COMMENTARY
off the rails
(Mike Allen)

When I see a quote like, “It’s disappointing that politics and gamesmanship are getting in the way of policy” coming from the Oklahoma Capitol, the metaphor is almost too easy to illustrate, especially when it involves trains. Low-hanging fruit is sometimes the tastiest, you know?

Concerning the battle over HB 2472‘s attempt to regulate trains that block railroad crossings, there are two things to talk about: one being the legislative “gamesmanship” referred to above, and the other is the railroad system and its laws.

Both approach “inside baseball” territory, so my eyes glaze over a little bit just reading about them. Playing politics with whose bills get heard based on their votes seems… normal to me? It’s not a good thing of course, but it is also not surprising.

As for the railroads, every time I see news about them I think to myself, “Is there any way we can get commuter rail for the OKC metro area in my lifetime?” From the little reading I’ve done, it seems there are many hurdles to clear before it can become a reality. I’m a hopeful person though, so maybe the negative train stories will someday be positive ones.

Past Sundaze comics

A flood of news from Norman
The Bradford Pear needs to tone it down
Spring is for the opportunities, not the birds
Snakes to green beer: St. Patrick’s Day makes no sense
‘Save the Egg,’ or else how will the aliens get home?
New Gun restaurant has great name, but not for reason you think
Influx of youth begs important OKC City Council debate
5 weeks later: How is your New Year’s resolution going?
Here we go again: Tom Brady in his ninth Super Bowl
21st century art opportunities for OKCPS students
Bacon takes the ’10-year challenge’
If Mike Stoops watched Bedlam…
False flag fears epitomize extreme views in America
Ironically, whooping cranes have view of OKC growth
Value of Walmart eye test debated with SQ 793
ABLE Commission preps for new alcohol laws, pandemonium
Toad in the hole: Mushroom has long week
OKC’s modern society is mural society
Uneasy riders: Critics blame Boren for … OU?
Football season is heating up in Oklahoma
Animal Crackers freed from cage, sent to belly
Bon Appetit flabbergasted by Nonesuch in OKC
QAnon: Your latest online political conspiracy theories
Election robocalls keep robot employment high
Oklahoma health care community clowning around
What was the Board of Health smoking?
Buffalo Wild Wings hacker missed delicious opportunity

  • Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.

  • Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.