Newt, the movie.

If I were making a film about Newt Gingrich, I would borrow a character and his actor from the Movie The caine Mutiny. The actor, Humphrey Bogart. The character, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Francis Queeg.

Queeg was a certified paranoid possessed with micro managing his ship’s less important tasks. Absorbed in self-important, intensely mistrustful, and hopelessly inept. Possibly lost in the throws of senility. For sure not aware of his surroundings and basically clueless. Maybe something like the great French police detective, Jacques Clouseau. Bumbling, fumbling, and out of touch.

Only he, the Queeg character and Gingrich see themselves in a self-ascribed position of command. Others around them see a pitiful retch destine for self-destruction. Almost as if living in a bubble as did the Emperor as described in the “Emperor’s Clothes.” Attempting to live an illusion that only they could see. Others view Queeg and Gingrich with the naked truth.

Anyway, Gingrich could easily be characterized as shifty eyed, vain, narcissistic, and a guy you wouldn’t want to split a pizza with. He would certainly ask you, “Where’s your pizza?” A real junkyard dog of a friend.

Here's your choices. Either Mr. Plunder or Mr. Blunder.

So here’s how it boils down. You have one Republican candidate who is snarky, snippy, not accountable and wants to be president just because. Because he thinks the other guy, President Obama, shouldn’t be president. It’s that simple. “I want it because I want it!”

The other Republican candidate is one of those nebulous guys who wants it both ways. He wants to be Right and he wants to be in the middle. All at the same time. Seemingly being a revolving flip-flop. Something likes a stern-wheeler paddle riverboat. Swish swash. In and out and in and out of the political waters. But you have to admit, he has nice hair.

Now, Newt Gingrich can easily be characterized as the big “ Government Eraser.” All he wants to do is get rid of everything Obama ever had done while in office. Erase all Obama’s executive orders. Zip. Swoosh! Gone. Off the page. Just like that.

However if you ask Gingrich what he wants to do for the American people, he wants to colonize the Moon. Certainly a worthwhile endeavor. Simply speaking, a hundred billion dollar project to begin with. “Oh, we’ll borrow the money of course.”

Then there’s Mit Romney. Not sure what he will do if elected president. He changes his mind so much it’s hard to say what will be the outcome of his presidency. However, what he is good at is attack ads. He can build a business producing attack ads against anything that he opposes. For example, attack ads against not having a pipeline down the middle of the USA. “Nebraska is evil in not wanting a pipeline!” Clean air and water is ruining America.” “Obamacare will kill you!” “Let congress be dammed.”

So these are the two guys the Republican party want to wish upon us. Doctor Strangelove and Flapjack Mr. Goodhair. Newt or Mit. The two man havoc reeking crew.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Wooden-headedness. Curtis Payne, Tulsa. The letter by Mack M. Braly ("Benighted heathens," Jan. 21) goes a long way in explaining why there are so many uninformed voters. The writer only wants to have his opinions reinforced and isn't at all interested in reading a point of view that he does not share. That I believe goes a long way in explaining the current political landscape in Oklahoma. That is why I am thankful to see a conservative-owned paper allowing both a liberal and conservative point of view be represented. As one writer put it: "Disagreement shakes us out of our slumbers and forces us to see our own point of view through contrast with another person who does not share it. Having a paper that is willing to represent more than the majority view in an area should be considered a good thing, but apparently Braly would prefer to remain blind and scared of having his opinions challenged by others who don't agree with him. Braly's condition is symptomatic of "woodenheadedness" and far too many Tulsans and Oklahomans suffer from it, not to mention the rest of the country. Nor is it a very good prescription for providing uninformed citizens with the knowledge to retain our representative form of democracy. I recall a quote by Gen. George Patton that is applicable: "If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking. Unfortunately that is apparently what this letter-writer strives for. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com..

Now that we see the light at the end of the tunnel,...

Assuming a Republican candidate makes it to the Whitehouse, then what. As promised, they will do the following:
Repeal Obamacare. Huge tax cuts for the rich. Buy unnecessary military hardware. Beef up military spending and personnel. Open up all oceans and land for oil and gas drilling. Build more coal-fired power plants. Build a thousand mile pipeline from Canada to Houston. Get rid of all business and financial regulations. Run off all undocumented Hispanics. Over turn Rowe Vs Wade. Criminalize abortion. Stop birth control. Stop funding schools, police departments, fire departments, the TSA, etc. Close down the Department of Energy, Department of Education, the EPA, and the list of Nos is endless. Finally, drown the federal government in a bathtub.

So when all the above and more is done, then what? What will the Republicans do for we the people? How will they make healthcare more affordable? How will the Republicans educate America? What long-term jobs will the Republicans provide or encourage? How will they clean up the polluted air and water? What will we Americans do without Medicare or Social Security?

Tell me, what benefit do the Republicans bring to the American table? Are Republicans alone good for America? What will happen to fair compromise with the other side? Will right wing religious fervor drive government policy? Will the big corporations run Washington DC?

Voters! I hope you are paying attention. Our future is at risk. Turn off talk radio and talk to your neighbors. Read the newspapers. Many issues affecting our country and independence are requiring your consideration. Stand up. Vote smart. Our wonderful and beautiful America is being challenged by money and corruption. Resist. Fight. And, defend the US Constitution. God bless America.

What we need is a pipeline from China sending our jobs back.

So, let’s talk about this Canadian Pipeline thing. What would it provide for we Americans other than an environmental scar down the heartland of Middle America? Speaker Boehner says it’s needed and is shovel-ready. Jobs a plenty. Work for Americans.

Let us first ask what kind of jobs? Will they be long term jobs and provides benefits? Health benefits? Livable wages? Long-term employment? Retirement benefits? Education benefits?

One could easily surmise that the answer is no. Employment would be short term. Only a quick fix for employment and then more unemployment. Along with no benefits. Health or otherwise.

What benefit would we Americans receive for this short-term job creator? Cheaper oil? Cheaper gas? Plentiful supply? Two dollar a gallon gasoline?

Once again, the answer would be no. No fool is going to build a billion dollar pipeline and sell oil and gasoline at a friendly neighbor discount. Without any doubt, the oil will be placed immediately on the global market and most likely shipped off to our Pacific neighbors to the far west. Sometimes called the Far East. Our neighbors otherwise known as China and India.

So do we want America to act as conduit for Canadian crude oil just to be processed and sent abroad? Once again the answer is no.

The bottom line is the major benefit is to the big oil and pipeline owners and it’s shareholders. All we get to do is look at it. An environmental eye sore. Not to mention a potential land oil spill. Creating an enormous blight on the Plaines and prairie of Middle America the Beautiful.

It would be like building a multi-story high-rise hotel on the Colorado River in the middle of the Grand Canyon. Just to provide jobs. We don’t need just jobs. American workers want longevity. Americans want careers. Americans want sustainable living and retirement. Not a pipeline. Ugly freaking eye sore.

The Canadians can send it to Vancouver. They can build it right down the middle of their tulip beds. Pipeline? No thank you!

To no-no-no him is to not love-love-love him.

Inspiring, refocusing, challenging, and getting back to the basics of hard work. That’s the message I got from President Obama’s State of the Union address last night. But, I am afraid the Republican leadership didn’t see it that way.

It’s not that the ‘Publicans’ could challenge all of Obama’s proposals with meaningful house and senate bills but rather the ‘Pubs’ are still in a resisting mode with no substantive legislation as an alternative. Their party motto is still very much “NO!” No serves them well. Just sit on it. “Inertia are us.”

“Yes we can” makes the Republicans look bad. Very bad. Disallowing any legislation that gives Obama a positive appearance is bad for Republican candidates. Republicans must keep Obama at bay until the general election in November. No matter how beneficial legislation could be for America. It’s most advantageous for Republicans to put on the legislative breaks. Resist. Say no. It’s like telling an old granny woman she can’t vote because she has no ID. Democracy being turned away to advantage the FEW.

So, in the mean time nothing gets done. Good legislation goes wanting. Congress is thwarting good government only to defeat Obama and put a Republican in the Whitehouse. Wanting to regain control for control sake only. All at the expense of the greater good. Greater good be dammed should be the Republican motto. “One percent are us!”

But anyway, Obama will have to keep the heat on. Hold congress’s feet to the legislative fire. Get it done! Done now! I and others want to hear bully bully bully from the presidential pulpit. Obama! Get it done!

"All I know is what I read in the papers." Will Rogers

What it all comes down to is we the voters. How do we make reasonable and intelligent choices? How to choose a candidate that will best represent our country as President. Certainly not an easy task.

It is not easy to choose because of all the shouting and peripheral partisan noise. Bellicose politicians blowing hard, Pundits spinning, Talk Radio bloviating, Electronic media sound biting, etc. Often misrepresenting, distorting, and prevaricating. Leaving a heavy shroud of media smog. A heavy haze keeping we the voters from finding the truth. Certainly a roadblock on the way to finding honest answers.

In order to find truth and honesty, I suggest to first turn off the TV and radio. Then go to the newsstand and buy a respected newspaper. A newspaper with professional trained journalists. People who have spent years in learning unbiased journalism. To read such is to take out all the hype and hoopla. Just down to earth journalism. Plane and simple. “Just the facts ma’me.” Read it all for yourself.

Yes, it does take a little more of your time but it’s well worth it. Reading the newspaper cuts out the middleman. You know, the spinners, the political handlers, the tabloid sensationalists, and the image hyperbolist. And once you have read what you need to know; well, you’ll feel much better. Much better a about yourself and your favorite candidate. Go read’em bubba!

It's more like an "Alter Call" by special interests

“You can have all this you see before you,” the devil told Jesus. “All I need is for you to bow down and worship me,” Satan commanded. Certainly an episode from the “Great Temptation” during Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness.

An event where the devil wanted Jesus to compromise his principles and deny God. Unfortunately, a model followed by many of today’s political leaders. In modern terms it’s called selling out to special interests. Mostly followed by Republican politicians. And, to be fair, a few Democrats as well.

What I am getting at is what is the Republican leadership thinking? Who are these candidates they are presenting to us the American voters. All have moral and ethical questions about their past. Most of whom represent the antithesis of what Jesus taught. Selflessness, service to others, giving rather than receiving, giving to the poor, healing the sick, humility, patients, forgiveness, etc. Republican candidates who obviously have a large void in the Christian obligation department.

Either stop calling them Christian or they should start acting and talking like one. We need moral leadership as well as a caring for the American people. Stop the bloviating and create government that helps and serves the people. Not a government that serves big money and oil interests.

Surely there must be a person, man or woman, who has good moral standards and has American’s best interest in mind. A person the Republican Party would be proud to be presented as a good and ethical Presidential candidate. The remaining field of Republican candidates are just too extreme. Too sold out to special interests. Too much the opposite of Christianity. And, too bad. The Republicans will lose big time. How sad.

Believe it or not! I'd rather not!

Isn’t that something? The Republicans in South Carolina would prefer a presidential candidate known for his debauchery and low in personal and professional ethics. Rather they would prefer a person twice divorced, having left his former wives in various stages of disability and disease instead. Perhaps following the footsteps of Al Capone and the Unabomber. No conscience or accountability. Self-important would be a gross understatement.

Certainly I can’t be the only one on earth to see this moral puzzlement. Are those South Carolinians living without the benefit of TV or Twitter? Is partisanship in that state so compelling that truth is trumped by “Do as I say and not as I do?” Holy Moly!

Furthermore, are these Carolinians cavemen and women? Are they worshiping the god of “Shoot first and ask questions later?” Is South Carolina really part of the United States? They seem more like members of the old Confederacy to me. Oh my. Forgive them for they know not what they do. God Bless America.

I thought he would never figure it out

Well it’s about time. It certainly took him long enough to read the handwriting on the wall. Time to leave. However, it was like Clarabell the clown leaving the Howdy Doody Show. One more goofus down and four to go.

And, if you hadn’t heard, Rick Perry took is traveling sideshow back to Texas. Back where he belongs. The real question here is, how did he manage to leave Texas in the first place? For sure a “Not Ready for Prime Time” politician. More like an Amway salesman pushing expensive soap. Self-serving and a bit obnoxious.

Why would anybody with limited knowledge try to promote himself as a worthy presidential candidate. Can he not tell smart from stupid? Well, I guess, “stupid is as stupid does,” as Forrest Gump might have said.

Well, lets be fair here. Perry is not really stupid. He’s an ignoramus. But, willfully so. Ignoring truth and fact to achieve his own end. Something like Veto Corelone in the movie Godfather. Only wanting to hear about all the money coming in. But, not wanting to know how many people were killed in the process of collecting bad money. Well not quite that bad. But you get my point. Perry is a big ignoramus nonetheless.

Bottom line is, we are all better off for his leaving. No more trying to explain his embarrassing gaffs to our smarter European cousins. There is just no reasonable excuse for his lowbrow enculturation. On second thought, he really is stupid.