Even though the Oklahoma legislature will probably be called into a special session later this year to address the unconstitutional tax increases they passed back in May, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the more embarrassing gaffes from this past year's legislative session. You know, just in case you still feel like moving away...
10. Rain causes shit-colored flood in capitol basement
This would be a precursor of many other things to come.
-
9. Email to Capitol Pages warns about "cross-dressers in the building"
In April, LGBT students, activists and supporters were bussed to the capitol to lobby GOP lawmakers about new-age concepts such as equality, compassion and embracing diversity. In response, the Speaker's office warned capitol pages about "cross-dressers" in the building and opened up a secret, special and very safe bathroom for them to use.
-
8. Justin Humphrey says women "make great hosts"
In February, lawmakers introduced their typical batch unconstitutional anti-abortion laws designed to limit a woman's freedom to do what she wants with or to her body. Here's what State Rep Justin Humphrey said about HB1441, a law he authored that would require the “father” of the unborn fetus to consent to an abortion...
“I believe one of the breakdowns in our society is that we have excluded the man out of all of these types of decisions. I understand that [women] feel like that is their body. I feel like it is a separate — what I call them is, is you’re a ‘host.’ And you know when you enter into a relationship you’re going to be that host and so, you know, if you pre-know that then take all precautions and don’t get pregnant,” he explained.
-
7. Mary Fallin uses wrong pen at press conference
On May 3rd, Mary Fallin held a big press conference to whine and complain about the legislature not sending any revenue producing bills to her desk to address the budget shortfall.
Using some of the tips and tricks she learned in her "Introduction to Public Speaking" class at OSU - OKC, she busted out some visual aids to help make her point. The only problem? She turned down the Sharpie offered by and assistant, and used a regular ink pen to write a big fat "0" underneath the red "$878M.
The ink in the pen was so light that when the poster board slightly moved, the zero got washed out by the glare of lights from news cameras...
Was this that big of a deal? Not really. But it's still embarrassing and gives another opportunity to laugh at Mary Fallin.
-
6. Tess Teague Social Media Blunders
Speaking of laughing at people...
Rep. Tess Teague views the concerned citizens of Oklahoma as ignorant and is convinced we're "paid protestors"#okleg pic.twitter.com/9x7leaJ1zQ
— Chelsea | GET YOUR SHOTS! (@ChelseaKLiberal) May 24, 2017
Whether it was Twitter, Instagram or the Snapchat video above, Tess Teague reminded all of us why lawmakers should be careful on social media, and why Oklahoma voters may not want to elect inexperienced basic 20-somethings to help solve the many issues facing the state.
-
5. Dan Kirby Sex Scandal
Yeah, this was only the number five embarrassing moment. That probably tells you everything you need to know about the fine people who work in the capitol.
-
4. John Bennett provides questionnaire about Islam to Muslim constituents
In March of 2017, John Bennett – Oklahoma's favorite Islamaphobe – gave a questionnaire to Muslim constituents visiting the capitol. It asked the standard mix of questions like whether or not muslim men beat their wives, or why they don't wear ugly red white and blue button-ups to show their pride in 'Murica.
-
3. Mike Ritze suggests we round up non-English speaking students and hand them over to ICE
I'm down for that, but only if we send men who use Just For Men to Mexico.
-
2. Oklahoma House votes to sabotage the drug sentencing reform laws that Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly approved back in November
Five months after Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly approved several state questions to reform our drug sentencing laws, Oklahoma lawmakers led by Scott Biggs in the House actually voted to supersede the will of the people and change the laws to their draconian levels. The resulting outrage from voters and citizens stopped the movement in its tracks and it never cleared the senate. Either way, I still think we need a punch a lawmaker day at the Capitol.
-
1. Ralph Shortage busted with teenage male prostitute in southside motel room
Has there ever been a more clear number one?
Ralph Shortey was already one of the most infamous lawmakers at Capitol thanks to his outspoken theocratic ideology and alt-right authoritarian views of freedom. Knowing that, I guess deep down nobody was really surprised when he was busted with a teenage male prostitute in a southside hotel room with marijuana.
-
Did we miss any of your favorite embarrassing moments? Let us know in the comments.
