And after 30 some odd years of trying, Tulsa has not found a new industry to replace the oil business and she still lives in the shadow of her former oil town glory.
I believe Tulsa needs to stop squandering precious time and get back to core basics and reinvent herself as the model oil town of the future.
The Chinese are looking to become major players in the oil business. For example, check out China National Offshore Oil Corp.'s recent bid for Unocal.
Does Tulsa have any excess capacity that could accommodate a new player in the oil business? Does a duck have lips? Hello Tulsa. Do you see an opportunity when it gives you a big fat sloppy kiss?
If a major Chinese player had a big presence in Tulsa, you better believe their U.S. counterparts would be right there next to them.
I hate to see 50 percent of downtown Tulsa sitting empty. Working to reinvigorate our presence in the oil community is Tulsa's last chance to avoid becoming Call Center Calcutta.
My question is, what can Tulsa do to regain its standing in the oil business?