A man walked into a very high-tech restaurant in a fancy hotel. As he waited to be seated, he noticed that the Maitre D' was a robot.
The robot clicked to attention and said, 'Sir, there is a one hour wait.
And I am programmed to talk with you until a table is ready.
'Intrigued, the man said, 'OK. 'The robot then asked, Sir, what is your IQ?'
The man answered, 'Oh, about 164.'
The robot proceeded to discuss the theory of relativity, interstellar space travel, the latest medical breakthroughs, etc.The man was most impressed. The next day he returned, But thought he would try a different tack. The robot again asked, 'What is your IQ, sir?' This time the man answered, 'Oh, about 100'.
The robot started discussing NASCAR racing, the latest basketball scores, and what to expect the Red Sox to do this weekend.
The guy had to try it one more time. So the next day he returned.Again the robot asked the question, 'What is your IQ?' This time the man drawled out, 'Uh.....'bout 50. 'The robot clicked, then leaned close and very slowly asked,
'A-r-e y-o-u-r p-e-o-p-l-e g-o-i-n-g t-o
r-e-a-l-l-y n-o-m-i-n-a-t-e H-i-l-l-a-r-y?'
With thanks to longtime friend 'Ed'.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Henry's Lottery Falling Flat!
Oklahoma's lottery is falling on its face and the Lottery Commission plans to cut costs and may have to cut its staff. The Commission's finance and audit committee's dreary budget forecasts for fiscal year 2008 prompted the plans.
In addition, it appears there will be an attempt to amend out a requirement that the Lottery Commission post a 35-percent profit in their third year of operations. This new estimate is 14.8 percent below the estimate upon which the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations were made, and 8 percent below the June estimate.
The Commission said it is doing all it can to trim operating costs without cutting current staff and advertising expenditures, including moving offices upstairs in their current building and turning the first floor into rental space, and opting not to refill four vacant staff positions.
"I hate to say this with staff in the room but we might have to reduce staff. Any way you look at it, it's not a pretty picture". Executive Director James Scroggins said in explanation of the finance committee's predictions that ticket revenues will remain stagnant through fiscal year 2010 at about $208.2 million.
-McCarville
Shhhhhhh...listen.....yes, it's Vince Orza saying "I told you so."
In addition, it appears there will be an attempt to amend out a requirement that the Lottery Commission post a 35-percent profit in their third year of operations. This new estimate is 14.8 percent below the estimate upon which the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations were made, and 8 percent below the June estimate.
The Commission said it is doing all it can to trim operating costs without cutting current staff and advertising expenditures, including moving offices upstairs in their current building and turning the first floor into rental space, and opting not to refill four vacant staff positions.
"I hate to say this with staff in the room but we might have to reduce staff. Any way you look at it, it's not a pretty picture". Executive Director James Scroggins said in explanation of the finance committee's predictions that ticket revenues will remain stagnant through fiscal year 2010 at about $208.2 million.
-McCarville
Shhhhhhh...listen.....yes, it's Vince Orza saying "I told you so."
Monday, September 17, 2007
Investigation of OK County GOP + 2 GOP Legislators?
Jerry Bohnen - NewsRadio 1000 KTOK - reports that it is believed the Oklahoma Ethics Commission has launched an investigation into a 2004 fundraising effort by two officials of the legislature at the time, and the Oklahoma County Republican Party.
It's also believed that notices from the Ethics Commission have been delivered to the Capitol offices of two top State House Republicans.
A source confirms the report in the Oklahoma Political News Service that the Ethics Commission had started looking into alleged campaign donation irregularities.
KTOK has learned the irregularities might have involved tens of thousands of dollars in contributions that had been sought by two highly placed Republicans in the State House in 2004. The money, according to the contact, eventually ended up in the hands of the Oklahoma County Republican party which at the time was chaired by Oklahoma City private investment consultant Al Mertens who has yet to return an inquiry from KTOK News.
At the heart of the controversy, said the source, is whether the money ended up being used as a "directed campaign contribution." Such "directed campaign contributions," under State Ethics rules, are considered to be a violation.
When asked about the investigation, Gary Jones, Oklahoma State Republican party chairman, told KTOK's Reid Mullins on First News today that he knew nothing of the probe.
By law, Ethics Commission officials cannot confirm the existence of any such investigation. And in early stages of the Ethics investigations, only those who were allegedly and directly involved in the matter being questioned would get official notifications. Stay tuned!
-McCarville and others
It's also believed that notices from the Ethics Commission have been delivered to the Capitol offices of two top State House Republicans.
A source confirms the report in the Oklahoma Political News Service that the Ethics Commission had started looking into alleged campaign donation irregularities.
KTOK has learned the irregularities might have involved tens of thousands of dollars in contributions that had been sought by two highly placed Republicans in the State House in 2004. The money, according to the contact, eventually ended up in the hands of the Oklahoma County Republican party which at the time was chaired by Oklahoma City private investment consultant Al Mertens who has yet to return an inquiry from KTOK News.
At the heart of the controversy, said the source, is whether the money ended up being used as a "directed campaign contribution." Such "directed campaign contributions," under State Ethics rules, are considered to be a violation.
When asked about the investigation, Gary Jones, Oklahoma State Republican party chairman, told KTOK's Reid Mullins on First News today that he knew nothing of the probe.
By law, Ethics Commission officials cannot confirm the existence of any such investigation. And in early stages of the Ethics investigations, only those who were allegedly and directly involved in the matter being questioned would get official notifications. Stay tuned!
-McCarville and others
Friday, September 14, 2007
All Aboard for the Cotton Bowl!
The Heartland Flyer will make a special run to the Cotton Bowl in Texas for the annual Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas Longhorns football rivalry.
A $24. round trip ticket is valid regardless of boarding location between OKC and Dallas. The Flyer will depart OKC Santa Fe Station at 8:25am on Friday Oct. 5, arriving at downtown Dallas Union Station at 2:10pm. The train will make regularly scheduled stops along the way at Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, Gainsville, TX, and Ft. Worth.
On return, the Flyer will leave Dallas at 2:30pm Sunday, Oct. 7 and arrive OKC at 9:39pm.
For reservations call (800) 872-7245 and ask for special fare code X237. All aboard!
A $24. round trip ticket is valid regardless of boarding location between OKC and Dallas. The Flyer will depart OKC Santa Fe Station at 8:25am on Friday Oct. 5, arriving at downtown Dallas Union Station at 2:10pm. The train will make regularly scheduled stops along the way at Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, Gainsville, TX, and Ft. Worth.
On return, the Flyer will leave Dallas at 2:30pm Sunday, Oct. 7 and arrive OKC at 9:39pm.
For reservations call (800) 872-7245 and ask for special fare code X237. All aboard!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Chair Gary Jones issues Statement on 'double standard'!
1). State Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones issued this statement: "Oklahoma law restricts Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners from accepting campaign contributions from those they regulate except during a short time frame before and after elections.Now it seems that Oklahoma State Treasurer Scott Meacham is speaking out against the proposed coal-powered electrical plant going so far as to appearing in tv ads.
Has Meacham crossed the ethical line by using his position to influence the final decision? The fact that there is a campaign fund raiser being held for the treasurer next week makes one wonder.
The ol 'double standard' seems to be in play.....
2). State Treasurer Scott Meacham's most recent campaign finance report does not list any "un reimbursed expenses" from last year's campaign even though an upcoming fund raiser ostensibly is being held to help cover those expenses.
Meacham's spokesman, Tim Allen, said the fund raiser, hosted by Democrat Mike Turpen and Republican Burns Hargis, partners on KFOR-TV's "Flashpoint" program, would help cover those expenses.Meacham's report, however, does not list any debt or un reimbursed expenses.
Read stories in full at: http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/
RUMOR circulating has it that Meacham (Henrys appointee, the one who grossly mis-figured how much gambling would produce for ed-u-kation and badly bungled the tobacco compacts with the tribes) is looking toward running for Governor or another higher office. His ads against coal are hoped to foster the imagine he is 'protecting' Oklahomans!!! Yeah right! There ain't no white horse in his barn! Or white hat either!
We've said it before.....NO the candidates!
3). Steve Fair tells it with his weekly column - "Tell Us What We Want to Hear" - at: http://www.stevefair.blogspot.com/
Has Meacham crossed the ethical line by using his position to influence the final decision? The fact that there is a campaign fund raiser being held for the treasurer next week makes one wonder.
The ol 'double standard' seems to be in play.....
2). State Treasurer Scott Meacham's most recent campaign finance report does not list any "un reimbursed expenses" from last year's campaign even though an upcoming fund raiser ostensibly is being held to help cover those expenses.
Meacham's spokesman, Tim Allen, said the fund raiser, hosted by Democrat Mike Turpen and Republican Burns Hargis, partners on KFOR-TV's "Flashpoint" program, would help cover those expenses.Meacham's report, however, does not list any debt or un reimbursed expenses.
Read stories in full at: http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/
RUMOR circulating has it that Meacham (Henrys appointee, the one who grossly mis-figured how much gambling would produce for ed-u-kation and badly bungled the tobacco compacts with the tribes) is looking toward running for Governor or another higher office. His ads against coal are hoped to foster the imagine he is 'protecting' Oklahomans!!! Yeah right! There ain't no white horse in his barn! Or white hat either!
We've said it before.....NO the candidates!
3). Steve Fair tells it with his weekly column - "Tell Us What We Want to Hear" - at: http://www.stevefair.blogspot.com/
Mainstream Media Ignore Couric Tell-All!
Despite the fact that it’s the first book to present the full story of Katie Couric and her downfall as a TV news anchor, the mainstreammedia have virtually ignored Ed Klein’s revelations about her in hisnew book, “Katie: the Real Story.”
Klein, who has written a string of New York Times best sellers, attributes the blackout to media 'executives’ coziness with Couric and their affinity for her liberal views. Read full story here:http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/media_couric_klein/2007/09/12/31533.html?s=al&promo_code=39EF-1
Klein, who has written a string of New York Times best sellers, attributes the blackout to media 'executives’ coziness with Couric and their affinity for her liberal views. Read full story here:http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/media_couric_klein/2007/09/12/31533.html?s=al&promo_code=39EF-1
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Conservative's Conservative: Clarence Thomas
"The Conservative's Conservative: Why Clarence Thomas Makes the New York Times See Red." Review Essay of Henry Mark Holzer's, " The Supreme Court Opinions of Clarence Thomas, 1991-2006."
Oklahoma's own Pat McGuigan offers good insight at <http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/2
Patrick B. McGuigan (M.A. in history, Oklahoma State University) is manager of The MidCity Advocate, a weekly newspaper serving the heart of Oklahoma City. He is the author of Ninth Justice: The Fight for Bork and The Politics of Direct Democracy. He is the editor of seven books on legal policy, including Crime and Punishment in Modern America.
Oklahoma's own Pat McGuigan offers good insight at <http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/2
Patrick B. McGuigan (M.A. in history, Oklahoma State University) is manager of The MidCity Advocate, a weekly newspaper serving the heart of Oklahoma City. He is the author of Ninth Justice: The Fight for Bork and The Politics of Direct Democracy. He is the editor of seven books on legal policy, including Crime and Punishment in Modern America.
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