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July 1, 2009

BENCH SITTIN' — Random thoughts at midweek

By Randy Cowling, Managing Editor

July 1, 2009 — Life is never boring. Much like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a few minutes and everything will be different.

As a midweek reflection, look at some of the stories that kept everyone entertained over the past several days.

The frequency of these changes may be challenging the 24/7 news outlets and overloading the latest social media tools like Twitter and Facebook.

Busting technology...Last week when the news began dripping out about the death of Michael Jackson, Twitter, even the Internet itself, was nearing capacity.

Much like when on a 105 degree day everyone turns on their air conditioning, Jackson devotees either look to the Internet for news or sent their information to others. Enough of Jackson.

Airing family laundry...In my family there was one thing we were taught not to do — tell friends about the inner woes of our family. What happened inside our house was supposed to stay inside. When South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford stepped up to the row of microphones last week no one knew how bad it was going to get. He told of his affair and tryst with an Argentine woman. He did not resign.

This week he sat down with an Associated Press reporter and gave an interview that sounded more like an intense counseling session, where he poured out his feelings. All was captured on tape and now everyone knows who his “soul mate” is. Please Mark, step off the stage and resign. Surely, you can relocate to Argentina.

Election finally over...On Tuesday the Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously determined that Al Franken won Minnesota’s election for U.S. Senator by 324 votes over incumbent Norm Coleman. Norm had forced recounts and chased his hopes to return to Washington D. C. all the way to Minnesota’s top court. Thankfully, he has chosen not to seek relief from the U.S. Supreme Court. Franken will raise the number of Democrats in the Senate to 60. The filibuster-proof President Obama has been hoping for as health care reform and green energy legislation are considered in the Senate.

Now we get to watch how former Saturday Night Live actor Franken interacts with our own Sen. Jim Inhofe, who in a throw-a-way line this week called Minnesota’s newest junior senator-to-be a clown. Sen. Franken meet Sen. Inhofe. Wouldn’t you like to be fly on the wall when that happens?

Pajama Party...Nothing like being rousted out of your bed and flown out of the country without any time to put on some traveling clothes. That’s exactly what happened to Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.

In a coup supported by the Honduran Supreme Court and its military, Zelaya was ousted the day before voters were to go to the polls and possibly allow him to seek another term as president.

Honduran citizens now have an interim leader Roberto Micheletti, who has imposed a curfew restricting movement from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Doesn’t sound good for Zelaya.

This governmental change has also impacted many U.S. church groups who were set to send mission teams to work with churches and hospitals. President Obama wants Zelaya reinstated, but that’s likely not to happen. Zelaya’s term expires on Jan. 27.

He’s a goner, literally he’s out of the country. He was able to find appropriate clothes.

It’s midweek and we can all look forward to the ever changing events around the globe.

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