Posted on 04/07/2006 6:29:10 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand
New Hampshire seems to be suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. First, the Old Man of the Mountain — the stern, granite profile that graces license plates and quarters — fell off its cliff, crumbling to bits. Then, in an effort to bring some consistency to a jumble of highway welcome signs, the state moved to install new ones reading, "You're going to love it here."
But lots of people — including the governor — hate them.
A proposal to replace "love it" with the state's official motto, "Live Free or Die," which has been on New Hampshire's license plates for decades, has widespread support in the Legislature. But some people would rather see something a little less, well, belligerent.
"I think that's an in-your-face motto. It's misinterpreted. It's out of context. That's not who we are," said state Rep. Tim Robertson, a Democrat.
Robertson is among many who prefer an older version of the highway sign that advertised "Scenic New Hampshire."
The "You're going to love it here" slogan was developed by a Portsmouth ad agency a couple of years ago for the state's tourism division and is widely used on its promotional materials. Communications manager Victoria Cimino said no one complained until the phrase popped up on the highway signs.
Highway welcome signs vary around the state. Some say, "Welcome to the Granite State." Others offer a welcome in French and English. One older sign on Interstate 89 has "Live Free or Die."
"Live free or die" is said to have been uttered during an 1809 toast by New Hampshire's most distinguished Revolutionary War hero, Gen. John Stark. Many like the bite and the history behind the phrase. After all, this is a state that has a "Right of revolution" still written into its constitution.
If the House passes the bill requiring "Live Free or Die" to appear on all state highway welcome signs, Gov. John Lynch will sign it.
"It's a part of who we are and part of our history, heritage and culture and I think that is what people should see as they come across our borders," he said.
In keeping with another Yankee attribute — frugality — the governor has proposed covering the state's six "love it" signs with a sheet metal panel featuring the state motto, rather than pay for new signs. The state's 37 other welcome signs would be replaced as they age with ones featuring "Live Free or Die."
A few years back, North Dakota went through a similar phase and some thought they needed to change the name to just plain Dakota, to make it seem less, well, northerly. Less cold. South Dakotans were miffed. They didn't want to be considered a lesser Dakota. I figured if North Dakota really wanted to help potential visitors or potential residents to ignore geography and forget the state was cold, the better part of the name to change was the Dakota part and keep the North. North Hawaii was my suggestion, but they didn't listen.
Cretins, you are obviously a man before your time.
Be sure and write that down so when they eventually use North Hawaii you'll get at least some of the credit.
I think it has a nice ring to it.
My favorite North Dakota welcome sign was on the Montana line proclaming "Custer was healthy when he left here."
Just about anything is better than Washington State's new "Say WA"
"Say WA"??? I wouldn't have believed it till I googled.
Say WAAAAAAA. The Ratparty.
THAT'S RIGHT SO BEAT IT AND GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE"S REPUBLIC OF TAXECHUSETTES!
I originally thought it was a joke. Alas, it's real...but a lot cheaper than the stupid "Pennsylvania Memories Last a Lifetime" multi-million campaign.
Every state highway sign had a picture of the old man on the mountain. Every NH license plate had the above motto on it.
It was in your face and cool.
Sadly as more and more "massholes" come across the border they are bringing with them their mental illness and are slowly destroying this great state.
Live Free or Try out these Cool New Manacles.
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