$65 Bad Review

So, my silly wife signed up for requisite Sky fitness membership.  It cost her $39, plus $65 per month.  Because it was less than quarter mile from our house, we walked, to Sky, and then back home.  After a while, we just kept walking and really didn't need the membership anymore.

So, she decides to cancel her membership after a month.  First, Sky calls demanding payment after her cancellation.  Then, we got a letter threatening to tack on fees for chargebacks and threatening to ruin our credit rating.  

We finally WALKED to Sky to demand explanation.  They still insisted on the $65 payment.  I kindly and assertively asked the payment be waived in exchange for not writing this bad review.  They still insisted on payment.  F.A.I.L.

Here ya go, Sky.  $65 bad review.  If ONLY one person decides NOT join Sky or another fitness center scam, $65 is worth it, right?

Why join Sky or another other fitness center scam, when you can walk/bike to the grocery store, to your favorite restaurant, or wherever you go drink?  Work your workout into your daily simple pleasure of leaving that overpriced, over-engineered monstrosity of glass, metal, and rubber, on your driveway.

Yes, admittedly, those TV screens on the stair stepper are nice.  But, how about the simple quiet of walking through your tree-lined neighborhood?  If you can afford Sky, you probably have enough disposable income to afford the mortgage on a Mid-Town or South Tulsa house.

Instead of fighting traffic driving that monstrosity of glass, metal, and rubber on four wheels, why not enjoy walking that two mile round trip to Sprouts?  Hey, how about the simple sublime pleasure of biking to Braum's for frozen yogart?  Coffee and bagettes at Panera after a quick jog, without driving, anyone?

Think about how totally STUPID to drive just to go to the spinning class at Sky.

The REAL problem in the Great Tulsa Sidewalk Controversy

Nobody wants to admit the REAL problem in the conflict between Tulsa hipster walktavists and Maple Ridge is George Kaiser FF Gathering Place.  It is simply an over-the-top, New York City white elephant being shoved up a Tulsa crack.

Michael J. Sanditen, one of Tulsa's esteemed real estate developers, noted, "$3 million per acre of runaway development."

Tulsa is obviously not New York City.  They get around town, by walking, biking, or transit.  There's only ONE real convenient, comfortable way for Tulsans to get around, the car.  Tulsa simply has NO infrastructure to support the Gathering Place.

The Gathering Place is a ridiculous, enormous traffic generator, sure to convert Maple Ridge into a perpetual motor vehicle parking lot.  Such a waste of $350 million, which could have been simply gifted to Tulsa Transit.

How the police can beat the protests, without really trying

Meanwhile over at PoliceOne, "Everyone is just demonizing the police. But police follow orders and laws. Nobody talks about the responsibility of the politicians to explain to the community why quality-of-life enforcement is necessary."

Maybe if the police would lose the weaponry, join the coup to stick it to stupid politicians and laws? 

Who Polices the Police?

The Justice Department investigated five police departments.  Results are unsurprising to anyone who has kept up with Tulsa's own history.

When to Shoot the Police

Indiana has had a state statute since 2012 describing scenarios when to shoot the police:

(i) A person is justified in using reasonable force against a public servant if the person reasonably believes the force is necessary to:

(1) protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force;

(2) prevent or terminate the public servant’s unlawful entry of or attack on the person’s dwelling, curtilage, or occupied motor vehicle; or

(3) prevent or terminate the public servant’s unlawful trespass on or criminal interference with property lawfully in the person’s possession, lawfully in possession of a member of the person’s immediate family, or belonging to a person whose property the person has authority to protect.

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/state-passes-law-legalize-self-defense-police/#KlUco2JUm6otpGp7.99

When NOT to shoot the police:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/radley-balko/myths-and-misconceptions-_b_1596846.html

Citizen Tay Calls for Tulsa Christmas Parade Cancellation

To the Tulsa Christmas Parade organizers:

We can't breathe.  And, we are asking you to cancel this year's parade, in a show of respect and solidarity with the truly neediest of America's criminal injustice system.  We are also asking Tulsa Police to stand down, in a show of cooperation and community unity.

Have some guts to show the world you care for the most vulnerable among us this Christmas. How can we celebrate Christian values, knowing there are two Christmases, one white, another black?

The Eric Garner police chokehold homicide clearly shows the true plight of two Americas.  We ask you to show some modicum of humanity for this gross injustice toward your fellow American.

This is not just a black problem, or a brown problem, or a Native American problem.  It's an American tragedy.

Please consider our NON-violent request.  Until ALL Americans enjoy the same rights, the same justice, no one will enjoy the same Christmas.  In the grand words of JFK, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

Thank you.

What He Said

Citizen Tay Calls for TPD Body Cams

"Trust, but verify."  ~~~Ronald Reagan.

In the aftermath of so many police shooting tragedies, can it be any more obvious the time for body cams on all police officers who come in contact with the public has arrived?

POTUS44 is asking Congress for $263 million for police body cams.

Call, email, or write Representative Jim Bridenstine.

I am calling for the Tulsa City Council Resolution Requiring Body Cameras on All Tulsa Police Officers Who Come in Contact with the Public.

UPDATE:  Obviously, the Eric Garner police chokehold murder case proved body cams is just ONE small piece of a more far-reaching effort to restore trust in TPD.  Maybe Tulsa City Council should keep quiet about Shannon Kepler's pension too?

How to do Police Accountability, Without Really Trying

In almost every city across the US, tax dollars are used to cover the damages and settlements from lawsuits filed against their police departments due to officer misconduct. Taxpayers in essence pay out massive amounts in damages for officers not doing their job properly. Additionally, the cost is compounded because taxpayers are forced to continue paying the salaries of these criminal cops.

City officials don’t have the guts to hold officers accountable for their actions. So a new approach is necessary to hold rogue officers responsible for their conduct.

Just like doctors have to carry malpractice insurance, police officers should be required to carry professional liability insurance as a condition of employment.

How this can be achieved is through an amendment to the city charter itself.

Read more at Free Thought Project.

What is City Council Covering Up?

So, at the 20 November Council meeting, I raised the issue of the G.T. Bynum conflict of interest scam, on Agenda Item 8A.  City Attorney O'Melia tried to shut me up.  Good grief, if there's really no conflict of interest, why didn't he just simply let me make a total fool out of myself?

Bynum called me out, claiming I'm trying to trash his reputation.  He claims the Ethics Commission has looked into this issue.  So, why is he the only one pitching the claim?  From America's favorite Republican, trust, but verify.

Good grief, if there's nothing wrong about an elected City official pinch hitting for the other team for six figures, why even bother to get totally bent out of shape?

For now, I leave this issue to other more intelligent genius rocket scientists to follow up.  I doubt I will be the last to bring this up.  What is City Council covering up?

Did POTUS44 Just Gifted InhofePOTUS2016?

POTUS44 just picked his own successor, Jim Inhofe?  Nooooooooooooooo waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.  Can't possibly be true.

Jeff Stava Wants Mo' Buses to Gathering Place. Heads in Maple Ridge EXPLODE!

According to Tulsa World, Jeff Stava is on the warpath to get more buses to Gathering Place.  Good luck with THAT!  Seriously.

Maple Ridge riots in 5....4....3.....

How To Do Water in the River, Without Extorting Taxpayers

If all the Tulsa voters who plan to vote for the upcoming $500 million River Tax would simply donate $500, every year, for the next five years, they would have water in the River.

Donors could claim a tax deduction, like George Kaiser.  Voluntary donation, instead of taxpayer extortion.

If water in the River is such a great idea, why extort taxpayers?

Source:  http://libertyontap.org/2014/11/06/meeting-our-needs-without-violence/

15.7% Saw Right Through the G.T. Bynum Conflict of Interest SCAM!

Holy M.A.C.K.E.R.E.L.  I voted for myself, only to avoid a big fat goose egg next to my name on the ballot for the snickering enjoyment of millions and billions.  Instead, 15.7% of all you people in District 9, ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE of you out there, stayed with Tay, on a cold, wet, rainy day.  THAT said ALOT.

District 9 totally blew away the turnout numbers, almost 13,000.  We are engaged in the political process.  For 1,961 voters to reject the Bynum agenda, is even MORE impressive.

I want to believe the support as a significant rejection of putting lipstick on the pig, aka water in the River.  If elected, I would have DISBANDED the Arkansas River Development Task Force, to put the water where it would have made the difference, 6th Street Canal.

If anyone still want water in the River, I would have established a tax-deductible City account to accept donations.  If water in the River is such a great idea, why extort taxpayers?  Instead of tax burden, tax deduction.

I want to believe that you saw through the obvious conflict of interest issues of an ELECTED Tulsa City Councilor, making enough to pay the mortgage on a $400,000 Mid-Town house, by working as a federal lobbyist on behalf of Cities of Bartlesville, Claremore, Miami, OK, and Miami, FL.

To put it bluntly, for every federal dollar going to those cities, Councilor Bynum's clients, is one LESS dollar coming into Tulsa.  That is the reason why Bynum is pushing hard for the upcoming $500 million River Tax.  Again, who does G.T. Bynum really work for?

Maybe all of you simply have a sense of humor?

First day in Urban Economic Development Committee, I would have INSISTED on the City Council Resolution Repealing the Off-Street Parking Requirement, Tulsa Ordinance Title 42, Section 1300.  This action would have allowed the market/developers to decide how much parking for their properties, what type of parking, NOT ridiculous, outdated, arbitrary government numbers I.N.F.R.I.N.G.I.N.G. on private property.

Of course, I would have taken a victory lap on the Broken Arrow Expressway.   Cya in '16!

Michael Bates Endorses River Tax

The only logical conclusion that could be made from this morning's Batesline is Michael Bates actually ENDORSES River Tax.  He's so distracted by my personal conduct.  Good grief, which personal conduct of mine distracts Mr. Bates?  And, is it so egregiously over-the-top as the coming River Tax, asking taxpayers to WASTE $500 million to put lipstick on the pig?

I ask you kind readers, "Who is the REAL village idiot?"

Call for the IMMEDIATE Resignation of Councilor Bynum

For the greater cause of water in the River, I call for the IMMEDIATE resignation of City Councilor G.T. Bynum from either the City Council or Capitol Ventures Government Relations, LLC.

According to Congressional records, Councilor Bynum is partner of Capitol Ventures Government Relations, LLC, a federally registered lobbying firm.

No City Attorney has EVER issued a legal opinion on the $60,000 lobbying fee paid by the City of Bartlesville to Councilor Bynum.  The City of Claremore paid $30,000, from 2013 to 2014.  The City of Miami, FL recently paid $10,000. 

Every federal dollar going to Bartlesville, Claremore, Miami, OK, and, Miami, FL, is one LESS dollar coming to Tulsa.  Councilor Bynum has been responsible for millions from the federal government going to other cities in competition with Tulsa for the same urban development funds.

While those cities are privy to privileged information from the City of Tulsa, neither the other eight Councilors, the Mayor, nor the Tulsa Chamber are privy to privileged business dealings between Councilor Bynum and his clients.

Obviously, Tulsa City Councilor Bynum is doing a great job for the City of Miami, OK.  That City has kept Councilor Bynum on retainer since 2010, paying him $150,000 to date of the most recent reporting.  https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/firmsum.php?id=D000065463&year=2010

In 2010, George Kaiser FF paid $55,000 for Councilor Bynum's services to secure federal funds for the Arkansas Low-Water Dam Development, ahead of Gathering Place.  Obviously, he was unsuccessful in convincing his old boss, Senator Tom Coburn, aka Dr. NO. 

Who Does G.T. Bynum Really Work For?

Suspicions Confirmed

So, Tulsa BizPAC calls me in for a candidate interview.  First, I was surprised why they would even give me a chance to speak directly face-to-face to some of Tulsa's most esteemed business movers and shakers.  Tulsa World wouldn't even talk to me, before endorsing Bynum, even with the white elephant in the room.  After the initial shock, I indulged the situation.

My strategy was to generate some give and take debate on some controversial issues such as water in the River, off-street parking requirements, and form-based codes.  Predictably, QuikTrip's Mike Thornburgh jumped right in.

Some interesting insights and suspicions confirmed:

1)  Kaiser et al won't fund water in the River, without public tax;

2)  Pearl District Association over-reached on form-based code;

3)  I'm once again at least five years ahead of the curve.  Mike Neal likes to drive fast.

Tulsa World Calls Out Bynum

O.U.C.H.  In a pointed editorial, Tulsa World called out Bynum in a politically damaging piece.  Ya think maybe water in da River just got totally slammed dunked for good?  Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  NOT a chance.

G.T. Bynum to Tulsa: Dammit Dammit Dammit!

How did I know to skip the G.T. Bynum Arkansas River Roadshow at the last Dive Bar Town Hall?  Maybe some genius inside source tweeted about a wayward memo no one wanted to talked about?  Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  NOT a chance.  NOT in a million years.

Tulsa World reported the bad news on Friday, 12 September, when EVERYBODY in the know already knew by 25 August.  A few days later, 28 August, Bynum was front and center on the six o'clock news with a perfectly straight face, taking a wishful thinking tour of da River, in front TV cameras.  W.O.W.

If G.T. has been hiding the real costs of the dams, what else is he hiding?

First dam estimate: $185 million;

Second estimate: $300 million;

Above-the-fold Tulsa World tell-all:  P.R.I.C.E.L.E.S.S.

Isaac Rocha's Top Ten Tulsa Ordinances Hit List

A recent Tulsa World article reported Tulsa Young Professionals Chairman Isaac Rocha had quite an "ah-ha" moment regarding Tulsa's laundry list of local ordinances.

Ever since I refused to pay the $15 fine or perform community service, and insisted on going to jail for waving the American flag, while bicycling, 37 TRO 1007, I have been compiling a laundry list of ridiculous city ordinances which really do nothing, except appoint Tulsa Police as nothing more than tax collectors.

If Isaac and TyPros are really serious about making changes, here's the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Tulsa City Ordinances that have overstayed their welcome:

10.  37 TRO 1007 Waving the American flag, while bicycling, criminalized.

9.   37 TRO 622 Bicycling on city streets, criminalized.

8.  27 TRO 1213 Spitting on streets, criminalized.

7.  27 TRO 1205 Dancing on streets, criminalized.

6.  27 TRO 1405 Cussing, criminalized.

5.  37 TRO 1104 Walking on the wrong side of the streets, criminalized.

4.  37 TRO 1102 Jaywalking, criminalized.

3.  27 TRO 500  Catch-all criminalizing the First Amendment.

2.  37 TRO 606 Disobedience to arbitrary dangerous traffic control devices, criminalized.

1.  42 TRO 1300 Not enough off-street parking, criminalized.