Fusion Centers and IBM’s SmarterCity – Big Blue Monopoly

OK-SAFE, Inc. – From Part 5 in a series on Fusion Centers by independent researcher Vicky Davis of Channeling Reality.

BIG BLUE CORPORATION

Fusion Centers – Part 5

THINK

A major step in the march to fascism begins in 1988 with legislation sponsored by then Senator Al Gore to fund the building of a high speed, nationwide “data superhighway” that would allow corporations and researchers at the universities and national laboratories to collaborate in research, product and systems development.  While it might have sounded like a good idea at the time, it was the beginning of the socialization of business costs and the privatization of profits from those public expenditures.   It also set the stage for the corporate takeover of government.   

 

New York Times, December 28, 1988, Sharing the Supercomputers

 

“Officials at the National Science Foundation envision computerized ”collabatories” in which scientists using computer work stations could directly view and control the output of complex machines, such as particle accelerators, wind tunnels, telescopes and nuclear reactors, even though they were thousands of miles from the actual apparatus.”

 

”The infrastructure we will need in the 21st century goes beyond traditional public works projects,” Senator Gore said. ”I envision a national computer network linking academic researchers and industry, using the nation’s vast data banks as the raw material for increasing industrial productivity and creating new products.”

 

”It’s possible that if we simply let a completely self-motivated marketplace develop our data communications infrastructure for the future it will be either inferior to what is being developed in Japan or Europe or owned by companies in Japan and Europe,” said Russell Neuman, a political
scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab.

 

 Read rest of Vicky Davis article here.

 

 

Moore Tornado Disaster Relief Drop off Locations – Updated 4:34 pm

[5/21/13 UPDATE From KFOR in Oklahoma City:  “The medical examiner’s office has confirmed 24 people have been killed in Monday’s Moore tornado; at least 230 have been injured.  Amy Ellis with the medical examiner’s office said of the 24, nine are children. Ellis said in a press conference Tuesday seven of those children were found in the Plaza Towers Elementary School and two more were found elsewhere.”]

OK-SAFE, Inc. – May 21, 2013, the day after a monstrous tornado struck the Moore, OK area, killing an estimated 91 people 24 people, many nine of whom were children.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families who have suffered loss in yesterday’s tornado.  We thank the Lord for all the lives spared.

People are wanting to help.  One way to do so is by helping local churches (Moore, Edmond, and Oklahoma City) who are active in the relief effort.  Local churches are good to support because they know the people and their needs (emotional and physical), and have the means to direct that help where it is needed most.

Partial List of Churches Helping

Here are three local churches helping in the Moore disaster relief effort:

1. First Baptist Church in Moore – 301 NE. 27th Street, Moore, OK. (Right off I-35, just north of where tornado hit).        Phone: 405-793-2600   Pastor: Kevin Clarkson.  Huge parking lot with disaster relief HQ and mobile kitchen set up.
2. Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond – 1230 N. Sooner Rd., Edmond, OK.  Phone: 405-348-1745   Pastor: Paul Blair.  Church will be delivering donations, including financial donations, to First Baptist Church of Moore.
3. Windsor Hills Baptist Church – 5517 NW 23rd, Oklahoma City, OK.  Phone: 405-943-3326.  Pastor: Tom Vineyard.  Church will be collecting items for families from Moore Baptist Temple who lost their homes.  Financial assistance needed.

Initial needs: Bottled water, Gatorade, wipes, diapers, flash lights and batteries, and ready to eat food items.

Other Relief Efforts

News station KFOR in Oklahoma City has a great running list of Tornado Relief drop off sights.  Click on the link below to find a location near to you:

http://kfor.com/2013/05/21/tornado-relief-drop-off-locations-around-metro-okc/

Hit the refresh button to check for updated information.

From the Salvation Army:

Salvation Army Gearing Up to Respond in Moore, OK

May 20, 2013 – 9:18 PM EDT
Christopher Priest
chris_priest@uss.salvationarmy.org
(404) 728-6704

The Salvation Army is currently mobilizing disaster response units to serve hard-hit areas in Central Oklahoma, including Moore and South Oklahoma City. Major Steve Morris, Divisional Commander of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division of The Salvation Army is on the ground in Moore, OK.. In a statement he said “The Salvation Army is calling on everyone to pray for all of those impacted by the devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma.” “Many of these impacted communities will take months or even years to recover. The Salvation Army is committed to being there with them throughout and providing aid wherever it’s needed.” More information will follow.

The Salvation Army is welcoming cash donations that will help provide food, water, ice and other necessities in the initial response. The Salvation Army is also providing emotional and spiritual comfort to those affected.

Donors are encouraged to give online at http://www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”

Oklahomans are known for pulling together in a disaster to help each other.  It looks like this time is no different.  This is a good place to live.

AG Pruitt Asks for Postponement of DEQ Hearing on EPA’s Regional Haze Plan

OK-SAFE, Inc. –  [Update to our earlier post entitled EPA’s Regional Haze Plan Leading to Higher Utilities in Oklahoma .  See that post for details on who to call and email as well as the location for the planned May 20, 2013 DEQ meeting.]

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has written a letter to the OK Department of Environmental Quality, stating, “Without accurate updated cost information from PSO’s revised IRP, it seems unlikely that any economic impact – environmental benefit statement compiled by DEQ would be accurate.”  And, “Based on the above, I respectfully request that DEQ delay the public meeting scheduled for May 20, 2013, and delay a final decision regarding the SIP, until PSO’s amended IRP (integrated resource plan) can be fully vetted in proceedings at the Corporation Commission.“

Calls/emails to the DEQ are still needed. Written comments regarding the proposed revision should be emailed to Ms. Bradley at
Cheryl.Bradley@deq.ok.gov

Text of May 15, 2013 Letter from A.G. Pruitt:

May 15, 2013

Steven A. Thompson

Executive Director

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

707 N. Robinson


P.O. Box 1677


Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677

Re: PSO/EP A Settlement Agreement- Revised State Implementation Plan

Dear Mr. Thompson:

As you are aware, the PSO/EPA settlement plan, upon which the revised State Implementation Plan (“SIP”) is based, required that Public Service Corporation of Oklahoma (“PSO”) decommission one of its coal-fired generation facilities by 2016. The 2012 PSO Integrated Resource Plan (“IRP”) provided for the replacement of only 260 MWs of the 500 MW coal-fired generation plant that is scheduled for closure. A s such, the cost estimates for the SIP settlement plan are premised upon replacement of roughly only one-half of that plant’s capacity and energy. Recently, PSO announced its intention to submit a revised IRP at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to amend its 2012 IRP. The stated purpose of this amended IRP is to include approximately 250 MWs of electric load that will be served by PSO in the 2016 time frame.

Because PSO has added additional load which now requires a revision to the 2012 IRP, the cost information concerning the PSO/EP A settlement plan and, hence, the revised SIP, may be inaccurate to a degree that cannot be determined at this time. A s such, cost assessments that have been conducted in the PSO proceeding at the Corporation Commission and by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) in association with the SIP are based on incomplete and inaccurate data (see revised paragraph 12 in First Amended Regional Haze Agreement). More accurate cost information will be developed after PSO submits its amended IRP in June of this year and includes the entire 500 MWs of needed capacity/energy as opposed to only 260MWs.

In addition, Title 27A O. S. § 1 -1 -206 “Economic Impact- Environmental Benefit Statement” requires a state environmental agency to duly determine the economic impact and environmental benefit of a permanent rule that is more stringent than corresponding federal requirements, unless such stringency is specifically authorized by state statute. It is certainly arguable that the proposed revised SIP for P S O is more stringent than the previously issued E P A FIP.  Without accurate updated cost information from PSO’s revised IRP, it seems unlikely that any economic impact – environmental benefit statement compiled by DEQ would be accurate.

Based on the above, I respectfully request that DEQ delay the public meeting scheduled for May 20, 2013, and delay a final decision regarding the SIP, until PSO’s amended IRP can be fully vetted in proceedings at the Corporation Commission. The 2013 IRP process will yield additional information that will provide the opportunity to ascertain the true cost of the SIP that is required in proceedings at both the Corporation Commission and the DEQ.

Scott Pruitt,

Attorney General

Help Stop Common Core in Oklahoma – Calls Needed!

OK-SAFE, Inc. – By now everyone knows how dangerous the Common Core State Standards are for our children and state education.  (See here, here, here, here, and here.)

Everyone, that is, except OK Governor Mary Fallin, State Superintendent Janet Barresi, and Senator John Ford.

It appears that OK Speaker T.W. Shannon has come out against the Common Core state standards and is willing to run legislation (hopefully this session) to repeal one of the components of this egregious education system.  (HB 1719 may end up being the legislative vehicle for the repeal of the Common Core standards bill, but that has not been confirmed as of this writing.)

Please call your Senator and Representative and tell them you want Common Core repealed in Oklahoma.  Especially, call and email Pro-Tem Brian Bingman and Sen. John Ford and tell them to say YES to the repeal of the Common Core in Oklahoma.

• Senate Pro-Tem Brian Bingman   405-521-5528   Email: bingman@oksenate.gov
• Sen. John Ford                                 405-521-5634  Email: fordj@oksenate.gov

See this important message from ROPE (Restore Oklahoma Public Education), dated 5/16/13:

WE NEED YOUR HELP IMMEDIATELY!

A bill to separate Oklahoma from the Common Core could be coming to a vote in the Senate early next week! Remember the legislature is attempting to be out of session by next Wednesday or Thursday, so now is crunch time! Call and/or email your Senator IMMEDIATELY and ask them to pass ANY bill that comes to the senate that STOPS the Common Core. As you know, our previous bills to stop the Common Core have been prevented from being allowed even a hearing in either the House or Senate Education Committees by Representative Ann Coody and Senator John Ford.

House Speaker T.W. Shannon has now come out against the Common Core setting the tone for the House! Shannon announced Thursday that with just two weeks left in the legislative session he is unveiling a measure to repeal a 2010 law that requires common core to be implemented by Oklahoma school districts.

Please thank him via phone call 405-557-7374,   Email: tw.shannon@okhouse.gov or post to his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/twshannon?ref=ts&fref=ts).

A bill to STOP the Common Core MUST FINALLY GET A HEARING in the Senate.

Please contact the following senators INCLUDING your own! Email, call, do whatever you can to let your voice be heard telling them, “COMMON CORE IS NOT OK!”

A J Griffin                                 405-521-5628  Email: griffin@oksenate.gov

Senator Mike Schulz              405-521-5612  Email: schulz@oksenate.gov

Senator Earl Garrison           405-521-5533   Email: whitep@oksenate.gov

Senator Kim David                405-521-5590   Email: david@oksenate.gov

Senator Greg Treat               405-521-5632   Email: Treat@oksenate.gov

Jenni White

President

Restore Oklahoma Public Education

www.RestoreOkPublicEducation.com

 __________________________________________________________

OK-SAFE Background Information – Linking Education Reform and Health Care Reform

There are no accidents in politics.  While the state of Oklahoma was implementing “ObamaCare” compliant health care reform, (Electronic Health Records, OHIET, etc.), education reform was running on a parallel track, instituted via SB 222 in 2009 (P-20 Data Council) and SB 2033 in 2010 (K-12 Common Core). These bills had the support of Republican leadership.

Think these data systems are to be kept separate?  Look at this diagram describing what the Statewide “Identify as a Service” federated identity management system (federated = single-sign on accesses several systems) would look like.  It clearly links the Department of Education system and the Department of Human Services systems.  (Diagram is from a ppt entitled “Federated ID Management & SICAM in Oklahoma HHS Agencies”, dated July 2011, accessed through OHCA records.)  More information in that power point included linking together other state agencies/systems into one interconnected system.  These agencies have information sharing agreements with agencies and entities outside the state.  Feel better now?

The Common Core “standards” concept came out of the same tech-cesspool as the ObamaCare “standards”.  In both sectors the “standards” have nothing to do with actual education or health care.  They have everything to do with the “standards” that enable these technology systems (i.e. “standardized” computer hardware and software systems technology) to be interoperable.  They are to be interconnected one with another. The standardized, interconnected technology systems are what enable an electronic “cradle-to-grave” (longitudinal) record on every single person.

For an idea of what this means for the people of this state, of this country, see the OK-SAFE image below from our pending power point presentation entitled The Architecture Defines the Policy.

OK-SAFE image

EPA’s Regional Haze Plan Leading to Higher Utilities in OK

OK-SAFE, Inc. -The EPA hates coal.  And it could cost Oklahoma’s PSO customers a 12-15% rate increase unless the public does something about it.

The Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be conducting a public hearing on the EPA’s Regional Haze requirements and PSO’s coal-fired energy plants on Monday, May 20, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the 1st Floor Multipurpose Room of the DEQ headquarters, 707 North Robinson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.  

A brief review of the EPA’s Regional Haze requirements (basically, aiming to end the use of coal-fired energy production and replace it with tax-subsidized “renewables”) shows they tie into the burgeoning Smart Grid scheme. But that’s another story.

See important details below about what you can do to prevent this rate increase in Oklahoma.

Forwarded message:

The unreliable science of Regional Haze mandates being pushed by the EPA and Sierra Club is starting to take hold in our great state of Oklahoma. For some reason the EPA thinks there is too much pollution in NE Oklahoma that hurts the view of the Wichita Wildlife Mountain Refuge….does that make sense, are they trying to fool us to just to impose their liberal agenda?   Attached is a PDF to explain the point even further.

Moreover, in Oklahoma we are in a battle to keep the EPA and Sierra club out of our state and to stop their over-reaching into our pockets.  Even more, these federal mandates have promoted the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to form state regulations concerning regional haze that could affect consumer and business electric rates even more!

The simple fact is that if we as Oklahomans stand back, our rates will go up at least 12% in Public Service Company of Oklahoma territory (PSO-Oklahoma) in 2016 and up and up and up in the years following.  That is HUNDREDS of dollars for each and every Oklahoma family during these tough times – we cannot let unelected bureaucrats raise our rates and take money out of our pockets.

However, you can fight this power-grab by contacting the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality before their May 20th hearing on this topic and telling them you don’t want a rate increase in Oklahoma.

Written comments regarding the proposed revision should be emailed to Ms. Bradley
Cheryl.Bradley@deq.ok.gov

or mailed to:
Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division
P.O. Box 1677
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101-1677
ATTN: Cheryl E. Bradley

Comments may be submitted by fax to the Air Quality Division
ATTN: Cheryl E. Bradley, at (405) 702-4101.

If you would like to attend the hearing, here is the information:
Monday, May 20, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the 1st Floor Multipurpose Room of the DEQ headquarters, 707 North Robinson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

Full details below – following information below:
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/aqdnew/RulesAndPlanning/Regional_Haze_rev2013/Public%20Notice%20RH%20PSO%20Revision%20for%20web%20posting%20Final.pdf

http://newsok.com/epa-haze-plan-raises-costs/article/3692448

Sierra Club on the issue:
http://oklahoma2.sierraclub.org/content/sierra-club-applauds-northeastern-coal-plant-retirement-announcement

OK-SAFE Citizen Involvement Training Class – 5/18/13 in Guthrie, OK

OK-SAFE, Inc. –  Mark your calendar for another OK-SAFE Citizen Involvement in the Legislative Process Training class.

Next Class – Guthrie, OK

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Location: Zion Lutheran Church, 424, E. Warner, Guthrie, OK
Hosts: Arthur and Sheila Briesch
Hosts have asked that attendees email them at heartlandmech@aol.com to reserve a seat at this presentation.

OK-SAFE’s training classes are in-depth, un-sissified working sessions.

Classes are broken up into three parts, starting with the basics for beginners, moving on to how and when to lobby, then to the more advanced subjects of how to read a bill with understanding, understanding political doublespeak, on to who and what is influencing legislation in Oklahoma.

Attendees will come out of this class better informed, more confident in their ability to communicate with elected officials, better able to track and follow legislation, and more informed about the potential impact proposed legislation could have on this state.

These training classes are free and open to the public.  Handouts will be provided; please bring your own notebook computers. A small donation may be asked to offset expenses.

If your group or organization would like to schedule addition training classes please contact OK-SAFE at oksafe@windstream.net.

Hope to see you there.

SB 640 Medicaid Expansion Bill Won’t Be Heard This Session

Ok-SAFE – As evidence that the backlash against the expansion of Medicaid in Oklahoma has been successful, the following three articles have appeared in the Tulsa World.

Of particular note is the announcement today by Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman that SB 640 by Crain/Cox will not be heard this session.  The Crain/Cox bill was attempting to authorize the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to use the existing Insure Oklahoma system to expand Medicaid in the state of Oklahoma.

Follow these links for the complete stories.

Bill to take Medicaid money won’t be heard this year

The bill would main alive for consideration next year.

Published: 5/9/2013
Format: Online

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Insure Oklahoma to lose federal funding unless it conforms to ‘Obamacare’

Federal officials say they won’t continue to help pay for the Insure Oklahoma program unless the state agrees to changes to make it conform with ‘Obamacare.’

Published: 5/9/2013
Format: Newspaper

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Insure Oklahoma program in danger if changes aren’t made, officials say

‘This is the latest bad news in the ongoing train wreck that is the Affordable Care Act,’ Gov. Mary Fallin said in response to a Tuesday letter from the federal director of the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Published: 5/8/2013
Format: Online

Behold a Pale Horse Needs Paul Reveres

OK-SAFE, Inc. – The producers of “one of the best patriot films of all times” have the opportunity to get Behold a Pale Horse – America Aflame into theaters.

The original of this film is entitled Behold a Pale Horse – America’s Last Chance and is currently available on DVD at Amazon.  The film stars country music legend Charlie Daniels as narrator, and “crystallizes the loss of American sovereignty and personal liberty while viewing events with a Biblical perspective.  This documentary is interwoven with nearly 20 expert speakers, including many of our very own patriots from Oklahoma.”

Features commentary from:
Larry Pratt – Gun Owners of America
General Jerry Boykin – Black Hawk Down / Delta Force Commander
Charles Key – Former Oklahoma State Representative
Kaye Beach – AxXiom for Liberty, OKC
Amanda Teegarden – OK-SAFE, Tulsa
Michael Shaw – Freedom Advocates
and many others

See below for the details on how to help get Behold a Pale Horse – America Aflame into theaters

*************************************************************************************************

Greetings All,

BEHOLD A PALE HORSE, Americas Last Chance has touched the hearts of thousands of Patriots across the country as evidenced by our almost unanimous 5 star ratings on Amazon.com.

SEE:   www.beholdapalehorse.tv

A major national theatrical distribution company wants to release our film in theatres nationwide! Because part one is already out on DVD we need to recut a special new version for theaters.

The new BEHOLD A PALE HORSE, America Aflame is POWERFUL…part one on steriods. It is much stronger than the original and covers even more hard hitting material, while retaining some of the best of part one. Considering the state of the union, it truly could become the “Common Sense” of today.

Enter KICKSTARTER…or “crowd funding”, a unique way for friends and fans to chip in and help make it happen.

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR OUR ACTION PLAN!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/palehorse1776/behold-a-pale-horse-needs-paul-reveres

If you believe the new version of BEHOLD A PALE HORSE could change hearts and minds by being in a nation wide theatrical release… PLEASE…forward this email to everyone that you know. Even if you can’t make a pledge, forwarding it to your list is saddling up and heading out across the nation, i.e.  a 21st Century Paul Revere!

Time is of the essence as the campaign only runs for 29 more days and if we don’t reach our goal…we get nothing!

As Charlie Daniels said in part one…

“LETS RIDE BOYS, WE NEED A THOUSAND PAUL REVERES”!

Anita Untersee
Executive Producer
Behold A Pale Horse, America Aflame
info@beholdapalehorse.tv

Rep. Doug Cox – Planned Parenthood? And he’s a Republican?

OK-SAFE, Inc. – Dr. Doug Cox is a Republican first elected in 2005 to represent HD 5.  This House district is in Delaware and Mayes counties in the northeast part of the state of Oklahoma.

Rep. Doug Cox, (R-HD 5)

Most folks think of Republicans are being pro-life, limited government types.  Apparently, Dr. Doug Cox is neither.

Dr. Doug Cox, Planned Parenthood event

The following was posted May 3, 2013 on Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma’s Facebook page at this link:

“Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma
Friday near Oklahoma City, OK
“I unequivocally believe access to birth control has emancipated women to control their own destiny.”
Oklahoma Representative Doug Cox, M.D. (R)
(Quote is from his acceptance speech for the 2013 Barry Goldwater Award at the PPFA National Conference)”

Cox serves on the following committees:A&B Public Health and Social Services, Chair
Appropriations and Budget
Common Education

Rep. Doug Cox is the House author of SB 640; Senator Brian Crain is the author in the Senate.  The proposed language for this bill expands Medicaid coverage in the state of Oklahoma, using Insure Oklahoma’s existing framework, and puts the already over-funded Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) in charge of this system.

The proposal provides the means to connect the payer (in this case the state) to the patient and the providers.  Linking together the patient, provider and the payer into one connected system (data collectors all) is the heart of universal health care’s “health care reform”.  It is the stuff of Obamacare.

So much for “pro-life, limited government” Republicans.  Apparently, for Rep. Cox and Sen. Crain, that’s only the stuff of re-election campaigns.

Oklahoma policymakers fed up with federal spending ‘finally have a chance to do something about it’

OK-SAFE, Inc. – Some OK GOP legislators (Sen. Brian Crain/Rep. Doug Cox) are considering giving the OHCA (Oklahoma Health Care Authority) governing authority over an expanded Medicaid scheme, using the Insure Oklahoma framework, via proposed amendments to SB 640 by Crain/Cox.

The following post by Brandon Dutcher of Oklahoma’s OCPA provides great commentary on why state policy makers should jump at any chance to not expand Medicaid.

Oklahoma policymakers fed up with federal spending ‘finally have a chance to do something about it’

 

“As the battle over Medicaid expansion rages in the states,” Christina Corieri writes today in The Wall Street Journal, “supporters of expansion have dusted off an age-old favorite in making the case for taking federal dollars. They say: If our state doesn’t take the money, those dollars will go to some other state instead.

Happily, in this instance that is not true. When a state declines to expand Medicaid coverage to more people, no other state will receive its share of funds and federal spending declines. Based on figures from the Congressional Budget Office and analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Washington was expected to spend roughly $950 billion expanding Medicaid between 2014 and 2022. Each state that declines to expand Medicaid relieves strain on the overall federal budget for this entitlement.

State governments generally don’t have much of an impact on the federal budget. But there was a gift for fiscally conservative state lawmakers tucked into last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act. In National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, the court ruled that Congress cannot coerce states into expanding Medicaid by threatening to withhold federal dollars for a state’s existing program. This ruling effectively gave state policy makers the unique opportunity to veto hundreds of billions of dollars in new federal spending.

Rest of OCPA post here.

________________

In the meantime, calls are needed to the OK Legislature to vote NO on SB 640.

House Switchboard: 1-800-522-8502, 405-521-2711.  Click here to view list of Representatives.

Senate Switchboard: 1-800-865-6490, 405-524-0126.  Click here to view list of Senators.