CNN Names OKC, Tulsa Among Best Places to Launch a Small Business

[Bunty]

If only Oklahoma wasn't christian-central. I just don't see biotech jibing with "Oklahoma values," seeing how we're still stuck in the 19th century.

Oh, surely you mean the 20th century, not the 19th century. But then Oklahoma City has come so far since 1999.

[dismayed]

I wouldn't take the negatives as all that negative really. The "we only have one pro sports team..." to me is really quite fascinating, it means we are now officially on level playing field with top-tier cities and we are being evaluated like one, at least for this article. There was a time when most would never, ever consider the possibility of evaluating us against cities like New York, Houston, and Washington but that time is no more. I find that very positive.

[RedDirt717]

Ha, as long as you're not gay or atheist.

To my knowledge Oklahoma City is very accepting, for the most part, of gays and atheists.

Or even porn stars:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1174444561&play=1

[mugofbeer]

If only Oklahoma wasn't christian-central. I just don't see biotech jibing with "Oklahoma values," seeing how we're still stuck in the 19th century.

Is that why you continue to live here? Seems you are pretty full of hatred about the people and pretty much dislike most things about Oklahoma.

[mugofbeer]

I bet some people stay around to witness just how crazy things can get in Oklahoma. They can't imagine being able to believe such craziness while present in a more sane state. Their stay sooner or later gets well rewarded like when the story about the judge who masturbated while conducting court came out. And Sally Kern's far right religious antics. Or the legislator who's idea was to put out boxing gloves on roosters. What next?

Oh if you want crazy you can go to any number of places around the country. Start with California. NYC is a close second. OKC is far less crazy than San Francisco - - we just don't have the beauty of the bay area on a warm sunny day.

[RedDirt717]

Oh if you want crazy you can go to any number of places around the country. Start with California. NYC is a close second. OKC is far less crazy than San Francisco - - we just don't have the beauty of the bay area on a warm sunny day.

When I went to LA for the first time as a bright eyed 21 year old I was out in this pretty sweet hot tub set up on the Hotel Roof. I caught the distinctive smell of weed waft in my direction only to see this guy with dreads walk around with what looked to be his 8-12 year old son. Shocked to see anyone smoking so casually in the early evening I was even more shocked to see said father hand blunt to said son.

I thought I was going to Sh!t myself in the hot tub.

[EBAH]

I'm very happy to see the original post in this thread. I'm glad Oklahoma City's uniquely cheap and stable housing, low start up costs, inexpensive labor, and it's business friendly Judiciary and Banks are still getting great national exposure.

As for the religious thing, I too am a "non-believer" but often times on this forum, find myself sympathetic to the religious person. This state does have a heavy Christian bias and influence. But, constantly whining about it really does a disservice to everyone involved. To borrow a concept from Christianity that a few Atheists could stand to learn, you should, live by example. While I hate the, "don't like it? then move." mentality, this is the culture of this state for both good and bad. It is this pragmatic christian tradition that gives us so many of our strong suits (i.e. fiscal responsibility and politeness) as well as provides us with a few faults (a bit of intolerance for new ideas) as well. Beside all of that, the inner ring of the city seems to me to have the same political and religious feel of almost any major city in the land locked US. Obama was the hands down favorite in the inner ring in the last election and a large chunk of the "historic" neighborhoods are represented in the state house by openly gay Al McAffrey. For all of the religious fervor of our state house the city it sits in is really quite tolerant and has a general tradition of "none of my business" about a lot of social issues. Despite me being atheist I have really started to beleive that alot of this complaining about religion and "bible thumpers" is 7-80% perception. If you are on the lookout for pushy Christians in this state you will have no trouble finding them/ However, if you just try to respect people, and expect it from others, you'll find religion doesn't really come up that often. If you want to change the perception of atheists in this state, just try and show people that an atheist can be happy, responsible, moral, and respectful. Sort of our own version of being a light unto the world.

Biotech exists just fine in plenty of other traditionally Christian states (has anyone been to Texas lately). This is a great piece of press and I'd expect buildings to be going up in the med research park for some time to come. Anyway, sorry for the rant...

[circuitboard]

I'm very happy to see the original post in this thread. I'm glad Oklahoma City's uniquely cheap and stable housing, low start up costs, inexpensive labor, and it's business friendly Judiciary and Banks are still getting great national exposure.

As for the religious thing, I too am a "non-believer" but often times on this forum, find myself sympathetic to the religious person. This state does have a heavy Christian bias and influence. But, constantly whining about it really does a disservice to everyone involved. To borrow a concept from Christianity that a few Atheists could stand to learn, you should, live by example. While I hate the, "don't like it? then move." mentality, this is the culture of this state for both good and bad. It is this pragmatic christian tradition that gives us so many of our strong suits (i.e. fiscal responsibility and politeness) as well as provides us with a few faults (a bit of intolerance for new ideas) as well. Beside all of that, the inner ring of the city seems to me to have the same political and religious feel of almost any major city in the land locked US. Obama was the hands down favorite in the inner ring in the last election and a large chunk of the "historic" neighborhoods are represented in the state house by openly gay Al McAffrey. For all of the religious fervor of our state house the city it sits in is really quite tolerant and has a general tradition of "none of my business" about a lot of social issues. Despite me being atheist I have really started to beleive that alot of this complaining about religion and "bible thumpers" is 7-80% perception. If you are on the lookout for pushy Christians in this state you will have no trouble finding them/ However, if you just try to respect people, and expect it from others, you'll find religion doesn't really come up that often. If you want to change the perception of atheists in this state, just try and show people that an atheist can be happy, responsible, moral, and respectful. Sort of our own version of being a light unto the world.

Biotech exists just fine in plenty of other traditionally Christian states (has anyone been to Texas lately). This is a great piece of press and I'd expect buildings to be going up in the med research park for some time to come. Anyway, sorry for the rant...

I agree.