Seems Tulsa mayoral hopeful Kathy Taylor strongly believes in correcting things that might be perceived as a bad thing. First it was the removal of her name from the so-called "Tulsan's for better Government" site, now after the noise that was brought up on the  Michael DelGiorno show, they have photoshopped the upside down cross from around her neck and replaced it with a simple "+" sign. I wish I had made a copy of the original image, especially considering the previous actions.

I would be a little concerned as to why a person who is running for office would remove such an item without sufficient explaination, especially since an upside down cross is a symbol of Satanism. Surly it had to mean something else, but for those that saw it, just removing it does nothing to eliminate any questions they may have, in fact it may just confirmed what they were thinking...

EDIT... Here are the photos, I've cropped them down to just her pic, other than the crop, the pics are the originals

The Original

The new one, definitally edited.

EDIT #2... Upon further review...

    

The cross on the left is the original, notice the indentions on the cross just below the chain? That indicates that there is some sort of break between the cross and the chain. I am now going to say (and hope) that the cross on the right, was edited to clean up the image a bit, one that was probably a victim of anti-aliasing or bluring.

Dog Attack Renews Call For Breed-Specific Ban

Though it may be too late in the fight to save the pit bull, I want to thank KTUL, Channel 8 for the above article, the breed and every dog that resembles a pit bull has been mislabeled, mischaracterized and demonized for much too long, the above article contains the facts of the matter. In the past by ignoring the facts and relying on hype the media lost credibility among those who knew the truth. I hope its not to late to save my boy, he did nothing wrong.

As for the little girl in Kansas, Ok Im very sorry that the incident happened, but the fault clearly lands on the parent for letting a 2 year old wander into a neighbors yard. The dog was chained up, and though I dont agree with that type of confinement, the dog was confined.

US congressman takes Google to task on China

Mr Smith on Wednesday accused Google of "collaborating .. with persecutors" who imprison and torture Chinese citizens "in the service of truth".

Everywhere I look, I see "Made in China"... if that isnt collaborating, its definitally financing the imprisonment and torture of Chinese citizens, as well as financing our own eventual demise...

Concerning an altercation in Texas concerning Mexican Military on our side of the border, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said “the report was overblown and most of the incursions were just mistakes.”

How do you mistakenly cross the Rio Grande River which separates Texas from Mexico?

 To help you all understand better what David, Mee & I have been talking about, take a look at this portion of the map for the substandard housing:

dont you think there ought to be a house on the land for it to be classified as "substandard"?

Here is the same area using an Aerial Photo, below I've zoomed in to the area in question... see any houses? I count two buildings, and this photo was taken in February, 1995. David said he saw no houses on the property

Here is the map of the substandard housing that LaFortune wants to "eliminate". You may have to Download it to view it properly (right click, save as). As has been discussed there is a lot of nice property north of downtown that is ripe for the taking.

UPDATE: after doing a little more looking at the map, I want to know what qualifies as "poor"? Im just comparing my old neighborhood with the area just north of my new one. If David's hunches are correct, it is only land that the City wants that is classified as poor or substandard. They dont want the property south of the airport (yet) so very little property is classified as poor or substandard, however the area on the west side, north of 33rd W Ave & 51st is riddled with poor & substandard. I can say by personal experience that there is very little difference between the two and the area around the airport is worse.

I am so SICK & TIRED of hearing that mantra. First it was Vision 2025 "We'll pass this and we will hope that the county wont hamstring us", now Councilor Henderson says the same thing with the 21st Century initiative. Chris Medlock wanted to add an amendment to the proposal that by approval does not mean the executive branch can create yet another committee to bypass the council. Henderson (and crew) voted that down, stating that we must do something and he would hope that the executive branch would not do as Medlock feared.

In an instance of Deja Vu, Clay Bird was asked about the cost of the project and he stated the $30,000 was just the start up cost and any costs down the road are unknown... for a second there I thought he was talking about the Arena.

On another subject altogether the blocking of the road on 46th behind the new Best Buy and shopping center was discussed at length. while they are worried about a bit more traffic on their streets, the people in Layman Van Acres are still waiting for action on their housed being rattled apart, and their health deteriorating. I guess its all in who you know and how much you got that matters in this town.

I’m sure you’ve heard about it by now (and MeeCiteeWurkor beat me to it), a judge sentenced a child rapist to 60 days in jail. Keep your eyes peeled, because this sort of thing is going to become the norm here very shortly, it wouldn't even surprise me if decriminalization is just around the corner.

While watching the Today show Friday morning there was a sneak peak of an expose to be aired later on that night concerning men meeting who they thought were young girls over the internet. After the piece was over, Couric asked the investigator if he felt sympathy for the perpetrators.

Add to that the stories of the older women having affairs with under aged boys, what is societies (men) reaction? "where were they when I was growing up?"

Last night about 8:00 our doorbell rang. and a young fella was trying to get people to subscribe to the Whirled so he could earn some money for school.

Here is the exchange between my wife and the young man:
"Would you like to subscribe to the Tulsa World (Insert schpeal about school funding)"
"We refuse to take the Whirled!"
"Because it's to liberal?"
(I wonder how many times he heard that last night?)

This morning we had 6 Whirled newspapers sitting on our front porch.

From a Taco Bell "Hot Sauce" packet...

Nice palm, I read a great deal of pleasure in your future...

ummm... I got nuttin'...

Here you will find the Mayors proposals for the 3rd penny sales tax, one thing that is apparent is that he has finally gotten his priorities straight, and some people dont like that! Of the proposed $437,000, $249,356 goes to things like streets and public safety (you know, the things that Government is supposed to do!), $22,750 goes to river parks (I dont know how far that will go), and only $3,000 goes downtown!

LaFortune knows that too much has been centered on downtown to the detriment of the rest of Tulsa, and his own re-election efforts.

Of course people like Tulsa Now are upset by the "lack of Dontown investment", what?!? A Jazz Hall of Fame and a $200,000,000 arena not enough for them?

Truth is, we need to finish and finance the unfunded parts of the prevous 3rd penny first before any new projects are slated. Bill LaFortune, who is proposing these items, probably wont be in office for the duration of this tax, so why hamstring the next mayor?

The giant retailer's low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart's relentless pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the unemployment line?

Lightning kills about 100 people in the U.S. each year.

After coming back from a trip to western Kansas, yesterday, I slipped a CD into the trucks player, after a few songs had passed, Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle" began playing. This song was played extensively over the radio in the mid 70s, but its apparent very few people actually listened to the lyrics. Since that time, we've gone from parents being so wrapped up in their careers that they have no time for their kids to parents being so wrapped up in their careers that they give their children anything they want as a "cheap" alternative. Add to that they seem to enroll them in every sort of activity that they can imagine, so the parents can sit on the sidelines instead of spending some real time with them. Unfortunately for the parents that do the right thing they are blasted by the TV for various toys and gizmos or worse yet other parents ridicule them for not getting their child more "involved".

I was blasted by a parent because I pointed out that a lot of parents aren't doing their job, one thing I pointed out the extremely low turnout at school board elections, others include not asking their child questions and the obvious lack of discipline being administered. The people I know are good parents, but then again maybe thats just the crowd I run around with.

I've included the lyrics to the song here. Read them and weep (and not in the usual context of that saying):

Cats In The Cradle
Harry Chapin
lyrics by: Sandra Chapin, 1974

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad"
"You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Dad?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play"
"Can you teach me to throw?"
I said, "Not today, I got a lot to do"
He said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah"
"You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Dad?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and then said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys"
"See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Son?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time"
"You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu"
"But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad"
"It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
Yeah, my boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Son?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Son?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

Excerpt From: Funeral homes offended by lawmaker, not his law

Brian Hinson, co-owner of Henninger-Allen Funeral Home, said he doesn’t take issue necessarily with a proposal written by state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, that would open casket sales to private businesses other than funeral homes. Hinson’s problem, he said, is with the lawmaker spreading misinformation about his profession.

That is Wesselhoft's M.O. he doesnt think he can win his battles with facts, so he lies, Lies, LIES!!!

Reprinted from the Napa Valley Register

by DAWN CAPP
Tuesday, December 20, 2005 1:06 AM PST

This holiday season is proving to be an unhappy one for dog owners. A new law allows discrimination against breeds of dogs. Napa's Assemblywoman Noreen Evans co-authored the bill in a misguided effort to target dangerous dogs. Unfortunately, this legislation represents a step backward toward heavy-handed government and legalized discrimination. Rather than holding all dogs and owners equally accountable for their actions, this bill discriminates against dogs that have the misfortune of being born with the wrong looks. It makes no exceptions for service, guide, therapy, search, working, or show dogs. It does not distinguish between pure-bred dogs and dogs that look like they could be mixed with the "wrong" breed. It will cause insurance companies to blacklist breeds, forcing people to choose between their homes or their best friend.

Many people believe this is "pit bull" law, but nowhere do the words "pit bull" appear in the bill. The law allows counties to decide which dogs people should own, show, or breed. It is not, nor will it be, limited to pit bulls. In other areas that allow breed discrimination, counties have restricted boxers, St. Bernards, Great Danes, Dobermans, Chows, Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, and other breeds. Instead of actually targeting dangerous dogs and pet overpopulation, this bill acts as a soft ban on breeds and will force the senseless euthanization of thousands of loving pets.

Those who think this is just a pit bull problem should meet Ed Nelson of Sacramento. He owns a service dog, Ace. Ace has never hurt anyone. However, when Ed tried to renew his insurance, he was denied coverage because his dog was of the wrong breed. The insurance company didn't care that Ace was a service dog, nor did it care that, without Ace, Ed's life would be turned upside down, and it would be hard for him even to leave his home. Ace is a German Shepherd.

Even if SB 861 did just target pit bulls, it would still be wrong. No one breed is inherently dangerous. A daschund ripped through a playpen and killed the family's infant. A Chihuahua attacked a mail carrier, causing a serious injury. Those type of attacks rarely make headlines simply because they don't involve the words "pit bull."

Headline from the Drudge Report:

"Senate Democrats intend to zero in on Alito’s alleged membership to an organization, a witness will claim, that was sexist, racist and out-of-the-mainstream on a variety of issues"

The first thing that came to mind? When was he was a Democrat?

SHUT UP!

As told by the Bartlesville Examiner...

Ill break it down by incident:

June 15, 2001, man tells his dog to attack the rescue personnel... that could have been ANY type of dog that is protective of his owner, be it a pit bull, a German shepherd, mutt or any dog, as witnessed out in California where a police officer was attacked by a pack of Chihuahuas after he took their owner away

Jan 2004, dog used to protect meth labs... meth labs are illegal, so banning pit bulls will help how? These people were already breaking the law!

Oct 2004, a sad incident, but not enough of the story is being told, where was the child, was he being supervised?

Nov 2004, Pit Bulls running loose... sounds like a animal control issue, apparently they cant keep the loose ones off of the street now, so they want to go after the ones that are safe, behind locked fences?

Dec 2004, again, loose dogs, whose fault is that again?

May 2005, again loose dogs, see a pattern, and this was the second attack by "Chewy"

June 2005, too many unanswered questions. again, where were the parents?

UPDATE:  not mentioned is the death of the child in December 2005 where an unattended/unsupervised 4 year old child goes into the dogs pen and is killed.
 
So why are the thousands of RESPONSIBLE Pit Bull owners going to be punished?
because of lousy parental supervision and poor enforcement of laws already on the books.

What really concerns me is the number of Republicans, who preach personal responsibility going the banning route... better hold onto your guns folks, they do more damage than any dog can, and once you start sliding down that slope, it's awful hard to stop...

Milton O. Carlin has some land for sale, that he would like to sell to the airport. This land is needed for the airport to put in its 3^rd runway, to the east of Mingo. The airport has no business buying land for expansion until Layman Van Acres is taken care of!

Though they say that air-traffic hasn’t reached the levels of the late 80s, the type of aircraft, specifically the F-16s, have increased their presence, with more on the way, thanks to some regional base closings. 

Though I have moved out of the neighborhood, I want what’s best for my friends and former neighbors, and it is amazing how a little time away can sharpen your perspective of the situation.