I am Kyle's self-indulgence

Some time ago the state of Oklahoma had an internet poll to let people vote on the state rock song. Probably owing to their large online fan following, the Flaming Lips won with "Do You Realize??"

Yesterday, though, the Oklahoma House of Representatives blocked approval of the song because during a public appearance by the band Michael Ivins wore a shirt with the hammer and sickle of communist Russia.

I should probably explain here that leading up to the release of their film Christmas on Mars the Lips were selling t-shirts with Russian writing that translated into messages like, "Eat Your Own Spaceship" and "Legalize Marijuana" (which probably doesn't help their case much with the Oklahoma house, come to think of it). At any rate, I think Ivins' wearing of the symbol was probably in fun and not an actual political endorsement of communism. In fact, with the exception of speaking out against the Iraq war, The Flaming Lips have not been known to make political statements.

At any rate, the Oklahoma House didn't think the shirt was very funny and voted not to make "Do You Realize??" the state rock song after all, which I find hilarious. It's such a trivial gesture to begin with, and for it to actually become a debated political issue in the state is pretty absurd.

The award for most unintentionally funny comment goes to Mike Reynolds who, citing the offensive language the band used on one occasion several years ago: "Their lips ought to be on fire."

Ooh, burn!

Of course, the latest on the story is that Oklahoma's governor is going to sign an executive order declaring "Do You Realize??" the state song, which is nice I suppose, but again a bit surreal that this is being discussed at all.