Lankford: national security risk with Iranians on terror watch list crossing border

Lankford Raises National Security Concerns Over Iranians Illegally Crossing Southern Border 

WASHINGTON, DC (October 17th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK), lead Republican on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, shared a video to continue to draw attention to the national security crisis at our southern border with Iranians on the terror watch list who are entering the US illegally.

Lankford aims at ending US reliance on Communist China for pharmaceuticals

This is an important issue that needs to be addressed. We cannot rely on Communist China for any essential industry. It's a national security issue.

Lankford Putting a Stop to US Reliance on China for Pharmaceuticals

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 21st) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK), a member of the Senate Finance, Homeland Security, and Intelligence Committees, introduced the Pharmaceuticals Supply Chain Security Act to proactively reduce US dependence on China for our pharmaceutical supply chain.

Lucas: foreign ownership of farmland a detriment to national security

Foreign Ownership of Farmland A Detriment to National Security

by Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03)

Everyone in Oklahoma is keenly aware that food security is national security. A nation that cannot feed itself cannot hope to defend itself. 

Because of this, it is essential we protect our farmland, especially from foreign adversaries. For far too long we’ve seen entities - Chinese in particular - coming over and buying our agricultural land. That’s why I’ve led on several fronts to address this troubling issue. 

Former Nat'l Security Advisor Robert O'Brien endorses Gray for Senate

FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR ROBERT O’BRIEN ENDORSES ALEX GRAY

Oklahoma City, OK – Today, former Trump advisor, Alex Gray, has announced the fourth notable endorsement of his campaign from former National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, just two days af
ter announcing his candidacy.

Robert O’Brien served as the National Security Advisor for the last two years of President Trump’s term in office. He worked closely with Alex Gray, who served as Chief of Staff of the National Security Council during the same time. 

“Alex Gray is a gifted geopolitical strategist. He did important work on the Abraham Accords Middle East peace deal. Alex’s efforts to reform the National Security Council, especially by cutting the Obama era staff by 50%, will serve as a blueprint for decades to come. At the same time, we had a record number of women senior directors. In this time of international crisis, I can’t think of a more qualified and experienced candidate for the U.S. Senate,” Robert O'Brien said in a statement endorsing Alex Gray.

Trump advisor Alex Gray releases Senate campaign announcement, endorsement by Richard Grenell

I've posted previously that Alex Gray was joining the U.S. Senate special election. Here's his official press release announcement, giving some more detail on the candidate's platform and background. 

He's also announcing an endorsement by Richard Grenell, which I've posted at the bottom. Grenell worked in the Trump adminstration from April 2018 to January 2021, as Acting Director of National Intelligence (the first open homosexual to serve at a Presidential Cabinet level), then Ambassador to Germany, and finally Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations.

SENIOR TRUMP ADVISOR ALEX GRAY ANNOUNCES U.S. SENATE CAMPAIGN IN OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City, OK – Today, former Trump Administration national security official, Alex Gray, announced his candidacy to finish the last four years of Senator Jim Inhofe’s current term. Inhofe recently announced he would be retiring at the end of the year, creating a vacancy that will be filled through a special election in November. 

Gray served as Chief of Staff of the National Security Council during the Trump Administration. Since leaving the White House, Alex and his wife Rochelle have returned home to Oklahoma City, where he runs a small business helping American companies around the world. Alex is the recipient of the second-highest civilian award from the Department of Defense and the highest award from the National Security Council for his service to the country under President Trump.

“It is important during this period when our country is being subjected to the radical policies of Joe Biden that we elect an America First conservative to the Senate,” Gray said.

He continued, “The current 50-50 split in the Senate is terrifying, and we must keep the seats we have and add additional ones in the 2022 election cycle. Republicans in the Senate are the last line of defense against court-packing, the Green New Deal, radical liberal judges, and 40 year-high inflation under the Biden administration.”

“I was honored to serve President Trump every day of his presidency in the White House, and I will continue President Trump’s America First mission in the Senate and fight for the same conservative policies that helped our country prosper under his leadership. I am looking forward to introducing myself to the people of Oklahoma and sharing our vision not only for Oklahoma but our country's future,” Gray concluded.

ALEX GRAY RECEIVES FIRST ENDORSEMENT OF HIS SENATE CAMPAIGN FROM FORMER DIPLOMAT AND ACTING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE RICHARD GRENELL

Oklahoma City, OK – Today, mere hours after announcing his candidacy for Senate, former Trump Administration national security official, Alex Gray, has received the first significant endorsement of his campaign from former U.S. Ambassador to Germany and Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell in his bid for United States Senate. 

Lucas helps introduce bill to give universities tools to protect COVID research from cyberattacks

Barr and Lucas Introduce Legislation to Give Universities Tools to Protect COVID-19 Research from Cyberattacks

Cheyenne, OK – Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced a bill today that will help universities and research institutions protect COVID-19 research from cyberattacks by China and Russia.

The bill will give universities and research institutions access to cybersecurity guidance developed specifically for their needs. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) currently sets cybersecurity standards and guidelines for federal agencies and provides voluntary best practices for private industry. This bill directs NIST to produce specific guidance, based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, to universities and other institutions conducting research on COVID-19.

Rep. Barr is a member of the China Task Force, which is working to counter emerging threats from the Chinese Communist Party. “Congress must act to safeguard critical scientific Coronavirus research being conducted at universities nationwide," said Barr. “My bill would have the Director of National Institute of Standards and Technology put forth guidance to preserve COVID-19 research and greatly reduce the threat of cyberattacks. This includes providing best practices and guidelines that will protect our national security.”

Cong. Hern introduces bill to force transparency from universities who accept foreign funding

Hern introduces the America: FIRST Act, forcing transparency from universities who accept foreign funding

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the America: Foreign Influence Resistance Starts with Transparency (America: FIRST) Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation seeks to force transparency from universities who receive foreign funding, in particular from the professors and programs who promote the interests of those foreign nations.

“It’s high time universities and professors get transparent about foreign funding,” Rep. Hern said. “The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations described universities as a ‘black hole’ for foreign gifts. In fact, a Department of Education investigation uncovered nearly $6 billion in undisclosed gifts from just eight universities between June 2019 and February 2020 in direct violation of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act.

“Laws exist that require universities to report foreign funding over $250,000 to the Department of Education, but so much can fall under the radar with a requirement that high. Additionally, there are currently no laws that require individual professors and departments to disclose funding directly to the American public. Universities and their professors occupy a position of public trust in this country, and public trust comes with an obligation for public transparency.”

Lucas helps introduce bill increasing scrutiny of foreign investment in US agriculture

Lucas, Fudge Introduce Legislation Increasing Scrutiny of Foreign Investment in Agricultural Businesses

Cheyenne, OK  – Today, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) introduced the Agricultural Security Risk Review Act, formally placing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The Agricultural Security Risk Review Act ensures that CFIUS is operating effectively and efficiently to determine if a transaction, including agricultural, threatens to impair the national security of the United States.

“I am proud to be introducing this important piece of legislation with my good friend, Congresswoman Fudge, that works to ensure that foreign investment in our nation’s agricultural sector is given the amount of scrutiny needed to protect and maintain our national security,” said Congressman Lucas.

Video: Israel's Critical Security Needs for a Viable Peace

The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs has released a video entitled "Israel's Critical Security Needs for a Viable Peace". This put into perspective for those of us in the West exactly what Israel faces from a security standpoint relating to their tiny size. Watch below.



JCPA has published a very informative security report here, which Arutz Sheva news has summarized in a great article here.

If you want to read an excellent book on the subject, I highly recommend current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 1993 book - A Place Among The Nations.

The Conservative View: A Necessary Evil

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

A Necessary Evil

It would be nice if we humans were creatures that could resolve all of our problems in a non-violent and civilized manner. The money that we could save on not having to build planes, tanks, ships, etc. could build a utopia on this planet. It is a sad fact that we humans are incapable of building such a world. There is always a group ready to destroy another group or civilization for the land or wealth that they possess. It is a sad fact that many people are not interested in history. I have found that it is far easier to avoid mistakes in our lives when we listen to the stories of past generations. As for myself, I cherish the memories of my grandparents and the common sense philosophy that they learned from the school of hard knocks. I remember them telling of the hardships of World War 2 and the sacrifices that the Americans of that day endured. I have also watched many programs of that era and have seen the carnage that our forefathers endured. I believe that that war would have been much worse if it had not been for the strength of our military. Over the past week much has been in the news about the nuclear agreement with Russia and how this will make our world so much safer.

I believe that peace is only achieved when our adversaries know that our strength and resolve is so strong that it would be suicide to attack us. Nuclear war would be a horror that no sane person would want to be involved in, but when the bomb was used on Japan that act saved that island nation from being burned to the ground along with countless Japanese and American soldiers. It is sad that civilized people cannot understand the barbarian mind. Our forefathers understood that the only reasoning that barbarians understand is force. Throughout history military superiority can change overnight. Rogue nations like North Korea, Iran and a host of other terrorists groups are in the process of acquiring the bomb. We Americans like to pat ourselves on our backs and claim that we are making the world a safer place when we make ourselves weaker. Granted we have many enemies, but I believe that our biggest enemies are apathy and arrogance. We take our safety for granted. Our weapons and military are a necessary evil; we need to remember that the lack of weapons never makes us safer; only having them makes us safer.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.