Is It Wrong to Have the American Flag in Church This Weekend?

Your Tax Dollars at Work

The Oklahoman reports today that an OSU employee used a taxpayer-funded credit card to buy tens of thousands of dollars of lingerie, sex toys, video games, DVDs, romance novels, diet pills, beauty products, and more. "For now, taxpayers are on the hook" for the spending spree, The Oklahoman reports. Which I think you'll agree is simply adorable.

I Bet You Didn't Realize It Had Gotten This Bad

Free Money!

Examples are everywhere. "Had a $10K winner on PB!" the Oklahoma Lottery tweeted this morning. Oklahoma's personal income is up, the Tulsa World reported on Saturday.

But too often tweeters and reporters only want us to focus on that which is seen, not that which is unseen. It's as if we're supposed to believe lottery prize money comes from Santa Claus or the tooth fairy, not from some trucker in Luther who can't get his kid a bike because he blew through his take-home pay. It's as if new money is delivered to us by rainbow-powered unicorns, not borrowed from the Chinese and your grandchildren.

If I didn't know better, I'd be tempted to think that liberals don't understand basic economics.

'Ten Reasons to Despise Planned Parenthood'

Joe Carter has them here.

UPDATE: Here are two more reasons.

What's the Difference Between Obama and Putin?

Putin is an effective thug.

In Praise of Brad Henry

[This column by Brandon Dutcher was published on Father's Day 2010 in The Oklahoman and earned a first-place award from the Society of Professional Journalists (Oklahoma chapter).]

As a conservative, I find myself disagreeing with Gov. Brad Henry on lots of things—taxes and toddlers, guns and gambling, plaintiffs and penumbras, Obama and Obamacare. And through the years I have not hesitated to exercise my First Amendment rights with respect to those disagreements.

But I've never forgotten something the actor and economist Ben Stein once said: "Life is personal, not political."

Many Oklahomans may be aware that Henry and his wife, Kim, have experienced tragedy. Their daughter Leah, now 20, had a twin sister, Lindsey, who was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy. At just 7 months old, Lindsey died in her parents' arms.

As it happens, in God's hard providence, my wife, Susie, and I experienced our own heartbreak last year when our infant daughter, Anne Marie, died in her mother's arms. Five days later, we received a very moving letter from … Brad Henry.

"Kim and I know the pain and anguish of losing a child; but we also know the lifetime of joy that such a small person can give in such a short time,” he wrote. "God placed Anne Marie in your care for a mighty purpose; and the loving hand of God will help guide you through the darkness of grief.

"If there is anything we can do to help comfort you during this difficult time," wrote the man whom I have repeatedly criticized, "if you need someone to talk to who has had a similar experience, please do us the favor of calling on us."

Magnanimity, anyone?

Having seen that generosity of spirit, I wasn't surprised recently when I saw something else from the governor: fortitude.

Under legislation that made its way through the Oklahoma House and Senate this year, children with disabilities—those for whom an individualized education program has been developed—would be eligible to receive a scholarship to attend a private school.

The education establishment (warning: understatement ahead) opposed the bill. But the governor read it and thought it made sense. He even allowed it to be named for one particular child who has a special place in his heart. And with a stroke of his pen, the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program was born.

Neither the governor nor anyone connected to him asked for the bill to be named for Lindsey. Rather, as state House Speaker Pro Tem Kris Steele pointed out, "It was suggested to him as a way to honor the memory of his daughter and let it be known for generations to come that she, and her parents, are helping to improve the lives of special-needs children across the state."

So as the years pass, and you hear stories of disabled kids whose lives were changed because a scholarship gave them a chance to try something new, I encourage you to think of that little girl. I know I will.

Thank you, Gov. Henry. And happy Father's Day.

Mama Grizzly Coming to Tulsa

Today's mail brings the latest issue of OCPA's monthly periodical, and look here what we find on page 3.

If individual tickets are available they will go on sale September 1. But just to be safe, you should call Margaret Ann (405-602-1667) and buy a table.

'What They Really Need Is You'

"Can the astonishing popularity of Indiana's penny-pinching governor carry him to the White House in 2012?" Andrew Ferguson asked in a recent Weekly Standard cover story ("Ride Along with Mitch"). It's a very good article, with an appropriate anecdote just in time for Father's Day.

After the ceremony at North Central High School, Daniels got back on the bike, but only for a minute or two. The troopers told me he is given to random and themeless stops, and on travel days his staff puts enough slack in the schedule to make them possible. He pulled into the parking lot of a McDonald's for coffee, and for a chance to review a backgrounder about the next event.

Heads whipped around as he shuffled to the counter. His walk is a bit like a cowboy's, shifting noticeably from side to side as he advances, bowlegged maybe from a lifetime of Harleys. He never encounters a citizen without trying to shake his or her hand, and they react as though they can't believe their luck. He got his coffee and moved to the back of the restaurant where all the booths but one were empty. He homed in on the booth with citizens in it, a pair of unkempt young men in wifebeaters hanging loose at their shoulders. Both had pony tails.

"Can I sit with you guys?" he said.

They looked up, annoyed at first until they recognized him.

"We are having breakfast with the governor!" one of them cried, yanking on the bill of his cap.

"You have got to be sh..." said the other, stopping himself, "foolin' me! You on the bike this morning?"

On the table was a mountain of balled up wrappers. Daniels pushed it aside to make room for his cup. He told them where he'd just been, where he was going, and asked the same of them, and they told him.

They were roofers stoking themselves with five or six Sausage McMuffins before getting to the job. The governor asked whether the building trades were picking up. They were extremely genial and had no more than a dozen teeth between them.

"I'm having breakfast with the governor!" the first one repeated.

"You all got families?" Daniels asked.

The roofers looked at each other.

"I got kids, yeah," the first one said. "They're with their mama. I just got single again."

"Why's that?" Daniels asked.

"Well, governor, me and my kids' mama, we were together for like five years ..."

"S---, governor," his friend said. "You're going to make him cry. Again."

"I do take care of them, I go without so I make sure they got everything they need."

"Well, that's good," Daniels said. "I guess. But what they really need is you."

The man dropped his head and swung it back and forth.

"I know this, governor, I know this."

Grin and Bear It

These three Cubbies have been together for a long time. Last week they finished their fourth season together and celebrated a victory.

Worst Presidential Speech in History?

Hugh Hewitt says "Jimmy Carter's malaise speech just lost its place in history."

Why Not Let the Money Follow the Child?

According to a national organization highly trusted and frequently cited by our friends at the Tulsa World, Oklahoma's K-12 spending per pupil for the  2008-09 school year was $8,814. (The real cost is actually $10,257 per pupil, but for the sake of argument let's go with the $8,814 figure.) Given that high cost, it was very interesting to see this chart in today's Tulsa World. As you can see, $8,814 can buy Oklahoma parents quite a bit in the educational marketplace. Don't be surprised if parents start getting ideas ...

Cross-posted at Choice Remarks

You Boys Drive Safe Now, and Have a Nice Day

I'm reading a new biography of Pat Robertson by the Auburn historian (emeritus) David Edwin Harrell Jr. There are several interesting nuggets so far (did you know Robertson was once an assistant minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in Mount Vernon, one of New York City's decaying urban neighborhoods, or that he once took seven cans of fruit juice and a sleeping bag into the Classen Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York for seven days of prayer and fasting?), but my favorite has to be this anecdote from Robertson's days at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.

The son of a U.S. senator, Robertson was a good student (he earned Phi Beta Kappa honors and graduated magna cum laude at the age of 20), but he also partied hard with his fraternity brothers and "was a steady participant in excursions to Sweet Briar and other nearby women's colleges," Harrell writes. "On one of these weekend excursions Robertson was a character in a story that has become part of the university's lore. ... On their way to Sweet Briar to pick up dates, Robertson and two of his friends were pulled over by a patrolman. One friend was Fred Vinson, son of the chief justice of the United States, and the other was Robert E. Lee IV, known as Bobby.

The state trooper said, "All right, show me your identification cards."

So Pat Robertson pulled his out, and [the trooper said,] "From Lexington? Is Senator Robertson kin to you?"

Pat said, "That's my father."

Then to Fred Vinson, "Young man, what is your name?"

"I'm Fred Vinson."

He said, "That's the name of the chief justice of the Supreme Court."

Fred said, "He's my father."

And he looked in the backseat at Bobby Lee. "Well, I suppose you're going to tell me you're Robert E. Lee."

Encourage Intact Families, Boost Economic Growth

Jeb Bush recently said that the new crop of "activist conservative governors" coming in next year needs to "think big and bold." 

I agree. Fortunately, some "big and bold" policy ideas also happen to be self-evidently commonsensical, and wildly popular to boot.

I Can't Tell You How Happy I Am ...

... that I just found this classic on YouTube.

Governor Henry Signs Scholarship Bill

Hats off to Governor Brad Henry, who today signed into law the most important bill of the entire 2010 legislative session. The House press release is below, and a video is here. (For the record, the House roll call is here, and the Senate roll call is here.)

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 8, 2010) -- Supporters praised Gov. Brad Henry today for signing a bill providing scholarships to special needs students.

"This is a great day for Oklahoma families with special needs children," said state Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City. "For those families, this bill is a chance at a better education and a better life."

House Bill 3393, by Nelson and state Sen. Patrick Anderson, would allow students with disabilities who have an individualized education program (IEP) to qualify for a scholarship to attend any public or private school that meets the accreditation requirements of the State Board of Education.

The legislation had strong support from many families of children with autism.

The legislation has been named the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act to honor the memory of the governor's daughter, who died of a rare neuromuscular disease as an infant.

"We are very honored that Governor and Mrs. Henry have allowed us to name this important piece of legislation after their daughter who passed away at seven months of age," said Wanda Felty, parent of a child with multiple disabilities. "The simple fact is there is often an unspoken bond among parents of special needs children, and although Lindsey Nicole's life was short, she helped shape the type of people the Henrys are. We appreciate their compassion and understanding of our plight, and we certainly appreciate the Governor’s support of this bill."

"We want to make it clear, neither the Governor, nor his wife, nor his staff, nor anyone connected to him asked for this change. Instead it was suggested to him as a way to honor the memory of his daughter and let it be known for generations to come that she, and her parents, are helping to improve the lives of special needs children across the state," said state House Speaker Pro Tempore Kris Steele, R-Shawnee. "Especially given that this program was passed in the waning days of the last legislative session of Governor Henry's tenure, we think this action is both appropriate and warranted. We are pleased that Representative Nelson agreed to amend his Conference Committee Report to include this change."

Lindsey Nicole was the twin of the Henrys' oldest daughter, Leah. Lindsey died at seven months of age due to complications from a rare genetic disorder.

The scholarship program created through House Bill 3393 would not require new spending, but would merely redirect existing state funds that are currently spent on the student.

Other states with similar laws include Florida, Georgia, Utah, Ohio, and Arizona. The Florida program has been in place since 1999 and now serves approximately 20,000 students with special needs. House Bill 3393 closely mirrors the Florida and Georgia laws.

"Having visited with many families of special-needs students, I know how important this legislation is to ensuring they are able to provide the best future possible for their children," said Nelson, R-Oklahoma City. "It is only fitting that we honor the Henrys and Lindsey Nicole as part of this process to show that even the worst moments of our lives can have positive repercussions. I appreciate the governor's support and this opportunity to honor his daughter."

To better understand the importance of this law, here is a brief video telling the story of a special-needs student in Arizona.

Who Said It?

Was it Barry or a bolshie? Take the quiz yourself -- it's fun for the whole family!

Memorial Day Weekend Pics (cont'd)

While we were in Bartlesville, Brandon's dad had some grass carp delivered to one of his ponds. The kids were on hand to help move the fish from the tank to the pond, and then had fun riding around the ranch on the four-wheelers.

 

Promises, Promises

If present trends continue, says state Sen. Richard Lerblance (D-Hartshorne), "in two years what you know as public education you will not recognize. It will be charter schools or private schools all publicly funded."

I Shudder to Think What Lower Education Looks Like

I'm sure glad Oklahoma politicians enacted $300 million in "revenue enhancements" this session, because I would have hated to see this position go unfilled:

Gender and Women's Studies at Oklahoma State University invites applications for a visiting fellow finishing her or his dissertation in gender studies for the academic year 2010-11. ... The fellow will teach 2 core courses (Feminist Theories and Introduction to Gender Studies) and 2 topics classes in the candidate's area of expertise. ... Gender and Women's Studies at Oklahoma State University is a small program devoted to expanding horizons for women, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color in Oklahoma and has an interdisciplinary curriculum. Applicants from the humanities or social sciences should demonstrate research and teaching interests in the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and cultural difference. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the OSU academic community through research and teaching. The duration of the award is nine months and the fellowship stipend is $20,000. We also offer a private office, personal computer, and a $500 travel allowance.

But lest you fear there's any moral confusion at our institutions of higher learning, rest assured that "OSU-Stillwater is a tobacco-free campus."

Memorial Day Weekend Pics

Murphy's

We celebrated Memorial Day weekend in Bartlesville -- seeing family, eating out, swimming, seeing old friends. And we made a stop at Murphy's -- one of our favorite restaurants.


Murphy's is a Bartlesville tradition. I remember eating at Murphy's with my parents and grandparents when I was little. And later, when I was in college, I'd go with friends for a plate of fries and gravy. When Brandon and I were newly married and living in Bartlesville, we'd go to Murphy's for dates and we'll always remember eating at Murphy's the night before Lincoln was born.

Below is Murphy's famous hot hamburger: toasted white bread topped with a hamburger patty, topped with a mountain of fries, with gravy "over all."