Raise your hand if you would like to live in a state like OK

[quinnox]

Oklahoma? Holy shit. Right winger central. I expect to hear the sound of *CRICKETS* to my query.

[spartan61]

1. Not just NO but

HELL NO!!!!

[ZM90]

2. I already live here and Tulsa seems like the only relatively sane area.

[Major Nikon]

45. I lived in Tulsa for 10 years

There's still plenty of crazy around there if you know where to look.

[formercia]

59. OKC and Stillwater for 10 Years as well

The only place where I've had a Gun pulled on me besides Alabama.

[Kellen RN]

91. My in-laws live in Tulsa

and their take is that it is even worse than my hometown of Oklahoma City. Also, by election returns from '08 I'd have to say they're right. Oklahoma County had the highest percentage of votes go to Obama if my memory serves me correctly.

[orangejuice]

3. 500,000 people here voted for Obama in 2008

McCain overwhelmingly won the state, but don't overlook the fact that progressives live here, and in some cases have to be more committed to their positions than in other states where one's perspective might not be constantly challenged.

[ncgrits]

22. Hear, hear! Keep up the good fight! nt

[Kellen RN]

94. Most progressive okies I know are rabid about their beliefs.

I suppose that is the best thing about growing up here. It made it really easy for me to decide that neither theism or conservatism are right for me.

[meadowlark5]

4. Um, no

My in-laws live there and we visit from time to time. My husband at one time wanted to move there because we could get acreage and a nice house for a lot less than where we are. But I always said NO. It's conservative enough in the county we live in, but at least there is Denver and other areas that aren't totally wingnut.

[superpatriotman]

5. That depends

With enough money I could live just about anywhere, including Oklahoma

[OKNancy]

6. What, did this thread upset you or something?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021643770

Our positive comments irk? I've thought about moving to Portland to be near my daughter, but not if condescending xxx like you live there.
... oh and it rains too damn much.

[quinnox]

18. Oklahoma, huh

sounds like I hit a nerve.

[Bluenorthwest]

21. I know some ranchers in OK and TX who had to slaughter their cattle due to draught

So 'too much rain' is apparently relative to what one does for a living. I was recently reading about the ripple effects of the draught of 2012 on the region...many Oklahomans are suffering from that lack of rain.

[Kellen RN]

97. Pretty sure OKC and Tulsa get more annual rainfall.

The difference is in the type of rain. Showers vs. sprinkles. I'll take cloudy and drizzly over 110+ degree summers.

[Aerows]

7. I live in MS

I don't imagine it would be any worse.

[Fumesucker]

8. Yeah, I feel the same way here in GA n/t

[Kellen RN]

100. At least you guys have Athens and Atlanta.

If Tulsa and Oklahoma City were the same city, or perhaps a part of the same metro area at least we might get a few progressives into the state congress and maybe win a congressional district. Our Democrats aren't even really Democrats.

[cali]

9. It doesn't appeal to me, but I imagine there are nice areas

For me it's about the landscape as much as the politics.

[Tikki]

13. To me it's about the landscape AND the weather....

It was hotter than a pistol in Oklahoma last Summer. But as someone said
there are kind and forward thinking people in Oklahoma.



Tikki

[hfojvt]

10. Oklahoma is OK

Elizabeth Warren was born there

It is perhaps not that different from Kansas.

Given that it should have a large Cherokee population though, I sorta wonder how it is so conservative.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. wtf state bashing day on DU?

[Octafish]

12. There's nothing wrong with Oklahoma or Oklahomans a little truth won't cure.

I've spent more than a few days in the great State of Oklahoma and found the people to be the same as anywhere -- good people shaped by their circumstances to be who they are.

IMO, what's needed are a better school system, public libraries and unbiased news media.

If the people of Oklahoma knew who's been doing what to them, there'd be a big change in their political allignment.

[Mariana]

86. The churches have been very effective at immunizing people

against the truth.

[Kellen RN]

93. The problem is that they don't want to know who has been doing what.

Most of the people couldn't give two shits about truth if it can't be found in their churches.

[jkrichter]

14. Pretty State, but hell no!

[Comrade_McKenzie]

15. Try Kentucky, where everyone is registered Dem just out of tradition... nt

[Paladin]

16. More Snotty State-Bashing Here On DU?

Imagine my utter lack of surprise.......

[kentauros]

24. I know, right?

You should see my post further down. I do expect *crickets* in response from the OP

[Kellen RN]

96. Feel free to bash my home state. It deserves it.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

17. I lived in Oklahoma when I was a little kid in the 1950s

in a town named Midwest City, outside of Oklahoma City. I guess when you're really young you don't notice the religious nuts so much. Our next door neighbors were Indians. It was the Chief of the Caddo tribe and his family. He moved to a town so that his two sons could attend public school. I used to play with the younger son; at cowboys and Indians he always wanted the Indians to win. The two brothers would take me crawdad fishing at a nearby creek. When I was invited into their house, I noticed there wasn't any furniture to speak of, no tables, chairs, or beds; they ate and slept on the floor.

One day I was with my mother when she was approached by an hysterical white woman of the neighborhood who came up to her and asked her if she knew who I was playing with. "He's a full-blooded Indian!", the crazy lady shouted. "Good, I'm very happy", my mother shouted back in her French accent.

[txwhitedove]

49. Me too, grew up in MWC. What street did you live on??

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

51. Air Depot Drive

[txwhitedove]

53. South Air Depot? We lived on Wilson Drive by the Catholic church/school. I had a great childhood

in Oklahoma, lots of freedom, safe place to grow up back then.

[LeftInTX]

19. Texas is pretty bad

I'm a transplant from Wisconsin.
Lots of anti-tax attitudes.

I'm in San Antonio, a city with a limited water supply.
Voters always turn down new water supply projects.

Additionally, when I first moved here there was no drainage.
City streets would flood bad.

Education funding in Texas is currently a nightmare.

The only saving grace for some of these issues are court cases.

A friend visited me from WI and asked, "Why is it like this"?

I don't find the people here bigoted, as much as they just don't "Get it"

[malokvale77]

30. Hi neighbor...

Minnesota transplant here. When I came here back in the 60's, Texas was more progressive. What we have now is a result of a plan, put in place decades ago, to get conservatives elected at the school board level (dumbing down). The churches were very involved in putting forth candidates. George Bush was a direct result of those efforts. An uneducated public is easy to manipulate.

[Paladin]

34. Leave If You're So Goddamned Unhappy. (nt)

[Indpndnt]

40. Oh, there's an encouraging attitude.

Don't acknowledge the problems and try to change things, just leave. Nice.

There are those of us who realize we have issues here and are working to get those fixed. Sticking our heads in the sand just enables the idiots who create the problems. But thanks for the encouragement.

[Paladin]

64. Did You Pick Up On Any Indication.....

...that our Wisconsin pal is interested in an effort to "try to change things"? Neither did I. Nothing but terminal negativity.

I'm a fifth-generation Texan who's working on those problems you're talking about. We're on the same side, I think.......

[Indpndnt]

65. If that poster is on DU and votes Dem, then, yes, there is an attempt at change.

We need every vote we can get. I'll take a vote with criticism any day. Maybe because I can bitch and moan with the best of them.

[LeftInTX]

67. Hey...LOL

My parents hauled me down here in 1977
What's unfortunate is many transplants in TX end up becoming RWers.
We may come to TX for many reasons, but we don't need to throw out the baby with the bath water.
I've voted Dem every election and been involved in local issues.

[Mariana]

88. Some Texans are hypersensitive.

I'm sure you're familiar with the type - the slightest criticism, of anything, is taken as an expression of hatred and is met with extreme hostility and usually, an invitation to get the hell out.

[NoPasaran]

37. Texas is actually wonderful

It's the Texans that screw it up.

[locks]

20. OK Dems

I went to college in OK a long time ago and had my first child there. There were good people (Democrats) then and there still are. It's just a little harder to find them.

[kentauros]

23. I raise my hand, high.

Why? Because I already live in a state most DUers equate with Oklahoma: Texas.

Again, why would I raise my hand on this? Because I love my state. I take the bad with the good. I know most DUers that have had bad experiences here would never willingly come back and have nothing but vitriol to lob against us. Fine. Good riddance. I will also state that most simply don't understand why we would dare say that we love our state. Well, I guess you'd just have to have lived here all your life to know.

I feel the same attitude would be behind any liberal Oklahomans that also raise their hands. The only reason I wouldn't want to live in Oklahoma is the climate, not the people. I like it warmer, much warmer.

How's that for *CRICKETS*?

[Blue_In_AK]

32. Oh, you're talking to me.

I remember us having that conversation, I believe. .

[kentauros]

38. I was talking to quinnox

but I do remember our conversation

[justabob]

48. +1

Except for the liking it warmer part.

[kentauros]

61. Well, I can understand that.

I think it takes having a lower than normal body temperature to like the heat. Mine hovers around 98F or less

[justabob]

70. ha

My temp actually runs lower than usual too, I still don't love the hot. I can deal with 100+, I am native, but given the choice I would like the weather we are having today more often. (40-65 and gloriously clean and sunny in DFW)

[kentauros]

73. I can't honestly say that I LIKE to sweat.

But I do have a personal mantra: I'd rather sweat than shiver!

The only problem I have with cooler weather, though, is involuntary: It triggers my allergies until it's no longer "nice weather." I'm fine when it's raining or storming.

So, are you out getting a tan in the nice weather up there?

[justabob]

75. lol

No tan, but it is nice to have the AC shut off and the windows open. Love that. I also got to wear a nice wool sweater this morning without being itchy.

That sucks about the allergies. I haven't ever had allergies until the last couple of years. My feelings may change if my allergy situation develops. Sigh. There is ONE thing I can't stand about the colder weather.... static. Oh well.

[kentauros]

81. I am a walking Van der Graff Generator!

Even when it's humid

[justabob]

83. you know

I *think* we have chatted about that before.... a long time ago. After I posted about static, I had deja vu about it... I hate static a lot, and I am glad that it is only a few months of the year when it is a problem. Good luck with your static generation.

[Aristus]

25. My father was born and raised in Oklahoma City, and he couldn't get out of there fast enough.

When he turned 18, he joined the Air Force, and never looked back.

He took us to visit family in OK City a number of times when I was a kid, and even at a relatively tender age, I thought the place was a dump.

[jackbenimble]

26. Huh?

What's wrong with wanting to live somewhere beautiful and spacious? I sure as hell wont let politics dictate where I live.

We live in a beautiful country, there isn't any reason not to enjoy every part of it. And no reason not to make it your own seeing as how any red state will only remain red until the blue moves in.

[kentauros]

28. It would be fun to make a thread here

that is nothing but obscure yet beautiful photos of various places around in each state. No labels for where they originate, or what part of the state they are in until later. See how many haters pick scenes they love in red states

[orangejuice]

44. Here you go

Spoiler: it's Oklahoma

[kentauros]

62. Great photos!

There are beautiful places everywhere! And welcome to DU

[jackbenimble]

54. Good idea.

Last time I started a thread it went straight to the back pages though. Hope you or someone else does start that thread.

[kentauros]

63. I guess I have a project ahead of me

I'll enlist the help of the Photography group

[Camballo]

27. Raise your hand if you live in OK, but...

...wish you didn't sometimes. It's so hyperconservative, I can't say if many of my colleagues -- teachers no less -- are voting for Obama. And I live in a relatively Democratic area in a suburb of Tulsa.
Funny, though, I really like the people around here. I just avoid politics, but right now that's a tall order. I feel like one of those characters in a movie who knows the truth, but no one believes her.
My folks are on board though, including my dad, a former lifelong Republican who broke with the party in 2004 and ever since.

[Kellen RN]

95. Consider my hand raised.

[TwilightGardener]

29. I wouldn't make a concerted effort to live there, no. But there's lots of

states in which I could say the same thing, for various reasons. Wouldn't try real hard to live in: Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota, Georgia, North Dakota, Alaska, New York, Tennessee, etc. etc.

[Blue_In_AK]

31. No, I lived in Texas for seven years.

I won't even go down there to visit anymore. No offense to the good texans, of which I know there are many, but I can't stand your state. I assume Oklahoma is much the same?

[justabob]

50. OK people drive better :) nt

[Blue_In_AK]

56. My husband lived in Texas for over 50 years

but he said he couldn't believe the traffic when he was down there earlier this month. (Notice I said "when HE was down there." I'm serious about avoiding Texas.)

[justabob]

69. lol I understand

There's a lot I don't like about my home state, but I live in a cool, blue neighborhood and it isn't so bad.

I don't know which part of the state your hubby visits, but the traffic in DFW in extraordinary and getting worse all the time. (even before we start on the QUALITY of the drivers)

[Blue_In_AK]

82. He was actually visiting his brother in Dripping Springs.

which wasn't too bad, but he drove over to Houston for his 45th high school reunion which is where he ran into the insane traffic. He hasn't lived down there since 2003, so I think he had forgotten just how crazy it is. Plus, it's probably much worse than it was 10 years ago.

I lived down there in Pasadena from 1963 to 1968 (which is when my husband and I first met way back in high school; we reunited in 2000). I probably wouldn't have a clue how to orient myself if I were to go down there now.

[AlinPA]

33. During election season, W. PA seems to be like OK, KS, MS, AK, TN, AL....

[smokey nj]

35. I live in NJ, New York's red-haired little step sister, I don't make fun of other states.

I do, however, sympathize with liberals who live in red states. I imagine it must be lonely and scary at times.

[kentauros]

42. As odd as it may seem to people outside the state,

I feel neither lonely nor scared. The key to it all is to learn how to get along with people. I don't live for the confrontational lifestyle, so I tend to ignore a person's politics and go for learning the person. I have friends down here of all stripes. Religion and politics rarely raise their heads.

I'm often perplexed when I hear of people visiting here and that all they heard from people were the politics and religion. I'm usually suspicious then of what they were talking about

[smokey nj]

43. That makes sense, actually.

I love your sig line, by the way. That's one of my favorite Eddie Izzard bits.

[kentauros]

60. Thanks!

On both counts

Eddie Izzard is wonderful!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

84. I avoid discussing politics and religion, but other people bring it up.

And expect me to agree with them. I do not want to engage with them. It takes up too much emotional energy. They tell me what gawd wants, or how all them po'folks in Houston are gonna invade us in January (I presume b/c of the reinauguration of BHO) and take away our vast wealth (sarcasm).

These po'folks don't have cars nor do they have gas money to get here. There's plenty more wealth in the big city to loot.
But these right wingers believe everything they hear.

I just refuse to talk to them.
I stopped going to the book club b/c of two or three people bringing up irrelevant religion and irrelevant politics.

[Texasgal]

72. I'm not lonely or scared.

I live in a very progressive community I've lived here all of my life. I have good friends and neighbors who have similar belief's. I also live in a beautiful city, surrounded by lakes and nature. My back yard backs up to a green belt where I can hang out and see birds. grey foxes and deer I do not live in the country, i live right here in the city.

We have awesome food that is becoming internationally known, our music festivals bring millions of people to my fair city annually! We also tend to vote BLUE.

So, NO. I am not scared or lonely.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

85. Well, unfortunately, I am.

I'm tired of attempting to reach out to be friends with people. They generally invite me to church b/c that is their version of hospitality.

I'm tired of explaining myself. I don't need to justify my existence.

I inherited the family home. It's much cheaper to live here and I can't handle the Houston or Dallas traffic.

And I can crank the stereo without worrying about the neighbors. I worry about them for other reasons (like seething anger).

[xchrom]

36. That would be like living in a ginormous Peoria!

So, no.

[dems_rightnow]

39. Oklahoma is chock full of people that

.... won't dislike you because of what state you're from. Would that everyone was like that.

[a la izquierda]

77. Yep, and they'll talk to you nicely, too...

can't say the same for the majority of the folks I encounter when I go home to New Jersey.

[cherokeeprogressive]

41. In a heartbeat.

There are some very VERY beautiful places in Oklahoma and politics doesn't rule my life, so yes I would.

I have family ranging from Tahlequah to Locust Grove to Midwest City and stretching to all four corners including the panhandle.

I could totally see myself living there if I ever decided to leave my So. Cal. mountain.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

46. I would move there to get away from all the intense racism....

... here in Arizona.

[LeftInTX]

68. If you're in Phoenix or Tucson, the weather in OK is better too.

[treestar]

47. I don't think it makes a big difference

I live in a blue state but family-wise seem to be surrounded by right wingers. Even in the reddest state you can find your liberals. If I had to live there, I'd work on state politics, knowing the electoral votes will go R, but the place to have influence would be lower.

[TheKentuckian]

52. For good or ill, there is no state like Oklahoma is my impression

[Blue_In_AK]

57. That's a very diplomatic response. :)

[SunsetDreams]

55. I'm sorry did I miss something?

This OP seems random.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

58. I'm amazed that someone actually alerted on this thread n/t

[Revolutionary Girl]

66. I live in Alabama...

Check and mate.

[Nye Bevan]

71. All Oklamoma Democrats should move to Delaware.

Now THERE'S a great state.

[kentauros]

74. But right at this moment probably isn't a good time.

Y'all stay safe, okay?

[a la izquierda]

76. I lived there for 8 years, after growing up near NYC and living in Los Angeles...

and I'd move back to Oklahoma in a split second.
Cheap housing, cheap(er) gas, good local politicians (depending on where one lives), a couple of great universities, and great liberals who try just as hard as people in New York or California to get their politicians elected.
My next favorite place to live would be Texas.

And I'm a staunch social Democrat, and have been my entire adult life.

[sammytko]

78. I was stationed in Altus OK for five years. People were very nice.

Excellent vets for my pets. Lots of interesting little towns to visit.

[argiel1234]

79. No thanks

I couldn't take the heat or the republican bullshit for any length of time

[Z_I_Peevey]

80. Born here, raised here, came back here after living other places,

plan to die and be buried here.

Raised five liberals here.

My hand is raised in your general direction, but it ain't wavin'.

You have a real nice day.

[Le Taz Hot]

87. This is it.

I've met WONDERFUL people from Oklahoma and Texas and Arkansas and Mississippi. I've met total complete assholes from California (I'm a native Californian so I can say that), Oregon, Washington and New York. People are not one-dimensional. You can appreciate the person but not their necessarily their politics and just because you agree on politics doesn't mean you necessarily like the person. Just my two pesos.

[Kellen RN]

89. Oklahoma City resident, born and raised.

And I don't want to live here. My family and I plan on moving to Portland, OR after my wife graduates from RN school and works for a couple years. The longer I live here the more I cringe at the idea of raising my daughter here. They'll be teaching creation in schools by the time she is in middle school at the rate things are going. My wife and I are both atheists and progressives. It's still strikes me as amazing that we even crossed paths as she was born and raised in the Tulsa area.

[quinnox]

90. great choice

You will love Portland.

[Kellen RN]

92. My wife and I spent our (4 years after the fact) honeymoon in Seattle and Portland.

I have been all over the country but she had never been west of Colorado. Needless to say she fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. Portland just seems like the best fit for us. Good city for biking and public transportation, lots of green initiatives, progressives abound... can't wait.

[quinnox]

98. all true

You obviously have great taste.

[Kellen RN]

99. Thanks!

One of the most interesting things about Oklahoma politics is that not 100 years ago it was a hotbed of progressivism. Check out the politics of Woody Guthrie and Will Rogers. Seems this changed after the depression/dust bowl. I guess all the progressives moved to California for work. Of course these are all baseless assumptions.

[LeftyMom]

101. I wouldn't even move to the parts of CA where all the Okies wound up.

A whole state of them? Not only no, but hell no.

[Kellen RN]

102. It builds character...

or something. That's what I'll tell my daughter when she asks how I survived 30+ years here.