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In yesterday's column at Townhall.com, Ann Coulter declared that Obama "is obviously an atheist." She states, "The only evidence for Obama's Christianity is that he faithfully attended the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Trinity United Church of Christ for 20 years."

Let's get a couple of things straight here. First, that is not the only evidence of Obama's Christianity. In fact, in April of this year Obama spoke at an Easter prayer breakfast on what the Resurrection means to him personally. I seriously doubt that any Christian would argue with his remarks on a theological level.

On Sunday, August 29, OETA featured State Question 744 on the Oklahoma Forum. Peter J. Rudy represented OFRG and others who are against it, while Joel Robison represented OEA and those who are for it.

Robison starts off explaining that while all of the campaign rhetoric of politicians purports that education is a priority in Oklahoma, the statistics tell a different story. He says that Oklahoma is last in our region (and 49th in the country) in per pupil expenditures and 48th in teacher pay. However, he and other supporters of SQ 744 fail to acknowledge that Oklahoma is one of the lowest ranked states on cost of living. While you might make more money teaching in other states, you'll also be spending more.

From the Duncan Banner:

Askins and Fallin both noted that without additional revenue to offset SQ 744, it would cause hardship on other state services, such as law enforcement, and also the military bases. Lamb, Corn, Baressi and Paddack also indicated that with a projected $1 billion plus revenue shortfall, SQ 744 isn’t something that will work at this time. They did all agree that more funding is needed, but not in the manner proposed.

As many of you who read this probably realize, I am VERY STRONGLY against State Question 744. I'm glad to see that both gubernatorial candidates are coming out against it.

From Gawker:

Incredibly popular Internet linkdump Reddit was informed by its corporate parent, Conde Nast, that it could not sell ads supporting Proposition 19, California's marijuana legalization ballot initiative. So Reddit figured out how to preserve its soul and screw Conde, too.

They've decided to simply run the ads for free. 

I like it when startups get feisty!

From the Sunlight Foundation:

Waters, who has been in Congress for more than three decades, routinely sends out mailers endorsing a list of other candidates and ballot initiatives she supports. In the 2010 cycle, she has raised more than $295,550 out of a total of $497,300 through these mailers. And getting on one of her slate mailers doesn’t come cheap—to be featured on the “Citizens for Maxine Waters” slate, candidates pay anywhere between $250 and $45,000.

That ain't right! (I'll bet its more widespread than just this single case.)

A team of Canadian companies plan to debut the Kestrel at the EV 2010 VÉ Conference and Trade Show in Vancouver.

The Kestrel is a modern reincarnation of an idea that Henry Ford successfully developed. (Ford could not deliver due to lobbying efforts by the likes of DuPont and William Randolph Hearst that resulting in prohibition on all cannabis.)

The Kestrel is a hemp car. Yep, it's built from hemp. Ford did this in 1941, but this one is electric. Hemp is stronger and lighter than fiberglass and more cost-effective than carbon fiber.

Unfortunately, we can't build such a car in America thanks to oppressive economic policies (including the focus on shifting to a service economy during the Reagan era).

Here's a YouTube video of Ford's 1941 model:

Congratulations to John Doak on becoming the Republican nominee for Insurance Commissioner!

Supporters of Oklahoma's State Question 744 have a so-called fact-checking site. (They don't deserve an ounce of linkjuice from me.)

I have never seen a political website so full of blatant half-lies. I call them half, because technically they are true, but really they are lies.

For example, the website states that "SQ 744 does not mandate cuts in other state services." Technically they're right, it doesn't mandate cuts in state services. The website also says that "SQ 744 DOES NOT impose or raise any taxes." Once again, technically they're right.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the fee imposed by HB 2437 as an unconstitutional tax today in Holland v. State by a 6-3 margin. The bill violated two provisions of State Question 640 by being passed during the final five days of the legislative session and not receiving support by a three-fourths majority in both chambers.

Too bad the dolts we have elected as our State Representatives and Senators were partly relying on this fee in the flawed state budget. I'm awaiting a full opinion to be published (if there is one) to comment on the teeth this case holds as a precedent to future underhanded attempts by our legislators such as this.

The Oklahoma Watchdog has an article with some comments from the Republican candidates currently engaged in a runoff for the nomination for state Insurance Commissioner.

For those who don't know, Nick's Law is proposed legislation to mandate that insurance companies cover the medical expenses of autistic children. As you have probably figured out, I firmly oppose any government mandate on what insurance companies cover.