Graphic shows 56 years of tornado tracks

(click on the picture to view in a larger size)

Blogger John Nelson put together this graphic, featuring 56 years of tornado tracks, shaded by Fujita Scale intensity. Weather nuts like me will appreciate this!

Costello Endorses Howard Houchen in SD5

Oklahoma City, OK –  In what promises to be a key pickup for Senate Republicans in the “Little Dixie” region of the state, long known for entrenched Democrats, Howard Houchen (R-Hugo) is gaining notice early in the race by picking up the high profile endorsement of Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello.

”When I ran for Labor Commissioner in 2010, I campaigned on my commitment to bring sound business practices and constitutional principles to State Government.  Howard Houchen shares these values and will be an invaluable asset to southeastern Oklahoma. He is unabashed in his love for his home region, and unashamed to stand strong for what is right for Oklahoma in general and right for SE Oklahoma in particular. I am proud to offer my endorsement of Howard Houchen as the right choice for State Senate, District 5,”  Labor Commissioner Mark Costello stated.

Houchen will be facing Jerry Ellis (D-Valliant) on the November general election ballot. This race also has an unusual twist: Democrat incumbent Ellis, due to term limits, is only eligible to serve two years of the upcoming four year term. He will be forced to vacate the seat midway through the term if he is re-elected.

Houchen commented,  “Commissioner Costello has a proven record of increasing government efficiency and accountability while controlling, and even decreasing, the costs to the hardworking taxpayers of Oklahoma. I share that vision and appreciate his leadership. I look forward to ensuring that the interests of the good folks in SE Oklahoma are heard loud and clear in Oklahoma City as we all work to achieve a more economically free and prosperous tomorrow.”

Houchen is a graduate of University of Oklahoma with a degree in Political Science, and boasts an MA in National Security Studies from the American Military University. With extensive international and small business expertise, he is extensively published in multiple conservative publications. He proudly raises his two sons alongside his wife Jeannie in the S.E. Oklahoma community of Hugo. He and his family are avid hunters and sportsmen, treasuring the bountiful natural resources that are plentiful in our beautiful state and rural communities.

You can visit Houchen's campaign website here.

I-40 Bridge Collapse: 10 Years

10 years ago this morning, a barge traveling up the Arkansas River struck a bridge support on I-40, causing a 580-foot section of the span to collapse into the river, and plunging about 10 vehicles into the water. 14 people were killed in the accident.

I distinctly remember the event, and the aftermath. Before heading to church that morning, my parents had the news on, and I remember seeing the coverage. Around that time, the kids at the church we attended had a sort of news and comics "club" (weekly exchange of hand-written articles, trivia, or cartoons), and I wrote the following story, complete with a drawing of the scene.

(I suppose one could call this my first "blog" post...) 

In the hours after the bridge was hit, rumors flew that the detour bridge upstream was also struck by a barge. That was not the case, but following the I-40 event, work was done along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigational System to strengthen and guard bridge supports from such an accident happening again.

I can recall driving down to Webbers Falls while the bridge was out, and seeing the temporary memorial there in town. The bridge was rebuilt in two months, a record for a project of that scope.

Just yesterday, I drove through Webbers Falls, and was thinking about the bridge disaster. It still doesn't seem like it's been ten years since it happened.

Although I was not affected by the event, now that I think about it, I do have a habit of checking the river when I drive over a bridge. Strange, how things can impact your behavior, even when you were far removed from the occurrence in the first place.

Faught Launches TV Ad

Faught Launches First District Wide Television Ad
“When I go to Washington”

Muskogee, OK – The George Faught for Congress campaign launched their first television ad in the race for Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District. This is the second week in a row the candidate has made a major media buy, last week Faught started running district wide radio ads.

Titled “When I go to Washington”, the ad features former Arkansas governor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate, Gov. Mike Huckabee endorsing George Faught for Congress. During the TV spot, Huckabee refers to Faught as a man of deep faith who is 100% pro-life and will protect conservative values and restore fiscal discipline in Washington.

View the ad below:

Book Review: Tom Coburn's 'The Debt Bomb'

Senator Tom Coburn versus Everyone Else in Washington

by Dustin Siggins

In The Debt Bomb: A Bold Plan To Stop Washington From Bankrupting America, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) explains how Washington's career politicians, staffers, and lobbyists have set the nation up for fiscal failure.  Pulling few punches, Coburn targets sacred cows of each party and explains that rather than being in gridlock (as the media claims is the case), Congress has spent the last several decades (and especially the last 15 years) working to expand influence and re-election capabilities regardless of party.

Opening with a story about how America's rising debt could cause first a financial, and then a military crisis by 2020, Coburn reminds readers that this country is only as powerful as its finances will allow it to be.  In this fictional-but-likely future, foreign investors decide in 2014 that America is no longer a viable financial investment.  Over a span of days, this new consensus works its way into the value of the dollar, sinking it by 50% and increasing inflation.  Riots become widespread, the National Guard is deployed, and the G-20 meets to tell the U.S. that tax rates will double, retirement ages will leap precipitously, and means-testing will be the order of the day on benefits.  Finally, in 2019 -- two years after employment finally drops from 24% -- China invades Taiwan and informs the U.S. that if we stop the invasion, the U.S. will lose both financially (as China dumps our debt) and militarily (as both nations perhaps engage in a nuclear exchange).

Unlike other authors, Coburn takes on the debt from a series of critical angles, not just partisan ones.  This is done in a way that breaks through the fog of D.C.-speak and explains in plain terms the corruption all too present in Washington.  The impacts of the debt on the unemployment rate, national security, retirement, social welfare, personal freedom, tax rates, energy reform, and morality each have portions of chapters (in some cases, whole chapters) dedicated to them.  Additionally, Coburn aims to show just how much smaller government could be if we just eliminated fraud/waste/abuse/duplicity from the federal government...as much as one-third, or over $1 trillion per year (nearly $3,900 for every American every year).  If nothing else, the disgust readers should have for their elected politicians is a victory in and of itself, and it should lead to a successive series of efforts by voters to term-limit members of Congress.

The most important reforms Coburn addresses are those related to duplication/oversight, military spending, taxes, and entitlements.  With an envious lack of ego, Coburn looks at the problem from the perspective of an outsider involved in the process rather than as an elitist insider who knows all the answers.  Does the senator have answers?  Yes.  Does he think his are the only ones?  Absolutely not.  While his own oversight reports and Back in Black solutions are regularly mentioned both in chapters and in an addendum, Coburn praises Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), among others, for truly working to find a way to defuse our debt bomb.

The inside baseball Coburn exposes should embarrass both members and their constituents.  Earmarks, personal discussions, and careerism are all brought to the fore, but nothing is more "inside baseball" than the debate that took place leading up to the debt ceiling compromise last August.  The utter dysfunction of Congress is laid bare in Coburn's descriptions of what happened.  Meeting after meeting and discussion after discussion led to a deal that not only didn't cut spending, but actually grew spending by $2 trillion over ten years...and still left our nation's credit rating downgraded.

(click "read more" for the rest of this review)

Faught Endorsed by David Barton, OK2A in 2nd District race

In the last week, 2nd Congressional District candidate George Faught picked up two more major endorsements, adding to his already extensive list of supporters.

David Barton Endorses George Faught for Congress

Muskogee, OK – David Barton, historian and founder of Wallbuilders, today endorsed State Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee) in his bid for Congress in Oklahoma’s 2nd District.

“Our nation stands at a critical crossroads, and it is vital that we put proven conservatives in Congress who will respect and follow the Constitution. George Faught is a man of character and integrity, and will fight to protect the Judeo-Christian values that our nation was founded upon,” Barton said. “I strongly urge voters to support George Faught in Oklahoma’s 2nd District Republican primary.”

“I am honored to have the endorsement of David Barton. I have greatly admired his invaluable work over the years,” Faught said. “From attending Wallbuilders conferences, to utilizing his material in the homeschooling of my children, David’s wealth of information has had an impact on how I understand America’s tremendous heritage and how I approach my duties as a legislator. I am grateful for his support as I join with like-minded conservatives across the country in the common effort to get our nation back on track.”

Oklahoma Second Amendment Association Endorses Faught

Muskogee, OK – Today, State Rep. George Faught was awarded another statewide endorsement. The Oklahoma Second Amendment Association (OK2A) has announced their support of Mr. Faught in his 2nd Congressional District race for Congress. This endorsement comes in a highly contested field of Republicans and Faught expressed he is proud to have the backing of such a great organization.

Faught said, “OK2A is constantly involved in alerting citizens of our great state about issues and bills that can affect our Constitutionally held Second Amendment rights. Oklahoma is a fantastic state to partake of the positive aspects of gun ownership; hunting, competitive shooting, and in some cases personal protection. I am glad OK2A has decided to take a stand with who they believe will best represent them in Washington. I am honored that pick was me.”

Faught continued, “I attended their rally at the capitol this spring and it was great to see so many concerned citizens lobbying on behalf of gun owners across the state. People from the 2nd district agree, we need government out of our homes and out of our businesses.”

Oklahoma Second Amendment Association founder and director, Tim Gillespie, mentioned there was no question on which candidate they would pick to support.

“In the past Rep. Faught on the state level has been very supportive of protecting the rights of citizens to bear arms. As a life long gun owner and proponent of Oklahoma gun rights we are confident when he is representing the 2nd District and Oklahoma in Washington, D.C. he will continue to protect the freedoms of Americans and stand up for us. In 2011 we gave George the ‘Patriot of the 2nd Amendment’ award and we hope this endorsement for his congressional race will make people aware that he is the best candidate to protect our Oklahoma values and beliefs.”