Mt 25:42-45
for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.
Lk 9:48
Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.
From the American Standard Version
Those words were spoken thousands of years ago by Jesus Christ. Believe what you will, but they have a special meaning today, in this economy, at this point in history.
The the word "least" in the original Greek means "small in size, quantity, number, or dignity." Websters Student Dictionary defines dignity as follows - "the quality of being worthy, noble or stately appearance or manner, high rank or position."
The word "among" is defined as - in the company of, together with.
Two words, least and among, should be the watch words of every man, woman , and child in the current and future economy. We are among the least everywhere we go, all day long, all night long. They are not limited to family, friends, neighbors, etc. Every minute you move, you encounter new or different members of the least among us. What Jesus told his followers above and those through out history and beyond, is not to look through a narrow tunnel. The people we help are those closest to us at anytime.
The above two verses are a challenge as much advice. Throughout history, there have been fewer believers than than non believers. We aren't called to help only those we like or who like us. Those two verses did not say to be selective. They include those with whom we are angry or are angry with us, who have wronged in the past, as well as those we don't know but have encountered.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Is This Really Progress?
Mayor Dewey Bartlett offered a two ton olive branch the other day. He magnanimously offered not to file a defamation law suit if the city council would agree to arbitration under the guidance of two former judges.
This all started with a budget battle gone sour. Bartlett layed off 123 police officers in a budget cutting measure required by law. Oklahoma statutes require municipalities of over 2,000 population to have a balanced budget. The police force as well as all other city departments had to make expense reductions. The debate with the police was over how to fund the department without laying off cops. The mayor preferred the layoff as a form of re-organization. The police preferred to use federal grant money, potentially from multiple sources.
The mayor won, temporarily. Since that time, there has been grandstanding, threats, an investigation, and the hiring of lawyers. Both sides have dug in for the long haul like military officers in a bunker. On Tuesday, Councilor Christianson called out the mayor for low attendance at authority-board-commission meetings. Common sense tells you he has to ration his time among many responsiblities.
City government has not ground to a halt. But you do have to wonder what opportunities have been missed due to the council and mayor at odds with each other and spending time on political food fight that has no benefit to the citizens of Tulsa. The emporer Nero allowed Rome to burn for some reason. His name may have been history's first four letter word. Is the city leadership going to let Tulsa burn and put us all in a huge pile of another four letter word.
This all started with a budget battle gone sour. Bartlett layed off 123 police officers in a budget cutting measure required by law. Oklahoma statutes require municipalities of over 2,000 population to have a balanced budget. The police force as well as all other city departments had to make expense reductions. The debate with the police was over how to fund the department without laying off cops. The mayor preferred the layoff as a form of re-organization. The police preferred to use federal grant money, potentially from multiple sources.
The mayor won, temporarily. Since that time, there has been grandstanding, threats, an investigation, and the hiring of lawyers. Both sides have dug in for the long haul like military officers in a bunker. On Tuesday, Councilor Christianson called out the mayor for low attendance at authority-board-commission meetings. Common sense tells you he has to ration his time among many responsiblities.
City government has not ground to a halt. But you do have to wonder what opportunities have been missed due to the council and mayor at odds with each other and spending time on political food fight that has no benefit to the citizens of Tulsa. The emporer Nero allowed Rome to burn for some reason. His name may have been history's first four letter word. Is the city leadership going to let Tulsa burn and put us all in a huge pile of another four letter word.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Elected Officials-Falling Between the Cracks.
Not too long ago, we elected a mayor and nine city counselors. Some were repeat offenders, others new to the council for the first time. The latter includes Maria Barnes (District 4), Chris Trail(District 5), and G.T. Bynum (District 9). Jim Mautino took time off and re-elected to a another term in District 6.
Dewey Bartlett became Mayor last September. His first time as Mayor although he was on the first city council after the 1990 charter change.
That's lineup for the most contentious year in Tulsa political history. When is this circus ever going to be over? We have been through the charge that Bartlett and underling Terry Simonson "lied" to the Council about how to handle the layoff of X number of policemen. Then came the impartial investigation by a former cop. Then came council's consideration of the report without the presence of the Mayor himself, although he tried to attend but was prevented from same.
The City attorney then reused herself the whole staff. City Council attorney Drew Reece, fresh off a sabatical to run for County Commission, identified justification for the matter to go to Attorney General Drew Edmonson. Edmonson is fresh off an effort to become Oklahoma Governor. Edmonson will apparently will be the arbiter between the two sides of Tulsa's dysfunctional government.
Consider this. The Attorney General, or his staff, or both, will have to get up to speed on the details of this matter. Which will take an undetermined length of time. The AG may decide that his own staff must investigate the matter. There are three possible decisions that could extend the time to resolve this mess. If the problem is not resolved by the next inauguration day, the new AG will have to be brought up to speed.
Think this will get done before the new year? Later than that? Before the next council campaign? Wouldn't than be a bigger mess for the people of Tulsa?
Dewey Bartlett became Mayor last September. His first time as Mayor although he was on the first city council after the 1990 charter change.
That's lineup for the most contentious year in Tulsa political history. When is this circus ever going to be over? We have been through the charge that Bartlett and underling Terry Simonson "lied" to the Council about how to handle the layoff of X number of policemen. Then came the impartial investigation by a former cop. Then came council's consideration of the report without the presence of the Mayor himself, although he tried to attend but was prevented from same.
The City attorney then reused herself the whole staff. City Council attorney Drew Reece, fresh off a sabatical to run for County Commission, identified justification for the matter to go to Attorney General Drew Edmonson. Edmonson is fresh off an effort to become Oklahoma Governor. Edmonson will apparently will be the arbiter between the two sides of Tulsa's dysfunctional government.
Consider this. The Attorney General, or his staff, or both, will have to get up to speed on the details of this matter. Which will take an undetermined length of time. The AG may decide that his own staff must investigate the matter. There are three possible decisions that could extend the time to resolve this mess. If the problem is not resolved by the next inauguration day, the new AG will have to be brought up to speed.
Think this will get done before the new year? Later than that? Before the next council campaign? Wouldn't than be a bigger mess for the people of Tulsa?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
College Football, Not Enough Math Majors
The recent uproar about conference movement ended with anly a few itinerant programs making a mockery of conference titles.
The big Ten, which has had eleven teams for about 20 years, added Nebraska making it rightfully the Big Twelve. The Big 12 lost the aforementioned Huskers to the Big Ten plus one, making it rightfully the Big Twevle.
Who can blame the respective conference commishes getting lost and going to the wrong annual meetings. The Presidents too, and the athletic directors. OMG, what if Nebraska accidentally shows up at Columbus for a game against Baylor. And don't forget Colorado. They will be moving to the former PAC 10. Except Colorado will be the eleventh team.
The naming convention needs some work. Here we go.
The PAC 10 is easy. Throw out all the accuracy.
Call it the Big Whatever Dude. The Big Ten, which has had eleven teams for at least 15 years and now has twelve teams, with Notre Dame continuing to play the hot babe in the bar, now has twelve. They are the Big Twelve East. These guys need to sit down, break bread together , on their knees, go to confession together, and admit they lust after the Fighting Irish.
The Big Twelve, which lost two teams so far, is herein after called the Big Bogus Ten West, at least for now. Although the above sounds a little fun, there is a serious possibility hanging around. Money drives this re-alignment. Money means TV. TV means market size. Market size is a complication that bears remembering. SOme markets are occupied by lower division teams. SMU and TCU in Dallas Ft. Worth. UH in Houston. Utah and BYU in the area. Central Florida in Orlando and East Carolina in North Carolina. Markets the big boys would covet. Some existing teams in major conferences are in small markets. Baylor in Waco for one.
Fun's over guys. This piece started out having fun. It ends with a serious waring for sports fans. College football is still waiting on more change. If money is the root of all evil, then college football could become a den of good men versus the
lustful.
The big Ten, which has had eleven teams for about 20 years, added Nebraska making it rightfully the Big Twelve. The Big 12 lost the aforementioned Huskers to the Big Ten plus one, making it rightfully the Big Twevle.
Who can blame the respective conference commishes getting lost and going to the wrong annual meetings. The Presidents too, and the athletic directors. OMG, what if Nebraska accidentally shows up at Columbus for a game against Baylor. And don't forget Colorado. They will be moving to the former PAC 10. Except Colorado will be the eleventh team.
The naming convention needs some work. Here we go.
The PAC 10 is easy. Throw out all the accuracy.
Call it the Big Whatever Dude. The Big Ten, which has had eleven teams for at least 15 years and now has twelve teams, with Notre Dame continuing to play the hot babe in the bar, now has twelve. They are the Big Twelve East. These guys need to sit down, break bread together , on their knees, go to confession together, and admit they lust after the Fighting Irish.
The Big Twelve, which lost two teams so far, is herein after called the Big Bogus Ten West, at least for now. Although the above sounds a little fun, there is a serious possibility hanging around. Money drives this re-alignment. Money means TV. TV means market size. Market size is a complication that bears remembering. SOme markets are occupied by lower division teams. SMU and TCU in Dallas Ft. Worth. UH in Houston. Utah and BYU in the area. Central Florida in Orlando and East Carolina in North Carolina. Markets the big boys would covet. Some existing teams in major conferences are in small markets. Baylor in Waco for one.
Fun's over guys. This piece started out having fun. It ends with a serious waring for sports fans. College football is still waiting on more change. If money is the root of all evil, then college football could become a den of good men versus the
lustful.
Whose the captain of this ship?
The mayor and the city counsel are supposed to be an asset tp the city, not collective &^*!#&. They are the executive and legislative branches of the city government. They are nine men and a woman who have authority. They can lead Tulsa in everything from trash to economic development (spelled JOBS). Look at these samples of commeraderie.
June 16, 2010 -
"Attorneys for a majority of city councilors filed on Friday a motion in Tulsa County District Court to dismiss a civil lawsuit alleging the council violated the Open Meetings Act.
The motion states that the three citizens, who filed the lawsuit, do not have the right to do so because the cause is of criminal nature."
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=14&articleid=20100723_11_0_Attorn343696&rss_lnk=11
July 27, 2010 -
But potential charges against Bartlett and Simonson or the lawsuit against the council should be separate discussions, they said.
Councilor John Eagleton, with whom Bullock did not meet, agreed.
“I don’t know how you repair a toxic relationship like what we have,” he said.
Bynum has suggested that the council and mayor meet to resolve their issues, and Christiansen said he met with Bartlett weeks ago for the same reason.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20100727_11_0_LusBlo626547&rss_lnk=11
"Toxic"?, "potential charges against Barlett and Simonson"?, citizens suing the counsel?, "attorneys for a majority of city councilors"?
Let's ask this question. Would any company thinking about coming to Tulsa, while doing the normal due diligance locate in Tulsa? Certainly they would think twice about walking in to a city that has leadership that works against itself, even to the extent of employing lawyers against each other. Who coes that hurt?
Everone in the city looking for a job. Not only will this mitigate against jobs for residents of Tulsa, it will cause everyone to think about moving to greener employment pastures. How does that sound Mr. sales tax base>
June 16, 2010 -
"Attorneys for a majority of city councilors filed on Friday a motion in Tulsa County District Court to dismiss a civil lawsuit alleging the council violated the Open Meetings Act.
The motion states that the three citizens, who filed the lawsuit, do not have the right to do so because the cause is of criminal nature."
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=14&articleid=20100723_11_0_Attorn343696&rss_lnk=11
July 27, 2010 -
But potential charges against Bartlett and Simonson or the lawsuit against the council should be separate discussions, they said.
Councilor John Eagleton, with whom Bullock did not meet, agreed.
“I don’t know how you repair a toxic relationship like what we have,” he said.
Bynum has suggested that the council and mayor meet to resolve their issues, and Christiansen said he met with Bartlett weeks ago for the same reason.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20100727_11_0_LusBlo626547&rss_lnk=11
"Toxic"?, "potential charges against Barlett and Simonson"?, citizens suing the counsel?, "attorneys for a majority of city councilors"?
Let's ask this question. Would any company thinking about coming to Tulsa, while doing the normal due diligance locate in Tulsa? Certainly they would think twice about walking in to a city that has leadership that works against itself, even to the extent of employing lawyers against each other. Who coes that hurt?
Everone in the city looking for a job. Not only will this mitigate against jobs for residents of Tulsa, it will cause everyone to think about moving to greener employment pastures. How does that sound Mr. sales tax base>
Adrift in a sea of more qualifed people
Unemployment is a common phenomenom in today's economy.
There are three competing philosphies.
One focuses on personal contacts. According one expert I talked to, "everyone has 2,000 acquaintances." You contact them, get an appointmentfor 10 to 15 minutes and give them a sales pitch about yourself. THE PITCH can be no longer than three minutes.
Two focuses on the internet. Get on Facebook, write a blog, go to many job websites, find website of favorite companies, websites of headhunters (the human ones, not the meanies who dine on some of our closest friends). Get your name out in cyberspace.
The third, crawl in a hole and die (a Glen Beck favorite).
The truth is you are only as effective as that to which you are commited. If you're comfortable cold calling, jump in to number one. If you are an internet wizard and you have the hardware, assert yourself with the second option. Option number three is in this for "comic relief".
The biggest tools are dedication and patience. This economy is not producing new jobs. You're going to have to displace soneone who was retired, fired, or just got lazy. That takes time and luck. Find an opening at the exact right time, and impress the person in front of you asking questions you hadn't thought of. And take break each to watch "The Rifleman" play video games, play chess, etc. Eight hours a day will only make tired.
There are three competing philosphies.
One focuses on personal contacts. According one expert I talked to, "everyone has 2,000 acquaintances." You contact them, get an appointmentfor 10 to 15 minutes and give them a sales pitch about yourself. THE PITCH can be no longer than three minutes.
Two focuses on the internet. Get on Facebook, write a blog, go to many job websites, find website of favorite companies, websites of headhunters (the human ones, not the meanies who dine on some of our closest friends). Get your name out in cyberspace.
The third, crawl in a hole and die (a Glen Beck favorite).
The truth is you are only as effective as that to which you are commited. If you're comfortable cold calling, jump in to number one. If you are an internet wizard and you have the hardware, assert yourself with the second option. Option number three is in this for "comic relief".
The biggest tools are dedication and patience. This economy is not producing new jobs. You're going to have to displace soneone who was retired, fired, or just got lazy. That takes time and luck. Find an opening at the exact right time, and impress the person in front of you asking questions you hadn't thought of. And take break each to watch "The Rifleman" play video games, play chess, etc. Eight hours a day will only make tired.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Called on the Presidential Carpet
Sometime today, President Barrack Obama will meet with the governor of Arizona. He will "discuss" the new immigration law with said state executive. No publicity will be allowed.
Interesting tactic. Arizona passes a law that is identical to federal law. Arizona is a state directly bordering Mexico. Along with California, Texas, and a smattering of New Mexico, four states have a southern and common border with Mexico. A second tier of states, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, and Nevada, have common borders with the first group. That's eight states that have an interest in Mexican border control which is the responsibility of the Federal government.
Successive administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have demurred from closing that border effectively. The idea of a fence is good, but can be torn down. A wall would be better, but with the federal budget hemorrhaging bi-partisan support is unlikely and the Democrats certainly aren't going to spend their time passing that bill. So, it falls to the states that want their borders controlled to handle the problem. That's all Arizona is doing.
Actually, the interpretation of "border" is what I have a problem with. Why just the southern border of Arizona and the first tier state southern borders? If the second tier states seek to protect their borders with the pirmary four states (Arizona, etc.), the journey for illegals becomes longer and less manageable. Fewer illegal aliens can make that journey.
Watch the future activties of all eight states. The remaining seven could go a long way towards solving the problem together. How many of the seven states besides Arizona have non Democrat governors?
Interesting tactic. Arizona passes a law that is identical to federal law. Arizona is a state directly bordering Mexico. Along with California, Texas, and a smattering of New Mexico, four states have a southern and common border with Mexico. A second tier of states, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, and Nevada, have common borders with the first group. That's eight states that have an interest in Mexican border control which is the responsibility of the Federal government.
Successive administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have demurred from closing that border effectively. The idea of a fence is good, but can be torn down. A wall would be better, but with the federal budget hemorrhaging bi-partisan support is unlikely and the Democrats certainly aren't going to spend their time passing that bill. So, it falls to the states that want their borders controlled to handle the problem. That's all Arizona is doing.
Actually, the interpretation of "border" is what I have a problem with. Why just the southern border of Arizona and the first tier state southern borders? If the second tier states seek to protect their borders with the pirmary four states (Arizona, etc.), the journey for illegals becomes longer and less manageable. Fewer illegal aliens can make that journey.
Watch the future activties of all eight states. The remaining seven could go a long way towards solving the problem together. How many of the seven states besides Arizona have non Democrat governors?
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