Inhofe Introduces Drive America on Natural Gas Act

Inhofe Praises Bush for Lifting Executive Order on Offshore Resources

Oklahoma Papers Agree: Time to Drill Offshore

Inhofe Praises OG&E Announcement on Increasing Wind Energy Production

Inhofe Introduces Common Sense Legislation to Help Oklahoma Farmers

Federal Assistance Coming to Farmers and Ranchers Suffering from Drought in NW Oklahoma

Inhofe, Coburn, Lucas Blast Environmental Groups For Blocking Critical Oklahoma Drought Assistance

Inhofe Introduces Bill to Reauthorize the Economic Development Administration

Real-Time Intel: Congress Finally Gets It On Updates (The Oklahoman Editorial)

A day at White House suits Edmond girl to a T (The Daily Oklahoman)

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Inhofe Introduces Drive America on Natural Gas Act

On Thursday, July 17, 2008, Senator Inhofe introduced the Drive America on Natural Gas Act to promote the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vehicles. Inhofe also introduced the American Affordable Fuels Act to relieve pain at the pump.

"As Americans continue to suffer from high gas prices, we need to take advantage of our abundant domestic supply of natural gas for use as a transportation fuel," Senator Inhofe said. "The Drive America on Natural Gas Act adds flexibility to the current Renewable Fuels Standard mandates by adding natural gas. It encourages the use of a proven alternative fuel and sends a market signal to manufacturers to consider compressed natural gas as a cost competitive alternative. Natural gas is domestic, plentiful, affordable, and clean. The promise of natural gas as a mainstream transportation fuel is achievable today -- not 15 or 20 years from now.

"Today, the largest hurdle facing the natural gas vehicle industry is the lack of refueling stations available to the public. By encouraging the production of bi-fuel natural gas vehicles, my bill overcomes this key difficulty. Coupled with a home refueling unit (the Phill), consumers will be comfortable purchasing bi-fuel natural gas vehicles knowing that their vehicle can also run on conventional gasoline for that occasional long distance trip from home. Installed in one's garage, the Phill is connected to a home's natural gas line. Once plugged into a CNG vehicle, the Phill slowly compresses natural gas into the car's tank. Similar to the idea of plug-in hybrids, the Phill allows consumers to re-fuel at home. Unlike plug-in hybrids, this technology is not a few years away -- it is here today.

"As the nation's number two producer in natural gas production, Oklahomans have a strong appreciation for the versatility of natural gas. In fact, Oklahoma alone annually produces nearly one-tenth of total U.S. natural gas production.

"Just last month I was pleased to visit Tom Sewall of Tulsa Natural Gas Technologies, Inc. As a small business owner who installs NGV refueling stations, he is one of the most knowledgeable and vocal leaders in this growing industry. In my hometown of Tulsa, OK, a person can refuel their CNG powered cars for just 90 cents per gallon. Regular currently costs $3.95. That's a savings of more than $3 per gallon.

"The Drive America on Natural Gas Act will allow natural gas to compete on its own merits; it does not dictate that consumers, businesses, or states must use natural gas as a transportation fuel. The bill encourages auto manufacturers to produce bi-fuel vehicles, streamlines EPA's emissions certifications, and establishes a natural gas vehicle research program. Americans can ultimately choose whether natural gas powered vehicles are right for their own individual and business needs."

About the Drive America on Natural Gas Act:

Expands RFS Definitions: Expands the definition in the Renewable Fuels Standard to allow the use of CNG and LNG fuels to meet the mandates. By broadening the scope of the Renewable Fuels Standard to include natural gas, we encourage the use of a proven domestic, clean, and economical alternative fuel and also make the current RFS mandates achievable. Additionally, it sends a signal to the nation's automakers and fuels industries that natural gas is a competitive option as a mainstream transportation fuel.

Broadens Alternative Vehicle Tax Credit: Broadens the Alternative Vehicle Tax Credit to include bi-fuel vehicles. Currently only "dedicated" vehicles or vehicles which solely run on natural gas qualify for this credit. This narrow definition actually discourages the sale of bi-fuel vehicles - those which can run on both conventional fuels and natural gas fuels.

Establishes a Natural Gas Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration program: Several years ago, the Department of Energy had a robust Natural Gas Vehicle Research Development and Demonstration program. This bill once again establishes that program to research, improve, and develop the use of natural gas engines and vehicles. The program will assist manufacturers in emissions certification, will develop and improve nationally recognized safety codes and standards, will examine and improve the reliability and efficiency of natural gas fueling station infrastructure, and will study the use of natural gas engines in hybrid vehicles. Additionally, it requires the Department of Energy and the EPA to coordinate with the private sector to carry out the program.

Streamlines Emissions Certifications and Regulations: Directs the EPA to establish a state demonstration program to streamline the regulations and certifications currently required for the conversion of vehicles to natural gas. Today's regulatory burdens are daunting for those in the business of converting vehicles to run on CNG or LNG. Currently, EPA imposes virtually the same certification requirements on NGV aftermarket conversion systems as they require on automakers.

Inhofe Praises Bush for Lifting Executive Order on Offshore Resources

Senator Inhofe praised President Bush on Monday, July 14, 2008 for lifting the executive ban on offshore drilling.

"President Bush is to be commended for taking a critical step to ensure increased domestic energy supply for America," Senator Inhofe said. "Democrats in Congress must stop blocking America's access to the resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). With gas prices continuing to skyrocket, suffering Americans are demanding Congress allow more domestic energy production.

"Recent polling has shown 67 percent of the American people now support offshore drilling, with just 18 percent opposed. Congress should follow the President's lead and lift the moratoriums on domestic energy exploration. Currently, 85 percent of the OCS --an estimated 19 billion barrels of recoverable oil -- is off limits. At today's import levels, this is the equivalent of 35 years of imports from Saudi Arabia. No country on earth has exploration technology as advanced and environmentally sound as ours. Even so, Democrats oppose offshore production based upon misleading environmental grounds. Major spills from drilling and production platforms are nearly non-existent. Both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which were massive Category 5's, plowed through the heart of Gulf oil production just four weeks apart, yet no major spills occurred."

Oklahoma Papers Agree: Time to Drill Offshore

Both the Tulsa World and Oklahoman weighed in this week on the President's decision to life the executive ban on offshore drilling, and agree.

The Tulsa World writes in an editorial today, titled "The Search," that "President George W. Bush made the correct decision when he lifted the White House's 18-year ban on offshore drilling… No one wants the environment damaged. This work can be done safely. It could help in the long term, if only Congress had the good sense to act."

The Oklahoma, in a Wednesday, July 16 editorial "Energy Ante: Bush Dares Congress To Keep Saying No" writes: "Democrats reacted to President Bush's lifting of an executive ban on offshore oil drilling by vowing to keep in place congressional prohibitions dating to the 1980s. The debate over energy policy just keeps getting better and better. For years the Democratic Party has blocked efforts to significantly increase production of American sources of offshore oil and natural gas, citing potential danger to beaches in California and Florida and dismissing any new oil finds as too far in the future to help U.S. energy needs. Both arguments have less persuasive steam with the current oil prices. Certainly, if drilling offshore had gotten under way a decade or more ago - instead of being stymied - Americans know it would be online now and helping to absorb some of the current price increase."


Tulsa World Editorial

The Search
July 17, 2008

President George W. Bush made the correct decision when he lifted the White House's 18-year ban on offshore drilling. But don't expect any sudden changes or any changes at all for that matter.

Completely reversing the ban also has to pass through Congress, and that isn't likely to happen. Democrats, heavily influenced by the environmental lobby and eager to please big donors and supporters in states such as California, probably will not support lifting the ban, at least not until after the November elections.

All of this, of course, is too little, too late. The United States should have been working on alternative fuels for the last 30 years.

We are now as dependent, if not more so, on foreign oil. It will take years to find, drill for and produce any oil deposited beneath the waters off our coasts. For those who argue that the rewards are not worth the risks, it must be pointed out that that is the argument that got us where we are.

The fact is, oil patch technology has come a long way in 30 years. Directional drilling and environmental safeguards make finding and producing oil in places once thought impossible now possible.

Are there risks? Of course. But the United States is not going to find an alternative fuel overnight. We would be foolish to not pursue every course we have. We can not continue to be dependent on and beholding to foreign oil countries.

No one wants the environment damaged. This work can be done safely. It could help in the long term, if only Congress had the good sense to act.


The Oklahoman Editorial

Energy Ante: Bush Dares Congress To Keep Saying No
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

DEMOCRATS reacted to President Bush's lifting of an executive ban on offshore oil drilling by vowing to keep in place congressional prohibitions dating to the 1980s. The debate over energy policy just keeps getting better and better.

For years the Democratic Party has blocked efforts to significantly increase production of American sources of offshore oil and natural gas, citing potential danger to beaches in California and Florida and dismissing any new oil finds as too far in the future to help U.S. energy needs.

Both arguments have less persuasive steam with the current oil prices. Certainly, if drilling offshore had gotten under way a decade or more ago - instead of being stymied - Americans know it would be online now and helping to absorb some of the current price increase.

As it is, high gasoline prices have the country engaged on the question of whether American resources should be kept unavailable or mobilized to counter current market trends and to help transition to the next generation of energy sources.

This week Bush laid down a marker. No longer will a presidential ban on offshore drilling keep the estimated 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas on the shelf. It will remain so only by an act of the Democrat-controlled Congress. It'll be interesting to see if Democrats can keep saying no while motorists are shelling out $4.50, $5 or $6 a gallon for gasoline heading into the fall elections.

Same for the presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain. Obama opposes offshore drilling; McCain supports it. As the price of oil rises, we think it becomes harder to tell Americans to look to futuristic energy sources that are either more expensive than oil or don't yet exist.

Democrats apparently will try. We can't wait to see how it sells.

Inhofe Praises OG&E Announcement on Increasing Wind Energy Production

Senator Inhofe, on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, praised the announcement by Oklahoma-based power company OG&E Energy Corp. of its plans to form a joint venture, Horizon Transmission LLC, which will build high voltage transmission lines for the expansion of wind-generated energy in western Oklahoma.

"OG&E is an industry leader in harnessing the enormous potential of wind energy and I applaud their innovative efforts to continue expanding America's domestic renewable energy resources. With 689 megawatts (MW) of production, Oklahoma ranks as one of the top states in wind energy production. Today, OG&E announced a new joint venture called Horizon Transmission to build high voltage transmission lines for the expansion of wind-generated energy in western Oklahoma. With this new production, western Oklahoma will be at the forefront of wind production in the United States, serving as the intersection of several important transmission facilities.

"Through my leadership position on the Environment and Public Works Committee, I have long worked toward legislative solutions to encourage the development and production of energy from a variety of sources including oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable sources such as wind. Developing and expanding domestic energy resources will translate into energy security and will ensure stable sources of supply and well-paying jobs for Oklahomans and Americans.

"I have long worked to help spur wind development in Oklahoma, working with my colleagues to include a provision to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) to increase private sector investment in high voltage lines by decreasing the depreciation period for these lines to 15 years. To that end, OG&E also recently announced the construction of a high power line from Oklahoma City to Woodward with plans to eventually connect with Guymon. These lines could more than quadruple OG&E's current wind production of 170 MW to 770 MW.

"As Oklahomans are looking for relief from soaring energy costs, I will continue to stand up for Oklahoma and support policies that will make certain we have a stable, diverse and affordable energy supply."

Inhofe Introduces Common Sense Legislation to Help Oklahoma Farmers

On Wednesday, July 16, 2008, Senator Inhofe introduced common sense legislation to address a problem faced by a number of farmers in Oklahoma and around the country when they drive their goods across state lines. Currently, just by driving between two states that do not have a reciprocity agreement for farm truck weights, like Oklahoma and Kansas, these farmers are exceeding an unnecessarily low federal weight definition for commercial motor vehicles and are being ticketed and fined. These violations occur even if the states from which and to which the farmers are traveling have higher weight exemptions for farm vehicles. Senator Inhofe's legislation addresses this situation by defining the weight of a commercial motor vehicle for agricultural related purposes as the minimum weight of the commercial motor vehicle in the state in which the vehicle is being operated, removing the federal violation when a truck crosses between states with weight definitions higher than the federal baseline.

"Today, due to an arbitrary federal law, many Oklahoma farmers are being ticketed when they drive their goods across state lines," Senator Inhofe said. "Even though these farmers' trucks are within the weight limits set by their home state and the state to which they are traveling, they are triggering a lower federal weight regulation when they cross state lines in their farm vehicles.

"This issue has caused quite a stir in Oklahoma, and many are proposing solutions to address the problem. For example, two of my Oklahoma colleagues in the House of Representatives introduced bills that propose one solution. The president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Mike Spradling, discussed a number of options when he testified last week on this issue in front of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I met today with Ray Wulf, President of the American Farmers and Ranchers and his colleagues, who also expressed ideas on how best to resolve this problem.

"Today I am introducing legislation that incorporates many of the ideas I have heard from my friends in Oklahoma in an effort to relieve farmers from undue burdens and regulations when they transport their crops or livestock from one place to another. My bill is similar to legislation introduced by Representatives Fallin and Boren in the House. I appreciate their leadership on the issue and I look forward to working closely with them to get a solution enacted as soon as possible."

The bill introduced today is similar to H.R. 3098, which was introduced in the House by Representatives Mary Fallin (R -Okla. 5) and Dan Boren (D-Okla. 2), and has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Ray Wulf, President of the American Farmers and Ranchers said, "We appreciate the Senator's efforts in addressing unreasonable restrictions on farmers and ranchers with farm tagged vehicles as they move their commodities across state lines."

Mike Spradling, President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau said, "Concentration within the agriculture industry has reduced the number of grain elevators, cotton gins and livestock markets forcing producers to drive longer distances, often across state lines, to sell their commodities. We want to thank Sen. Inhofe for his support on this critical issue."

Federal Assistance Coming to Farmers and Ranchers Suffering from Drought in NW Oklahoma

On Thursday, July 18, 2008, Senator Jim Inhofe welcomed Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer's announcement of an agricultural disaster designation for Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward, Ellis, Roger Mills, Dewey and Woods counties in Northwestern Oklahoma. Senator Inhofe, Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Congressman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer in support of an agriculture disaster designation on July 3, 2008.

"Relief for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in the Panhandle and Northwestern Oklahoma is on the way," Inhofe said. "Thanks to Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer who signed the disaster declaration this morning, the federal government will be providing tax relief to producers struggling and making business decisions under severe drought conditions. I appreciate Sec. Shafer for his response and will continue to work with him and my congressional colleagues to ensure we are doing everything we can to provide assistance to these farmers and ranchers in these difficult times."

This designation will make farm operators in these counties eligible for low-interest loans through Farm Service Agency's Emergency Loan (EM) Program. A secretarial disaster designation also makes the counties eligible for payments under the Livestock Indemnity Program and Supplemental Crop Revenue Assistance Program, which will be funded through the Permanent Disaster Trust Fund Congress just recently authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Additionally, this disaster designation makes livestock producers eligible for "involuntary conversion" under the tax code. If a rancher is compelled to sell livestock early due to drought conditions, the tax on the gain from the sale of those animals is allowed to be postponed for one year.

Inhofe, Coburn, Lucas Blast Environmental Groups For Blocking Critical Oklahoma Drought Assistance

On Wednesday, July 16, 2008, Senators Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, as well as Congressman Frank Lucas, expressed outrage over a temporary restraining order granted by Judge John Coughenour of the Western District of Washington Federal Court in Seattle on Tuesday July 8th, 2008, at the request of National Wildlife Federation and seven state affiliates. The decision blocked the release of some Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for haying and grazing. In May, USDA announced the decision to allow haying and grazing on CRP acres, stipulating that it could only take place after the nesting season for birds in the state. A hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. Senator Inhofe has been working with Senator Tom Coburn, Congressman Frank Lucas, and USDA to ensure relief to farmers and ranchers in Northwest Oklahoma.

Sen. Inhofe: "As Oklahoma farmers and ranchers suffer from the devastating effects of a recent drought, it's simply outrageous that several national liberal special interest groups have blocked critical federal assistance. Northwest Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are struggling to survive the conditions and USDA very wisely enacted a program to provide some relief. I am hopeful for a quick decision tomorrow in favor of getting relief back on track to those that are in dire need. The environmentalists make the absurd claim that this drought relief will somehow 'significantly increase global warming.'"

Dr. Coburn: "It is an outrage that the livelihood of Oklahoma ranchers and farmers is being put in jeopardy because of liberal special interest groups. Ranchers in western Oklahoma are trying to sustain livestock operations in the middle of one the worst drought our state has faced. The unfounded and absurd claims of extreme environmentalists and their lawyers have placed entire herds in real danger. I stand strong with Senator Inhofe and Congressman Frank Lucas in opposing this action."

Congressman Lucas: "The use of CRP land for haying and grazing was greatly needed by the ranchers and farmers suffering from unusually high feed costs and a severe drought in the Third Congressional District and all over Oklahoma. Many farmers and ranchers relied on the release of these lands, and the decision by this court to suspend its use has already had a very negative effect. I am hopeful that a decision is made quickly in this case restoring haying and grazing rights to those people who need it."

As reported in the Oklahoma Farm Report, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Executive Director Scott Dewald explained the dire consequences of the ruling: "Dewald documented thirty ranchers that will lose almost $10,000 apiece if they are not allowed to graze the CRP land that was offered to them by Uncle Sam. Worse, many of those herds will face partial or total liquidation as the CRP land was one of their last options to survive the summer."

Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President: "Farm Bureau is extremely concerned about the severe economic hardship this injunction imposes on farmers and ranchers. Producers relied on USDA's announcement about the new program and have already begun using their precious financial resources to prepare the land for haying and grazing. It's important for the court to hear from farmers and ranchers about the harmful effects of this injunction, both since July 8 when the injunction was issued and going forward."

Ray Wulf, President of the American Farmers and Ranchers: "The Lawsuit and restraining order brought forward by the National Wildlife Federation is just another example of special interests being allowed to impose their misguided purpose in front of the needs of farmers, ranchers and consumers. This restriction is having a profound impact on the economic needs and survival of farmers, ranchers and their communities devastated by drought. This action will ultimately lead to further increases in the surging price for groceries that consumers are already experiencing. The philosophy being advocated by the National Wildlife Federation is counterproductive to supplying food for consumers' table."


A July 9, 2008 letter was sent to Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer in support of the temporary restraining order by Environmental Defense Fund, The Minnesota Project, Sierra Club, Center for Native Ecosystems, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Partners for Sustainable Pollination, Environmental Working Group, Pollinator Partnership, Defenders of Wildlife, American Farmland Trust, World Wildlife Fund, American Rivers, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and American Bee Keeping Federation.


According to the article in the High Plains Journal, "Judge issues restraining order stopping emergency grazing on CRP" by Jennifer M. Latzke, "This decision affects 24 million acres of CRP land that was opened to Critical Feed Use provisions by the USDA May 27. The opening of those acres was to occur after the primary nesting season had ended for grass-nesting birds. The acres were to provide feed and forage to alleviate the escalating price of feed for livestock producers. Several states had begun opening up their CRP acres as of July 2, including Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Colorado was set to begin activity July 15. Texas, the largest state has 583,000 acres available for signup in the program, followed by Colorado with 253,000 acres, Oklahoma with 210,00 acres, and and New Mexico with 177,000 acres."

Inhofe Introduces Bill to Reauthorize the Economic Development Administration

Senator Inhofe on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, introduced a bill to reauthorize the Economic Development Administration (EDA). EDA works with partners in local communities to create wealth and minimize poverty by promoting favorable business environments to attract private investment and encourage long-term economic growth. Senator Inhofe's bill includes many of the program administration improvements proposed by the President while reaffirming a commitment to acceptable funding levels. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the agency for five years, allows for increases in the minimum level of funding for planning districts, provides needed resources and reforms to improve administration of the revolving loan fund program, and adds flexibility in addressing grant recipients' changed economic development needs. As Chairman of the EPW Committee in 2004, Senator Inhofe sponsored the last reauthorization of EDA.

"The Economic Development Administration has a proven track record of providing much-needed funds to economically distressed regions," Senator Inhofe said. "In Oklahoma alone, over the past five and a half years, EDA grants have resulted in almost 12,000 jobs being created or saved. Investments of about $22.7 million have leveraged another 24 million in state and local dollars and more than 437 million in private sector dollars. Durant, Clinton, Oklahoma City, Hobart, Seminole, Miami, and Elgin are just some of the Oklahoma communities that have made good use of EDA assistance.

"To ensure the continuation of this good work and to provide the tools necessary to improve performance even further, I am introducing legislation today to reauthorize EDA. Studies show that EDA uses federal dollars efficiently and effectively, creating and retaining long-term jobs at an average cost that is among the lowest in government. Especially in these times of economic uncertainty, it is imperative not to create uncertainty for this very successful agency and the struggling communities that depend on its assistance by allowing the authorization to lapse."

Real-Time Intel: Congress Finally Gets It On Updates (The Oklahoman Editorial)

Last week, after months of delay, the United States Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (Act). Senator Inhofe praised the Senate's passage of FISA saying it was "a tremendous victory for ensuring the security of our nation."

The Oklahoman ran an editoria on Sunday titled "Real-Time Intel: Congress Finally Gets It On Updates" critical of the Senate for taking so long to pass the bill. They write, "There are a number of reasons the United States hasn't been attacked since 9/11, and modern surveillance must be chief among them. Updating FISA shouldn't have taken so long..."


The Oklahoman Editorial

Real-Time Intel: Congress Finally Gets It On Updates

Sunday, July 13, 2008

MANY Americans probably look at the long tussle between President Bush and the Congress over modernizing the nation's foreign surveillance law and wonder why it took so long to ensure the people tasked with protecting this country have the tools to do their jobs.

In the end, all that Democratic leaders had to show for months of opposing Bush was a worsening political posture that forced Sen. Barack Obama, the party's presidential candidate, into a flip-flop to keep from being painted as soft on national security.

And in the end, Senate passage last week of updates to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act added to a string of security issue defeats to a president with historically low job-approval ratings, supposedly nearing lame-duck status.

The 1978 law governs the government's ability to intercept communications from foreign enemies of the United States. Changes were needed because the law had been bypassed by technological advances, leaving U.S. officials short of the means to keep up with terrorists in real time.

Relatively few in Congress opposed updating the law. But many Democrats balked at Bush's demand that U.S. telecommunications companies that aided the government after 9/11 be granted immunity from privacy lawsuits. The administration insisted on immunity to ensure the private sector would keep working with legitimate government efforts to monitor suspected terrorists.

For whatever reason - and the suspicion is large that ties to the nation's trial lawyers was a chief motivator - Democrats dug in on immunity. Trying to win his party's presidential nomination, Obama said he would use procedural tactics to block immunity when it reached the Senate.

Congress and the White House wouldn't back down, and U.S. intelligence-gathering efforts have sputtered along under months of temporary authorizations.

That's no way to keep up with the bad guys, a reality that increasingly closed in on Capitol Hill. Bush had the high ground, no better proof of which was Obama's switch to support the FISA bill, including immunity. The candidate called the bill flawed but obviously realized it's better to be called a flip-flopper in July than weak on national security in November.

Our sense is this reflects a majority opinion in the country that nimble, real-time intelligence gathering is critical to our safety - and that most people have a reasonable trust that career professionals trying to ensure their safety won't violate their privacy. Most probably agree with Missouri Sen. Christopher Bond, who said there's nothing to fear in the FISA legislation "unless you have al-Qaida on your speed dial."

There are a number of reasons the United States hasn't been attacked since 9/11, and modern surveillance must be chief among them. Updating FISA shouldn't have taken so long, a point voters might contemplate as they make choices this fall.

A day at White House suits Edmond girl to a T (The Daily Oklahoman)

By Chris Casteel, Washington Bureau
July 17, 2008

WASHINGTON - While much of official Washington was sweating out the latest economic or foreign policy crisis on a hot Wednesday afternoon, Libby Collison was racing to first base on the White House lawn in front of President Bush.

The T-ball star from Edmond beat out a single and got some base-running tips from the coach there, Kevin Millar of the Baltimore Orioles. She eventually scored for the Southern team, which played the Western team in the second game of a double-header dubbed Tee Ball on the South Lawn by the White House. All the teams won, of course. It's T-ball.

Libby, 6, was Oklahoma's representative. Youngsters from all 50 states and the District of Columbia took the field Wednesday, surrounded by proud parents and siblings and some baseball greats. State flags adorned the outfield fences.

Bush sat in the bleachers with first lady Laura Bush and baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.

Country singer Kenny Chesney sang the national anthem and Bush shouted "play ball" and the enclosed diamond - with kids running around and falling down - provided some laughs and cheers and a brief respite from Washington's more typical games.

Event is a big hit

Collison, whose father, John, works in Oklahoma on Sen. Jim Inhofe's staff, played some stellar defense, fielding a couple of ground balls and making tosses to first that maybe should have been caught, though, clearly, the first baseman was trying his best.

After the game, Collison said her favorite part was getting a hit, playing first base and meeting the president.

Bush, who has held T-ball games on the vast expanse of the South Lawn since taking office, gave each child a baseball after the game and posed for pictures with them.

Dressed in slacks and a short-sleeved shirt, he also helped unveil a new stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

And, led by Chesney, the audience sang it, probably not caring, at the time, if they ever got back.