posted
You realize, of course, that no place is going to become a US state, unless the people vote for it. Remember that little island called Puerto Rico?
------------------ "It's like the Star of David or something. But without the whole Judaism thing." -Frank Gerratana, 17-Aug-2000
posted
Just to get some closure here, guys... My motives for starting this thread was to learn more about St George, which you have helped with commendably, and also learn why the stories were formed despite their unrealistic contents, since this George obviously existed, once.
But how does these legends begin? Does every newly appointed saint get some tidbit-legend to go with him/her so that people will cherish them? Does all saints have attributes that you can "be part of" if you pray to them? St Blah of the vagabond (pray to him for safe journeys), St What of fertility (GWS)...
Isn't there saints that were just good people, without having to catch the greatest fish in the sea or kill an enormous bear, or dragon for that matter, or destroy one of the seven wonders of the ancient world...
------------------ Ready for the action now, Dangerboy Ready if I'm ready for you, Dangerboy Ready if I want it now, Dangerboy? How dare you, dare you, Dangerboy? How dare you, Dangerboy? I dare you, dare you, Dangerboy...
posted
Puerto Rico isn't a state mostly because right now they get the benefits of statehood with none of the responsibilities. They seem to like it that way... make of that what you will.
Other statehood movements I've heard of on occasion: New York City Washington, D.C. East and West Kansas North and South California (not to be confused with Baja California) Guam Dividing Texas (Texas, as part of its admission, reserved the right to subdivide into up to five states, should they decide the situation warranted it.) *And in fact, this actually happens in the 3rd volume of Harry Turtledove's "Great War" alternate history; "Breakthroughs."*
------------------ "Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master
Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343
posted
Then there's the ANTI-statehood movement: every 6 years or so, Vermont has a referendum on seceding from the Union & reestablishing itself as a sovereign nation again.
------------------ "There are three things I HATE, Jet: kids..pets..& women with attitudes. So WHY do we have all THREE on BOARD?!?"--Spike Spiegel
posted
I don't think Vermont ever was sovereign. It was created out of part of New York and part of New Hampshire.
We probably won't add any new states, since it would mean changing the flag. Kind of like: "Go to red alert." "Are you certain, sir? It would mean changing the bulb..."
As for why none of the saints are just nice people... Why would they canonize someone for that? If you want to be saint, you have to do something outrageous to "prove" that you've got Yahweh and/or Jesus backing you up... :-)
------------------ "It's like the Star of David or something. But without the whole Judaism thing." -Frank Gerratana, 17-Aug-2000
Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343
posted
:::in best John McLaughlin voice::: WRONG!!
The area that is now Vermont was technically part of New York, but was also laid claim to by New Hampshire. On 15 January 1777, the settlers in the area declared themselves an independent republic, taking the name "New Connecticut." In July of that same year, they adopted their first constitution & took the present name of Vermont (from the French "vert"=green & "mont"=mountain).
New York & New Hampshire still claimed the areas, but Vermont ignored said claims. In 1783, Washington wrote in a letter that he thought it might be necessary to send troop to overthrow the Vermont government; this never came to pass & the Republic of Vermont existed for 14 years. Its troubles with New York were settled when they paid that state the then-whopping sum of $30,000; this also helped to clear up the claim problems with New Hampshire & paved the way for Vermont to be admitted to the Union as the 14th state on 4 March 1791.
------------------ "There are three things I HATE, Jet: kids..pets..& women with attitudes. So WHY do we have all THREE on BOARD?!?"--Spike Spiegel
posted
...and let's not fail to mention the entire Conch Republic thing, what, twenty years ago? The Florida Keys were de-facto independent for three or four days, IIRC.
------------------ "...I was just up in Canada, Toronto actually. You know, they really hate you guys [Americans] up there? The funny thing is, they think you hate them back, when in fact, you just couldn't be bothered to care. Now in Ireland, it's a different story. At least we had the common decency to wait until the English invaded before we started hating them. I guess the Canadians are hating you in advance..." -Irish Comic Ed Byrne on Canada-US relations
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