Conversation with an Oklahoman re: # 3 at FEMA

[DURHAM D]

Just got off the phone with my best friend from OKC. Last night he went for pre-dinner cocktails to the home of a good friend. Already present when he arrived was a native Okie that he had not previously met. Assuming he was among likeminded folks, my friend raised his glass and offered a toast (roast) for our current president. Note: Can't repeat it here or people in black suits will knock on my door.

Anyway, the new guy exploded that he fully supported Bush. My friend inquired as to why and new guy said "My brother is number 3 at FEMA- his name is Brooks Altshuler." My friend than asked him if Brooks was one of the "qualified or unqualifed" people. New guy insisted that he is highly qualified, but offered no details. My friend could not wait to end the evening (wasn't much fun after the first 60 seconds)because he wanted to get home, get on the internet and do a little research. You guessed it - new guy's brother is not at all qualified - just another political hack with our lives in his hand.

This is a true story and it is a very small world.

[elehhhhna]

info on brooks

Altshuler, 31, worked at the White House in 2001 as a ``senior advance representative'' earning $51,250 a year, according to a White House pay list published by the Washington Post at the time.

http://www.forward.com/campaignconfidential/index.php

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Did you know that Michael Brown is from Oklahoma???

Remember that the state is known as the buckle of the Bible Belt. My :loveya: is from there and he despairs of his home state.

[DURHAM D]

2. Yes, in fact my friend is trying to get a handle on the local

gossip about Brown. He knows a lot of horse people - unfortunately, most of them are his clients and are repugs so he has to proceed carefully.

BTW - I think #2 at FEMA - Patrick Rhode might also have Oklahoma connections.

The St. Petersburg newspaper (Tampa Bay) has a good article today about Brown - including several quotes from Stephen Jones, a former Brown employer. Jones was Tim McVeigh's lead attorney. Jones ran for congress many years ago - he is a Repug - but pretty moderate so he did not win. That congressional district (think it is the 5th) is currently represented by nutball Istook.

[RoyGBiv]

5. Local gossip ...

A few tidbits, i.e. places to look.

He went to Central State University, which is now called University of Central Oklahoma. His grades weren't stellar. He went to law school and Oklahoma City University rather than University of Oklahoma, possibly because his grades weren't good enough to admit him to the latter. (That's typically what happens. No one really wants to go to OCU because it's more expensive than OU.)

He was employed by the city of Edmond, a wealthy suburb on the north side of OKC, for awhile. I am not sure in what capacity. I am told he made a few enemies while doing this but also important friends. The suggestion left for me is that his making friends in high places is how he also made enemies.

[DURHAM D]

10. Hi RoyGBiv - I lived in OKC and Norman for 15 years.

And one day when I retire, God willing and the creek don't rise, I will move back to Oklahoma. I have lived elsewhere for 25 years but still talk almost everyday to friends in OKC and although I did not grow up there I consider it my home.

Go Sooners! (I graduated from OU - political science)

[bobbieinok]

6. Keating, OK gov in 2000, angered W so didn't get atty gen job

at time, I knew Keating would be terrible.......in hindsight, he would have been much better than Ashcroft

[DURHAM D]

11. Yeah - I am not a big fan of Keating. I knew him back when he

first arrived in the OK senate.

[cynatnite]

12. I grew up in OK

There was a time when being a die-hard Democrat in OK was cool. I don't think I could hack being in my hometown now. It's been taken over by bushbots last I heard.

[DURHAM D]

14. Are you talking about Oklahoma City ? eom

[cynatnite]

15. No, it's a hick town in NW OK n/t

[greatauntoftriplets]

16. Yes, there was a time that Oklahoma was a progressive state.

Sad that things had to change.

[autorank]

3. That's a classic. Those OK folks can take it.

Surprised there wasn't a fight but hey, how do you fight for a bunch of assholes who ruined the country and destroyed a city!

[Greyskye]

4. Gee, jobs are cheap these days...

...he only donated $500 to W's presidential campaign!

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=&zip=20002&last=ALTSHULER&first=BROOKS

[DURHAM D]

9. Check out the Altshulers in Oklahoma - I think they are all

related to young Brooks.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Hmm that might explain the yeha type of posting I saw on the BBC

board.. all pro-bu$h and from someone in Oklahoma City. I figured it was just because it was Bu$h country, but now that I know the FEMA junta are from OK, well.. that adjusts things a bit.

------------------------------------------------------
Ditch Bu$h and save the Gulf: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Coyote_Bandit]

8. It is indeed a very small world

here in crazy red f*cking JOklahoma and very few are better at good ole boy gladhanding and nepotism. Some folks here tend to have a very long memory and they tend to hold grudges.

I'd advise your friend to revise his resume and begin looking to relocate. It could be a good career move. Seriously.

[DURHAM D]

13. Thanks for the concern but he will be OK.

There are an amazing number of liberal Repugs in OKC but as they are mostly (one way or another) in the oil business they do know how to get their bread buttered.