THUMBS UP

Every holiday season there is no shortage of stories about local groups banding together to help people in need.

Many of those stories have run in the pages of our newspaper in recent weeks.

A quilting group donated 22 quilts to Cimarron Valley Chapter of American Red Cross. Enid police raised money to allow needy children to purchase Christmas gifts for themselves and others with Kmart gift cards. Enid YWCA gave Christmas gifts to less fortunate teenagers.

These are just a few examples of the giving nature of Enid groups and individuals. Thumbs up to all groups and individuals who organized events to help the less fortunate this holiday season. These people understand and demonstrate the true spirit of Christmas.



THUMBS DOWN

Alcohol and guns do not mix. That point was driven home by the recent arrest of two men for shooting cattle and striking a bull with their pickup late last month.

Shane Smith, 34, of Orlando, and Shelby Morris, 22, of Kansas, confessed to the shootings near Covington. They said they were drunk and were doing night hunting for deer and shot the cattle when no deer appeared.

A total of 13 head of cattle were killed or injured in the incident.

Thumbs down to this glaring example of the stupidity that results when guns and alcohol are mixed.



THUMBS UP

Most everyone takes a break during the holidays, a respite from the routine, time to be spent with family and friends.

But illness and injury recognize no holidays, and thus the need for blood donations never ceases.

The need for blood is always high during the holidays, said Nita Mankin, director of Enid’s Oklahoma Blood Institute center.

To try and encourage donations, Enid OBI is offering chili to donors, along with a winter cap and triple points in OBI’s Members for Life program.

Thumbs up to all who continue to give the gift of life despite the demands of the hectic holiday season.



THUMBS DOWN

The economic news in Oklahoma is not good, and it is getting worse.

This past week the state Board of Equalization certified a revenue estimate for next year that is $1.3 billion less than the current one.

As a result state lawmakers will have about $5.3 billion to spend during the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. That’s a 20 percent drop from the $6.6 billion the Legislature has to spend this fiscal year.

The board also declared a revenue shortfall of more than $729 million for the current year.

The reasons are many. Our economy still is feeling the effects of the nationwide recession, but Oklahoma also has been slammed by the double whammy of low prices for oil and natural gas.

Thumbs down to the continued shortfall projections, which figure to negatively impact state agencies over the coming months.