Brad Henry Saves The Flaming Lips
In one of most frustrating and relief-filled three hours in Oklahoma pop culture history, the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted a down a resolution earlier today that would have made The Flaming Lips‘ “Do You Realize??” the state’s official rock song.
A couple of hours later, Governor Brad Henry saved our state from one of the most embarrassing courses of actions in recent state history.
During a March 2009 visit to the Oklahoma State Capitol, in which “Do You Realize??” was recognized by the state Senate, Lips bassist Michael Ivins wore a red t-shirt with a yellow sickle and hammer underneath a blazer. That t-shirt, along with the band’s “reputation for using obscene language”, were used as reasons for the House rejecting Resolution SJR24.
Quotes from The Tulsa World:
“The great thing about this country is he has the right to make whatever statement he wants to make. I have the right to be offended by that. I felt that the consequences of that were that I would not be able to support that as our state song.” - Rep. Corey Holland, R-Marlow
“I have no use for honoring the Flaming Lips. It is a total waste of time. It is not what the taxpayers sent us to do, to honor some group that we might find their lyrics less than acceptable.” - Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
The resolution’s author Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs lashed out at some of his colleagues:
“I was absolutely floored when the measure was defeated. I couldn’t believe that the one time we as a body have the opportunity to pass a law based on the will of the people of our state – not our own will – the Republicans won’t do it. I am quite simply appalled at the behavior of my colleagues, and at the message they’re choosing to send to and about our state.”
Dorman also pointed out the hypocrisy several of his Republican colleagues showed by voting down the resolution, after being star-struck when the Lips visited the Capitol in March:
“Many of the same Republicans who voted against this resolution were excited just a few months ago to have their picture taken with the band, and requested signed copies of the picture. I marvel at those members – I absolutely marvel at the fact that they’ll go home and sleep tonight, thinking they’ve done some sort of service to our state, when all they’ve done is hypocritically trample free will, free speech and democracy. And all this fuss, over a rock and roll song.”
The resolution actually won a majority of the votes (48-39), but failed to get the minimum of 51. Fourteen Representatives of the 101-member House were absent for the vote. In contrast, the state Senate approved the resolution in March, 46-0.
Not only did failure of the resolution in the House violate the public’s will, but it also threatened to ruin the goodwill the resolution had won our state just over a month ago.
News of the resolution rejection was met with public outrage, as musicians, politicians, radio hosts and music fans took to social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook:
@KliphScurlock: Scared Oklahoma Republicans just stripped the Flaming Lips of the State Rock Song honor.
@capitolkiesel: House Repubs kill effort to make Flaming Lips song “Do you Realize” state rock song as voted on by Oklahomans. Absolutely pathetic.
@jdeep79: to the republicans in the Oklahoma State House & Senate who voted against the Flaming Lips rock song measure. this middle finger is for you!
@geoffdeaton: Attn OK Reps! If u voted against the Flaming Lips, no onion burger for u Monday. And we will be checking names!!
In a much more professional manner, the Lips also responded (with no hints of communism or dirty words) to the resolution’s rejection in a myspace bulletin:
As many people around the world know, the Flaming Lips are proud to be from Oklahoma. We want everyone to understand that only a minority of the representatives voted against this law. The facts are that “Do You Realize” won over 50% of the popular vote in the original poll, passed unanimously in the Senate, and won over a majority of the Representatives in the House (48 were for the law passing, 39 against – 14 were absent from the vote – you need 51 to pass the law).
Regardless of what the minority in the House of Representatives wish, the Flaming Lips remain proud ambassadors of the state. We are honored that the majority of the people who voted, hoped to have “Do You Realize” be the Oklahoma State Rock Song. Perhaps there is still a way it can be.
- The Flaming Lips
Shortly thereafter, Governor Brad Henry swept in, flexed some executive muscle and saved the day:
“For more than 20 years ago, Oklahoma’s own Flaming Lips have produced creative, fun and provocative rock music,” Gov. Henry said.
“The music of the Flaming Lips has earned Grammys, glowing critical acclaim and fans all over the world. A truly iconic rock ‘n’ roll band, they are proud ambassadors of their home state.
“They were clearly the people’s choice, and I intend to honor that vote.”
Gov. Henry will sign the executive order at 2pm on Tuesday, April 28 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Hooray!
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Kudos to Michael Ross for the sweet Brad Henry picture!
April 24th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Thank heavens we ave a governor who will stand up for the people of this state’ making sure “we” get what “we” vote for and not allowing certain politicians’ personal political agendas stand in our way. There is a reason things are sent to the people to be voted on. As representatives of the people, these politicians need to make sure they are voting on these measures based on what the people tell them. Personal opinions on the subject should not stand in the way of them being able to do the job they were elected, and get paid, to do. Governor Henry, and those who voted for the Lips, reminds me that there are still politicians out there who are truly trying to represent the people who “hired” them.
April 24th, 2009 at 6:45 am
I’m totally honored, Ryan. Good reporting, sir.
April 24th, 2009 at 7:13 am
4 MORE YEARS!!!
April 24th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Great post Ryan!
April 24th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I hope that in all this the people who are upset that “the legislature” was not voting the will of the people can focus on what their own representative voted. Everyone at the capitol represents different constituencies and, sadly, most of the representatives were probably voting what the majority of the people they represent would have approved. A non-representative online poll does not equal a vote of the people in Oklahoma. State government is not American Idol.
That being said - fuck yeah! That’s MY governor!
April 24th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Hell yeah, Brad!
April 24th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Just sent this to my reps that voted against the Lips:
Dear _______,
It came to my attention that you were among those who voted to reject the Flaming Lips song at the legislative session on April 23. While I’m not privy to your personal reasons for voting against “Do You Realize??” as our official state rock song, I can only assume that you share the opinion of your fellow Republican legislators in objecting to the band members’ personal beliefs and their use of salty language. In the band’s defense, I need only to cite the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. No further explanation is warranted, though I’d like to point out that the “obscene” language referred to in the Oklahoman by Rep. Mike Reynolds is in regards to the following quote, made by Flaming Lips singer Wayne Coyne at Oklahoma City’s dedication of Flaming Lips Alley in Bricktown:
“”We’re on our way to becoming, I think, the f******* coolest city in America.”
The irony couldn’t be more obvious: Coyne, widely regarded as a cultural ambassador for our state, praises our capitol city, and this is how he’s repaid. This man is a Grammy-winning rock star who chooses against conventional celebrity wisdom to remain living in Oklahoma, where he makes enormous contributions to his community and unwaveringly extolls our state’s virtues at every opportunity. I also find it terribly disingenuous that several Republican legislators who took advantage of the press event at the capitol to pose for pictures with the band later voted along with you to deny them this well-deserved honor.
Voting against this measure was a huge slap in the face of the band, but even more inexcusable is the slap in the face of people like myself who work daily to improve our state’s image on a national scale. As an state tourism employee, I feel that the progress made by organizations like ours is irreparably damaged each time a news item like this makes headlines. The movement to name an official state rock song came from the coordinated efforts of highly regarded organizations like the Oklahoma Film and Music Office and the Oklahoma Historical Society as well as tourism officials, business leaders, music fans, and our own state legislators. In a process that spanned well over a year, the song choice was meticulously narrowed down and put to a vote by the people. As you well know, “Do You Realize??” won by a landslide, earning nearly 51% of the vote and beating nine very worthy competitors.
In recent times, Oklahoma seems to make national news only when it serves to do us harm. When our elected officials insist on comparing homosexuality to terrorism or attempting to criminalize scientific research, Oklahoma unfortunately finds itself a national laughinstock. When the official state rock song was announced this March, Oklahoma was mentioned in postive light by countless reputable national news services as well as highly influential music outlets like Rolling Stone, MTV, Spin, and Pitchfork. It saddens me that the misguided, knee-jerk actions of a few stubborn lawmakers with ruffled feathers can undo the well-intentioned endeavors of countless Oklahomans who simply want to celebrate the diverse talent that makes our state special. Thank goodness for our esteemed Governor Henry.
April 24th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Kudos to Governor Henry for approving the song anyway. 11,000 Oklahomans chose the song, and they should not have been punished because one perpetual adolescent wore a symbol of death and destruction on his T-shirt as an ironically-hip fashion statement.
But can we also agree that it’s high time to stop treating communist symbols as cute? The hammer and sickle represents a boot stomping on collective humanity’s face. Tens of millions of innocents died at the hand of dehumanizing communist regimes.
The hammer and sickle is a hateful symbol. Let’s have the moral courage to call it what it is.
That said, I’m glad the Lips’ song is the new official state rock song of Oklahoma! It’s a great song!
April 27th, 2009 at 7:58 am
[…] that the dust has settled on last week’s Flaming Lips rock song fiasco, we bring you some of the responses that were offered up by news reporters and […]
April 27th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
That symbol represents different things to different people. Communism in general represents different things to different people.
Some might question how many millions of innocents have to die at the hand of dehumanizing Capitalist greed, before we bring down symbols like the golden arches.
In the end, they’re just symbols. Communism itself is still a valid theory worthy of study and consideration. To think otherwise is as ridiculous as claiming that the current economic situation completely disproves Capitalism.
Anyhoo… whatever your take on economic principles, the notion that some ideas should be hidden away and censored, is insulting.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 am
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING THIS IN NO WAY DEPICTS OKLAHOMA!!!!!
HOW MUCH DID THEY PAY THE GOV. TO INSTATE IT AS THE “OFFICIAL STATE ROCK SONG”?! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Guess this week-and-a-half-old story is just now making it out to the sticks.