Free Republic

Eminent domain: HB 508 lays down specific conditions before the state may condemn private property under the state's eminent domain laws. The bill, a response to the U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo case, prohibits the condemnation of private property unless it will be used for an exclusive public use such as government purposes, public utilities or to eliminate blighted areas.

McAlester Officials Face Recall Effort By Anthony Thornton The Oklahoman McALESTER - Angry voters launched a petition drive Monday night to recall city council members they consider negligent in the purchase of nearly $600,000 in unused leave and sick time by the city manager. More than 100 residents packed a restaurant to air grievances and to begin recall petitions against Mayor Dale Covington and four of the six council members. Longtime City Manager Randy Green is looking for a new job after disclosures that he made $579,500 by selling off hundreds of unused vacation and sick days he had accumulated...

The 2004 American presidential election is shaping up to be a rough one by recent standards with questions already rife about President Bush's National Guard service and Senator John Kerry's private life. But in historical terms, this is quite mild stuff and there is a moderating influence these days in that the heavyweight US media are reluctant to get involved in what they see as private issues. Both the New York Times and the Washington Post, for example, have written about whether President Bush actually carried out his duties as a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard in 1973....