State vegetable?

[ricecake]

One of the most pressing measures being debated in the state capitol this spring is HB1669 - a measure designating the watermelon as the state vegetable.

According to Wikipedia, watermelon is a fruit (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.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by ricecake

One of the most pressing measures being debated in the state capitol this spring is HB1669 - a measure designating the watermelon as the state vegetable.

According to Wikipedia, watermelon is a fruit (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!

[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.

[cannon_fodder]

quote: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.

[grahambino]

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.

[Conan71]

State vegetable?  Hand't it already been decided that was Bill LaFortune?

[rwarn17588]

How about the okra?

[MichaelC]

As much as this state produces, it should be Marijuana.

[TheArtist]

State Vegetable?... I thought the choices would be between Coburn or Nichols?  []

[Steve]

Just another shining example of our state Legislature in action!

I think the "State Vegetable" designation should be co-shared by Inhofe and Sullivan.

[cannon_fodder]

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.

[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.

[Vision 2025]

Why?  

[cannon_fodder]

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.

[sgrizzle]

I think pickle would've been worse.