Students, parents react to Obama speech
While politicians traded barbs about President Obama’s speech to students on Tuesday, students had surprisingly mature thoughts and opinions about it. Check out this video:
http://feeds.newsok.tv/services/player/bcpid4659235001?bctid=37913816001
And parents in Edmond protested the showing of the speech.
http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/video/37897777001
Obama to speak to school children at 11 a.m., remarks released
President Obama is expected to speak to school children today at 11 a.m. Oklahoma time. His remarks, which have been released already, include his own personal story of his mother teaching him extra lessons at 4:30 in the morning. He even talks about the first-day jitters some students may have upon starting a new school, or grade.
In most of the released remarks, Obama talks about the need for students to value their education and make the most of it. It’s up to students to do well in school, not teachers or parents at the end of day, according to the released remarks.
Last week, a handful of Oklahoma lawmakers decried Obama’s plan to talk to school children, saying it was way to get around parents and get straight to the young and impressionable minds of children. Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City and Sen. Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City were among the most vocal critics of the plan for Obama to speak to children during the school day, saying a direct message from the president could “create a cult of personality,” or was akin to “indoctrination.”
Incidentally, Kern, is the coordinator for the National Conference of State Legislatures program to get lawmakers into the classroom and engaging with students.
Some parents are talking about keeping their children home today. I’m curious about why parents would go to such extremes. Some are more upset by the proposed curriculum that goes with the speech, than the President speaking directly to student groups.
I get that parents want to be able to discuss and help shape the ideals of their children. But after reading the released remarks, it seems strange that this speech would garner so much negative attention. Isn’t personal responsibility a bipartisan issue?
To watch the president deliver the message live, go here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
– Julie Bisbee, Capitol Bureau
Conservative lawmakers upset by Obama’s plan to address students
President Obama’s plan to address school children on Tuesday is ruffling a few conservative feathers in Oklahoma.
Obama plans to talk to school children in an address that will be streamed live over the Internet on White House Website.
Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said allowing Obama to speak directly to students is “indoctrination.”
“No president, Republican or Democrat, should interrupt the education process in this manner,” Kern said. “Our children should not be exploited this way for partisan purposes.”
In a release sent out today she said: “To many parents, it looks like children are going to be held ‘accountable’ if they don’t propagandize on behalf of the Obama administration,” Kern said. “I’m sure those involved are well-meaning, but the appearance here is very troubling…The purpose of our government schools in a constitutional republic is not to force a captive audience to establish a bond with the president. Such an action would be appropriate for Cuba but not the United States of America.”
Kern said parents concerned about the issue should contact their local school principal, superintendent and school board members and state their disapproval. If school officials will not listen, she noted many parents plan to keep their children home that day and “could make their voices heard at the next round of school board elections.”
Sen. Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City, also weighed in on the issue. Russell, a decorated Army veteran, compared the President’s plan to speak to school children to indoctrination programs in communist countries and Nazi Germany.
“I’m concerned parental rights are being usurped by this,” said Russell. “This is akin to something you would see in North Korea or under Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. It attempts to create a cult of personality and goes directly against our personal liberties.”
Russell, who home schools his two of his five children, said Obama’s address will not be on the family’s lesson plan that day. His two other children that attend a public high school are off on Tuesday as part of an extended Labor Day weekend holiday.
Russell said many voters were not aware of the president’s plan to speak the children and the plan has caught them unaware. Russell said he doesn’t think any elected official should use their political position to “use a bully pulpit” to speak to children, and not their parents, who can vote.
Republican withdrawls from lieutenant governor race
Citing economic pressures and challenges in raising money for his race for lieutenant governor, Rep. Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon, has dropped out of the race. Schwartz said he will continue to represent his district which includes Yukon and Mustang.
“I remain as passionate about Oklahoma and its future as I did when I entered this campaign; but I understand the political reality that an effective statewide bid for public office requires sufficient funds to communicate my message to the entire state.”
His campaign sent out a statement this morning saying:
“Over the last 90 days it has become obvious to me that the current economic climate has hindered my ability to raise the needed financial resources to effectively fund a statewide race for Lt. Governor. Therefore, I am removing my name from consideration for the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor of Oklahoma. During my past campaigns for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, my support has always come from everyday, hard-working Oklahomans. It is these same supporters who have felt the pinch of the economic downturn the hardest; and now have less disposable income to contribute to a political campaign. … As a fourteen-year Republican Party activist, I look forward to fully supporting the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor, as well as the other slate of Republican candidates.”
Two Republicans remain in the race Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond and Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow. So far, Lamb remains the front runner in fundraising, according to recently filed campaign reports.
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, a Democrat, is seeking the governor’s seat. Gov. Brad Henry, also a Democrat, has served two terms and cannot run again.
– Julie Bisbee, Capitol Bureau
To stream or not to stream?
The live feed that streams audio and video from a Senate committee room must be more popular than I thought. Initially today’s meeting of the health insurance mandate review task force wasn’t streamed live on the Internet site that Capitol junkies are used to visiting to listen in on Senate committee hearings.
Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahoma City, said it was his decision not to broadcast the meeting. He said he had notified people of the meeting. The folks central to the issue where there, the press was there, he didn’t see the need to stream it. And it’s his first time to command a task force.
“Virtually 100 percent of the presentation was broadcast,” Branan said. “All that people really missed were the introductions. Once there was a request to broadcast it on the Internet, we turned it on.”
It’s not a lie to say that the health care/insurance debate in Oklahoma has become political. Branan says it shouldn’t be. But Republicans have been skeptical of additional mandates for coverage and Democrats have pushed for expanded coverage. Access to health care may not be a political issue, but when either party picks a side, it becomes that way.
By looking at Twitter, it’s clear Democrats thought broadcasting the meeting was issue and raised the question as to why the meeting of a predominately Republican task force wasn’t broadcast for public scrutiny. Offering audio and video feed is optional. The House doesn’t have live streaming audio or video in its committee rooms.
It wasn’t an official committee meeting. Policy wasn’t being voted up or down. And frankly the meeting was more about educating lawmakers on health policies more than it was about creating policy. In fact, it wouldn’t be too bold to say the meeting was somewhat dry to the average citizen.
However, is there an expectation that meetings of lawmakers should be broadcast if they can be? Even if no one was listening or cared, isn’t incumbent upon elected officials to strive to make information available to constituents, especially when it’s as easy as flipping a switch?
Commerce secretary sustained minor injuries in scooter fall
Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley
Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley was taken to the hospital this morning after she apparently fell off her scooter. Word from her staff this afternoon is that Shirley suffered minor cuts and bruises, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Nothing is broken, said Beth Schmidt, a spokeswoman for the Department of Commerce.
Shirley was riding her Vespa-type scooter to work and took a spill near NE 10th Street and Stiles Avenue. Shirley was wearing a helmet and no other vehicles were involved, Schmidt said.
Shirley was alert and talking at the scene when emergency crews arrived, Schmidt said.
Shirley was taken to the OU Medicial Center for treatment and appears to have only suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Gov. Brad Henry named Shirley the executive director of the Commerce Department in 2007.
An oldie, but a goodie
As the discussion on the national health care debate continues with our U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn in the forefront, I thought I’d dust this one off just for comic relief. And it’s Friday afternoon and football season is fast approaching. It seemed appropriate.
Coburn, R-Muskogee, sings an Elton John song after losing a bet with Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. Apparently the two bet on their teams in last season’s national championship. I don’t have to remind those of you in Sooner nation of what happened.
Nelson apparently picked the song in honor of his 1986 space flight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUDkXON9JhE
Business owner seeks southern Oklahoma seat
Democrat Oden Grube has announced her candidacy for the state representative seat in district 21.
Grube is seeking the seat held by Rep. John Carey, D-Durant, who is not seeking reelection. Grube is the president and chief executive officer of the Gen-Star of Oklahoma Inc., which rebuilds starters and alternators.
She is also president of Southeastern Trailer Transport and the owner of Star Signs and All Star Storage facilities. Grube has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Columbia Southern University. She has been active in politics at the Bryan County Democrat party chairman for the past eight years.
Lamb plans to make it official
Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond
It may be anti-climatic when Sen. Todd Lamb confirms/announces his bid for lieutenant governor tomorrow at locations across the state.
Throughout the legislative session, Lamb, an Edmond Republican, was coy when asked what his plans were for 2010. Of course, reporters in the press corps asked at every press conference. Maybe he just wanted to string us along? He plans to make his announcement in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Enid.
Lamb, served as the majority floor leader in the Senate this past legislative session, and is expected to announce his candidacy at 10 a.m. at the Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, 4040 N. Lincoln Blvd in Oklahoma City.
Lamb will also announce his candidacy at 2 p.m. at the Tulsa Press Club, 415 S. Boston Ave., and at 5 p.m. in Enid at the Cherokee Strip Conference Center located at 123 W. Maine.
While Lamb has not formally announced his campaign, groups have been raising money for his run for lieutenant governor. His campaign chest already includes $252,633 as of reports filed June 30 with the State Ethics Commission.
Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau is also seeking the post vacated by Lt. Gov. Jari Askins. Askins is running for governor in 2010.
Coates seeks top Senate spot after Coffee’s term ends
Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole
Choosing the next Senate President Pro Tempore just got interesting.
Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole announced today that he plans to run for top Senate spot in 2010, when current Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee’s term is up.
Coates says his diverse and professional background will help the Oklahoma Senate move forward.
Coates says in the Senate, he has worked to build consensus based on promoting common sense legislation that earned the support and respect of both Republicans and Democrats.
“In these difficult times, it’s more important than ever that we have leaders who know who to deal with a wide range of issues — not just in terms of creating public policy, but also understanding how it impacts our friends and neighbors back home,” Coates said.
“I’m not a career policitian. I’m a businessman and father who believes in straight talk and honesty as well openness and transparency in government.”
Now this is where it gets interesting. To get the top spot, Coates first needs to get reelected in 2010. Coates was first elected to the Senate in 2002, a predominantly Democrat area of the state. He was unopposed in his next bid to represent that district.
Then Coates has to hope makeup of the Senate doesn’t change too much with the next election. Five senators are term limited in 2010 and half of the other senators are up for re-election.
In the past legislative session, Coates wasn’t known to march lock step with the Republican majority. In fact on a handful of key issues, like immigration and chief information officer, Coates voted with Democrats.
In the vote to oppose the chief information officer bill, Coates was the lone Republican to vote against the bill that would allow the privatization of the state’s computer’s systems.
Coates would likely have support from Democrats when the full Senate meets, but there’s a long road to travel between today and the beginning of the 2011 session — and a few elections to won or lost in between.
