Oklahoma: Ever Renewed

Spring is flowing, rippling, embracing Oklahoma, and sweet it is. Spring brings the heaviest tornado season, but springtime in Oklahoma is a memory-forever-green and promises ahead season.

There's an energy here, buoyant, unafraid, a simple sincerity and a great rush of good will. We survive here in Oklahoma, the Dust Bowl, the Oklahoma City bombings, the storms, the floods, and we rise up again, waving "good morning" to our neighbors and strangers.

Cruising through the sunshine, the wind weaving patterns in the sky and in the dancing trees, I click on the radio and hear the sweet, sweet sounds of "Miss Reba"--Reba McEntire-ribboning into the day.

There's a wealth of talent here in Oklahoma, Miss Reba, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, astronauts, business leaders, symphonies, artists, writers, and just plain folks. The CEO of the Peanut crew, once a NASA high-tech worker, routinely endures questions, and guffaws about living in "Okie-ville."

Oh, no, it's not "Okie-ville," it's Okie universe, a place that doesn't have much faux sophistication, just red dirt, get-down-to-it simple honesty and directness. Roots sink deep here, over decades, or, in just a few short years, if you've the heart for it.

We have exuberance. We have an unrepentant, deep-dish belief that no matter how bad today is, well, on some tomorrow, it'll get better. We believe in ourselves. We believe in each other.

The earth sprouts dangerous, daring, colors, a painter's palette that goes beyond simple primary colors. In the strangest places, suddenly the sun will glint across a leaning field stone in a field, diamond shards of light glittering, posed by nature and by God against a verdant green field, phlox of red, pink, violet, and white, and a horizon that sweeps to forever.

The music swirls, bringing laughter at the thought of all those who turn their noses up at country-western music, so above it all. What they're missing! Country songs tell a story, and story-telling is part of the deepest oral traditions for older European cultures and the still-vibrant Native American cultures.

Listen, listen to the tonalities of country-western, and you'll hear the infusions of generations of settlers and migrations: Scottish, Irish, Scots-Irish, English, spilling down out of the eastern mountains and ranging over this land. Here and there you'll hear a rhythm, a beat, that sings of Native Americans. In late spring and summer, you can pow wow every weekend, if you've a mind to, swirls of color and the heartbeat of Mother Earth leading old, old songs in many languages.

There's music here, in the wind, the hills, the streams and rivers, and just about everywhere you go. Bluegrass, blues, rockabilly, swing, and oh yes, classical music. Here's just one program for one small town's symphony on one night: Holst: "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity" from The Planets; Elgar: Salut d'Amour;Chopin: Fantasie Impromptu in C-sharp minor(piano solo);Chopin: Finale from Piano Concerto No. 2; Lehar: Gold and Silver Waltz;Sibelius: Finlandia;Wagner: Introduction to Act III of Lohengrin;;Elgar: "Nimrod" from Enigma Variations;Beethoven: Finale from Symphony No. 9>

There is an endless "gathering in" here, of peoples, traditions, and cultures, with the resulting song, dance, art, text, and performances bedazzling our everyday landscape. While others talk about inclusiveness of differing cultures, and upgrading artistic appreciation, we simply go about our daily business and live it.

To be an Okie is to fall in love, with the land, the people, the beauty of light and landscape, the bravery of cowboys and Indians, the steadfastness of pioneers and the true grit of entrepreneurs. Once upon a time, a barber who had courage and vision came to Oklahoma, almost went bust, and then became a historic icon: Frank Phillips, who founded Phillips 66.

Here in Oklahoma, those who succeed live among the rest of us, often cruising into town in well-used jeans and boots that don't smell real good--well, the ones who count, anyway. People who are into pretentious living and are true nouveau (semi) riche don't touch the real Oklahoma and therefore, can't wait to escape.


We are, as the saying goes, "real" in Oklahoma. We try to tolerate our neighbor with good will, as best we can. We wave and nod at strangers walking or driving by. We stop to help each other, and we come together to celebrate our richest treasure of all: freedom.

Oklahoma is, above all else, red, white, and blue. We are a patriotic state, one that honors their war veterans, honors the mothers and wives who make our homes flourish, the husbands and fathers who do their jobs, the growing kids in soccer fields and on farms. We're a state that respects people, and we're continuing to grow a healthy mixed crop of people who cherish America and the joys of freedom.

Those who are negative, who can't stand this glorious country, who can see only a few weeds when hundreds of acres of wildflowers and growing food roll out before us, simply don't do well here. We're down home and up town, all at once. We salute the flag, say the Pledge of Allegiance, love parades, and more than one of us gets goose bumps at the simple sounding of "America", the National Anthem.

Just as more than one of us gets teary-eyed at parades, seeing the bright young faces marching by making music in bands, singing from flatbed trucks, seeing the veterans go by, seeing our neighbors and friends just plain march down the street to celebrate whatever it is we're celebrating that day.

We're sentimental. We're nostalgic. We're progressive--Oklahoma has always had a history of progressive politics--and we're forward-looking. We're hard-core when it comes to business and telling the truth. We'll weep for you or with you when hard times come, and mean it, but do not, do not ever try to con, manipulate or lie to us.

We're granite and lace, hard-hewn mountains and blue satin rivers, old leather and new silk. We're hard times, and good times, and a smile in all times.

We're Oklahoma, ever renewed. Spring carries our spirit across the lands.

If you haven't yet experienced the real Oklahoma, better get cracking. You've missed one of the living wonders of the world. But pack a big suitcase, because Oklahoma just might surprise you, recognize the best in your spirit, reach out and magically grab you.

If you're lucky, you might wind up an Okie in Oklahoma. And that, friends, is to be very very lucky indeed.

Memphis, TN & Mississippi Areas: Take Cover, Tornadoes Rampaging Through the Southeast, Historic Floods in Maine

The massive storm system that savaged Arkansas and roared through Oklahoma,Texas, and Kansas is stalking the southeast. (See below for earlier coverage) Memphis, TN, which recently endured a historic tornadic outbreak. and surrounding areas,are under the gun now.



So far, at least twenty tornado warnings have been issued across Tennessee. Live tracking and warnings are available from WREG and WMC-TV. (Photo courtesy of WREG/George Brown)

In February, one of our best friends saved his family's life with a telephone warning when local tornado sirens failed to go off. The family raced out of their home and into a ditch. Their home was shoved off its' foundation. The family is still recuperating from their injuries.

Theirs wasn't the only incredible story. A baby tossed by the storm survived--and was found in debris, although his mother died.




Areas of Virginia are still trying to clean up from late April tornadoes.



Note: if you try to get through to your family and can't in storm areas, feel free to contact the Peanut blog. We have resources.

Tornado Video & On-Scene Photos: Deadly Storm Kills Seven in Arkansas; Spawns 6-Vortice Tornado in Oklahoma; Texas Picks Up After Twisters(Raw Video)

This is an extraordinary photo of a tornado over Oklahoma City, OK during the May 1 outbreak. The photographer,Linda, a gardening, and nature enthusiast, grabbed a huge twister on the right and the simultaneous development of other funnels on the left. (Photo copyright to photographer, one-time usage granted to I Found a Peanut blog.)




This outstanding photo of mammatus in straight-line wind development as the massive storm system moved across Kansas was taken by Frank Thompson of Overland Park. (Photo copyright to photographer, one-time usage granted to I Found a Peanut blog.)

This storm system, which ranged across more than 2,000 miles of the continental United States, is a textbook example of how snowstorms and extreme cold in the West, coupled with a "fetch" of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, can fire up supercells.. As this storm moves east, Chicago forecasters are keeping a wary eye on this system.

Seven deaths have been reported in Arkansas from this storm system, including a teenager who died when a tree fell on her house while she was sleeping. The National Weather Service has confirmed reports of at least a dozen tornadoes overnight Thursday. More storms are hitting today across the Mississippi Valley as the system roars east.










The Peanut crew lives in Oklahoma's Tornado Alley. We were up most of the night tracking the storms.

"D.C. Madam"Deborah Palfrey, Linked to Sen. David Vitter, Commits Suicide in FL Trailer Park

Women in the escort or street corner biz, or girls who think it's "cool" and OK, take note: the only ones who ever come out on top in prostitution are the men using you. In very rare cases, like Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana and former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, the men pay, too. But 99% of the time, the women pay horrible life, disease, and emotional prices while their male customers only pay cash and walk away scot free..The equation is just that simple.

Too Little, Too Late: Drew Peterson Finally Offers Reward for Missing Wife Stacy Peterson

It's not often that you get to recycle a headline so quickly, but this week's wacky Chicago-based news environment offered a two-fer. First, Barack Obama suddenly catches on to what Jeremiah Wright, his pastor of twenty years, has been preaching and decides to say something about it: too little, too late.

Now former Bolingbrook, Ill cop Drew Peterson has decided to take time out from his media posturing to offer a reward for his missing wife, Stacy. You remember Stacy, mother of their two children, step-mother to two of Peterson's older children by his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Apparently Peterson has decided, in between dating and TV appearances, that he remembers his young fourth wife, too--although he says she ran off with another man.

Six months or so after Stacy's family, friends, volunteers, and just plain strangers have been constantly searching for her, Peterson is offering $25,000 for information about Stacy's disappearance: too little, too late.We're not sure where the money is coming from, as not too long ago, Peterson and his sidekick attorney Joel Brodsky were begging for monies for Drew on a website that quickly vanished.





Like the website, Stacy suddenly vanished, too. Just before she went missing, she told friends she wanted a divorce. She also told her pastor that Peterson had killed Savio, his third wife. Savio was found bruised and dead of what was first ruled an accidental drowning in a dry bathtub. Peterson controlled that crime scene.

Later, however, after Stacy's disappearance, Savio's body was exhumed for a second autopsy. That procedure, plus an outside autopsy by renowned pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, moved Savio's death into the "probable homicide" category. Savio, like Stacy, repeatedly told people that Peterson would kill her and get away with it.

Why was she so sure of that? He threatened her with that, many times, Savio told everyone who would listen. And then there was his stalking of Savio, control, and repeated physical abuse. Stacy, too, was monitored and tracked, and she was afraid she would be killed before she could get out.

Peterson's second wife, Viki Connolly, said the same thing, as did a former fiancee. Connolly says she's still afraid of Peterson.





Savio's family now, at last, has control of the seven-figure estate Peterson and the two minor Savio children inherited--which had been managed by Peterson, a boy who loves his toys (motorcycles, cars, guns,light aircraft). Lately, Peterson's been losing a lot: the Savio decision, the yanking of his weapons permit, and the court's refusal to give his guns back.

Apparently, Peterson and Brodsky have decided it's time for a little positive PR--or so the family and friends of both Savio and Stacy believe. We believe that too.

Peterson's recent media appearances have been more than a little bit frayed around the edges. His portrayal of the jovial college jock who is guffawing at a private joke about his self-professed "bad luck" with women is now several degrees beyond hackneyed.




Peterson, who we've written about ad nauseum (for some reason, the word "nausea" just comes up with the word "Peterson"), is most likely chumming for not only current PR, but to hook some sympathy with any potential jurors. Peterson, who says he expects to be arrested, alternates between fishing for sympathy and laughing it all off.

At this point, $25,000 isn't nearly enough to start cleaning up the ol' Drew dumpster enough to put even a dim shine on his public patina. However, it is enough to start speculation: did the offer hit the table as a ploy just before Peterson is arrested?

Stay tuned. Investigators still want answers about two timelines of extreme interests: Peterson's whereabouts before Savio died and before Stacy went missing.

Obama vs. Wright: The Delicious Irony of Racism Charges

As Barack Obama distances himself from his former mentor, guide, friend and pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the irony of the "racism" charges launched at those who didn't like Wright's "God Damn America" takes center stage. Those who had criticized Wright's fiery comments and attack on a country he claims created HIV to kill blacks were routinely called "racists" by Obama cultists.

Are these remarks racist? These are responses to Wright's speeches and sermons:

--"...ridiculous propositions as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS, when he suggests that Minister Farrakhan somehow represents one of the greatest voices of the 20th and 21st centuries, when he equates the United States wartime efforts with terrorism, then there are no excuses.

They offend me. The rightly offend all Americans."

--"the insensitivity and the outrageousness of his statements..."

--"I felt as if there was a complete disregard for what the American people are going through and the need for them to rally together to solve these problems."

--"when you start focusing so much on the plight of the historically oppressed that you lose sight of what we have in common, that it overrides everything else, that we’re not concerned about the struggles of others, because we’re looking at things only through a particular lens"

--"I didn’t see it as an attack on the black church"

--"His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate, and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church."

Are those comments racist. Or not?

The speaker is, of course, Barack Obama. He is saying what many others have been saying about Wright's views.

But when non-blacks expressed those views, they were savaged by leftists and Obama supporters, who declared them "racist." That kneejerk reaction clearly shows that leftists aren't looking at the message: they only are looking at the messenger and whether or not that messenger fits their "posterchild" needs.

If the messenger is black, he or she and what they do or say automatically is right, nay, even brilliant. If the messenger is not black, they're bound to be racist or stupid rednecks from Pennsylvania or otherwise who cling to their guns and religion because they don't know any better.(A nod to Obama's wine-and-cheese comments in California.)

How can leftists now defend their race-based assault on those who didn't like what Wright was saying? Logically,they can't. Of course, that doesn't mean they won't.

And what of Obama himself? His wishy-washy, run-and-hide from this issue, has cost him a great deal. On the one hand, he didn't distance himself from Wright soon enough. His pleas of ignorance about Wright's views simply were absurd. Not only that, compare Obama's comments, above, to his friend the Rev. Al Sharpton's rhetoric and actions.



But now, suddenly, Obama criticizes Wright and steps back. But does he step up? No. Obama, long ago, could have handled this issue with wisdom, honesty, compassion, grace, and political saavy.

If he thinks America needs continued work on racism,he could have used Wright's "God Damn America" and other comments as his springboard. Here's how it could have gone, way back in this sorry, sordid tale.

"I am very saddened by my former pastor's attacks on my country. I agree that as a people, we need to continue our work on improving race and cultural relations. We have done a great deal in less than three generations. There is work still ahead, but I have faith that we will continue on this path together.

Attacks like the Rev. Wright have launched must cease if we are to work together. The people of the United States did not cause 9-11, and to say "God damn America" is an insult to the country, its people, and, given the substitution of hate for love, an insult to Christian spiritual beliefs."

Rev. Wright is correct in saying that we still have work to do. But he is very wrong in his attack on our country, and his use of religon to foster hate and anger.

For this reason, Michelle and I have, with great sadness, removed our membership from Rev. Wright's church."

Did Obama say --or do-- any of the above? No, he did not. Why not?

Obama didn't tackle this issue head-on for many reasons. The first is that he wanted the image and support base of his membership in a very large, very well-known black church.

The second is his reliance, as stated in his books, on the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Obama did not choose Wright to baptize his children or conduct his marriage ceremony lightly. Nor did he, or could he, support the Trinity church for twenty years without supporting Wright.

The third is the dangerous one: does Obama secretly agree with Wright's views and presentation? Obama now says he doesn't. How much credence should we give Obama's sudden "wake-up" call and criticism of Wright?

Very little. Fact: Obama did not criticize nor distance himself from Wright until Wright did two things. The first was to keep grabbing the media spotlight for himself,while keeping a very sore issue for Obama in the public's eye.

The Obama campaign wishes that Wright's commentary could be swept under the carpet. Wright, however, has been using the controversy as his magic carpet ride to fame.

Obama speaks: "The fact that Reverend Wright would think that somehow it was appropriate to command the stage for three or four consecutive days in the midst of this major debate is something that not only makes me angry, but also saddens me." And there you have it--Wright is interfering with Obama and his campaign.

The second Wright action that led to Obama's sudden splitting from his former pastor: Wright's criticism of Obama. Until Wright attacked Obama, Obama was willing to play along in order to prove he's "black enough."

"And what I think particularly angered me was his suggestion somehow that my previous denunciation of his remarks were somehow political posturing," Obama told the media. How dare Wright say that Obama indulges in political posturing! (wink!)

When Wright attacked America, Obama said nothing except that he wasn't aware of Wright's views. When Wright attacks Obama, Obama ditches Wright.

That sounds like political posturing to me, along with a Hefty bag full of hypocrisy and deceit. Notice the language, too.

Obama to a questioner: "...I'll be honest with you." There are two important things to know about this phrase.

The first is that this phrase tacitly says "I'll be honest with you now because I haven't been before." People use this phrase only two ways: without understanding what they are telegraphing, or with understanding of what they are telegraphing. In the latter instances, the speakers usally think they can get away with it through charm and/or rhetoric. (Think: shopping for a car. "I'll be honest with you--my manager won't like that but I'm on your side and I'll go put it to him.")

The second important thing about the phrase "I'll be honest with you" is this: it immediately signals a prevarication of some type. If you say "I'm going to the grocery store now," do you say "I'll be honest with you, I'm going to the grocery store now."

If you say "I think the price on the grapes is outrageous, you don't say "I'll be honest with you, I think the price on the grapes is outrageous." You just plain say what you have to say.

"I'll be honest with you" signals discomfort, dancing around, some level of deception. As in: Obama's shifting stands on his former pastor and the message of his church.

As this issue continues, the layers of Obama are being peeled back. What we are seeing here is not change, but just another politician, trying to be everything to everybody.

Question: if Obama does this poorly dealing with a man who he has loved, and turned to for spiritual counseling, how well will he deal with real enemies and the stress of international politics? As Dr. Phil McGraw says, the best predictor of someone's future actions are their past actions.








One more note: Rev. Wright, stop hiding behind the church. Your accusations that "attacks" on you are not attacks on you but the "black religious tradition" are hypocritical. We are outright criticizing you. But we are not criticizing black churches. Stand up like a man and claim what is your problem. Don't spread it to all black churches and congregants.

Was Deadly Chinese Heparin Deliberately Contaminated? Baxter CEO Tells Congress "Delibrate" Action Led to Dozens of U.S. Deaths; Widow Blames Baxter

California Shark Attack: Great White Shark Confirmed as Swimmer's Killer

Spitzer Hooker Ashley Dupre Sues "Girls Gone Wild" Soft Porn Video Sleaze King Joe Francis

And in this ring, we have: sleaze vs. sleaze. However, given the greater reach that Joe Francis has with his soft porn "Girls Gone Wild" and his unrepentent pimping of drunk teenagers and college girls, the Peanut crew hopes that Ashley Dupre takes Francis to the cleaners.

Hey, Ashley, get out of the whore business, OK? Your tryst with former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, which led to his resignation, is only a brief burst of publicity. You're not a star--just a curiosity.

Trying to build a solid, upright life on your back is a lost cause. As for Francis, this man is so below toilet mold in life forms, we frankly don't care what happens to him. Although we must admit we did enjoy hearing him whine about his stint in prison. Apparently no one put a mint on his pillow at night or something.

Too Little, Too Late: Obama 'Disses Wright After 20 Years of Following "God Damn America" Pastor

Sen. Barack Obama, fighting for his political life and creditability, finally decided to 'dis Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Well, sort of.

The problem is that Obama sat in this man's church for twenty years, called him his mentor, teacher, guide. Now Obama is supposedly outraged by Wright.

We've heard of it taking awhile to catch on, but no one is going to believe that Obama now suddenly is "outraged" twenty years in. What he's really outraged about: Wright keeps grabbing the media spotlight.

Not only that, he's keeping a very sore issue alive, one that has led to intense scrutiny of Obama's real views about his country. Given that wife Michelle has only recently found reasons to be proud of America (i.e. her husband's rise to power), the Obamas, rich leftist elitists, may find that America isn't too thrilled with them, either.

VOLCANO NEWS: Mystery on Mt. St. Helen's Webcam

News outlets are picking up on this breaking story, as first reported by Vinny's Blog.

Overseas, a dangerous Indonesian volcano is belching flaming rocks. Mount Anak Krakatau's new cycle of action is worrying officials and villagers.




Near Jakarta, a strange "mud volcano" has added another danger to residents' misery. Flammable methan gas is overwhelming residential areas.




In earlier news from Mt. St. Helen's a man narrowly escaped death after he fell into the volcano.

California: Raging Wildfires Destroy Acreage, Threaten Homes, Force Evacuations

Knock It Off, China: Cops Seize Knock-Off, Unsafe Chinese Military Weapons, Fashion, Toys and Batteries, Army Investigates

But it's no longer just about toys, fashion, and exploding electronics. The U.S. Army is investigating the delivery of old and possibly unsafe Chinese-made weapons to overseas troops.




There's an excruciating irony in all this: if any American company had steadily pumped out such a supply of dangerous and sub-standard goods, the government would have them shut down. Why don't they shut down the importing of Chinese good? Fair is fair.

Whether it's fashion, pet food, toys, or military weapons, it's been made clear: China's agenda is to sell and dominate the American market.They don't care about safety standards or consequences.

If it comes from China, boycott it. You'll be keeping yourself safer. If it looks like a fashion find and the price is "too good to be true," walk away. You'll be helping to stop the destruction of the American marketplace for legitimate sellers of legitimate goods.

If you condemn bank robberies, but take part of the money as a gift, are you not tacitly supporting the robbery? Same thing in buying knock-off goods and unsafe Chinese goods: you're supporting everything they're selling, unsafe toys to kids to killer pet food to unsafe weapons for U.S. soldiers in combat.

If you shop in a store that stocks Chinese-made goods, boycott the store. And tell them why.


In America, we don't have to take it any more. We have the right to speak out, and to vote with our dollars. It's just that simple.

Once upon a time, a few brave men dumped tea in Boston Harbor to protest unfair taxation. Why are their political and cultural descendants not doing the same thing with the China trade? Dump Chinese goods.

Bush Finds His Funny Inner Child: Bon Mots Jab Obama, Clinton, McCain at Press Event

Good ones, Mr. President!