Remember back in 2009 when "Do You Realize???" became Oklahoma's official state rock song? I sure do. To me, it was a symbolic event that showed the world that not all Oklahomans are self-righteous, fun-hating, socially conservative nut jobs dressed in Wranglers and cowboy hats; that some of us enjoy thought-provoking experimental pop songs about life, death and the earth's rotation.
Well, screw all that. It looks like the conservative fun haters win again. Thanks to Mary Fallin, "Do You Realize" is no longer our state's official rock song. Via something called eCapitolNews:
An early term decision by Governor Fallin means a song by The Flaming Lips no longer holds the title of Oklahoma's official state rock song. Some critics are calling the move political, but according to Gov. Mary Fallin's Media Director Alex Weintz, "Do You Realize??" was only officially the state's rock song for a couple of years. Fallin decided not to renew former Gov. Brad Henry's executive order recognizing the song when she took office in 2011.
The Oklahoma Historical Society offered Oklahoma voters the chance to choose the state's official rock song in 2009. Voters overwhelming chose "Do You Realize??" by Oklahoma City band The Flaming Lips, a hit single off of their 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.
The establishment of a state rock song was first proposed through in a 2009 Senate joint resolution, by Sen. Mike Schulz, R-Altus, and Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs. The resolution (SJR 24) failed in the House after Lips bassist Michael Ivins wore a red and yellow t-shirt emblazoned with the hammer and sickle images found on the Chinese and former Soviet Union flag to a photo op at the Capitol. Just days after taking the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the band, several conservative lawmakers voted against the measure, many expressing offense to Ivin's shirt.
After the resolution failed to pass the House, then Governor Brad Henry stepped in and made "Do You Realize??" the official rock song of the state through an executive order.
Every time a new governor is elected, the executive orders issued by their predecessors must be approved within the first 90 days of any new governor's term. Weintz told eCapitol that in Fallin's first three months her administration was trying to focus on their priorities, and the state rock song simply wasn't one of them.
I like how Alex Weintz chalks this up to a "two year thing." Did he not live here in 2009. Is he saying that we nominated all those songs, chose a special panel, and cast our votes for something that wasn't intended to be permanent? Doesn't that defeat the point of having something like a state rock song?
Also, are we really supposed to buy the bag of B.S. that she was just too busy with "other priorities" to sign extend Governor Henry's proclamation? She obviously had time to complain about the temperature in her hot tub and travel to Ireland for a wedding. Even if you're Mary Fallin, it still only takes five seconds to sign a sheet of paper. Instead of lying to us about "two year things" and "other priorities," just tell us the truth.
Actually, we already kind of know the truth. During the 2010 Governor's race, we had special Q&A's with Mary Fallin, Jari Askins and Drew Edmondson. We asked each candidate the same 15 questions. Question 11 was:
What do you think of “Do You Realize??” being Oklahoma’s official rock song?
I’m more of a country music gal. It wasn’t my first choice.
There you have it. It wasn't her "first choice." No wonder she didn't extend the executive order. Knowing her taste in everything, she probably wanted Hinder or Milk on Milk to have the honor.
Also, for what it's worth, Jari Askins and Drew Edmondson both seemed to like the song. Remember, music fans. Your vote counts, too.
