Published: September 03, 2008 11:14 am            

Politics, politicians, clowns

Oklahoma’s governor, along with OU President Boren, leaped on the Obama band wagon when the majority of Oklahomans didn’t. This is apparently the governor’s method of representing the people of Oklahoma and President Boren’s way of following state laws prohibiting state employees from participating in politics.

Now our governor has determined he is the ultimate authority on justice, the courts, the juries and in fact the entire Oklahoma court system. To override the decision of the court is a serious matter; Henry didn’t sit through the trial. He didn’t hear testimony. He didn’t watch 12 citizens struggling with their decision.

The governor reviewed court records and yielded to an attorney who insisted the punishment was too harsh for the crime. That’s what attorneys are paid to do. Just dream something up and go for it.

I suspect there is not one member of the dead man’s family who would agree the death penalty was too harsh for the crime. In fact, I doubt Henry would have made the same decision had the murdered person been among his family members.

No, the governor’s decision to keep the guilty person in prison the remainder of his life instead of ending his life, as the court ordered, wasn’t that hard. It was made in a completely different environment. Family members of the victim were not looking at him with tears in their eyes. Others who were harmed by the man found guilty of the killing were not starring at the governor with pleading eyes.

Therefore, no longer can we consider Henry a “do nothing” governor. Although he actually made a decision, perhaps with the assistance of other lawyer friends, he is now on record as a decision maker. Maybe he will someday make another decision. If that should occur, let’s hope he gets it right.

The Republicans are forging ahead with their national convention while the Democrats are trying to recover from their demonstrations and late parties. From the dress and actions of many at these conventions, one could easily believe such people should not be allowed to have a part in the operation of our country. These things now serve no real purpose and have become a poor quality carnival sideshow but with many more participants in costume. Shouldn’t political conventions be carried out with serious debate?

After all, the goal of both conventions is to select from among their party the most able person to head the most powerful country in the world as well as developing a political platform that sets goals for improving our country. Dressing and acting as clowns should disqualify anyone from being part of what should be a serious undertaking.

Just some things to think about.

Thanks to those serving and those who have served in military services for protecting our freedom.

Ott Johnson is a Perkins writer.

        

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