Commentary

For centuries, traditional marriage has been the bedrock institution of society, providing stability and sustainability. Only traditional marriage produces children, which perpetuates future generations. While same-sex couples can adopt or be inseminated, this is not the norm. For posterity, society has a vested interest in preserving traditional marriage. Countless studies prove that children thrive best […]

Have you noticed the ever-increasing visibility of elected officials using taxpayer dollars to tell you all the great things they are doing for us? Drive down a county road, and you’ll likely see a sign telling you County Commissioner So-and-So was responsible for the new road or bridge. Oh really? I have always assumed those […]

As you may or may not know, there are discussions, meetings and forums to allow citizens the ability to voice their concerns about what needs to be included in the next round of MAPS. I have decided to take a different approach ” what should not be in MAPS.  First, I think MAPS 3 needs […]

Gov. Brad Henry’s responsible, bipartisan leadership has checked a sometimes misguided, Republican-controlled Legislature, which has consistently presented him with bills that would do nothing to move the state forward. Henry, one of the most popular governors in the state’s history, has done so with judicious vetoes and bill signings. He helped bring about political compromise […]

What a difference a decade or so makes. Thirteen years ago, Kim and I left New Orleans for Norman. I wanted out of Tulane University. The University of Oklahoma offered me a chance to start over, and so we set off from one economically depressed capital of the oil patch to another. In the summer […]

The debate over school consolidation continues in Oklahoma, but consolidation is hardly the financial panacea presented by its proponents. School consolidation is often a sign that a small, rural Oklahoma community is no longer viable and must give up its schools, but that doesn’t mean state leaders should give up on these places. Sometimes, the […]

While recession rages around us and now encroaches upon our borders, according to the latest tax revenue numbers from Oklahoma State Treasurer Scott Meacham, one corner of the state’s economy is booming. Sales tax revenue was up $14.6 million from last year, according to the April report. Second Amendment merchandise and accessories may be part […]

Several of the Oklahoma County officials campaigned on bringing a more professional manner, tone and demeanor to the circus that was Oklahoma County government. Have things at the courthouse really changed, or have the elected officials learned the political lessons of the past? Let’s look back a few years: Commissioner Stuart Earnest faced Stan Inman, […]

A decade ago, Oklahoma decided to create a biotech industry. The area south of the Capitol has become home to a nationally recognized group of scientists who are finding cures for diseases, solutions to health problems and doing collaborative research with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and a […]