I'm kinda pissed ...

[RoyGBiv]

This is a mini-rant I'm going to put here rather than elsewhere because I'm not wanting to start a big ol' thing with it. But, I wanted to get it off my chest.

A couple days ago, when the grass fires in OK were making national news, a couple people started threads about it, and one of those had a lot of posts that were really critical of not just the OK government but the people living in Oklahoma generally. There were suggestions that Okies were just too damn stupid to know how to fight fires, that we weren't doing anything but waiting for God to intervene, that since we were a red state, it might do the country a service just to let us burn. These comments weren't offered by the people who started these threads of course, but that's where it went.

So, apparently today California is having a lot of rain, rain that's causing floods. I heard about 5 inches in one location. I've seen, just through casual browsing of one forum, four separate threads inquiring as to the well-being of CA DU-ers, a lot of nice comments, hopes for the best, etc. This brought to mind past threads warning people in certain places, say, Michigan or New York or other places that, ohmygod, you're under a thunderstorm warning. Much discussion ensued offering well-wishes for the residents, offers of prayers even ... all good things actually.

So, back to the start, Oklahoma is having wild fires killing people, killing animals, destroying people's lives, and what happens? "What's wrong with you people in Oklahoma?"

I wouldn't vote Republican if you put a gun to my head, but I am unfortunately starting to understand why some people I know who live in Oklahoma and do vote Republican in national elections feel like "liberals" can't be trusted, if this is the example they go by. Our state is burning, and it's our fault or we deserve it. Some other place has a thunder boomer, and we need to call out the national guard.

Feh.

</rant>

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. I am in Illinois, but....

:applause: for your rant.

[RoyGBiv]

2. Thanks ...

See, that's why I posted this here. I knew people who "got it" would read it. If I'd posted it elsewhere, it would have started a flame war immediately, and I'm just really not up to that tonight. You have Okie connections, so you get it. Hell, people in certain parts of Illinois would get it anyway. To some people there's Chicago, and then there's the rest of the state. (My supervisor, a really great in-your-face liberal lady who does not suffer fools well at all, is from southern Illinois.)

Hope everything is going well up in Illinois this evening. Happy New Year!!!

[Nicole]

3. Good rant

and fully warranted. I was pissed at that crap too.

I know Oklahoma bashing is considered good fun by many here. I was hoping they would let us bury our dead & shelter our homeless first though. I should have known that was too much to ask.

[RoyGBiv]

4. Thanks...

Good not to feel alone. At one point I did. For a fleeting moment I actually believed that certain others really just hoped we'd all die. I understood, if only for a moment, how those in New Orleans felt ... and I think I can say that because I have made friends with a former New Orleans resident who has moved to Oklahoma due to the hurricane and has noted the same sort of phenomenon herself.

Hope you're having a wonderful night.

[Nicole]

5. I hope you're having a wonderful night too

Mine is o.k.

It would be better if I had someone here to kiss when the clock strikes 12:00. :rofl:

[RoyGBiv]

6. Mmmmmmmmwaaa!

Not quite the same, but the best I can do from this distance. :-)

:hug:

[Nicole]

7. Thanks & back at ya

Long distance is better than nothing. I'll take it & return it. :hug:

[RedEarth]

22. Well, there seems to be "certain others" on DU that did want us to die..

or at least didn't give a damn about the fact "Oklahoma was burning". Look at the thread linked below. I alerted on two of the posts by "Joanne98"(her posts were deleted after several email alerts I sent). Her response to the "Oklahoma is burning" thread was one simple word "Good". And then her response to my post stating that I live in Oklahoma was "Bummer".

Sure enough, she sounds like a good, progressive liberal. Just the type of person our party needs. Frankly, I am very surprised and extremely disappointed she wasn't banned from DU because of that remark. Had that type of remark been made about certain groups of people, I would imagine they would have been banned. In my opinion, there is a pronounced double standard here on DU.

"Oklahoma burning" thread....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=30386&mesg_id=30386

my response to Joanne98's "Good" post...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=30386&mesg_id=31242

[RoyGBiv]

23. It wouldn't surprise me ...

I think it is a subset of the anti-Southern thing which is in turn its own subset of an "us" and "them" mentality that unfortunately infects the left just as much as the right. I actually saw a long-time DUer, while speaking of certain Democrats, write, without even a hint of awareness of the irony, that you're either with us, or you're not, and if you're not, you're the enemy. The mind boggles.

If I may be allowed the tangent for a moment, I am fearing the fallout of all the scandals that have erupted surrounding the Bush administration for more than just the obvious reasons. I've seen ominous signs -- not just on DU either -- that point to an emerging radicalism every bit as dangerous as that of the neoconservatives. Put another way, some of us are turning into modern-day Jacobins. I even saw an otherwise entirely rational liberal blogger as, "Where's Robespierre when you need him?"

Anyway, tomorrow (Saturday) is going to be a shitty day. Highs in the 70's, 20mph winds with gusts over 40. Still dry as a bone.

[peanutbrittle]

8. What they don't understand

is the winds and fields of prairie grass. Although, did you see the report on one of the local channels about the county who's rural volunteer fire equip was breaking down because they didn't have the money? that was sad

It would appear the Indians have dropped the ball:

Old farmers advice:

When pondering as to whether or not it will rain or storm. It is important to remember that the answer is directly proportional to the outcome of the Raindance. :+

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Great rant!

As a Kansan, I feel your pain.

I was coming over here to see how you guys are doing. I just turned on CNN and it looks bad in OK City now.

Man this looks awful. Hope you all are okay.

[OKNancy]

10. It happened again tonight

in the thread started by Joey Liberal. Red Earth whacked 'um and the mod got it really quick.
I said something in another thread about "now I know why the term kneejerk liberal is used"
I told my husband the other day...I love being a Democrat and I love Democratic ideals, it's just I can't stand a lot of Democrats.

[Nicole]

12. Another one in LBN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2015170

I tried to resist replying to it. I failed.

[RoyGBiv]

18. Saw that ...

If you hadn't failed, I would have. Only reason I'm not replying now is that I don't want it kicked.

[classof56]

14. I'm frequently reminded of something a college professor of mine once said

"Democracy would work fine if it weren't for people." Ain't that the truth? Sigh!!

Blessings and Happy New Year.

Tired Old Cynic

[blonndee]

11. Nice rant. I'm getting sick of the shit too...the self-satisfied, smug-as

s questions like "Wonder if GOD's trying to tell them something" and other overtired bullshit. These fires are terrifying and it's heartbreaking to see people's homes burn, their livestock destroyed, and even lives lost.

I see these things happening on TV and it doesn't occur to me to wonder whether the people affected are conservative or christian or how they might have voted. I see them as my neighbors, and they're suffering.

But I'm just a fucking redneck in a bible belt state, so what do I know.

[enlightenment]

13. I don't have Oklahoma connections, but I get it, too.

I'm a former AF brat, so I lived many places growing up, but as an adult I've lived only in the western states (AZ, CA, CO, NV).
This is sort of a private theory of mine -- California is often referred to as the "left coast," both in culture and geography. Geographically, it is a western state, of course, but in terms of political, economic, and cultural clout it more resembles the "power" states of the east. So do we lump it in with the rest of the west, or not? For me, it depends on my mood, more often than not.
If we don't consider it a true western state, than it is slightly more understandable why it gets both more attention from the media AND more sympathy from people who live in the east.
I teach history, and when I teach the west I always ask my students to define what the west is. It's surprising how much trouble they have with that question, even those who were born and raised in the west -- and those who grew up in the east still fall back on stereotypes that should have died out with Gene Autry.
Listening to CNN yesterday, talking about the fires, I was amazed and appalled that the weather guy had to explain why western grasses burn -- he sure wasn't explaining it to people who live in the west, but clearly felt that it was an unfilled gap in some easterners' education. It was a revealing moment, for me.
I guess what I'm trying to say, in my standard long-winded way, is that there are plenty of people who consider the west as strange a landscape as the surface of Neptune, and don't want to spend much time understanding it. It's a damn shame that some of those folks are on this board -- collectively we should be above that sort of thoughtless behavior.
I have watched what is happening in your state, and Texas, and on the west coast, with equal horror. I sincerely hope that the wind does not come up with the sun tomorrow, that Oklahoma gets the help it needs, that no more lives are lost, and that this will be over soon. If I could send California's rain to you, I would. Please know that your state is in my thoughts. Please take care.

[RoyGBiv]

17. Poor choice of words on my part ...

Suggesting, as I did earlier, that one had to have OKC connections to "get it" is just as prejudiced as those comments condemning Okies, Texans, and Kansans for being "stupid" enough to have their grasslands catch fire. My apologies.

I know, intellectually, a lot of people understand what I'm talking about, but some of DUs more prominent members have decided to tee off on OK for these grassfires in much the same way they tee off on Texas for just about everything. This then draws out the snarky brigade who seem to do little but find threads in which to make their snarky comments about our politicians, institutions, and also the people in general. The fact Inhoffe and Coburn are my Senators has not one thing to do with people's lives being destroyed by a natural disaster. I've also noticed a lot of truly ignorant commentary about our governor from those who somehow got the idea he's a Republican. (He's not my favorite politician in the world, but he is leagues better than the alternative.) Again, not that it should matter.

Anyway ... thanks for your kind words. I was hesitant to post the original rant at all, but I kept getting more and more irritated and was saying some things I felt I would eventually regret if I kept saying them, so I needed to let it out to a more receptive audience.

[enlightenment]

19. shoot -- you don't need to apologize.

I agree with you. I've been trying to figure out why we, as humans, feel such a need to build boxes and jam folks into them, regardless of fit.
It is especially disconcerting when you see the behavior coming from people on DU -- I expect shades of gray, not black and white. I guess my expectations are higher than they should reasonably be.

Hope things are going better this morning. It's hard to get accurate information between the endless "2005 retrospective" - do you think they're planning on stringing 2005 out until February this year?

e.

[classof56]

15. Can I ask you a question? I am a native-born "Okie".

My parents left there for the Northwest at the tag-end of the Depression and I've only been back to my "home" state a couple of times since. I see you are in OKC. I have cousins there and am now reading about fires burning in some residential sections of the city. I hope you're doing okay, but I'm kinda concerned about my cousins and wondering what parts of town are in danger? I did a cross-country drive 4 years ago, came through OK, stopped in Guthrie (the first state capital) and just noted there are fires reported near there.

IMHO, Okies are OKAY and I was especially proud to be one when the OKC bombing happened and I saw the bravery and unflagging courage of my fellow Oklahomans in the wake of that tragedy.

Blessings to you and be safe!

Tired Old Cynic

[RoyGBiv]

16. OKC is weird ...

I guess it's somewhat similar to larger cities in other predominantly rural states, but I've never visited another city quite like OKC because of how spread out it is. There's OKC, and there are all these suburbs that are for all intents and purpose part of The City. The closer to the edge of the city you get, the more rural it gets, and the transition happens quickly. Drive a mile west from my apartment, and you're at a lake where people fish, ride bikes, walk, run, etc. Another two miles, staying on the same road, and you're driving down a two-lane road with tall trees on either side. Drive five mile east of my apartment, and you're at one of the busiest intersections in OKC.

The point of me mentioning that is that the fires yesterday threatening OKC were up near Crescent, which is in the extreme NW quandrant of the city, nearer to Guthrie than downtown OKC, and is largely rural despite its proximity to OKC proper. According to the news this morning five homes in or around Crescent burned yesterday. And I learned this morning one of my co-workers had some property that was destroyed by a fire over the weekend near there. Luckily it wasn't her primary residence and no one was hurt.

I'm at work right now, about three miles from the Capitol, and every time someone opens the door I smell smoke. It's drifting in from outside the city, but it's weird. I'm accustomed to that smell when I'm in a residential area with fireplaces and it's cold outside, but it's not cold, and there are no homes around.

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. As a Floridian, I feel your pain.

Any time some weird ass story comes out of this state I hear the same thing. "What is wrong with you people in Florida?" It's bullshit!

[RoyGBiv]

21. I hear ya ...

That's another one that torques my bolts. If I hear another iteration of that lame-ass, tired "God's trying to tell them something" when a Hurricane runs through there, I swear I'm going to throw a spring. I have no idea why that's supposed to be funny while what Robertson, Falwell, etc. say is so obviously outrageously bigoted.

And I have no idea where the mechanical metaphors came from. :-)

[Okiegal123]

24. RE: Books: Non-Fiction statement on the Dreams of Ada

Dear Mr. RoyGBiv:

I read your comment regarding the unfortunate incident
regarding the gentleman in the book of Dreams of Ada…. Your
statement of “And it was Dick Wilkerson who was the HiPo. I
get him and Rocky Northcutt confused all the time, for
absolutely no good reason I can think of.”

May I ask do you know Mr. Northcutt as an officer and may I be
so bold to ask would you be so kind to share any information
you have on this Mr. Northcutt?

I do not mean to pry or be too personal; however, I am
researching Mr. Northcutt due to an incident that occurred in
September of 2006 and I came across your statement and thought
that maybe you may be of assistance.

 I look forward to hearing from you………….

[RoyGBiv]

25. No comment ...

My sincerest apologies, but I do not wish to be involved in whatever matter you may be researching regarding Mr. Northcutt. Nothing I would say would conflict with what you might be able to find through traditional channels of research.

[Okiegal123]

26. Incident of September 2006 in Oklahoma

May this shed light on why I am interested in Northcutt.. This article doesn’t capture the full story of what is occurring in this case; however, I thought it would persuade you to shed some light in the right direction either good or bad..............

If you decide to shed light or not to, I want to thank you for taking your time to respond to me. Have a blessed day. Yours truly, Okiegal123


Article published May 10, 2007
Poland woman will fight perjury charges in Okla.
By Jodi Belgard
[e-mail]
[phone]
LaTisha White is familiar with sheriff's deputies.
The 32-year-old Poland resident and paralegal sees them every day.

But Wednesday, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's deputy that entered her office wasn't there for routine paperwork.

He was there for her.

Listed as felon
White is registered on the FBI's National Crime Information Center's database as a wanted felon on perjury charges for an incident that occurred in Carter County, Okla., in September 2006. This information is sent to all law enforcement agents. It also triggers a red flag when the listed person's driver's license or state identification card is run.
That means a routine traffic stop could land White in jail awaiting extradition to Oklahoma, where the maximum sentence for felony perjury is five years in a state penitentiary.

Rapides Parish District Attorney James "Jam" Downs said the deputy used "good sense" and did not arrest White.

Nature of charges
"You always have to look at the nature of the charges -- how high is your alert?," Down said.
The felony perjury charges were brought against White after she filed a complaint to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol regarding trooper Rocky Northcutt after a routine traffic stop.

Northcutt is a 1998 recipient of the State of Oklahoma Trooper of the Year award. He also earned a heroism award for a 1997 incident that left him wounded and one man dead.

White said Northcutt, after running her off the road in pursuit of her sister Stormy Knight's vehicle, used foul language, including "the F word," in front of her mother and two daughters who were 10 and 13 at the time.

"I called and spoke to his (Northcutt's) supervisor, and he told me to fill out a form, have it notarized, and sent it back. I did exactly what they told me to do," White said, adding that she didn't think the issue would be pressed any further.

But Carter County District Attorney Craig Ladd charged White after reviewing Northcutt's patrol tape.

Ladd admits White is "probably the only" individual to be prosecuted for felony perjury after making a civil complaint.

But, based on the tape, Ladd felt he had no other option.

'Crystal clear'
"It was crystal clear," Ladd said. "We realized what she claimed happened did not happen."
White's attorney, Miles Johnson, also reviewed the tape.

"They sent me two tapes, which were obviously redacted," Johnson said.

Ladd did not comment on the length of the tapes.

Ladd initially offered White a deferred prosecution agreement, which carried the penalty of a $520 fine, 100 hours of community service and a letter of apology to Northcutt -- an agreement Johnson said Ladd made sound like a "favor."

Johnson believes Ladd abused his discretion with his decision to prosecute White.

"The law's right, but the way he's applying it is wrong," Johnson said. "This is absolutely absurd and so far out of the ethical bounds it's ridiculous. (White) is a mother of two who works hard -- with no prior convictions."

And White continues to stand by her statement.

"I will forever believe that this man said this in front of myself, my children and my mother," White said. "The truth is the truth, and you're not supposed to be scared to tell the truth."