Okie Campaigns - I am a warfighter, I do NOT give up and I do NOT give in!

"Democrat" OKC Councilman Skip Kelly busted for DUI

2012-01-20T10:08:00.001-06:00

OKC Councilman Skip Kelly(Democrat) was arrested on suspicion of DUI, police confirmed.

The arrest happened overnight, police said.

The OKC Ward 7 councilman was also arrested in April 2009 on suspicion of DUI. He was convicted and given a deferred sentence.

Former Oklahoma Democrat Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher jailed in Tulsa

2012-01-18T22:37:00.002-06:00

Former Democrat State Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher was jailed Wednesday on a contempt of court charge after an appearance in Tulsa County District Court.

Fisher, 71, was sentenced to six months in the Tulsa Jail for indirect contempt of court for failing to pay alimony following a divorce from K.A. Fisher in 2009, court records show.

Carroll Fisher was booked into the jail just before 3 p.m.

Special Judge Rodney Sparkman set an $11,000 cash bond in the case.

Fisher resigned as insurance commissioner in September 2004 before an impeachment trial could be held on allegations of incompetence, neglect of duty and corruption.

He served 14 months in prison after he was convicted of embezzlement and perjury in 2006.

He received a five-year suspended sentence in 2009 after he pleaded no contest to a charge of receiving bribes.

The sentence ran concurrently with suspended sentences he received in a case involving failure to register a nonexempt charity, records show.

WTF: Patriot found in Finland on ship going to China?

2011-12-23T17:26:00.002-06:00

:Finnish authorities have impounded an Isle of Man-flagged ship bound for China with undeclared missiles and explosives, officials say.

Police are questioning the crew of the MS Thor Liberty after what were described as 69 Patriot anti-missile missiles were found aboard.

Interior Minister Paivi Rasanen said the missiles were marked "fireworks".

The M/S Thor Liberty sailed from the north German port of Emden on Dec. 13 and two days later docked in Kotka, southern Finland, to pick up a cargo of anchor chains, Finnish Customs spokesman Petri Lounatmaa said.

"The patriot missiles are being transported from the ship to a more secure location under the protection of the Finnish military," says Rikosylikomisario Timo Virtanen, Detective Chief Superintendent in Finland's Nation Bureau of Investigation. "The explosives onboard the ship are not being confiscated... the problem with the explosives is that they are supposed to be inside containers, but they are legal."

He confirmed that the Finns are investigating two crimes; that the shippers did not ask for permission to transit the missiles and explosives via Finland, and the explosives being inappropriately loaded.

Virtanen said dock workers found the explosives — picric acid — badly stored on open pallets instead of in closed containers. They alerted inspectors who found the missiles in containers marked as holding fireworks.

Interior Minister Rasanen said she had not heard of a similar case.

"Of course, there are legal transports of weapons or defence material [through Finland] but in this case the cargo was marked as containing fireworks," she told Finnish media. "That is quite unusual."

Mr Lounatmaa said customs officials and police had launched a joint investigation into a possible breach of Finnish export and weapons trading laws.

He said that the crew of about 32 were being questioned.

The managing director of the ship's owner, Thorco Shipping, expressed surprise. Thomas Mikkelsen told AFP news agency from Denmark that he was unaware of the matter.

Another company official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ship had been detained in Finland and said the missiles could have been loaded on to the vessel by mistake.

Police did not confirm Finnish media reports that the ship had also been scheduled to stop in North Korea, Reuters news agency reports.

Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot

The MIM-104 Patriot is the most advanced medium/long-range surface-to-air missile in current operational U.S. Army inventory. The Patriot system, complemented by the newPAC-3 missile, will remain the Army's main tactical air-defense system for some time in the future.

Studies for an advanced surface-to-air missile to supplement and eventually replace the MIM-23 Hawk already began in 1961 under the FABMDS (Field Army Ballistic Missile Defense System) program. The name was later changed to AADS-70 (Army Air-Defense System - 1970), and finally in 1964 to SAM-D (Surface-to-Air Missile - Development). Specifications were vague and changed frequently, but always included not only the ability to counter aircraft threats of all types, but also an anti-TBM (Theater Ballistic Missiles, a.k.a. short-range ballistic missiles) capability. In May 1967, Raytheon was selected as prime contractor for SAM-D development, and firing trials of SAM-D test missiles began in November 1969. The engineering development phase began in 1973, but in January 1974, a major change in the requirements occurred. It was directed that SAM-D should use Track-Via-Missile (TVM) guidance, i.e. target tracking information is not received by the ground radar directly, but by the missile which transmits it to the ground control station. Because the missile is always nearer to the target than the ground radar, this method significantly enhances accuracy and the ability to discriminate decoys from the real threat. This new requirement of course significantly delayed the development, and full-scale development didn't start until January 1976, after TVM had been demonstrated in tests in 1975. Around that time, the official designation XMIM-104A was assigned, and in May 1976, SAM-D was named Patriot. Testing of the missile and the Patriot ground equipment continued through the late 1970s, and in October 1980, the first production contract for the MIM-104A Patriot missile was issued. In 1984, the Patriot finally reached Initial Operation Capability with its first U.S. Army units.

Photo: U.S. Army

MIM-104A/B (exact model unknown)

The MIM-104A is powered by a single Thiokol TX-486-1 solid-fueled rocket motor, and armed with a high-explosive blast-fragmentation warhead. The missile is launched from canisters, four of which make up the M901 launching station transported on an M860 semi-trailer. The Patriot missile is inertially guided with command updates, using TVM for high terminal accuracy. The main item of the ground equipment is the AN/MPQ-53 G-band pulse-doppler phased-array multipurpose radar, which is controlled by the AN/MSQ-104 ECS (Engagement Control Station). The ECS is the central control agency for all missiles of a Patriot unit, and automatically coordinates the assignment of missiles to identified targets, and the launches of the individual missiles. The AN/MPQ-53 is used for tracking, IFF, and target-illumination purposes, and also includes the command uplink and TVM downlink channels. The TVM guidance method is particularly efficient in long-range and/or low-altitude engagements, when the ground radar can "see" much less of the energy reflected from the target than the MIM-104's monopulse seeker. Then the "radar image" in the missile's seeker can be used, together with the high computing power of the ECS, to discriminate decoys and calculate the interception path. At the interception point, the missile's warhead is detonated by a radar-proximity fuze.

The MIM-104B, fielded in the late 1980s, is also known as the SOJC (Standoff Jammer Countermeasures) missile and uses a modified guidance and navigation hardware. The MIM-104B adds a surface-to-surface capability against ground-based radar jamming sources to the Patriot system. The missile can fly an optimized (lofted) trajectory towards the jammer, and use its seeker to select the strongest emitter for terminal homing. The anti-aircraft/anti-missile capability is the same as for the MIM-104A.

Photo: U.S. Army

MIM-104A/B (exact model unknown)

The most important changes to the Patriot system were made by the PAC (Patriot Advanced Capability, originally Patriot Anti-TBM Capability) program. The interim PAC-1 modification, first flight tested against an MGM-52 Lance target missile in September 1986, incorporated only software changes to the search and track algorithms and the phased-array radar (the maximum elevation angle of the latter was increased from 45° to almost 90°). Because the Patriot missile itself was unchanged, no new MIM-104 designation was allocated. The first PAC-1 systems were fielded in July 1988.

The PAC-2 upgrade includes further software changes, and an improved MIM-104C missile. The MIM-104C has a blast-fragmentation warhead with larger fragments (45 g compared to 2 g for the MIM-104A/B warhead) to increase lethality against ballistic missile warheads. It also has a new pulse-doppler proximity fuze with two beams, a narrow one for missiles, and a broader one for slower aircraft targets. The first test firing of an MIM-104C (against another Patriot missile!) occurred in November 1987, and the first PAC-2 systems were delivered to the field in late 1990. During Operation Desert Storm (ODS) in 1991, PAC-1 and PAC-2 systems were used against Iraqi "Al-Hussein" (modified SS-1 Scud) SRBMs. In most of the ODS engagements, two missiles were automatically fired at an incoming target. The success rate was not bad, but not as overwhelmingly good as the first reports suggested. Furthermore, the "Al-Hussein" was far from the state-of-the-art in missile and countermeasures technology.

Photo: U.S. Army

MIM-104C

The MIM-104D, also known as PAC-2/GEM (Guidance Enhanced Missile), is a further improved MIM-104C. It has a seeker with better performance against low-RCS targets, and an improved fuze against high-speed ballistic missiles. The MIM-104D entered production in 1994.

The designation MIM-104E has been allocated to the new GEM+ version, and many existing PAC-2 rounds (MIM-104C/D) will be upgraded to MIM-104E standard by replacement of the missile forebody. The upgrade consists of a new low-noise front end to increase seeker sensitivity (improving acquisition and tracking of small RCS targets) and a modernized fuzing system for better performance against ballistic missile targets. Reliability of the GEM+ missile is also improved by replacement of older components with new technology. The first MIM-104Es were delivered to the U.S. Army in November 2002.

The PAC-3 system incorporates many changes to the ground equipment and the missile, and is fielded in incremental steps, called Configuration 1, 2, and 3. PAC-3/Conf.1 was first fielded in 1995, and incorporates changes to the ECS, a new pulse-doppler radar processor, and the MIM-104D missile. PAC-3/Conf.2, introduced in 1996, includes Link 16 JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System) compatibility and further radar improvements against low-RCS targets and anti-radiation missiles.

The ultimate PAC-3/Conf.3 includes upgrades to the radar (now designated AN/MPQ-65) to increase detection in high-clutter environments, and to improve discrimination of closely spaced objects (better decoy recognition). The most important feature of this new Patriot system, however, will be a completely new missile, a variant of the Lockheed Martin ERINT (Extended Range Interceptor). It is commonly called PAC-3 (q.v. for further details), which is a bit confusing because the interim PAC-3 systems don't use this missile.

More than 12000 MIM-104 Patriot missiles have been built so far by Raytheon.

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for MIM-104A/B (except where noted):

Length	5.31 m (17 ft 5 in)
Finspan	84 cm (33 in)
Diameter	41 cm (16 in)
Weight	900 kg (2000 lb)
Speed	Mach 5
Ceiling	24000 m (80000 ft)
Range	70 km (43 miles)
Propulsion	Thiokol TX-486-1 solid-fueled rocket
Warhead	M248 91 kg (200 lb) blast-fragmentation MIM-104C/D: 84 kg (185 lb) blast-fragmentation

Main Sources

[1] Bill Gunston: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles", Salamander Books Ltd, 1979
[2] Hajime Ozu: "Missile 2000 - Reference Guide to World Missile Systems", Shinkigensha, 2000
[3] Bernard Blake (ed.): "Jane's Weapon Systems 1987-88", Jane's, 1988
[4] Redstone Arsenal Historical Information Website
[5] Raytheon Website
[6] HAWK Site Denmark (originally at http://www.hawk.dk/, now dead link (31 March 2004))

J.C. Watts Endorses Gingrich

2011-12-23T08:32:00.000-06:00

X-Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts has endorsed Newt Gingrich for president.

“I’m not looking for a candidate that’s perfect, that’s not flawed,” he told Fox News. “All of them are flawed, and those that think they’re not flawed, that’s their flaw. I’m looking for somebody that will be willing to do the heavy lifting to get us to where we all want to be as a nation, and I think Newt fits that profile.”

Gingrich made a true difference on policy as House speaker, Watts said. "When you consider where we are today, and you think about the good old days of balanced budgets, entitlement reform, paying down our national debt, getting tax relief -- as a Republican majority, Newt Gingrich was the speaker. We haven't seen things like that in the last 13 years.”

This coming on the heels of Republican Senator Tom Coburn R-Okla. who has some harsh words for his former boss Newt Gingrich.

“There’s a lot of candidates out there I’m not inclined to be a supporter of Newt Gingrich’s having served under him for four years and personally experiences his leadership,” said Coburn said on “Fox News Sunday.”

Coburn served under then Speaker Gingrich after being elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 as part of the great Republican revival brought on by Gingrich.

“There’s all types of leaders. Leaders that instill confidence, leaders that are somewhat abrupt and brisk. Leaders that have one standard for the people that they’re leading and a different standard for themselves. I just found his leadership lacking,” Coburn said.

This isn’t the first time that Coburn has spoken critically of Gingrich’s leadership style.

Coburn described the former speaker as someone who is brilliant but divisive while speaking on C-SPAN in March.

“We need someone who’s eye is critical but is not harsh in their manner,” he said.

Coburn has previously announced his decision not to run for re-election in 2016.

South Korean military declares emergency alert after Kim Jong-il's death

2011-12-18T21:45:00.002-06:00

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday placed all military units on emergency alert following the news of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's death.

The JCS said it called an emergency meeting of officials handling crisis management and operations just after noon Monday (0300 GMT), after the North Korean media reported Kim's death.

Kyodo reporting Japan also convening emergency security meeting after announcement by Pyongyang of Kim Jong-il's death.

Hezbollah $$$ Laundering Probe Focuses On Tulsa Car Dealership

2011-12-17T15:45:00.007-06:00

FBI and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration launches an investigation into a multi-million dollar money laundering scheme which starts in Oklahoma and involves Oklahoman's helping terrorists.

The scheme begins at Ace Auto Leasing, which was used as a cover for Terrorists, drugs and other illegal activity. That has allegedly funneled $483 million through terrorist-controlled channels to Hezbollah and other Terrorists groups since January 2007.

Ace Auto Leasing, 5717 E. 11th St., is one of about 30 U.S. car buyers along with several other entities accused of facilitating the arrangement, according to a civil lawsuit filed Thursday in the U.S. Southern District of New York.

The red flag for the deal? Authorities say Ace Auto in Tulsa received more than $20 million in wire transfers from Hezbollah members or Hezbollah-controlled entities to purchase and ship used cars.

Records maintained by the Oklahoma Tax Commission indicate Mohamad K. Soukieh is the only officer associated with the corporation Ace Auto Leasing Inc. of Tulsa.

Tulsa County assessor records indicate property utilized as a used car lot in the 5700 block of East 11th Street was purchased by Mohamad K and Daad Soukieh in 2002. Adjacent property and land was purchased in 2005 and 2007.

Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based terrorist organization responsible for some of the most deadly anti-U.S. attacks dating to 1983. The group was formed in 1982 after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a Specially Designated Terrorist and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Fifty-six terrorists groups all over the world are looking for new sources of funding. One of the ways they can find it is through drug sourcing activities.

In all, 30 domestic companies are being investigated.

A joint terrorism task force is looking for more than $480 million dollars from Lebanese institutions.

The money laundering scheme alleged is a complicated system involving car buyers and drug dealers with the Lebanese Canadian Bank acting at the center of the operation. Used car and other consumer good sales were used to hide the proceeds of illegal drug sales, all profiting Hezbollah and its efforts, the lawsuit alleges.

"The businesses of these car buyers typically have little or no property or assets other than bank accounts that are used to receive wires from overseas to buy cars, and to purchase used cars at auction," the lawsuit states.

"The car buyers typically do not have offices, car lots, or an inventory of used cars other than cars that are in transit to the ports. Some of the car buyers purchase cars for their own account, but others simply retain a fee of a few hundred dollars for each car that they buy."

A significant portion of the cash from car sales was allegedly transported to Lebanon by a Hezbollah-controlled system of money couriers, cash smugglers and currency brokers, according to the lawsuit.

A transportation company in Michigan is accused of frequently shipping cars to West Africa and other entities. Cash was then sent on to the Beirut airport, where Hezbollah security guarded and guided its passage to its final destination, the lawsuit alleges.

"The intricate scheme laid out in today's complaint reveals the deviously creative ways that terrorist organizations are funding themselves and moving their money, and it puts into stark relief the nexus between narcotics trafficking and terrorism," Bharara stated in a press release Friday. "Today, we are putting a stranglehold on a major source of that funding by disrupting a vast and far-flung network that spanned three continents."

In addition, the same infrastructure was used to hide and move money from drug sales from West Africa back to Lebanon, the lawsuit claims.

The system involved getting cocaine from Colombia through Africa to European markets. Proceeds were mixed with the used car profits and sent to the Lebanese Canadian Bank through exchange houses, the lawsuit alleges.

The Lebanese Canadian Bank also sent money through U.S. accounts to pay Asian suppliers of consumer goods, which were shipped to dealers in South America to pay off cocaine suppliers, the lawsuit alleges.

"DEA and its partners have exposed the Lebanese Canadian Bank as a major money laundering source for Hezbollah," stated DEA administrator Michele M. Leonhart in a press release Friday.

"The connection between drug traffickers and terror networks is evident. By attacking the financial networks of those who wish to harm innocent Americans, DEA is strengthening national security and making our citizens safer."

For more Background see:

Holy Land Retrial Ends in Sweeping Guilty Verdicts

Terror in Oklahoma

2011 Social Media Timeline

2011-12-13T05:52:00.000-06:00

Today is the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor A date which will live in infamy...

2011-12-07T05:50:00.001-06:00

When President Franklin Roosevelt went before Congress on the morning of Dec. 8, 1941 to request a declaration of war against Japan, the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Japan had bombed the United States and killed thousands in a surprise attack at Pearl Harbor.
But Roosevelt knew history would forever remember what he said. And 70 years later, his speech continues to serve as one of the most important in American history.

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Benito Mussolini’s fascist Italy would declare war on the U.S. four days later. World War II would claim more than 400,000 American lives and millions more across the world.

It was a high price to pay to learn an important lesson — that we cannot sit idle while threats to our nation run rampant and unchecked. It is a lesson we must never forget.

And it all began 70 years ago today.

Why WE MUST WIN in the Stan: Afghan policewomen doing the most dangerous job in the world

2011-11-24T06:37:00.000-06:00

by Chris Hughes, Daily Mirror 24/11/2011

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/11/24/the-afghan-policewomen-doing-the-most-dangerous-job-in-the-world-115875-23583801/#ixzz1eckoRnU3

Two Taliban said they'd kill me for being a police woman.. We moved that day but our landlord was beheaded

Aziza Tajika (Pic: Daily Mirror)

HER beat is one of the most dangerous in the world – suicide bombings and fierce firefights with the Taliban a daily hazard.

But it takes a lot to scare Aziza Tajika. The 23-year-old Afghan is already living under a death sentence just for choosing to be a police officer.

Cradling her AK47, Aziza admits she knew the risks, having married an Afghan cop when she was 13.

But she only really became aware of the full horror when her landlord was beheaded simply for renting a room to her family.

Today, the mother-of- two – who is wearing sunglasses to disguise her identity – smiles nervously as if embarrassed by the chilling story she has to tell.

Aziza says: “Two Taliban stopped me in the street and said they know I am a police officer and they will kill me. There was nobody in the street so I screamed and screamed. I threw stones at them and went home and told my husband.

“We moved house that very day. The Taliban came to our old house at night. They killed the landlord quietly and when the four guests woke in the morning they found his body downstairs. He was on the floor.

“He had been beheaded because he had given us a home.”

She shrugs, then adds: “That will not stop me being a police officer, but I worry they will kill my children.

“My husband and I have nobody to look after them when we are at work.

“This is a difficult job but I want to help Afghanistan.”

Born in Herat, the country’s third largest city, Aziza is one of just 24 policewomen in Helmand among 7,300 male officers. That means just 0.32% are women – compared with 31.5% in England and Wales. Yet female cops are essential as only they can search other women for suicide bombs.

The Taliban has sent hundreds of female suicide bombers on to the streets of Afghanistan, knowing that male officers will not search them.

But it means the women who sign up to the Afghan Uniformed Police are targets for Taliban violence.

Zakia Kaker

Corporal Zakia Kaker was visited by the Taliban. They battered her with rifle butts and left her for dead for refusing to stop being in the AUP.

The 40-year-old mum-of-three spent two months in hospital recovering. Several years later she still bears the scars of that vicious attack. We catch up with her at Helmand’s police HQ, just off Lashkar Gah’s dusty highway.

With tears in her eyes Zakia recalls: “They smashed me in the head with rifles. One hit me above the eye until I was unconscious. If I have to I will have no problem killing them.”

Sadly, her story is not unique. Two months ago mum-of-six Corporal Qandi Ghul, 35, was knocked out by a bomb which killed 25 and injured 18. She still has nightmares about the body parts and screaming injured. Qandi says: “There was a huge bang – then I woke up. I hate myself some times because I survived.

“I remember what I saw that day and it makes me sleep badly. But, of course, I helped the injured and picked up bits from the bodies.”

Jamilla Haqboot

Violence is never far away in this war-torn country. Recently two cops died and a dozen were injured in a bomb blast just 300 metres away from the Lashkar Gah police HQ.

In the past six months 100 male Afghan officers have died in Helmand – 35 were killed in just two weeks.

Working throughout the province, our MoD Police have been teaching Afghan officers how to investigate and deal with crimes. Police here can earn £90 a month when the average wage for a man in Afghanistan is £20 a month.

There are no figures available for a woman’s average wage. However the Taliban diktat that women only work in the home is slowly being eroded.

Soldiers on patrol in Lashkar Gar

The continued steady progress of training officers in the AUP will enable British combat troops to safely leave Helmand by 2015, as promised.

Our soldiers have been in Afghanistan since the 9/11 attacks and 8,500 of our troops are still here – most of them in Helmand Province.

But local security forces are gradually taking over. In Lashkar Gah they police the streets and in the economic hub of Gereshk they will take over responsibility in a few months’ time. At Lashkar Gah HQ, MoD Police Constable Mel Hooper, 29, is mentoring women in police work. Since our visit she has returned to the UK, her job handed to a fellow Brit.

Mel, 29, says: “There is progress here but not in the way we would see it.

“These women are incredibly brave and I have had great satisfaction mentoring them.

“The laws of Helmand can be harsh and policing has to be adapted. A runaway woman can be a fugitive who has caused offence by leaving her husband, but she is also someone who needs looking after. A woman running away from home might be given a cell as refuge but she might be detained as well. Things are different here.”

In the capital of Kabul, male and female senior officers alike are trained at the Police Staff College.

Here officers from all 34 of Afghanistan’s provinces learn leadership and communications skills from British police. There are 117,000 Afghan police – just 1,200 are women.

At the Police Staff College mum-of-four Lieutenant Lasifa Jahan tells us she lost her officer husband Miragha four months ago. Lasifa, 30, says: “He was blown up by the Taliban when he was driving his vehicle outside Kabul.

“This devastated us, his whole family. But I will not give up this job. After he was killed they brought his body to our house and I saw him for the last time.

“My oldest son is 16 and he had to give up his schooling to work with a local carpenter as we needed the money.

“But I want to serve Afghanistan. Women are needed to serve as police officers so they are just as important as men. We must beat the Taliban.”

Major Zakia Noori, 37, heads a Criminal Investigations Division office looking into “sensitive crimes” including the rape of children. She knows of 150 rapists who have been jailed for up to 15 years – many of them for forcing sex on young boys.

Zakia says: “Young girls and boys sometimes hang themselves. It is my job to investigate whether it was suicide, or were they killed. When we examine their bodies we find some of them have been abused. We have found the boys hanging from trees – it is desperately sad.

“A woman can get access to information from the woman of the house better than a male police officer.”

Officer Jamilla Haqboot, 24, lost her friend, a fellow officer, just weeks ago.

She says: “I offered him my gun and he refused it. He was going to investigate an attack and was killed by the Taliban.

“For my friend I will catch the Taliban. Or kill them.”

U.S. military successfully tests Advanced Hypersonic Weapon

2011-11-18T06:56:00.001-06:00

The Department of Defense announced on early Thursday morning a successfully tested of the Army’s hypersonic weapon, dubbed the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon, it will allow the U.S. military to strike targets anywhere in the world within an hour, the Pentagon confirmed on Friday.

The Pentagon said the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW) glide vehicle was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai County, Hawaii at 1.30 a.m. local time on Thursday. It later hit its target, the Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll (about 2,500 miles), in the Pacific Ocean.

“The objective of the test is to collect data on hypersonic boost-glide technologies and test range performance for long-range atmospheric flight,” the Pentagon said in a statement. “Mission emphasis is aerodynamics; navigation, guidance, and control; and thermal protection technologies.”

The Pentagon said a three-stage booster system launched the AHW glide vehicle and successfully deployed it on the desired flight trajectory. “The vehicle flew a non-ballistic glide trajectory at hypersonic speed to the planned impact location at the Reagan Test Site,” it said. “Space, air, sea, and ground platforms collected vehicle performance data during all phases of flight.”

The AHW program is managed by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and is part of the “Prompt Global Strike” program. The program will allow the U.S. military to deliver a precise weapon strike anywhere in the world in less than 60 minutes.

On August 11, the U.S. military unsuccessfully launched the Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2) from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The HTV is part of the “Prompt Global Strike” program but has a larger reach than the AHW.

Contact with the HTV-2 was lost after an Air Force Minotaur IV rocket inserted it into the desired trajectory. Separation of the vehicle was confirmed by a rocket cam and the aircraft transitioned to Mach 20 (15,200 miles or 24,500 kilometers per hour) before it failed.

The prototype HTV-2 aircraft had its first test flight on April 22, 2010, when telemetry assets also experienced a loss of signal from the aircraft. The Pentagon has invested nearly $240 million in the “Prompt Global Strike” program this year, including some $69 million for Thursday’s test.

Steve Wozniak: All big companies have been founded by young people with no money and guarantees

2011-11-14T14:16:00.000-06:00

Steve Wozniak: All big companies have been founded by young people with no money and guarantees

by Liana Yeghiazaryan
Public Radio of Armenia

The Co-Founder of Apple Computers Inc., creator of the first PC Steve Wozniak visits Armenia. This morning he had a short meeting with the students and faulty of the Yerevan State Engineering University.

“Yesterday, when I met the Catholicos of All Armenians, I remembered that besides the wish to create technologies, I have always been following the Christian commandment,” Steve Wozniak said.

He is confident that progress comes from the wishes and desires of young times. “Everything started from my great desire to have my own computer. A good friend of mine, Steve Jobs, shared my wishes, and we undertook the work together,” he said.

“I had no money in my pockets. My privilege was that I could use a cheap source of micro schemes. In general, all big companies have been founded by young people with no money and guarantees,” Wozniak said.

“When I was at high school I understood that engineers were the best people of the world. My father was a great engineer. He inspired me to create devices that would change the world to the better,” he said.

All technologies come to make life easier, the Apple co-founder said. According to him, we will once work four days a week and will spend the rest of time on leisure. Judging from everything, that day is not very far away, he said.

Later today Steve Wozniak will meet Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and receive a Global IT Award 2011 from President Serzh Sargsyan. In the evening he will attend a concert at the Yerevan State Chamber Theatre.

R.I.P. David "Coach" Myers

2011-11-11T08:06:00.029-06:00

Day starting off on a very sad note, getting word that Oklahoma State Senator David "Coach" Myers passed away early this morning.

Senator David F. Myers serves Senate District 20, which comprised of all or portions of Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Kay and Noble Counties.

He was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in November 2002.

Senator Myers was a retired Chemical Engineer from ConocoPhillips in Ponca City, having worked in the oil refining industry for 33 years.

He was an independent consultant for the oil industry.

Senator Myers' authored legislation:

To help keep children safe by keeping sex offenders out of their schools.
To help keep families safe in their homes in case of a fire.
To help fund and improve roads and bridges in Oklahoma.
To improve public safety by introducing juvenile drug courts.

“Today Oklahoma has suffered a significant loss. Senator David Myers was a pillar not only at the State Capitol but also among the Oklahomans he served diligently in Senate District 20. A hardworking man full of compassion and conviction, Senator Myers had a powerful impact on the state he loved. Serving alongside Senator Myers in the State Senate was truly an honor and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sara and family.”
Lt. Governor Todd Lamb

"The loss of Senator David Myers is one that will be deeply felt by so many at the State Capitol and across Oklahoma. He was the standard by which any public servant should be measured: humble, selfless, and dedicated beyond question. But most important of all, he was a great friend. David's strength of conviction and uncompromising values will be remembered by all who had the honor of serving alongside him. Simply put, Senator Myers made a difference. The thoughts and prayers of the state Senate are with David's wife, Sara, and his family. He will be greatly missed."
Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman

Lest We Forget

2011-11-10T06:51:00.001-06:00

Lest We Forget

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

This is a Painful 53 Seconds - Rick Perry Campaign Go BOOM (Part 3)

2011-11-10T06:42:00.001-06:00

From the November 9, 2011 CNBC debate in Michigan.

Perry Tries to Save His Campaign

Rick Perry's painful debate stumble last night was so serious he'll appear on every morning news show in an attempt to rescue his flailing campaign.

Howard Kurtz: "After a series of stumbling performances, the governor of Texas attempted to tick off the three federal agencies he would abolish, and was stumped at two. He paused, regrouped, and still couldn't come up with the missing one (the Energy Department, which is hardly obscure). It was the only Perry moment anyone will remember, and a metaphor for his erratic campaign."

Brad Phillips: "With his bumbling answer, Mr. Perry reinforced the now almost irreversible perception that he is not ready for prime time. That indelible moment will linger, and will likely doom his campaign."

Jonathan Chait: "And that's it for Rick Perry. His latest debate performance was so world-historically awful that it truly seems beyond all repair."

And this is on his Campaign Web Site today:

Hoo-AH U.S. Troops: The real one percent

2011-11-09T09:29:00.001-06:00

The following op-ed was written by

"60 Minutes" producer Henry Schuster...

We like to divide the world up. It's only natural to think in terms of us v them. Right now, in the public discourse, it seems to be all about the wealthiest one percent and the rest of us - the 99 percent.

However, after covering the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq for the last ten years - including numerous trips to the war zones and to military communities here at home -- I've learned there's another one percent, who I call the real one percent. They are the men and women who fight our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (not to mention Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya) and their families. The rest of us are the 99 percent.

We lend our moral support to the one percent. We cheer the veterans when their names are announced at ball games. Maybe we even have ribbons of various colors on our car. We say the obligatory 'thank you for your service,' and I believe we mean it. But we don't really understand what that service really means for these members of the military.

We don't understand that the cost of war doesn't end when the troops come home, but is instead often paid out over the years.

This is our real great divide in this country. It is in part the consequence of an all-volunteer military. It is also in part the consequence of fighting wars without involving the rest of us. We weren't asked to sacrifice after 9/11 or pay for the wars that followed. Imagine the reaction if we had a war tax. Or if there had been a draft. Instead, we've got the few fighting for the many and they do it at great cost to themselves and their families.

Last season on "60 Minutes," we did a story about homeless veterans and a program called Stand Down to help them. And now, on this week's broadcast, Scott Pelley and I report onOperation Proper Exit, a story about the price of war being paid by the real one percent. Part of that price is the horrific wounds suffered by many who, in wars past, might have died. Advances in military medicine allowed them to survive - survive with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. That's something the rest of us, the 99 percent, need to know.

HOO-AH Businesses Honoring Veterans With Discounts

2011-11-07T10:56:00.001-06:00

This Veterans Day, a ‘thank you for your service’ is being paid in the form of free meals and huge discounts from patriotic businesses across the country.

VFW has compiled a list of some of the opportunities service members and veterans can take advantage of in honor of the upcoming holiday.

Please note: Most companies require some form of military ID – including a U.S. Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g.,VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification.

Also, some companies are franchises and policies may vary.

Please always call ahead to verify your local businesses’ participation details and requirements.

Applebee’s Friday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active service members. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Military ID or proof of service required. Find locations at http://applebees.com/.

Chili’s — Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available during business hours on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.

Golden Corral — Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

Hooters — Friday, Nov. 11. Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Choose one of the new specialty items on the Hooter’s menu. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. Drink purchase required. For more information, visit, www.HootersVeteransDay.com.
Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees & veterans on Friday November 11th. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – free lunch or dinner, Sunday

Nov 13, 2011: McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 13th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13th. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée. Veterans must provide proof of military service. Be sure to contact your local McCormick & Schmick’s as this is valid at participating restaurants only. Also, Space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. For more information visit: M&S Veterans Appreciation Event.

Outback Steakhouse – A week of Free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Monday Nov. 7 – Friday Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day. This offer is available to Military Personnel who have one of the following forms of identifications: U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), DD form 214 Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), Photograph in Uniform, Wearing Uniform. For more information, visit,http://outback.com/companyinfo/veteransday.aspx.

Subway – Free Six Inch Sub. Select Subway locations offer a FREE six inch sub to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. However, Subway restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead.

Texas Roadhouse – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Offer varies by location, hours, or availability. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one get one free Nov 11-14. At participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID. November 11-14. Please call ahead to confirm participation.

Uno Chicago Grill, Friday, Nov. 11. Uno’s is offering a free entree or individual pizza with a purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value. Offer good for all military for veterans and active duty military. ID or proof of service required: Show up in uniform (if your service permits), provide military ID, show a picture of yourself in uniform, or have other ID showing proof of service. Call to confirm participation.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation is proud to announce a partnership with Bob Evans Restaurants in which customers can support active-duty military, veterans and their families on Veterans Day, this Friday, Nov. 11. In their more than 600 restaurants across the United States, Bob Evans Restaurants will donate ten cents per hotcake sold, up to $25,000. Proceeds from the promotion will benefit the VFW Foundation’s Return the Favor campaign, which honors, celebrates and supports active-duty military, veterans, and their families.
“We are extremely excited to be partnering with such a well-respected company,” said VFW Foundation Director John Lowe. “We cannot say enough how much we appreciate their support and it is great to see such a well-respected company realize the need to support our nation’s military and their families.”
“Families love to connect with each other over breakfast at Bob Evans,” said President and Chief Concept Officer of Bob Evans Restaurants, Randy Hicks. “We’re proud to support Return the Favor as they connect military families with their loved ones. It’s a great way to give back to those who give to us.” The Veterans Day promotion is part of Bob Evans’ Bob Evans Salutes America program, honoring military families on four patriotic holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day.
Click here for a list of participating Bob Evans Restaurants. To find the nearest Bob Evans Restaurant, please visit www.bobevans.com.

Home Depot and Lowes Coupons

Update: Home Depot and Lowes 10% Military Discount Available Everyday.

Home Depot: The Home Depot(R) is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran’s Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 and is available at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations. The 10% discount is available everyday for active duty and retirees, but not all veterans. Home Depot makes this offer available to all veterans on most military holidays. You can also find Home Depot discounts online.

Lowes: Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available Nov. 7 – Nov. 11. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards. Like Home Depot, Lowes offers this discount daily to active duty military members, but not to veterans. However, they extend the offer to military veterans on military holidays. You can also find exclusive discounts at Lowe’s.com.

Free Park Admissions for Veterans Day

Anheuser-Busch Parks. Anheuser-Busch Parks offers Active Duty Service Members free admission for them and up to 3 dependents to any of their parks once a year. Throughout 2011, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. The Here’s to the Heroes program is only available to Any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman. Eligible parks include: Adventure Island, Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay or Williamsburg), SeaWorld (Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio), Sesame Place, and Water Country USA. Not valid at Discovery Cove and Aquatica. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. is not included as part of this program. For more information and to register, visit: Free admission summary, and ticket application.

Colonial Williamsburg Free Admission. Colonial Williamsburg offers free weekend-long admission tickets to active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their immediate dependents from Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 13th. The complimentary ticket includes admission to Colonial Williamsburg exhibition sites, art museums, and most daytime programs, as well as free parking and use of the shuttle bus system. Tickets are only available at on-site ticket sales locations. Tickets are also available to families of deployed service members. Tickets available on the following dates: Nov. 11-13.
Historic Jamestowne – Free Admission. The National Park Service commemorates Veterans Day with Fee Free days at Historic Jamestowne November 11-13. Free admission for everyone. See events calendar.

Knotts Berry Farm Military Tribute Days – Free Admission. Knott’s Berry Farm has an annual Military Tribute event in which they offer military members past and present by offering free park admission. This year the Military Tribute Days run from November 1 – 24 November (Thanksgiving Day). Veterans or current serving military personnel plus one guest get in FREE with proper ID presented at Knott’s turnstile (DD214, Veterans Administration Hospital ID or Active Military Service ID). Purchase up to six additional tickets for just $17 each. More info.

Fee Free Day at National Parks. To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that areas managed by the National Park Service would not charge entrance fees for Veteran’s Day weekend – November 11-13, 2011. Over 100 national Parks will be participating in this event.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum (La Porte, TX). November 7-13: Free admission to the theatre, Observation Floor, and (on November 12-13) the special exhibit to all veterans and their families. More info.

Bed and Breakfast for Vets

In the third year of the program, B&Bs for Vets has organized over 485 (and counting) participating Bed and Breakfasts and Inns across the US and Canada which will be offering veterans a free night’s stay on November 10th, the night before Veterans Day. This offer is available to both active duty military members and veterans with ID, but space is limited. Each Inn and B&B has at least one room available for this promotion and reservations must be made directly through the participating Inns and B&Bs. For more information visit B&Bs for Vets.

Free Hugo® Canes for Veterans.

Sam’s Club® locations nationwide will distribute 36,000 Hugo® canes free of charge on November 9th, 10th, 11th, 2011 to U.S. military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities available, while supplies last. Sam’s Club® Membership is not required, but proof of military service may be required. For more information, visit HugoSalutes.com.

Other Veteran’s Day Discounts

Here are some additional Veteran’s Day Discounts. In all cases, be sure to provide proper ID or proof of service. In addition, some of these stores are franchises, so verify participation before assuming the discount is in place.

Free Car wash - Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2010.
Amazon.com – Discount “Veterans Day Honor” MP3 album download. This downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit Amazon on Veteran’s Day to download the album.
Netflix – One Month Free Trial.
Sport Clips – FREE haircut to active-duty military & veterans. Offer only available at select locations. Please call to verify local participation.
Tim Hortons – all US locations are offering a free donut to all veterans (check out the Star Spangled donut!).
$100 for opening new Chase Freedom VISA.

Jos. A. Bank Veteran’s Day coupons:

All Executive suits $177, 2nd $57 – Lowest prices this year for suits! You save $866 when you buy 2!
All Traveler and Signature Suits $377, 2nd $97
All Joseph & Signature Gold Suits $577, 2nd $197
ALL SPORTCOATS, BLAZERS AND DRESS PANTS 50% OFF
JOS A BANK VETERANS DAY SALE ORDERS $175+ SHIP FREE Valid: NOVEMBER 11, 2010.
Valid: November 11, 2010

Regional Veteran’s Day Discounts

There have been multiple request to include local and regional Veteran’s Day discounts. We are happy to include these in our list. Please use our Contact Page to send us the information. Please be sure to include a link to the website so we can verify it and share it with our readers. If a website is not available, then please use the company e-mail address so we can verify the offer.

America’s Incredible Pizza Company (St. Louis and St. Peters, MO). Free meal Nov. 11th. Call ahead to verify hours and locations.
Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, CA). Free admission for veterans, military personnel, police officers, and firefighters who show valid service ID on November 11, 2011.
Brevard Zoo (Melbourne, FL), Nov. 11-13. Free Admission to military veterans with proof of service. More info.
Des Moines Botanical Center. Free admission November 11, 2011 for Veterans and their families. More info.
San Antonio Symphony and the United States Air Force Band of the West. Free Veterans Day Concert November 13, 2011. More info.

More Veterans Day Deals:

Big Lots – 10% off your entire purchase with valid military ID. more info.
7/11 - This Veteran’s Day (Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 or 11/11/11), 7-Eleven, Inc. is saluting active, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel and their immediate families with FREE small Slurpee drinksbetween 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Presenting proof of current or former U.S. military service during that time is all that’s required to receive a free Slurpee drink on Veteran’s Day.
Dollar General. 10% discount on entire purchase on Veteran’s Day. Offer good for all active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Guard/Reserve, & immediate family members. The coupon can be found in the store circular, or by asking an employee. More info.

R.I.P. Bob

2011-10-30T14:54:00.005-05:00

Bob Barry Sr., the longtime voice of Oklahoma football and basketball and a Norman resident, has pass away, OU officials confirmed today.

No details were available and neither the University of Oklahoma nor his family have released a statement.

Jack Ogle and Bob Barry Sr.

at KNOR

Bob, 80, began his career in broadcasting in 1956 at Norman radio station KNOR as a salesman, disc jockey and sportscaster calling Norman High games. In 1961, OU football coach Bud Wilkinson selected Barry to call football and basketball games.

Bob left Oklahoma in 1973 when he went to work at Tulsa University and Oklahoma State calling games. He was also a sports anchor and sports director at KFOR until 1997.

Bob returned to OU in 1991 doing play-by-play for the Sooners. He held onto the position until he retired after last year’s basketball season.

Bob has been awarded Oklahoma's Sportscaster of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, and was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. In 2008, he was recognized as a distinguished alumni by the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma.

OU recognized him as a distinguished alumni in 2010.

Bob graduated Classen High School in 1946, and studied journalism at the University of Oklahoma before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He and his late wife, Joan, had two sons. Frank Barry is a teacher in the Norman public school system and Bob Barry Jr. is sports director at KFOR TV in Oklahoma City.

Why Oklahoma voted YES on SQ 755

2011-10-29T07:38:00.000-05:00

CAIR-OK DO NOT WANT YOU TO SEE THIS!
The Muslim Students Association pledge of allegiance
MSA West 13th Annual Conference UCLA January 16 2011 speakers Abdel Malik Ali

This is from the PJTV page (the audio was so low and it needed correcting). Please though, subscribe to, and support PJTV any way you can.

OK GOP Chair Matt Pinnell and GOP OK-2 Candidate Dustin Rowe speaking in McAlester

2011-10-20T06:51:00.000-05:00

Dustin Rowe – a conservative with a proven record of public service
www.roweforcongress.us

Matt became Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party on June 26th, 2010, and was re-elected in May of 2011 to a full two-year term. He is the youngest State GOP Chair in the country. www.okgop.com

Dustin understands what it means to work hard and build a family business. His parents and grandparents are small business owners who instilled in Dustin the appreciation for hard work and helping others.

Dustin’s proven record began at an early age: 18. That year, he registered as a Republican and ran for mayor of his hometown. Citizens of Tishomingo liked what Dustin stood for and, even more, what he helped accomplish for their community. Dustin became the nation’s youngest mayor and served successfully for two terms.

Dustin worked for U. S. Senator Don Nickles in Washington, D.C. Later Dustin and his wife, Nicole, moved to Stillwater to work on Wes Watkins’ successful congressional campaign. At the age of 22, Dustin was named District Director for the newly-elected Republican congressman.

Dustin obtained his bachelor’s degree from East Central University in Ada and his law degree from the University of Oklahoma. For the past decade he has been practicing law on Main Street in the community where he was raised and loves to call home. He also serves as city attorney and prosecutor to several small towns in the second congressional district.

Dustin and Nicole are the parents of two children, Price and Madison. The Rowe family are active members in the Tishomingo First Assembly of God church where Dustin has attended since he was eight years old.

2012 Republican National Convention logo unveiled

2011-10-18T14:30:00.001-05:00

Here’s what it all means, according to the RNC:

“The elephant—the proud and strong symbol of the Republican Party—with his trunk pointed toward 2012 reflects the spirit, unity and strength of our Party as we plan a successful 2012 Republican National Convention that enables us to march toward victory next November,” said convention Chief Executive Officer William D. Harris.

“The waves beneath Tampa Bay represent our beautiful host city’s location on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico,” said convention Chairman Alec Poitevint. “The three stars in the flag symbolize equality, justice and opportunity—core principles of our country’s Constitution and the founding tenets of the Republican Party.”