How 'bout that Rep. Dan Sullivan?
Yes, Cowboy fans, Dan Sullivan, conservative Tulsa Republican legislative leader, will be supping at the public trough. Again.
Sullivan, one of those brassy anti-government types, is taking—wait for it!—a lucrative government job. Sullivan was recently hired as the new CEO for the Grand River Dam Authority, a state energy agency. This despite the fact that Sullivan has exactly no energy experience. Sweet!
This is business as usual at the GRDA, which had previously hired another politician as its CEO. That time it was a Democrat, Kevin Easley, and the GRDA was criticized (and rightly so) for Easley's hiring.
Ah, but the good-ole-boy system endures. Sullivan, who should be opposed to the government gravy train, isn't about to criticize his new salary, reported as more than $200,000. All together now: Sweet!
Again, Sullivan has no energy experience whatsoever. In fact, this is just the sort of deal that Rep. Sullivan would criticize, if the GRDA had offered the post to a Democrat, especially one with no experience.
In Oklahoma sometimes, as the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
New Hotel Slated for Tulsa's Downtown Brady District
A new hotel in Tulsa's Brady District is another sign of the revitalization of downtown Tulsa. Here's the story, courtesy of Tulsa's KOTV Channel 6: A Renaissance For Tulsa's Brady District
Zing! Evangelicals Attack other Evangelicals
Our nomination for Quote of the Week, from an op-ed in the New York Times by evangelicals Karl Giberson and Randall Stephens.
The writers, both associated with Eastern Nazarene College, go after the "simplistic theology" and "stubborn anti-intellectualism" of popular fundamentalism, the kind embraced by most of the Republican presidential candidates.
The opening lines:
The writers, both associated with Eastern Nazarene College, go after the "simplistic theology" and "stubborn anti-intellectualism" of popular fundamentalism, the kind embraced by most of the Republican presidential candidates.
The opening lines:
And remember: These guys are evangelicals.The Republican presidential filed has become a showcase of evangelical anti-intellectualism. Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann deny that climate change is real and caused by humans. Mr. Perry and Mrs. Bachmann dismiss evolution as unproven.***The rejection of science seems to be part of a politically monolithic red-state fundamentalism, textbook evidence of an unyielding ignorance on the part of the religious.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Ideologue Sally Kern: More Baloney from Oklahoma's Worst Legislator
AltTulsa missed it the other day, but Rep. Sally Kern—card-carrying member of the American Taliban—is up to her old tricks.
Yes, Sooner fans, Oklahoma City Kern, a Republican, has been flipping her lid over national education standards. Yep, those dad-blamed ole federal standards are (according to her) a federal takeover of Oklahoma education. We ought to have local control, Kerns says.
This is standard-issue Kern nonsense, of course. Public education is already under local control.
In fact, Kern's agenda has less to do with local control than with her own desire to impose religion—her particular brand of religion—views on local districts.
As a Tulsa World editorial pointed out recently, Kern really wants "forced prayer, the teaching of creationism and the banning of certain books, among other restrictions." How's that for free inquiry?
No, Sally Kern is not in interested in education at all, not actual education that challenges students to think for themselves. Her idea is indoctrination, especially of the Far Right variety.
Oklahomans of all persuasions ought to be wary of such baloney.
Yes, Sooner fans, Oklahoma City Kern, a Republican, has been flipping her lid over national education standards. Yep, those dad-blamed ole federal standards are (according to her) a federal takeover of Oklahoma education. We ought to have local control, Kerns says.
This is standard-issue Kern nonsense, of course. Public education is already under local control.
In fact, Kern's agenda has less to do with local control than with her own desire to impose religion—her particular brand of religion—views on local districts.
As a Tulsa World editorial pointed out recently, Kern really wants "forced prayer, the teaching of creationism and the banning of certain books, among other restrictions." How's that for free inquiry?
No, Sally Kern is not in interested in education at all, not actual education that challenges students to think for themselves. Her idea is indoctrination, especially of the Far Right variety.
Oklahomans of all persuasions ought to be wary of such baloney.
Friday, October 14, 2011
KWGS Interview: Rich Fisher's Talk with Jonathan Franzen
As we mentioned in this space a few days ago, Jonathan Franzen, author of novels such as The Corrections and Freedom, was in Tulsa this week for a lecture at TU.
If you didn't get to the lecture, you can still catch up with Franzen through an interview conducted by Rich Fisher for KWGS 89.5, the NPR affiliate in Tulsa
Fisher, host of "Studio Tulsa," talked to Franzen in advance of his visit. It's an interesting conversation. Here's the link: KWGS: Interview with Jonathan Franzen.
If you didn't get to the lecture, you can still catch up with Franzen through an interview conducted by Rich Fisher for KWGS 89.5, the NPR affiliate in Tulsa
Fisher, host of "Studio Tulsa," talked to Franzen in advance of his visit. It's an interesting conversation. Here's the link: KWGS: Interview with Jonathan Franzen.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Poor Sally Kern, Attacked by Those Mean Gay People
Gotta love that Sally Kern, an Oklahoma politician who always stands up for the downtrodden and the outcast, those folks that society has shunned.
Oh, wait. That's what Jesus would do.
Kern, on the hand, works hard to shun the sinners that Jesus himself would embrace.
Instead, Kern plays the victim card, imagining herself under physical attack by all those well-muscled, militant gays, people so well known for their violence and gun-play.
Read about Kern's latest complaint here. Boo-hoo.
Oh, wait. That's what Jesus would do.
Kern, on the hand, works hard to shun the sinners that Jesus himself would embrace.
Instead, Kern plays the victim card, imagining herself under physical attack by all those well-muscled, militant gays, people so well known for their violence and gun-play.
Read about Kern's latest complaint here. Boo-hoo.
Flashback: Romney Endorses the Individual Health Insurance Mandate
Ah, the joys of videotape. (Okay, digital technology.) It's great to recall what the candidates once said.
Take Mitt Romney—please. Turns out, the former governor and current Republican presidential candidate likes the individual health insurance mandate, the same one that the current GOP has been deriding for years.
It's more evidence (as if any were needed) of the shifting positions that Romney has taken on, well, most every major political position.
For conservatives, Romney's principles are firmly fixed in the wind.
The link, with revealing video, is here.
Take Mitt Romney—please. Turns out, the former governor and current Republican presidential candidate likes the individual health insurance mandate, the same one that the current GOP has been deriding for years.
It's more evidence (as if any were needed) of the shifting positions that Romney has taken on, well, most every major political position.
For conservatives, Romney's principles are firmly fixed in the wind.
The link, with revealing video, is here.
Georgia County Considers Replacing Firefighters With Prison Laborers
We hate to be blunt, but this strikes us—and most other people, we suspect—as an incredibly stupid idea.
A Georgia county is considering using inmates as firefighters. Hey, what's not to like? It's free labor. It's innovative. It's cool.
Or maybe not. Maybe this is just a dumb idea.
The details are here: Georgia County Considers Replacing Firefighters With Prison Laborers.
A Georgia county is considering using inmates as firefighters. Hey, what's not to like? It's free labor. It's innovative. It's cool.
Or maybe not. Maybe this is just a dumb idea.
The details are here: Georgia County Considers Replacing Firefighters With Prison Laborers.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Author Jonathan Franzen Visits Tulsa Thursday
The AltTulsa gang likes to keep up with contemporary writers and their writing, so we are pleased to put in a plug today for novelist Jonathan Franzen. He will speak Thursday night at TU as part of the university's Presidential Lecture series.
The lecture is set for 7:30 p.m. at TU's new Lorton Performance Center.
We admit that we know Franzen more by reputation than by a deep reading of his work. Nevertheless, we have been impressed by the popular and critical acclaim that Franzen's work has garnered and we expect his public lecture to be enlightening and even provocative.
Here's some background on the author from the TU website:
The lecture is set for 7:30 p.m. at TU's new Lorton Performance Center.
We admit that we know Franzen more by reputation than by a deep reading of his work. Nevertheless, we have been impressed by the popular and critical acclaim that Franzen's work has garnered and we expect his public lecture to be enlightening and even provocative.
Here's some background on the author from the TU website:
Jonathan Franzen stepped into the international pop culture spotlight in 2001 when his book “The Corrections” was published, with translations in 35 languages, American hardcover sales of nearly 1 million copies and nominations for nearly every major book prize in the United States. As if sales and critical acclaim weren’t enough to boost his profile, the author found himself in a public relations imbroglio over his conflicted reaction to his novel’s endorsement by Oprah’s Book Club.
Franzen’s most recent novel is “Freedom” (2010). Writing in the New York Times Book Review, editor Sam Tanenhaus declared the work a “masterpiece of American fiction,” and “Freedom” debuted at No. 1 on the Times’ bestseller list. His short stories and his essays, including political journalism, have most recently appeared in The New Yorker, The Best American Essays, The New York Times, and The Guardian. A new collection of his nonfiction, “Farther Away,” will appear in 2012.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Fallin Fail: Governor Defends Air Show Boondoggle
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin pretends to be a good steward of the taxpayer's money. She's one of those highly accountable, tight-fisted Republicans who wouldn't waste a dime of the Sooner state treasury.
Actually, not so much.
As the Associated Press reported this week, the Fallin administration sent four state employees to the Paris Air Show this summer to the tune of $84,000.
How 'bout that $400-a-night luxury hotel? How 'bout that $188 daily meal expense? Nice (state) work, if you can get it.
Fallin has defended the trip, calling it a "legitimate investment" in the state's aerospace industry. The state needs to wave its aerospace flag, Fallin said, because it's an important Oklahoma industry.
We're not buying it, not when Fallin and other state leaders have been cutting spending on public education, health programs and other state services.
After laying out $84,000 on a dubious junket, Gov. Fallin and the state's Republican leaders need to drop all the "woe is me" baloney about state revenues. If they can afford to send four state employees to Paris, they can do better for the underfunded and underserved people of Oklahoma.
Actually, not so much.
As the Associated Press reported this week, the Fallin administration sent four state employees to the Paris Air Show this summer to the tune of $84,000.
How 'bout that $400-a-night luxury hotel? How 'bout that $188 daily meal expense? Nice (state) work, if you can get it.
Fallin has defended the trip, calling it a "legitimate investment" in the state's aerospace industry. The state needs to wave its aerospace flag, Fallin said, because it's an important Oklahoma industry.
We're not buying it, not when Fallin and other state leaders have been cutting spending on public education, health programs and other state services.
After laying out $84,000 on a dubious junket, Gov. Fallin and the state's Republican leaders need to drop all the "woe is me" baloney about state revenues. If they can afford to send four state employees to Paris, they can do better for the underfunded and underserved people of Oklahoma.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Writer and Filmmaker Miranda July: An Appreciation (and a Thanks to Tulsa's Circle Cinema)
Speaking of writers (see last post), AltTulsa wants to put in a good word for Miranda July, writer, filmmaker and actor.
We first encountered Ms. July some years ago when her film, Me and You and Everyone We Know, made a splash on the indy film circuit. It's an inventive, odd and engaging film—though not the sort that brings the masses to the mall cineplex.
Later, we were taken by her 2007 collection of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You. Although it's been years since we read the stories, we've never forgotten the hard beauty of her characters and their emotional lives. In a word, unforgettable.
We were reminded of Ms. July this week because Tulsa's art house, Circle Cinema, is playing her latest film, The Future. We saw it earlier this week and were charmed again, in part by the originality of the story—a quirky mediation on time—and in part by Ms. July's radiance on the screen. For a writer who is only part-time actor, Ms. July is remarkably convincing (and lovely) on the big screen.
Ms. July also appeared at the Circle this week via Skype, answering questions from the audience. She talked about her film and writing. Given the originality of her work, her answers provided insights into her creative process and, more importantly, her artistic vision.
There's more about Miranda July and The Future here.
We first encountered Ms. July some years ago when her film, Me and You and Everyone We Know, made a splash on the indy film circuit. It's an inventive, odd and engaging film—though not the sort that brings the masses to the mall cineplex.
Later, we were taken by her 2007 collection of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You. Although it's been years since we read the stories, we've never forgotten the hard beauty of her characters and their emotional lives. In a word, unforgettable.
We were reminded of Ms. July this week because Tulsa's art house, Circle Cinema, is playing her latest film, The Future. We saw it earlier this week and were charmed again, in part by the originality of the story—a quirky mediation on time—and in part by Ms. July's radiance on the screen. For a writer who is only part-time actor, Ms. July is remarkably convincing (and lovely) on the big screen.
Ms. July also appeared at the Circle this week via Skype, answering questions from the audience. She talked about her film and writing. Given the originality of her work, her answers provided insights into her creative process and, more importantly, her artistic vision.
There's more about Miranda July and The Future here.
A Contemplation of Home: Tulsa Writer Considers Meanings and Memories
James Watts is an arts writer for the Tulsa World. As such, he reviews classical music, museum exhibits, art shows and other cultural events for the newspaper. (Yes, wise guys, Tulsa does a serious art and music scene.)
Watts also writes personal columns every now and again. One column, published several weeks ago, struck us as particularly evocative. The column was a rumination on the meaning of home, which in this case was his wife's parent's home near 21st Street and Yale.
When it came time to clean out the house after they died, the task seemed overwhelming, Watts writes.
The couple had lived in the house for 50-plus years, collecting (as we all do) "everyday objects, family heirlooms, geegaws that no one could quite figure out their purpose or their worth….."
Watts also writes of his own parents, their many homes and and their late-life adventures. Is home a building, Watts wonders, or is it something more?
Maybe it's just us, but we were moved by Watts' thoughtful prose—something that doesn't happen with every newspaper column.
Read Watts for yourself. The link is here.
Watts also writes personal columns every now and again. One column, published several weeks ago, struck us as particularly evocative. The column was a rumination on the meaning of home, which in this case was his wife's parent's home near 21st Street and Yale.
When it came time to clean out the house after they died, the task seemed overwhelming, Watts writes.
The couple had lived in the house for 50-plus years, collecting (as we all do) "everyday objects, family heirlooms, geegaws that no one could quite figure out their purpose or their worth….."
Watts also writes of his own parents, their many homes and and their late-life adventures. Is home a building, Watts wonders, or is it something more?
Maybe it's just us, but we were moved by Watts' thoughtful prose—something that doesn't happen with every newspaper column.
Read Watts for yourself. The link is here.
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