[Mattie Jo]

Thanks Autotech. Maybe I have been making too much of it all. I don't know. Maybe politics just brings out the uglies in people. I know it has me, and this is the first time in my life that I was ever interested in politics. Maybe what Synopsis says is correct about my equating Obama haters as racists. But it sure feels like racism, the way one said, "I wouldn't vote for that black man..." I guess when it comes down to it I can come up with just as many mean things to say about McCain, like maybe he is a White Supremist, which I have not said by the way. LOL. But he is right about my beginning to get upset since this election came about. Still, some of the older folks in town that I have had to deal with have not been pleasant, but I moved away from that group of club members.

[BigOkie]

Originally Posted by autotech4dallas

I see what you mean about the errors that could occur when bills are being mailed to occupants. I actually have an Oklahoma pike pass myself, used it for about 5 years it really has been smooth sailing. I think Texas though it would be more efficient to rid their toll system altogether and use camera's to photo copy driver's license plates of any state to keep people from stopping to pay toll.

How would it be more efficient though? Texas has a statewide toll authority but it's not unified like OK does. I lived in Houston for three years, so I know about the HCTRA (that's Harris County Toll Road Authority). I know about the NTTA as well. TxDOT has their own system, but their still in infancy.

What needs to be done is to unify the systems all with one common database. That way, a PikePass in Oklahoma can be used as an EZTag in the NYC area, can be used as a KTag in Kansas...you see where I'm going with this? I know this is in the works. Logisitics to do it though can be a pain.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by jessaka

I really didn't mean to define it as such. I know that there are people that have good reasons to not vote for Obama that are not racist. But here where I live, when they speak of Obama they really speak with racism in mind.

I have not been vocal at all here because I am afraid to speak up. I am one that just listens, but then I grew tired of it, so the next time I was listening to a group starting to put down Obama in a racist way, I said, "I like Obama," and then the group shunned me. Didn't want me with them, quit talking to me. When I left I said, "I had a nice time," and the person didn't say that they had a nice time, but said that we were not going out again. I have had this happen twice here, and I had hoped that these people would be my friends, but finding out what they really think of blacks rather changed that. So I really didn't say much. I have learned here to keep my mouth shut just as many democrats and non Christians say that they have learned to do. And it is hard sitting around listening to a group talk racism when you can't say a word. I have been a long time listener of all these. And so one day I just kindy said, "Well, I like Obama," and I saw the reaction and was shunned. Usually I find if I go to a community function people will just spout up with racism, and I stand there listening to it, and they are laughing and joking about these things, along with making fun of gays, and I say nothing. I am not used to having to listen to this type of conversation. When people here put down Obama it is racist. These people are not speaking out against him rationally. They compare him to black rappers, saying he grabed his crotch, to terrorists, to muslims, etc. It is very hateful what is being said about him, and I have never in public said anything against McCain. Not that I haven't on these boards. I have learned my "place" in Oklahoma, which is why we are moving. Only certain types of people can have freedom of speech without repercussions. I have also listened to certain religions as being evil and full of satan, such as the Unitarians, Unity, Buddhists, Hindu, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and New Age. I am sure there is a bigger list than that. They don't like people from out of State either. I learned to keep my mouth shut about that. I also know of a lot of people here that find the same problems. One said, "I just shun them back," when I asked how he managed to live here when they shun democrats.

jessaka, I misunderstood your post in the political forum then. From the OP and the title of the thread "What the hell is wrong with Oklahoma?" and all because a majority of the state is voting for Obama, I thought you meant that the entire state was racist.

First off, if you are a minority, voting-wise, you'll always take heat from the opposition. Where I work, most people are all Obama supporters (which is just fine). Thusly, I have to "hold back" as well because I'll be harassed to no end. Nothing blatant and hateful because we all get along at work; so I just refrain from talking politics.

All that aside, I am saddened to hear that people in Tahlequah were making racist remarks against Mr. Obama. If I would have been there (although I won't vote for him), I would have stood up with you and taken the heat. It sounds like those people are not only racists but hypocrits as well. I'll guarantee you they'll have nothing bad to say against those blacks who are performing in stellar fashion for the University of Oklahoma and bringing sports notoriety to the state.

I have no hard feelings against Barrack Obama at all, I actually think he is a very likeable guy and doesn't have a mean bone in his body. His beliefs differ from mine, but that is okay.
In light of this, I sincerely apologize. I misunderstood your post, it struck a nerve with me, and I over-reacted. But, I do have to say that what you have experienced is mostly limited to small towns and not larger cities, and not a majority of small towns at that.

I hope that you can work things out and remain where you are. Maybe this native Okie can come up there and straighten those yahoos out; better yet get Goodpasture out there.

I may be a conservative person, but some of the finest people I have known are liberal. Politics doesn't determine my friends.

Anyway, if you do move, I wish you the very best wherever you and DH end up.

[autotech4dallas]

Originally Posted by BigOkie

How would it be more efficient though? Texas has a statewide toll authority but it's not unified like OK does. I lived in Houston for three years, so I know about the HCTRA (that's Harris County Toll Road Authority). I know about the NTTA as well. TxDOT has their own system, but their still in infancy.

What needs to be done is to unify the systems all with one common database. That way, a PikePass in Oklahoma can be used as an EZTag in the NYC area, can be used as a KTag in Kansas...you see where I'm going with this? I know this is in the works. Logisitics to do it though can be a pain.

I do understand what you are saying and I like your idea. When I was in Texas, I heard on the news that it would be efficient so people do not have to stop and fish for change to get on the freeway and I guess I kind of agreed.

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by jessaka

Maybe I have been making too much of it all. I don't know.

Let me preface this by saying I am part Cherokee. My son, my daughter and my grandkids all have their blue card.

The Cherokee is probably the most racist of the 5 Civilized tribes. Although there are a lot of Cherokee with African American heritage, (Eartha Kitt for one) the great majority were and are somewhat racist. I have cousins who talk in the manner the a$$'oles in the 60's talked......."Some of my best friends are......" or "You know, for N***** he is a good worker" or "He's a good man, for a *******" I have a cousin who has been dating a woman, she is in her mid 40's he is in his mid 40's, they have a lot in common and they share things and go to yard sales and auctions etc. I asked him if he thought about marrying her and he said "Yes, but her daughter has a black kid, and I don't know if I could handle having a black kid calling me grandpa."

Sometimes I just have to bite my tongue. These are things that are not going to change except through attrition. It's systemic and it is rooted in the Cherokee culture. Look at the vote to de-tribalize the Cherokee freedmen.

I tend to get in their face about it though.....and have fun making them squirm. I use the palin moment (see my post before this) to gig them.

And if someone wants to shun me because I think Obama is the best option, and the reason they do so is because he is black? I'm not sure I want them for a friend anyway. Wait a sec.......I am sure. I am dam sure I don't want them as a friend. With that kind of stupid ignorance it isn't that I am going to go to them for advice about anything else.......if that is the kind of friends you have, get some new friends.....there are a LOT of really good people in Tahlequah.....find a few.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

And if someone wants to shun me because I think Obama is the best option, and the reason they do so is because he is black? I'm not sure I want them for a friend anyway. Wait a sec.......I am sure.

I agree GP. Anyone that is voting against Obama solely because he is black has problems.

I'm not in agreement with his position, but I wish him the very best. I do believe that he is a good man who believes what he is doing is for the best.

[colleeng47]

I will repeat something I said on the Politics forum. I won't vote for Obama because I don't think he's ready to be president. However, if he is elected, I will give him the support due a president of the United States, and every opportunity to prove he can do the job.

Also, I think it would be kind of neat to have an African American family in the white house.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by jessaka

Thanks Autotech. Maybe I have been making too much of it all. I don't know. Maybe politics just brings out the uglies in people. I know it has me, and this is the first time in my life that I was ever interested in politics. Maybe what Synopsis says is correct about my equating Obama haters as racists. But it sure feels like racism, the way one said, "I wouldn't vote for that black man..." I guess when it comes down to it I can come up with just as many mean things to say about McCain, like maybe he is a White Supremist, which I have not said by the way. LOL. But he is right about my beginning to get upset since this election came about. Still, some of the older folks in town that I have had to deal with have not been pleasant, but I moved away from that group of club members.

Jessaka:
It's very sad hear about your bad experiences here in OK. I've spent some time on the Political forum and the Immigration forum. Because of this Bailout, there not many people in this country today that aren't outraged at every politician holding office, including both Obama and McCain. It's hard to find anything good to say about them. I feel that way myself, but I'm no racist, never have been. Their skin color and anymore, their political status doesn't concern me. What concerns me is their actions.
I don't hear to much racism hear in Duncan, but I have heard some. Just yesterday, during a conversation, I heard some I know attack Obama because he was black. This man is a business owner and is about to loss his business because of this. His comment about McCain wasn't any better. I just took it as frustration and shinned it on.
I don,t need to tell you that, everyone is feeling the crunch. Some worse than others.
My prayers are with you, and I hope that you make the right dicision for your own personal happiness. Good Luck

IMHO
I wouldn't vote for that black man, is not necessarily racist,,,

I wouldn't vote for a black man, would be considered racist.

[Mattie Jo]

Thanks for your posts. Since you all know where I live. Here is the situation. I have fears of speaking out like Greenpasture did. Many of those that are democrats have that same fear, and yet the mayor here has an Obama sign out in his yard. One of the few that have not been stolen. And today the paper said that Repubicans are having their signs stolen as well. I feel that many of the people that are atheists have caused me to fear speaking out because they have fears of doing so, although I am not an atheist. Yesterday I thought deeply about what is bothering me. While I know that there are many here that are not racists and who are more open minded, it is my fear of speaking up. One of my friends in Oregon said, "This is not Nazi Germany where you have to be afraid that they will find out that you are Jewish." But it was beginning to feel like it,and now I realize how they must have felt when living in Germany. It made me realize for the first time what it must have felt like to not have freedom of speech, and so it made me proud of our founding fathers who gave us or TRIED to give us those rights, and I say, "Tried" because there have been times when people don't have those freedoms here in the U.S. because they have been retaliated against when speaking out. Anyway, I can't live like that. If someone says something that is racist or anti-gay I have to react, I have to speak up, and I will. The shunning doesn't bother me, because I try to get away from those that are racist. And I got away from those club women that I really believe were.

Mark, I am just as angry over this bailout. I wish that Obama had voted against it. I have this feeling that neither of them knew what the outcome was going to be. I don't think anyone knew or knows. I think we were all sold out somehow. But then again, maybe it will work itself out. It would have been so much easier to have frozen those mortgage rates.

I understand people's fears about Obama, just as I do those that fear McCain. I certainly have my own about McCain.

I am part Cherokee too, and it is hard to imagine that they are racist, but I believe you.

There are a lot of good people in Tahlequah that are not racist and who don't shun you because you are a democrat. I have even found good republicans here that don't care who you are voting for and who are not racists, etc. The fear of speaking out is what was getting to me.

[Annemieke Roell]

Originally Posted by jessaka

I did at first, but now we are moving away. Oklahoma is full of racism, and you have to keep your mouth shut about your religion or politics or be shunned. The people are very friendly until they learn that you are not like them. .

You are kidding, right? Do you live in the REAL Oklahoma or in one of those yuppified areas with lots of imports?