At stake today: an almost $250 million bond issue that would buy area students some new gyms, classrooms, busses, equipment, junk for libraries and other scholastic stuff. 

Retired general and former secretary of state Colin Powell was in Norman yesterday and OKGwidget was there to crash the party. After speaking to students, Powell hosted a "dialogue" with members of OU's "President's Associates," many of whom shell out God-knows-how-much every year, and drive hours to watch invited politicos on a giant screen in another room where they aren't speaking.

Things learned:
1) Sitting in a plaid chair rather than standing is the only difference between a "dialogue" and a "diatribe."
2) "Reception" doesn't mean "drinks" or even "cash bar."
3) Powell sounds like Leonard Nimoy.