by Muskogee Politico - October 27, 2020 at 09:31AM
Oklahoma officials reacts to Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the U.S. Supreme Court's newest associate Justice yesterday evening, by a vote of 52 to 48. Following her confirmation, she was sworn in at a special ceremony at the White House by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, with President Donald Trump and Barrett's husband looking on.
Here are statements from both of Oklahoma's U.S. Senators, all 4 Republican U.S. House members, and Attorney General Mike Hunter:
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by Muskogee Politico - October 27, 2020 at 09:31AM Oklahoma officials reacts to Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot is TODAY (Oklahoma City) - The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the November 3 election is 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2020. The fastest, easiest way to request an absentee ballot is online using the OK Voter Portal. Voters can also download an Absentee Ballot Request Form from the State Election Board website and fax, email or hand-deliver their request to their County Election Board. Absentee ballot requests must be received no later than 5 p.m. on October 27. Voters who are incapacitated after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, may request an “emergency incapacitated” absentee ballot with proper documentation. Voters will need to contact their County Election Board for more information. Absentee ballot requests are processed daily. However, voters should remember to allow plenty of time to vote and return their ballots. Absentee ballots can be returned using the U.S. postal service or any private delivery service that provides delivery documentation. Ballots returned by mail or private delivery service must be received by the voter’s County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on election night. “Standard” absentee ballots may be hand-delivered to the voter’s County Election Board, provided ballots are returned no later than the end of business day, the Monday prior to the Election (November 2). “Physically incapacitated” absentee ballots can only be returned by mail or private delivery service.Voters with questions should contact their County Election Board for more information. by Muskogee Politico - October 27, 2020 at 06:45AM Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot is TODAY Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
NEW TV AD: Oklahomans United against 805 Release New TV Spot Highlighting a Serial Domestic Violence Offender Who Would Be Released if 805 Passes
Oklahoma City — Oklahomans United against 805 launched a new TV ad today, and top District Attorneys have a warning today for their fellow Oklahomans: If State Question 805 passes, hardened criminals like the perpetrator featured in the new TV spot will be let out of jail to re-offend. In their remarks at a press conference today, Oklahoma’s District Attorneys debunked S.Q. 805’s central theme that “non-violent” offenders were nearly “first-time”’ offenders. Nothing could be further from the truth. Through their new TV ad, Oklahomans United against 805 have identified yet another repeat offender who would benefit greatly from the leniency provided to career criminals if S.Q. 805 is passed. The new features Randall A. Cornelius, a repeat offender who has been arrested 25 times and who is listed as a suspect in at least 36 police reports. His list of offenses is long: kidnapping; strangulation; robbery of a disabled senior citizen; DUI (twice); drug possession and distribution (8 times); domestic violence; felon in possession of firearms; stolen vehicle; destruction of property; and more. However, perhaps his worst offense is the reported stabbing spree he went on against a girlfriend. KOCO 5 TV reported at the time that Cornelius, who has a “long, violent criminal history,” went on to commit a “brutal and bloody attack on his girlfriend” in front of a convenience store. Even after she ran for help into the store and sought to take cover behind the cashier stand, Cornelius continued stabbing her. The Midwest City police chief stated that if an officer hadn’t been nearby to help within seconds, the event would have been a homicide. Cornelius was arrested for the attack, in what was his 36th police investigation since 1998. The repeat offender is now serving time in prison in Holdenville, but— under S.Q. 805, his sentence would be lessened due to the sentence enhancements for his prior crimes. If 805 passes, Cornelius would be back out into the community to surely commit further crimes. Simply put, Cornelius’s 25 prior arrests would be hidden if S.Q. 805 passes. “If we respect women and we respect victim’s rights, we must vote no on 805,” said Kim Garrett, founder and CEO of Palomar domestic violence center. “If State Question 805 passes, it would let perpetrators like Cornelius back into the community to commit further crimes, and perhaps even return to kill his prior victim. In a civil society, we must protect women from repeat offenders such as this.” Further details of his stabbing spree: KOCO 5: “Police: Man Arrested in Midwest City Stabbing Has Long Violent Criminal History and OKC FOX: Police: Woman Stabbed Multiple Times outside Oklahoma City OnCue. PLUS: In addition to speaking about the new ad featuring a repeat violent offender, District Attorneys today answered Q&A specifically about the fact that if S.Q. 805 passes, it will:
View the new TV ad below:
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by Muskogee Politico - October 26, 2020 at 11:22PM No on 805 campaign releases hard-hitting new ad Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
It's voting time, and you're here because you don't want to be surprised when you see eight judges and justices on your ballot that you know nothing about. Thanks for dropping by!
If you've ever done the frustrating task of searching for information on these courts and judges, I feel your pain. As I mentioned in a previous post, finding information on the justices and judges on the retention ballot can be a difficult task, and basic information such as their ages can be anywhere from difficult to find to completely unknown to even Google.
A quick explainer before we move to the judges themselves. From CourtFacts.org:
Since Oklahoma went to this system in the 1960s, no judge has ever lost a retention vote. Each of these courts have six-year terms, so keep that in mind as you consider each of these judges and justices.
What's very important to remember is that the Governor is the individual who places judges and justices on these courts, so ultimately, they're respective political beliefs and party platforms influence and inform who they select to serve on the bench. If by some miracle one of the eight judges on the ballot this year becomes the first in history to lose a retention vote, Governor Kevin Stitt (R) would get to appoint a replacement. Do you like Governor Stitt? Are you a conservative or Republican? You might be more favorable to voting no on some of these judges then, as if the judge loses, Gov. Stitt gets the opportunity to appoint a replacement.
By the same token, the party affiliation of the Governor who appointed each of these judges is a contributing factor for you to consider. Do you agree more with the Republican Party platform, or with the Democratic Party platform? When appointing justices and judges, Democratic and Republican governors each have tendencies that generally mirror their party platforms. The judicial beliefs of their appointed judges usually follow (not always, but generally). Your position on the differing platforms is an important point to remember.
After giving what useful information I was able to find online, I will conclude each judge by listing how I will be voting, along with suggestions from conservative Tulsa blogger Michael Bates and conservative activists Steve Fair and Georgia Williams from the Lawton/Duncan area, both being sources that I trust.
Supreme Court (6 year term)Justice Tom Colbert (71) was appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court by Democratic Governor Brad Henry in 2004. He is the first African-American member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In college, he was All-Conference in the triple jump and All-American in the long jump. Colbert was a member of the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division from 1973 to 1975, receiving an honorable discharge in 1975. He later taught in Chicago public schools and law school in the late 1970s-early 1980s, was an assistant DA for two years, and then had nearly 15 years of private practice. Republican Gov. Frank Keating appointed him to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals in 2000, the first African-American judge on that court. When the State Supreme Court ruled that the 10 Commandments Monument had to be removed from the groups of the State Capitol, Justice Colbert was one of two who dissented. However, on the three most recent cases relating to abortion, Justice Colbert took the pro-abortion side every time. I will be voting 'no' on Justice Tom Colbert. Michael Bates agrees with this position, as well as Steve Fair and Georgia Williams. Justice Richard Darby (62) was appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court by Republican Governor Mary Fallin in 2018. Darby served as a district judge for 23 years before his appointment to the Supreme Court. Before that, he was a Special Judge for four years, then Associate District Judge for four years, for a total of nearly thirty-five years of judicial work. His wife was the longtime superintendent of Altus Christian Academy before retiring this year. On two different cases relating to abortion since he joined the Court, Justice Darby took the pro-life side both times. I will be voting 'yes' on Justice Darby. Fair and Williams concur, while Bates plans to vote no in order to give Gov. Stitt a new position to fill (and an opportunity to "continue his winning streak" on Supreme Court justices). Justice Matthew John Kane IV (58) was appointed by Republican Governor Kevin Stitt in 2019. Kane is a former district judge of 14 years. He is a homeschool dad, and a Roman Catholic. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, Kane had also served as the Presiding Judge on the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary- the body that actually judges other judges. His great-grandfather (and namesake) was on the original Oklahoma Supreme Court, serving from 1907 to 1923. On the one case relating to abortion since he joined the Court, Justice Kane took the pro-life side. I will be voting 'yes' on Justice Kane. Fair and Williams agree, as does Bates (who knows Kane personally and speaks very highly of him). Court of Criminal Appeals (6 year term)Judge Robert Hudson (63) was appointed by Republican Governor Mary Fallin in 2015. Hudson is a former district attorney of 16 years, with 13 years of private law practice before that. He served as First Assistant Attorney General for a year, and then had two years as a Special Judge before joining the Court of Criminal Appeals. Hudson is a deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Guthrie, and runs a wheat and cow-calf operation near Guthrie. I will be voting 'yes' on Judge Hudson. Fair and Williams concur, while Bates argues for a 'no' vote in light of Hudson's ruling on the Daniel Holtzclaw case. Judge Gary Lumpkin (74) was appointed by Republican Governor Henry Bellmon in 1989. Lumpkin served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968-1971, including 18 months in Vietnam. He retired with thirty years of service on June 1, 1998, with the rank of Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. He completed his military service as one of only two Marine Reserve judges assigned to the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. Lumpkin spent the late 70's and the 80's as an Assistant District Attorney, First Assistant District Attorney, Associate District Judge, and then and four years as a District Judge before his appointment to the Court of Criminal Appeals. He is a member of Waterloo Road Baptist Church in Edmond. An acquaintance of mine who worked for Lumpkin calls him 'to the right of Scalia'. I will be voting 'yes' on Judge Lumpkin. Fair and Williams concur, while Bates argues for a 'no' vote in light of Hudson's ruling on the Daniel Holtzclaw case. Court of Civil Appeals (6 year term)Judge Deborah Barnes (66) was appointed by Democratic Governor Brad Henry in 2008. Barnes was in private sector legal and oil/gas work before being tapped by Gov. Henry. It does not seem that she had any prior judicial experience, unlike most of the individuals on these various courts. She appears to serve on the board of elders for Harvard Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa (a very liberal denomination). I will be voting 'no' on Judge Barnes. Fair and Williams and Bates likewise call for 'no' votes. Judge Keith Rapp (86) has served on the Court of Civil Appeals since 1984, when he unseated an incumbent judge for the first time in the history of the court. Starting in 1986, the Court of Civil Appeals joined the retention ballot used by the Supreme and Criminal Appeals courts, and most sources online indicate that Democratic Governor George Nigh re-appointed Judge Rapp to the Court, where he had been retained ever since. As I said previously, some information regarding these judges is almost impossible to find. The Court of Civil Appeals webpage doesn't even have a biography of any of their judges (literally just a group photo and list of names). Rapp served in the US Navy from 1953-1955, with two aircraft carrier tours to the Far East. Later, he seems to have been an instructor of Sino-Soviet relations and atomic and biological warfare in the Naval Reserves Officers’ School, and retired at a later date from the U.S. Naval Reserves as a Judge Advocate General Corps commander. Back in civilian life, he worked as an aerospace engineer, specializing in guidance and navigation systems, working on the Mercury, Apollo, Lunar Lander and Skylab projects. Rapp is the longest serving judge on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals I will be voting 'no' on Judge Rapp. Fair and Williams and Bates likewise call for 'no' votes. Judge Jane Wiseman (73) was appointed by Democratic Governor Brad Henry (D) in 2005. Wiseman worked in the private legal field before being appointed a special district judge, and then district judge in the late 70's and early 80's. She officiated the first homosexual marriage in Oklahoma in direct contradiction to the 2004 state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman, calling it a “joyous occasion” (featured prominently in reporting by the Tulsa World). Wiseman is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, which is affiliated with the very liberal Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination. I will be voting 'no' on Judge Wiseman. Fair and Williams also recommend 'no' votes, and Bates points out particularly egregious and contradictory rulings she made in Tulsa County before her elevation to the Court of Civil Appeals (he also urges a 'no' vote). Again, as a quick recap, here are the judges and justices, along with my voting recommendation:
I hope this information has been helpful to you. Pass it along to any voter you know that is in need of this material before they cast their ballot! No guarantees, but I'll try to do a similar post regarding State Question 805 and State Question 814. You can help support the work here at MuskogeePolitico.com by indulging this quick pitch. While you're here, let me quickly introduce you to GetUpside, an easy way to save on fuel. GetUpside is a mobile app that gets you cash back on fuel purchases, which you can redeem for gift cards, PayPal, or a physical check. Gift cards include retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Apple, Google Play, Domino's, Lowe's, Starbucks, and more. Participating gas stations are listed with a cents-off amount. Below is a screenshot on some areas here in Oklahoma, showing retailers that participate with GetUpside (prices were valid on the evening of October 26th). And yes, some of those stations are offering in excess of 20¢ back per gallon:
In my experience, most E-Z Mart stations in Oklahoma participate, along with quite a few Valero, Shell, and Sinclair stations. On road trips through states like Kansas and Tennessee, BP and Shell seem to be pretty common. There are a total of 122 gas stations in Oklahoma that you can use GetUpside at, and over 12,100 nationwide.
I've used GetUpside for just over a year, and saved nearly $80 on fuel thus far. Just the other day, I checked in at a participating gas station to save 17¢ per gallon. That's a pretty good savings, don't you think? Use my promo code by signing up at this link. Your first use will get an additional 15¢ off per gallon!
You can view other money-saving apps I use, along with promo codes to get you jumpstarted, at this page.
Thanks for humoring me and reading to the very end! I hope all of the information in this post is helpful to you.
by Muskogee Politico - October 26, 2020 at 07:16PM Here's what you need to know about the judges on the ballot Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
A Plan to Put Teachers in Charge, Give Parents Choices, and Benefit Children
By Mike Davis
Have you ever stopped to consider how different American education is from everything else we do? It’s been this way so long that it’s difficult to imagine anything else. We group children by age, not by knowledge or ability. We send them to schools based on address, not teaching methodology or learning style. Parents have very little say over which school their children can attend. And teachers, the practitioners who are trained to educate, who are in the classroom every day, who are the heart of the education system, are denied the autonomy to use their expertise to the fullest.
Compare this to a law firm. Clients choose their attorney based on their needs and demands. Lawyers are grouped by specialty, not age. And support staff answer to lawyers. In contrast, public school teachers might answer to librarians, counselors, and technology staff, as well as the principal. As schools have transitioned from education centers to one-stop-shops for child-centered social programs, the focus on education has waned. So too has teachers’ status. They used to be the reason schools existed; now they are cogs in a social-work center.
1889 has proposed a solution to put teachers back in the driver seat, and give parents more options for educating their children. In a Professional Teacher Charter, a teacher must be in charge of curriculum delivery. The law gives experienced teachers the opportunity to open a school, funded on the same basis as other charter schools. Teachers will be free to try new teaching methods. Parents will be free to choose the school that best fits their child. Oklahoma will become a laboratory of pedagogy, with students attending the school that works best for them.
by Muskogee Politico - October 26, 2020 at 11:40AM Column: A Plan to Put Teachers in Charge, Give Parents Choices, and Benefit Children Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico ODOT reminds candidates to obey the law and keep campaign signs away from highways As the Nov. 3 general election approaches, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation reminds political candidates and volunteers to stay safe, save taxpayer money and keep Oklahoma’s highways and interstates free of unsightly, damaging and costly litter by keeping campaign signs out of highway rights-of-way. Placing campaign signs to help promote candidates may be a regular occurrence, but the areas along highways or on bridges remain off-limits. State law strictly prohibits such signs from being placed in state rights-of-way because of safety concerns. Not only can illegally placed signs block drivers’ views at intersections, medians or ramps, but the sign placement endangers volunteers who try to post them along high-speed roadways or on bridges. Generally, the public right-of-way includes the area of grass between a highway and the nearby fence. In cities and towns, the right-of-way can extend past the curb to include the grass and sidewalk area along a highway. “We ask all candidates and their supporters to respect the law and protect our motorists and workers by not placing campaign signs on state highway rights-of-way and bridges,” ODOT Maintenance Engineer Taylor Henderson said. The best strategy for safe, legal politicking is for candidates to place signs on private property with the landowner’s permission. Inside city limits, candidates should check local ordinances for questions regarding municipal streets and rights-of-way. However, even within city limits, signs are prohibited on state-maintained highways, overpasses and bridges. When signs are illegally placed, ODOT crews spend time away from other highway maintenance operations to remove them, which can be time-consuming, hazardous and dangerous work close to oncoming traffic. Removal of litter, including illegal signs, also delays highway mowing since the signs and metal posts could damage state equipment. Each year, nearly $6 million in taxpayer dollars are spent by the department to pick up trash along Oklahoma highways, including illegally placed signs. This money comes out of ODOT’s maintenance budget, the same source of funds for patching potholes, repairing guardrail, mowing and clearing snow and ice. This expense is in addition to the untold amounts of time and money volunteer groups and local governments spend annually removing litter. The department reminds candidates to obey the law and keep campaign signs off Oklahoma bridges and highway rights-of-way. by Muskogee Politico - October 25, 2020 at 03:26PM ODOT reminds candidates that campaign signs don’t belong along highways Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico Oklahoma delegation introduces bill to rename Owasso Post Office after fallen Air Nat'l Guardsman10/24/2020 Oklahoma delegation introduces legislation renaming Owasso Post Office after late Sgt. Marshal Roberts TULSA, OK (October 20th) – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced legislation on Friday to rename the U.S. Post Office located at 1233 North Cedar Street in Owasso, Okla., after fallen Air National Guardsman, Sergeant Marshal Roberts. Sgt. Roberts, from Owasso, gave his life in service to our country while deployed in Iraq in March 2020. The entire Oklahoma delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives joined Rep. Hern as original co-sponsors of the bill. “Sergeant Marshal Roberts served his country with integrity and gave his all in the line of duty this spring,” said Congressman Hern. “His legacy has inspired so many; renaming the Owasso Post Office ensures his legacy will live on for our community to see every day. Oklahomans have incredible respect for those who serve our country. We will never forget Sgt. Roberts and his sacrifice.” Read more »by Muskogee Politico - October 24, 2020 at 06:54PM Oklahoma delegation introduces bill to rename Owasso Post Office after fallen Air Nat'l Guardsman Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
Leaders in all fields raise alarm on McGirt decision
By Jonathan Small
Numerous leaders in many fields are raising the alarm about the repercussions of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which declared the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s reservation was never disestablished.
Those critiques highlight why Oklahoma and tribal governments must agree to a uniform set of rules and regulations for all citizens, no matter where they live or their heritage. To do otherwise will not only produce chaos but also drive jobs and opportunity out of the state.
While McGirt dealt with only one tribe and one issue (criminal prosecution), it is expected to extend to five tribes with territories covering 40 percent of Oklahoma that are home to 1.8 million citizens, most of them non-Indian, and affect issues including taxes and regulation.
In a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau notes that, because of McGirt, non-tribal citizens potentially face new taxes if they own property in reservation territory. And businesses in affected areas, including farms and ranches, may face new tribal zoning or environmental regulations added on top of existing state and local ordinances.
by Muskogee Politico - October 24, 2020 at 02:18PM OCPA column: Leaders in all fields raise alarm on McGirt decision Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
Seminole Nation Chief releases statement regarding Attorney General Mike Hunter’s proposed path forward for Oklahoma and the Five Tribes
Wewoka, Okla. (Oct. 22, 2020) - Seminole Nation Chief Greg P. Chilcoat issued the following statement today in response to Attorney General Mike Hunter’s October 21 proposal in the aftermath of McGirt. “While the Seminole Nation appreciates the sentiment of consensus building and intergovernmental cooperation upon which we believe Attorney General Mike Hunter’s proposal was premised, we oppose the recommendation for Congressional authorization of state-tribal criminal jurisdiction compacts. By way of example, the Seminole Nation, like all the Five Tribes, already has a state-tribal agreement on criminal justice in the area of policing through cross-deputization. These intergovernmental agreements demonstrate the effectiveness of existing state-tribal government-to-government cooperation and coordination, absent Congressional action. by Muskogee Politico - October 24, 2020 at 11:18AM Seminole chief responds to AG Hunter's proposal for state-tribal relations Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
GOVERNOR STITT ISSUES AMENDED EXECUTIVE ORDER, EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 23, 2020)- Governor Kevin Stitt today issued Sixth Amended Executive Order 2020-20, extending the state of emergency related to COVID-19 that has been in place since March 15, 2020.
The amended EO removes the previous extension of all occupational licenses and gives licensees 60 days to pay or renew any licenses extended by prior Orders. The EO also updates hospital and testing reporting requirements and modifies the days on which the Oklahoma State Department of Health is required to provide a summary of information to the Governor from "daily" to "each weekday."
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by Muskogee Politico - October 24, 2020 at 07:40AM Governor Stitt extends state of emergency declaration Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
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