Oklahoma Independent Media Center

(OKLAHOMA CITY) This Friday and Saturday, March 7th and 8th, there will be a Sexual Identity and Spirituality Conference on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma sponsored by GATE (Gay Alliance for Tolerance and Equality), a UCO student organization, and co-sponsored by several open and affirming churches, including Church of the Open Arms, Cathedral of Hope, and Mayflower Congregational.

You can get more details at www.PFLAGokc.org .

Friday and Saturday, March 7th and 8th
at University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK

Central Oklahoma faith communities and organizations proclaiming that homosexuality is neither sickness nor sin are announcing a two-day "Sexual Identity & Spirituality Conference," to be held March 7 and 8, on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond, OK.

"We support the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of all faith communities, and offer this conference to share scholarly interpretations of scriptures making exactly that point," said Rev. Kathy McCallie of Oklahoma City's Church of the Open Arms, UCC, a conference organizer.

The conference begins on Friday, March 7th, at 7:00 p.m., with a keynote lecture by Dr. Deborah Appler, professor of Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) at Moravian College, in Bethlehem, PA. Appler's lecture will be held in the Liberal Arts Building, on the UCO campus.

Thousands of Signatures Submitted, Campaign Continues

Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform (OBAR) completed its 90-day initiative petition drive today by turning in about 14,000 signatures to the Secretary of State. This was below the 74,117 signatures required, but it demonstrates strong support for expanding the number of choices on the ballot. Oklahoma's restrictive ballot laws resulted in it being the only state limited to just two choices for president in 2004.

“We know Oklahoma voters are ready for more choices. Oklahoma Democrats easily chose from nine presidential candidates in 2004, and Oklahoma Republicans will have eleven choices on Super Tuesday. Because of gerrymandered districts, half of state legislative races had only one candidate in the general election in 2006. Shouldn't Oklahoma voters have at least two or more choices?” said Joni LeViness, OBAR Chair.

Andrew RiceBill would give relief to eligible low- to middle-income Oklahoma taxpayers

OKLAHOMA CITY - State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC) today announced he will revive his legislation to provide tax cuts to Oklahomans who care for and support their aging relatives when the 51st Oklahoma Legislature reconvenes next month.

Rice said he was disappointed that his caretaker’s tax relief plan was omitted from a larger tax reform plan adopted by the legislature last year.

“We found time and resources to cut the state income tax and declare a back-to-school tax holiday for the purchase of clothing and footwear,” he said. “It should not be much harder to help Oklahoma families who elect to care for their aging loved ones.”

Background: OU President (and former OK Democratic Senator) David Boren is hosting a political forum on Monday, 1/7 in Norman which will include Michael Bloomberg, (former Democrat, former Republican, now Independent) mayor of New York City, former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn and other retired politicians. The stated purpose is to promote a centrist, bipartisan political movement. The suspected purpose is to stroke the presidential ambitions of billionaire Bloomberg.

What: Demonstration to End The War and Bring The Troops Home.

Where: OU Campus, Norman, OK - Outside of Catlett Music Center - at Elm & Boyd.

When: Demonstration begins at 10A - 11A
(Bloomberg event 11A - Noon)

Demonstration continues Noon - 1P (depending on how long the event actually goes)

Who: Led by Gold Star Fathers: Warren Henthorn and John Scripsick

The Executive Director should possess strong public relations and public speaking skills along with a cooperative interfaith mindset. The selected candidate will lead the organization; execute public programming and policy, strategic planning and fund development under the direction of the board of directors. The Executive Director must be committed to the achievement of the Interfaith Alliances vision, mission, and goals. The Executive Director has the authority to make day-to-day decisions for the organization and has significant management and oversight responsibility in all aspects of the organization.

This individual should have significant experience in interfaith community relations and be familiar with Tulsa’s community. Below is a job description:

A family members funeral was in December 2007. Everyone knows how stressful and hearbreaking it is to lose a loved one. We all thought how nice it was going and that most of the family attended. One family member works for Pontotoc County D. Richard of Ada, OK. The ones that know him well, was wondering why he was there he isn't very family oreinted. We just let it pass and didn't think anything else about it. D. Richard escorted the cars to the grave site and we thought how thoughtful of him to do this.( It was odd , because usually it is City police IF ANY AT ALL.)At the gave site, everyone was visiting with one another some comforting others..All of sudden every one had a bewilderd look on there face. D. Richard had walked up to another family member right there at the grave site and arrested the family member, a close family member of the deceased, on 5 year old warrant.

OU Studies Poverty in Oklahoma Schools: Hiring VISTA Researchers

The University of Oklahoma has announced that it will expand its examination of poverty in Oklahoma schools. The Office of the Vice Provost at the University of Oklahoma plans to hire two VISTA research assistants to study the relationship between schools and community poverty in rural and urban areas of Oklahoma. The research aims to identify Oklahoma schools that are having an impact on poverty. The VISTA researchers will apply state-of-the-art community mapping software and will make use of a variety of state and non-profit resources. The VISTA researchers should have some proficiency in Spanish. Some college experience is needed and a bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Below is a copy of the OU VISTA positions announcement.

As I was fixing to leave Goodwell Saturday afternoon to run some errands in a neighboring town, I noticed the following two racist signs on adjacent dumpsters at College Corner, a local convenience store. Of course I didn't have my camera handy at the time, so I waited until the evening to get a couple shots of the offending signs. The only identifying information I could find was on one that claimed it was paid for by some entity called "Citizens for Public Awareness." A quick drive around town suggests that College Corner was the only location where these signs were posted. Given that store's location - right across the street from the university campus - I'm guessing the perps were shooting for maximum visibility.

[Editor's Note: There was a similar story posted to OKIMC in April, Racist group strikes in Northeast Oklahoma City]

--continued--

Reposted, with permission, from Okie Funk.

It has been a tough week here for sure.

Tragically, 23 deaths have been blamed on the ice storm that stunned Oklahoma this past week. At one point, more than 600,000 homes and businesses were without power, and thousands still remain in the dark.

Some Oklahomans shivered through the storm with blankets and candles while others headed to shelters. The damage to the local tree population here is incalculable. Once the thaw is complete, we will know more, but it appears the state has lost thousands of trees. Meanwhile, the state’s college students trudged through finals week under some of the worst weather conditions possible.

Overall, it appears the state’s emergency systems once again worked well during the storm, and no one can fault the utility companies in their immediate efforts to restore power. Crews came in from other states. These crews worked long hours in biting cold weather to get the job done.

But the ice storm raises at least three major issues for Oklahoma’s leaders, and the severity of this storm demand new initiatives and open-minded, intelligent thinking. Will there be discussion and action or will this recent storm quickly recede into Oklahoma weather lore?

Here are those issues:

Wrongful conviction case in county was subject of bestselling nonfiction book by John Grisham

The top assistant in the Pontotoc County district attorney's office has been named to head the office. Gov. Brad Henry announced the appointment of Chris L. Ross as district attorney for the 22nd District, which encompasses Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.

Ross succeeds William Peterson, who is resigning effective Jan. 1.

Chris L. Ross, who is 50 has 24 years of experience and has been with the prosecutor's office since 1983. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1979, Ross earned his law degree from the OU College of Law in 1982. Chris Ross is married and has two children.

ETHIOPIAN-AMERICANS and FRIENDS of ETHIOPIA in
OKLAHOMA For H.R. 2003

First Week Peaceful Protest at Senator Inhofe's Oklahoma City office Successful

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - On Tuesday, November 13, 2007, Ethiopian-Americans and Friends of Ethiopia in Oklahoma for H.R. 2003, held a successful peaceful demonstration in front of Senator James Inhofe's district office in Oklahoma City. Local TV stations and international media such as Associated Press covered the peaceful demonstration.

The purpose of the demonstration was to protest Senator James Inhofe's opposition to H.R.2003, the "Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007″ In a statement that Senator James Inhofe made on the Senate floor on October 17, 2007, he stated;

Local action part of worldwide events calling for peace

Oklahoma City - Two Oklahoma Gold Star fathers were keynote speakers today at a rally against the war in Iraq. About 150 activists gathered at the intersection of North Meridian Ave. and the Northwest Expressway, from 1 am to 12:30 pm, to hold signs, listen to music and hear speakers calling for peace.

“Support the troops, bring them home,” said Warren Henthorn of Choctaw, OK, whose son Jeffrey served eight years in the military before dying in Iraq, February 8, 2005. Mr. Henthorn is a regular participant in weekly public vigils where signs calling drivers to “honk for peace” are held.

John Scripsick of Wayne, OK, and his wife Jan were also at the rally, in memory of their son Bryan, killed in Iraq on Sept. 6 of this year. Scripsick said he believes that the death and destruction caused by the war in Iraq is only winning more hostility and hatred against the United States. “Bryan had his doubts about the mission of the war, but he went to Iraq out of loyalty to his buddies in his unit, “Scripsick said. “We must end this thing and bring our troops home immediately,” he said.

Die-In at OKC rally against the war

Oklahoma GI Rights Hotline

GI Rights Hotline - action to inform deploying troops of their rights

Tomorrow, the troops of the Oklahoma National Guard that are being deployed to Iraq will be sent off with a lot of flags, patriotic music, and tears of family and loved ones.

The event will take place in Norman at the Lloyd Noble Center from 2-3pm.

Volunteers and supporters of the Oklahoma GI Rights Hotline plan to be outside the event as attendees arrive, to respectfully offer our help for those who do not want to go.

SCHIP Veto Override flyer for Oklahoma (PDF) Local parents and kids will call on Representatives Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas to vote this Thursday to override President Bush’s veto of children’s health care

As billions are spent In Iraq, Rep. Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas voted with Bush to block health care for 127,000 uninsured kids in Oklahoma.

[Oklahoma City, OK] – On Tuesday, October 16, at 7:00 p.m., local parents and kids will hold a “Vigil to Save Children’s Health Care” in front of the Oklahoma Republican Headquarters. They will urge Representatives Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas to vote this Thursday to override President Bush’s veto of expanded health care coverage for millions of kids, including 58,200 additional kids in Oklahoma. Dan Boren (D) voted against it, but has stated that he will be voting to override Bush’s veto. Hundreds of events are happening around the nation, including a rally that will take place the next day, October 17th, at 12 noon on the State Capitol South Steps to Override the SCHIP Veto.
(Continued)

Yesterday, 04 September 2007, day 7 of pneumonia symptoms and the first day after the long Labor Day weekend, I got to the Muskogee VA hospital Emergency Room. They expedited me through the blood-work labs, chest x-rays, and EKG. No doubt anywhere. This was a blazing case of pneumonia, with both lungs heavily involved. Combined with my insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertensive heart disease, and the chronic Reiter's syndrome atrial fibrillation, it represented a substantial threat to my 66-year-old life.

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This summer Peace House Tulsa received sudden news that the owner of the property was renting to another tenant (a much needed grocery for the neighborhood). Thus began a frantic seach for new digs. Tireless Tulsa activist Joni LeViness took the reins and below is a report from her of the good news about the new home for Peace House Tulsa:

Church of the Restoration has agreed unanomously and with Great Enthusiasm, I hear, to allow PH~T to become their tenant at a price that falls within our means of pledges pledged and also allows PH to be a contributing tenant in some meaningful and wonderful ways. We have enough in pledges to carry wifi for the building.

We'll have our own office, our own entrance and use of the sanctuary to be coordinated with COR's wonderful Secretary Vanessa Thomas. Which means we'll STILL have State of the Union Movies, Volunteers willing and able... We'll Still have Tai Chi!

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 1, 2007) - Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe's attack on middle income working parents today is one more example of a Washington politician who is out of touch with the people he was elected to represent, State Democratic Party Chairman Dr. Ivan Holmes said today.

"As a U.S. Senator, Jim Inhofe enjoys some of the most generous health care benefits in America," Holmes said. "But, when Oklahoma middle income working families can no longer afford health insurance for about 40,000 children, he tells them, 'tough luck'."

Holmes praised the Congress for last week passing an extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and expanding its coverage to include children of some middle-income families who have lost their insurance coverage due to higher medical costs. The bill is budget neutral because its increased costs are offset by an increase in the tobacco tax.

Report: Black and White and Re(a)d All Over

Unprecedented Study of U.S. Daily Newspapers Shows Conservatives with Distinct Advantage in Syndicated Op-Eds Nationally and in Oklahoma

State-Based Data Are Attached (below) as a PDF, while the Entire Report With National Figures and Detailed Analysis is Available Online at www.mediamatters.org/reports/oped/

Show your support for the fight against AIDS

The 2007 AIDS Walk Tulsa 15th annual AIDS Walk is 9am, October 6th, 2007 at Veteran's Park.

The Tulsa AIDS Walk is a project of the Community Service Council and donations are tax deductible. All funds raised at the Walk will go to support direct HIV/AIDS services in Tulsa and will receive matching funds from a National AIDS Fund challenge grant.

For information related to AIDS Walk or to donate please contact:

Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership
Attn: Janice Nicklas
16 East 16th Street
Suite 202
Tulsa, OK 74119
(918) 585-5551, Ext. 226

Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Walk the Walk with Hanson
2:30 PM @ Cain’s Ballroom
Walk a mile to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS in Africa

Thursday, October 4, 2007
AIDS Walk Tulsa Pre-Party
Club 209
209 N. Boulder 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Music, Walk T-shirts & more…

Saturday, October 6, 2007
AIDS Walk Tulsa
Veteran’s Park 9 AM

Union Pacific Engine No. 844 stopped at the Rock Island Railroad museum in El Reno on Wed. Sept. 12, 2007 as part of its Oklahoma Centennial tour of the state.

Counselors will offer free, confidential legal information to service members, veterans, potential recruits and their families

Nationwide network assists those who seek to get out of the military

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma GI Rights Hotline will officially begin operations on Monday, September 24, undertaking its mission of providing free, confidential, and accurate information on US military regulations and practices to servicemembers, veterans, potential recruits, and their families.

The Hotline can be reached at (405) 231-1138. Live counselors will answer on Mondays from 10 AM to 5 PM. On other days messages will be returned within 24 hours. More live hours will be added gradually in the future.

Governor Proclaims September 21st as an International Day of Peace for Oklahoma!

Thousands of Students create pinwheels for peace

Celebration at the Gold Dome Multicultural Society

N.W. 23rd and Classen on Friday, September 21st from 5:30-8:00

OKC – Students and other community members throughout the greater Oklahoma City area will participate in the United Nation’s International Day of Peace Celebration at the Gold Dome. From Norman to Edmond and beyond, students are creating pinwheels with words about peace and harmony. These works of art will spin in the wind, decorating schools, homes and businesses on the International Day of Peace. As students create these pinwheels, they are asked to reflect on Peace: A state of calm and tranquility, with no anxiety or violence.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Hundreds, including state legislators, gathered on the steps of the state Capitol Thursday, in solidarity with thousands in Jena, La. and around the country to show support for the "Jena 6".

AP story via KATC3 in Acadia

CNHI photos

More than 75 Oklahoma City activists held a demonstration Saturday, calling for “no more war” in Iraq. Participants held large and colorful signs to the traffic along the Northwest Expressway at Meridian Ave., from noon to 1:30 pm. Darla Shelden, one of the organizers, said that this local event was in solidarity with the Mass March on Washington, DC, called by the “ANSWER” coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), and around the country on Saturday.

Familiar signs saying “Honk For Peace” were supplemented with signs relating to President Bush's speech Thursday calling for a US military presence in Iraq which could last for decades. “Say No to Bush's War” was one of the themes expressed on signage at the demonstration.

Click image for more
photos of event.

Matthew Jones, chair of Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform, speaking at the group's press conference announcing their petition campaign, Sept. 14, 2007.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform (OBAR) filed today to circulate an initiative petition to put a question on the 2008 ballot. The initiative seeks to reform Oklahoma's ballot access laws, considered the most restrictive in the country.

"It is time to hear what Oklahoma voters think about our state's biased electoral system," said OBAR Chairman Matthew R. Jones. "With half of our state legislative races unopposed last November, we believe Oklahomans will support more voter choice."

OBAR will collect approximately 90,000 signatures over the next 90 days, and plans to integrate petitioning with an awareness campaign, including T-shirts for petition circulators and information cards for signatories.

Say No To Bush -- Bring The Troops Home Now! Protest

Oklahoma City Holds Rally To Support Mass March On Washington DC This Weekend

As thousands gather in Washington, DC, this weekend, calling for an end to US military involvement in Iraq, a demonstration in solidarity with them will take place in Oklahoma City. Nathaniel Batchelder of the Peace House said the local demonstration will take place from noon to 1 pm, Saturday, at the intersection of N. Meridian Avenue and the Northwest Expressway.

Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform holding Press Conference at Capitol this Friday after Filing Petition

Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform will hold a press conference at 2:00 PM on Friday, Sept. 14th in the State Capitol (east side of first floor rotunda) after filing to circulate an initiative petition. The initiative will seek to reform Oklahoma’s ballot access laws, considered the most restrictive in the country.

To form a new political party, Oklahoma law currently requires signatures equal to 5% of the last presidential or gubernatorial vote, which meant over 73,000 signatures in 2006. This number was TEN TIMES the per capita requirement of many neighboring states, including Texas, Missouri, and New Mexico.

Readers,

Not being one who has ever solicited anonymous, or even well-known, sexual liaisons in public settings, I wasn't aware of the Larry Craig foot-tapping dance which seems so imitative of certain insects that tap on leaves and stems to communicate either territorial limits or a need for mating. Thanks to Senator Craig America has received a birds-and-bees nature lore lesson hitherto known only to a relatively few wildlife specialists.

But I do know there is a wafting of sexual pheromones in public parks after dark at certain locations in Oklahoma City (OKC), Will Rogers Park being one of them.

OKLAHOMA CITY, NORMAN, OKMULGEE AND TULSA
OVER 650 VIGILS NATIONWIDE

Oklahomans call on Senator Inhofe to take a stand this September, end war in Iraq

OKC Candlelight vigil at Southwest Corner of NW Expressway and Penn

[OKLAHOMA CITY, OK] – On Tuesday, August 28, members of MoveOn.org Political Action in Oklahoma City will host a candlelight vigil to call on our Oklahoma Congress members to vote to end the war in September. There are events also taking place in Norman,Tulsa and Okmulgee that evening.

"It's time for the Bush Administration to tell the truth and admit that the surge has failed to deliver even the slightest sign of political reconciliation," said Colonel (ret) Katherine Scheirman local MoveOn member and Senior Advisor for VoteVets.org.. "Senator Inhofe and all of our Oklahoma Congress members must Stand Up in September and vote for a responsible end to this deadly occupation" concluded Dr. Scheirman.