GINGRICH: Dangling a carrot

It's the natural way. Politicians throw out promises, most of which they know they can never keep, in an out and out effort to gain votes.

Former Speaker of the House New Gingrich has perfected such an art.

"With Gingrich policies, what we know is we will dramatically expand our independence in the world market, dramatically expand our capacity to produce energy without regard to our foreign potential enemies and in the process prices will clearly be a lot lower," Gingrich said. "Now, I picked $2.50 as a stabilizing price for capital investment reasons. It could easily go down to $2."

Speaking to more than 3,500 people at Oral Roberts University on Monday, Gingrich dangle the carrot.

Much talk has been made that motorists should prepare to pay $5 a gallon come summer for gas.

In a state that relies heavily on the sale of gas and oil, Gingrich knew what to say. He wants to expand the oil capacity, good for the consumer, but not so much with the producer. More domestic oil might mean less reliance on the Middle East variety, but would it also reduce the profits of oil companies?

Gingrich was playing the crowd while in Tulsa.

Will voters believe Newt?

Carson, Intermodal-ness and No-Show Me Missouri

Top Army Counsel Carson?
Brad Carson, former Congressman, bronze star recipient and Claremore resident has been nominated to be general counsel to the U. S. Army by President Barack Obama.
He would be an excellent advocate for the Army.
Can he clear the hurdle of being a Democrat? Carson is an officer in the U. S. Navy Reserve. He served in Iraq in 2009 and 2010. But, his nomination must go before the Senate Armed Services Committee on which Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican, sits.
Inhofe's spokesman has said he will look at Carson's record on military issues and determine whether or not to support of oppose the nomination.
Despite party affiliation, Carson would be an excellent choice.

Intermodal - New Word in Transportation
Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett delivered his State of the City address on Thursday.
At the top of his priorities is Intermodal Transportation.
Intermodal? You might ask. It is when freight is transported using more than one type of shipping, truck, train, plane or barge.
Bartlett says creating an intermodal transportation hub will be great for the Tulsa region.
He named a dozen types of parts related to the oil and gas industry that can be shipped from Tulsa International Airport or via the Port of Catoosa. From the airport to the port an intermodal transportation hub would greatly benefit businesses in Catoosa and Rogers County.
Bartlett noted a recent shipment of crude oil traveled through the Verdigris Channel down the Arkansas River connecting with the Mississippi and arriving at a refinery on the Gulf of Mexico. It was the first of its kind to take that route.
The Tulsa mayor said Oklahoma has energy resources that are cheaper than those overseas.
This should be good news for Rogers County and the Port of Catoosa.
Get on board the Intermodal Express.

Show Me State Falls Short
A bill that would give 500 Joplin businesses property tax relief has stalled in the Missouri Legislator. Those business were either destroyed or damaged during the devastating May 22 tornado.
The state's House of Representatives passed the measure 149-0. When it arrived in the Missouri Senate it hit a snag.
Missouri senators should be ashamed of their action.
The bill would have allowed Joplin's small businesses to have their property taxes pro-rated. Now they will have to pay about $600,000 in taxes, while not generating revenues as they rebuild and repair their businesses.
It is outrageous. Missouri law already has a provision that allows homeowners a similar tax break if their homes are damaged by a tornado, flood or other natural disaster.
Show Me the money is the mantra of those senators.