Eyjafjallajokull

Eyjafjallajokull, a volcano in Iceland, had a massive eruption on Wednesday. Ash is now spreading over Europe, shutting down nearly all air traffic, since volcanic ash is dangerous to aircraft engines.

Millions of passengers have been stranded in Europe and the United States, since trans-continental flights have been shut down.

Here are some pictures and video of the volcano and eruption.

Photo by Kristinn R. Kristinsson (notice the auroras)

Photo by Kristinn R. Kristinsson (notice the auroras)

The last time Eyjafjallajokul erupted was from December 1821 to January 1823, so this episode may well last for some time. The mountain is covered with a glacial icecap; the April 14th blast came from underneath two hundred meters of ice.

Record Crowd At Muskogee Tea Party Today

Here's a press release from the Muskogee Tea Party:

Muskogee Tea Party Attracts Record Crowd

MUSKOGEE - Over 350 concerned citizens from a wide area of eastern Oklahoma attended a Tax Day Tea Party this afternoon at the Muskogee Civic Center Plaza. The event was hosted by the Muskogee Tea Party Patriots; this was the fifth such event held in Muskogee in the past year.

"More people came today than any other Tea Party we've held here in Muskogee," said Jamison Faught, organizer of the group. "It's exciting to see how the American people are getting engaged in the political process, and demanding accountability from our elected officials."

Speakers at the event encouraged attendees to get involved in politics; ranging from registering to vote, talking to neighbors about issues, contacting legislators and even running for elected office.

Midway through the event, time was given for those with cell phones to call the Oklahoma and Washington D.C. offices of Senators Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe, and Congressman Dan Boren, as well as the White House. They voiced support for the repeal of the Obama Health Care bill that was signed into law this past month. Many in the crowd spent several minutes on hold, due to the sudden flood of phone calls.

In addition, signatures were collected on a petition that expresses "support for the repeal and replacement" of the Obama Health Care bill, and "encourage[s] our Federal Representatives to author and/or co-sponsor legislation and any other efforts to repeal this Healthcare reform." The petition will be presented to Senators Coburn and Inhofe, and Congressman Boren.

The Muskogee Tea Party is a non-partisan grassroots group of everyday Americans, who are concerned about the direction the country is moving, and who disapprove of out-of-control government spending, excessive taxation, and lack of adherence to the Constitution. They are dedicated to enacting change at the ballot box, and through peaceful protests.

Combined attendance at the five Muskogee Tea Parties numbers close to 1500, with participants coming from all over eastern Oklahoma, and surrounding states. Plans are underway for another Tea Party to be held in early July, around Independence Day.

"Citizens are realizing that they can actually make a difference in the course of our nation, and they're taking ownership once again," Faught said. "'We the People' are making our voices heard... loud and clear."

For more information, or to receive email updates, visit www.TeaPartyMuskogee.com, or call (918) 869-6000.

Muskogee Tax Day Tea Party

MUSKOGEE TAX DAY TEA PARTY

Are you worried about our nation’s future, with escalating budget deficits and increasingly oppressive national debt?

Come join fellow patriots for a TEA PARTY!!

When: Thursday, April 15th from Noon to 1:00pm.
Where: Muskogee’s Civic Center Plaza (4th & Okmulgee)

Special emphasis on taking our country back!

Learn how to get involved in the political process! Find how to effectively contact elected officials, and how to track campaign contributions!

Discover what we can do to take our country back!

This is a NON-partisan event open to all patriotic Americans who want to protect their freedoms and futures. Let your voice be heard!

For more information go to: www.teapartymuskogee.com
or contact Jamison Faught at (918) 869-6000.

Faught Blasts Senate Over Fee Increase

Faught: Senate Inaction Places Hefty Fee on Rural Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Senate leadership has declined to hear legislation opposing a new groundwater permit fee recently adopted by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board that would force rural Oklahomans to pay nearly a half million dollars in new fees, state Rep. George Faught said today.

House Joint Resolution 1086, by Faught, would disapprove the fee increase, which was adopted as a permanent agency rule by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board on February 9, 2010. The new agency rule would require a $50 fee for all groundwater permits, including those used for agriculture irrigation. This $50 fee would be per permit up to $500 per person and would be paid annually with an additional $50 late fee.

“State agencies should not be allowed to unilaterally hike fees anytime their budget gets a little tight,” said Faught, R-Muskogee. “Unfortunately, under current law, the only way to stop them is for the Legislature to disapprove a rule – which is why I filed this resolution.

“We’ve seen a growing tendency among state agencies to do an end-run around the Legislature and fill budget holes by enacting fee increases on working Oklahomans without legislative approval. HJR 1086 would have prevented that taxation without representation during this challenging economic climate.

“It is unfortunate that Senate leadership has declined to hear the resolution,” Faught continued, “and as a result, the people of rural Oklahoma will literally pay the price. I am frustrated that the Senate is sending the message that it is okay to allow a state agency to unilaterally impose $300,000 to a half-million dollars in new fees on working Oklahoma families. The Legislature should not cede budget authority to unelected bureaucrats.”

HJR 1086 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a bipartisan 70-26 vote, but was denied a hearing in the State Senate, thereby allowing the rule to go into effect. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau was among those opposing the fee hike and supporting Faught’s legislation.


George Faught, R-Muskogee, is the state representative for House District 14, which covers portions of Muskogee and Cherokee counties. He can be reached by calling 405-557-7310 (Capitol), 918-682-8383 (home district), or emailing george.faught@okhouse.gov.

Must-Attend City Council Meeting Tonight

If you are from Muskogee, you simply do not want to miss tonight's City Council meeting.

New councilors Randy Howard and Kenny Payne will be sworn in, and the council will decide on a replacement for Bob Luttrull.

Luttrull submitted his resignation last Tuesday. Hammons nominated Craig Koele, who happens to be Hammons' mother's employer, to replace Luttrull, while Luttrull nominated Bob Coburn.

The last item on the council's agenda is to vote on Luttrull's replacement. You won't want to miss this city council meeting! The meeting starts at 7:00pm, in the council chambers on the 3rd floor of City Hall in downtown Muskogee.

I will be tweeting from the council meeting - follow the action on my Twitter account here.

Muskogee Shooting Information

On Saturday, Muskogee had its first homicide since 2007. Gang members fired shots in Arrowhead Mall in downtown Muskogee, killing one person and wounding five.

MuskogeeNOW.com has recordings from two 911 phone calls here.

Three suspects were apprehended today, but one person of interest remains at large.

Police are looking for a black male from Summit named Daniel Jermaine Anderson, born 12-29-1989, about 5’8” and 150lbs-160lbs. If you have any information, please call 682-COPS (682-2677) or 680-8000.

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.

Hammons' Nominee is Mother's Boss

Multiple sources have told Leif Wright (with MuskogeeNOW.com) and myself that John Tyler Hammons' nominee to replace Bob Luttrull on the city council is actually his mother's boss.

Craig Koele, Hammons' choice, is the CEO of Solara Hospital, where Kathy Hammons is apparently an employee.

MuskogeeNOW was the first to report on this, but was unable to get comments from either of the two Hammons' or Koele.

We were told that there have been instances of sexual harassment at Solara, and that Koele did nothing to take care of the situation.

If these stories are true, and given the close relationship between Hammons' and Koele, it would be a huge mistake for the city council to vote in Koele as Bob Luttrull's replacement.

Stupak Won't Seek Reelection

Michigan Democrat Congressman Bart Stupak has announced that he will not be seeking reelection.

Stupak caved in during the debate for the Obama/Pelosi health care bill, and ended up supporting the measure, despite his lengthy opposition to it for funding abortion.

He had drawn several Republican opponents, including one Dan Benishek, who is well on his way in a $219,000 fundraising drive - $1,000 for every vote for ObamaCare.

Vacant Council Seat Nominations

Recently re-elected Muskogee Mayor John Tyler Hammons has announced his choice to fill the city council seat being vacated by Bob Luttrull, who resigned Tuesday afternoon for health reasons.

Mayor Hammons Nominates Local Businessman to Council Post

Muskogee, OK – Mayor John Tyler Hammons today announced his nominee for Ward I City Councilmember to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Bob Luttrull.

“I want to thank Mr. Luttrull for his work and dedication to the City Council,” Mayor Hammons said. “His family will be in my thoughts and prayers.”

To succeed Luttrull, the Mayor has nominated Craig Koele, a Muskogee businessman and hospital administrator who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Solara Hospital-Muskogee since 2006.

“I have known Mr. Koele for many years and have found him to be fair and honest in all his dealings,” said the Mayor. “He has demonstrated excellent leadership and business skills and possesses an impressive academic background. I look forward to working with him to address the issues facing Muskogee.”

Koele has been a Muskogee resident since 2007 after becoming the head of Solara-Muskogee. Koele has over twenty years of experience in the private sector as a healthcare administrator. He has previously served as the President of the Tulsa Area Mental Health Association in 2003.

"I appreciate the confidence that Mayor Hammons has expressed in me. He has made it clear that promoting job creation is a top priority of his second term, and I look forward to helping him with that effort," said Koele.

Koele, 53, is married to his wife, Kathi, and together they have one son: Quin, 15.
Mayor Hammons will official announce the nomination of Koele to the vacant City Council post on Monday, April 12, at the City Council’s regular meeting.

On the other hand, Bob Luttrull has nominated Bob Coburn as his replacement. Coburn came in second in the mayoral election that took place on Tuesday.

The city charter is vague on the replacement process; all it states is that the vacancy must be filled by a majority vote of the council. It does not say who nominates the replacement. In the past, it seems that the retiring councilman has nominated his choice, and the council has approved that replacement.

The vote to replace Luttrull will take place this coming Monday (April 12th). This will be a city council meeting you won't want to miss.

Quote on Coburn's Pelosi/FOX Statement

Sen. Tom Coburn has sparked a mini-controversy over his statements calling Nancy Pelosi a "nice lady", and advising people to avoid "being biased by FOX News that somebody is no good."

Here's a good quote that about sums up my feeling on the issue:

"Mr. Coburn's remarks seem to reflect an admirable and rare belief that one can win a political debate by convincing those seated in the jury box of public opinion that an opponent has wrong ideas, without having to demonstrate that same opponent has corrupt intentions."

Kevin Madden, political consultant with the Washington-based firm Dyke Associates and former communications director for Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential bid

Fallout from Hammons' Reelection? Councilman Resigns

In a surprising announcement this evening, sitting councilman Bob Luttrull (Ward I) has resigned. Luttrull stated that the resignation was for health reasons; however, the timing is suspect.

It is well know that Luttrull did not get along well with Mayor John Tyler Hammons, who was handily reelected this evening. If Luttrull's health issues were dire enough to merit resignation, why didn't he resign before the filing period, in order to give candidates a chance to run for office?

A replacement councilor will be recommended by the mayor, and must be approved by the city council. Given the suddenness of the resignation, there is no indication from the mayor as to whom he might recommend.

UPDATE: The announcement was made in the afternoon, before the polls closed, essentially proving that it was not made due to election results. There has been no further elaboration on the particulars of why.