Free Republic

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma voters have approved a measure that would forbid judges from considering international law or Islamic law when deciding cases. Republican Rex Duncan, the sponsor of the measure, called it a "pre-emptive strike" designed to close the door on activist judges "legislating from the bench or using international law or Sharia law." Members of the Muslim community called the question an attack on Islam and some of them said they are prepared to file a lawsuit challenging the measure.

It’s just that Oklahoma State Senator Randy Brogdon is nothing like a run-of-the-mill politician. He’s a freedom fighter. I first met Randy Brogdon, years ago, at a conference on controlling government spending (before fear of government spending and debt had reached today’s epic proportions). At the end of the event, each person had an opportunity to speak. Not surprisingly, many had unkind words for politicians. But one gentleman stood up and encouraged folks not to simply bash politicians. “After all,” he said, “Randy Brogdon is a politician. And he’s part of the solution, not the problem!” Next it was my...

Oklahoma Senate approves health care opt out. Published: March 23, 2010 The Oklahoma Senate has approved a measure that would allow Oklahoma voters to opt out of key provisions of the federal health care bill signed into law by President Obama. The joint resolution approved Tuesday by a 36-11 vote would send to a vote of the people in November a state question to prohibit any requirement that a person, employer or hospital participate in a health care system. A similar resolution is expected to be approved in the House later this week. Both measures are destined for a conference...

Tulsa - Republican Vice Presidential Candidate and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is coming to Tulsa next month March 13. Palin plans to join conservative talk radio and television host Glenn Beck during the Taking Our Country Back Tour, which kicks off March 13th at the Tulsa Convention Center. The Tulsa stop also features concerts from country music artists John Rich of Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. Also appearing will be best-selling author and former advisor to President Bill Clinton, Dick Morris. 8 Talkback: "The Taking Our Country Back Tour is a unifying event for anyone who feels the...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, Oklahoma's only Democrat in Congress, predicts his party will lose seats in elections later this year. "If we have a tight majority one way or another, that puts me in the driver's seat,'' the three-term lawmaker said. "In the 112th (Congress), I probably will have the most influence I have ever had, no matter who has the majority.''

Oklahoma’s budget has country’s biggest deficit Only a few months removed from being declared "recession-proof” by national media, Oklahoma faces the largest state budget deficit in the nation, according to a report given by the National Conference of State Legislatures. The conference’s November update of state budgets says Oklahoma’s 18.5 percent shortfall for the current fiscal year edges out Arizona’s 18 percent, with Illinois, at 16.5 percent, in third.

By Andrew W. Griffin Oklahoma Watchdog Posted: October 16, 2009 Andrew@oklahomawatchdog.org TULSA, Okla. – Former Fourth Congressional District Rep. J.C. Watts told a group of fellow Republicans Thursday night during a “Get Out the Vote” rally, “I’ve been accused of not being black enough.” And, “I’ve been accused of not being pure enough,” he told the gathering hosted by Better Business Bureau President Rick Brinkley and Oklahoma GOP Chairman Gary Jones. The audience included Attorney General candidate Ryan Leonard and Dewey Bartlett, running for Tulsa mayor. Watts, a former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, said his experience in Congress shaped him and...

The battle over federalism begins on a new front as US Attorney General Eric Holder fired a shot across the bow of the great State of Oklahoma by threatening the loss of federal tax dollars over the State constitutional amendment initiative of an English-only requirement slated to appear on the 2010 ballot (via PatriotsForAmerica):

Capitol Hill lawmakers still brag about the federal dollars and projects they bring home. But in an age of taxpayer-financed bailouts and massive budget deficits, members are increasingly on the defensive about pork-barrel spending. Pet projects are targets for charges of government waste during tough economic times, and earmarks stuffed into appropriations bills smack of Washington backroom dealing. Republicans, laboring to re-establish the party's reputation for fiscal restraint, are bearing the brunt of the criticism and being hit from all sides. Rep. Mary Fallin, a Republican contender in the 2010 Oklahoma governor's race, was criticized last week by her primary...

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn says he is still definitely undecided about whether he will seek another term in 2010. “I’m not playing games,” he said Tuesday. “I really haven’t decided.” The Muskogee Republican attracted large crowds to town hall meetings in Sapulpa on Monday night and Tulsa Tuesday morning, and he heard a good deal of praise for his anti-Washington message. Coburn, though, said politics will not enter into his decision. “It’s a spiritual thing,” he said. Coburn, in fact, traded Bible lessons with a constituent in Sapulpa worried about President Barack Obama’s religion. When someone asked why political parties...

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson recently told supporters that he plans to run for Governor in 2010. So voters might be interested in how the AG has treated critics of government while serving as the state's top law enforcer. The case of Paul Jacob is instructive. A veteran political activist, Mr. Jacob is the former head of U.S. Term Limits and the current head of Citizens in Charge. A year ago, he and two fellow grassroots organizers, Rick Carpenter and Susan Johnson, were indicted on criminal conspiracy charges. Mr. Edmondson's office alleges that they attempted to defraud the state by...