Governor Mary Fallin today released the following statement on the 18th anniversary of bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

“On this day 18 years ago, our [capital] city was forever changed when 168 lives were taken from us in the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building.  Today, we remember those who were lost, and offer support to the survivors and the families left behind.  We also honor the heroic efforts of the emergency responders, firefighters and law enforcement personnel who worked tirelessly to recover survivors.

“In the days after the bombing, our city came together in a display of strength, unity and resiliency that would later become known as the ‘Oklahoma standard.’ That same spirit has allowed our city to overcome this tragedy and emerge stronger than ever.

“Our hearts also are burdened today as we grieve for the victims of the bombing attacks in Boston. Oklahoma City knows all too well the pain Boston is experiencing, and we continue to offer our prayers for the victims and their families. Oklahomans – just like all Americans – are a resilient and tough people.  We have full confidence that our friends in Boston will emerge from this terrible tragedy stronger.”

Editorial:  First let me say, this is my own opinion and not a position of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Ccommittee, in fact OCPAC does not endorse for such a race. In addition, many of my friends and fellow conservatives will disagree with me; however, I believe that will be the result of strong personal relationships with Amanda Teegarden, rather than an evaluation of the two candidates for the State Republican Chairman.  Let me explain why I am picking my friend David Weston over my friend Amanda.

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Many Oklahomans and gun owners across the country have asked why I have decided to participate in negotiations, and then vote to move to a debate, they view as designed to limit their rights.  I understand my role in this debate appears surprising in light of my long record of not only defending but expanding Second Amendment rights by, for example, giving Americans the right to carry guns in national parks.  I have also filibustered popular bills in order to defend the rights of veterans who have been stripped of their Second Amendment rights without due process because they were wrongly declared mentally unfit.

First, let me be clear about what the Senate will and will not be considering in the coming days.  The most onerous and blatantly unconstitutional provisions the gun control lobby favors – a ban on supposed “assault weapons” (any gun in the hands of a criminal is an assault weapon) and a plan to limit magazine sizes, policies I vehemently oppose – have zero chance of passing.  What is up for consideration is how to improve a broken system that literally allows illegal aliens, drug traffickers, child molesters, rapists, felons, members of al Qaeda cells and mentally-deranged persons to buy firearms.  If you believe the Second Amendment gives those people the right to arm themselves then we have an irreconcilable difference of opinion.  If you believe the Constitution allows for laws that prevent those people from buying guns then keep reading.

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Opinion: A friend went in for his Medicare free “wellness visit,” compliments of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He assumed it was like a doctor’s annual check-up. After all, when he took his dog to the vet for a wellness visit, little Sparky was examined and tested for worms. So my friend made the mistake of asking the doctor to listen to his heart and lungs – just because that is what we expect physicians will do. Then he got a bill. Neither my friend nor his physician realized that if the patient was actually touched during the free wellness visit, it ceased to be free.

Medicare’s annual free wellness visit includes a review of medical and family history; making a list of current “providers” and prescriptions; measuring height, weight, body mass index, and blood pressure; and giving the patient a schedule and/or referrals for appropriate preventive services. The visit is “free”— the doctor must take “assignment” (be paid by Medicare, not by the patient) and waive the usual 20 percent “co-payment.” The Medicare Part B deductible does not apply.

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Updated: James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement  after the announcement of the passing of Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.  Leftists in the UK staged a drunken riot.

“Americans join our friends around the world today in mourning the loss of Margaret Thatcher,” said Lankford.

“Thatcher embodied the hard work, tenacity and resilience that is synonymous with Great Britain. She brought the United Kingdom back from the brink of Socialism by focusing on private business, hard work and limited government intervention. She paved the way for strong female leaders with great ideas and a heart for responsible, compassionate change.

“Her contributions to her country cannot be understated,” continued Lankford. “Her positive relationship with the United States intensified our already strong connection to the British people  We join the international community in mourning the tremendous loss of Margaret Thatcher, but we will not forget her work to serve the poor and all workers by promoting free markets and private initiative,” concluded Lankford.

The Express writes from the UK that “sick left-wing parties celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher broke out last night leaving streets in ruin, windows smashed and police officers injured.

Left-wing groups across the country took part in macabre celebrations of the death of the former British Prime Minister, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.

Six police officers were injured when a scuffle broke out at a party in Bristol where 200 had gathered.

In Brixton, south London, two women were arrested on suspicion of looting a store and riot police were deployed as the crowds which had been drinking since 5pm became violent.

People climbed the Ritzy cinema billboard to spell out ‘Margaret Thatcher is dead’ while the advertisement for the street party in Bristol read: “Let’s see the evil Tory off in style. May she never ever RIP.”

Details of the event were posted on the Bristol Indymedia website, which lists “10 reasons to hate Thatcher”, including her anti-trade union policies, employment policies, politics of individualism and approach to the Falklands.

Other parties were held across the UK to “celebrate” the death of the former prime minister, including Glasgow and Brixton in London.

Click here for more from Express.

The International Business Times also covers events with a story titled, Dancing on Thatcher’s Grave: Brixton’s Iron Lady Death Party Ends in Looting and Arrests

IBTimes UK reporter Ewan Palmer was at the scene. He said: “There was the notion that this morbid celebration has been planned in thousands of people’s heads for more than 30 years.

“Police stood by and watched as more and more people arrived with their drink and banners mocking her death. Shouts of ‘Maggie, Maggie, Maggie! dead, dead, dead!” rang around gleefully.

“Chalk was handed out so people could graffiti their own message on the ground and surrounding walls.

“There were even two guys playing double bass and acoustic guitar in the crowd for a singalong. At the start of the evening, the whole thing resembled a middle-class music festival more than a raucous demo.

“Almost inevitably after a few hours of people drinking in the streets, this escalated into scenes of unrest between people and riot police, resulting in arrests and even serious injury.”

Click here for more from the International Business Times.