Freedom 21 National Conference coming Aug. 13-15
The Freedom 21 National Conference is coming to Midwest City Aug. 13-15.
For the first time ever, the Freedom 21 National Conference will be in Oklahoma, the state in the national spotlight for standing up for what is right, a spokesman said.
“Our country has changed dramatically over the last two decades, leaving most people wondering what happened,” a conference spokesman said. “International policy agreements such as Agenda 21 and other treaties have caused the American people to lose more of the freedoms traditionally enjoyed in this country. From personal, property and travel rights, to education and health care choices, life as we’ve known it has changed.
Freedom21 has worked for the last 10 years to educate citizens and public officials about the reality of the political agenda known as Sustainable Development and it’s outcome - the destruction of private property and the end of freedom for the American public.
Special guest speakers include Chuck Baldwin, Representative Sam Rohrer of Pennsylvania, State Sen. Randy Brogdon of Oklahoma, State Rep. Charles Key of Oklahoma. Dr. Michael Coffman, Tom DeWeese, Dr. Jeff Marrongelle, Marc Marano, Larry Pratt, Michael Shaw, Allen Quist, Patrick Wood, Michael Chapman, G. Edward Griffin and more.
Sponsored by the American Policy Center, Freedom 21 Inc.. OK-SAFE, Inc. and 18 other co-sponsors, the conference offers no-spin facts about the country and what to do about it. It also affords attendees the opportunity to network with other groups and individuals who are taking positive action to restore freedom and traditional values to America.
The 10th Annual Freedom 21 National Conference will be at the Reed Conference Center, Sheraton Midwest City Hotel, August 13 - 15.
An early bird discount available. Details are available at www.freedom21.org.
OSU professor gets NASA funding
Dr. Regina DeWitt, an assistant research professor in the Oklahoma State Department of Physics, has received a $496,000 grant from NASA.
The two-year award funds further development of a miniature optical dating instrument (ODIN), which can be used for dating the surface of Mars.
DeWitt will partner with ICx Nomadics, an international sensor development company, on the project. Dr. Stephen McKeever, OSU’s vice president for research and technology transfer, is also a co-investigator on the project.
“A detailed chronology of past events is critical to answering questions related to the exploration strategy of Mars,” DeWitt said. “These include the processes and history of the Martian climate and atmosphere, the role of water on the surface of Mars, and the planet’s habitability for human exploration. The ODIN presents the planetary science community with a powerful tool that will further our understanding of the climatic and meteorological conditions that have existed in the past.”
The proposed instrument is based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), a geological dating technique which has been utilized extensively for quaternary dating purposes on Earth.
The prototype breadboard instrument, which was developed with previous funding from NASA’s Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program, is equipped with blue and infrared light sources for sample stimulation, a photo detector for sensing the luminescence signal, a heater to control the temperature and an X-ray source to calibrate samples.
The prototype demonstrated the ability to carry out OSL measurements with high reproducibility.
With this new funding, DeWitt will add sample sorting and dispensing capability and increase the sensitivity of the instrument. She will also reduce weight, volume and power consumption. This additional funding will develop the ODIN to the point of full demonstration of feasibility and design for incorporation into future Mars missions.
“The award builds exactly on our strengths,” DeWitt said. “While other instruments developed in our lab had the goal to extend the age range of OSL dating or to apply the method to new materials, this instrument will take OSL dating literally to new frontiers. We will build a prototype for an instrument that has the potential to leave Earth and go to Mars.”
Grant will help teach safe driving
With a $30,000 grant from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, the Alive at 25 program, which is offered through the Oklahoma Safety Council (OSC), will be used to train law enforcement instructors to work in their communities to educate teens about making safe driving decisions.
Alive at 25 is designed to be an early intervention program to help prevent traffic violations, collisions, and/or fatalities for young drivers ages 16-24. The funding will support the Oklahoma Safety Council’s goal of collaborating with law enforcement, city and state officials, communities, and high schools in Oklahoma to become more proactive in keeping students alive and safe.
“This grant from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office will enable us to educate youth throughout communities in Oklahoma that otherwise would not have found adequate funding to train instructors or to purchase materials,” said Dave Koeneke, the Executive Director of the OSC.
To date the OSC has trained 50 law enforcement officers across the state of Oklahoma. The ultimate goal of the OSC is to implement the Alive at 25 program into all the high schools across the state.
For more information about the Alive at 25 program, contact the OSC at 405-848-8626.
Swine flu claims life of state man
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) announced this month that a 43-year-old man from Kay County is the state’s first novel swine flu death in the state.
The patient had sought medical care for his flu symptoms but had not been hospitalized. He did have underlying chronic medical conditions, including asthma.
“We are very sad to learn of this death and our sympathies go out to this man’s family,” said Interim Commissioner of Health Rocky McElvany.
State health officials reported the new swine flu virus continues to circulate in Oklahoma. As of 10 days ago, 109 cases have been confirmed in the state, while one Oklahoman living out of state has also been confirmed with the disease.
To date, 18 Oklahoma counties report one or more confirmed cases of novel influenza.
Nationally, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 13,217 cases and 27 deaths attributed to the swine flu.
“While those who have acquired the novel swine influenza A virus have generally reported only mild illness, because this is a new flu virus, most people have little or no immunity against it, and the illness may be more severe for some,” McElvany said. “Tragically, regular seasonal influenza results in some 36,000 deaths occurring nationally each year. Thus, it is not a surprise that Oklahoma has recorded its first death from the new flu.”
At this time there is no vaccine to protect against the novel influenza virus. The OSDH continues to urge the public to practice the following simple precautions:
• Wash hands often to protect yourself from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated object, and then touches his eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or “sneeze in your sleeve.”_
If you are sick, stay home from work, school, church and running errands. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Oklahomans can stay informed on the latest news regarding swine influenza by visiting www.health.ok.gov and www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or by contacting a local county health department.
Drug usage on the rise among kids
More American children are being treated with psychiatric drugs such as Prozac, Ritalin and Risperdal than in the past. According to a new study, the number of children taking such drugs has tripled from 1987 to 1996 and continued to increase through 2000, according to the Washington Post.
“A study found that there was a 49 percent increase in antidepressant use among adolescents and children aged 18 and under between the years of 1998 and 2002. The study also showed that the fastest growing population of antidepressant users were children 5 and under,” according to ABC News.
The number of 2- to 4-year-olds on psychiatric drugs including Ritalin and antidepressants like Prozac jumped 50 percent between 1991 and 1995, in a study of more than 200,000 preschool-age children,” according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A recent series of three USA Today articles investigated the increasing prescription of antipsychotic drugs to children, including drugs intended only for adults.
The articles used FDA data to account for the deaths of 45 children over a four-year period as being the result of using atypical or off-label antipsychotic medications. In addition, the documented more than 1,300 cases of serious side effects, including some that were life-threatening (such as low white blood cell counts or convulsions).
On June 29 at 7 p.m., Sowing Wellness will host the movie screening for Generation RX at Eton Square Cinema in Tulsa. Generation RX is a film about families that have been dramatically and forever changed by children on psychiatric drugs at the earliest stages of their growth and development. They followed the advice of their doctors and paid devastating consequences.
The movie also questions whether we have forced millions of children onto pharmaceutical drugs for commercial use rather than scientific reasons, and how teachers often diagnose students instead of doctors. There is evidence linking suicide, murder, and other violent acts to psychiatric drugs making this an era of unprecedented change in Western culture.
The goal of showing the movie is to help dozens of parents decide whether the perceived benefits of these medications outweigh the serious risks to children.
For more information, or to obtain tickets to the movie screening, contact 918-895-8899 or info@sowingwellness.com. Tickets are $5 and seating is limited to 180 guests.
Proceeds from the movie will go to Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights (www.cchr.org).
Dr. Jannell White of Sowing Wellness is a mentor, coach, and doctor to hundreds of patients and clients. As a doctor and business owner, Jannell has witnessed firsthand the miracles of Maximized Living concepts both in her own life and in the lives of her patients and clients.
For more information, regarding the film: visit www.GenerationRxFilm.com.
Sen. Brogdon to speak to GOP club
State Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, a candidate for governor, will speak at a luncheon of the Tulsa County Republican Men’s Club July 8 at noon at the Hong Kong Restaurant, 7315 S. Memorial Drive.
The club was re-activated in 2008 and holds a monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of each month.
The meeting is from noon to 1 p.m.
Brogdon plans to report on the 2009 Senate Session, just completed, and on his plans for the 2010 election, where he has announced his candidacy for governor.
Sen. Brogdon has a seven-year record of service in the Senate. He has also become a much on demand speaker on constitutional and fiscal matters around the nation.
A number of candidates for the Tulsa City election in November will be present to announce their candidacy or report on campaign progress. The Tulsa City elections, in accordance with changes made in the charter last year, have been changed to the first Tuesday in November.
Filing for these offices will start on the first Monday in July.
For information on purposes, membership, and meeting locations, contact Bob McDowell at 481-1051.
Summer heat causes problems
Paramedics say it’s time to start talking heat.
Each year, hundreds of Americans die from heat-related illness, and with higher temperatures and high humidity expected this month in Tulsa, the health risk will increase.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion, a mild form of heat-related illness, include muscle cramps, heavy perspiration, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting and fatigue.
Persons exhibiting such symptoms should move to a cool place (ideally, into an air-conditioned space), sip small amounts of cool water and contact their doctor for advice.
Heat stroke is a potentially deadly form of heat-related illness; its victims often have skin that’s red and hot or dry to the touch, a throbbing headache, an elevated body temperature, and unconsciousness.
They should call 911 immediately if heat stroke is suspected.
To avoid heat-related illnesses, EMSA urges individuals to take the following precautions when the temperature rises:
• Reduce outdoor activity, particularly during the late morning and afternoon hours.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption, and up your water intake.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Spend as much time as possible in an air-conditioned environment; visit a library, indoor shopping mall, community center or other such venue if you don’t have air-conditioning at home.
• Play close attention to those at increased risk for heat-related illness, including young children (under age 4), senior citizens, people with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure and outdoor laborers.
• Never, ever leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
Last year, EMSA provided care to more than 100 individuals in the Tulsa area suffering from heat-related illness. Overexposure to heat was a factor in at least two area deaths.
Tulsa Heat Coalition plan
The Tulsa Heat Coalition, an alliance of representatives from key public health, safety and community organizations, has devised a heat emergency plan to increase awareness of heat dangers and reduce heat-related injuries.
When paramedics respond to five or more patients suffering from suspected heat-related illness in a 24-hour period, an EMSA Heat Alert will be issued if the weather pattern is expected to continue. Additionally, National Weather Service advisories are called when the daytime heat index soars to/over 105 degrees and nighttime ambient temperatures of 75 degrees or more persist for two days or longer. When issuing a heat alert or advisory, EMSA or NWS will provide local media outlets with health and safety information relating to hot weather, and the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Authority (TAEMA) will notify area public safety agencies of the increased danger.
If a heat alert or advisory extends into a third consecutive day, the Tulsa Human Response Coalition’s (THRC) cool station subcommittee reviews its operations plan and a list of facilities that could be utilized as cool stations. Past cool stations have included Tulsa County Social Services (2401 Charles Page Blvd.) and The Salvation Army Social Service Center (102 N. Denver Ave.).
If Tulsa experiences a fifth consecutive day of dangerous heat, cool stations will open and heat coalition members will hold a joint a news conference to announce openings to the public and address heat hazards and the short-term outlook.
Dairy Month to honor farmers
June is Dairy Month and Oklahoma dairy farmers, the people behind foods like milk, cheese and yogurt, are gaining attention.
“My family is proud to provide milk to families locally and around the world,” said Dale Chupp, Chupp’s Guernsey Farm, Inola. “We work hard every day to take care of our animals and surroundings in a way that will leave this family farm in great shape for future generations. And, I don’t compromise my farming standards during economic tough times, so I hope people don’t compromise their nutrition standards.”
Approximately 180 dairy farms in Oklahoma make it possible for the world to have the dairy products it needs to obtain important nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals.
After milk leaves the farm, it travels by truck to a dairy plant, where its quality is tested. It leaves the plant to go to grocery stores, schools and convenience stores in the form of cheese, milk, ice cream, butter, yogurt and other dairy products. In most cases, milk reaches stores within two days of leaving the farm and travels only about 100 miles.
Approximately 98 percent of all dairy farms nationwide are family-owned.
These dairy farm families also bring jobs and economic activity to communities across Oklahoma. Farms contribute to the local economy by supporting local businesses and the community tax base. Farmers purchase machinery, vehicles, fuel, clothing, food and more from local companies.
Dairies also create jobs for people who grow and ship feed for cows, as well as for veterinarians, insurance agents, accountants, bankers and others.
“It is important to me and my family to be active members of the community,”said Chupp. “We work to be good neighbors and support local efforts. It’s where we live and grow as a family.”
American farmers, including dairy farmers in Oklahoma, are providing consumers with more and better quality food than ever before. In fact, one farmer now supplies food for more than 144 people in the United States and abroad compared with just 25.8 people in 1960 and on less land every year, according to the American Farm Bureau.
Specifically, dairy farmers have improved the amount of milk each cow produces, thereby reducing the amount of feed, water and space needed to bring milk to the world’s table. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, U.S. dairy farmers are producing almost three times more milk with about half the number of cows compared to 1960.
“Dairy farmers, processors and manufacturers have reduced the carbon footprint of their products by more than half, thanks to production efficiencies, nutrition management and other improvements,” said Chupp. “As a dairy farmer, I’m doing my part every day, not just in June, to improve my farm, my community and my planet for the next generation.”
Visit www.dairyfarmingtoday.org.
Midwest Dairy Association is a non-profit organization funded by dairy farmers to build demand for dairy products through integrated marketing, nutrition education and research. Per capita consumption of total milk has climbed to 605 pounds today compared with 522 in 1983 when the national dairy checkoff was created.
Mortgage licensing system is coming
The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit will begin participating this August in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System, the department’s administrator has announced.
“The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit is proud to be part of the new regulatory framework being created by states for the improved supervision of the mortgage industry,” administrator Roy B. Hooper said. “The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System is the cornerstone of this framework that will allow Oklahoma mortgage companies to apply for and manage their licenses electronically. NMLS will allow the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit to provide better supervision of the mortgage industry by linking with other states to protect consumers.”
The NMLS was developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators. The system began operations in January 2008 and currently has 23 states using it to accept and process national, uniform license applications.
Hooper said any company or individual applying for a Mortgage Broker License, Branch License or Mortgage Loan Originator License will be required to do so through NMLS starting Aug. 3.
He said all companies or individuals currently holding such licenses will be required to complete a record within NMLS and submit it to his department by Dec. 31.
Principle Mortgage Group, Inc. is a member of the Oklahoma Association of Mortgage Professionals, and Cass Fahler of Principle Mortgage said the association is honored to be working with the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit on implementing NMLS.
“OKAMP believes this action will bring even greater clarity to the mortgage industry, while providing a level platform for all mortgage professionals to operate within,” Fahler said. “Most importantly, consumers will benefit from knowing their mortgage professional is licensed, educated and meeting their needs directly.”
Hooper said his department will be issuing letters to each licensee this month with detailed instructions for transitioning their company, branches and individuals onto NMLS.
More information can be found about the system at www.stateregulatoryregistry.org/NMLS.
Don’t mess with least terns, feds say
The federal government team that works each year to protect the interior least tern warns the public that there are stiff consequences for posing harm to these endangered birds or their habitat.
“Least terns can be safely viewed from the river bank and are interesting to watch as they dive for fish, but please avoid disturbing nesting birds. Every year we have nesting sites that are abandoned due to human disturbance. ATVs, people, and pets can disturb nesting adults and crush eggs and chicks. The penalties for violations of the Endangered Species Act can be up to a $100,000 fine and/or a year in jail,” said Kevin Stubbs, biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Least terns are small birds with a black crown, snowy white underside and forehead, grayish back and wings, orange legs, and black-tipped yellow bill. They arrive here this time each year to nest. They look for sand that is free from plants to make shallow indentations called scrapes where their eggs are laid. Islands and sandbars throughout Oklahoma and the Red River area in Texas are popular spots for the birds. Unfortunately, they are also popular places for predators and prowlers, both wild and human.
“Annual surveys show that in addition to nest losses by predators, human activities on the islands and sandbars severely inhibit tern survival,” said Everett Laney, biologist for the Corps of Engineers.
Each year, several agencies go to great lengths to grant terns the protection afforded by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species List. Representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Power Administration, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority work together to protect the terns and preserve the authorized purposes of water resources projects to the maximum extent possible.