What's On Your Plate?

Andy Rooney Takes A Closer Look At State Slogans

(CBS)  The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney. It originally aired Sept. 30, 2007.

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We are always going places we really don't have to get to.

When I was a kid taking a long trip with my father and mother, I'd amuse myself by naming cars and keeping track of which ones I saw the most of. Ford and Chevrolet were usually the winners. Buick and Packards were easy to spot. There were a lot of those. Pierce Arrow was the easiest to see.

Now, I think there are more Hondas and Toyotas on our roads. It's harder to identify cars than it used to be, though.

I read license plates now. Some of the state slogans are so dumb, I think I'd move if I lived there. Wisconsin's plate reads "Endangered Resources." What in the world does that mean, Wisconsin? Wisconsin also has another plate that says it's "America's Dairyland."

Ohio says "Birthplace Of Aviation," but if you're from Ohio, don't park your car next to anyone from North Carolina. Their plate reads "First In Flight."

"Stars Fell On Alabama." Please, Alabama.

Michigan says it's "World's Motor Capital." Why "Motor"? How about "The World's Car Capital"?

Nevada says it's "Rich In Art." Well, maybe. "Rich In Gambling Casinos," certainly.

Some states have the good taste not to put anything on their license plates except numbers and letters. Maryland, Texas, Oregon, California and Colorado don't have anything.

New Hampshire says "Live Free Or Die." A little heavy-handed. How about "Live Free Or Get A Job?"

New Jersey calls itself the "Garden State." How about changing that to "The Oil Refinery State?" North Dakota says it's "The Peace Garden State;" there is no "War Garden State."

Florida's smart. It calls itself just "The Sunshine State." Hot, too, though and Florida doesn't mention that on its license plate.

Rhode Island calls itself the "Ocean State." I don't know. It doesn't even look like an island to me, and I don't know who "Rhode" was.

I recognize my license plate number when I see my car but I couldn't tell you what it is if I wasn't looking at it. I like an anonymous license plate. I don't want a license plate to have Andy on it.

[busterc4]

Hey Andy, for your information most of New Jersey is farmland, not oil refineries. You should be ashamed of yourself for foisting such moronic stereotypes on an entire state! Are you so old that you no longer have a grip on reality???

[wvmomkathy]

Hey Andy.. have enjoyed most of your comments all these years, but when was the last time you drove through New Jersey?? There are more gardens/farms in the State then oil refineries..
Stop and smell the corn and tomatoes !!

[juliepmurray]

Loved the piece about tags. I pretty much agree with your opinions on this. Many of the slogans are silly. I agree that Alabama''s tag with "Stars Fell on Alabama" is silly. It makes no sense to me. However, Alabama does offer everyone the choice of either this or "God Bless America" I am proud that my car carries this one!

[extremophil]

Hey Andy.....Do a commentary about laxatives, cause most of these posts need a dose.

[fullski1]

Andy I thought journalist did investigating before they made a fool of themselves. WI has Americas Dairy land on the plate because i used to produce most of the U.S. dairy products. Try getting out of your air conditioned building and see what is going on around you. not every state is all cement buildings and black top.

[lizandro-2009]

If anyone here don''t like to hear the truth get a grip.
some people don''t see it that way, some people don''t even go far beyond their own corner, stuck in one place, I''ll stop here, you probably know where I''m heading. (if smart enough,if not try this.(shake your dendrites)
Andy sos uno de los mejores.
warm regards to you.

[sow2323]

Anndy Rooney Needs th shut up! What a stupid story like all his coments. What a waste of time and efort to put on the air. Get Rid of Rooney! No one cares what Rooney Thinks!

[goodmedicine]

I watched 60 Minutes tonight for the first time in many years, and couldn''t believe how inappropriate Andy Rooney''s segment was on a intelligent news show. If it''s meant to be humor, either satire or irony, it isn''t. And, I certainly hope it''s not any attempt at journalism. If I didn''t know better, it appeared to be a senile, arrogant older man ranting about the "good old days". It was not entertaining, not educational, and not something I will be watching again.

[ksd2c]

Andy you inspire me. I love your reporting. You are the main reason I watch 60 minutes. Your tell it like it is style should be the template for good reporting. I hope you get well soon!!

[vivian37-2009]

Die or retire old fool, You and Paul Harvey need to get off your ego trip. Let the next generation make a living.