Meanwhile, in Illinois …
Zoinks! After nurturing the impression he was above the muck of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s pay-to-play scandal, U.S. Sen. Roland Burris now acknowledges he made some calls to try to raise funds for Blagojevich at the behest of the governor’s brother — while Burris was seeking appointment to the seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Burris, a Democrat, says he’s open to a Senate ethics investigation, which probably is the least he could do after making everyone believe he steadfastly rebuffed Blagojevich’s money grubbing. Illinois is a blue state, as blue as any in the country. But you’ve got to wonder if the stink of corruption isn’t going to linger with Illinois voters long enough for them to vote for change of their own next year, to the GOP.
Bibi’s back?
Everyone’s heard of winning the battle but losing the war. That’s sort of where Israel’s acting prime minister, Tzipi Livni, finds herself after taut national elections Tuesday.
Livni’s Kadima Party won one more seat in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, than chief rival Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu’s Likud Party, but Netanyahu appears to have the best chance at assembling a governing coalition. That’s because Likud, third-place finisher Israel Beiteinu and other conservative-leaning parties can form a right bloc that’s six to eight seats larger than any potential left-leaning bloc.
Final results won’t be known until soldiers’ votes are counted, but it appears Netanyahu, who was prime minister from 1996 to 1999, has the inside track to head Israel’s government. There’s an outside chance Livni, who was foreign minister in the outgoing government, and Netanyahu could come together and form a unity coalition. Possible, but not likely.
Birds of a feather …
Have you noticed more northern shovelers in Oklahoma? How about red-shouldered hawks? The Audubon Society says those birds (and others) have become more common in the Sooner State in the past four decades as they have moved farther north for the winter.
Credit global warming – the Audubon Society does. Other factors have no doubt contributed, such as urban sprawl, but the society says warming is the only explanation for why more than half the bird species on this continent winter farther north than they used to.
We wouldn’t mind seeing fewer Canada geese. These fowl now call Oklahoma home year-round and cause havoc for farmers while soiling parks, golf courses, walking trails – you name it.
Birds of a feather …
Have you noticed more northern shovelers in Oklahoma? How about red-shouldered hawks? The Audubon Society says those birds (and others) have become more common in the Sooner State in the past four decades as they have moved farther north for the winter.
Credit global warming – the Audubon Society does. Other factors have no doubt contributed, such as urban sprawl, but the society says warming is the only explanation for why more than half the bird species on this continent winter farther north than they used to.
We wouldn’t mind seeing fewer Canada geese. These fowl now call Oklahoma home year-round and cause havoc for farmers while soiling parks, golf courses, walking trails – you name it.
Gene Roddenberry’s last frontier
Pithy commentary is difficult to avoid when it comes to Star Trek stars wanting to make space their final resting place. It is, after all, the final frontier. And while they’re not quite going where no man has gone before, they are planning to stay there. Part of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s remains was launched into space in 1997. His wife, Majel, died last year. Her remains and the rest of her husband’s will be sent into space in 2012, via a rocket-launched spacecraft, according to a message from the couple’s son left on the Web site of Celestis Memorial Spaceflights. The company said the mission fulfills Majel Roddenberry’s wish for the couple’s own “personal star trek … deep into the final frontier.” We wonder if the price list that ranges from about $700 to more than $37,000 includes a frequent flyer discount.
And it’s … Gillibrand?
In settling on U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand from upstate New York to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, Gov. David Paterson appears to have rung the bell for the race to fill the seat on a permanent basis. Gillibrand is described as moderate to liberal, having first won election to the House in 2006 from a previously Republican district near Albany. She supports Second Amendment gun rights for individuals and middle-class tax cuts and opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants. Yet she’s also considered a protege of New York’s other senator, Charles Schumer, who’s definitely a liberal.
Depending on what you read, Gillibrand either was Paterson’s choice for some time — the governor believing popular pick Caroline Kennedy wasn’t ready for prime time — or moved to the top of the heap when Kennedy first gave hints of bowing out earlier this week.
More certain is that Gillibrand’s got her work cut out for her to keep the seat. She must run in a special election in 2010 to complete Clinton’s term and then again in 2012 for a full six-year term of her own. New York Democrats who weren’t bashful about opposing Kennedy probably aren’t any more sanguine about a relative newcomer landing the plum. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, whose husband was killed in the 1993 Long Island Railroad massacre, says she’ll challenge Gillibrand because of her support for gun rights. State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has interest in higher office, as do a number of other Democrats on New York’s congressional delegation. Republicans also may see Gillibrand as vulnerable. Rep. Peter King is known to be interested in running. And, they’re off!
Priest plea: A few bad apples …
As pastor of a Catholic church in Delray Beach, Fla., the Rev. Francis Guinan in 2005 implored his church to discontinue an investigation into alleged financial improprieties. Now we know why.
On Wednesday, Guinan’s colleague Monsignor John Skehan pleaded guilty to embezzling $370,000. His plea came on the day jury selection was to begin in the case. Authorities believe Skehan may actually have made off with millions during his 40 years at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, but the statute of limitations restricted the timeline to 2001 through 2006.
Guinan is accused of stealing $488,000 during his 19 months as pastor. He is to be tried next month and has pleaded not guilty.
In his 2005 letter to his church, Guinan noted that priests “devote their lives to the church with little thought for personal gain. They are generous, charitable and compassionate.” About that he was absolutely correct, which makes stories like this all the more disappointing and sad.
Doesn’t hurt to ask
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett says the city is in much better shape than many around the country, but that won’t stop City Hall from seeking federal stimulus money. Same goes for Tulsa. The U.S. Conference of Mayors invited municipalities to put in requests for any money Congress sees fit to send their way. Oklahoma City’s request was modest relative to Tulsa’s - $501 million vs. $944 million. That Tulsa wants nearly a $1 billion of Uncle Sam’s money strikes us as bit overreaching, but you can’t fault a city for asking. In his 2009 State of the City speech, Cornett noted that “with the rest of the world dealing with such severe economic issues, it is only fair for us to acknowledge that our envious position should be valued and protected. And at City Hall we are asking those in charge of our city government’s finances to maintain the same conservative principles that got us here.” We wish those in charge of the federal government’s finances had asked for the same thing.
Party time for Wanda Jackson fans
We suggested last fall that fans of Wanda Jackson might just do like her biggest hit song says – Let’s Have a Party – if she were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Well, break out the noisemakers and confetti.
Jackson was chosen for induction this week.
Jackson, 71, is a native of Maud and now lives in Oklahoma City. She began her career singing country music in the early 1950s but later switched to rock ‘n’ roll. Jackson will be inducted in the hall’s “early influence” category.
Congratulations to the Queen of Rockabilly, whose cause for the hall was championed for years by colleagues including the likes of Elvis Costello. Let the party begin.
Encouraging word heard
Some surprisingly encouraging words on coal and nuclear power from Stephen Chu, President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for energy secretary. Chu is known as a big renewable energies guy, but at his confirmation hearing this week he emphasized the need to use available resources like coal and nuclear — heretofore absolutely shunned by the green-energy types who’re likely to drive policy during the Obama administration. Chu said federal loan programs should be used to jump-start the nuclear industry and that the U.S. shouldn’t abandon coal while it searches for ways to make use of it cleaner. Time will tell whether that’s Chu’s true heart or just a bid for brownie points in the confirmation process.
