Sign of the Times | Chickens in the Road

Aug
14

The sign! The sign! People are so upset over the sign. Honestly, I don’t like it either. I’m talking about the new sign the governor put up on all the interstate entrances to West Virginia. The sign used to boast the beloved slogan “Wild, Wonderful” and now it says “Open for Business” instead. They might as well have ripped open West Virginia’s chest, tore its heart out, and ran over it on the highway under the new sign. That has been pretty much the reaction across the state. Even my kids don’t like it (and that they actually noticed is amazing in and of itself). You know where all this despoiling of state slogans is going, don’t you? It’s a slippery slope and this IS America. First they take away the sentimental slogan and replace it with something financially-oriented. Next thing you know we’re gonna have total corporate sponsorship. Crest Whitestrip West Virginia, here we come. Followed, of course, by the Tostitos State Capitol Building, AT&T Blackwater Falls, and Jeep Cherokee Appalachian Mountains. Maybe I can afford to sponsor something little. (The Books by Suzanne McMinn Pocatalico River?)

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16 Responses
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8-14
6:33
am

ROTFL!

Whew, that’s quite the letter to editor, I must say. I’ve never had the good (or mis?) fortune to visit West Virginia, so I haven’t any personal experience with your so-called “greasy-haired, unbathed, one-toothed, ignorant, inbred, drunken, backwoods” residents.

Only with those growing up 30+ years ago in Gaspé, Quebec, Canada!

-Kim

Kim A. -
8-14
6:39
am

Heck yea Suzanne. I’d love to see WV come off other states lists of places and people to make fun of. We have so many things here to see and such beauty to behold. As for the sign, I too would love to see it changed back to Wild and Wonderful. Hope everyone has a great day today.

LeAnne :purr:

leanne -
8-14
8:04
am

Ugh. That’s pretty tacky, I’m thinking. Well, the scenery is so beautiful, probably most tourists won’t worry about it. :catmeow:

Michelle Willingham -
8-14
8:35
am

Well it wouldn’t stop me visiting West Virginia! The only thing stopping me at the moment is time!!
But am hoping to see you in San Francisco next year

Biddy -
8-14
9:44
am

THAT’S what I’m supposed to think of West Virginians? It never crossed my mind, until he said it.

Alice Audrey -
8-14
9:50
am

You truly have to wonder what is going through their minds, if anything, when they make those awful changes! :fryingpan: Although “The Books by Suzanne McMinn Pocatalico River” does have a nice ring to it. :rockon:

Susan -
8-14
10:04
am

From “Wild and Wonderful” to “Open for Business” is sad. What were they thinking?

The Books by Suzanne McMinn Pocatalico River definitely beats AT&T Blackwater Falls. LOL.

Ellen -
8-14
10:20
am

That’s too bad about “Wild and Wonderful”. ??:

Bonnie Ferguson -
8-14
11:19
am

What was he thinking?!? He realizes he’s an elected official, doesn’t he?

mary beth -
8-14
1:24
pm

Wild and Wonderful is SOOOOOO much better than Open For Business. What an idiot your governor is!

Arkansas used to be The Land of Opportunity (which I always thought was kind of weird *g* in fact, I used to call it the Land of MISopporutnity). Now it’s The Natural State which is infinitely better.

Tori Lennox -
8-14
2:54
pm

I know exactly, and I mean exactly what you mean…

Kaye

Kaye -
8-14
4:31
pm

Open For Business? Wow, what a change! I can see why its not going over well

Lis -
8-14
5:36
pm

Good Grief! That’s the stupidest slogan for a State I’ve ever heard. (Um, is it sad I can’t remember my own States moto right now?)

Brandy -
8-14
6:56
pm

who is your governor? You are so right..everything now a days is being named for a corporation.

Dru -
8-15
9:59
pm

Wild, Wonderul is romantic. :treehugger:

Open for business makes me think you just want my money. I’d be a little pissy. :talktothehand:

Shelli Stevens -