State Rep. Lisa J. Billy, R-Purcell, took issue with Judge Norma Gurich’s decision to extend an order barring enforcement of a pro-life law.
That law, authored by Billy, requires that women be given the opportunity to view an ultrasound prior to an abortion.
“The judge’s decision to temporarily block enforcement of the pro-life law until a hearing has been completed is fairly standard given the legal process,” Billy said.
“However, I believe this common-sense law will ultimately be upheld. Abortion providers have acknowledged in legal filings that they routinely perform an ultrasound prior to an abortion; this law merely provides women the opportunity to view the ultrasound if they wish, and hear a description of it. Opponents of this law contradict themselves by arguing that a woman is capable of choosing to have an abortion, but not emotionally capable of dealing with all relevant medical information.
“That is, quite simply, an outdated and sexist attitude straight from the horse-and-buggy era. Women do not need a paternalistic abortion industry to make their decisions for them. For truly informed consent to occur, abortion providers cannot be allowed to withhold relevant medical information from patients.”
Lawmaker praises water decision
In response to the recent ruling by a federal judge to dismiss the Tarrant Regional Water District’s lawsuit to acquire water from Oklahoma, Representative Brian Renegar, D-McAlester, expressed his agreement with the decision.
“I am very encouraged by the federal judge’s action which protects Oklahoma’s water,” Renegar said. “Twice now in the last year this case has been dismissed, yet nonetheless further challenges are in the works. We are witnessing numerous attacks to raid our state’s water supply, and we must do all we can to protect this precious natural resource.
“I am proud of the state legislature who last year appropriated funds to allow the hiring of Charles DuMars, who is a water lawyer with lengthy experience in protecting New Mexico’s water from El Paso. He has done an excellent job assisting the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in its fight against Texas. I also want to add a special thanks to Representative Dale Dewitt for his leadership as Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, as he was instrumental in encouraging the legislature to appropriate funds for Mr. DuMars employment.
Renegar said he approached Rep. Dewitt with language from the New Mexico water law that was originally drafted by Mr. DuMars and legislators worked to create what became House Bill 1483, which gives preference to in-state water users and requires legislative approval before water can move across state lines.
“Without the concentrated effort by the legislature and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board the federal judge’s decision would not have come to fruition,” Renegar said. “We must remain vigilant and protect our water-rich state.
“Benjamin Franklin put it best when he said, ‘when the well is dry, we know the worth of water.’ Although the Tarrant lawsuit will now go back to the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, I am confident in our legal team and legislators who will pull out all stops to ensure Oklahoma’s well remains plentiful.”
Tulsan heads to Toastmaster event
Frank L. Slane, former international director of Toastmasters International, a member of several local Toastmasters clubs, including Gilcrease, Conversing Couples and All Stars, will join nearly 2,000 Toastmasters from around the world in Palm Desert, Calif., at the 79th annual Toastmasters International Convention this August.
Slane is carrying the proxy for the Gilcrease club’s president and vice president and will represent the club by delivering its votes to determine the organization’s international leadership team.
Slane joined Toastmasters 49 years ago in 1961. Slane received numerous awards including District 16 Outstanding Toastmaster, District 16 Dedicated Toastmaster, Distinguished Toastmaster, Accredited Speakers Designation and the Toastmasters Presidential Citation. He also has served as District 16 Governor as well as International Director.
International President Gary Schmidt predicts “the biggest and best Convention yet.
“More than 80 contestants from around the world will participate in the World Championship of Public Speaking semifinals,” he says. “And our education programs will help people improve their professional skills.”
The public is invited to attend and learn from the program’s communication and leadership experts.
The Toastmasters International Convention takes place Aug. 11-14 in Palm Desert, Calif.
To learn more, visit www.toastmasters.org/2010Convention.
The Gilcrease Club meets at Western Sizzlin’ Restaurant, 6510 East 21st St., on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization serving more than 250,000 members in 106 countries.
Toastmasters International teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of 12,500 clubs.
Since its founding in October 1924, the organization has helped more than four million men and women give presentations with poise and confidence.
Animals affected by summer heat
With temperatures in the upper 90s and humidity levels to match, it is apparent that summer has arrived in Oklahoma.
State residents are seeking out swimming pools and air-conditioned surroundings in an effort to beat the heat.
Just as people try to find ways to stay cool, pet owners also need to take precaution for their furry, four-legged friends, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service veterinarian.
“During the summer months, heat exhaustion is one of the most common ailments of pets. Dogs don’t sweat in the way that humans do, so they don’t have an efficient way to keep themselves cool,” MacAllister said. “To help keep your pets cool, just keep in mind the things you do for yourself to stay cool.”
Shade is an absolute must for pets that live outdoors. In addition, these animals need a continuous supply of cool water in containers that cannot be tipped over. One way to keep a pet’s water cool longer is to add ice cubes to it.
MacAllister stressed the importance of shade, especially during the afternoon hours when the temperature is the hottest.
“Pet owners shouldn’t keep their pets tethered in the yard and they must make sure shade and water are always available for these animals,” she said.
When the weather is extremely hot and humid it is best if the pet can be kept indoors in the air conditioning or with a fan. Never leave pets in an enclosed area such as a garage unless there is a fan or other type of air circulation system.
For those pet owners who take their furry friends for a ride in the car, make sure Rover or Fido is properly restrained while the vehicle is moving and that the pets keep their head inside the car.
“Something else to keep in mind is to never leave your pet in a parked car, even with the windows cracked,” she said. “The temperature inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees or higher in the heat of the summer, even with the windows partially down. If you’re running errands and you’re unable to take the pet inside with you, it’s best to leave the animal at home.”
Some pet owners enjoy exercising with their pets, but over exertion can overheat pets quickly, especially in humid weather.
“When dogs get hot they pant to cool themselves. Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat when they’re hot,” MacAllister said. “Panting involves the flow of air through the nasal passages and mouth. This flow of air maximizes evaporation and heat loss as the air is exposed to the large evaporative surface area of the nasal turbinates inside the dog’s nose.”
Keep an eye out for rapid panting as this may be a sign of heat stress. Dog owners who wish to exercise with their pets are encouraged to do so early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid heat stress.
The signs of heat stress in pets include bright red gums, elevated heartbeat and body temperature and rapid panting. As this condition progresses, the animal may stare with anxious expression, ignore verbal commands and skin may feel warm and dry. Emergency treatment for this condition includes sponging the animal’s neck and groin area with cool water until temperature is lowered or returns to normal. Contact your veterinarian immediately because the pet may require further treatment to prevent serious complications that can accompany heat stress.
Be especially careful with very young and older pets, as well as obese pets and those with health problems, as they are less able to thermoregulate themselves. In addition, short-nosed dogs such as pugs and boxers have smaller nasal passages, so they are especially vulnerable to the heat.
Some pet owners believe clipping a dog’s fur will help pets stay cool during the summer months. However, MacAllister said the fur can protect the skin and if the fur is clipped too short, the skin can burn, just as human skin does.
“I don’t recommend across-the-board clipping of dogs, but those animals that have a heavy thick coat may need to have their fur trimmed. Talk to your veterinarian about what kind of clip would be beneficial,” she said. “An animal’s coat protects their skin and can actually trap cooler air next to their body and help keep them cool.”
Help Support Our Students Sept. 25
Help Support Our Students, an event to raise awareness and funds to help overcome a series of budget cuts and financial shortfalls at Tulsa Public Schools, will be Sept. 25.
The event will be hosted at the Tulsa Convention Center downtown. The website is at http://www.helpsupportourstudents.com
At the Help Support Our Students event, 40 Tulsa area schools will be given tables at the convention free of charge in order to represent their school, inform about upcoming events, and offer various
fundraising products for sale. Each school will keep 100 percent of their proceeds.
In addition to schools, approximately 100 vendor booths will be set up showcasing products and information from local retail shops, crafters, business owners, artists, restaurants and more. All participating vendors will have the option of pledging 10 percent of their proceeds to the students.
Tickets for admission to the event are $5 and can be purchased in advance from schools participating in ticket sales and upon entry the day of the event.
The proceeds from ticket sales and table sales in conjunction with contributions from sponsors, donors and the 10 percent vendor pledges should create a substantial financial contribution to Tulsa Public Schools.
City and TPS combine police efforts
Mayor Dewey Bartlett and Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Keith Ballard announced that the City of Tulsa and Tulsa Public Schools will enter into a memorandum of understanding which will allow Tulsa Public Schools Campus Police to issue citations on school grounds, streets, roads, alleys and all properties adjacent to schools.
Currently, only the Tulsa Police Department had the authority to issue citations. All tickets and materials will be provided by the City of Tulsa and all tickets issued will be processed and arbitrated by the city’s municipal courts. The city will also provide 50 crossing guard site locations for the upcoming school year.
In other school news, TPS will rehire most of the teachers who did not get their contracts renewed due to budget cuts.
State legislators cut Tulsa Public Schools’ fiscal year 2010-2011 budget by 10 percent after doling out $7.6 million in cuts in the 2009-2010 budget.
“This has, by far, been my most challenging year of nearly 40 years in public education,” said Dr. Keith Ballard, the TPS superintendent. “The worst part of these record-breaking cuts has been sending 224 letters to brand-new teachers, telling them their contracts may not be renewed. As a former teacher myself, my heart broke with every notification.”
About 30 teachers have not been recalled and they will remain in an applicant pool that principals use to fill vacancies. Thus far 107 elementary, 29 middle school and 52 high school teachers have either been recalled or are in the process of being recalled.
Of the 188 recalled teachers, 29 were given one-semester contracts, in keeping with a new law providing for a full two years on temporary contract. These 29 have completed three semesters with the district, but are required to teach for another semester before receiving full contact status.
While the reduction in teaching force will lead to increased classroom sizes, TPS still has lower student-teacher ratios than most school districts in the area.
Dr. Richard Lamb will be here on October 6th
The Oklahoma Family Policy Council will host a luncheon with Dr. Richard Lamb, host of the national radio programs For Faith & Family and Richard Land Live! at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 6 in Tulsa.
Emoly West, Miss Oklahoma 2010, will also be a special guest at the luncheon.
Land is the president of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
OFPC is an Oklahoma-based nonpartisan nonprofit organization which works full-time to strengthen Oklahoma families and to restore Judeo-Christian principles through improved public policy.
OFPC has a 2010 Oklahoma voters’ guide at www.focusvoter.com.
The cost is $25 per person. For tickets, call 1-888-381-0044. Luncheon sponsorships are also available. For more information, go to www.okfamilyorg or e-mail info@okfamilypc.org.
Paper president joins exclusive country club
John R. Bair, president of the Tulsa World, has been accepted for membership at the exclusive Southern Hills Country Club.
The Tulsa Beacon reported in January, 2009, that Bair was joining the club at the same time his newspaper laid off 28 employees.
The cost of the membership is not public information but the Beacon has learned that a minimal cost could reach six figures for initial membership, with an annual cost of at least $10,000.
A decline in advertising revenue and a smaller number of subscribers and readers has plagued big city, monopolistic daily papers throughout the country.
The paper reported that 26 of the 28 employees let go were in the newsroom and that this would have a detrimental impact on the amount of news coverage.
Last year, the World closed the Community World sections of the paper and laid off 18 reporters, editors and secretaries. In 2008, the Tulsa World reduced the size of its pages and consolidated some sections.
The Daily Oklahoman, the state’s largest newspaper, terminated 150 employees and reduced the area (including Tulsa) where the paper offers home delivery in 2008. The Oklahoman has also reduced the actual size of its paper in recent years.
Bible translation work needed in the Congo
Wycliffe Associates, the international organization that mobilizes volunteers and resources in support of Bible translation efforts, is seeking to raise $81,375 to help refurbish a translation center in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“The people of the DRC desperately need the life-changing message of God’s Word in their own language,” a spokesman said. “They have no other hope! Nothing has been able to stop the cycle of violence, civil war, terror, hunger, disease, and corruption. Not government money. Not a new regime. Not humanitarian aid. And nothing will - except the life-transforming Word of God, in the language of people . . . in their native tongue.
“God has opened a window of opportunity for us to help provide the translation of His Message of Hope for several language groups in the DRC during a current period of relative peace. Wycliffe Associates is using this opportunity to help complete the refurbished facility.”
“We cannot let this opportunity to complete this critical project pass us by,” said Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe Associates. “The window of opportunity in the DRC may close in the blink of an eye. We must act now to complete the Bunia Translation Center.”
Among the more than 3.6 million inhabitants of the DRC, there are 62 living languages spoken in the country, according to SIL International’s Ethnologue. In addition, more than 200 African ethnic groups are found in the country.
With the DRC as one of the highest translation needs areas, the most effective way to accelerate Bible translation is by equipping and involving nationals in every level of the many Bible translation projects - the improved center will provide the necessary space to successfully facilitate this method of Bible translation and ultimately will accelerate the completion of portions of the Bible in local languages that have never before had access to the Scriptures.
One national translator, for example, had the opportunity to share portions of the Bible with a border soldier in the soldier’s native language. While stopped at an official checkpoint, the translator used the time to text his wife, which caught the attention of the soldier, who recognized him as someone from the same village. The soldier asked the translator whether he was texting in French or Lingala, a trade language. The translator said that he wasn’t texting in either language, and that he was writing to his wife in Mayogo, one of the DRC’s living languages.
The soldier then asked how he could learn to read and write in Mayogo. The translator gave him what he needed to learn to read in his native language, along with copies of the New Testament Books of Luke and Acts and a booklet of Bible stories.
“Who knows how far God will multiply this witness to a man on the forefront of the violence in the DRC?” asked Smith. “God’s Word is the only hope of breaking the cycle of violence in this ravaged nation.”
Wycliffe Associates contributes more than 560,000 volunteer hours of work per year to help Bible translation efforts. During 2009, some 4,347 Wycliffe Associates volunteers served as part of the worldwide Bible translation team. Wycliffe Associates has served in over 54 countries through volunteer and financial support.
This year, Wycliffe Associates plans to mobilize more than 5,600 volunteers to serve in 63 different countries to build and renovate facilities, construct roads and airstrips, teach Vacation Bible School, help with language development and office work, oversee projects, use their computer skills, and much more.
For more information, visit www.wycliffeassociates.org or call 1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673).
Lifting no-smoking ban criticized by legislator
State Rep. Doug Cox, an emergency room physician, said he is “surprised, dismayed and disappointed” in the Department of Corrections’ decision to end its “no smoking” policy in some state prisons.
“One of the main reasons people are in prisons is for addictive behavior, whether that’s substance abuse or sexual addictions,” said Cox, R-Grove. “To allow cigarette smoking in prison just reinforces an addictive behavior. We should not allow any unhealthy addictive behavior in a prison population.”
Cox, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health, noted addiction to tobacco can lead to other problems.
“If you visit any substance abuse rehabilitation center, more than 90 percent of the clients will tell you the first substance they became addicted to was nicotine.
Cox said. “Furthermore, for the Department of Corrections to allow smoking is a direct slap in the face to the state Health Department’s goal of decreasing tobacco use in Oklahoma.”
Cox urged Department of Corrections’ officials to reconsider the policy change.
“Someone needs to remind Justin Jones, director of the state Department of Corrections, that cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of illness in Oklahoma,” Cox said. “This policy change will impact all Oklahomans through higher health care costs and insurance rates created by tobacco-related illnesses. I hope the Department of Corrections will rethink their position and drop this short-sighted policy change.”
Smoke-Free Oklahoma, called on the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to reverse its decision to again allow smoking in minimum security prisons.
“Reversing this policy is bad for the health of inmates and the prison employees,” said Marilyn Davidson, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association. “We have a responsibility to the men and women in custody and the workers at these prisons to provide a healthy environment for them,” she said. “By cutting out smoking we are reducing the negative health impacts that are running up high medical costs in these institutions.”
The Department of Corrections cited as a reason for allowing smoking again in minimum security prisons, the cost of enforcing the no smoking rule with a smaller number of staff.
“While we understand the budget restraints within the Department of Corrections, we don’t think the solution is to allow smoking, which will increase the Department’s health care costs. We are forgetting that these prisons are someone’s workplace and the employees that work there deserve a healthy smoke-free environment,” Davidson concluded.
According to the National Health Interview Survey conducted in 2004 by the CDC, the prevalence of cigarette smoking for both men and women who have spent more than 24 hours in prison was more than twice that observed among the overall adult population.
Southwood Baptist to host back-to-school help
Southwood Baptist Church will conduct a back-to-school event Aug. 8 at 4020 S. 102nd E. Ave. from 9 a.m. to noon.
The church will offer free school supplies and backpacks for the first 1,000 children in grades kindergarten through 12.
Medical personnel will be giving out immunizations – parents are encouraged to bring their children’s immunization records.
Free haircuts will be offered and kids will get a free snow cone. A Bookmobile from the Tulsa City/County Library System will be available and other community booths will be open.
For more information, call the church at 665-3744.
This Week's Feature
Dozens of Groups Join Call for Kagan Probe
More than 30 respected national and state organizations representing concerned citizens from across the nation joined Americans United for Life Action, AUL’s sister organization, in sending a group letter to all 100 U.S. senators. The letter calls for a “thorough investigation” into Elena Kagan’s role in the 1996-97 partial-birth abortion debate.
President & CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest said, “A nominee to the highest court in the land must meet our nation’s absolute highest standards of integrity and impartiality. With serious outstanding questions clouding Ms. Kagan’s nomination, we are leading a united effort to ask that the Senate investigate discrepancies between her Senate testimony and the written record on partial-birth abortion before proceeding to a floor vote.”
To see the open letter, AUL Action’s 54-page report examining Kagan’s role in manipulating the medical statements of two major organizations on partial-birth abortion, and former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop’s letter urging the Senate to reject the Kagan nomination, click here.
On The Docket
New Efforts in Congress Could Help End Taxpayer-Funded Abortion
A new post at the AUL Blog looks at two proposed pieces of federal legislation that would help prohibit federal funding for elective abortions established in the health care reform bill that passed earlier this year.
The “Protect Life Act” - introduced by Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA) - would ensure that no federal funds authorized under the health care reform law are used to pay for abortions or subsidize insurance plans that cover abortions, prevent any part of the federal government from forcing insurance plans to cover abortions, and codify strong conscience protections. Another bill, which is expected to be introduced soon by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), is even more comprehensive because it will establish a permanent government-wide prohibition on taxpayer subsidies for abortion and abortion coverage. Learn more about these important pieces of proposed legislation at the AUL Blog.
AUL Opposes New Pro-Abortion Constitution in Kenya
On August 4, Kenyans will vote in a national referendum whether or not to accept a constitution that would change Kenyan law from one that protects the right to life to one that enshrines abortion-on-demand as a constitutional right. AUL has joined pro-life leaders around the world in signing a petition declaring “our solidarity with those Kenyans who are standing up for the most vulnerable among us – the unborn child and his or her mother,” and urging a “no” vote on the proposed new constitution because of its pro-abortion provisions. Read more at the AUL Blog.
Bioethics Students Gain Legal Insights at AUL Expert’s Pro-Life Law Course
Students came from as far away as California last week to attend AUL Staff Counsel Mailee Smith’s seminar on pro-life law at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Ill., sponsored by the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity as a follow-up to its conference “Beyond Therapy: Exploring Enhancement and Human Futures.” The seminar, which included guest lectures by AUL Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs William Saunders, covered developments in federal and state laws on abortion, biotechnologies, and end-of-life issues.
Smith told Bench Briefs that the students asked excellent questions. “Although most of the attendees were bioethics students, and so were familiar with some of the issues we discussed, I could tell that much of the legal information was new to them.”
