Questions for our American friends - Page 58

**deepsepia** · October 26th, 2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smutwerx

I would almost predict Oakland to be the place where the turbulence gets really serious, if that indeed happens at some point.

Very thoughtful post.

When folks ask "where is black radicalism" -- basically, Oakland is the only place. There's a unique collision of black power with a history of militant unionism, and confrontations with authority going back at least to WWII (when black draftees were loading ships, and encountered both shitty treatment and the militancy of the west coast dockworkers unions, the IWW and offshoots, who were basically communist).

Oakland had, as you noted, the Black Panthers (and the shootout with the FBi). If memory serves, the Sybionese Liberation Army (the ones who kidnapped Patty Hearst) were also Oakland based.

Also in Oakland police news this week is that their chief of police resigned, and there seems to some likelihood that a court will take on some supervisory role over the force. My bet-- you'll see more trouble the, sometime.

Estreeter · November 20th, 2011, 03:42 PM

Umm, Why is every state in the union referred too as "The Great State Of........" ?

Can't at least one be labeled average or mediocre, like California for example ?

BTW. IMO, New Jersey is "The Greatest State"

mrgr8shag · November 20th, 2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estreeter

Umm, Why is every state in the union referred too as "The Great State Of........" ?

Can't at least one be labeled average or mediocre, like California for example ?

BTW. IMO, New Jersey is "The Greatest State"

We pretty much call West Virginia "Great" sarcasticly

**bombermouse** · November 20th, 2011, 04:54 PM

If any state admits it's not great then they'll all have to get honest. Won't happen.

**blueballsdc** · November 20th, 2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estreeter

Umm, Why is every state in the union referred too as "The Great State Of........" ?

Can't at least one be labeled average or mediocre, like California for example ?

BTW. IMO, New Jersey is "The Greatest State"

Because nobody wants to say that their state is a bit crappy. Nor, during the political process, is anybody going to insult another state by saying anything similar.

And I have lived in New Jersey. It is a great state for shopping malls and toxic waste dumps and not much else.

Although the best cheesesteak sandwichs I have ever had come from New Jersey, so they have that going for them. Which is nice.

**deepsepia** · November 20th, 2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estreeter

Umm, Why is every state in the union referred too as "The Great State Of........" ?

Can't at least one be labeled average or mediocre, like California for example ?

BTW. IMO, New Jersey is "The Greatest State"

Two reasons. One is that when compared with the UK, Canada, or Australia, the US is much more nationalistic and bombastic. Canadians think of flying the Canadian flag in a non-official setting to be a little indiscreet. Drive through small town America, and you'll find all kinds of improbable claims, Buellton, Ca is, for some reason, the "world's capital of split pea soup" (really). You don't get that kind of thing in small town Canada (where the sign at the edge of a small town usually announces the names of hometown boys who played or are playing in the NHL).

But on the States, the "great state" language is probably best known from American party conventions, when delegations' votes are announced, one after another.

"Great state" also has some echo beyond pure puffery-- the effect of it is elevate the stature of the state as a political unit, beyond a mer constituency.

**mizlaplan** · November 20th, 2011, 09:21 PM

Another question for our esteemed members across The Pond.

If you exclude Alaska and Hawaii, where do Americans consider the centre of the USA is?
Missouri or Kansas perhaps?
Has any town or city laid claim to the title of being the "Heart" of America?
Are they pushing to become the new capital?
Cheers.

**keefriff** · November 20th, 2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizlaplan

Another question for our esteemed members across The Pond.

If you exclude Alaska and Hawaii, where do Americans consider the centre of the USA is?
Missouri or Kansas perhaps?
Has any town or city laid claim to the title of being the "Heart" of America?
Are they pushing to become the new capital?
Cheers.

The geographical center of the contiguous United States is in the "great"

state of Kansas. So you are correct mizlaplan.

It is claimed by the town of Lebanon, Kansas and a monument is there to commerate it. You can see that here. I don't think it really has much significance and doubt very highly that the capital of Kansas will ever move from Topeka to Lebanon.

**bombermouse** · November 20th, 2011, 10:00 PM

Lebanon is a more pleasant town than Topeka but doesn't offer nearly enough amenities for the intrepid legislature.

**mizlaplan** · November 20th, 2011, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the answers.
The reason I was asking was due to the overwhelming infuence London has on the all the rest of the UK
If you look at a map of the UK you'd think that the capital would be in Birmingham, or perhaps North towards Manchester.
Looking at a map of the US, you always look to the centre and then slide your eyes right (East) towards Washington to find the capital.
I was wondering if there were any signs of strain/tension/resentment towards Washington being the capital?
In the UK, London is big, historical and important enough to "drag" the capital towards the South-East.
Does Washington exert the same sort of influence on the US?

November 20th, 2011, 03:42 PM	#572
Estreeter *Administrator* Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The 19th hole Posts: 58,120 Thanks: 449,724 Thanked 896,802 Times in 60,322 Posts	Umm, Why is every state in the union referred too as "The Great State Of........" ? Can't at least one be labeled average or mediocre, like California for example ? BTW. IMO, New Jersey is "The Greatest State" __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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November 20th, 2011, 04:54 PM	#574
bombermouse Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: In the fog Posts: 3,851 Thanks: 105,638 Thanked 33,471 Times in 3,822 Posts	If any state admits it's not great then they'll all have to get honest. Won't happen.

November 20th, 2011, 09:21 PM	#577
mizlaplan Good show! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Marches Posts: 2,526 Thanks: 102,981 Thanked 31,897 Times in 2,528 Posts	Another question for our esteemed members across The Pond. If you exclude Alaska and Hawaii, where do Americans consider the centre of the USA is? Missouri or Kansas perhaps? Has any town or city laid claim to the title of being the "Heart" of America? Are they pushing to become the new capital? Cheers.

November 20th, 2011, 10:00 PM	#579
bombermouse Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: In the fog Posts: 3,851 Thanks: 105,638 Thanked 33,471 Times in 3,822 Posts	Lebanon is a more pleasant town than Topeka but doesn't offer nearly enough amenities for the intrepid legislature.

November 20th, 2011, 10:25 PM	#580
mizlaplan Good show! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Marches Posts: 2,526 Thanks: 102,981 Thanked 31,897 Times in 2,528 Posts	Thanks for the answers. The reason I was asking was due to the overwhelming infuence London has on the all the rest of the UK If you look at a map of the UK you'd think that the capital would be in Birmingham, or perhaps North towards Manchester. Looking at a map of the US, you always look to the centre and then slide your eyes right (East) towards Washington to find the capital. I was wondering if there were any signs of strain/tension/resentment towards Washington being the capital? In the UK, London is big, historical and important enough to "drag" the capital towards the South-East. Does Washington exert the same sort of influence on the US?