January 3, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, January 3, 2020 “ElkCituNews Jealousy Opinion Page never knowing for sure what sentence of action will in- voke the unwanted rage. And the person suffering Glynda Lomax is a Chris- ugly name a fiery dagger to from such jealousy is miser- Sending Westen Ofdshoma since 120T tian author and podcaster her heart. able, and eaten up with the fear they will lose the one who resides in the Ozark His moods would swing they love. Wishes for a new Mountains of Northern Ar- kansas with her two very from an ice cold wall of re- sentment to boiling rage and B.C, Forbes once com- pared jealousy with a mental bossy dogs. She wrote her bitter contempt. She found year cancer. It eats away at the first About Life..column in herself repeatedly trying to love, attraction and trust in 2003 for a newspaper in justify whatever behavior the relationship, hardens the Dallas. She is planning her he was accusing, continu- heart of the accuser and gen- The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City next book. ally being interrogated and erally brings about the very Glenda Lomax The new year is generally reserved for resolutions - indi- always anxious that some- action they fear most — aban- Look inside and learn to vidual promises to eat right, or exercise more, or put down “The jealous bring down thing she said or did would donment. love yourself. We are not the smartphone once in a while. We prefer to submit a list the curse they fear upon send him into another of Jealousy is caused by pow- loved for what we look like of new year’s wishes - things we hope will come to pass their own heads.” his rages. For two years she erful insecurity and doubt of and our partners won’t just during year ahead. ~ Dorothy Dix weathered blame she did not deserve, suffered constant ones self. Not feeling wor- leave us for someone be- Easing of tensions between the governor, tribes cause they look better physi- anxiety anticipating accu- thy of another’s love, never Since winning election as governor in November 2018, Many years ago I knew a sations of acts she did not feeling “good enough,” not cally, have more money, a Kevin Stitt has said his chief responsibility is to represent young couple who seemed commit and withstood sting- recognizing what is special better job, a nicer car — real the interests of all of Oklahoma’s 4 million residents. Re- to have everything going ing name calling along with about themselves, jealous love goes much deeper and negotiating the state’s gaming compacts, Stitt says, is an for them. She was beautiful interrogations. One people only see what is good daily is much stronger than that. important part of doing that. and he was as handsome as day in the midst of one of his about their imagined rivals. When we love someone, However, in seeking to get some tribes to pay consider- any celebrity. They had mar- rages, she realized tragically Jealous lovers destroy we love more what is com- ably higher fees to the state, Stitt has angered tribal leaders ried young and it was obvi- that her husband’s unfound- what they desire the most — ing from inside them that and potentially caused considerable harm to what has long ous their love for each other ed jealousy had hacked the love their partners feel that which is on the outside. been a good relationship between tribes and the state. ran deep. Their courtship away in its murderous attack for them, thus proving to Anyone that will leave you The 15-year compacts were agreed to in 2004. Stitt con- had lasted less than a year on their relationship until themselves what they be- for more money, a better job tends the final day of 2019 marked their expiration date, but in that year they were she no longer felt any love or lieve in their subconscious or nicer car never loved you and that the compacts must be renegotiated. The tribes say inseparable. Throughout the attraction for him. The sight minds, that they are unlov- to begin with. that’s not the case -- that the compacts automatically renew. courtship, the husband had of his once handsome face able, that they will be reject- They also have said that while they’re amenable to discuss- exhibited signs of terrible now filled her with dread. ed, that those they love will “Jealousy is simply and ing new fees, those included in the original compacts are jealousy. The wife thought His touch, once so welcome, leave them. clearly the fear that you do fair and have greatly benefited the state. marriage would cure the now repulsed her. Those who struggle with not have ‘value. Jealousy scans for evidence to prove The tribes have rejected the administration’s offer of arbi- jealousy. She was baffled She walked out of the mar- jealousy must learn to re- the point — that others will tration and, more recently, an eight-month extension of the when early in the marriage, riage soon after that. Today flect inwardly, away from be preferred and rewarded compacts. Stitt’s recent suggestion that without new com- it seemed to have increased. he is alone. the green-eyed monster, and more than you. There is only pacts, Class IIT gaming in Oklahoma would become illegal She hardly even noticed Being in relationship with begin to affirm what is good one alternative —self value. after Jan. 1, potentially putting vendors at risk, was met other men, was totally in an overly jealous person is and special that only they If you cannot love yourself, with scorn by the tribes. His secretary of Native American love with her husband and like living with insanity. Al- have. After all, if someone you will not believe that you Affairs quit her post; finding a replacement may be a real couldn’t understand his agi- ways in a state of paranoia fell in love with you, they are loved. You will always challenge. tated behavior. He seemed and hurtling accusations, saw it — they found good think it’s a mistake or luck. Asuccessful 2020 would include a softening of these ten- constantly nervous, angry the jealous person can poi- qualities in you and feel you Take your eyes off others and turn the scanner within. sions and an amicable resolution to this dispute. and even hostile. He ac- son even the most perfect are worth loving. Find the seeds of your jeal- Aless eventful year at OU cused her of imaginary be- relationship and drive away “Jealousy would be far ousy, clear the old voices The year 2019 was one of some upheaval at the Univer- trayals that had not so much even the sweetest and most less tortuous if we under- and experiences. Put all the sity of Oklahoma, carried over from the previous year. A as entered her thinking and loyal of partners. An ac- stood that love is a passion energy into building your quieter 2020 would be a welcome change. his jealousy escalated into cused partner feels as if he/ entirely unrelated to our personal and emotional se- In January, a video surfaced that showed two OU students terrible name-calling, each she must walk on eggshells, merits.” — Paul Eldridge curity.” — Jennifer James wearing blackface, another in a series of occasional race-re- lated incidents. OU’s president at the time, James Gallogly, was roasted by some students and faculty for his handling of the incident, which they considered inadequate. Gallogly resigned in Mayafter just 10 months on the job. No surprise in push to legalize recreational pot in Oklahoma Gallogly had succeeded longtime OU President David Boren, and he set about to put the university on better fi- ial footing. Doing so meant making cuts to programs, ies and staff, which fostered hard feelings. Boren, who found himself the subject of a sexual harass- The Oklahoman, Okla- have legalized recreational since the law’s passage. The caught smoking marijuana ment investigation by the university, formally cut all ties to homa City marijuana. Only Vermont Oklahoma Medical Mari- in disallowed public plac- the university in June. Well, that certainly didn’t and Illinois did so through juana Authority says the es. However, law enforce- The interim president is Joe Harroz, former longtime take long. Little more than a the legislative process. state has roughly 228,000 ment would not be allowed dean of OU’s law school. The interim tag could be lifted year after Oklahoma voters As efforts grew to bring licensed patients. Dispen- this summer, with Harroz potentially providing OU the sta- approved “medical” mari- medical marijuana to Okla- saries have opened in every to search, detain or arrest bility it needs. juana, an effort is underway homa, the Legislature had county. The state approved someone caught smoking Fiscal frugality in state government to legalize recreational pot. the chance to draft a bill that more than 6,500 medical pot in public places. Any- Tax increases and revenue from a strong energy sector This should come as no included some guardrails. marijuana business licenses one younger than 21 caught helped to swell state coffers in the past two years. The state surprise. Having gained a ‘That didn’t happen, and vot- in the first year, for growers, using or transporting recre- budget approved by lawmakers for the current fiscal year foothold with medical mari- ers wound up approving the processors and sellers. ational marijuana could be was $8.1 billion, the largest in state history. There will be juana, proponents of this most liberal medical mari- As has been the case fined and made to give up calls in 2020 for more of the same. wonder drug were naturally juana language in the coun- elsewhere, one of the mer- the drug. But the economy has slowed a bit. The state Board of going to look to expand its try. its that'll be pitched about Equalization says about $8.3 billion could be available for To place their question on availability. The website governing. recreational marijuana is the ballot in 2020, supporters fiscal 2021, which would be an increase of 0.1% over this A petition filed recently com notes that many states its ability to produce rev- will need to collect almost year. The energy sector is experiencing a dip that cannot be with the secretary of state’s “allow for limited use of enue. The proposed 15% ex- ignored. office seeks to amend the medical marijuana under cise tax on recreational pot 178,000 signatures of regis- “Any growth in a budget is good,” said Sen. Roger Oklahoma Constitution to certain circumstances.” would be more than double tered voters. It took several Thompson, R-Okemah, chairman of the Senate Appropria- tions Committee, “but we have to be cautious in our out- legalize recreational mari- Oklahoma allows for its the 7% tax placed on medi- tries to clear the threshold juana for residents 21 and use in just about any cir- cal marijuana. From Octo- to get medical marijuana on look and continue to monitor economic conditions as we older. It would place a 15% cumstance -- language in ber 2018 through November a ballot; once there, voters prepare the budget.” That’s sound advice. excise tax on the product the state question approved 2019, the 7% medical mari- Tackling major education challenges turned out in large numbers The 2019 legislative session didn’t produce much in the (but not on medical mari- by voters last year said “no juana tax generated roughly and approved it overwhelm- way of common education gains. This page has long sup- juana). qualifying conditions” were $20.9 million, according to ingly. Our guess is this at- ported linking spending to improved outcomes, and for the Eleven states -- Alaska, needed to obtain a two-year the Oklahoma Tax Commis- California, Colorado, Illi- license to buy the drug. In- sion. tempt ultimately will suc- need to raise standards and expectations. The state Depart- ment of Education is looking to do that with its proposed nois, Maine, Massachusetts, stead, they only needed to The proposed state ques- ceed, too, and complete an tules for districts that want to hold classes four days per Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, “articulate a medical need.” tion, if it makes it to the bal- expansion that marijuana week. More rigor, not less, should be pursued. Likewise, Vermont and Washington -- The medical cannabis in- lot and is approved, would the Republican-controlled Legislature should look for ways and the District of Columbia dustry has grown rapidly include a $25 fine for those Energy index bodes ill for Oklahoma to expand school choice, not shy away from it. Additional criminal justice reform The 2019 session saw continued movement in this area, with lawmakers providing additional funding for the Wom- The Oklahoman, Okla- tinues in the energy sector, uses a complicated formula 2016. en in Recovery diversion program, drug courts, and “smart homa City the primary driver of Okla- to measure the industry’s However, he said bank- on crime” mental health and substance abuse treatment In recent weeks, the homa’s economy. growth or decline, indicated tuptcies, acquisitions and programs. The Legislature also made retroactive some ele- heads of two state govern- Halliburton’s decision ear- a “significant contraction” in sales of major assets are still ments of a state question approved by voters in 2016, re- ment agencies have asked ly this month to close its El October as part of a continu- possible before a recovery sulting in commutations for more than 450 low-level non- Oklahoma lawmakers for Reno operations and lay off ing slowdown. violent offenders. ensues. less money next fiscal year roughly 800 employees pro- Kyle McElvaney, Okla- “To argue that the state Gov. Stitt has said criminal justice will be among his than they received this year. handful of priorities in 2020. Here’s hoping he has in mind vides the highest-profile ex- homa City’s market presi- can navigate this level of proposals that produce significant change for the correc- These are welcome moves, ample of trouble. But there dent for IBC Bank, said the contraction in the oil and tions system, reduce costs and improve public safety. particularly given concerns have been other, smaller weakness from the oil and gas industry with minimal about a slowing economy. cutbacks in the oil and gas gas sector is beginning to disruption to statewide eco- The head of the state industry this year. seep into the broader state nomic and fiscal activity is Health Department request- As The Oklahoman’s Jack economy, and that concerns to argue that ‘this time is ed $56.2 million from the Money reported, oil and gas about Oklahoma’s economic different,’” Evans said. “It is Legislature, or $4.6 million producers and service com- health “are further stressed less clear, however, what ex- less than was appropriated panies are being impacted by by uncertainty facing the actly would cause this time for the current fiscal year. low prices for the product, global and U.S. economies.” Send your Similarly, the executive di- rector of the Pardon and Pa- and by expectations from investors for sizable returns. Russell Evans, execu- tive director of the Steven to be different.” Chad Warmington, presi- role Board sought a slight In addition, as Halliburton’s C. Agee Economic and Re- dent of the Petroleum Alli- editorial to decrease compared with this chairman told analysts in search Policy Institute at year. Both have identified October, there are industry Oklahoma City University, ance of Oklahoma, which teams with the OCU center cost savings and better ways said the pace of job cuts has and IBC Bank to produce the editor@ concerns about “oil demand to spend their agencies’ softness in 2020.” been slower than during oth- index, said the latest report money. Last week, the newest er contractions, because the “serves as a warning that the Other agency heads would ecdailynews.com be wise to do the same where Oklahoma Energy Index industry never fully recov- budget is headed for some report offered more of the ered from the large numbers tough times.” Lawmakers possible as a slowdown con- same. The index, which of workers let go in early need to take note.