Commentary

On Nov. 2, the citizens of Oklahoma will vote on whether to approve a state constitutional amendment that prohibits “forced participation in a health care system.” Passed by the Oklahoma Legislature after failing to override Gov. Brad Henry’s veto of a similar statute, the initiative is essentially a protest against national health care reform. It’s […]

Recent federal health care legislation threatens to squash the rights of Oklahomans, drive up the cost of health care, and limit already-weak access to health care providers in the state. It’s clear the federal law will exacerbate current health care problems ” at a high price ” without providing significant benefits. The federal health insurance […]

Five years ago when I returned home to Oklahoma, it was with the conviction that Oklahomans were fair, decent, compassionate people. In the effort to advance human and civil rights, surely Oklahomans would listen, and ultimately these values would persuade. In recent weeks, the Legislature overrode a series of gubernatorial vetoes, eroding individual freedom and […]

Oklahoma City needs a great street. Just one great street would do for now. A street with shopping and sidewalk cafes; a street to work on, to live on, or simply to visit for the afternoon; a street to stroll or simply sit and watch others stroll by; a street where life and community happens, […]

My parents were born in Vinita before 1915 and were a part of the “Greatest Generation.” I was late in their lives. My experiences with them were a blend of old and new. As a young kid in the ’50s, we drove Route 66 before the interstates came to our small, northeastern Oklahoma town. Family […]

Nothing attracts a pack of curious readers like a good list. A list of, say, health-inspection violations issued to their favorite restaurants, or the assessed value of houses on their block, or registered sex offenders living in their neighborhood. Such lists ” especially if they’re wrong ” can get journalists into hot water. The Guthrie […]

You’ve had this happen before, right? You’re standing around whatever the 21st century equivalent of the water cooler is (the Keurig? Facebook?), and the conversation takes a dismaying turn to the latest crazy happening down state Capitol way. Someone inevitably groans and says, “I think I just need to move to another state.” Not to […]

The most recent legislative session wrapped up last week, so we should look back and see where we have come. What has been accomplished? Who is a rising star? Which legislation is a waste of paper? Which politician should switch parties? “Biggest waste of time legislation: Usually, most “commemorative” legislation honors folks like The Flaming […]

“Five die as tornadoes hit Oklahoma,” Derrick Henry reported on The New York Times website. “Four dead in Oklahoma tornado outbreak,” according to Little Rock’s KATV-Channel 7 broadcast. “The Oklahoman was reporting Tuesday afternoon that the death toll had been upped from five to seven,” according to an Associated Press story. “Seven lives have been […]