Representative Jim Olsen

R

District 2

Hi, I'm Jim Olsen and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 2nd District.


representative

News & Announcements

Oct 21, 2024
Recent Posts

Olsen Comments on Corporal Punishment Interim Study

Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, held an interim study Monday, Oct. 21, to discuss the effectiveness of properly administered corporal punishment.  Olsen stated that he does not intend to run any particular bill related to this issue.  "I have no intention to require parents to do this, or even for schools to be required to implement corporal punishment," he said. "What I do object to is the desire of some people to totally prohibit it for all schools and in all situations, no matter how extreme."  Olsen also said the "so-called science" attempting to condemn corporal punishment is very weak.  "There seem to be significant problems with the methodology of studies that advocate for total prohibition of corporal punishment," Olsen said. "They do not control for the variables. They confuse correlation with causality. They don't separate outliers of extreme abuse that don't even come close to properly administered corporal punishment. They often don't compare spanking with other disciplinary measures. So, generally speaking, much of the science is questionable at best."  Olsen also responded to people who attempt to affirm that corporal punishment is condemned by the Bible.  "We can't play fast and loose with the clear text of the Bible," Olsen said, adding, "Read Proverbs 19:18. Read Hebrews 12:11. The words of the King James Bible are very clear. If we will honor the clear statements that God tells us in the Bible, things will go better for us."  He reiterated his intention for holding Monday's interim study.  "I have no intention of trying to require parents or schools to use corporal punishment. That is their decision. What I absolutely oppose is all of us caving in to ill-informed zealots that want to prevent all schools everywhere from ever using any corporal punishment. It has worked well for generations, and centuries, and it still needs to be an option today." 

Oct 15, 2024
Recent Posts

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus Challenge "National Coming Out Day" Event at Tinker Air Force Base

The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus (OKFC) challenge the decision to host and promote "National Coming Out Day" at Tinker Air Force Base. Sen. Shane Jett, chair of the OKFC and a U.S. Navy veteran, expressed the criticism shared by thousands of military families. "Military bases have significant budgets to cultivate positive relationships in their communities," Jett said. "It’s incomprehensible that Tinker Air Force Base would openly promote a prurient lifestyle that would obviously affront the tenets of faith of over 75% of Oklahoma’s professing Christian population, as well those practicing Jewish and Muslim faiths. It is vulgar, prurient, inappropriate and unbecoming of our military facilities." Rep. Jim Olsen, House vice chair of the OKFC, echoed these concerns, adding, "The military exists to protect our freedoms, not to serve as a platform for sexual social experimentation. Events like these distract from their mission and undermine the moral fabric that holds our armed forces together. We will continue to demand that Tinker focuses on what matters most: national defense and the protection of American values." Sen. Dusty Deevers, Senate vice chair of the OKFC, emphasized the potential dangers of such events, saying, “We urge Oklahomans to make their voices heard. For too long, polite and long-suffering Oklahomans have endured intentional disrespect to their moral sensibilities, defiance of tenets of their faith in direct offense of morality and decency. This is not the way forward.” The OKFC encouraged citizens to demand accountability from Tinker Air Force Base and their elected representatives. "Silence has been interpreted as the consent of hedonistic sexual gratification as a so-called 'alternative lifestyle,'" Jett said. "We do not give our consent. We do not approve. We call appropriate shame upon those who promote this nonsense in the name of ‘diversity, equity and inclusion,’ which is intended to divide, distract and destroy the morale of this country and devastate the military readiness of our armed forces." The members said the public can get involved by requesting their state and federal legislators require military facilities to focus on military readiness, provide a wholesome environment for the base community, and discontinue the promotion of sexual and politically-charged events that affront and disrespect Oklahoma values. The members encouraged the public to directly contact Tinker Air Force Base to express their opposition at 405-739-2025.

Oct 7, 2024
Recent Posts

STATEMENT: Reps Issue Joint Statement Opposing Tinker AFB "National Coming Out Day" Event

A group of legislators is opposing an event at Tinker Air Force Base called "National Coming Out Day" and the affirmation that homosexuals are "born this way." The following statement is issued by Reps. Jim Olsen, R-Roland; David Hardin, R-Stilwell; Clay Staires, R-Skiatook; Kevin West, R-Moore; Rick West, R-Heavener; and Danny Williams, R-Seminole. "As one of the nation's most important and strategic military bases, Tinker should remain focused on our national defense and not expend taxpayer dollars to promote a lifestyle contrary to the values of the majority of Oklahomans. It is offensive to use the statement 'born this way' as there is no evidence to support this. We view this as completely unnecessary for this campaign. In fact, we find the entire campaign unnecessary. Is Tinker next prepared to host a day to celebrate people who believe in sex only after marriage between a man and a woman? We would think not."