Tulsa Topics

Posted by Bobby at   10:56 PM | (0)         | (0)
 

NOTE: AKA the "I voted "NO" before I voted "YES" flip-flop waffling crew.

Today

HR1424
Aye    OK-1    Sullivan, John [R]
Aye    OK-2    Boren, Dan [D]
Nay    OK-3    Lucas, Frank [R]
Aye    OK-4    Cole, Tom [R]
Aye    OK-5    Fallin, Mary [R]

September 29

HR3997
Nay    OK-1    Sullivan, John [R]
Aye    OK-2    Boren, Dan [D]
Nay    OK-3    Lucas, Frank [R]
Aye    OK-4    Cole, Tom [R]
Nay    OK-5    Fallin, Mary [R]

The rest of the country:

Posted by Bobby at   09:11 PM | (0)         | (0)
 John+Sullivan Dan+Boren Frank+Lucas

NOTE: I'm feeling rather betrayed by our current President, our Senators, and our Representatives.  The Presidency of the United States will be decided soon enough, but what about the incumbents in the Senate & House?  Regardless of the ultimate outcome of the so-called bailout, always remember this day when the House of Representatives (Who's Representatives?) sold the American population out to the tune of 700+ Billion.  While I'm fuming mad, here's something to ponder that a good friend of mine sent me:

Commentary by Charlie Reese

545 People

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of 300+ million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress.

In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority.

They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton-picking thing.

I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.

No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.

The president can only propose a budget.

He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.

Who is the speaker of the House? She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300+ million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts - of incompetence and irresponsibility.

I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.

When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.

Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people and they alone, are responsible.

They and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

The friend that sent me this has the following added commentary:

This is one of the most "common sense" articles I have read to date.  Charlie Reese should be hugged...the rest of us should be slapped...we can't even agree long enough to regain control of these greedy degenerates.  By the way, if they (the gov't) keeps us confused over the issues, it's because they want it that way...we, the people, can NEVER unite if we can't agree on what the REAL problem is, and we can NEVER agree if we remain confused in the maze of politics.  THEY control US, and we let them.

I couldn't fail to disagree with him any less.

Posted by Bobby at   08:40 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Inhofe Coburn Sullivan

Good business ethics are good business.  In the eyes of the consumer, you are no better than your reputation.

The above statement was shamelessly gleaned from the program handed out at Quik Trip's 50th Anniversary Birthday Bash.  Here's my "Top 10" list of entities that could use this advice:

1. Tulsa's very own TDA
2. Tulsa County Commissioners
3. Tulsa City Hall
4. TMAPC
5. Wall Street
6. Payday Loan Sharks
7. Subprime Mortgage Lenders
8. U.S. Senate
9. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
10. U.S. House

What's your list?

Posted by Bobby at   12:16 AM | (0)         | (0)
 Reputation Business+Ethics Tulsa Oklahoma

The Proverbs rule of thumb. A rule of thumb from the Bible says, "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value."

How Oklahoma voted:

Aye Coburn, Thomas [R]

Nay Inhofe, James [R]

<Soapbox mode ON>

The "Entitlement" dams are about to burst.

When did it become a "right" to own a home?  When did it become a "right" to have medical care?  In recent times this list could go on and on.

Now I agree that everyone should have an equal opportunity to own a home or receive medical care, but opportunity is NOT a right.  What is opportunity?  Opportunity is working towards something worthwhile.  It could be saving to make a down payment on a house, a car, or any other major purchase.  It is equal access to education to better oneself and to earn a decent wage to be able to support yourself.

Somewhere in the U.S.'s recent history our lawmakers, and some of the population, has crossed wires.  Instead of working hard to obtain a goal, the "entitlement" mentality has kicked in and immediate gratification is realized by certain segments of the population.  When traditional methods are "short circuited," sooner or later a breakdown will happen.  This is what we are witnessing first hand which is the proverbial fallout from short circuiting the traditional system.

My best friend has it pegged.  He told his teenage son that he had two choices.  He could either be an asset to society by getting a job and attempting to support himself, or continue to be a liability to society by remaining on the same course he was on.  If his choice was being a liability on society, my friend told his son he was going to take him out and it wasn't going to be on a date.  I'm happy to say his son got a job and is beginning to come around to being a productive member of society.

Anytime the Government alters the natural course of anything, be afraid... be very afraid.

<Soapbox Mode IDLE> (more thoughts to come)

Posted by Bobby at   11:58 PM | (0)         | (0)
 HR1424 US+Senate Entitlement

Ran across this video on YouTube that pretty much explains it all....

Posted by Bobby at   08:22 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Obama Financial+Meltdown Community+Reinvestment+Act

So let me get this straight.... we give a bunch of taxpayer money to financial institutions interest free.  They in turn loan it out to taxpayers with interest.  They might pay back the money?

Is it just me or does something seem fishy about this convoluted thinking?  I know there's more to the EESA than I state above, but in a nutshell that's basically the crux of the situation.

Although President Bush was trying to shotgun this one through the political machinery, the House defeated the EESA v2.0 by 23 votes (228 NO, 205 Yes).  Oklahoma's representatives voted as follows:

District 1 - John Sullivan (R) - No
District 2 - Dan Boren (D) - Yes
District 3 - Frank Lucas (R) - No
District 4 - Tom Cole (R) - Yes
District 5 - Mary Fallin (R) - No

For a couple of days I have been trying to get my head around the magnitude of the proposed bailout.  The first step was trying to determine exactly how much a billion with a "b" was.  I billion is 1,000 million or 10^9.  This would be $1,000,000,000 which by itself is an absurd amount of money.  700 billion with a "b" would equate to $700,000,000,000, which is even more absurd.

Based on the CIA Fact Book the US has approximately 303,824,640 men, women and children that live here.  Divide 700 billion by the population and you get approximately $2304/person.  That's how much a bailout would cost everybody in the US.  The CIA Fact Book also breaks down the Demographics of the population into age groups, i.e. 15-64 is 67.1% of the population.  This is the age spread which is most likely to be turning a buck, and paying into our wonderful tax system.  If you divide the number of people that fall into that sector into the bailout price, it's approximately $3434/person.

In comparison the so-called Tax Stimulus Check that my wife and I received earlier this year was only a measly $1200.  I'm thinking the check was just some lube for what is to come.  Relax, lean back, and take it because resistance is futile.

Posted by Bobby at   04:58 PM | (0)         | (0)
 EESA HR3997 Oklahoma Taxes Financial+Meltdown

I always get a chuckle when someone asks my wife or my parents, "What does Bobby do?"  First of all that is a fair question especially from someone that is close to you.  My work title officially is a "Senior Controls Specialist" which in real world terms means whatever it takes to get a job done when I'm on it.  The bulk of my work is related to being an industrial computer geek.  I write, simulate, integrate, and commission programs used on equipment that utilize Industrial Computers and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) for automation.  This encompasses almost every industry.  So far this year I've worked in the Petroleum Industry, the food industry, the manufacturing industry, and the pharmaceutical industry.  Sometimes this is drop dead simple, sometimes it encompasses many late hours at the jobsite.  Basically in my line of work every day is a new day and every project a challenge.

At the end of the day, or when I return from being on the road, my wife will ask me what I did and I guess I sound something like the following YouTube video to her because she usually gets kind of blurry eyed before I finish.

Posted by Bobby at   10:21 PM | (0)         | (0)
 work

I ran across the following article on a web site called Associated Content. Anyone can submit content and the following article was submitted by Melissa George regarding her ordeal experience at Tulsa's BOK Center.

Struggles with Tulsa's BOK Center Daytime Debut
Among a day filled with inspiring motivational speakers, Tulsa citizens found a few areas for major improvement before the next all day event.
View more »

My wife told me that she got caught in the traffic heading to work and it was not pretty.

"Build it and they will come," we were told.  It was built and indeed they did come..... boy did they ever.  I wonder how many will come again after their downtown experience.

Posted by Bobby at   11:31 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Tulsa BOK+Center Traffic

A great way to discover Blogs dealing with anything remotely Oklahoma is checking out the Blog Oklahoma web ring.  Kevin Latham does a great job of maintaining and doing the grunt work of keeping it running smooth like a well oiled machine.  Oh and I almost forgot, Happy Birthday to Blog Oklahoma! (I think I was in North Africa when the gala event went down).

Started on July 25, 2003, the Blog Oklahoma web ring has grown into a diverse and interesting community of Oklahoma bloggers.

I originally found out about Blog Oklahoma's web ring from Tulsa's "Grand Potentate" of blogging, Michael Bates of Batesline.com.  I'm pretty sure that's where I discovered what a blog was as well.

Kevin not only manages the Blog Oklahoma ring, but has an excellent site on Oklahoma History called.... you guessed it, BlogOklahoma.us.  Want to find out more about the great state that we live in?  If so, you most definitely want to bookmark this site.

Want to see some "Bleeding Edge" technologies at work?  Check out the long list of web sites that Kevin has a hand in at..... yep, you guessed it a again, BlogOklahoma.net.  While you are there check out the Blog Oklahoma podcasts.  I've dabbled in podcasts from time to time and you would think it would be easier to talk than write a blog entry.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Podcasts can be perplexing at best and tormenting at worst.

I've listened to more than one of Kevin's podcasts so he must be doing something right.  I do not know where he finds the time to accomplish what he does, but I'm happy he chooses to do what he does.

Thanks Kevin!

Posted by Bobby at   10:31 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Oklahoma Blog+Oklahoma Oklahoma+History Blog+Oklahoma+Webring Podcasting

Rejuvenating Rail Transportation in Our State

When: Monday, September 22, 2008, 6pm

Where: Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis, Tulsa, Oklahoma

What:
'Oklahomans Taken For A Ride' 
A Don Grissom film, Oklahomans Taken for a Ride, to be screened at the Circle Cinema on Monday, September 22, at 6:00 p.m.

A discussion will follow the 24-minute film featuring Tom Elmore, Executive Director of North American Transportation Institute of Oklahoma City
who has worked diligently for many years to protect the rail infrastructure
of Oklahoma. With the current fuel crisis, it becomes more and more apparent we need to begin using rail transportation where possible;
and that is why this film and Tom's efforts are so important to all
Oklahomans.

The film is free and the public is invited. This is a one-time showing so
please come see this important film.

"Oklahomans Taken for a Ride" highlights the importance of
protecting Oklahoma's remarkable rail infrastructure and putting it to better use.

The event is being sponsored by the Coalition to Save Union Station Terminal Facility in Oklahoma City, but their work has ramifications for the Tulsa community and future transportation options in the state.

This film explores the extent to which Oklahoma's transportation future is threatened by plans of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
(ODOT) to rip out the originally 12-track, 8-block-long Oklahoma City Union Station terminal facility as a part of the I-40 Crosstown relocation. The film details ODOT rerouting plans while also detailing efforts to fight the destruction of the magnificent rail asset. The video also shows how the facility could be readily and economically reused as an Oklahoma
multi-modal transportation hub.

The filmmaker, Don Grissom, was a graduate of Norman High School . He
worked in film and video production in Washington , D.C. for 28 years,
recently returning to Norman in 2007 to continue his documentary career. He
had been involved in the production of One World Quest (Muheim Motion
Pictures), Benny Andrews Route 66 Tour (Ogden Museum of Southern Art), Intel Wars (CNN Documentary), Extreme Makeover (ABC), Drugs (Frontline, Resolute Films), and many other films. Unfortunately, Don Grissom passed away this summer.

Posted by Bobby at   04:12 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Tom+Elmore NATI ODOT Oklahoma+City Tulsa Union+Station+Terminal Don+Grissom

Like the title says....  I want to know what's on your mind Tulsa.

Got a rant or rave about current events you want to get off your chest?

How about a hot tip for a post?

A sure pick on lottery numbers?

Click on the button and leave a message!

Please Note:  Your message is recorded and unless you tell me otherwise, it may be used in a post here at Tulsa Topics.

Feel uncomfortable leaving a phone message?  You can always email Tulsa Topics at the following email addy:

Posted by Bobby at   11:13 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Tulsa Grand+Central Tulsa+Topics

It's been somewhat interesting watching the Presidential candidates claw it out over the TV with a comfortable distance between them.  I'm sure it will be even more interesting seeing them in close proximity to each other debating the issues.

Who: Tulsa Young Republicans

When: Friday, September 26th, 2008 - 6:30PM to 9:30PM

Where: The Brook

Address: 3401 S Peoria

Join us to watch the first Presidential Debate on September 26th between John McCain and Barack Obama. As the election is only a few weeks away, we need to reach out to as many people as possible and make sure they watch the debate and see the clear differences between these candidates. Please join us for this important and fun event!

Posted by Bobby at   10:16 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Tulsa+Young+Republicans Tulsa John+McCain Barack+Obama

My wife and I attended the festival at River West Festival Park and were entertained by the excellent bands that performed on two stages.

Not only were there two stages, but a huge TV was right in between them.  Basically there wasn't a bad seat in the house.

I consumed a few beers and 50 cent hotdogs from the QT mobile kitchen while watching the Mid Life Crisis Band, Crooked X, Rattle and Hum, South 40, Leon Russell, and a little bit of Hanson.

After about 6 hours at the festival it was time to call it a night, head home, and watch the fireworks on CW 12/19.

I'd like to thank QT for throwing one hell of an anniversary party and allowing me to be a part of it!  Here's wishing you success for another 50 years!

Posted by Bobby at   08:00 PM | (0)         | (0)
 Quik+Trip Tulsa+River+Parks Tulsa Chester+Cadieux Chet+Cadieux

Looking for some software, but don’t have the bucks to spend?  You might want to check out Giveaway of the Day’s website.  My boss sent this link to me because he knows I generate a lot of documentation on some of the projects I’m involved with.  The GOTD today is for a PDF to Word converter.

PDF to Word is an easy-to-use software for converting a PDF document to an MS Word (RTF) document. The software supports all Adobe PDF modifications and it is possible to open the output RTF file with any version of MS Word, WordPad or OpenOffice. The PDF to Word converter retains the layout, images, text and formatting of the original PDF file.

Pretty handy little application!

Posted by Bobby at   12:08 PM | (0)         | (0)
 

From KFAQ’s twitter page: 

Tulsa city council gives unanimous approval to new stadium trust.

No surprise here……

Just what Tulsa needs, another trust or ABC that isn’t accountable to anyone.

Posted by Bobby at   10:01 PM | (0)         | (0)
 

Some of you may have noticed that I’m actually posting again to Tulsa Topics.  I didn’t really mean to stop posting, but real life gets in the way sometimes.  The good thing here in T-Town is that some things never really change.  Oh sure, people come and go, but the underlying current beneath the surface remains the same.  Take for instance these stories in today’s Tulsa World by P.J. Lassek……

Vote not violation of state ethics law

The city's Legal Department has determined that a member of the Tulsa Development Authority did not violate ethics laws when he voted to end talks on a parcel of land within the proposed downtown ballpark project.

Panel says plane ride didn't violate ethics rules

City Councilor David Patrick did not violate the city's ethics ordinance by accepting a ride on the mayor's jet to return to Tulsa for a controversial council vote.

Questions plague looming stadium trust vote

One concern is that the mayor would be both a voting trustee and have sole approval of the trust's financial actions.

The City Council is poised to vote Thursday on the proposed Tulsa Stadium Trust, but questions lingered Tuesday over transparency and a lack of council oversight.

So as you can see, not much has changed in Tulsa.  Today it’s Downtown Ball Parks, yesterday it was 71^st & Harvard, waterlines to Owasso, and Great Plains Airlines.  Yep, it’s good to be home in familiar territory!  Wheel and deal with a little slight of hand and back-room dealings thrown in for good measure.

Three thoughts keep popping up:

1.)  Where there’s smoke there’s fire.

2.)  In business dealings, a good rule of thumb that I try to live by is:  It has to be good for everyone, or it’s ultimately no good for anyone.

3.)  City Ethics as it pertains to Tulsa and the TDA is a oxymoron.

In the meantime Tulsa’s roads have deteriorated from bad to worse.  When will our so-called City Leaders start getting their priorities straight?  Penny wise and pound foolish abounds.

Posted by Bobby at   08:52 PM | (0)         | (0)
 

Tulsa State Fair exhibiter, Great Cat Adventures (GCA), is less than Purrrrrrfect.  A least PETA thinks so based on their news release:

For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2008

Contact:
Lisa Wathne 757-622-7382

Tulsa, Okla. -- Gravely concerned that Great Cat Adventures (GCA) is scheduled to exhibit big cats at the Tulsa State Fair beginning September 25, PETA has sent an action alert to more than 2,500 members and supporters in Oklahoma asking them to call on fair officials to reconsider allowing the act. GCA has repeatedly been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for exhibiting big cats in a dangerous manner, including at last year's fair in Tulsa. Big-cat exhibitions are becoming a thing of the past at auto shows and fairs because of the number of people who have been maimed, mauled, and even killed in attacks.

Exactly how many people have been “jacked up” in attacks?

At the 2007 Tulsa State Fair, GCA was cited for using a young tiger for photo sessions without providing a sufficient safety barrier between the animal and the public. The USDA report states, "The cat being exhibited was too big, fast, and dangerous to be exhibited in a manner that allowed the public to be close to the juvenile [cat] without a sufficient barrier …." Also in 2007, GCA was cited at least three other times--twice in Minnesota and once at a shopping mall in Illinois--for using tiger cubs who were too large for safe public contact.

My imagination is envisioning some poor sole eating a turkey leg and deciding to meander over to the Cat Show……  Is the cat purring or is that his stomach growling?  Our cats are pretty springy…. able to make tall bounds with one leap and rip and romp all over the house.  I wonder what constitutes a “sufficient” barrier.

Animals in traveling shows are often under considerable stress as they are subjected to grueling schedules, confinement to cages barely larger than the cats, irregular feeding, lack of exercise, extreme noise, and no chance to retreat from incessant interaction with humans.

Heck this sounds like my work schedule so far this year.  Perhaps, I need a “sufficient barrier” around me.

"Tulsa State Fair is playing with fire by inviting back an exhibitor who was cited at this very spot for endangering the public," says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. "Great Cat Adventures is just trying to turn a quick buck at the expense of public safety--treating tigers like stuffed toys and jeopardizing kids."

Unfortunately for PETA and the animals, Tulsa State Fair and the rest of that group are pretty adept at “playing with fire.” 

.

Posted by Bobby at   06:31 PM | (0)         | (0)
 

A PSA caught my attention tonight on the TV.  It touted some program that the Oklahoma Tax Commission was pushing called “Clean Slate ‘08” here’s the blurb from their web-site:

Taxpayers, with Oklahoma obligations for tax periods prior to January 1, 2008, have a unique opportunity to clear up their tax debts without paying penalty, interest or other collections fees.

This is a limited time offer. Clean Slate '08 begins September 15, 2008 and ends November 14, 2008.

One year all my personal income came from Texas and three years later the OTC came knocking with a letter saying I owed them money (which I didn’t).  I think the penalties were more than what the OTC said I owed for the period in question.  I had to prove that the money was earned in Texas which basically entailed me getting my employer at the time to write a letter to the OTC.

Personal experiences aside; If you DO owe taxes to the OTC, this is one of those “Godfather offers.”  You know the type you can’t possible refuse.  If you do not take advantage of the Clean Slate ‘08 back tax reprieve, you have the consequences to deal with…..

Taxpayers who do not take advantage of the Clean Slate ‘08 initiative will be assessed double penalty on the tax debt at the conclusion of the program. Penalty will be based upon the original liability.

The meter is ticking, better pay up before they send one of their “Good Fellas” knocking on your door to collect.  For more information on the program check out the Clean Slate ‘08 web-site.

Posted by Bobby at   10:39 PM | (0)         | (0)
 

There something about having your computer plugged into the “brain” of a controls system and everyone looking anxiously at you for guidance on whether or not “all systems are go.”  Pushing the start button, hearing the engines crank to life, and “smashing gas” back to the mainland.

Sometimes it’s good to be a industrial computer geek…..

Petrofac Starts Up Gas Production at Tunisia's Chergui Field
Petrofac 8/11/2008
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=65332

Petrofac has announced that commercial production of gas and condensate has begun from the Chergui field located on Kerkennah Island in Tunisia. Petrofac Energy Developments is the operator and has a 45% interest in the field whilst its development partner, Entreprise Tunisienne D’Activitiés Pétrolières (ETAP), the Tunisian state oil company, holds the remaining 55%.

First commercial gas began flowing on August 8, 2008, and it is to be sold to Société Tunisienne de L’Electricité et du Gaz (STEG), the Tunisian state gas and electricity company under the existing gas pricing formula. The total cost of the development is approximately US$100 million.

The Chergui field central production facility will initially handle 20 million standard cubic feet per day. A 57km pipeline to shore will tie in to STEG’s facilities at Ain Turkia near Sfax on its main pipeline to Tunis. Production plateau rates of 20mmscfd are expected for at least four years. Initial flow will be from two wells. Future potential gas development opportunities may extend the production plateau and the ultimate life of the field.

Bill Dunnett, Executive Vice President, Project Development commented, "Commencement of production is a major achievement following many months of hard work and dedication and I would like to thank the team for all their efforts."

Amjad Bseisu, Chief Executive of Petrofac Energy Developments, added, "Production start-up from Chergui establishes another core area for Petrofac Energy Developments and consolidates our relationship with ETAP. We look forward to future co-operation with ETAP on projects in Tunisia."

Posted by Bobby at   10:10 PM | (0)         | (0)