Show Notes
The 2025 Oklahoma Republican Party Platform - Part 2 II. EDUCATION Preamble: We acknowledge our dependence upon Almighty God and ask His blessings upon our students and their parents, teachers, and nation. It is the right and responsibility of parents (hereafter to mean parents and/ or legal guardians) to direct their children's upbringing and education whether public, private, charter, or education by other means without interference, regulation, or penalty from the government. The primary goal of public schools should be to teach proficiency in the basic subjects of phonics-based reading, written and oral communication, mathematics, sciences, history, founding documents, Godly heritage of our nation, critical thinking skills, basic morals, and civics. Locally elected school boards should have the authority to determine and implement all public-school curricula, policies, and procedures for their districts. We demand open accountability from all tax-funded education in Oklahoma. The federal government has no constitutional role in education. A. Philosophy We Believe 1. We believe the traditional family unit, consisting of a (husband) man, (wife) woman, and child(ren) is the foundation of our social structure. The Oklahoma Department of Education and the various 7 Boards of Regents should uphold and teach this definition of traditional family at all levels of public education. 2. We believe individuals should have the right to choose their own education and career tracks. 3. We believe to comply with the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, we favor elimination and complete defunding of the Federal Department of Education. 4. We believe in and affirm the right of students and school employees to the free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment, including the right to wear and display religious symbols, voluntary vocal prayer, optional Bible and religious study, religious expression including holidays, and equal access to use of school facilities for these activities. 5. We believe the only flags to be displayed at, or in, any Oklahoma school are the flags of the United States of America and the State of Oklahoma. Students should start the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, including "one nation under God", and be taught the history of and respect for our United States flag. 6. We believe the K-12 public-school system is for the benefit of children of legal residents of the United States. 7. We believe the responsibility to teach children the philosophy, values, and theology to live by belongs to a child's parents. We Support 1. We support all parents fulfilling their God-given responsibility to educate and raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, free from government control. 2. We support parental access to examine and evaluate all educational and assessment, records pertaining to their children. 3. We support notification to parents that should be clear, simple, and descriptive when any alternative school programs are offered. Active parental consent to opt in must be obtained without repercussion. 4. We support The Ten Commandments being displayed in public schools as a means of moral guidance along with our national motto "In God We Trust" and the Bill of Rights. Public schools shall not prohibit the teaching of the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which our country was founded. 5. We support the recognition of, instruction in, and honor given to men motivated by Judeo-Christian ethics who made great contributions to the development of traditional Western Civilization. 8 6. We support proficiency in math, reading, writing, and other basic skills before computer technology and calculators are used. 7. We support notification of parents of medical treatment sought by students including dispensing of any pharmaceuticals. We oppose mandatory healthcare in public schools, vaccinations for students, and any forced mental healt
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Full Presidential Pardon - Russell Fincher Jake speaks with Russell Fincher about the federal raid, the felony conviction that upended his life, and the full presidential pardon he says he received from Donald Trump. The conversation covers what happened to his career, his family, and his church community, plus what the pardon changes and what still remains unresolved. In this episode: Russell Fincher recounts being a pastor, former school teacher, and occasional gun show vendor before the raid that changed everything. He describes the SWAT-style operation at his home, the fear for his 12-year-old son, and the trauma of being handcuffed in front of his family. Russell explains how the felony conviction affected his ability to work, including repeated job rejections despite having a master's degree. He shares how his church supported him, refused his resignation, and kept him in the pastorate through the legal battle. Russell details receiving a full and unconditional presidential pardon, including the moment his attorney called with the news. He says the pardon erased the felony from his record and removed the indictment from the official case screen. The discussion touches on outreach from James Langford's office and the role of Senator Markwayne Mullin in supporting the pardon effort. Jake and Russell talk about the firearms taken during the raid and the lingering question of whether any will be returned. Russell reflects on the long wait for relief, saying he believes God remained faithful even when the timing was not his own. The episode closes with talk about Russell possibly returning to public education now that the felony has been wiped away. Timestamps: (00:00) Jake introduces Russell Fincher and frames the major update (01:16) Russell recaps life before the raid as a pastor, teacher, and gun show vendor (01:46) The ATF raid at his home and the fear it caused his family (02:53) How the felony conviction threatened his career and livelihood (03:33) Job searches, rejection, and the reality of being "felony friendly" (04:32) The one employer who looked past the record and gave him work (05:28) Why his church refused to accept his resignation (06:26) How church support helped him survive the lowest point (07:39) Reading the presidential pardon and hearing the words "full and unconditional" (08:18) The attorney's call and the moment Russell realized it might be real (09:23) Confirmation from White House staff and the pardon being verified (10:46) Russell's long relationship with James Langford and the pardon effort (12:44) Support from Senator Langford and Senator Markwayne Mullin (13:44) Timeline of the raid and how long the case dragged on (14:10) Why the confiscated firearms still matter after the pardon (15:23) Russell says the wait taught him to trust God's timing (17:03) A call for real justice and reform beyond the pardon (21:10) Whether Russell plans to return to teaching (23:08) Final reflections on hope, testimony, and continued advocacy (25:12) Jake quotes the First Amendment and argues for petitioning the government (29:29) Closing thanks and final sign-off
One moment changed Russell Fincher's life forever. In this powerful interview, Russell recounts the day ATF agents raided his home, the fear he felt for his son's life, and how he suddenly found himself facing a felony charge. He shares what it was like to have his reputation, livelihood, and sense of security turned upside down—and the difficult process of picking up the pieces afterward. This is more than a story about one federal raid. It is a deeply personal conversation about government power, constitutional rights, family, fear, faith, and what it takes to rebuild when everything you knew changes in an instant. Listen to Russell Fincher tell his story in his own words on the Jake for the State Podcast. (You can watch the conversation here: https://youtu.be/15pFliwj--c) Check out my new line of freedom gear here: https://brushfiresclothing.com
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