Oklahoma Independent Media Center

Friday and Saturday, March 7th and 8th
at University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK

Central Oklahoma faith communities and organizations proclaiming that homosexuality is neither sickness nor sin are announcing a two-day "Sexual Identity & Spirituality Conference," to be held March 7 and 8, on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond, OK.

"We support the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of all faith communities, and offer this conference to share scholarly interpretations of scriptures making exactly that point," said Rev. Kathy McCallie of Oklahoma City's Church of the Open Arms, UCC, a conference organizer.

The conference begins on Friday, March 7th, at 7:00 p.m., with a keynote lecture by Dr. Deborah Appler, professor of Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) at Moravian College, in Bethlehem, PA. Appler's lecture will be held in the Liberal Arts Building, on the UCO campus.

Where were you on February 15, 2003? New film looks at modern day Peace Movement.

The Pumpkinhead Production Company in association with DreamHouse Cinema are pleased to announce the release of their documentary DVD, Think Peace: Portrait of a 21st Century Movement. Filmed at the World Peace Forum held in Vancouver, British Columbia from June 23 - 28, 2006 the film examines the make up and direction of the peace movement in the 21st century.

On February 15th, 2003 the largest protest in human history occurred. Millions of people from all seven continents marched down the street of more than 800 cities to show that they did not support the invasion of Iraq. Yet even at the height of its power the movement was not able to stop the war. What went wrong?

Thousands of Signatures Submitted, Campaign Continues

Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform (OBAR) completed its 90-day initiative petition drive today by turning in about 14,000 signatures to the Secretary of State. This was below the 74,117 signatures required, but it demonstrates strong support for expanding the number of choices on the ballot. Oklahoma's restrictive ballot laws resulted in it being the only state limited to just two choices for president in 2004.

“We know Oklahoma voters are ready for more choices. Oklahoma Democrats easily chose from nine presidential candidates in 2004, and Oklahoma Republicans will have eleven choices on Super Tuesday. Because of gerrymandered districts, half of state legislative races had only one candidate in the general election in 2006. Shouldn't Oklahoma voters have at least two or more choices?” said Joni LeViness, OBAR Chair.

Andrew RiceBill would give relief to eligible low- to middle-income Oklahoma taxpayers

OKLAHOMA CITY - State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC) today announced he will revive his legislation to provide tax cuts to Oklahomans who care for and support their aging relatives when the 51st Oklahoma Legislature reconvenes next month.

Rice said he was disappointed that his caretaker’s tax relief plan was omitted from a larger tax reform plan adopted by the legislature last year.

“We found time and resources to cut the state income tax and declare a back-to-school tax holiday for the purchase of clothing and footwear,” he said. “It should not be much harder to help Oklahoma families who elect to care for their aging loved ones.”

Background: OU President (and former OK Democratic Senator) David Boren is hosting a political forum on Monday, 1/7 in Norman which will include Michael Bloomberg, (former Democrat, former Republican, now Independent) mayor of New York City, former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn and other retired politicians. The stated purpose is to promote a centrist, bipartisan political movement. The suspected purpose is to stroke the presidential ambitions of billionaire Bloomberg.

What: Demonstration to End The War and Bring The Troops Home.

Where: OU Campus, Norman, OK - Outside of Catlett Music Center - at Elm & Boyd.

When: Demonstration begins at 10A - 11A
(Bloomberg event 11A - Noon)

Demonstration continues Noon - 1P (depending on how long the event actually goes)

Who: Led by Gold Star Fathers: Warren Henthorn and John Scripsick

The Executive Director should possess strong public relations and public speaking skills along with a cooperative interfaith mindset. The selected candidate will lead the organization; execute public programming and policy, strategic planning and fund development under the direction of the board of directors. The Executive Director must be committed to the achievement of the Interfaith Alliances vision, mission, and goals. The Executive Director has the authority to make day-to-day decisions for the organization and has significant management and oversight responsibility in all aspects of the organization.

This individual should have significant experience in interfaith community relations and be familiar with Tulsa’s community. Below is a job description:

OU Studies Poverty in Oklahoma Schools: Hiring VISTA Researchers

The University of Oklahoma has announced that it will expand its examination of poverty in Oklahoma schools. The Office of the Vice Provost at the University of Oklahoma plans to hire two VISTA research assistants to study the relationship between schools and community poverty in rural and urban areas of Oklahoma. The research aims to identify Oklahoma schools that are having an impact on poverty. The VISTA researchers will apply state-of-the-art community mapping software and will make use of a variety of state and non-profit resources. The VISTA researchers should have some proficiency in Spanish. Some college experience is needed and a bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Below is a copy of the OU VISTA positions announcement.

Oklahoma GI Rights Hotline

GI Rights Hotline - action to inform deploying troops of their rights

Tomorrow, the troops of the Oklahoma National Guard that are being deployed to Iraq will be sent off with a lot of flags, patriotic music, and tears of family and loved ones.

The event will take place in Norman at the Lloyd Noble Center from 2-3pm.

Volunteers and supporters of the Oklahoma GI Rights Hotline plan to be outside the event as attendees arrive, to respectfully offer our help for those who do not want to go.

SCHIP Veto Override flyer for Oklahoma (PDF) Local parents and kids will call on Representatives Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas to vote this Thursday to override President Bush’s veto of children’s health care

As billions are spent In Iraq, Rep. Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas voted with Bush to block health care for 127,000 uninsured kids in Oklahoma.

[Oklahoma City, OK] – On Tuesday, October 16, at 7:00 p.m., local parents and kids will hold a “Vigil to Save Children’s Health Care” in front of the Oklahoma Republican Headquarters. They will urge Representatives Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas to vote this Thursday to override President Bush’s veto of expanded health care coverage for millions of kids, including 58,200 additional kids in Oklahoma. Dan Boren (D) voted against it, but has stated that he will be voting to override Bush’s veto. Hundreds of events are happening around the nation, including a rally that will take place the next day, October 17th, at 12 noon on the State Capitol South Steps to Override the SCHIP Veto.
(Continued)