple of liberty. <p><font size="1">James T. Garrett</font></p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-9387709530442777672013-08-14T19:47:00.003-05:002013-08-14T19:47:48.446-05:00Special OK Legislative Session<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zMlk8Zg8xzo/UgwlLY75TyI/AAAAAAAABCk/lN6auJLoNRw/s1600-h/Governor-Mary-Fallin2.jpg"><img title="Governor Mary Fallin" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Governor Mary Fallin" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EtOsVc0hoW4/UgwlMlLDaRI/AAAAAAAABCs/ziZJ-SbBLPA/Governor-Mary-Fallin_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Gov. Mary Fallin announced special legislative session will begin Sept. 3, 2014. Fallin’s executive order designating the session limits it to lawsuit reforms enacted in House Bill 1603, an omnibus package enacted in 2009 with bipartisan support. The Oklahoma Supreme Court in June ruled the legislation violated a state constitutional “single-subject” rule.</p> <p>Nearly every state legislator with a prison in their district has signed onto a petition calling for corrections funding to be addressed if a special session is called, according to state Rep. Gus Blackwell.</p> <p>As of Aug. 5, the state corrections system is at 97.7 percent capacity, or has filled 25,348 or the 25,946 state and contract beds available. There are 1,672 inmates in county jail that are awaiting transfer to the state corrections system, with a typical wait time of approximately 8 to 10 months. As of July 1, 61.68 percent of the correctional officer positions are filled.</p> <p>According to the Department of Corrections, there is approximately $7 million remaining in the revolving funds referenced by Governor Mary Fallin when she rejected a supplemental appropriations request of the agency. Nearly $5 million in the revolving funds cannot be used by the agency unless they receive specific authorization from the Oklahoma Legislature, which they have yet to receive.</p> <p>“Public safety is the number one legitimate core function of government,” Blackwell, R-Laverne. “It’s essential that we make sure that the officers and staff of the Department of Corrections are able to perform their jobs in an atmosphere of safety and that the citizens of Oklahoma are kept safe from the danger inherent in overcrowded prisons. The continued low number of officers coupled with the high incarceration rates is producing a situation that is conducive to extremely problematic scenarios in the DOC facilities.</p> <p>In response to Governor Mary Fallin’s call for a special legislative session to revisit tort reform in Oklahoma, Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage stated “If the governor believes that tort reform is such a pressing issue that she must call a special session, then surely the safety and protection of DOC employees ought to also be on the agenda."</p> <p>“The Democrats in the State Senate believe that a special session to revisit this issue is a waste of both time and taxpayer dollars,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “At a cost of $30,000 per day, we are looking at spending close to $250,000 to fix a problem.”</p> <p>“But, if this is a done deal, let’s make this special session worth the time and the cost and handle the critical issue of the December 31 cutoff date on Insure Oklahoma. If the Governor and the legislature stand idle on this issue, 30,000 hard working Oklahomans who have access to health care through Insure Oklahoma will lose that coverage as they ring in the New Year. </p> <p>Because of that deadline, this is something we literally cannot wait until 2014 to address. The Republican leadership here at the Capitol clearly has its priorities wrong if they believe that addressing lawsuit reform in a special session is more important than finding a solution to providing access to healthcare for these hard working Oklahomans.”</p> <p>Fallin didn’t extend her legislative call explicitly to health care. Many legislators had hoped she would so the looming demise of Insure Oklahoma could be addressed but majority Republicans likely have the votes to move a dozen or more bills through the pipeline three weeks from now.</p> <p>Fallin’s Executive Order 2013-30 specified that “any legislative should be drafted in such a way to ensure that Article 5, Section 57 of the Oklahoma Constitution, or any other Constitutional provision, is not violated.”</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-3270527019835246332013-08-14T19:47:00.001-05:002013-08-14T19:47:24.748-05:00Twelve-month gross receipts to the Oklahoma treasury are at an all-time high<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yAnwroStUgI/UgwlFehrEBI/AAAAAAAABCU/vhy1SDEf9Bc/s1600-h/cash%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="cash" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="cash" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RxKJgM-hNMQ/UgwlGud8XAI/AAAAAAAABCc/IIJ5DdZ1VSc/cash_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="244"></a>Twelve-month gross receipts to the Oklahoma treasury are at an all-time high, having surpassed in July the previous record high set in December 2008, State Treasurer Ken Miller announced today at a State Capitol news conference. <p>Gross receipts for the past 12 months total $11.3 billion and are $12.6 million, or 0.1 percent, above the previous record high, Miller said. <p>“By at least this one measure, Oklahoma has regained and moved past the ground it lost during the Great Recession,” Miller said. “The revenue recovery – from peak to peak – took four years and seven months.” <p>Twelve-month gross receipts hit a trough in February 2010 of $9.4 billion. Since then, collections have grown by more than $1.9 billion or 21 percent, Miller said. <p>Gross receipts in July were strong, totaling almost $924 million, up by $69 million or more than 8 percent from July of last year. All major revenue categories are up with the biggest increases coming from gross production and motor vehicle tax collections. <p>Tax officials say motor vehicle collections, up by 11 percent, and sales tax collections, up by 4.2 percent, were impacted by recovery from the May tornadoes, with rises reported in the retail construction materials and auto sales sectors. <p>Monthly receipts from oil and natural gas severance taxes are higher than collections from the prior year for a third consecutive month, following more than a year of negative reports. <p>This week’s Baker Hughes report showed 168 development wells underway in Oklahoma, with 149 for oil and 19 for natural gas. Of those, 152 are horizontal and 13 are deeper than 15,000 feet. <p>Oklahoma’s employment picture remains better than the national average. June state unemployment was set at 5.1 percent, compared to the U.S. rate of 7.6 percent for the same month. <p><strong>Looking forward</strong> <p>Miller said that while national economic growth has been underwhelming during the first half of the year, there are signs of an improving economy ahead. <p>“Broad economic indicators such as home construction, capital stock and investment, and inflation-adjusted income, are pointing toward increased growth, but threats remain,” he said. <p>“Second quarter growth was slightly impacted by federal spending reductions, especially military spending cuts, but the economy was strong enough to push past this fiscal drag,” Miller said. “Accelerated growth is expected for the remainder of the year, but a continued budget impasse in Washington could lead to a government shutdown and potential disruption of the economy.” <p><strong>July collections</strong> <p>Receipts for July set gross collections at $923.85 million, up $68.88 million or 8.1 percent from July 2012. <p>Gross income tax collections, a combination of personal and corporate income taxes, generated $270.73 million, an increase of $23.39 million or 9.5 percent from the previous July. <p>Personal income tax collections for the month are $258 million, up $23.26 million or 9.9 percent from the prior year. Corporate collections are $12.73 million, up by $132,000 or 1 percent. The state’s top income tax rate was reduced from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent in January 2012. <p>Sales tax collections, including remittances on behalf of cities and counties, total $369.22 million in July. That is $14.78 million or 4.2 percent higher than July 2012. <p>Gross production taxes on oil and natural gas generated $69.45 million in July, an increase of $11.13 million or 19.1 percent from last July. Compared to June reports, gross production collections are up by $1.6 million or 2.4 percent. <p>Motor vehicle taxes produced $64.33 million, up by $6.37 million or 11 percent from the prior year. <p>Other collections, consisting of about 60 different sources including taxes on fuel, tobacco, horse race gambling and alcoholic beverages, produced $150.11 million during the month. That is $13.21 million or 9.6 percent more than last July. <p><strong>Twelve-month collections</strong> <p>Between August 2012 and July 2013, gross revenue totals $11.3 billion. That is $299.81 million or 2.7 percent higher than collections for the previous 12-month period. <p>Gross income taxes generated $4.15 billion for the period, reflecting an increase of $268.97 million or 6.9 percent from the prior 12 months. <p>Personal income tax collections total $3.52 billion, up by $189.47 million or 5.7 percent from the August 2011 to July 2012 period. Corporate collections are $629.03 million for the period, an increase of $79.5 million or 14.5 percent over the previous period. <p>Sales taxes for the period generated $4.22 billion, an increase of $157.69 million or 3.9 percent from the prior 12-months. <p>Oil and gas gross production tax collections brought in $726.2 million during the 12 months, down by $125.99 million or 14.8 percent from the previous period. <p>Motor vehicle collections total $682.47 million for the period. This is a decrease of $10.94 million or 1.6 percent from the trailing fiscal year. <p>Other sources generated $1.52 billion, up $10.08 million or 0.7 percent from the previous 12 months.</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-79779221509760983242013-07-06T09:00:00.001-05:002013-07-06T09:00:07.975-05:00Ethical Violations and Retaliation: How to Get Promoted at the Bureau of Indian Affairs<p><a href="http://causeofaction.org/2013/06/11/ethical-violations-and-retaliation-how-to-get-promoted-at-the-bureau-of-indian-affairs/" target="_blank">From Cause of Action</a></p> <p><br>According to a Department of the Interior, Office of the Inspector General (DOI OIG) report and numerous complaints filed by Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) employees, Jeanette Hanna, the former Regional Director of the Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office of the BIA, mismanaged tribal trust funds, abused her authority, retaliated against employees, steered contracts, and had an inappropriate relationship with a government contractor that created a conflict of interest. The DOI OIG report reveals that there were at least 17 formal complaints, 2 separate DOI OIG investigations, and 4 different reviews by the BIA and the DOI Office of Policy, Management and Budget (PMB) of Hanna’s behavior between 2005 and 2011. Just how badly must a federal employee behave before getting fired?</p> <p>In November 2009, the BIA placed Hanna on detail in Washington, DC, while the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (AS-IA) reviewed her alleged ethical violations. Hanna remained on detail for more than 500 days longer than allowed by agency rules. However, no action was ultimately taken by the AS-IA, so the DOI OIG initiated an investigation in August 2011 after receiving information that BIA officials failed to act on the complaints against Hanna.</p> <p>During the AS-IA’s formal review of the complaints against Hanna, investigators interviewed BIA employees who were “physically shaking” because they were so afraid Hanna might retaliate against them. As the AS-IA discovered, Hanna had previously installed 40 “extra” security cameras with live feeds she used to monitor employees in her regional office, and the initial AS-IA report confirmed that Hanna engaged in retaliation and harassment of employees. However, this report appears to have been ignored by higher ups at the AS-IA, who dismissed the findings as “minor personnel issues” and just so happen to be friends with Hanna.</p> <p>Hanna not only fostered a hostile work environment. The DOI OIG’s report ultimately found that the failure of the BIA and AS-IA to ensure Hanna followed agency spending procedures cost the government nearly $200,000. After reviewing travel vouchers from Hanna’s detail filed by the AS-IA (to whom she had been assigned even though it was the AS-IA investigating her), investigators found an almost complete failure to comply with tax laws and agency regulations. In sum, Hanna was reimbursed over $130,000 in travel costs, as she often traveled between Oklahoma and DC, with her $117-a-night hotel room sitting empty for weeks for at a time. Perhaps even more outrageous, Hanna decided she required an agency-provided SUV for the over-two-year detail in DC “because of the snow,” as she later explained to investigators.</p> <p>Following the DOI OIG’s referral, the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia declined to prosecute this case. While the USAO might have determined that the evidence did not warrant a criminal prosecution (even though Hanna still owes significant back taxes on her travel reimbursements), it is disturbing that such blatant disregard for agency regulations and federal law has warranted no punishment for Hanna.</p> <p>To read the full story, see CoA’s investigation analysis <a href="http://causeofaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/BIA-DOI-OIG-Hanna-Analysis.pdf?92f52c&92f52c&e6a767" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-55186532219919245502013-06-21T18:29:00.001-05:002013-06-21T18:29:13.396-05:00May Data Show Steady Growth in Oklahoma<h4><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C-X7oEBbKqE/UcThvLxSvfI/AAAAAAAAA_4/2Xs_QyTQGYU/s1600-h/cash%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="cash" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="cash" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Odge-axsW6w/UcThxfCatcI/AAAAAAAABAA/pUY1VNXlISI/cash_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="244"></a></h4> <p>Oklahoma’s economy continued to exhibit steady growth during May, State Treasurer Ken Miller said today as he released the monthly gross receipts to the treasury report. <p>For the first time in 18 months, gross production tax collections exceeded the same month of prior year, climbing to $63.89 million in May. That is $790,000 or 1.2 percent above May of last year. Starting almost two years ago, gross production collections began to drop, hitting a trough in August 2012. Since then, collections have trended upwards. <p>Total collections for the month of $883.8 million reflected growth of 2.9 percent over May of last year. That compares to an average growth rate of 2.3 percent during the past 12 months. <p>Twelve-month collections now total $11.247 billion and are only about $36 million below Oklahoma’s peak 12-month collections of $11.283 billion set in December 2008. <p>“Oklahoma’s economy continues to show improvement,” Miller said. “The increase in gross production collections is most encouraging. Crossing the monthly collections threshold this month is heartening as we have been observing general growth during the past several months.” <p>Income tax and sales tax collections rose during the month, up by 4.6 percent and 3.8 percent respectively from May of last year. Motor vehicle collections were below prior year collections by 5.2 percent. <p><strong>Other indicators</strong> <p>The state’s unemployment rate continues to reflect the strength of the Oklahoma economy, Miller said. Oklahoma’s 4.9 percent April unemployment rate compares to a national rate of 7.5 percent. <p>April unemployment in the Oklahoma City metro was set at 4.1 percent, down from 4.7 percent in March. It is the lowest jobless rate out of the nation’s 49 largest metropolitan areas, a distinction held for the past 13 months. <p>The Business Conditions Index for Oklahoma remained above growth neutral for May, dipping slightly to 55.6 from April’s 59.8. The survey shows average hourly wage growth of 6.2 percent, much higher than both the U.S. and regional averages. The results indicate positive growth will continue for the next three to six months. <p><strong>May collections</strong> <p>The revenue report for May shows gross collections at $883.8 million, up $24.91 million or 2.9 percent from May 2012. <p>Gross income tax collections, a combination of personal and corporate income taxes, generated $280.88 million, an increase of $12.39 million or 4.6 percent from the previous May. <p>Personal income tax collections for the month are $272.31 million, up $14.15 million or 5.5 percent from the prior year. Corporate collections are $8.57 million, down by $1.76 million or 17 percent. <p>Sales tax collections, including remittances on behalf of cities and counties, total $348.35 million in May. That is $12.81 million or 3.8 percent above May 2012. <p>Gross production taxes on oil and natural gas generated $63.89 million in May, an increase of $790,000 million or 1.28 percent from last May. Compared to April reports, gross production collections are up by $6.75 million or 11.8 percent. <p>Motor vehicle taxes produced $59.04 million, down by $3.21 million or 5.2 percent from the prior year. <p>Other collections, consisting of about 60 different sources including taxes on fuel, tobacco, horse race gambling and alcoholic beverages, produced $131.63 million during the month. That is $2.13 million or 1.6 percent more than last May. <p><strong>Twelve-month collections</strong><br>Between June 2012 and May 2013, gross revenue totals $11.247 billion. That is $252.8 million or 2.3 percent higher than collections for the previous 12-month period. <p>Gross income taxes generated $4.129 billion for the period, reflecting an increase of $275.45 million or 7.1 percent from the prior 12 months. <p>Personal income tax collections total $3.48 billion, up by $161.65 million or 4.9 percent from the June 2011 to May 2012 period. Corporate collections are $644.37 million for the period, an increase of $113.8 million or 21.4 percent over the previous period. <p>Sales taxes for the period generated $4.209 billion, an increase of $210.24 million or 5.3 percent from the prior 12-months. <p>Oil and gas gross production tax collections brought in $706.49 million during the 12 months, down by $233.46 million or 24.8 percent from the previous period. <p>Motor vehicle collections total $684.71 million for the period. This is a decrease of $4.08 million or 0.6 percent from the trailing 12 months. <p>Other sources generated $1.518 billion, up $4.65 million or 0.3 percent from the previous 12 months shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-63415620354258650792013-06-12T18:47:00.001-05:002013-06-12T18:47:10.106-05:00Just a Thought<p> <p>Age is a quantitative scale not a qualitative measure of a person. At 20 we are told "you are too young to do these things" then at 30 we are told "you're too old to do these things". So, according to the rules of men, we are only allowed to "live" for 8 or 9 years? That is not what life is meant to be. That is not what God has said- that is what man has tried to teach us. <p>The rules of mean are made to control people not liberate us. The rules of society are mostly built on prejudice and fear rather than on wisdom and love. Clearly, I am not speaking about incarcerating a thief or murderer or rapist, I am talking about the everyday rules that people have made to tell us do not touch, stay within a certain age range of people you see and activities in which you participate. <p>Rules are made for manipulation like pop fashion and pop- well- anything. Rules of what to wear, what to see, what to do and with whom to see them are meant to take your money and liberty at the same time. <p>Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—"Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. (Col 2:20-23)</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-23772688863438214152013-06-12T18:38:00.001-05:002013-06-12T18:38:04.300-05:00New OK Laws–Criminal History for Candidates<p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB287&Session=1300" target="_blank">Senate Bill 287</a> was signed into law. It says that if the candidate has ever been ultimately determined by a court of proper authority to be guilty of a misdemeanor involving embezzlement or a felony under the laws of this state or of the United States or who has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to such misdemeanor involving embezzlement or felony or who has been convicted of a crime in another state which would have been a misdemeanor involving embezzlement or a felony under the laws of this state or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to such crime or at the time of filing the Declaration of Candidacy is named in an outstanding warrant for arrest for such an offense, in this or any other state, the candidate shall provide the following information on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State Election Board:<br>1. The name of the offense;<br>2. The date of conviction or issuance of the outstanding warrant; and<br>3. The county and state of conviction or issuance of the outstanding warrant.<br>The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an offense for which the candidate has received a pardon.</p> <p>Keep in mind state law prohibits a person from filing for office for 15 years after such a conviction.</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-41197203250803801122013-06-12T18:37:00.003-05:002013-06-12T18:37:49.521-05:00Oklahomans to enjoy ‘Black Friday’ sales and lower prices<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-npKPX5A_bQ8/UbkGRFihgOI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/xyTaklUOz34/s1600-h/money22.jpg"><img title="money2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="money2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a52Yupmfx-c/UbkGSyaujXI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/kU2SMf72W9M/money2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="229"></a> <p>Beginning November 1st, Oklahoma consumers will enjoy legal "Black Friday" and other low-price sales for the first time since the 1940s. Senate Bill 550, by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Tom Newell, R-Seminole, has been signed by Gov. Mary Fallin after passing the Senate, 29-16, and the House, 65-15 in the closing days of the 2013 session. <p>Under previous law, which was originally enacted in 1941, retailers were generally required to sell products for at least six percent more than they paid for it, at all times on all products. A December 2011 opinion from the Oklahoma Attorney General confirmed that state law barred all “Black Friday” and other low-price sales, even if they were only temporary. Many retailers who may not have been fully complying with the law shut down their "Black Friday" and other low-price sales until Oklahoma's laws were modernized. It is believed that only two states had a law so restrictive – Oklahoma and Wisconsin. <p>The previous law put Oklahoma communities at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states where retailers can legally offer significant bargains. By forcing Oklahomans to leave the state to shop, consumers, retailers, and core government services were all negatively impacted. <p>SB 550 allows Oklahoma retailers to sell general merchandise products at any price below their cost up to 15 days in a row on a specific product, up to 10 times a year. Groceries, drugs, gas, and lumber will still be subject to the law as before, but the pricing of all other products will fall under the provisions of SB 550. <p>"I have never believed that Oklahomans should pay higher retail prices only because the government says they should. Under the provisions of SB 550, the consumer will enjoy low prices on the products they expect when they expect, and that’s the way it should be," Holt said. "The previous law undermined a free market economy and its effects had been detrimental to our citizens. Nevertheless, it's taken 70 years to amend it. For making this happen, I want to thank Governor Mary Fallin, Representative Tom Newell, President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, Senate Business and Commerce Chairman Dan Newberry, the members of the Senate conference committee, our co-authors, and all the members who supported it in the Legislature.” <p>“Oklahomans will now be able to enjoy the same sales consumers in other states do,” Newell said. “I believe the free market helps businesses and consumers. As such, this law was outdated, and I am glad to have been able to help change it.”<br>SB 550 will take effect November 1, 2013, just in time for Oklahomans to enjoy their first true "Black Friday" sales.<br><a href="http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2013/pr20130610a1.pdf">Oklahoma Wal-Mart Ad</a><br><a href="http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2013/pr20130610a2.pdf">Out of State Wal-Mart Ad</a> <p>CUTLINE FOR ADS: Pricing disparities like this will be a thing of the past after the signing of Senate Bill 550. These Walmart circulars, one from Oklahoma and one from Oklahoma’s bordering states, illustrate the higher prices that Oklahoma law required Walmart to charge consumers during its 2012 ‘Black Friday’ sales. shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-62099168457842611062013-06-12T18:37:00.001-05:002013-06-12T18:37:11.970-05:00Changes to Child Abuse Law in OK<p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB460&Session=1300" target="_blank">The Department shall</a> electronically record each referral received by the hotline and establish a secure means of retaining the recordings for ninety days. The recordings shall be confidential and subject to disclosure only in those cases in which criminal charges related to the referral have been filed. If the court orders the disclosure of the referral, the Department shall redact any information identifying the reporting party unless otherwise ordered by the court.<br>Additionally, the amended law now states that any person with prolonged knowledge of ongoing child abuse or neglect who knowingly and willfully fails to promptly report such knowledge may be reported to local law enforcement for criminal investigation. Upon conviction shall be guilty of a felony. For the purposes of this paragraph, "prolonged knowledge" shall mean knowledge of at least six months of child abuse or neglect.</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-58124845174867090332013-05-25T06:12:00.001-05:002013-05-25T06:12:03.766-05:00US Senate Votes Against GMO Labeling<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f-4AW8lRovI/UaCcfkeynkI/AAAAAAAAA-k/1EB8TwNsZHk/s1600-h/GMO1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="GMO1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="GMO1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_Okp3rlN1Oc/UaCcglbn2oI/AAAAAAAAA-s/QYayk4z7h_0/GMO1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="165"></a></p> <p>An ABC Poll showed nearly everyone — <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=97567&page=1#.UaCSqMso6Uk" target="_blank">93 percent</a> — says the federal government should require labels on food saying whether it's been genetically modified, or "bio-engineered" (this poll used both phrases). And according to the <a href="http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=1fd204d8792518e336580cc72b47c06b&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2013%2F03%2F04%2Fgmo-poll_n_2807595.html&v=1&libId=4ba7b7ae-9bdb-46d6-9d63-a6fd09c7bcb5&out=http%3A%2F%2Fbig.assets.huffingtonpost.com%2Ftoplinesbgmo304.pdf&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fthebreakthrough.org%2Findex.php%2Fprograms%2Fconservation-and-development%2Fdont-fight-gmo-labels%2F&title=GMO%20Poll%20Finds%20Huge%20Majority%20Say%20Foods%20Should%20Be%20Labeled&txt=new%20HuffPost%2FYouGov%20poll&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13694781042916" target="_blank">Huffington Post/YouGov</a> survey, 82 percent of Americans think GMO foods should be labeled. With such a vast majority of the United States citizens wanting the GMO foods labeled it would make sense that the folks representing us would require labeling on the foods, correct?</p> <p>The Senate voted overwhelmingly – 71 to 27 – against an amendment to the sweeping farm bill, squashing a measure that would not have required labeling of genetically modified organisms, but merely would have let states decide if they wanted to require such labeling. Oklahoma’s senators voted against the amendment and <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00135#state" target="_blank">the full list can be seen here who voted against it</a>.</p> <p>“The concept we’re talking about today is a fairly commonsense and non-radical idea,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the sponsor of the amendment, said shortly before the vote. “All over the world, in the European Union, in many other countries around the world, dozens and dozens of countries, people are able to look at the food that they are buying and determine through labeling whether or not that product contains genetically modified organisms.” <p>Sanders has noted that more than 3,000 ingredients are required to be labeled, but genetically modified ingredients are not part of that list. His state and Connecticut have passed laws to require such labeling, but Sanders said local leaders fear that large biotech corporations such as Monsanto could sue the states on the grounds that they are preempting federal authority. He said his bill would make clear that states can do what they want on the issue. <p>It is no surprise that <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/congressional_job_approval-903.html" target="_blank">over 3/4’s of Americans</a> disapprove of the job that congress is doing on average in a number of recent polls. It also no surprise that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/interactive/2013/05/21/fox-news-poll-obama-ratings-dip-voters-say-government-out-control/" target="_blank">68 percent of Americans</a> believe the federal government has gotten out of control and is threatening the basic civil liberties. shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-82260543952069571592013-05-24T19:23:00.001-05:002013-05-24T19:23:26.932-05:00Post conviction DNA Act signed into law<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bdyc9S2Ccg8/UaAEeWKnclI/AAAAAAAAA-M/rSqtb5Nk2gI/s1600-h/DNA%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DNA" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DNA" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DulzAp8Utls/UaAEfaeIWWI/AAAAAAAAA-U/jyJZvD4QHek/DNA_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Governor Fallin signed House Bill 1068, <a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=HB1068&Session=1300" target="_blank">“Postconviction DNA Act”</a> into law today. This new law states that a person convicted of a violent felony crime or who has received a sentence of twenty-five years or more and who asserts that he or she did not commit such crime may file a motion in the sentencing court requesting forensic DNA testing of any biological material secured in the investigation or prosecution attendant to the challenged conviction.</p> <p>People that are currently incarcerated, on parole, on sex offender registration or discharges case can petition the court to have their evidence re-examined. The court may grant the request if it is not found that the request is a delay tactic and there are better methods of testing that when the case was originally tried. That is, request for DNA testing is made to demonstrate the innocence of the convicted person and is not made to unreasonably delay the execution of the sentence or the administration of justice.</p> <p>If the court finds that a third party laboratory must conduct the testing due to the inability for the OSBI to do it, then the court shall require the petitioner to pay for the testing.</p> <p>According to the OSBI, it will cost approximately $1,000 per case for the post-conviction DNA testing. The fiscal impact to the OSBI would be dependent upon the number of cases where the sentencing court orders post-conviction DNA testing.</p> <p>According to the Administrative Director of the Courts, if the costs will be paid from local court funds, it will adversely affect the funds paid into the State Judicial Revolving Fund and require the Legislature to appropriate additional General Revenue to support the courts. Although it is unknown how many convicted persons will request post conviction DNA testing, and/or appointed counsel, the Court Administrator expects the cost per case to be substantial. The fiscal impact to the courts would be dependent upon the number of cases where the court appoints counsel for petitioners.</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-14067537107898788802013-05-23T17:53:00.005-05:002013-05-23T17:53:51.046-05:00OK House passes bill to protect gun owners rights<p> <p>Law-abiding gun owners should not face felony charges and jail time for simply boarding a bus with a firearm, according to the author of a bill approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives Thursday.</p> <p>Under current law, anyone found boarding a bus or other form of public transportation with a firearm, concealed or otherwise, is guilty of a felony. <a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1558&Session=1300" target="_blank">House Bill 1558,</a> by state Rep. Paul Wesselhöft and state Sen. Kyle Loveless, would allow licensed gun owners to board a bus with their firearm without fear of reprimand. The legislation was approved by a 79-12 vote and proceeds to the Oklahoma Senate for a final vote to determine whether it will be sent on to the governor’s desk.</p> <p>“In my time in the Legislature, I have run into so many curious laws on the books,” said Wesselhöft. “Law-abiding gun owners aren’t familiar with these obscure statutes regarding guns, but they could face a felony charge. The intent of the Second Amendment is to give individuals the right to defend themselves. When state law makes it so complicated and difficult to exercise that right then reform is needed. I think that’s why we saw bipartisan support of the bill.”</p> <p>Wesselhöft said the main concern of opponents is a misguided fear of law-abiding gun owners.</p> <p>“The data is very clear on this,” he said. “Criminal and mentally ill individuals who do not legally have access to guns are the ones that are using them to hurt people. It is not common for a law-abiding gun owner, like the ones this bill supports, to commit crimes.” </p> <p>The bill has now moved to the senate for consideration.</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-56387249416080467792013-05-23T17:53:00.003-05:002013-05-23T17:53:38.182-05:00EPA Continues Illegal Release Producers' Personal Information<p> </p> <p>The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is appalled to learn that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to illegally release information on cattle operations to the activist groups Earth Justice, the Pew Charitable Trust and the Natural Resources Defense Council. In this latest action, the agency again admitted it had released too much information on livestock producers, specifically producers from Montana and Nebraska. This action happened less a month after the agency found it had released too much information on livestock producers in 10 states. <br>NCBA Past President J.D. Alexander, a cattle feeder from Pilger, Neb., and whose information was released to the activists groups in the initial EPA action, said it is clear “someone at EPA is either completely incompetent or intentionally violating federal law. Either way, this action shows EPA cannot be trusted with sensitive information and should not have the authority to procure or disseminate it. NCBA is calling for an investigation by the Office of Inspector General into this matter.”<br>The records released in February by EPA include names of producers and operations, locations and in some cases even personal phone numbers for farmers and ranchers who own beef, swine or poultry operations. Most of the 80,000 facilities listed are not regulated under the Clean Water Act (CWA), some having as few as 12 head of livestock. After NCBA and other livestock groups expressed outrage over the initial release of information, EPA conducted a review of the records and admitted it released too much personal information for 10 of the 29 states included in the documents. After a second review, the agency once again said too much information was released for operations located in Nebraska and Montana.<br>“These actions by EPA once again prove that the agency is incapable of properly doing its job. Nowhere in law is EPA required to obtain and display such personal information on all these livestock operations. On the contrary, the federal government should be protecting its citizens from unwarranted attacks,” Alexander said. “Instead, EPA has once again threatened the health and safety of America’s farmers and their families, as well as decreased the security of our food system. Now they have politely asked these activist groups twice to return those documents with extremely sensitive information on them. What makes EPA think that these groups will listen and act appropriately in order to protect hardworking farming and ranching families, those families that environmental activist groups want out of business?”<br>He added that NCBA continues to pursue legislative action that would prevent the agency from being able to make these devastating mistakes.<br>Nebraska Sens. Mike Johanns and Deb Fischer said the fact that EPA disregarded the privacy of cattle producers in their home state of Nebraska and across the country shows the agency continues to act as if it is above the law.<br>“EPA’s disclosure of personal and confidential information of private citizens and business owners – including 3,500 Nebraskans – demonstrates a complete disregard for their privacy and safety. Now, we have learned that, in the agency’s mismanaged attempt to recover the information, the EPA failed to request the return of hundreds of Nebraskans’ personal data that should not have been released,” said Fischer. “This whole episode is more than a mere comedy of errors; it represents a pattern of disturbing disregard for the rights of our citizens. I believe Nebraskans – and Congress – deserve a thorough, independent and speedy review of the EPA’s handling of the deliberate disclosure and botched recovery process.”<br>Johanns agreed with Fischer, stating that “EPA’s ongoing assault on America’s agriculture producers is nothing short of alarming.”<br>“EPA’s disregard for the privacy of farmers and ranchers in Nebraska and across the country is, at best, woeful negligence, and at worst, a flagrant effort to aid organizations seeking to radically dismantle agriculture practices, with no regard for what it takes to feed the world. I certainly hope EPA’s release of sensitive personal data was not part of a larger agenda to jeopardize American agriculture operations, but its track record does not help its case. EPA must now explain how it will ensure private information is not abused</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-51544838515579913422013-05-23T17:53:00.001-05:002013-05-23T17:53:16.954-05:00IRS Not Alone in Attacks on Conservative Groups<p> </p> <p>We have heard <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/12/irs-targeted-groups-that-criticized-the-government-ig-report-says/" target="_blank">the recent revelations that the</a> IRS targeted conservative groups for refusal of tax exempt status. A Republican senator says that the Environmental Protection Agency has made it more difficult for conservative groups to obtain information is no different from the burgeoning scandal at the IRS. <p>Shortly after the IRS admitted to targeting conservative groups, it was reported that the EPA has routinely denied fee waiver requests from conservative groups seeking government records, while at the same time, approving such requests to environmental groups. <p>“We know the Obama EPA has completely mismanaged FOIA, but granting fee waivers for their friends in the far-left environmental community, while simultaneously blocking conservative leaning groups from gaining access to information; is really no different than the IRS disaster,” Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter told the Daily Caller News Foundation in an emailed statement. <p>The free-market Competitive Enterprise Institute revealed that since January 2012 the EPA granted fee waivers for 75 out of 82 Freedom of Information Act requests sent by major environmental groups and only denied seven of them — a 92 percent success rate for green groups. However, the agency rejected or ignored 21 out of 26 fee waiver requests from conservative groups — an 81 percent rejection rate. <p>“Their practice is to take care of their friends and impose ridiculous obstacles to deny problematic parties’ requests for information,” said CEI senior fellow Chris Horner. <p>When a fee waiver is denied, it generally stops the FOIA request as many groups don’t have the resources to pay the fees associated to get the FOIA. <p>In 2009 the <a href="http://michellemalkinblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/hsa-rightwing-extremism-09-04-07.pdf" target="_blank">Department of Homeland Security</a> added persons or groups “rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority” to its terrorists watch list. <p><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2012/09/18/emails-reveal-justice-dept-regularly-enlists-media-matters-to-spin-press/" target="_blank">Internal Department of Justice emails obtained by The Daily Caller</a> show Attorney General Eric Holder’s communications staff has collaborated with the left-wing advocacy group Media Matters for America in an attempt to quell news stories about scandals plaguing Holder and America’s top law enforcement agency.<br>Dozens of pages of emails between DOJ Office of Public Affairs Director Tracy Schmaler and Media Matters staffers show Schmaler, Holder’s top press defender, working with Media Matters to attack reporters covering DOJ scandals. <p>Other Soros-funded groups including the Campaign Legal Center, Democracy 21, the Center for Public Integrity, Mother Jones and Alternet have worked to pressure the IRS to target conservative nonprofit groups. The subsequent <a href="http://www.mrc.org/biasalerts/jon-karl-exposes-irs-targeting-conservatives-began-2010-not-skeptical-white-house-involve">IRS</a> investigation flagged more than 100 tea party-related applications for higher scrutiny, including applications that included the words "Tea Party" and "patriot." <p>The IRS scandal can be traced back to a series of letters that the liberal groups Campaign Legal Center (CLC) and Democracy 21 sent to the IRS back in 2010 and 2011. Both groups were funded by George's Soros's Open Society Foundations. The CLC received $677,000 and Democracy 21 got $365,000 from the Soros-backed foundation, according to the Foundation's 990 tax forms. <p><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/17/congressmen-letter-GM-closures" target="_blank">It has also been confirmed</a> that the Treasury Department unfairly profiled conservatives around that time, the Congressmen are wondering if that could have been a factor in the selection of certain dealerships for closure. <p>The IRS scandal "raises serious questions about past decisions made by the [Treasury] Department regarding auto dealership closures that occurred in 2008 and 2009," reads the letter. "We formally request that the Treasury Department provide all e-mails, phone records, notes, memoranda, reports, and other communications regarding the decision-making process for dealership closures from the Automotive Task Force headed by Car Czars Steve Rattner and Ron Bloom."</p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-90989885410450705032013-05-14T19:22:00.003-05:002013-05-14T19:22:48.062-05:00House Sends School Empowerment Bill to Governor<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Oktfh6yhAoc/UZLVUXnVs1I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/gea66pG9eaU/s1600-h/School2.jpg"><img title="School" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="School" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rIcsFOR-Hy8/UZLVVqWoy5I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/sYeJ_HiktJ8/School_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="144"></a> <p>Legislation creating a process for the deregulation of schools headed to the governor’s desk will empower educators and students and end needless state interference, state Rep. Jeff Hickman said today.<br>“Oklahoma’s teachers and school administrators are capable of educating students without endless red tape from politicians at the State Capitol,” said Hickman, R-Fairview and House author of the bill. “For years, educators have shared their frustration with mandates sent down to them from Oklahoma City. If signed into law, this legislation will give educators more flexibility in how they serve their students.”<br><a href="http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2131&Session=1300" target="_blank">House Bill 2131</a> allows school districts to choose to opt out of most of the same mandates from which charter schools are exempt. Those decisions would be made at the local level to better address community needs and give districts increased resource flexibility.<br>“I believe our students will thrive if we create a better education environment by encouraging innovation and freedom,” said Hickman. “It doesn’t make sense to maintain an outdated education model. We have said for years we need more local control of our schools, and this legislation gives schools that control.”<br>Many standards are kept in place in the bill, including the minimum salary schedule, participation in the Teacher’s Retirement System, use of the state health insurance plan, background checks for teachers, teacher evaluations, teacher certifications, administrator certification, school board training and graduation requirements.<br>The legislation requires school districts to apply for exemption from mandates, which would be subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, Hickman said. It also pushes the district transfer deadline back from April 1 to the first Monday in June, so parents have more time to apply for a transfer, if desired.<br>“I appreciate the bipartisan support for this legislation which gives school districts the opportunity to be exempted from some state mandates that don't make sense for their school system and which gives more local control to the school boards, administrators, teachers and parents in the operation of their schools,” Hickman said. shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3309258472326657151.post-90497588959159027972013-05-14T19:22:00.001-05:002013-05-14T19:22:18.188-05:00Drivers Licenses Fee Increase Passed in OK<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iJv6VCctUmQ/UZLVM2ZjIXI/AAAAAAAAA9A/xN0YhNbE7u4/s1600-h/Broke3.jpg"><img title="Broke" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Broke" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sHWXqNIaCHk/UZLVOPtHpZI/AAAAAAAAA9I/8PcLiOzn_0Y/Broke_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="142" height="180"></a></p> <p>The Oklahoma Governor signed Senate Bill 652 into law. <a href="http://okgovwatch.blogspot.com/2013/05/oklahoma-drivers-license-fee-increases.html" target="_blank">As previously noted</a>, the law will raise the fee for drivers licenses and state issued id’s $10.00.</p> <p>Senator Barrington pointed out that this is the first fee increase the agency has had in ten years and will help cover the ever-increasing costs of providing services to the public. </p> <p>“Instead of asking for an increased appropriation, the agency requested this $10 fee increase, which will help generate approximately $8.7 million to help hire additional driver license clerks; pay for new hardware and software required to maintain the Driver License division as well as assist the agency in fixing and updating the state’s 800MHz radio system, which is used by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, emergency personnel and law enforcement officers throughout the state,” said Barrington. </p> <p>“This is an important bill that addresses several issues within the state Department of Public Safety including keeping the agency in federal compliance and providing it with much-needed funding,” said Barrington, R-Lawton. </p> <p>In order to comply with new federal CDL regulations set to take effect July 1, 2014, SB 652 establishes a commercial learner permit for those applying for a commercial driver license. The permit will be valid for 180 days and may be renewed once for an additional 180 days. Barrington noted that failure to comply with the new federal rule would put Oklahoma out of compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which would put Oklahoma’s CDL program in jeopardy and also up to 10 percent of federal highway funds that are awarded to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. </p> <p>SB 652 allows the Department to accept skills test results from another state. The bill also requires the Department to conduct an annual criminal history background check on designated examiners and allows the agency to revoke the driving privileges of anyone convicted of fraud related to examination or issuance of a commercial learner permit and for failure to submit to skills reexamination. </p> <p>SB 652 will become law on November 1, 2013. </p> shakeyleghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16896997993589489266noreply@blogger.com0