Oklahoma Independent Media Center

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Governor To Alaska's Kids: "You're On Your Own"
Palin Says Education No Longer Important for State

(Anchorage – March 19, 2009) – "Logic-defying, dumb-founding, short-sighted – and a slap in the face to parents, children and educators across Alaska." That's how the National Education Association of Alaska (NEA-Alaska) is describing Governor Palin's decision to reject more than $160 million of federal stimulus funds for Alaska education.

"Governor Palin has deliberately chosen to ignore the education needs of tens of thousands of children across Alaska. Her attempt to score short term gains will have long-term, dire consequences for our students and educators," said Barb Angaiak, President of NEA-Alaska.

Texas peace and justice activist Bill Holloway has passed away. He was originally from Oklahoma, and lived in Austin.

Bill was active in the Green Party of Texas, and served as co-chair of the Travis County Green Party. He was a long time peace and justice activist. The picture at left was taken in in August 2006 when he set up a Green Party presence at Camp Casey in Crawford, Texas, with Cindy Sheehan.

He also was the Texas Director for the Northern Flyer Alliance, a group working on expanding passenger rail travel from Texas to Kansas.

Democracy Now! is finally airing in Oklahoma, though many residents will not be in a area where they can pick up the signal on a radio. For them, there is a live stream on KCCU's site.

KCCU is a non-profit station run out of Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and is broadcast in/at:

Lawton-Ft. Sill 89.3 & 102.9
Wichita Falls 88.7
Ardmore 90.3
Altus 90.1
Duncan 89.3
Weatherford-Clinton-Elk City 89.1
Chickasha 100.1

Oklahoma progressive activists have been seeking to have the program picked up by stations in the state, but have been rejected by stations who deem the show, which features news of events and interviews of people on the progressive end of the political spectrum. The show comes out of New York City and is hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.

From the station's announcement:

KCCU is excited to announce new programs for the new year!

More than 200 protesters demonstrated against Israeli aggression and the U.S. backing of it at the Oklahoma Capitol building Tuesday, January 6.

America should take immediate steps to end Israel’s "illegal and immoral” offensive against the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers, the executive director of the Oklahoma City chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Monday.

"We as Oklahomans and as Americans should be concerned about this conflict because our taxes are going towards Israel,” Razi Hashmi said. "We should not allow our government to give Israel
a blank check to allow the destruction of hopes for peace in the Middle East.”

The majority of the protesters were Muslim Americans but attending as well were Christians,Jews, and non-religious folks expressing their outrage at the on-going Palestinians genocide in Israel and the Middle East.

Do you have trouble telling this

from this?

Was that so hard?

Apparently, it is for the major newspapers in Oklahoma.

Slander against peace activists in state newspapers --
and what to do about it

On Tuesday, March 18, a front page story in the Daily Oklahoman by Anne Kelley, "Marine won't draw penalty for flag fight", contained an unbelievable slander against antiwar activists in Oklahoma and across the country.

Here's a passage:

Flaming Lips founder and singer Wayne Coyne in a benefit event for Andrew Rice, who is challanging James Inhofe, Oklahoma's senior Senator.
Young Professionals for Andrew Rice
by YP Event Host Committee
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Ogle & Welch, P.C.
117 Park Ave, 3rd Floor [Map]
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

$50 Attendee
$250 Sponsor

Featuring special guests
Wayne & Michelle Coyne

Do you realize what a difference it could mean to our state to have Andrew Rice as our U.S. Senator?

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.

Update: A fund has been set up for Jim. See end of this post.

Jim Goodnow and his bus, the Yellow Rose, both have suffered a terrible tragedy.

Jim, who was at Camp Casey with Cindy Sheehan in August of 2005, got the Yellow Rose shortly thereafter and has been a fixture at actions around the country ever since. In recent months, Jim has been providing transportation to Iraq Veterans Against the War for their various tours and other activities. Last night, Jim escaped a fire of suspicious origins that destroyed the bus. Luckily Jim is all right.

This message was passed on by Bill Perry, a vet and anti-war activist.

The "Yellow Rose" bus, was totaled by fire, around 9:30 pm, Friday night, 1/11/08

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

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.

Follow the news of the housing protests in New Orleans on the following sites:

http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/
http://www.defendneworleanspublichousing.org/
http://www.justiceforneworleans.org/

Guerrilla news video of 12/18/07 action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhyo9mk_Nxg

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:

Senator Tom CoburnOklahoma Republican Senator is blocking a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing investigations into older civil rights era crimes, like the murder of black teen Emmitt Till in 1957, which has never been solved.

from AP story:

The legislation would authorize $10-million annually over 10 years for the Justice Department to rejuvenate its prosecutions of pre-1970 civil rights murders. It calls for another $3.5-million annually for Justice to provide grants and other help to local law enforcement agencies.

Map and alerts from Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Hit link below to view.

Please don't drive if you don't have to.

Bumping this back up to the top: We still need $100 in donations in order to keep OKIMC.org online for the coming year. Please help in any amount, no matter how small. Thanks in advance!

Update 1/2/08: We now have $70 pledged. Just need $30 more and we're good for 2008. Please pitch in!

Hello friends,

Well it's me again with my semi-annual request for donations to help pay the hosting bill for the Oklahoma Independent Media Center (www.okimc.org).

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.

OKC Faith Leaders Protest Hate Crimes and Support Federal Anti-Hate Crimes Legislation
(S 1105, Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 )

Events planned in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, December 4, will respond to the recent hate murder in the city of Steven Domer, targetted, according to Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, because of his sexual orientation.

We have moved the site to a new server*.

We were already planning the move, but there were some technical problems with the database that caused us to rush a bit.

In working out those issues along with the move, there may be some glitches. Please report any errors or unusual behavior in comments to this post.

10 am to 4 pm, in the Civic Center's HALL OF MIRRORS

Oklahoma City's annual Fall Peace Festival will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 am to 4 pm, in the downtown Civic Center Music Hall's "HALL OF MIRRORS."

More than 40 justice and peace organizations will display materials, crafts, pottery, weaving and artwork to meet every holiday shopper's needs. T-shirts, fair trade goods, organic coffee, books, calendars, clothing, carvings, etc, are on display. A supervised Children's Activity Area will be staffed all day offering face-painting, poster-making, and cooperative games.

Free admission and free parking at street meters on Saturday make the Peace Festival affordable for all families. The Civic Center is located at 201 N. Walker in downtown Oklahoma City(p).

National radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author Jim Hightower will visit Tulsa at a Bill of Rights Celebration hosted by the ACLU of Oklahoma on Saturday, November 10, 2007. The event will be held in the Manchester-Geneva Room of the Doubletree Hotel, 616 W. Seventh Street in downtown Tulsa. Festivities will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m. A banquet will follow at 7:00 p.m.

Hightower broadcasts daily radio commentaries that are carried in more than 100 commercial and public stations, on the web, on Armed Forces Radio, Radio for Peace International, One World Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Each month, he publishes a populist political newsletter, “The Hightower Lowdown,” which now has more than 125,000 subscribers and is the fastest growing political publication in America. The hard-hitting Lowdown has received both the Alternative Press Award and the Independent Press Association Award for best national newsletter.

Gold Star father for peace: Warren Henthorn, whose son Jeffrey died in Iraq, speaks at anti-war rally in Oklahoma City.

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

The Green Party of Oklahoma will have its annual meeting on Sunday, October 21 at 3pm at the Rock Cafe in Stroud.

Anyone interested in the Green Party, its values and positions, is welcome to attend, whether official members of the Green Party or not.

The Oklahoma Greens are currently engaged in a petition drive to ease requirements for placing third-party candidates on the ballot. They are working with the Oklahoma Libertarian and Constitution parties, as well as Oklahoma Independent voters to change what many academics and activists call the strictest ballot access laws in the nation. More info about the coalition campaign, Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform, can be found at okvoterchoice.org.

The annual meeting agenda will include a report on the ballot access campaign, proposed changes to the state party organizing structure, outreach projects and election of officers.

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)

Former Congressman, Bob Barr, and National Libertarian Director to Speak at the north Oklahoma City Holiday Inn (NW 63rd and Robinson, just west of I-235).

Join Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform to hear former Congressman Bob Barr and National Libertarian Chairman, William Redpath, in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Oct. 23rd. This OBAR fundraiser will help put the ballot access initiative petition to a vote of the people.

The fundraising dinner will take place at the north Oklahoma City Holiday Inn (NW 63rd & Robinson, west of I-235). The minimum required donation of $30 includes dinner. Seats with Bob Barr or William Redpath are $200, while available.

Tuesday, Oct. 23rd schedule of events
• 6:00 PM - Meet and Greet
• 7:00 PM - Dinner, Bob Barr and Bill Redpath speak
• 8:30 PM - Meet with event attendees (including Unity08 and Green Party officials)

Internationally recognized Nicaraguan singing duo:
Katio and Salvador Cardenal have performed in Europe, throughout the Americas, and in World Capitols.

Inspiring songs of liberation, freedom, justice, and peace.

Friday evening, they are performing a FREE concert to benefit MANOS JUNTAS, the nonprofit offering a free medical clinic Saturdays at Epworth Methodist Church, annual Medical Missions to Nicaragua, and other worthy causes. (Free-will donations gratefully accepted).

Open Arms Church Building, 3131 N. Pennsylvania

SCHIPS veto flier

Parents, Kids and Local Groups in Oklahoma City to Rally For Children’s Health Care

As Billions Are Spent In Iraq, Rep. Mary Fallin Voted With Bush To Block Health Care for Kids In Oklahoma.

Congress Passed Children’s Health Care Bill; MoveOn Members Call On Rep Mary Fallin To Override Bush’s Veto

[Oklahoma City] – On Thursday, October 4, at 5 PM, local groups, parents and kids will hold a “Rally For Our Children’s Health” outside of Rep. Fallin’s Oklahoma City office. They will urge Fallin, all other representatives of Congress and President Bush to stop blocking health care for Oklahoma children. 225 similar events are happening around the nation.