HR 1004 Discharge Petition Rally – Wednesday at the Capitol – Be There!

OK-SAFE, Inc. – OK-SAFE will be joining other Oklahoma grassroots activists at 9:00 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at the OK Capitol* to petition for Open Government in the Oklahoma Legislature.

Wednesday’s effort is being spearheaded by Kaye Beach of Axxiom for Liberty.  This citizen rally is meant to secure the remaining signatures necessary to cause HR 1004 to be discharged from committee and move directly to the House floor for debate and a vote.

HR 1004, by Rep. Charles Key, simply states that if a legislator requests that his bill get a hearing in the committee it has been assigned to, the chairman of that committee must hear the bill and allow a vote.  It’s that simple.  As it stands now, a committee chairman, under direction of the Speaker, can prevent a bill from ever being heard in committee, effectively exerting top-down control of the legislative process.

Below is an excellent post by Kaye Beach detailing the purpose of HR 1004 and instructions for Wednesday’s efforts.

HR 1004 Discharge Petition-Calling All Oklahoma Activists for Representative and Open Government!

By Kaye Beach, March 2, 2012.

Blog Post Excerpt:

One More Chance – The Discharge Petition

House rules allow for discharge petitions as a means to get a bill brought out of a committee for a vote on the House floor.  We need the signatures of 66 House members to get HR 1004 (read HR1004) discharged from committee and on the House floor for a vote.

Right now we have 45 signatures but we need a minimum of 66 signatures.  That means we need 21 more signatures in order to get HR 1004 to the floor for a vote.

Your help is needed!

On Wednesday March 7, 2012, grassroots activists from across Oklahoma interested in ensuring transparent and representative government throughout the entire legislative process will meet for a petition drive for HR 1004 at the Oklahoma State Capitol at 9 am. 

RSVP on Facebook!  Oklahoma Action Alert – HR 1004 Discharge Petition Drive

Read entire post here.

*Folks will initially meet in the first floor rotunda area for instructions, then head upstairs.  The media has been invited.

Class on the U.S. Constitution – Make Reservations Now!

From our friend Kaye Beach at Axxiom for Liberty:

Key Opens Door to U.S. Constitution

Rep. Charles Key

 Oklahoma City, OK – On Saturday, January 14, 2012 Oklahoma’s own Champion of the Constitution, Representative Charles Key, will be hosting Constitutional Scholar Michael Badnarik at the Oklahoma State Capitol, featuring Badnarik’s acclaimed “Introduction to the Constitution” class.

Even if you consider yourself knowledgeable about our founding documents, this eight-hour class will be a life-changing experience.

The class runs from from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm, with a one-hour break for lunch and occasional breaks throughout the day.

Each student will receive an autographed copy of Badnarick’s book Good to be King, used as the text for the class.

Valued at $250 or more, class students may attend for only $150, or 4 ounces of .999 fine silver. This is an incredible bargain for 8 hours of instruction, a $20 hardcover book, and several additional hours of personal interaction with the “Stepfather of the Constitution”.

Oklahoma represents the critical first domino in “Operation Domino Effect”.  Other states are signing on to take the plunge, too!

Michael Badnarik Announces OPERATION DOMINO EFFECT

“On January 14, 2012 I will be teaching my Constitution class on the floor of the State House in Oklahoma City. I would like to teach my class in every state capitol in 2012! With your help we can have unconstitutional laws falling like dominoes.” Read More.

Michael Badnarik

Activists, candidates and elected officials are encouraged to come together to learn more about the meaning and value of our founding documents.

Oklahoma Event Flyer (to download and share)

Please join us!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oklahoma City Event Details

Date: Saturday, January 14, 2012 9AM – 6PM

Place: House Chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol

Cost: $150.00 per student (or 4 oz of .999 fine silver)

For reservations contact:

• Howard Houchen at 580-317-5058 or email houchen2010@gmail.com
• Kaye Beach at 405-818-3224 email ladyaxiom@yahoo.com

“The Constitution has become an old piece of paper. Michael brings it back to life.”

 Read more about Michael Badnarik and how he is “Lighting the fires of Liberty, one heart at a time.” at http://www.constitutionpreservation.org

Hope to see you there!

WND – Woman sues state over mandatory ‘mark of the beast’ – Oklahoma’s Own

The following story appeared on WorldNet Daily’s (WND)website the other day, detailing the lawsuit Oklahoma’s own Kaye Beach is engaged in regarding the use of biometrics on the Oklahoma  driver’s license.

The battle Kaye is involved is really for all of us concerned with the continued collection of personally identifiable biometric information by the state – one that leaves no options for Bible-believing Christians.

Here’s the story, as posted on WND Sept. 21, 2011:

Woman sues state over mandatory ‘mark of the beast’

Posted: September 21, 2011
8:17 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2011 WND

Michael Thompson

An Oklahoma requirement that driver’s license applicants submit to “biometric” digital photographs – which are “stored and shared” without the applicant’s knowledge – is a violation of religious rights, charges a lawsuit filed against the state’s Department of Public Safety and several individuals.

The suit names Public Safety Commissioner Michael C. Thompson.

The state has told the plaintiff, Kaye Beach, that she must submit to the biometric requirement to obtain a license in the state, and there is no exemption based on religious beliefs.

The lawsuit contends the requirement, however, violates the Oklahoma Constitution because it “substantially” burdens Beach’s free exercise of religion and does not accommodate her sincerely held religious beliefs.

The case seeks a ruling that “in order to comply with the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act, the state must provide an accommodation to Ms. Beach … which allows her to submit a low-resolution non-biometric facial photograph in order to obtain a driver’s license.”

“Constitutional Chaos: What Happens When the Government Breaks Its Own Laws”

“Whether a biometric ID card in the form of a driver’s license or other government-issued form of identification is the mark of the Beast or merely the long arm of Big Brother, the outcome remains the same – ultimate control by the government,” said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, which is handling the case.

“As Kaye Beach’s case makes clear, failing to have a biometric card can render you a non-person for all intents and purposes, with your ability to work, travel, buy, sell, access health care, and so on jeopardized,” he said.

In March, Beach applied to renew her driver’s license with the Department of Public Safety, the organization reported. Upon learning that the biometric photographs used by DPS are stored in a database that is managed and accessed by international organizations, Beach repeatedly voiced her religious objection to the practice and asked to be allowed to use a low-resolution photograph for her license. Beach subscribes to the Christian belief, detailed in the Bible’s book of Revelation, that Christians must not participate in a global numbering identification system.

Rev. 13:16-18 and 14:9-11 “explicitly commands believers to not participate in a global numbering identification system using the number of man, and eternally condemns participation in that system,” the lawsuit contends.

Officials with the state agency declined to respond to a WND request for comment.

The institute’s report said Beach met all of the other requirements for a license and was deprived of that opportunity – “including the ability to acquire prescription medications, use her debit card, rent a hotel room or obtain a post office box” – only because of the state’s refusal to provide a religious accommodation.

The case was brought in district court of Cleveland County. Rutherford Institute attorneys point out that the state’s requirement for a biometric photograph does not serve a compelling state interest and that the state has other means for furthering any such state interest.

It notes that Beach was told “the interoperability and open architecture format for the high-resolution biometric facial photograph used by motor license agents as required by DPS to take the photographs for driver’s licenses in an internationally set format determined by the United Nation’s International Civil Aviation Organization …. and that the database into which her facial biometric data is placed is managed and accessed by a self-described international organization called the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.”

The case also alleges the rule violates her privacy and is an unreasonable warrantless search.”

FEMA’s Re-mapping of Oklahoma – Stealing Home

America in the Balance  recently interviewed two Oklahomans about their encounters with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration, aka the Mob), local officials and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB).

One successfully rebuffed the officials; the other was not so successful.

The issue?  The designation of their (non-flooding) property as being in a flood zone, resulting in the devaluation of the property; limitations on development of the land; the devaluation of the land as collateral; negatively impacting the ability to sell their property; and the use of coercive methods to force the purchase of flood insurance.

In listening to the accounts of these two separate incidents, it appears that the maps being used to determine the flood zone designation are rather whimsical: it all depends on which map the agent is using, and whether you want to be designated as flood zone or not.  The gentleman in the township of Skiatook, OK was actually presented with 3 different maps over the course of three days.  He resisted the OWRB/FEMA efforts and they eventually backed down.

This was not the case in Ramona, OK.

There, a family with 40 acres of property was surprised to find that their property was now designated as being ‘Zone A High Risk’ flood zone.  The property has been in their family since 1946, has never flooded, and the land is actually mapped as upland agriculture.  The result of the ‘Zone A High Risk’ flood zone designation has been a 50% decrease in the appraised value of their property.

FEMA and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board are using covert means to steal property in Oklahoma.  FEMA and the OWRB is stealing home.

Listen to their stories on America in the Balance on Truth in Focus internet radio here. (Link: http://www.truthinfocus.org/radio/america_in_the_balance.php)

For an excellent analysis of the FEMA/Oklahoma Water Resources Board activities and ties to sustainable development see article below. (From a post on Axxiom For Liberty.)

Oklahoma Water Resources Board/FEMA Flood Map Follies

By Kaye Beach

August 24, 2011

America in the Balance, an internet radio program hosted by Amanda Teegarden (Exec. Director, OK-SAFE, Inc.) & Don Wyatt (Tulsa 912)  did a very interesting show on the FEMA Flood mapping taking place in our state last Sunday.

Their two guests David McClain and Margaret Snow shared their experiences with FEMA and the new floodplain maps that are being drawn up in Oklahoma.

The two are looking for other Oklahomans who have had a similar experience with FEMA and their new maps. OK. Attorney General Scott Pruitt has agreed to take a look at documented instances of questionable FEMA flood re-designations.  (Contact information can be found at the end of this article.)

These flood maps produced by FEMA will indicate which property owners must purchase flood insurance.  Development is discouraged in the designated zones and building or development in the floodplains is often highly regulated

If you have had your property’s flood designation changed or had an encounter with FEMA or the Oklahoma Water Resources Board regarding floodplain designation, you will be interested in these two stories.

(Listen to the archived show here or read the summary I have written from the radio show interviews.)

Skiatook Township, David McLain

David McLain,  who helps out at Immanuel Baptist Church in Skiatook tells Amanda and Don that a few weeks ago he noticed some officials taking measurements on his property.  David approached the two gentlemen to find out what they were doing.  The two identified themselves as being with FEMA and informed Mr. McClain that they were working on adjusting floodplain designations.  One of the agents, Gavin Brady, although he introduced himself as being with FEMA, the  business card he handed to David showed him as being with the Oklahoma Water Resource Board.  The other agent is reported to be Matthew Rollins.

Curious as to why the man is representing both FEMA and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, I did a little searching and found that the OWRB is under a cooperative agreement with FEMA and is the coordinating state agency for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for the state of Oklahoma. link

Map Modernization

The OWRB website explains that this is a “Map Modernization” effort;

“Many of the nation’s flood hazard maps are outdated and no longer realistically depict the true flood risk. As a result, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is conducting a multi-year effort, the Map Modernization Program, to update these maps and present them in a more reliable digital format that is easily accessible to local and state floodplain officials” link

(For more about the FEMA/ Oklahoma Map Modernization program, click here.)    (Rest of Kaye Beach article here.)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you have had your non-flooding property (in Oklahoma) designated as flood zone/flood plain by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, FEMA (or FIMA), the Attorney General of Oklahoma may be interested in your situation.

Two people have agreed to be the contact persons for this effort.  Please have your paperwork together and organized, including any notes you may have taken about your conversations with OWRB, FEMA, or city officials.  Get names, titles, and contact information from everyone you have spoken with regarding this flood zone designation.  Include any before and after property assessments you may have.

1. Northeast Oklahoma contact: Margaret Snow, email: msnow14@netzero.net  – this area includes Washington County, Rogers, etc.
2. Rest of Oklahoma: Keith Shankle, email: kshankle@gmail.com

Oklahoma County map link is here.

This is an important issue – this re-mapping is the plundering of private property.

The REAL ID “Kill Shot” Fired from Oklahoma

For several years OK-SAFE, along with most Oklahomans and the rest of the United States, has objected to the REAL ID national/international ID card and the continued expansion of the collection of personally-identifiable biometric information from the everyday citizens by the government.

We’ve issued position papers/fact sheets on the REAL ID, (REAL ID, A Global Security Envelope), and asked the moral question: Is it right for Oklahoma to collect biometrics from its’ citizens? (REAL ID – Objections).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: L-I Identity Solutions

Through two Oklahoma administrations (Brad Henry’s and now Mary Fallin’s) we’ve work to reverse the liberty-killing legislation that changed the OK drivers license laws to require fingerprinting (“Press your index finger on the pad, Grandma”), and high-resolution photos (“Take your glasses off ma’am, and don’t smile – we want to be able to identify you remotely when you’re out in public. This is for public safety purposes.”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: L-I Identity Solutions, DL contract holder in Oklahoma.

We’ve written language preventing the imbedding, or affixing of an RFID tag in the OK drivers license – twice.  It passed the first time in 2010, but Brad Henry vetoed the anti-RFID chip bill in a maneuver that was planned ahead of time with the Republican-led legislature. Fallin’s administration wouldn’t even allow the bill a hearing this year.

ALL of the proposed legislation objecting to the expansion of the collection of  personally-identifiable biometrics on the OK drivers license or to protect the privacy of citizens have failed – whether the objections were based on civil liberties concerns or moral and religious objections.  None of the requests for restoration of the protection of the rights of innocent, law-abiding citizens have been allowed, in either Gov. Henry (Democrat) or Gov. Fallin (Republican) administrations.

It is evident that educating the elected officials about the dangers of a national/international ID hasn’t worked; objecting to legislation expanding the biometric “collection net” hasn’t worked; sponsoring legislation that protects religious freedom hasn’t worked; protecting civil liberties hasn’t worked. Writing meaningful legislation, single subject, or multi-pronged, hasn’t worked.

Changing Administrations hasn’t worked.

What’s next?  The Courts.

One Oklahoma woman – wife, mother, Christian – has made the difficult decision to not renew her biometric Oklahoma drivers license in order to bring this issue  to court, the only option left to the concerned law-abiding citizens of Oklahoma.   That brave woman is Kaye Beach.  Recently, (June 28, 2011) FOX 25 News in Oklahoma City featured Kaye in one of their Top Stories – video and story here.

OK-SAFE recognizes that the decision to go to court was not made lightly, and was made only after all other legal options were exhausted. As a matter of course, what remains is to bring this issue to court.

OK-SAFE supports Kaye Beach in this effort and asks that anyone who can, to please contribute to the Kaye Beach legal defense fund.  Prayers are appreciated as well.

You may contribute to Kaye’s effort by sending a check or money order to:

Kaye Beach, P.O. Box 722381, Norman, Oklahoma, 73070 (please write legal defense fund in the memo section of your check or money order). For those that wish to use a credit card (click here to donate) to Kaye’s legal defense fund.

This fight is really for all of us – please help financially, if you can.

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Below is an excerpt from a July 1, 2011 article appearing here, http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/38063 .:

The REAL ID “Kill Shot” – Fired From Oklahoma, by Howard Houchen, July 2, 2011

In the early morning hours of 04 June 2011, a lady in Norman, Oklahoma receives a traffic ticket from local law enforcement.  The lady is a former small business owner, a good mother, a Christian, and a loving wife who has just finished a long day of work related research and activities.  The reason for the stop is not a moving traffic violation and the citation she ultimately receives is for an expired, Oklahoma state issued, drivers license.  How do I “know” these things?  The lady is Kaye Beach…and she happens to be a dear friend.

A hair-dresser, turned researcher, turned activist – Kaye had, just a few months earlier, made the very difficult decision to no longer bow to the unjust demands of government relating to her driver’s license that she believes to be morally wrong, unconstitutional, and unnecessary.  Oklahoma requires both fingerprint and a facial-recognition-compatible photo to be placed on the drivers license (BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIERS).  Kaye, like many Americans, views government collection, storage, and dissemination of very personal and unique individual characteristics as a potential threat to privacy, autonomy, personal freedoms, and individual liberty.  She also happens to know quite a bit about REAL ID.

Contrary to what many Americans may have heard, REAL ID is not dead nor is this INTER-national identity scheme even close to becoming an endangered species…YET.  REAL ID was passed by FEDERAL lawmakers in 2005 to mandate all state-issued drivers’ licenses met FEDERAL and some international standards…these minimum standards are known as REAL ID compliance benchmarks.  It must be noted that 26 states appeared to push back against this federal intrusion into state affairs by passing laws and/or resolutions against participation in REAL ID…Oklahoma is one such state.  Knowing this, Kaye repeatedly attempted to renew her DL without submitting her biometric information.  The standard low-resolution photo (which is virtually indiscernible from the digital facial-recognition-compatible sort) is no problem.  The digital, high-resolution, photo allows for an individual to be “scanned” from afar without knowledge or consent.  From local DMV office to the state-level, she asked questions and the result was the same…submit your biometric identifying information or you will be unable to renew your license: Have a Nice Day!

Seemed a bit “strange” for a state that vowed non-compliance with REAL ID mandates.

Read the rest here.