The State of Oklahoma finally got into line with the rest of the country and stepped into the 21st century when it legalized tattooing. But, reminiscent of the suffrage days, tattoo artists had to be seen and not heard. Until Now!

The practice of tattoos can become a form of modern day ritual with use of blood, powerful symbolism and the astral body being reawakened through pain.

Updated listing of some of the major tattoo conventions worldwide.

Members of the New Mexico government are calling for the Secretary of the Army to further investigate alleged racial profiling. This outcry stems from the search of almost 60 National Guard members by Army officials who were looking for gang-affiliated tattoos.

Scholars have come up with a theory that a tattoo on the arm of Cho Seung Hiu, the Virginia Tech shooter, may have ties to the Muslim world and thus may have ties to al-Qaeda. Other scholars feel that Cho had just finally endured enough rejection and frustration and spurred by an atmosphere that encourages young adults to stand up for their beliefs through protest and action, he took it upon himself to get retribution for all the wrongs he thought had been done to him.

Hardcore gamers are not the stereotypical pale skinned spotty teen that hangs out in his bedroom. Gamers have moved up a few levels and have covered themselves in tattoos

The parents of two Australian girls who were recently found dead in an apparent suicide pact in Melbourne are blaming Emo sub-culture whose proponents include angst ridden indie rock bands such as My Chemical Romance and punk gothic fashion including the Suicide Girls. Last week one of the girl's parents made an emotional appeal for information fearing that the internet could hold the key to their deaths.

Unsurprisingly the right wing reactionaries were in full effect blaming My Space and underground culture for the demise of young teenagers warning parents to watch out for the tell-tales signs such as asymmetrical hair, dark clothing and skull tattoos and to encourage their children away from these sub cultures which claim life is bad. Teenagers are not stupid. They can see all the lies that are being fed to them thanks to the freedom of the internet.

As I mentioned in a recent article the implication is that if your kids act differently to the mind controlled sheep they are obviously involved in some sinister cult or have become an Emo. While this simplistic attitude may have been acceptable in the 1950's when parents warned their children away from rock 'n' roll fearing it was the work of the devil it doesn't really wash now.

Humans have long practiced tattoos in their quest for deeper meaning. Although the cultural vampires would have us believe they are a brand new fad

Legendary tattoo artist Michael 'Rollo' Malone was found dead Wednesday at his home in Chicago, an apparent victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Recognized as one of the world's boldest tattoo visionaries in the 34 years since he bought Sailor Jerry's shop in Honolulu, Malone lived the life of an artistic rogue until he was slowed by ill health in recent years.

After months of legal wrangling with the State of Oklahoma and the now ostracized surety bond requirement, Blue Koi Tattoo has opened in historic downtown Norman. OklahomaInk.com visited the shop and was very pleased to see a beautiful and upscale business ready to meet your tattooing needs.