Author Archives: Admin

Talks with Iran are not working

Staff Report

According to breaking news by The Jerusalem Post, the current round of negotiations between the world powers and Iran is "not working," a senior Israeli official said Monday, adding that after two meetings there is "not an iota of evidence indicating the Iranians are in any way serious about curbing their nuclear program."

Israel was briefed by a senior American team over the weekend about what happened at last week’s talks in Baghdad, and the official said what the international community put on the table "is less than what is needed, and even those minimal demands were rejected by the Iranians."

Israel, the official said, was "skeptical in the extreme" about the current talks, and said the Iranians have bought themselves two months to move their nuclear ambitions forward – five weeks from the first meeting in Istanbul on April 14 to last week’s session in Baghdad, and now another three weeks between that meeting and the next one scheduled for June 19 in Moscow.

"They are successfully playing for time," the official said.

Click here to read more from The Jerusalem Post.

Memorial Day

David Arnett

Editorial:  Some celebrate the fruits rather than the roots of freedom this Memorial Day 2012.  But those that understand the price paid over generations know that individual courage in honor together built the freedom we enjoy this day. 

Liberals who dare not directly attack America’s military today whine in coverage of the difficulties returning service men and women face.  Consider that many more return from tours of duty to successful private lives.

Many in service understand that the only way to have immediate peace is to immediately surrender to slavery.  That cannot be allowed.  America is the last best hope for freedom worldwide.  We must not betray our calling even in difficult times.  We are people of honor.  I believe we will stand – in majority – for freedom here and abroad.

President Obama doesn’t like the military beyond photo ops and pandering.  Claiming to be a "Constitutional Scholar" his record shows otherwise as he continually seeks to fundamentally change the relationship between free individuals and the government.  By his actions, President Obama seeks to rule this land from the center of government which is the definition of Marxism.

Americans are individualists.  We don’t need to shout it.  We don’t need to tell the media about it, we just live free by our faith for family and individual futures as we determine they shall be.  

Because we elected a fabricated fiction for President, we face an internal struggle that the military can only assist by their individual votes.  November of 2012 we will be challenged by voter fraud at the polls and leftists riots in the streets.  They are planning it.  They have talked about it.  Marxist don’t give up power easily – they are addicted to it.  President Obama’s best friends suggest that 25 million Americans would have to die to accomplish the revolution they demand because we will not give up individual freedom.

But should you doubt the outcome of any contest Americans decide to win, see this video for a reminder of how important each individual can be to the outcome of any conflict. (Tip of the hat to Breitbart.com for noticing this citizen patriot video.)

Remember the Constitution of the United States of America we swore an oath to honor and pledge to uphold.  Now is the time to uphold that oath and defend the Constitution by standing without violence, without rancor, without dispute, but as free citizens to vote this November for Liberty to overcome socialist change by the Liar and Chief with his regulating minions driving us to poverty and preaching divisive self-destruction.

Rocklahoma turns up the volume on day 2

John Hall, Tulsa Today

PRYOR, Okla. – Two days down, one to go. Day two of the sixth annual Rocklahoma was simply awesome. Rock fans of all ages entered the day not knowing exactly what to expect, but left with a full day of a wide variety of music under their belts.

Anti-Mortem got the day started on the Hard Rock stage with a short set before Pop Evil took over the main stage. From there fans would spend the day bouncing between the two stages, hoping to get a perfect viewing position for each act.

Minneapolis-based New Medicine and Orlando’s Trivium played the Hard Rock stage as the day’s audience continued to grow. New Medicine’s set mixed rock, rap and pop with their songs “Laid,” and “Rich Kids.” Trivium was a good deal heavier, especially with their cover of Metallic’s “Creeping Death.”

Early main stage acts also included Knoxville, Tennessee’s 10 Years and Vancouver’s Theory of a Deadman. 10 Years drew approval from the crowd for their hit “Wasteland.” Theory of a Deadman powered through their time on stage with a set that included several tunes from their newest album “The Truth is…” One highlight of their set was front-man Tyler Connolly leading the crowd through a cover of Eric Clapton’s “Cocaine.”

From that point on the night would take a wild, yet fantastic ride into complete madness. British glam rock band The Darkness took over the Hard Rock stage and almost instantly won over the audience. A handlebar mustache and Jimi Hendrix hairdo shared the stage as the crowd held their hands high above their heads and clapped to the beat. The favorite among the crowd appeared to be their hit “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.”

Following a mad dash to the main stage, fans were met by Dave Mustaine and Megadeth. Mustaine paused between songs to change guitars, each time returning to the stage clapping his hands, signifying his approval of the growing crowd. Lead guitarist Chris Broderick’s playing was phenomenal as the group sailed through an hour-long set that included “Head Crusher,” “Symphony of Destruction,” “Peace Sells,” and ended with “Holy Wars …The Punishment Due.”

Fans then flocked back to the Hard Rock stage to discover Danish heavy metal band Volbeat. Opening with their hit “A Warrior’s Call.” Their energized set included a few covers and a wide range of sound shifting from a rockabilly sound back to a heavier, head banging groove.

The night came to a close with fans rushing the main stage for Rob Zombie. Mixing theatrics that included pyro, lights and caldrons of fire with a heavy metal sound, Zombie did not disappoint. Zombie emerged from a giant figure at center stage as he opened with “Jesus Frankenstein,” before powering through a hard charging set that had heads banging and heavy metal devil horns flying in the air. All the usual hits were included, with Zombie dancing and singing while guitar master John 5 strummed through “Living Dead Girl,” “Never Gonna Stop,” “More Human Than Human,” “Scum of the Earth,” and “Sick Bubblegum.”

Zombie took a moment mid-way through his set to tell fans what he thought about those standing in the pit taking cell phone pictures. “The next (expletive) that shoves a cell phone in my face, I’ll take your phone and shove it up your expletive,” said Zombie. Shortly thereafter, Zombie made his way through the crowd, shining a spotlight on the fans while John 5 showcased his skills, playing portions of  the national anthem with his teeth. Closing out the night, they finished with “Dragula” before posing with the massive audience as a backdrop for a group photo.

Rocklahoma Day 2 Slide Show

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Photos by: Kevin Pyle

Rocklahoma continues through tonight with Rains, Charm City Devils, Aranda, Art of Dying, Hellyeah, Black Stone Cherry, Puddle of Mudd, Jackyl, Queensryche, and Chickenfoot. Tonight’s action will be televised live by HD Net.

No Airport tax needed

David Arnett, Publisher

In an exclusive interview with Tulsa Today, Former City Councilor and owner of Christiansen Aviation, Bill Christiansen suggests, “there is a way to provide [Tulsa International] Airport improvements without increasing taxes one bit.”

“The Tulsa Airport Improvement Trust (TAIT) is a Title 60 trust [organized as such] so it can borrow money for airport improvements as needed.  TAIT can secure a revenue bond then increase rental fees for American Airlines usage of these publicly owned facilities to cover the debt service and repayment of that bond,” Christiansen said.

“It the big picture, American Airlines would get the infrastructure improvements they need to accommodate newer larger planes and keep jobs in Tulsa without over-burdening the citizens of the City or the County with additional tax,” Christiansen (pictured below) added.

It has been the most un-secret question in Tulsa history:  How can Tulsa help American Airlines?  Bankruptcy has rocked the company after years of simmering union vs. management disputes and current financial challenges industry wide.  What can we do to help?  What should we not do?  What can we afford to do?  The Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce has a plan (increase Tulsa County tax rates) and every official that discusses an idea is claimed by the daily newspaper to have another plan, but all focus on raising taxes.

In general discussion, Christiansen talked about how, at his Jenks Riverside Airport facility, potential or existing clients might ask for capital improvements and, as an owner, he is happy to provide them, but there is a cost in construction and debt service that they must be willing to pay over time by an increase in regular rental fees.  All public officials should know this, Christiansen suggested.

Maybe officials know and maybe they are talking about it, but it doesn’t seem to have been included in legacy media stories to date.

In multiple top of the front page screaming headlines over the last week the daily newspaper has focused exclusively on raising taxes for airport improvements.  One would suggest that years after their questionable involvement with the expensive public debacle known as Great Plains Airlines, editors would be aware of TAIT’s ability to fund improvements without a public tax increase.

Tax critics are not quoted.  There is no mention of the current debt crisis of the United States of America or worldwide financial crisis in Greece, Spain, France and others that may force the collapse of the Euro as a valid currency and threaten the stability of the U.S. Dollar as the world’s reserve currency – not in local stories.  

There is no mention of the public’s “taxed enough already” attitude as demonstrated in multiple public rallies and ongoing efforts to elect Conservative statesmen on the promise of, “no new taxes.”

The Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce is also pushing for an $80 million “deal-closing fund” or what critics have called for decades – a slush fund – to pay businesses to locate within the greater economic zone of Tulsa.  Granted; many state and local governments have such funds and some are successful and some are not.  But beyond the propriety of “buying business” the question becomes why officials keep talking about these two separate and distinct economic efforts at the same time?

Christiansen said, “I don’t believe on one ballot issue you can ask voters to fund both an infrastructure directed jobs package, in whatever form it may take, and also in the same ballot issue ask for approval of an incentive fund or deal closing fund to be doled out for business incentives.”

“I was on the Vision 2025 Leadership Team and legal counsel at the time warned about what is called log-rolling or placing unrelated issues as one ballot question.  That’s illegal,” Christiansen added.

State support for veterans and active duty

Staff Report

As Oklahomans remember the men and women who served and are serving the nation’s Armed Forces this Memorial Day weekend, Governor Fallin praised efforts at the state Capitol this year to support veterans, military personnel and their families.

“This Memorial Day weekend, I encourage all Oklahomans to take time to remember and honor the sacrifices of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Their service keeps our nation free and protects the freedoms we enjoy every day,” Fallin said.  “Oklahomans have a deep and profound respect for the men and women of our military – and their families.  We can never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to them, but we can continue to pursue policies that recognize and honor their service.”

Friday, Governor Fallin signed into two measures aimed at assisting military veterans, personnel and their families.

House Bill 2689, by Rep. Charlie Joyner and Sen. Jerry Ellis, allows students and dependents of military personnel who are from Oklahoma but stationed outside of the state to receive in-state college tuition. The student will retain in-state status after the military person has been discharged or released for reasons other than dishonorable as long as the student stays continuously enrolled in a program at an institution in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

House Bill 1985, by Rep. Scott Inman and Sen. Sean Burrage, would require public sector employers to interview veterans who meet the minimum and special qualifications for job openings.  HB 1985 does not require the appointment of a veteran or disabled veteran to such positions.

Earlier in the legislative session, Governor Fallin signed into law Senate Bill 1863, by Sen. Steve Russell and Rep. Ann Coody, to allow Oklahoma colleges, university and technology centers to provide academic credit to military veterans, who were honorably discharged in the previous three years, for any applicable education, training and experience received through military duty that pertains to his or her area of study.  

In her State of the State address this year, Governor Fallin, along with the Department of Commerce, launched OKJobMatch.com, a site to match job seekers with employers.  The site serves as a comprehensive employment resource for returning military men and women who have bravely served us, the governor said.

The governor also appointed nine members to the War Veterans Commission, the controlling board of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA).  Recently, the department has come under scrutiny for allegations of mistreatment of residents at the state’s veterans centers.

The governor gave each of her appointments to the War Veterans Commission the mandate to pursue necessary changes to improve the quality of service at ODVA facilities.

“Our veterans deserve nothing but the best, including an agency which is well-managed and responsive to their needs,” Fallin said.  “The new appointees to the War Veterans Commission will work diligently to ensure our veterans receive the highest standard of care.”

Finally, the Fiscal year 2013 budget also includes an additional $1 million in funding to increase nursing staff and reduce staff/patient ratios at veterans facilities.