Wisconsin Designates State Microbe 102
Hugh Pickens writes "The NY Times reports that state legislators in Wisconsin raced against the clock to pass a bill designating Lactococcus lactis as Wisconsin's official state microbe. 'The first time I heard the idea, I thought, I've got more important things to do than spending my time honoring a microbe,' says Gary Hebl, a Democratic state representative who proposed the bill which, he says, would make Wisconsin the first state in the nation to grant such a designation, 'but this microbe is really a very hard worker,' added Hebl, referring to the bacterium supported by the Department of Bacteriology at UW — Madison used to make cheddar, Colby, and Monterey Jack cheese. The proposal faced only one detractor in committee ('the opponent was clearly lactose-intolerant,' says Hebl), and there was no sign of a last-minute campaign from other bacteria, so by evening, the Assembly had approved the measure, 56 to 41. In case there were any doubts about Wisconsin's priorities, a separate bill also awaits consideration in Madison, declaring cheese Wisconsin's state snack."
State microbe ... (Score:4, Funny)
Kansas: (Score:1, Funny)
Salmonella
Boy Am I glad (Score:2, Funny)
What's next, Michigan delcaring Fe(OH) their state mascott?
i declare this travesty of waste of taxpayers time (Score:4, Funny)
delicious
In Alabama... (Score:3, Funny)
Haha (Score:5, Funny)
WI should have motto "Eat Cheese or Die" (Score:5, Funny)
Unfortunately this suggestion did not survive. I believe the time is ripe to try again to implement this new motto.
If you think I invented phony "facts," see http://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/08/us/wisconsin-s-license-plates-won-t-say-eat-cheese-or-die.html [nytimes.com]
Re:For Our Non-United States Friends (Score:2, Funny)
Wisconsin is only known for fireworks because they are illegal in some of the adjacent states. The fireworks sold in Wisconsin are all made in China.
Perhaps UW should change its mascot? (Score:1, Funny)