Living in Oklahoma all these years, I’m never surprised by much of the political issues as the state seems to hoist itself up as a model of modern-day Christisn conservatives. But every now and again something does surprise me.
In 2016, Bernie Sanders won the Democrat primary. In 2018, medical cannabis was approved with many conservatives endorsing it. In 2021, the state loosen its restrictions on Medicaid/Soonercare allowing more people to become insured.
Lately more and more people from different socioeconomic backgrounds have stood up against data centers. And as more and more people are becoming opposed to Flock Cameras and use of surveillance cameras in general, a lot of city and county governments around the country are pushing back.
Recently, the City of Coweta hasn’t renewed their contract with Flock and are taking them down. There are only two cameras but Coweta Police Chief Mike Bell has reported he contacted the company over the removal. He said there has been some growing concern of the residents over if Flock and its usage violates the Fourth Amendment.
And to be honest, I’m surprised Coweta did this. The town has just under 10,000 in population and even though it’s 25 miles outside of Tulsa, you’d think it’s 250 miles.
I’ve often said that if you asked someone who had never been to Oklahoma to describe an Oklahoman town, they would describe Coweta. There’s still an old-fashioned water tower near downtown. The highway runs alongside the schools and the football field. Main street and the downtown area still thrive. Just about everyone eats from Roy’s Fried Chicken once a week. Even the Wal-Mart Supercenter just west outside of town has a more laid back user-friendly vibe that Sam Walton had in mind.
And people there are mostly conservative and attend church on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening and other days of the week. Every September or October, the Fall Festival brings back eras of Mayberry and Norman Rockwell.
That being said, I’m glad Coweta has said no more. The same people who hung out Trump signs and probably sent some people to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021 ha realized that in the 25 years since 9/11, the Patriot Act and the formation of the Department of Homeland Security, we are on the brink of the point of no return.
The same political movement that formed in the wake of President Barack Obama’s administration has become exactly what they claimed they were trying to stop. The current administration wants to strip the general public of their rights. And if most of these conservatives were angry at a black President, they let their hatred and bigotry put everyone’s life at risk.
Let’s be honest. Do any of these ICE agents think they will have a job if another Democrat is elected President? Law enforcement officers are using Flock to stalk people. People with no crimianl history are being stopped with guns aimed at them and children are being handcuffed because of incorrect data.
It’s crazy because growing up in the final years of The Cold War, we were told this is what happens in the Soviet Bloc. But the good thing about Fascism and dictatorships is they don’t last forever. The people of Coweta have spoken. They don’t want to live in a town where a daily commute to work or school could end with them being arrested for erroneous information.
I suggest other municipal and county governments take note and follow the town as an example and get the Flock out of here.
Zane Says 