[_redbird_]

Call the waaa-mbulance. I started driving in the Los Angeles rush hour traffic at age 16~ twice a day! Both parents worked in downtown L.A. I went with my Dad to drop him off, then swung across town to pick me mum who worked the graveyard shift.

And for comparison I have worked in OKC. OKC does not even compare to L.A. as far as trash, tailgaters, etc.! LOL.

[karibear]

Originally Posted by SeabeeBolt

Leave it up to GP too set someone on the strait and narrow of Okie living . The OP should try and live on the East side of Cleveland, I don't drive through that side of town without fire power superiority, "THE BIG GUNS"!

Hiya, Seeb. The east side of Cleveland sounds like the dowtown St Louis I grew up with - there were a whole lot of places no on went without being armed, especially after dark.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by karibear

Hiya, Seeb. The east side of Cleveland sounds like the dowtown St Louis I grew up with - there were a whole lot of places no on went without being armed, especially after dark.

The only thing I remember about St Louie is "The Arch" and it has a huge train yard. (I was 16 and on foot, that's where I jumed the freight train to Ca.)

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by SeabeeBolt

Leave it up to GP too set someone on the strait and narrow of Okie living . The OP should try and live on the East side of Cleveland, I don't drive through that side of town without fire power superiority, "THE BIG GUNS"!

Good to have you back Seabee! I missed you; WE missed you good friend.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by okcpulse

wyllow61, we "Oklahomans" know very well the shortcomings of our state, and many of us acknowledge that those issues need to be addressed. Having been born and raised in Oklahoma (I am 30 years old) I can tell you first hand that people (at least in the OKC metro area) care more about the state than they did in 1987, when there was little or no vision.

But the problem that many of have with your post is this... you are condemning the state for statistics that are dynamic but what you treat as static. By writing off Oklahoma as damaged goods you have sent a message to us that you are the type of person unwilling to use this as an opportunity to turn animal cruelty, or any problem you have with "us" in Oklahoma around. When people in Oklahoma... or anywhere for that matter... are caught with hundreds of starving puppies and the like... they go to jail. Since my move to Houston, wyllow61, I have learned one honest universal truth, Oklahomans are not the only people out there making mistakes.

Houston has many great qualities, but just as many negatives as I have pointed out before. And animal cruelty is no stranger to Houston. Why do they have a show on Animal Planet dedicated to cases in Houston? It is certainly not for PR. Since moving to Houston, I have seen numerous stories on some crazy things that happen in your coveted Texas... from badly abused horses to puppy mills and households packed full of diseased cats (several of which had been dead for some time). And it doesn't stop there... child abuse is no different. In 2007 a guy in Galveston threw his girlfriend's baby in a microwave becasue it wouldn't stop crying, and his excuse was that God told him to (which is complete BS). Another couple killed their 4 year old daughter, packed her body in a Rubbermaid container and tossed it over the Causeway bridge. I don't mean to be graphic, but I am not going to sugarcoat it as I am a loving father and it disgusts me that people near my age are that warped as to do something so sick to children who just want to be loved.

As far as trash is concerned, just yesterday after getting to The Woodlands and leaving the Park N' Ride, a ton of litter still lines I-45 and Loop 336 in Conroe, and has been that way since... well... since moving here in 2006. Only a few short times was it ever clean.

But you know what, that is the ugly side of life. It is not an Oklahoma thing or a Texas thing or an east coast or west coast thing. It's life. Much in the same way that there are many, many good, environmentally caring people in Oklahoma, Texas and any other state.

As far as Christianity is concerned, it is a faith that is under heavy attack in this country because the general populace has gotten confused as to what is the true meaning of Christianity. Many people claim to be Christian but are not. A true Christian isn't rude or filthy, but caring and diligent.

In closing, I cannot wait to return to Oklahoma City. It is a place where I want to make a difference and leave behind a legacy. Many other people in Oklahoma City are striving to make a difference. I can't speak much on behalf of the rest of the state, but we are a work in progress that, like everyone else, suffers setbacks and has hurdles to overcome. You as a teacher shouldn't be so bold as to throw all 3.6 million people under the bus. Your small corner of Oklahoma wasn't a good experience, I am sorry about that. You could have taken the opportunity to make a positive difference in Oklahoma, but did not. That, in short, is America's problem.

Absolutely one of the best/most thoughtful posts I've ever read on CityData. Great job Pulse.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by JumpingBird19

Wyllow61
Your post listed many complaints in general about Oklahoma and Oklahoma people. To attempt to be fair many of your statements could be made about every state.
Be strong and do something about!
1. “Finish a drink and set it on the ground, and walk away“.] For every person who left a cup. Watch and count the number of people who put their cup in the proper place or took it with them. To be fair keep a written tally for least 30 days.
2. Garbage from their car missing the dumpster.
A} Set an example pick the bag up yourself. The next time you see your neighbor say something like “Hey I know you were in a hurry the other day and didn’t see the bag fall on the ground but I picked it up,”
B} Or Take down their license plate number, car model, color, date, time and report them in writing to the management.
C} Or report the dumpster to local Oklahoma Health Department If, the dumpster lid is open or will not close report it to the Oklahoma Health Department. [there are laws about lids being open in every state] Ask about the steps they take and time period. Report it as many times as you find it open.. No one not even you will throw bags.
D} Count the number of people you see who put their trash in the proper place or missed the dumpster. Keep a written tally for least 30 days. If, you count all bags on the ground without seeing it happen be fair and count all bags in the dumpster.
E} None of the above. Move to a better neighborhood.
3. 80 miles an hour and tailgating
A} For this to happen you are admitting to speeding at 80 but not willing to go faster. Pull over and drive safely so your students have a teacher ever day. This remark to peers, your students or parents would show some people you are reckless, not rational or responsible enough be a teacher.
B} You could if you have a cell phone call 911 and report the person for reckless driving. They will do something about reckless driving.
4. Class room clean before you began
A} It depends on the age of the students or when you began. Morning, No, the janitor needs to be reported for not doing his or her job. Afternoon, Yes young children should be told. in a loving friendly manner. It will help with their training. College age students with Financial Aid paid with Oklahoma tax payers money no.
5. Christian Place
A} Understanding when in Rome do as the Romans:
B} In the some southern states if you want a plumber , cleaners, apartment, or car and ask a friends advice. The replay will be they are good Christian people. They are not talking about religion. It is a very unique way of saying they are good, honest, and respectable people. Fees will be fair and they can be trusted to do the best for you.
B} Bible Belt State: Not everyone there goes to church.
7. I am new here, I looking for pictures. I was hoping they had a picture of Castle and the old windmill. Or the downtown Allen or the Allen Cemetery. After looking at all 197 posts. The people are are nice, giving, and very talented people. Some of these people are the same ones who replayed to your post.
8. Source
I too have lived up and down the west cost, PA, traveled the east cost for a year, lived in East Texas and owned a home and two business. We drove to Huston, Austin or Tennessee on week-ends and camped out. I spent summers in Oklahoma as a child. The last time I was in Oklahoma was 2006. We drove from California. We stayed in nice motels for two months and drove all over the state of Oklahoma. I was never in Germany or DC. My only experience is my cousin who is a Master Sergeant took his wife, and children to Germany. They stayed on the base for three years while he was out and about serving our county. I sent him love packages. My other cousin a Colonel had the day off when the Pentagon was attacked. He didn’t make Colonel until last year. I am not a rich person. I worked hard all my life.
9. It is odd how people who have two eyes see the same thing and view it in so many different ways. I don't see what you see in Oklahoma or the people the way you do.

Yet another excellent post. Thanks JumpingBird.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by whitewave

HOW OKLAHOMA WAS REALLY MADE

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for 6 days.
Eventually, Michael, the archangel found him resting on the 7th day. He
inquired of God, "Where have you been?" God sighed a deep sigh of
satisfaction and proudly pointed downward through the clouds.

"I've put LIFE on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a
great place of balance."

"Balance?" , inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth. "For example,
Northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while Southern Europe is going to be poor, the Middle East over there will be a hot spot. Over there, I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people".

God continued, pointing to different countries. "This one will be
extremely hot and arid, while this one will be very cold and covered with ice".

The archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a beautiful land
in the center of a large mass. "What is that one?"

"Ah" said God. "That is Oklahoma, the most glorious place on earth.
There's beautiful lakes, rivers and streams and prairie. The people from
Oklahoma are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous, and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable,
hard-working and high-achieving and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace.

I'm also going to give them a super-human football team which will be
admired and feared by all who come across them."

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed, "What
about balance, God? You said there will be balance."

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the loud-mouth morons I'm
putting next to them. I will call it Texas."

*Found on Oklahoma Dark Skyes*

Hahahahahaha.....hilarious Whitewave!

My fellow Texans might tar & feather me if they knew I was laughing @ that.

[whitewave]

It'll be our secret. You can be a closet Okie if you want. You're safe here.

[colleeng47]

Originally Posted by SeabeeBolt

Leave it up to GP too set someone on the strait and narrow of Okie living . The OP should try and live on the East side of Cleveland, I don't drive through that side of town without fire power superiority, "THE BIG GUNS"!

Whoa, good to have you back Seab. Been missing ya.

[EarthBound?]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

Good to have you back Seabee! I missed you; WE missed you good friend.

Originally Posted by colleeng47

Whoa, good to have you back Seab. Been missing ya.

Hi guys, I missed all of you as well. I feel as if we all need a big giant group huge .