Yearly Archives: 2009

A Reporter’s Views On Palin’s Visit To Norman

Andrew Griffin

NORMAN, Okla. — Corralled like protesters in a so-called “First-Amendment zone,” the press covering former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s visit to Norman, as part of her tour for her book Going Rogue, were not even allowed inside the Hastings book and music store prior to the governor’s visit.

When this reporter attempted to pass through the metal fence to go into the store, just as other people were doing, a young woman of about 20, who wouldn’t identify herself, said media was not allowed inside. This young woman was very rude, as was an older man wearing OU gloves who was also pushy.

Agreeing to remain in the corrall, awaiting the arrival of the Palin, the press were shabbily treated by the Palin advance team. And the few times someone working for Palin came up to give the press instructions, the music being played by some guy kicking a soccer ball around was too loud for anyone to hear anything.

While Palin was expected at 6 p.m., her bus did not arrive until well after 7 p.m. and she did not speak as we were told she would. No explanation. She merely exited the bus with her young son Trig in her arms and quickly went inside. The press was then kept outside for another 15 minutes before we were allowed in in shifts, where we could only take still pictures or some video. No questions.

Red Dirt Report, a sister site to Oklahoma Watchdog, did get a story out of the event but the experience was less than optimal. Palin’s publicist and entourage were not particularly helpful and seemed even disdainful of the press. This could be due to recent reports that Palin is being tightly controlled by her handlers and that she is not talking to the press and not allowing fans to ask questions. A report out of Minnesota says that “only English-speaking press” would be allowed to cover her tour, although this was spun as being a simple misunderstanding.

Once inside the Hastings Norman store, and out of the cold, the press was allowed only pictures. Of course her many fans were excited to get her autograph in their copies of Going Rogue.

After a few minutes the press was hustled back outside.

The experience left this watchdog wondering why Palin – who claims to be a folksy, woman-of-the-people – would not be more accessible? Sure, there are elements of the mainstream media that truly despise her, but they’re largely on the coasts and in big urban areas. This reporter, who personally likes Sarah Palin and her stances on many issues, was rather surprised and disappointed by the experience, particularly when reporters were told she would speak and then didn’t say anything.

More of the story here

About the author: Andrew Griffin is the editor of reddirtreport.com and oklahoma.watchdog.org

A Reporter’s Views On Palin’s Visit To Norman

Andrew Griffin

NORMAN, Okla. — Corralled like protesters in a so-called “First-Amendment zone,” the press covering former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s visit to Norman, as part of her tour for her book Going Rogue, were not even allowed inside the Hastings book and music store prior to the governor’s visit.

When this reporter attempted to pass through the metal fence to go into the store, just as other people were doing, a young woman of about 20, who wouldn’t identify herself, said media was not allowed inside. This young woman was very rude, as was an older man wearing OU gloves who was also pushy.

Agreeing to remain in the corrall, awaiting the arrival of the Palin, the press were shabbily treated by the Palin advance team. And the few times someone working for Palin came up to give the press instructions, the music being played by some guy kicking a soccer ball around was too loud for anyone to hear anything.

While Palin was expected at 6 p.m., her bus did not arrive until well after 7 p.m. and she did not speak as we were told she would. No explanation. She merely exited the bus with her young son Trig in her arms and quickly went inside. The press was then kept outside for another 15 minutes before we were allowed in in shifts, where we could only take still pictures or some video. No questions.

Red Dirt Report, a sister site to Oklahoma Watchdog, did get a story out of the event but the experience was less than optimal. Palin’s publicist and entourage were not particularly helpful and seemed even disdainful of the press. This could be due to recent reports that Palin is being tightly controlled by her handlers and that she is not talking to the press and not allowing fans to ask questions. A report out of Minnesota says that “only English-speaking press” would be allowed to cover her tour, although this was spun as being a simple misunderstanding.

Once inside the Hastings Norman store, and out of the cold, the press was allowed only pictures. Of course her many fans were excited to get her autograph in their copies of Going Rogue.

After a few minutes the press was hustled back outside.

The experience left this watchdog wondering why Palin – who claims to be a folksy, woman-of-the-people – would not be more accessible? Sure, there are elements of the mainstream media that truly despise her, but they’re largely on the coasts and in big urban areas. This reporter, who personally likes Sarah Palin and her stances on many issues, was rather surprised and disappointed by the experience, particularly when reporters were told she would speak and then didn’t say anything.

More of the story here

About the author: Andrew Griffin is the editor of reddirtreport.com and oklahoma.watchdog.org

Salvation Army Motorcycle Toy Meet This Sunday

Staff Reports

The Tulsa Area Salvation Army and Myers Duren Harley Davidson will host the Salvation Army Santa’s Motorcycle Toy Meet this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

More than 1,500 bikers are expected to attend and help donate new unwrapped toys to needy children.

To help the event, there will be street closures and specific approach areas, according to the Tulsa Police Department.

Peoria Avenue between 51st St. and 48th Street will be closed between 9:45 .m. and 1:15 p.m. Drivers should use Riverside Drive as an alternate route.

Motorcycles must approach from 51st St. and Peoria Avenue to enter this exclusive motorcycle parking area to drop off the Christmas toys at Myers Duren Harley Davidson. Motorcycles traveling westbound on I-44 should exit onto Riverside Drive and return to Peoria Avenue via the south side eastbound access road. Motorcycles approaching southbound on Peoria Avenue will be diverted to Riverside Drive at 48th Street to approach the route.

For more information, go to www.salvationarmytulsa.org or www.tulsaharley.com.

State’s Public Employment Among Highest In Nation

John Winters, Executive Editor

altOklahoma ranks fifth-highest in the country in the ratio of government employment to private-sector employment, according to a new study.

Overall, 17.7 percent of the state’s labor force is in government, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs report said, adding that is 29 percent higher than the national average.

And although private sector wages are about 10 percent higher than public sector wages,  factoring in the cost of benefits changes that, the study said. Including wages and benefits, government jobs average about three percent higher than private sector jobs.

In their conclusion, the report’s authors pointed out “if Oklahoma’s employment ratio were at the national average in 2008, it would mean 62,394 fewer state and local government employees. This would save Oklahoma taxpayers $2,891,859,576.”

A major concern is the state’s high “benefit ratio,” which is the sixth highest in the country.  The benefit ratio is derived by dividing public-sector benefits per job by private-sector benefits per job. For Oklahoma, the benefit ratio for government employees is 71 percent higher than for private sector employees.

“The high benefit ratio is a significant contributing factor to Oklahoma’s growing unfunded retirement actuarial liability,” the report said.

The authors encouraged policymakers to focus on growing the private sector in both income and employment.

“Policymakers must pursue pro-growth economic policies – such as fewer regulations, lower taxes, and secure property rights – that will promote economic development by allowing private-sector businesses to better compensate and hire additional employees

“Such policies are a win-win for both the private and public sectors.” the authors concluded.

For more on this story, including graphs outlining the information, click here.

Op-Ed: State Democratic Pary

Todd Goodman

Dear friend,

The Republican Party in Oklahoma is near its breaking point.

Though the GOP wants you to believe that everything is fine, that they’re in control, and that they’re going to keep winning elections, recent events tell a different story.

In August, Gary Jones, GOP chair, said that if the Republicans are "working together collectively, I predict a sweep." But Jones may be too busy working on a lawsuit he filed over his lost elections in 2002 and 2006 to tend to his party – because significant cracks are showing in their armor.

Already Republican Sen. Glenn Coffee is throwing fits over the battle for who will succeed him as his party’s leader in the Senate, intimidating his fellow GOP senators and threatening to "burn down the house" if he doesn’t get his way.

But Coffee’s not the only one in the middle of the Republican crack-up.

Though Mary Fallin wants you to believe she’s the heir to the throne in the GOP race for governor, her Republican opponent is criticizing "career politicians" like Mary and railing against her "politics as usual" games in D.C.

Fallin’s open Congressional seat has drawn six Republicans trying to elbow their way through the field for their party’s nomination. They have multiple candidates facing off for the State Superintendent’s race, for Lt. Governor, for Treasurer, and for the Attorney General post. And they have only one statewide incumbent, who hasn’t even made up his mind yet about re-election.

So much for "working together collectively."

The Republicans don’t want you to see it, but the civil war that’s underway in their own party is too big to miss. And Democrats are poised to take advantage of their in-fighting.

Now, more than ever, we need your support. There is too much on the line in 2010 – from the Governor’s seat on down, we need to support the Democrats who have stepped up to lead our state into the future.

Now, more than ever, we need you to help us work together to make Oklahoma a better place. I hope you can help us by giving $10, $35, $50 or more – whatever you can afford – to keep pushing the Republicans apart and to help elect a Democratic team that will work for Oklahoma.

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Todd Goodman
Chair, Oklahoma Democratic Party

PS – Four years ago, Democrats in Oklahoma put our differences aside and nearly swept the statewide elections. We can win again – but we need you to help! Please consider giving $10, $35, $50 or more to help us secure Democratic victories in 2010!