One of the most pressing measures being debated in the state capitol this spring is HB1669 (//%22http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/CF/2007-08%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/VOTES/House/hb1669%20third%20reading%20vote%20okh00610.txt%22) - a measure designating the watermelon as the state vegetable.
According to Wikipedia, watermelon is a fruit (//%22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon%22) (unless one is talking about pickling the rind). However, Wikipedia also mentions that "vegetable" is a culinary term and not a scientific term; and it can refer to a wide range of produce.
Regardless, to most of the outside world, watermelon is a fruit.
The measure has passed the House 78 - 19 and waits in the Senate.
State Representative John Trebilcock of Broken Arrow - who was arrested for a DUI this weekend in DT Tulsa - voted against it. It is rumored that Trebilcock would prefer the state vegetable to be tomato juice and celery.
quote:
Originally posted by ricecake
One of the most pressing measures being debated in the state capitol this spring is HB1669 (//%22http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/CF/2007-08%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/VOTES/House/hb1669%20third%20reading%20vote%20okh00610.txt%22) - a measure designating the watermelon as the state vegetable.
According to Wikipedia, watermelon is a fruit (//%22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon%22) (unless one is talking about pickling the rind). However, Wikipedia also mentions that "vegetable" is a culinary term and not a scientific term; and it can refer to a wide range of produce.
Regardless, to most of the outside world, watermelon is a fruit.
The measure has passed the House 78 - 19 and waits in the Senate.
State Representative John Trebilcock of Broken Arrow - who was arrested for a DUI this weekend in DT Tulsa - voted against it. It is rumored that Trebilcock would prefer the state vegetable to be tomato juice and celery.
My vote would be for the Turnip. Can you imagine all the free pr? Everytime someone is called a Turnipseed or invokes the "just fell off the Turnip Truck" quips, we're there. Plus, they are mighty tasty right outta the 'toe sack!
Our state flower is a fungus and now they want our state vegetable to be a fruit. We should change our state bird to the mosquito. Better yet, change it to the Unicorn.
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Originally posted by DwnTwnTul
Our state flower is a fungus and now they want our state vegetable to be a fruit. We should change our state bird to the mosquito. Better yet, change it to the Unicorn.
lol. Can we name dust as our state beverage while we are at it?
But the good news is the Red Bud is a pretty neat state tree.
Its nice to see Trebilcock actually showed up for this critical vote. Im sure the voters of his district are proud hes taking a stand against the powerful watermelon PACs of Rush Springs.
Oh well, you cant fight big watermelon.
State vegetable? Hand't it already been decided that was Bill LaFortune?
How about the okra?
As much as this state produces, it should be Marijuana.
State Vegetable?... I thought the choices would be between Coburn or Nichols? [:P]
Just another shining example of our state Legislature in action!
I think the "State Vegetable" designation should be co-shared by Inhofe and Sullivan.
Does this mean all other state business has been taken care of? I can only assume our legislators are looking out for our well being and have solved budget problems, low testing in schools, meth addiction, economic development and crime.
This from KOTV...
Watermelon Declared State Vegetable
- 4/17/2007
Oklahoma already has a state fruit, so legislation given final approval by the state Senate on Tuesday declares the watermelon as the official state vegetable. The measure was introduced in the House by Democratic Rep. Joe Dorman of Rush Springs, site of an annual watermelon festival in August. Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, sponsored the bill in the Senate.
"The controversy on whether watermelon is a fruit or vegetable has been officially decided by the Oklahoma Legislature," Barrington said. He said watermelon comes from the cucumber and gourd families, which are classified as vegetables.
Others are not convinced, however. Sen. Nancy Riley, D-Tulsa, said her dictionary refers to the watermelon as a fruit. "I guess it can be both," Barrington conceded, while adding that Oklahoma already has designated the strawberry as the state fruit. He said Oklahoma Department of Agriculture officials had advised anyone to answer "yes" to the question of whether watermelon is a vegetable or a fruit.
The bill now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.
Why?
It got farked:
http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=2746913
Let me tell ya, this really isnt helping the state's image.
I think pickle would've been worse.
When I think watermelon, Oklahoma is the last place I think of.
This is ridiculous.
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
This from KOTV...
Watermelon Declared State Vegetable
- 4/17/2007
Oklahoma already has a state fruit, so legislation given final approval by the state Senate on Tuesday declares the watermelon as the official state vegetable. The measure was introduced in the House by Democratic Rep. Joe Dorman of Rush Springs, site of an annual watermelon festival in August. Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, sponsored the bill in the Senate.
"The controversy on whether watermelon is a fruit or vegetable has been officially decided by the Oklahoma Legislature," Barrington said. He said watermelon comes from the cucumber and gourd families, which are classified as vegetables.
Others are not convinced, however. Sen. Nancy Riley, D-Tulsa, said her dictionary refers to the watermelon as a fruit. "I guess it can be both," Barrington conceded, while adding that Oklahoma already has designated the strawberry as the state fruit. He said Oklahoma Department of Agriculture officials had advised anyone to answer "yes" to the question of whether watermelon is a vegetable or a fruit.
The bill now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.
Were we not just talking in the state quarter topic about how we need to change our image. Then this comes along. We will never change our image until we stop doing stupid stuff like this. How embarrassing!!
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
This from KOTV...
Watermelon Declared State Vegetable
- 4/17/2007
Oklahoma already has a state fruit, so legislation given final approval by the state Senate on Tuesday declares the watermelon as the official state vegetable. The measure was introduced in the House by Democratic Rep. Joe Dorman of Rush Springs, site of an annual watermelon festival in August. Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, sponsored the bill in the Senate.
"The controversy on whether watermelon is a fruit or vegetable has been officially decided by the Oklahoma Legislature," Barrington said. He said watermelon comes from the cucumber and gourd families, which are classified as vegetables.
Others are not convinced, however. Sen. Nancy Riley, D-Tulsa, said her dictionary refers to the watermelon as a fruit. "I guess it can be both," Barrington conceded, while adding that Oklahoma already has designated the strawberry as the state fruit. He said Oklahoma Department of Agriculture officials had advised anyone to answer "yes" to the question of whether watermelon is a vegetable or a fruit.
The bill now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.
I think it will be a sad day for Oklahoma education if it passes.
I don't understand the problem here. Watermelons are a vegetable as is their closest relative, the cucumber. We don't have a state vegetable. Oklahoma produces watermelons. Watermelons are delicious. No problem with me.
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Originally posted by inteller
When I think watermelon, Oklahoma is the last place I think of.
This is ridiculous.
Long story short, if watermelon is the state vegetable, then rocksalt needs to be the state ammunition. Until you have been shot in the back of your legs with rocksalt, you haven't lived.
They tried to make the state watermelon the state fruit but that was given to Paul Tay.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
I don't understand the problem here. Watermelons are a vegetable as is their closest relative, the cucumber. We don't have a state vegetable. Oklahoma produces watermelons. Watermelons are delicious. No problem with me.
According to dictionary.com, the Oxford dictionary, the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Encarta, the Cambridge dictionary and the American Heritage dictionary (the first six dictionaries I checked) all list the watermelon as a fruit.
quote:
Originally posted by dbacks fan
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
When I think watermelon, Oklahoma is the last place I think of.
This is ridiculous.
Long story short, if watermelon is the state vegetable, then rocksalt needs to be the state ammunition. Until you have been shot in the back of your legs with rocksalt, you haven't lived.
Got caught stealing watermelons from the patch huh? [:D]
quote:
Originally posted by MichaelC
As much as this state produces, it should be Marijuana.
Thus the Red Bud.
It is not even remotely debatable that the watermelon IS a fruit. It is the reproductive, seed baring, part of the plant (seedless watermelons don't count here). If this is an either/or than a vegetable is a plant grown for food that is not otherwise designated as a fruit. We will just come out of this looking about as academic as a Kansas school board. Aren't there some budget issues the lawmakers could be focusing on?!!
Apparently the only reason that it's partially considered a vegetable is because some people eat the rind...
Super. We're now the only state that's officially represented by a plant that has a MPD...
Come on. It has been worse.
The state flower was the Mistletoe (up until 2004 when the Oklahoma Rose became the flower. The mistletoe is now our official "floral emblem" ).
It is a parasitic plant that kills trees by going into the bark and draining the water and minerals from it's host.
Yes it could be worse.... Our vegetable could be an eggplant.... that is actually a fruit.... that is actually a berry..
Be Thankful we are not the State of the "Fruity Berries"
[}:)]
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Originally posted by RLitterell
quote:
Originally posted by dbacks fan
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
When I think watermelon, Oklahoma is the last place I think of.
This is ridiculous.
Long story short, if watermelon is the state vegetable, then rocksalt needs to be the state ammunition. Until you have been shot in the back of your legs with rocksalt, you haven't lived.
Got caught stealing watermelons from the patch huh? [:D]
Ah yes, the days of my mispent youth.[}:)]
It could be worse. Here is the athletics page for Scottsdale Community College, "Home of the Fighting......."
You'll have to check it out, don't want to spoil the suprise.[:D]
http://www.scottsdalecc.edu/athletics/index.html (//%22http://%22)
quote:
Originally posted by dbacks fan
It could be worse. Here is the athletics page for Scottsdale Community College, "Home of the Fighting......."
You'll have to check it out, don't want to spoil the suprise.[:D]
http://www.scottsdalecc.edu/athletics/index.html (//%22http://%22)
LOL!!!
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
Come on. It has been worse.
The state flower was the Mistletoe (up until 2004 when the Oklahoma Rose became the flower. The mistletoe is now our official "floral emblem" ).
There I was thinking Oklahoma had a state parasite and flower in one.
State parasite and floral emblem doesn't have the same ring to it.
quote:
Originally posted by dbacks fan
quote:
Originally posted by RLitterell
quote:
Originally posted by dbacks fan
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
When I think watermelon, Oklahoma is the last place I think of.
This is ridiculous.
Long story short, if watermelon is the state vegetable, then rocksalt needs to be the state ammunition. Until you have been shot in the back of your legs with rocksalt, you haven't lived.
Got caught stealing watermelons from the patch huh? [:D]
Ah yes, the days of my mispent youth.[}:)]
Mine were spent clothesline shopping. [}:)]