CULTURE SHIFT
Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth
By R. Albert Mohler Jr.

A review by Steve Fair

Written in 2008 by Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, this little book is a must read. Mohler is a devout Calvinist (believes God is really God) and Culture Shift reflects that view. The twenty chapters are insightful and thought provoking. EVERY AMERICAN BELIEVER SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. It is not a quick read or an easy read, but Mohler confronts the issues of our day with a worldview that challenges believers. Here is a chapter-by-chapter outline/recap of the book:

CHAPTER 1- Christian Faith & Politics
Citing Augustine’s City of God, Mohler encourages the reader/believer to engage the culture with a ‘love for their neighbor.’

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CHAPTER 2- Christian Morality & Public Law
Mohler offers examples of America’s being more ‘secular.’ Quoting Robert Audi, a liberal philosophy professor from Nebraska, Mohler lists Audi’s three principles of ‘civic virtue in a liberal democracy.’ They are:
(1) Secular Relational- no law should be passed that is not totally secular.
(2) Secular Motivation- those who got involved in public policy must have purely secular motives.
(3) Ecclesiastical Political Neutrality- church/individuals should not use religious motivation to press for laws or public policies that restrict human conduct.

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CHAPTER 3- Christian Morality & Public Law- 3 secular Myths
Mohler counters Audi’s points with three myths about secularism. The myths are:
(1) The myth of the secular state- one cannot be genuinely secular and indifferent to the existence of God.
(2) The myth of a secular argument- debating morality from a purely secular position is impossible.
(3) The myth of secular motivation- no person can separate themselves from their own motivations.
Mohler uses well-known liberal Peter Singers statements about infanticide- ‘infants are not worthy of protection until they have the ability to relate and to use language.’

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CHAPTER 4- Christian Morality & Public Law- 5 thesis
(1) A liberal democracy must allow all participants in the debate to speak and argue from whatever worldviews or convictions they possess.
(2) Citizens participating in public debate over law and public policy should declare the convictional basis for their arguments.
(3) A liberal democracy must accept limits on secular discourse even as it recognizes limits on religious discourse.
(4) A liberal democracy must acknowledge the commingling of religious and secular arguments, motivations and outcomes.
(5) A liberal democracy must acknowledge and respect the rights of all citizens, including its self-consciously religious citizens.
The Christian should always conduct themselves in the public square following two principles- (1) Love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind, and (2) Love our neighbor as ourself.
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CHAPTER 5- The Culture of Offendedness
Mohler devotes this chapter to examining the meaning of offended and how our modern society has become easily offended. Offended in the scripture did not mean causing emotional distress or being inconvenienced or neglected. Christians should only be offended in defense of the Gospel.

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CHAPTER 6- The growing Cloud of Confusion
Mohler cites the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court rulings on two 10-commandment monument cases. In one, the monument was deemed to be appropriate (Texas) and in the other it was not (Kentucky). He explores the inconsistency of the rulings.

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CHAPTER 7- All that Terror teaches
What has terror taught us in America? Mohler lists five lessons:
(1) The terror has taught us to accept reality- we live in a dangerous, evil world.
(2) The terror has taught us to distinguish between good and evil. That has forced people to confront their value systems.
(3) We learned either God is in control or we are lost in a cosmos of chaos.
(4) We were reminded the Gospel has enemies.
(5) We learned that spirituality is not substitute for Christian Faith. Mohler says, ‘Spirituality is what is left when authentic Christianity is evacuated from the public square.”

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CHAPTER 8- Torture and the war on Terror
Mohler examines the ethical dilemma some face when confronted with the use of torture to find out information from terrorist. He says, ‘what we must not do is compound the problem of dirty hands by adopting dirty rules.’

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CHAPTER 9- Needed: An exit strategy from public schools
This chapter was the one that got Mohler in trouble with conventional education. He says all Christian believers must had ‘an exit strategy from the public schools in place.’ He quotes John Dewey, the recognized father of American common education and a humanist who said his goal in education was ‘a common faith.’

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CHAPTER 10- The God gene
Do some people have a chemical propensity to worship God and that is their motivation? Mohler dispels that myth in this insightful chapter.

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CHAPTER 11- Are we raising a nation of wimps?
Mohler takes a nostalgic look at how each generation has become softer in America. He says, ‘let’s be thankful for the lessons learned from skinned knees, routine disappointments, and hard work.’

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CHAPTER 12- Hard America- Soft America
Examines Michael Barone’s book of the same name.

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CHAPTER 13- The Post-truth era
Mohler examines lying and how causal lying has invaded America. He says, ‘as a culture, it’s about time we faced the truth about our acceptance of untruthfulness.’

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CHAPTER 14- Is Abortion a Moral Issue?
The debate brewing among the pro-choice crowd is examined.

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CHAPTER 15- Who is afraid of the Fetus?
Mohler cities statistics on how ultrasound has changed the abortion debate. The unborn child is making their own case with their mother from the womb.

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CHAPTER 16- God and the Tsunami: theology in the headlines
Mohler says, ‘Christians must respond to a crisis like this- by weeping with those who weep, praying with fervent faithfulness, offering concrete assistance in Christ’s name, and most importantly by bearing bold witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ- the only way to bring life out of death.’

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CHAPTER 17- God and the Tsunami: a Christian response
(1) A Christian response must affirm the true character and power of God
(2) We must avoid attempting to explain what God has not explained.
(3) We must respond with the love of Christ and the power of the Gospel.

Mourn for those who are mourning

Be at the forefront of relief efforts

Point out this ‘disaster’ is nothing compared to the judgment of God

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CHAPTER 18- Nineveh, New Orleans and the City of Man
Citing Augustine, Mohler examines the response to the Katrina in New Orleans. Augustine said, ‘the earthy city will not be everlasting: for when it is condemned to the final punishment, it will not longer be a city.’ Mohler emphasizes the ‘temporal’ nature of the City of Man.

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CHAPTER 19- Hiroshima and the Burden of History
Confronts the moral dilemma the atomic bomb presented America and the world.

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CHAPTER 20- The Content of our Character-Kings dream and ours

In this chapter, Mohler confronts racism. “Christians must begin with the affirmation that all human beings are equally created in the image of God,” Mohler says.

Weekly Opinion/Editorial

WILL SENATE PRO-LIFERS STAND UP TO THE GUV?
by Steve Fair

Governor Brad Henry vetoed two pro-life bills last week, including one that would require a woman to see an ultrasound of their unborn baby before having an abortion. Henry vetoed similar legislation in 2008, but the Republican led legislature overrode the veto, but the bills were overturned in court because they were “bundled.” Opponents say they are prepared to challenge in court again if the bills becomes law- particularly HB #2780.
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In his veto message Henry said,“This bill was an unconstitutional attempt to insert government into the private lives and decisions of its citizens. State policymakers should never mandate that a citizen be forced to undergo any medical procedure against his or her will, especially when such a procedure could cause physical or mental trauma.” Are you kidding me??? What about the physical and mental trauma forced onto the unborn child by an abortion?
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HB #2780 was authored by State Representative Lisa Billy, (R-Lindsay), and Senator Anthony Sykes, (R-Moore). Sykes, an attorney, said one of the primary reasons for the measure is to provide women with additional information before they have an abortion. When HB #2780 (the ultrasound bill) came up for a vote in the legislature it passed the Senate 35-11 and the House by a margin of 87-7. Because this bill would take effect immediately, ¾ of the legislature must vote to override the Governor’s veto. That means the Senate needs to have 36 votes. Will the conservative Democrats in the Senate vote to override the Governor’s veto? The House seems pretty safe, but the Senate is where the battle will be waged.
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Tony Lauinger of Oklahomans for Life says overturning the veto in the Senate is crucial. Lauinger thinks that Senate Democrats who voted for the bill the first time will be pressured to waffle on the veto vote. Lauinger says "Senate Democrats who voted pro-life will be subjected to intense pro-abortion pressure to switch their votes if the Governor vetoes any of the bills. Thus it is essential that these pro-life Democrats hear from us."
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One who is likely not to vote for the bill is Senator Jim Wilson, (D-Tahlequah). Wilson says, "The Legislature and the Senate are acting like an amateur gynecologist. This is not about abortion. This is about the Bible." Wilson is right about abortion being a biblical issue. The Bible clearly teaches that life begins at conception.
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A passage in what is widely believed to the oldest book in the Bible- Job 10:18, the scripture says, "Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me." This passage shows without a doubt that Job believed he had a spirit inside the womb. This proves that the unborn child is alive. Since "the body without the spirit is dead, " then the spirit is essential to life. The unborn child has a spirit so he has life. What kind of life? Human life, that's easy. If it were a dog, it would be dog's life, since it is a human we are discussing, it would be human life.
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In his book, Culture Shift, Engaging Current Issues, Dr. Albert Mohler talks about the use of ultrasound technology by crisis-pregnancy centers. Mohler says, “The abortion-rights movement has finally met its match. The abortion industry is scared to death of the fetus, knowing that the mere image of a living baby in the womb is the refutation of every argument they can assert and all the coercion they would employ.”
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Mohler contends liberals are scared of the fetus- the unborn child making their case for life from the womb. And it is effective! According to Care Net Pregnancy Centers, 86% of women who see the image of their unborn child before the abortion procedure choose not to go ahead with it.
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Oklahoma is a politically conservative state. According to Sooner Polls, 63% of Oklahomans consider themselves pro-life and over 75% disapprove of abortion. Governor Henry is out of touch with Oklahoma! Senate Democrats better stand up for the unborn by voting to override the Governor’s veto, or they will face the wrath of the voter in November.

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UPDATE

Both the State House and Senate voted to overturn the Governor's veto- the Senate with exactly the number of votes needed- 36, so #2780 will become law immediately.

Weekly Opinion/Editorial

MILITIA TALK IS A SMOKE SCREEN!
by Steve Fair

Monday was the fifteenth anniversary of the Murrah building bombing. Perpetrated by self proclaimed libertarians Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, the bombing forever changed Oklahoma. McVeigh said his motive for the bombing was to ‘send a message to the federal government. “Borrowing a page from US foreign policy, I decided to send a message to a government that was becoming increasingly hostile, by bombing a government building and the government employees within that building who represent that government,” McVeigh said. McVeigh referred to those killed in the bombing as ‘collateral damage,’ but never expressed any remorse for his actions. Collateral damage is that which is unintended or incidental to the intended outcome. McVeigh was supposedly flirting with radical ‘militia’ groups before the bombing.

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What is a militia? Webster defines a militia as “A military organization composed of citizens enrolled and trained for service in times of a national emergency.” Sounds a little like the National Guard, doesn’t it?

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Which brings us to the ‘militia’ talk that has been in the news recently. During the April 15th rallies across Oklahoma some Tea party movement leaders said they had discussed the idea to form volunteer militias with some Oklahoma lawmakers. Al Gerhart, who heads up Sooner Tea Party said the very thought of forming militias was scary. “But when do states start doing something to stop the federal government from rolling over them?” Gerhart asked.

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Two Republican lawmakers were quoted in an Associated Press article of being supportive of the volunteer militia proposal. State Senator Randy Brogdon, (R-Owasso), a candidate for the GOP nomination for Governor and State Representative Charles Key, (R-OKC), both say they were misquoted in the AP article.

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Brogdon says his comments were taken out of context. "Specifically, historical speculation about the frame of mind of the Founding Fathers as they wrote the Constitution was reported as if it were my deeply held belief. Then these misrepresentations were used to distort my true beliefs, while implying that I have violent intentions," Brogdon said in a press release.

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Then on Friday, former President Bill Clinton said that “legitimate” comparisons can be drawn between today's grassroots anger and resentment toward the government (Tea Parties) and the attitude of people prior to the bombing of the Murrah federal building. “Before the bombing occurred, there was a sort of fever,” Clinton recalled. “The fabric of American life had been unraveling.” “What we learned from Oklahoma City is not that we should gag each other or that we should hold less passion for the positions we hold, but that our words really do matter. There is this vast echo chamber, and the words fall on the serious and delirious alike,” the former president warned. “Have at it. Go fight. Do whatever you want. You don’t have to be nice. But be careful with what you say and do not advocate violence.”

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First, the Oklahoma legislature doesn’t need to authorize state sanctioned militias. We have the Oklahoma National Guard and don’t need paramilitary groups to supplement their responsibilities. If Oklahoma gets to the point that we need to form militias to protect ourselves from the federal government, we should secede from the union and start our own country.
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Second, President Clinton should not have used the OKC bombing as a political football. To imply that people who publicly protest the growth of government by attending a Tea Party are of the same mindset as Tim McVeigh is despicable. Tea Partiers are not wild eyed radicals who want to blow up federal buildings (like Bill Ayers).

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According to CNN, 31% of the movement is from the south, 29% from the Midwest, 28% in the west and 13% in the northeast. Is tea-party support gained mainly from the elderly? No. And that’s quite emphatic. By far the largest group represented is 30-49 year olds at 40%. Most Tea Party people are fairly well educated- most have some college. Sixty percent are Republicans, but over a third are Democrats. 80% have never been involved in politics in their life.

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Liberals/Progressives want to try and use this ‘militia’ talk as a smoke screen to get Conservatives to take their eye off the ball. They want to put conservatives on the defensive.
The real issue this year is the unprecedented growth of government. Last year’s federal spending surge was nothing short of historic. The twenty five percent spending increase in one year represented the largest non-war government expansion since the New Deal. The dollar is losing value world wide. America is in danger of losing our AAA credit rating. Those are real issues and that’s why the Tea Partiers are on the street. They recognize America is in trouble fiscally and spiritually and they are fed up. Watch for some real ‘change’ in November.

Weekly Opinion/Editorial

MEXICANS DON’T LIKE WIRE TRANSFER BILL!
by Steve Fair

On Thursday, the Mexican House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution denouncing U.S. states that impose ‘remittance taxes,’ or ones that are currently considering such legislation. They also called upon the Mexican government to take trade measures against those states. Oklahoma was the primary target, with Kansas considering a similar bill. Trade measures would be imposed in states like Oklahoma and Kansas by Mexico as a way to respond and retaliate.
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Mexican Legislators believe that recently passed legislation in Oklahoma to be an “immoral, abusive and harmful” act against immigrants´ rights, according to the resolution sponsored by Congressman Ildefonso Guajardo (PRI-Nuevo Leon). Mexico is the number-one international trade partner of both Oklahoma and Kansas, the foreign market where they export the majority of products and services.

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The reason the Mexicans are upset is that HB 2250, authored by State Representative Randy Terrill, (R-Moore) and Senator Anthony Sykes, (R-Moore) increased fees that people pay to wire money in Oklahoma. The bill imposes a $5 fee plus an additional fee of one percent of the amount over $500 for each funds transfer through any licensed money transmitter.

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In response to the Mexican resolution, Senator Sykes said, “Obviously, we have struck a nerve. No telling how many millions of dollars have been flowing to Mexico out of Oklahoma; a large portion of it, due to narcotics trafficking and illegal aliens who work for cash, pay no taxes, and then send it by wire straight to Mexico. Our state’s new regulations on the wire transfers of money have obviously put a dent in this flow of cash to Mexico, and serve as a great tool for law enforcement to identify those engaged in such activity.”

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Terrill said, "This fee does not cost the legal, law-abiding citizens of the state of Oklahoma one red penny. This represents an attempt by a foreign nation to interfere with the sovereign actions of a U.S. state. We clearly have not only the right, but the responsibility to legislate for the public health, safety, morals and welfare of our citizens-not theirs.”

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And it’s not just the Mexican legislature that has attacked the bill. Critics say the bill violates the Oklahoma State Constitution (SQ 640) by raising taxes without going to vote of the people. They say it will penalize poor people who are the primary ones who use wire transferring. They also claim it will create illegitimate wire transfer businesses to spring up because of the increased costs.

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The real problem with the Mexican legislature and the critic’s argument is this:
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First, as Sykes pointed out a large percentage of the money being wire transferred out of Oklahoma is by ‘illegal’ immigrants. It’s amazing how often some overlook the simple fact these people entered our country illegally. They are lawbreakers. You can criticize our immigration laws, the lack of courage of the federal government to enforce the laws, and our ‘need’ for immigrant labor in various businesses, but the fact remains these immigrants are still here illegally.
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Second, if the criteria for a law to be enacted were their creation would produce no other illegal activities or enterprise, few laws could be written. Crooks always find ways to get around the law. There are plenty of laws on the books that would take care of the ‘illegitimate’ wire transfer businesses that may pop up. People who reason like this are advocates of ‘situational ethics.”
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Third, culturally Mexico is a society that believes bribery and corruption are a part of life. In a USA Today story two years ago, it was reported that Mexicans spent a whopping US$2.58 billion in bribes in 2007, some 42% more than they doled out just two years before. An estimated total of 197 million bribes were paid in 2007- a per capita rate of two per person. BRIBEline, found that 85 percent of bribe demands came from people associated with Mexico's government.

Forty-five percent of total demands came from police, twelve percent from federal government officials and the rest from local officials, the judiciary, and the military or ruling party officials.

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The blatant hypocrisy of the Mexican legislature to condemn Oklahoma for standing up for the rule of law is disingenuous. They and the gringos who are criticizing HB 2520 only want dollars to keep flowing into ‘the city of palaces’ (Mexico) from ‘illegal’ immigrants. Every US state should follow Oklahoma’s lead and pass similar legislation to slow the flow of illegal monies back to Mexico.

SOUTHERN REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
MEMORABLE QUOTES
NEW ORLEANS- APRIL 2010

Mary Matalin- Former advisor to Dick Cheney- introduced Liz Cheney

“The Southern thing is the American thing.”
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Liz Cheney-daughter of former VP Dick Cheney- head of Keep America Safe- http://www.keepamericasafe.com/

“Nothing convinces people of the merits of conservatism more than seeing the alternative in action.”
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JC Watts- former Congressman- head of JC Watts Companies-http://jcwatts.com/

“We don’t need more taxes- we need more taxpayers.”

“We should exercise our first amendment rights and right to peaceful assembly, but we should do it in Christian love.

“The problem in Washington isn’t that we don’t tax too much, but we spend too much.”

“History will be kind to George W. Bush.”
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Newt Gingrich-former Speaker of the House- Head of American Solutions-http://www.americansolutions.com/

“This is the most radical administration in American history.”

“Obama has created a secular socialism machine in Washington that is telling Americans that he doesn’t care what they think- he’s in control.”

Three Assignments for Activists:

(1) Start talking about Obama’s SECULAR SOCIALIST MACHINE
(2) Use Solidarity slogan of 2+2=4 in the 2010 elections
(3) Evolve from the Party of No to the Party of ideas.
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Tony Perkins- Oklahoma native- former Louisiana State Legislator- Head of the Family Research Council- http://www.frc.org/

“One third of American children are growing up with no father in their life.”

A retiring Marine who was retiring from the service was asked why and he said, “When I joined the service, homosexuality was illegal, and then it was optional. I’m getting out before it becomes mandatory.”
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Sarah Palin- former Governor of Alaska- 2008 GOP VP candidate- Head of SarahPac-http://www.sarahpac.com/

“Someone should tell the President that just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”

“What wrong with our being the Party of NO if what Congress does violates the Constitution?”

“Let’s drill Baby drill, not Stall Baby Stall.”

“Our energy independence is directly tied to our national security.”
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Andrew Breitbart- News aggregator-former editor of the Drudge Report- Head of Breitbart.com- http://www.breitbart.com/

“Mainstream media is ‘on the other side.”

“I care more about America than I do about my stinking website.”
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Rick Perry- Governor of Texas

Republicans should be about three things:
(1) Strong Military
(2) Securing our borders
(3) Delivering the mail on time
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TED CRUZ- former Solicitor General of Texas- Candidate for AG, Texas- http://www.tedcruz.org/index.php

4 things Conservatives need to remember:
(1) Stand for principle
(2) Find the right candidates- ones with principle. Backbone, and communication skills
(3) Understand the opposition
(4) Demand Change
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David Vitter- U.S. Senator of Louisiana- Candidate for re-election- http://www.davidvitter.com/site/c.ktJUJ7MNIuE/b.5131285/k.BE82/Home.htm

“Reach out to our tea party brothers and sisters. The tea party movement will be the fuel to supercharge the November elections.”
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Rick Santorum- former U.S. Senator of Pennsylvania

“Conservatism did not fail America- conservatives failed conservatism.”

“America is a melting pot, not a mosaic.”
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Mike Pence- Congressman from Indiana

“I’m a Christian, a conservative and a Republican in that order.”

“Elect a Moral Congress.”
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Haley Barbour- Governor of Mississippi- Chairman of the Republican Governors Association-http://www.rga.org/homepage/

“You mention cutting the budget and that sends cold chills up some politician’s spines- those that have a spine.”

“The main thing is the keep the main thing the main thing.” Fred Smith- Federal Express

“Barrack Obama has worn out three sets of knee pads praying that in 2010, conservatives will be spilt.”
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Herman Kane- former President/CEO of Godfathers-Radio Talk Show Host-http://www.hermancain.org/biography.asp

“No where in the Constitution does it authorize a Department of Happiness."

Three things we need to do to win in November:

(1) Stay connected
(2) Stay Informed
(3) Stay Inspired

“The only way we will take back our country is by education. Give people information and that allows them to connect the dots themselves.”
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Ron Paul- Congressman from Texas

“Elect those who will obey the constitution and we’re be out of this mess in no time.”

“Obama is not a socialist- he is a corporatist.”

“The most dangerous man to government is one who thinks for himself.” Henry Louis Mencken

Weekly Opinion/Editorial

VOTER FRAUD PENALTIES MAY INCREASE!
by Steve Fair

Mickey Mouse, the Disney creation born in 1928, will not be able to register to vote in Oklahoma if a bill by House Speaker Chris Benge, (R-Tulsa) and Senate Pro Temp Glenn Coffee, (R-OKC) gets through the State House and is signed by the Governor. The bill seeks to deter election and voter registration fraud. Senate Bill #1921 passed the Senate by a vote of 33-10 back on March 9th. Last week, the bill passed out of the House Public Safety Committee by a vote of 6-1 and goes to the full House. It is expected to pass the House by a wide margin. It remains to be seen if the Governor will sign the legislation. He vetoed a Voter ID bill back in April 2009.

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SB #1921 would increase the maximum punishment for felony violations of Oklahoma election law from fines of $5,000 to $50,000. It would increase the jail time from two years to five years imprisonment.

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"We have seen in recent years groups inflating the voter registration rolls with the likes of Mickey Mouse to the benefit of certain candidates," said Benge, R-Tulsa. "It is our duty to ensure the people of Oklahoma trust our election outcomes."

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The measure also adds fraudulent use of an absentee and making a false application to an absentee ballot a felony. It would also make it a felony to knowingly collect or submit voter registration forms that contain false information.

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"Clearly the current law was not enough to deter ACORN and groups like it from committing voter fraud. Our hope is that this legislation and stricter penalties will help restore voter confidence in our democratic system," said Rep. Rex Duncan, (R-Sand Spring) who presented the bill in committee. "Free and fair elections are the backbone of our democracy, and it is important that those who would deliberately and purposely sabotage the voting process be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Duncan concluded.

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Oklahoma’s colorful political history is littered with scandals. Most Oklahomans remember the County Commissioner scandal of the 1980s, which had over 200 people indicted/convicted, and the recent McMahan/Stipe/Phipps scandal, but few remember a voter fraud scandal that rocked Oklahoma in the early 80s?

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Back in 1983, then Oklahoma State House Speaker Dan Draper and House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon- both Democrats- were convicted of vote fraud. The convictions were later overturned, but it did force Draper to leave office. Draper and Fitzgibbon were accused of mailing illegal absentee ballots in an effort to get Draper’s dad elected to the legislature.

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Debates over election fraud are not new. They have been a staple of discussions about elections and democracy in the United States for more than a century. But in recent years, issues of fraud and voting integrity have increasingly come to the forefront of public policy discussions over the health of America’s democracy. With the consistently low voter turnout rates and obstacles to citizen participation motivated various efforts to increase voter registration and turnout—efforts that in turn raised questions about voting integrity. Critics of some reforms—such as Oregon starting mail-in voting, the loosening of guidelines for absentee ballot use, and, most notably, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (also known as NVRA or the “motor voter” law)—have charged that these reforms increase the potential for voter fraud. Other frequently proposed reforms, such as Election Day Registration, continue to be criticized on the same grounds. Implemented with the pretense they will make voter registration more convenient, they also make it easier to commit voter fraud.

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Benge and Coffee have the right idea- punish those who cheat in elections by increasing the fines and jail time, but they need to take another run at Voter ID. When he vetoed the ID bill in April, Governor Henry said, “At a time when it is difficult to attract more than half of the registered voters to the polls at any given election, we must make voting easier and more convenient for registered voters, not more difficult and confusing.” How is it confusing for a voter to have to show an ID to vote? It has never been easier to cast your vote. Most elections have early in person absentee balloting which has expanded the hours to vote by twenty hours. Twenty! Mickey Mouse said, “Arithmetic is being able to count up to twenty without taking off your shoes.”

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Walt Disney famously said about his creation, “When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it’s because he’s so human; and that is the secret of his popularity.” But he’s not human and while Mickey may be popular, if Senate bill #1921 gets signed into law, Mr. Mouse won’t be voting in Oklahoma elections because those that got him on the voter rolls will be in jail.