Opinion

I sometimes wish Independence Day occurred during the school year so students, parents and educators could celebrate America’s birthday, but then I remember that fireworks and school do not mix. Just ask my high school principal about an incident involving firecrackers in the cafeteria. I admit to nothing, but that was back when they paddled, and I still cannot lean too far left in my chair. For some reason, I have never enjoyed fireworks as much afterwards.

As President Biden declared the United States’ independence from the COVID-19 pandemic on July 4, he should give credit where it’s due: former president Donald Trump and the Trump administration program that made it possible, Operation Warp Speed - which gave us the world’s most effective coronavirus vaccines in record time.

Business incentives are to state economic growth what baling wire and duct tape are to home repair. Both are less-than-ideal attempts to provide a temporary solution to longer-term problems.

This problem came to the forefront again when state officials announced that Canoo, an electric vehicle company, will build a manufacturing plant in Pryor — and the company’s CEO told Reuters that $300 million in government incentives played a major role in the decision.

It’s never too late to change direction. Regardless of past mistakes, you can decide today to take a different path. Here are some suggestions to help you.

The first step is to understand why you are where you are and what went wrong. You can’t turn your life around until you take responsibility for your actions. If you blame other people or circumstances, you inhibit your ability to make changes.

The United States has long been the world leader in science and technology. That’s no accident — it’s the result of sustained investment in our research enterprise. But we’ve let our commitment slip and we’ve lost focus on the importance of scientific and technological leadership.

It’s time we redouble our efforts and reinvest in American science and technology.

The House Science Committee is taking up two bipartisan bills to do just that.

As part of its “diversity, equity and inclusion” focus, one University of Oklahoma college recently vowed to teach white students “cultural humility,” and OU President Joseph Harroz said legislation that prohibited requiring students to take any orientation “that presents any form of race or sex stereotyping or a bias on the basis of race or sex” is “contrary to the goals we have laid out for ourselves as part of our Strategic Plan.”

Remembrances of the Tulsa Race Massacre have focused largely — and understandably — on the tragic and unnecessary loss of life and property. But Oklahomans should not ignore other lessons provided by the rise and resurrection of “Black Wall Street,” Tulsa’s Greenwood district.

Too many observers gloss over the fact that a center of wealth and commerce was a black community in a state where Jim Crow laws were still enforced —at times, brutally so. How could this be so? Because the power of free markets is often greater than even the power of true systemic oppression.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Urban Meyer’s decision to sign Tim Tebow to the roster of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars.

The all-knowing Charles Barkley pontificated that Tebow failed as a quarterback in the NFL and as a Minor League Baseball player — so Sir Charles encourages Tebow to not embarrass himself and just hang it up.

Every year, the United States welcomes nearly 1 million immigrants entering our country legally and lawfully. That is more than any other nation in the world.

While both Republicans and Democrats agree that immigration reform is needed, President Biden’s policy reform by executive action is severely misguided and irresponsible. And as we have seen in recent months, the consequences of his open border policies are endangering American citizens.

Along with mathematics and science, study of civics and American history is key to a well-rounded education. Indeed, when Americans have a deeper understanding of our nation’s history and founding principles, they become more engaged citizens who participate in our government the way our Founding Fathers intended. It also preserves our republic and ensures a prosperous future for generations to come.