20200620: MAGA Rally, Tulsa, Oklahoma

I do believe Oklahoma is the only state with an entire Rogers and Hammerstein musical named for it. Here’s the title song with the original cast. Brings back memories of my 9-year old dance recital when my class was dressed as cowgirls with tap shoes. I know it doesn’t quite work, but I have the pictures to prove it really happened.

Post Louisiana Purchase history of the state from wiki:

The territory now known as Oklahoma was first a part of the Arkansas Territory from 1819 until 1828.

During the 19th century, thousands of Native Americans were expelled from their ancestral homelands from across North America and transported to the area including and surrounding present-day Oklahoma. The Choctaw was the first of the Five Civilized Tribes to be removed from the Southeastern United States. The phrase “Trail of Tears” originated from a description of the removal of the Choctaw Nation in 1831, although the term is usually used for the Cherokee removal.^[69]

Seventeen thousand Cherokees and 2,000 of their black slaves were deported.^[70] The area, already occupied by Osage and Quapaw tribes, was called for the Choctaw Nation until revised Native American and then later American policy redefined the boundaries to include other Native Americans. By 1890, more than 30 Native American nations and tribes had been concentrated on land within Indian Territory or “Indian Country”.^[71]

All Five Civilized Tribes supported and signed treaties with the Confederate military during the American Civil War.^[72] The Cherokee Nation had an internal civil war.^[73] Slavery in Indian Territory was not abolished until 1866.^[74]

In the period between 1866 and 1899,^[67] cattle ranches in Texas strove to meet the demands for food in eastern cities and railroads in Kansas promised to deliver in a timely manner. Cattle trails and cattle ranches developed as cowboys either drove their product north or settled illegally in Indian Territory.^[67] In 1881, four of five major cattle trails on the western frontier traveled through Indian Territory.^[75]

Increased presence of white settlers in Indian Territory prompted the United States Government to establish the Dawes Act in 1887, which divided the lands of individual tribes into allotments for individual families, encouraging farming and private land ownership among Native Americans but expropriating land to the federal government. In the process, railroad companies took nearly half of Indian-held land within the territory for outside settlers and for purchase.^[76]The Dust Bowl sent thousands of farmers into poverty during the 1930s.

Major land runs, including the Land Run of 1889, were held for settlers where certain territories were opened to settlement starting at a precise time. Usually land was open to settlers on a first come first served basis.^[77] Those who broke the rules by crossing the border into the territory before the official opening time were said to have been crossing the border sooner, leading to the term sooners, which eventually became the state’s official nickname.^[78]

Deliberations to make the territory into a state began near the end of the 19th century, when the Curtis Act continued the allotment of Indian tribal land.

Well, that was perfectly depressing. Every transgression the wiki contributors could find naturally found its way into a description for a state that has scenery like this.

Oklahoma once was open grazing land for bison and cattle. Now, according to the tourism site Trip Advisor:

With hundreds of man-made lakes, state parks, casinos, museums and nightlife and dining opportunities in revitalized downtown areas in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, there is a lot to see and do in the Sooner State. The state is dotted with phenomenal lakes where swimming, boating and bass fishing are the most desired activities. Some of the state’s most popular lakes include Broken Bow Lake located near the Quachita Mountains; Grand Lake in the northeastern corner of the state at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and Lake Murray in the hills in the southern part of the state. While the state is known for its many outdoor activities like great fishing, golf, hiking, canoeing and boating, make sure you don’t overlook its fantastic museums. Heading the list are Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, featuring the world’s largest collection of art and artifacts from the American West; the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, which tells the story of the American Cowboy; and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, which has a permanent collection of American and European art. A venerable family favorite activity is Frontier City Amusement Park in Oklahoma City, which has dozens of rides and shows.

As for Tulsa:

The heart of Oklahoma beckons with over 140 parks, plus a variety of cultural attractions and entertainment venues sure to satisfy all ages and interests. Whether you’re looking for world-class art, ballet, opera or just a day at the zoo, Tulsa is a great choice for a quick getaway. On the culture front, you could spend an entire weekend touring the city’s fine museums. The Gilgrease, the Museum of Jewish Art and the Philbrook all offer fascinating exhibits in their respective areas of expertise. Anyone with an interest in gardens will not want to miss the Tulsa Garden Center and its extensive horticultural library plus other resources related to all things green. Outdoor endeavors include Bells Amusement Park, golf and River Parks, 20 miles of paved recreation trails that run along the Arkansas River and weave past picnic areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures.

The art museum there certainly has a pretty elevation.

Why Tulsa first, we aren’t sure, but today marks the start of the 2020 Trump for president campaign. Essentially, it’s MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN Part Deux, and the party has begun.

So much for mask wearing and social distancing. This guy pretty much says it.

Just for comparison, this is the competition.

Oh, are we in for a good time this year. Four months, one week and four days…I think. It’s going to be one heck of a ride.

_____________________________________________________________________

This is the first rally at which the President of the USA will be speaking both INSIDE the arena and outside to the crowd gathered. Links to both speaking sections will be inserted below when they are available, about 5 pm or so, CDT.

In the meantime, please post tweets and videos below of what’s going on in Tulsa.