Oklahoma Observer

Arnold Hamilton, editor of The Oklahoma Observer, published an excellent article last week about the lack of interest among legislators to become part of a No Gifts List.

The list, which was created by Common Cause Oklahoma, allows legislators to vow they won’t accept gifts from people trying to influence legislation. So far, according to Hamilton’s article, only two legislators have signed up. They are state Rep. Jason Murphey, a Guthrie Republican, and state Sen. Andrew Rice, an Oklahoma City Democrat.

In his article, Hamilton asks: “Where is everybody else?”

Hamilton writes:

The truth is, the No Gifts List doesn’t set well with many legislators who don’t want attention drawn to the fact they enjoy being wined, dined and otherwise feted by state government’s army of special interest professionals.

According to the Common Cause Oklahoma website, another legislator has since joined the No Gifts List. The legislator is state Rep. Charles Key, an Oklahoma City Republican.

The No Gifts List urges legislators to accept this pledge:

I will allow Common Cause Oklahoma, a nonpartisan, good government group to post my name on a “No Gifts List,” on Common Cause Oklahoma’s website. My name on this list provides a way by which I and lobbyists can establish a public relationship based on professionalism and end constituent perceptions that Oklahoma public officials and lobbyists engage in an inappropriate game of quid pro-quo. By allowing Common Cause Oklahoma to post my name to the “No Gifts List,” I’m showing my commitment to good government and my high concern for ethics.

Read Hamilton’s insightful article, “Leveling The Playing Field,” on the issue. The Oklahoma Observer continues to offer intelligent, progressive commentary and articles. Hamilton took over the leadership of the publication from Frosty Troy, the journal’s longtime editor. Here is the journal’s subscription information.

(State Rep. Sally Kern continues to push her religious agenda. Read DocHoc's article "Prayers instead of poems" in this week's issue of the Oklahoma Gazette, the state's best alternative publication.)

The Oklahoma Observer is increasing its web presence, and that’s great post-election news for liberals in Oklahoma.

Arnold Hamilton, who appears in the YouTube video on the right, and his wife, Beverly, now operate the journal, which is an important Oklahoma institution. They took over the publication from legendary Frosty Troy and his late wife, Helen. Troy still writes for The Observer.

Progressive bloggers and writers in the state owe much to Troy, who has relentlessly stood up to the rich and politically powerful in this state. He paved the way. The Observer has been one of the few, consistent liberal voices in Oklahoma for more than three decades. It has provided an extended forum for liberals to discuss state issues outside of Oklahoma’s conservative corporate media. The publication remains influential in the state political scene.

The Observer motto is: “To comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

Hamilton recently announced The Observer was improving its Web site. “In the coming months,” Hamilton writes, “we believe you’ll find it a must-stop on your daily Internet rounds, an indispensable read to stay in the know on Oklahoma government and politics.”

The journal offers subscriptions to both its print and online versions. Check it out.

Helen Troy, longtime publisher of the Oklahoma Observer, died last week.

Troy, who published the political journal for 36 years with her husband, Frosty, was a true Oklahoma legend, providing a voice for progressive writers and thinkers in the state.

This blog and others like it owe much to Troy, who was a progressive trailblazer in an ultra conservative state. She created and maintained a forum for the most intelligent commentary in Oklahoma. As The Daily Oklahoman became increasingly irrational and extremist on its right-wing editorial page over the last three decades under the late Edward L. Gaylord, Troy and her husband provided an alternative and truthful depiction of Oklahoma politics and culture.

The Observer, now published by Arnold and Beverly Hamilton, is still a blue oasis in a very red state and that is because the Troys worked tirelessly for truth and justice for 36 years. What they gave to Oklahoma and continue to give—Frosty still writes for the publication—is inestimable. They helped the marginalized, the poor. They stood up relentlessly for teachers, who are always under attack by the state’s anti-intellectual, right-wing politicians. They were the conscience of Oklahoma. They were brave.

As the world and Oklahoma became more corporate-influenced and shallow, the Observer spoke out for humanity and reality, and it still does. The journal’s motto is “To comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Under Troy’s guidance, the journal did so with style and wit, with a moral center that was inclusive and compassionate.

Long after the current slew of rich, self-important Oklahoma oil barons and business executives are dead and forgotten, Troy’s legacy will live on. It is a legacy, a history and a life that will never be forgotten here. Troy’s work remains immortal.

Laurel: To Helen Troy for making Oklahoma a better place to live, for inspiring us to live meaningful lives.