Weekly Columns

Often when faced with heartbreaking circumstances or when tested by crisis, Americans come together to lend support and offer sympathy to their fellow Americans. That spirit of unity was recently demonstrated nationwide in the wake and aftermath of the deadly, racially-charged attack on church members at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Among the most heartbreaking circumstances in life are those in which we see our family, friends or loved ones suffering from illness. My own family knows firsthand the toll that Alzheimer’s disease takes on those living with it and on those caring for them. What starts out as slight memory loss eventually leads to disappearing personalities and then no recollection of the people and memories that filled an individual’s life. I remember how painful it was to see that happen to my own father during the last several years of his life.

As Americans, we have the privilege of living in the greatest, safest and freest country in the world. But the peace of mind that we share is the result of the sacrifice and selfless service of those in our nation’s military. The price these brave individuals have paid in service is a debt that can never be fully repaid. No matter what year it is or the nature of our circumstances, the service they provide never loses its significance or relevance to preserving freedom.

For a while now, there have been thoughts, ideas, claims and all sorts of opinions floating around about Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and whether or not it’s a good thing for America. It has become a subject of conversation in recent days because of the trade deal that’s currently being negotiated through the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that includes 12 countries, of which President Obama is acting on behalf of the United States.

As President Obama’s time left in office draws to a close, it’s clear that he’s grasping at any and all opportunities to leave a legacy. He has either refused to work with or negotiate with lawmakers in the present Congress or failed to encourage a previously split-party Congress to find compromise. With his loss of a Democrat-led Senate, the president has now shown that when met with opposition to his policies, his arrogant answer will be to bypass Congress and act alone.

Without question, Oklahomans are no strangers to severe weather and the terrible destruction that can result from it. Past experiences in distant and more recent times have served as sobering reminders that we must be ready at a moment’s notice to face tornadoes and other unpredictable weather patterns. In Oklahoma, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ that time will come.

Iran is a rogue state and very unlikely to be a dependable, reliable or honest negotiating partner. Over the last several months, all eyes have focused on the international negotiations to decide the nature of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. At the insistence of the Administration and despite warnings from our allies in the Middle East, these nuclear talks are expected to result in a deal that lifts sanctions and allows Iran to maintain much of its ability to enrich uranium. That means Iran would be only a few short steps away from creating a nuclear weapon whenever it chose to do so.

Tried and true devotion to the United States is never more evident than through the lives of our military service members, veterans and their families. Since our nation’s beginnings, countless men and women have selflessly answered the call of duty and in so doing pledged to relentlessly defend liberty and protect our homeland. These brave individuals truly understand the meaning of patriotism and know more of sacrifice than many of us will realize in a lifetime.