I have endeavored to keep the public up to speed on the court cases against Rogers State University (and former RSU president, Joe Wiley, among others).

In the first place, there is Marilyn Goff’s case. Read previous posts about the case here:

• RSU/FHU President Joe Wiley Sued for Wrongful Termination (Again!)
• Joe Wiley Lawsuit Update
• Court Documents for Goff v. Hukill, Wiley, et. al.
• Judge: Wiley’s Previous Evasion of Service Not Pertinent in Current Case
• Joe Wiley Lawsuit Update 7/28/2008

The case was moved from Rogers County District Court, where RSU has previously not fared well, to the U.S. Federal Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma (based in Tulsa). The federal court system provides online access to court documents for $.08/page. Since I’m paying for them, I am sharing them here as a public service. All the documents can be views on my Goff v. Wiley page. I won’t go into great detail here, but I will mention a few highlights.

RSU’s attorneys asked to stay the case until one of RSU’s attorneys returned from active military duty in Iraq. The judge recently required RSU to state whether this attorney, Steven Ashmore, had returned from Iraq. RSU responded that he had, though the attorney for RSU also notified the court that she would be on medical leave from Feb. 5-May 11, 2009.  RSU also filed a motion to dismiss the case for various reasons. The judge denied their motion and, I assume because Mr. Ashmore is back, has issued a scheduling order. This means the case is now set for a jury trial, albeit over a year from now (2/16/2010). Goff’s attorney seems to be more skilled than those previously trying to get RSU and its actors brought before a jury in federal court. I’ll provide more updates when I can.

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In the other case against RSU and Joe Wiley, among others, filed just before Wiley left RSU to head up Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee, Jana Walstrom sued for wrongful termination. Read my previous post about this case here:

• Deja Vu All Over Again -or- RSU Sued for Wrongful Termination (Yes, Again!)

There’s been no media coverage of this case that I know of (other than on the WynnBlog). The Oklahoma court database shows that the case was stricken because neither party showed up for a December 2008 court date. Then in 2009 a new attorney made an entry of appearance, and attorneys for both parties appeared before Judge Post January 14, at which point the following was recorded:

MOTION TO STRIKE IS MUTE [sic]. WHISTLEBLOWER ACT AND BREACH OF CONTRACT CLAIMS ARE DISMISSED.

Looks to me as if there may have been a settlement, but I can’t be sure until I visit the courthouse to see the documents. I’ll try to do that this week.

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And in the matter of Tywone Parks, the Claremore Progress covered his most recent court appearance. Progress reporter Tom Fink reported that evidence was presented against Parks, whose attorney argued that the statutes Parks is accused of violating is unconstitutional. Judge Steidley took the issue under advisement and will issue a written order. As it stands now, Parks is scheduled for a jury trial April 6, 2009.

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And that’s it for this update. I’ll try to do a better job of keeping things updated.

Political cycles are cyclical. If one looks to the U.S. presidency, especially in modern times, we see a pendulum swing from left to right and back to left over and over again. Hoover to FDR, then Truman when FDR died, then to Eisenhower, to Kennedy and Johnson, who succeeded upon JFK’s death, to Nixon and Ford, who took over upon Nixon’s resignation, to Carter, to Reagan, then his VP, Bush 41, to Clinton, to Bush 43, and now Obama. It’s almost like a marching cadence (former band members yell with me), “Left, right, left, right!”

And while “change” is everyone’s new favorite word, I don’t see that we’re in for a change to anything new. Largely what I see being offered are repackaged things that didn’t work before, and many of which in fact led us into the morass that was the 1970s. That said, this post is not about politicians’ politics. They make their promises, we hold elections, and someone is ceded power for a time. We’ll see how it works out, though many of us are sure we have a good idea where it’s headed.

No, the change I crave, and the change that will save our civilization is a fundamental change in the news media. It was long understood that an objective and free press was essential to the success of our Republic. It was so important that it was protected in the First Amendment, along with freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

But we have just finished an election cycle when we have seen newsmen and -women weep on air for a candidate. The inauguration again brought tears to the eyes of supposedly professional members of the media. Does it not strike anyone else that when newspersons have become so invested in a person’s success they can no longer be looked at to report objectively and truthfully on that person and his administration? If Nixon had been this adored by the press, Watergate would still be just a hotel.

When the news bureaus have been co-opted as extensions of the White House press office, it is a very bad thing, regardless of who the president is. And, it is thoroughly disingenuous for the media to have nothing but criticism and rancor for Republicans and undying love and affection for Democrats, while expecting us to believe it has nothing to do with party. We’re smarter than that.

We need newspersons who will report the news and allow us to draw our conclusions. We need newspersons who are committed to asking hard questions of every president. We need newspersons who understand that while we grasp the historical significance of President Obama’s election, wish him well, and respect him as the leader of this nation, there are over 58 million Americans who did not vote for him, nearly half (22) of the 50 states are still “red,” and some of us our here are still clinging to God and our guns. The president is most certainly entitled to his inauguration, and he is entitled to the spoils of victory, but we are entitled to unbiased and un-spun information.

A media that is in a president’s back pocket (especially when it was largely responsible for the destruction of his predecessor) is bad for the president and the nation. It is allowing the fox to guard the henhouse. And President Obama needs to learn one huge lesson from John McCain: live by the press, die by the press. If they make you, they can destroy you.

And so there are really two solutions here. One, the mainstream media could demand and reward true, genuine objectivity (and punish its lack) from its correspondents and anchors. A just-the-facts reporting style would certainly be welcome by me. That’s probably too much to ask, so alternatively the press could just give up any semblance of objectivity and fully disclose their leanings. “Good evening and welcome to the CBS Evening News. I’m Katie Couric, I am a liberal Democrat who voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 elections, and here’s my version of the news.” Honesty goes a long way with me.

The list is out, and one Wynn production made this year’s Okie Blog Awards slate of choices. The WynnCast has again been nominated for best audio blog. It’s an honor, but I frankly don’t hold out much hope of being a winner. I think we produce a good product, but there are several other very good nominees, and most of them update with a greater frequency than we do. Though previously nominated, the WynnBlog was not nominated for an award this year (or is it last year, since they are the 2008 awards?).

I did a little experiment this year, and I understand that coincidence does not necessarily indicate causality. I mentioned the Okie Blog awards nomination window was open on the WynnCast Blog (which I spend considerably less time and effort on) but not on the WynnBlog. I am wondering if mentioning that nominations are open in a blog post does anything to boost one’s chances of having their work nominated. Kind of like, “Hey, there are these awards for Okie bloggers if you might happen to know any blog that should be nominated…” *wink, wink*

Of course, there are other possibilities, too. The first of which is that there are many other, high quality Okie blogs out there. We’re not necessarily competitors as much as we are colleagues, and I am just thrilled that blogging and the grassroots societal involvement it represents is becoming such a relevant and reliable part of our world.

The last option is that the WynnBlog might just not be up to snuff. That’s probably closer to reality than the others. If you’re not nominated, can you lose?

Congrats to all the other nominees. Keep up the great work. The Awards are a fun part of what we do, but I know that’s not why any of us do it. Your participation in the culture is much appreciated by me.

That said, make sure you go vote by Feb. 7.

A passel of celebrities, including Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Marisa Tomei, Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Josh Groban, Cameron Diaz, etc., have decided that now that the person they preferred for president has been elected they are Americans who pledge their service and loyalty to our new president and working for the good of all mankind. It’s nice to see celebrities concerned with someone other then themselves, but it is a bit striking that can seem to muster this great nobleness only when they are pleased with the outcome of an election.

Here’s their inane video:

MySpace Celebrity, Katalyst, and a Bunch of Moronic Hypocrites present The Presidential Pledge

The hypocrisy of these people is astounding. They start a video about the loneliness of the presidency with a message to President Obama that he’s not alone when these very self-same people and their ilk (not to mention their willing accomplices in the media) have worked tirelessly over the last eight years to demean, belittle, alienate, and excoriate President Bush. I have no words.

Hollywood boys and girls, welcome to the real world where many of us work toward these goals, and the objective of bettering our world in general, every day of our lives, regardless of whether we are happy about who serves in elected office. It’s nice to have you on board with this whole society thing.

Also, I can’t help but wonder is Alyssa Milano’s pledge to “be the voice for those who have no voice” extends to the womb?

Frankly, the only pledge I really wanted to hear was absent from the video. “Hello, I’m [insert name here], and I pledge to quit producing trash.”

As I reflected on today’s inaugural events, I went back and watched some clips of inaugurations past, thanks to the folks at Hulu.

It’s very instructive to listen to President Reagan’s first inaugural address. He took office as the nation was facing a far more drastic economic situation that the present, and his words serve to warn us that if we try the tired, old, failed policies of the past, things can—and will—get worse.

Reagan’s plans stood in stark contradistinction to those we are about to embark upon.

See video from past inaugurations, from President McKinley, whose was the first to be filmed, at Hulu.

You’d have to live on Mars not to know that today is the day that President Obama assumed the office of President of the United States. As I have mentioned before, though I am not a fan of his politics and though I didn’t not vote for him, Barack Obama is my president.

I have watched with perplexed disbelief over the past eight years as people exhibited what has come to be known as Bush Derangement Syndrome. For these people, President Bush could do nothing right. For whatever reason, the hatred for the individual clouded their reason to the point that they have developed an unreasonable hatred and vitriol for George W. Bush. But let’s deal with reality. No human, and I mean no one, is perfect. We are the product of our experience, education, and various other things. We all, myself included, make good decisions and bad decisions. It was true of President Bush. He did many things well. He did many other things things wrong, in my opinion. But, he remained our president. And he remained a man determined to keep America safe, and to restore honor to the office of the presidency (which I think we can all agree was sorely needed when he took office). He was faced with what may be seen by the backward gaze of history as the most challenging time of governing this nation ever. I, for one, think he rose to that challenge. And it is simply shameful for people to hate such a person and be so angry with him (yeah, I’m talking to those of you who made the scene at the inaugural when President Bush arrived on the dais).

And that leads me to this main point: I don’t know that anyone can ever really be ready for the presidency. There are things that may prepare one for portions of the job, but it is very likely the most difficult and weighty job in the history of the world. I have my doubts about President Obama’s readiness for the office, but my concerns are of no import. He is the president, I am hopeful that he will rise to the occasion and grow into the office. He quite literally has had greatness thrust upon him.

Let’s be honest here, and I am speaking to those who share my political philosophy, we bear the responsibility for President Obama’s election. Our primary was a mess, and the result of it was a shambles. And not only that, as much as I adore Sarah Palin (yes, I still do), her future prominence in our party may have been forfeited because of her association with Senator McCain and his campaign handlers. Even deeper at the root of where we are today, we are now suffering the consequences of not governing like we should have when we were given the opportunity. We wasted our majority, and it has passed from us. (Let this be a lesson to you, Oklahoma Legislature.)

I must—and do—wish President Obama well. I pray health, peace, and safety for him and his family. I even wish that his stated goals could come to pass (though I don’t believe it is possible). However, I will not ever allow myself to wish our nation and its people ill because it will be good for my political party. I want the terrorist threat gone. I want the economy to recover. And if it does on President Obama’s watch, so be it. I will not delay those things one second for the sake of denying the credit to President Obama.

He was not my choice, but he is my president, and I will revere and respect him thus. I will continue to disagree with much of his agenda, but I will always endeavor to address my criticism to issues and not persons, and I will also to be a person of gentleness and respect.

But on this Januray 20, 2009, I join my nation in celebration of the fact that it was so expertly crafted by our Founders that in the period of just a few hours, without bloodshed, fighting, or death, the reins of our government are peacefully handed from one executive to another.

God save the United States of America!

I was thrilled to see my news reader blip up the story that President Bush had commuted the sentences of the two former border guards convicted in the death of an illegal who was likely a drug smuggler.

In reading the article, I am thrilled their sentences were commuted, but they should have been granted full pardons.

By now it’s old news that The Tulsa World is suing The Urban Tulsa Weekly, its publisher, and Tulsa blog-father and UTW columnist, Michael Bates. I’ve met Michael, and Michael’s been a repeat guest on the WynnCast. Heck, I even tease my wife about having a Bates crush sometimes because she loves his work so much.

Whatever one may think about Michael’s ideology, you have to admit that he is genius-level smart, a great researcher, and thorough in presenting the bases for arriving at the opinions he holds. In the interest of full disclosure, I will state that I personally agree with Michael about 99.99% of the time (as to where we differ, I’m not sure he’s a full-on Fair Tax supporter yet, and he seems dedicated to Moveable Type when we all know WordPress is the far superior blog framework). That said, he would have my support even if we didn’t agree (yes, I have liberal friends, too). And here’s why:

In my experience—and I have been threatened with libel/slander suits in roundabout ways—the threat of libel/slander is typically not about responding to actual harm resulting from a malicious lie someone has publicly spoken and/or published. It is typically an effort at intimidation rooted in the fact that someone is afraid that you have told a truth about them that they would rather not have known. It remains the truth, nonetheless. And, as my competent legal adviser is wont to remind me: the truth is an absolute defense against a charge of libel/slander.

Now, as to the nature of this case, it is laughable that The Tulsa World—which I assume buys ink by the barrel—feels the need to file a lawsuit against UTW and Bates when it has ample opportunity to print evidence to counter Bates’ claims, call him a liar (and prove it if they can) and lambaste him daily on its pages from here to eternity if the Tulsa World management so desires.

More and more, people (and now publications, it seems) that have thrust themselves into the public realm expect never to be challenged and work diligently (including threatening and cajoling) to stifle any and all dissent.

The trick to dealing with bullies is to stand up to them. Make them make good on their threats. Make them walk into court and make their claims. Make them subject themselves to discovery. Make them seat a jury of twelve average Tulsans who will listen to them claim that an independent weekly and a blogger hurt their business. Corporate bullies thrive on their ability to out-lawyer you (even though some have to let staff go due to economic hard times) to scare you into being quiet and to quit rocking the boat. Call their bluff…and counter sue.

Being the stand-up guy he is, Michael posted that he would have welcomed some contact from the World so he could have made a correction—if anything was indeed wrong:

If WPC [World Publishing Company] believes I’ve written something in error, I’m disappointed that the company would file a suit against me without first contacting me with evidence to contradict what I wrote and giving me the opportunity to issue a clarification or correction.

And let’s deal with the real nub of the issue. Michael wouldn’t have near the influence that he does in T-Town if the daily paper hadn’t long ago all but abandoned any semblance of objectivity in its reporting. When you offend the politics of half the people in a conservative town, it’s a real trick to blame the resultant drop in circulation (and I am not saying there is one, for you Tulsa World attorneys out there) on the independent weekly paper.

It used to be said that a little debate on the editorial page was good at selling papers. I can’t be the only one to think the biggest step the World could have taken toward courting the many it has alienated would be to hire Bates away from the UTW (if he is even paid) and class up their editorial page with a broader spectrum of experience, insight, and opinion. When influence, power, and business trump reporting and make your opinion pages reliably one-sided, you’re not a reliable news paper anymore.

Has anyone ever wondered why blogs are so numerous and popular? It’s because among their many uses is the ability to post news, information, and opinion without the overhead of massive news machines. Sometimes it’s just possible that the news has a better chance flowing through folks who don’t depend on their medium for an income. When I post things on the WynnBlog the advertisers don’t like, I have zero pressure to modify or finesse my content—because I have no advertisers.

All I know is that I doubt there is any fault in Michael Bates, I encourage him to fight, and I will do all I can to help him stand up to the bully. I was bullied in grade school and it made my life miserable. Until one day I hit back. That day in fifth grade, my life changed forevermore. Bullies are cowards at heart, and everyone’s heart shows when the chips are down.

If we have to have an Oklahoma bloggers’ bake sale to provide Michael’s defense, I’ll make the first and last batches of cookies.

Since I decided to post about Claremore’s stinky and bad-tasting water yesterday, I thought it only fair to contact the city and see what they had to say. The Claremore city website lists Janet Donnelly as the Water Resources Director. Her name did not show up in the online directory, though, so I guessed at her email address and sent:

Ms. Donnelly,

I am a Claremore citizen, and I am growing increasingly concerned with the odor and taste of our municipal water supply. It’s to the point that it can be tasted in the iced tea and even through soda fountains in restaurants. I have spoken with restaurant owners who confirm this and who are facing the expensive reality of installing filtration systems to have to deal with it.

I understand that our water supply is perfectly safe, according to the numbers, but it’s not palatable. Can you provide some information as to what’s wrong with the water and what, if anything, the city is doing to overcome these issues?

I guessed right, for this morning she replied with this:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concern for our drinking water quality; every water source has its own unique characteristics which may produce taste and odor problems. The primary issue with Lake Claremore is the nutrient load in the Dog Creek Watershed which feeds Lake Claremore creates an excess of algae and vegetation. These contain chemical compounds that while aesthetically unpleasing are considered secondary contaminants and are not currently regulated.

The City of Claremore treats for the removal of these compounds with activated carbon, however periodically the level of these compounds reaches such high levels treatment becomes less effective.

The City of Claremore also continually monitors the bacteriological safety of your drinking water and if the water would become unsafe to drink at any time you would be notified immediately.

Again thank you for your concern and if I may be of further assistance to you please do not hesitate to contact me.

Looks like I’ve been told that it’s safe to drink, they know it smells and tastes bad, and they don’t intend to do anything about it.

Just made a new YouTube find. It appears that someone preserved some footage of a feature called “Carolina Camera” and has posted them for us to enjoy. This is the type of local human interest stories that will help save local media. The spots are dates, which you can tell by the Pepsi cans and telephones among other things.

Check out the Slingshot Man, who, at 65, could hit quarters in the air and knock Japanese Beetles off leaves without damaging the leaf.

And then there’s Bessie, an 80-year-old sweetheard who acts as jailer/cook/dispatcher for a county jail. She cooked three squares a day for 16 years straight (as of the recording) because she said Matthew 25 compelled her to and she could not have slept if those boys in jail were hungry.

Click here to see more of the “Carolina Camera.” Very interesting indeed.