Tag Archives: Rob McClendon

Oklahoma Horizon TV

On the Horizon: Losing our Dependence

Energy independence, or at least the lessening of our dependence on foreign oil, is something every presidential administration in my memory has talked about. In that time, the U.S. has fought a couple of wars in the Middle East while watching the price of fuel sky rocket. Still, our use of foreign oil continues to grow.

But thanks to new technology, we may be closer to breaking the grip of foreign oil addiction. Under American soil are vast reserves of clean burning natural gas. In fact, global energy leaders estimate that this country now has twice the energy reserves of Saudi Arabia. The question now is how do we convert our energy needs to this domestic fuel?

In this week’s video blog, we’ll look at work underway in Oklahoma to establish the infrastructure to use natural gas in our cars.
Rob McClendon

 

Oklahoma Horizon TV

On the Horizon: Words into Actions

My father was a devout man, but far from pious. He had no use for those that sang their hosannas on Sunday and, come Monday, showed little regard for their fellow man. If you are familiar with the scriptures he was a Jamesian, believing “Faith without works is dead” and lived his life accordingly.

When I met the gentleman in this week’s video blog, he reminded of my Dad. We never discussed doctrine or my father, but I came away from the story with an admiration of someone who despite a hectic schedule gives himself to others in their times of greatest need.

I enjoyed doing my story on the paramedic preacher; I hope you enjoy watching it.

~Rob McClendon

 

Oklahoma Horizon TV

On the Horizon: What happens next?

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Hot, dry. Hot, dry. Hot, dry. It’s the same day after day and has been all Summer. Now they’re saying the La Nina that we thought was gone is coming back. Which means warmer than normal temperatures and dry weather will continue. Now normally headed into Winter, I’d be really happy with that but not this year. We are desperate for rain in much of the state so a wet Winter would have been a blessing. Now that blessing will take a miracle. And what climatologist are saying it will take to break the drought is something like a really bad hurricane.

You know, it’s really a shame when you have to pray for one natural disaster to help break another natural disaster but that’s what I’m doing. And the sooner the better because the results of this drought are adding up. See how in this week’s video blog.

Alisa Hines

 

On the Horizon: What Happens Next? from Alisa Hines on Vimeo.

Oklahoma Horizon TV

On the Horizon: How big is too big?

The role of government is a hotly debated issue these days. On Wednesday night, I heard candidate after candidate in the Republican presidential debates talk about getting big government out of our lives.

I wonder though while many Americans may agree on the surface, would they still feel the same if government services stopped or were even reduced. Are fewer teachers the answer? No Social Security? A smaller military?

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Senator Tom Coburn, Oklahoma’s version of “Mr. Chips Goes to Washington.” An idealist for sure, and as far as I can tell, unwavering in his own disdain for the largess of the federal government. First elected to the House in the 90’s, he has preached a pretty simple message. Pay as you go and don’t borrow from future generations to fund today’s programs.

As I see it, our budget problems are pretty simple to identify, if hard to fix. For decades the expansion of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid was financed by shrinking defense spending. After 9/11 and two wars, defense spending has exploded, while entitlement programs’ costs also continue to rise with our aging population and uncontrolled health care costs. Add in the Bush tax cut earlier this decade and an unfunded drug entitlement for seniors, and our budget deficit has exploded.

That’s my diagnosis, and here is Dr. Coburn’s cure, and true to his medical background, he promises that ‘this may hurt a little.’

Take a look at our conversation. I am curious what you think.
Rob McClendon

 

On the Horizon: How big is too big? from Alisa Hines on Vimeo.

Oklahoma Horizon TV

On the Horizon: CSI Science Class

When I was in high school, science class was always fun. We would spend our time looking through microscopes and growing mold on bread. And let’s not forget the cool frog and cow heart dissections. Those were definitely fun memories. However, the things I learned in my science classes do not hold a candle to the students we introduce you to in this week’s video blog.

The students in the Biotech program at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center are learning in-depth science techniques that will catapult them into the field of bioscience. From DNA testing to growing cultures, these up and coming scientists are on their way to becoming the best in the industry.

~Andy Barth

 

On the Horizon: CSI Science Class from Alisa Hines on Vimeo.