COMMENTARY
Oklahoma County commissioners jail
(Mike Allen)

There’s a meme from the movie Titanic where one of the main characters recalls the sinking of the boat by saying, “It’s been 84 years.”

The image of this scene is used online in instances when something is taking a long time, or an elongated period has passed between two events. Reading Matt Patterson’s coverage on NonDoc over the last five years, I would say the meme applies to the ever-evolving, always riveting and deeply depressing saga of the Oklahoma County Jail.

The meme is used for humor, of course, but there are many serious elements to this story that you can read about in Matt’s July 11 feature story, which is accompanied by a soap opera metaphor and an amusing graphic.

From the public vote for (now inadequate) funding, to the site selection process and all of the zaniness in between, the new Oklahoma County Jail saga been almost Homeric in its length and scale. Now, the county is suing the city, setting up a courthouse kerfuffle for the ages.

Will it end in peace, similar to Ithaca, or with the sinking of a big ship that Rose will tell us about years later? I cannot predict the future, but this movie needs a conclusion even more than a bathroom break.

Other Sundaze comics from 2024

The Ryan Walters Bible mandate begs a prayer for relief
High water: OKC investments land Olympic events
The end of a Rocky road for Charles McCall, Greg Treat
While dirty details remain, Edmond sculpture park proposal has good movement
Annoying ABLE ID actions spur intoxicating new law
Drummond alleges cold, hard facts in pair of Winter Storm Uri cases
Cloudy eclipse could add sadness during darkness
While weird, bunny ears still healthier than Peeps
Race track ruckus: Stitt trying large wager again
Improper merging? Drummond gives Gatz a citation
Electric election: Norman’s shocking powerline politics
HB 1955 carveouts? Say hello to the beer and pizza tax
Boardwalk at Bricktown serves up hot pie in the sky
Pass the pizza rolls? Special session a lame pre-party
Will Edmond NIMBYs unite against the earthquakes?
Just the sip: ABLE Commission mixes a bitter beverage
Hello, 2024: Cheers to another year of art imitating life

  • 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.