Yearly Archives: 2010

Bill Maher at Brady Theater

Ernie Osborn

HBO’s Bill Maher will be at Brady Theater, Friday, December 10, 2010.  Maher, the host of Real Time with Bill Maher, hosted a similar late night talk-show called Politically Incorrect originally on Comdey Central and later on ABC.  alt

Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical commentary, which targets a wide swath of topics: religion, politics, bureaucracies of many kinds, political correctness, the mass media, greed among people and persons in positions of high political and social power, the lack of intellectual curiosity of the electorate, among many topics. He supports the legalization of marijuana and gay marriage and serves on the board of PETA.  He is also a critic of religion and is an advisory board member of Project Reason, a foundation to promote scientific knowledge and secular values within society.  Maher currently ranks number 38 on Comedy Central’s 100 greatest stand-ups of all time.

Love him or hate him (and it really is about that simple) he is a risk taker that at times has it pay off in big ways and other times falls quite limp.  You have to kind of respect that brash, out-on-the-edge kind of approach in todays watered down society.  He is a little like a NASCAR race, you don’t really show up to see the race, but you wait for the wreck to happen to see what it looks like.  I am reminded of another controversial media personality, Howard Stern, in the early days of his time at NBC radio the overwhelming response to why people listened for the period of time they did (good and bad) was to hear what he will say next.  Bill Maher is that type of a comedian.  You may sit and laugh and at times cringe at what you hear, but will generally walk away with something to think about and still feel entertained.

BILL MAHER

BRADY THEATER, 105 W. BRADY ST.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT REASOR’S AND STARSHIP RECORDS, AS WELL AS BRADY BOX OFFICE

DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 PM

 

New Year’s Resolution: Kris Steele, the right hand, and the other hand

Patrick B. McGuigan, Capitol Editor

In the 12 years I worked with Ed Kelley, now editor at The Oklahoman, I often heard him say: “The Legislature can do, maybe, one big thing every session.”

Whether or not that is exactly right, it’s apt shorthand from a seasoned and observant journalist.

Which brings us to the year ahead, particularly the upcoming session of the Oklahoma state Legislature.

For the first time in state history, Republicans will control every statewide elected position. Governor Mary Fallin will work with both the blessing and the bane of having the House of Representatives and the Senate in the hands of the Grand Old Party.

In the past two weeks, there have been news stories and online commentaries featuring a handful of conservatives claiming that House Speaker-elect Kris Steele is not “true blue” enough. They point to a couple of issues they define as central to conservative governance.  

Steele’s critics have ranged from respectful to decidedly not, including a couple of lawmakers.

Members of any majority caucus in any legislative body will rarely agree on everything. They won’t always see eye-to-eye, and that’s nothing new.

Some rumblings are matters of principle from men like Rep. Mike Reynolds of Oklahoma City. In a couple of cases, however, the legislators complaining the loudest are trying to change the subject
— away from their own problems with the law or with ethics strictures.

Kris Steele is a highly committed conservative Republican who is pro- family, pro-life, pro-gun and pro-God. His voting record proves it and he does not have to prove his bona fides to anyone.

His move to trim staff at the state House created consternation, leading most to miss the fact that in making such cuts now he is leading by example in what will undoubtedly be a contentious new round of state agency budget reductions.

Republicans are really and truly in charge of Oklahoma government for the first time in history, and they do have something to prove: That they can govern.

Of all the themes that dominated this historic election year, the economy and jobs were paramount. Mary Fallin’s campaign could not have been clearer about her focus on “jobs, jobs, jobs” – and voters liked that clarity.

With the possible exception of an envisioned new round of anti- smoking legislation, Steele’s priorities so far — for that matter the same can be said for incoming Senate Pro Tempore Brian Bingman – resonate well with Fallin’s executive “to do” list.  These three seem right in the middle of the mainstream of that “leave me alone” tide that animated the conservative surge of 2010.

Not to slight Governor-elect Fallin or Senator Bingman, in this interim period Steele is most clearly articulating what might be called “one big thing” – right-sizing a government that is entering its third straight fiscal year with a significant gap between revenues and spending projections. Last Thursday (December 2), he empowered a staunch conservative to guide a fresh and vigorous round of scrutiny of government programs and expenditures.

That’s not all. Steele is talking nearly every day about disastrously- out-of-whack government pensions and retirement systems, education reforms across the board, taxes and budgets and Corrections reform.

Each of these concerns include moral components, to be sure, yet what unites them thematically is his focus on the size, scope, efficiency and legitimacy of state government actions past, present and future.

Early in my tenure in Washington, D.C., Ronald Reagan clashed with U.S. Rep. Philip Crane, who had opposed him for the Republican nomination in 1980.

As usual, the amiable former actor with a steely interior defused tension, at least somewhat, with a humorous jab at his friend Crane.  Explaining his comparative moderation one day, Reagan quipped to reporters: “Sometimes the right hand doesn’t know what the far right hand is doing.”

Let peace reign in the House of Oklahoma conservatism. And let Steele be steel.

 

Note: Tulsa Today’s Capitol Editor,  McGuigan is also editor of CapitolBeatOK (an OKC based online news website) and senior editor at The City Sentinel, a weekly newspaper.

AdSurf Daily Indictment

Bryon Spires, Havana Herald and Tulsa Today

After nearly two and a half years of investigations and millions of dollars worth  of property seizures, Thomas A. Bowdoin, 76, founder and operator of a Gadsden County-based company has been indicted.  

A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C indicted Bowdoin on wire fraud, securities fraud and other federal charges in connection with his business AdSurf Daily (ASD), a reported Ponzi scheme. Published reports by Tulsa Today resulted in the group canceling a planned sales rally in Tulsa just prior to a raid in Flordia by the U.S. Secret Service.

If convicted, Bowdoin faces a maximum sentence of 125 years in prison and fines of up to $6.2 million.

He was arrested at his home in Zellwood, Florida  and appeared in federal court in Tampa on December 2.

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned.

ASD was based in Quincy until federal agents seized all of its assets in 2008.

The Department of Justice’s  press release concerning the indictment stated  that the Internet-based fraud scheme had generated more than $110 million from thousands of people across the United States and other countries.

In an explanation of the indictment the press release stated: “The indictment alleges that Bowdoin ran a Ponzi scheme disguised as an online advertising company that drew in large numbers of investors by promising huge returns on their monies.”

It further states, because ASD was creating no significant new wealth by selling advertising to purchasers outside of its investor-members, the only wealth gained by any participant and Bowdoin was wealth lost by other (new) participants.

Bowdoin operated ASD from September of 2006 until August of 2008.

It was noted in the indictment that the goal of the scheme was for Bowdoin to obtain, by fraud, money from  ASD members for his own benefit and to avoid securities regulators.

ASD operated on the Internet at various websites. The indictment states that although Bowdoin presented ASD as an online advertising company, in reality he was running an investment Ponzi scheme.

Bowdoin claimed ASD was an “income opportunity,” the indictment stated.

Bowdoin also referred to himself as a “money magnet,” and encouraged prospective ASD members to refer to themselves that way as well, and stated that it was his “goal” to make 100,000 millionaires in three years.”

In order to avoid regulatory scrutiny, the indictment stated Bowdoin referred to ASD’s investors as “members,” and referred to the investor’s money, payment and investment principle as “ad packages.”

He  referred to the return on the member’s investment that ASD promised and paid as “rebates.”

Under the program, Bowdoin, through ASD, agreed to pay a return of 125% (initially 150%) on each dollar each member provided to ASD, as long as each member agreed to view a couple of websites themselves for a couple of minutes each day.

Bowdoin also promised to pay commissions to members who referred others to join ASD.  In addition, the indictment stated Bowdoin raised more than $110 million from thousands of its “members.”

In reference to how the money was used, the indictment stated that more than $31 million of that revenue was used to make payments to early members, more than $8 million to operate ASD and promote ASD to subsequent members and more than $1 million for his own personal benefit or the benefit of his family.

The money Bowdoin spent was not coming from actual revenues. Of the $31 million that Bowdoin paid to these early members, more than 98% came from monies paid to ASD by other members, the indictment stated.

It was reported back in 2008 in Tulsa Today. 

AdSurf Daily Indictment

Bryon Spires, Havana Herald and Tulsa Today

After nearly two and a half years of investigations and millions of dollars worth  of property seizures, Thomas A. Bowdoin, 76, founder and operator of a Gadsden County-based company has been indicted.  

A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C indicted Bowdoin on wire fraud, securities fraud and other federal charges in connection with his business AdSurf Daily (ASD), a reported Ponzi scheme. Published reports by Tulsa Today resulted in the group canceling a planned sales rally in Tulsa just prior to a raid in Flordia by the U.S. Secret Service.

If convicted, Bowdoin faces a maximum sentence of 125 years in prison and fines of up to $6.2 million.

He was arrested at his home in Zellwood, Florida  and appeared in federal court in Tampa on December 2.

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned.

ASD was based in Quincy until federal agents seized all of its assets in 2008.

The Department of Justice’s  press release concerning the indictment stated  that the Internet-based fraud scheme had generated more than $110 million from thousands of people across the United States and other countries.

In an explanation of the indictment the press release stated: “The indictment alleges that Bowdoin ran a Ponzi scheme disguised as an online advertising company that drew in large numbers of investors by promising huge returns on their monies.”

It further states, because ASD was creating no significant new wealth by selling advertising to purchasers outside of its investor-members, the only wealth gained by any participant and Bowdoin was wealth lost by other (new) participants.

Bowdoin operated ASD from September of 2006 until August of 2008.

It was noted in the indictment that the goal of the scheme was for Bowdoin to obtain, by fraud, money from  ASD members for his own benefit and to avoid securities regulators.

ASD operated on the Internet at various websites. The indictment states that although Bowdoin presented ASD as an online advertising company, in reality he was running an investment Ponzi scheme.

Bowdoin claimed ASD was an “income opportunity,” the indictment stated.

Bowdoin also referred to himself as a “money magnet,” and encouraged prospective ASD members to refer to themselves that way as well, and stated that it was his “goal” to make 100,000 millionaires in three years.”

In order to avoid regulatory scrutiny, the indictment stated Bowdoin referred to ASD’s investors as “members,” and referred to the investor’s money, payment and investment principle as “ad packages.”

He  referred to the return on the member’s investment that ASD promised and paid as “rebates.”

Under the program, Bowdoin, through ASD, agreed to pay a return of 125% (initially 150%) on each dollar each member provided to ASD, as long as each member agreed to view a couple of websites themselves for a couple of minutes each day.

Bowdoin also promised to pay commissions to members who referred others to join ASD.  In addition, the indictment stated Bowdoin raised more than $110 million from thousands of its “members.”

In reference to how the money was used, the indictment stated that more than $31 million of that revenue was used to make payments to early members, more than $8 million to operate ASD and promote ASD to subsequent members and more than $1 million for his own personal benefit or the benefit of his family.

The money Bowdoin spent was not coming from actual revenues. Of the $31 million that Bowdoin paid to these early members, more than 98% came from monies paid to ASD by other members, the indictment stated.

It was reported back in 2008 in Tulsa Today. 

Willie Nelson Graces SpiritBank Center

Ernie Osborn

altSay what you will about Willie Nelson; outlaw, pot smoker, tax evader, the list could go on, but one thing you can’t say is that he doesn’t entertain.  He is nothing if not a constant strong force in country music.

The sound may have changed some and the arrangements are different, but Nelson can still put on one heck of a show.  If you are going to a Willie concert hoping to hear what you do on his albums, think again. 

SpiritBank has shifted away from having musical acts recently, for reasons I don’t know, I can only speculate that it has been due to the issues they have had with the property owners or the complaints that have gotten from surrounding neighbors for noise levels.  It looks like those issues may be in the process of resolution, as there appears to be a pretty healthy amount of concerts and shows on the slate for coming months.  All this writer can say is, "Finally, maybe the event center will be utilized like it should be."  It is no BOK Center, but it is a very decent venue and provides for a very intimate show.

That intimacy was on display Friday night, with Willie Nelson and Family putting on a different but still entertaining show.  First up was Nelson’s son, Lukas opening the evening and lighting up the stage with his blend of blues and country.  The kid can flat play the guitar and showcased several different playing styles, from over his head, to an underneath style, to playing with his teeth, which led him to break a string, switch guitars and continue on with the same song.  Extremely talented and has the linage to make him a next generation star.

Next up was, Kevin Fowler, who has seen some moderate success on local KVOO radio.  He has a very up-tempo and party groove style of set that will have you laughing along with several of his songs and looking for your next beer.  "Don’t Touch My Willie," a song about his evening with a lovely young lady that turns sour when she starts to rifle through his records and comes across his Willie Nelson albums.  The humorous song "Pound Sign (#?*!)," which tells of how we all have a bad day from time to time and that instead of cursing he says today he feels like #?*! it will have you laughing and nodding your head in agreement.

His set was very well accepted and created a buzz in the arena that set the stage for the living legend to take the show to another level.  Depending on who you ask that level may not have been reached.  My job is to tell you my thoughts and provide an accurate review of what I saw. 

In that vain, what I can say is, "Willie was being Willie."  In a career reaching over 6 decades and some 200 albums, he has earned the right to do what he wants to do with his music.  The man is 77 years old and at this point he is able to take some liberties as he chooses. 

altAs mentioned before, if you are expecting to hear what you do on his albums, you may be disappointed.  His songs and his style are all his own.  There were times that he would start into songs that took you a little while to realize you did in fact know the song.  "Beer for My Horses," for example.  His smash collaboration with Toby Keith, was changed so much that it took until the second verse to know what song he was doing.  Others that are standard Nelson fair grabbed you a little quicker "Crazy" began out of a short jam session of sorts.

He does a great job of connecting with his audience and takes the time to throw souvenirs out to the eager crowd.  First by throwing his hat out into the seats, then putting on bandanna after bandanna and throwing them into the front row.  Fans were thrilled and were able to take a piece of an icon home with them.

Nelson’s set list is rather extensive and plays to many different kinds of musical tastes.  Taking songs from some of his peers catalog.  He did tunes by Hank Williams and Waylon Jennings and even allowed a young man to come out of the audience and rip through a blues song that had the youngster showing off some very good vocals and I am sure what will be a story of sharing the stage with Willie Nelson that will be passed on for years to come.

The concert overall was a great night of looking into the past of country and western music, although not exactly what you would expect it did deliver very well.