| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Bookworm |
Posted - March 06 2004 : 11:45:36 AM
Hope you don't mind listening to a diatribe on the stupidity of my beloved state, but I've just got to vent!!!
Pennsylvania is a state of astounding natural beauty, fascinating history, wonderful people, and, last but not least,great food, but when the powers-that-be get involved.....well, then you just can't beat the good old Commonwealth for sheer lameness!
First, the state quarter -- I think most of the states chose really cool images -- the Minuteman, the Old Man of the Mountain (now deceased), Caesar Rodney, etc. Think of the choices Pennsylvania had: William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, the Battle of Gettysburg, Seamus [just kidding]. And what did we choose? The statue atop the state Capitol, which is called Lady Pennsylvania or something equally dumb, and which, I imagine, very few Pennsylvanians outside Harrisburg (and not all that many inside it) can even identify.
And then, the state motto. Now this one I guess I can't blame entirely on the powers-that-be, because we ordinary citizens were given a chance to vote on a number of choices. One of those, IMHO, was brilliant: "Liberty Loves Company" -- plays off the Liberty Bell theme, welcomes visitors (the whole point of choosing a state motto, after all). (No, I didn't submit it, just voted for it!) And what did we choose? Apparently (it hasn't been officially announced yet) we chose "The State of Independence." Could be worse, I guess (remember "You've Got a Friend..."?), but pretty bland. Not only that, but Saab uses a similar theme for its advertising and we had to get the company's permission! (My husband said, "If Saab uses it, then of course it's lame.")
Oh well, guess the quarter and the motto are just window dressing -- we've still got the natural beauty, the history, the food.... Any Pennsylvanians feel differently??? or have similar complaints??? Any non-Pennsylvanians feel their state can more than hold its own in the lameness department? I'd love to hear from you -- it'll make me feel better! |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - March 07 2004 : 5:41:53 PM
quote:
Wilderness Woman states: The state is attempting to implement a law that would force the New York state Indian Nations to pay sales taxes on the petroleum and tobacco products that are sold on Indian reservations. This would be in direct violation of several treaties between the Federal government and the Nations.
Yeah, that figures. First we steal their land, now we are going after their revenue. Where is Sir William Johnson when you need him? You could bet that he would not have allowed the New York Assembly to pull a fast one like that on the Iroquois. I often wonder if things were better when people were more concerned about Indian War Parties, rather than trying to find new ways to put the screws to them.
Let's see, hmmmm... We cheat them of their land, visit alien diseases amongst their populace, burn their villages and crops, etc. Haven't we done enough to these folks? Okay, I'm rambling now, please forgive me.....
Your Most Humble Servant,
|
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - March 07 2004 : 2:52:51 PM
I've been fairly happy with New York State over the past 8-10 years. This is mostly due to Governor George Pataki and some of his policies. However, I can't always say the same for the State Legislature...
For the past 6 or more years, members of the Legislature have been trying to do something that is quite controversial: The state is attempting to implement a law that would force the New York state Indian Nations to pay sales taxes on the petroleum and tobacco products that are sold on Indian reservations. This would be in direct violation of several treaties between the Federal government and the Nations.
The Seneca Nation is leading the fight against this legislation, and has been spending millions of dollars on a prominent television and radio ad campaign.
According to this website -- www.honorindiantreaties.org -- the convenience chain stores are partly behind this, but it is also an attempt by the state government to boost a budget deficit.
Regardless of whether one feels that Indians should be paying state taxes or not... it just isn't good in this day and age for a state government to go around breaking 200 year old Federal treaties! Yes, it has been done many times in the past... it should not be happening now.
Boo to you, New York State! |
| Bookworm |
Posted - March 07 2004 : 07:28:37 AM
What a nice thing to say! Thanks, Kay, I do feel better. |
| Kaylynn44 |
Posted - March 06 2004 : 6:16:25 PM
Any non-Pennsylvanians feel their state can more than hold its own in the lameness department? I'd love to hear from you -- it'll make me feel better!
Hi Mary,
Well, to tell you the truth, I didn't even know what South Carolina's state motto is, so I had to look it up. We actually have two mottos. Here is the first:
Motto: "Animis opibusque parati"
(Prepared in mind and resources)
Here is our second motto:
"Dum spiro spero"
(While I breathe, I hope)
And here is our state song:
Carolina
Written by Henry Timrod
Composed by Anne Custis Burgess
Hold up the glories of thy dead;
Say how thy elder children bled,
And point to Eutaw's battle-bed.
Carolina! Carolina!
Throw thy bold banner to the breeze!
Front with thy ranks the threatening seas
Like thine own proud armorial trees,
Carolina! Carolina!
Thy skirts indeed the foe may part,
Thy robe be pierced with sword and dart,
They shall not touch thy noble heart,
Carolina! Carolina!
Girt with such wills to do and bear,
Assured in right, and mailed in prayer,
Thou wilt not bow thee to despair,
Carolina! Carolina!
Now, there is something that I want to add about Pennsylvania. I have met quite a few people online that are from Pennsylvania, and they tend to be some of the nicest people that I have ever met. So no matter if the quarter and motto are lame, the people aren't, and that is what counts!!! 
Kay |
| Seamus |
Posted - March 06 2004 : 4:50:48 PM
Give it time, Thomas....give it time! |
| CT•Ranger |
Posted - March 06 2004 : 4:46:54 PM
Though I don't live there anymore, I'll always be a Californian. No sate can come close to matching it in natural diversity; from blazing 140 degree deserts to dripping rain forests and everything in between. The tallest mountain in the lower 48, the oldest, tallest, and largest trees in the world; volcanoes, glaciers, the san joaquin valley feeds the nation and the list goes on and on. Where else can you drive to the desert, mountains or beach within an hour or two of home. In my opinion it's the most beautiful state as well, although some will disagree.
But I do believe CA has PA easily beat in the lameness category. Just look at the last election.
If only the San Andreas would take San Francisco and LA into the Pacific.... |
| Bookworm |
Posted - March 06 2004 : 3:03:45 PM
Nothing, Scott, you're absolutely right -- I'm confusing "motto," still the same, with "slogan," with which we're constantly tinkering. Attracting visitors IS the point of the slogan, but not (I hope) of a motto. Thanks for pointing that out. |
| Scott Bubar |
Posted - March 06 2004 : 1:28:08 PM
What happened to Virtue, Liberty, and Independence? |
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