She attempted this with failed legislation and through complaints to the Metropolitan Library Commission, which led to a series of heated public meetings. Take note of what this action signified: A public library is supposed to represent and serve the broad public. Materials are to be freely available and easily accessible. We live in a […]
Commentary
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Not fit for fitness
A well-respected fitness report recently ranked the Oklahoma City-area dead last among the country’s 50 largest metropolitan areas, a distinction that should serve as a wake-up call for political leaders and health professionals here. The report should not be ignored or qualified. It’s more than just another blemish on the area’s image or yet another […]
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Boren voted for Oklahoma’s interests first, regardless of his Democratic Party affiliation, and as a result he found himself at odds with his party leadership.
Boren voted for Oklahoma’s interests first, regardless of his Democratic Party affiliation, and as a result he found himself at odds with his party leadership.
Posted inNews
Thank you, Ms. Luper
As I ventured into my American history class the first day of my sophomore year, I was unaware that I was opening a door to a school-yearlong experience that would forever change my perspectives on the world. Sure, my fellow classmates and I were vaguely aware that Ms. Luper had some significance to our state’s […]
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Counterpoint: ‘Good for Oklahoma’
But it’s clear to those who review the project with an objective, fact-based approach that Keystone XL has been fair with landowners in Oklahoma and other states, will strengthen American energy security, is the safest way to deliver petroleum products to Americans, and will generate economic benefits. Some might get the false impression we are […]
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Point: Fighting ‘authoritarian oil oligarchs’
The “Arab Spring” inspired freedom-loving people everywhere, even as it helped drive oil prices above $100 per barrel. Back home, we face our own authoritarian oil oligarchs. A foreign company — TransCanada — is trying to ram a new pipeline down the throats of Oklahoma landowners like the Kelso family of Bennington. The Kelsos want […]
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Race matters in Ersland case
The arrest and trial sparked a national debate on the limits of self defense, dividing many in the state. However, one of the least talked about, but most important undercurrents in this saga has been the pervasive influence of race. When read in the context of a history of racial inequality and a persistent stream […]
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Transit should be a priority
The report’s findings combined the performance in Oklahoma City with service provided in Guthrie, Edmond and Norman. The report indicated a disconnect between accessibility and usability: More than twice as many people can access transit than jobs that can be reached using transit, and the typical transit user can reach only a small percentage of […]
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End of session grades
Let’s get to my end-of-session grades: —State Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman (Republican leader): B-plus. It is hard to steer entire pieces of legislation and issues when you are one third of the process (House, Senate and governor), but Sen. Bingman held true to his convictions. Despite going against House Speaker Kris Steele and Gov. […]
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Students cover tax cuts
Boren reportedly made the remark in early May at a meeting with students and faculty in which he also said OU students should expect some type of “modest” tuition hike this coming fall. The word “irresponsible” to describe the pending income tax cut on Jan. 1, 2012, is probably an understatement, but Boren deserves credit […]