Each new year brings a time for clarity, refocus and rejuvenation. We certainly need it when it comes to understanding the complexities of our state’s lawsuit against the poultry giants of northwest Arkansas.

In particular, we are periodically indulged with outrageous statements printed in state newspapers from the Adair County representative to the Oklahoma Scenic River Commission. Oddly, the commissioner is very interested in protecting the poultry industry, while not interested at all in seeing Attorney General Drew Edmondson prevail in the most significant event for water quality in the history of our state’s premier scenic river, the Illinois River.

Aren’t scenic river commissioners supposed to be fighting for clean water?

The state has suffered throughout the trial from various rulings from U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell.

As if reading from the movie script of “My Cousin Vinny,” the judge has essentially hollered, “Overruled!” before the state’s attorneys can sound the last syllable of “Objection!”

The judge’s actions throughout have given us the impression that he doesn’t want a lengthy trial, he doesn’t want to hear all the state’s evidence, and it seems he doesn’t want to be there at all. He has complained that attorneys on both sides are simply filing motions to set up the appeal of the case.

Do you blame the attorneys? After all, the judge has thrown out most of the state’s evidence, and ruled against them at every turn.

Aren’t judges supposed to be impartial and not preconditioned to the outcome of the case? Shouldn’t they err on the side of leniency when it comes to evidence?

Regardless of these glowing imperfections, there is some clarity in the mayhem.

It is clear that water quality is a monumental issue, not only for Oklahoma but for the entire country. We have states fighting over freshwater rights. We’re seeing our freshwater supplies depleting and becoming contaminated. Yet, for the sake of the almighty dollar, we protect industries that pollute while we watch water quality dwindle.

Is it not imperative that businesses survive while freshwater is protected? We must find ways to accomplish this.

The clarity of focus for the year 2010 should be in protecting our freshwater. We’re all in this fight together.

In the words of Cherokee Chief Chad Smith when describing the ritual of “going to water,” the Cherokees believe that the essence of life is water, and without clean water, your life is basically polluted.

Let’s thank Oklahoma’s Attorney General Drew Edmondson for bringing the essence of life to the forefront in Oklahoma.