Dem. Party Chairman on Sullivan
Todd Goodman, the new chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, issued this statement about Congressman John Sullivan, the Tulsa Republican who checked into a clinic for treatment of alcoholism:
“The Oklahoma Democratic Party wishes to express our support for Congressman John Sullivan in this difficult time. We wish him the best in his recovery from his illness, and our thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Sullivan and his family as they attend to this private matter.”
Coburn Running Again
Sen. Tom Coburn’s campaign website _ launched today after the Muskogee Republican announced his intention to run for reelection _ gives you the opportunity to watch a new commercial and, as a bonus, commercials from last year’s unnsuccessful campaign by Andrew Rice.
Coburn Report on Beach Waste
Sen. Tom Coburn’s office has released a report that says the federal government is spending about $100 million a year to replenish beaches while more critical projects, such as levees, are starved for funds.
“Taxpayers know that Congress wastes money,” Coburn, R-Muskogee, said. “Yet, many Americans may be surprised to learn that billions of taxpayer dollars have literally washed out to sea through questionable ‘beach nourishment projects’ while critical infrastructure needs have gone unmet. In the wake of major natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, and in the midst of our current financial difficulties, it’s time for Congress to use a little more common sense in its management of taxpayer dollars.”
Inhofe, Lucas Against Obama Proposals
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, are taking public stands today against proposals of President Barack Obama.
Inhofe will lead an effort to assure detainees at Gitmo won’t be transferred to prison facilities in the United States.
And Lucas is holding a news conference to say rural America will suffer disproportionately from the president’s goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions.
Inhofe Questions Gates
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, questioned Defense Secretary Robert Gates this morning about the secretary’s decision to cancel some weapons programs, including the Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles. One of those vehicles was a cannon that was supposed to be partially assembled in Elgin.
Warning: This clip is full of Defense Department acronymns and jargon.
NY Times Slams Coburn Gun Amendment
The New York Times today criticized Senate passage of an amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn to allow loaded firearms in national parks.
Inhofe Welcomes New General
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a frequent visitor to Afghanistan, praised U.S. Army Gen. David McKiernan, who was replaced as the top commander in Afghanistan by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Inhofe also welcomed Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal to the post, as well as Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, who will be McChrystal’s deputy.
“General McKiernan is a combat proven warrior – a man who epitomizes the words honor and integrity,” Inhofe said.
“I had the great privilege to meet with General McKiernan in Afghanistan last December and again this past month. He has always demonstrated a clear understanding of what was needed to succeed in Afghanistan and he continually pressed for additional troops in order to achieve that success. He also oversaw the initial troop increases under the Bush administration and the current increase in U.S. troops ordered by President Obama.
“I also want to warmly welcome both Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal and Lieutenant General David M. Rodriguez to their new posts. They are two of the most qualified generals in the Army, and are extremely respected across the services. I am confident in their leadership styles and their expertise to successfully execute the mission in Afghanistan.”
Inhofe, Lucas Pumped About Bush Visit
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, are excited about the news that former President George W. Bush will visit the western Oklahoma town of Woodward for Fourth of July festivities and the dedication of Crystal Beach Park.
Lucas said, “Crystal Beach Park is a landmark in Woodward. The recent renovations it has undergone have made it even more of a treasure to the city. I am sure that President Bush will enjoy the warm hospitality of Woodward this Fourth of July. This is a wonderful opportunity for the rest of the country to see all the amazing features of Woodward and Northwestern Oklahoma.”
Said Inhofe, “I am proud that President Bush has chosen the city of Woodward to spend the Fourth of July. Woodward exemplifies the promising economic growth and achievements many of the communities in Oklahoma have had in recent years. I am sure the former President will agree that it’s a great place to spend this holiday.”
The two said they wrote letters to Bush urging him to attend the festival.
Boren Backs Apology to Indians
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, has introduced a resolution in the House to apologize to Native Americans for the way they have been treated by the U.S. government.
Boren’s resolution is the same as one that has been offered in previous years by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, that apologizes for the “many instances of violence, maltreatment and neglect.”
Boren said, “My congressional district has the third highest concentration of Native Americans in the country. We have a community with deep Native American roots and long standing traditions. Native American tribes are one of the greatest driving forces for economic development across my district and state, and make an immeasurable contribution to the lives of all Oklahomans.
“The U.S. government broke hundreds of treaties it made with Indian nations; these were government-to-government treaties ratified by the U.S. Senate. The impact of many U.S. policies is the source of many of the social and economic disparities that tribes face today. It is time for our nation to face these injustices and reconcile our relations with the Native Americans.
“It’s important that we acknowledge injustices such as forced removal and painful events like the Trail of Tears. While this apology doesn’t recognize the complexity of those wrongs, it’s an important step in moving forward. From my seat on the House Natural Resources Committee, I will work with Chairman Rahall and Senator Sam Brownback to see that it gets the attention it deserves.”
Fear and Loathing at Town Meetings
“People are uneasy and maybe a little angry.”
That was Rep. Dan Boren’s observation about the mood of people in his eastern Oklahoma congressional district.
A couple of hours after he made that comment, Sen. Tom Coburn told me this:
“People are fearful and angry.”
Coburn made that comment before I told him what Boren had said.
Both were back in Oklahoma for the two-week Easter break and they, along with other members of the congressional delegation, traveled around the state holding town hall meetings.
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, said he had 51 people come to a meeting of his in Boise City, a town in the westernmost county in the Panhandle. Doesn’t sound like many, but Lucas said it was a record for him. And he said he was given 13 tea bags at the meeting — symbols of the tea parties that were held around the country two weeks ago to protest government spending.
“People are riled up,” Lucas said.
Boren, D-Muskogee, said some of the anger stems from the federal bail-outs.
“There’s bail-out fatigue in general, whether it be TARP (the Troubled Assets Relief Program) or autos or anything. They just feel like people are being rewarded for bad decisions.”
Boren said there was also a “general malaise” and that he tried to reassure people that “we’re going to be okay.”
“We will persevere and we’ll get out of this (economic) situation,” he said.
Coburn, R-Muskogee, said people have the right to be fearful and angry.
“They have the right to be fearful because this Congress is just thinking of the short term instead of the long term. And they have the right to be angry because (lawmakers) are mortgaging the future.”
Coburn said he also had huge turn-outs at his town hall meetings.
Boren, Lucas, Coburn and other members of the delegation can be seen here talking about President Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office.
