Stan Geiger

Stimulating Boredom

KOTV’s Oklahoma Impact series continues, tracking stimulus spending in the state. I like the series, though I must say it is becoming monotonous. It’s just story after story about Obama and his Democratic cohorts passing out money---borrowed money---in a grand vote-buying scheme while calling it “economic stimulus.”

Last night’s edition was a real butt-burner. It noted $50,000 that has gone to the Tulsa Opera.

The story said the Opera is heavily in debt. A spokesman said the Opera is finding it very difficult to sell tickets or solicit donations. Nonetheless, he tried to justify the government subsidy, saying something about feeding the soul as well as the body.

There has been a recurring theme in the Impact series: People on the receiving end of the money always seem to think Obama’s “stimulus package” is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Go figure.

When asked about jobs, the spokesman laid claim to turning a part-time job into a fulltime job, and he said he kinda sorta hopes to be able to maintain the fulltime position when the grant money runs out. I’d say there is scant hope of that happening, given the financial picture.

So, our 50 grand plus interest has created half a job for a short period of time.

Quite clearly, damn few people give a fat monkey’s ass about the Tulsa Opera---or the Tulsa Ballet, for that matter, which was also mentioned in the story. Most people just don’t consider listening to chubby women rattle window panes with their voices or watching men prance around in leotards entertainment. And given the fact that these alleged business enterprises can’t sell tickets or garner donations, it seems that even the handful of people that do give a slight care don’t consider opera and/or ballet important enough for their financial support.

If these entities can’t stand on their own two feet, don’t prop them up with public money. Let them die.

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