The United States of the World...

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I had a chuckle when I saw that Russia's total GDP is about equal to New Jersey's!

Why? Because they're both kleptocracies?

[Thorgal]

I have observed in the Simpsons and other USA series and movies that they make jokes about New Jersey many times. ¿what is so funny/terrible about that place?

[Arrian]

Ah, how to explain New Jersey...

First off, as a CT resident, it's sorta my job to rip on Jersey. I can't explain why. It just is.

The standard complaints about Jersey:

1) Pollution. It's a very built-up state with lots of industry (past and present). It has a whole lot of toxic waste problems and such. This has become a cliche. In reality, part of it is due to the fact that New Jersey actually cares if something is contaminated... whereas some other states are fine with simply ignoring a problem.

Anyway, it's a pretty funny juxtiposition with the official NJ nickname, "The Garden State." Their license plates are yellow - which works with smog jokes.

2) The bigger cities are ugly, crime-ridden hellholes. Newark being a prime example. This is true of my home state as well, but nobody cares about Bridgeport or Hartford, really. More people are likely to have heard of (or even been to) Newark.

3) The Mob. Shows like The Sopranos have hyped this up, but it's real to a certain extent. Then again, probably not to the extent of, say, Rhode Island.

4) Strip Malls, etc. Like I mentioned above, it's a very built-up state. Very high population density... US-style. Or should I say the worst possible US-style. It's positively FUGLY.

5) The accent can be funny.

-Arrian

[Thorgal]

OK Now the jokes make sense. I though it was mostly the topical landscape with lots of green fields, spared wooden houses and white churches (i had not a clue obviously).

[Provost Harrison]

I am pleased to see the EU is kicking arse though

[LordShiva]

I was driving through New Jersey once, and I saw this

[Arrian]

That's a pretty representative shot of Jersey

-Arrian

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Thorgal
OK Now the jokes make sense. I though it was mostly the topical landscape with lots of green fields, spared wooden houses and white churches (i had not a clue obviously).

Actually, there are lovely spots like that.

Another problem they have is crooked politicians. I have an officemate from New Jersey. He claims New Jersey invented the idea of term limits for elected officials. --Only there, they call it, "jail time."

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Another problem they have is crooked politicians. I have an officemate from New Jersey. He claims New Jersey invented the idea of term limits for elected officials. --Only there, they call it, "jail time."

Could be Hull

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Arrian
That's a pretty representative shot of Jersey

-Arrian

That's exactly what I thought when I saw it.

[Will9]

Me a Saudi living in Denmark. Noooooooooooooooooo! I won't be able to stand living in the birthplace of legal gay marriage.

BTW, Winston must now belive my word in Truthiness.

[Monk]

Originally posted by Will9
Me a Saudi living in Denmark. Noooooooooooooooooo! I won't be able to stand living in the birthplace of legal gay marriage.

Then again, here you always know what time it is.

[Will9]

I live in the 2 Central Timezone areas of Indiana that always reconized Day Light Savings Time since it started. Besides all of Indiana is forced to reconize Day Light Savings time now. I think that was what you meant.

BTW, you must also belive my word in Truthiness.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Thorgal
I have observed in the Simpsons and other USA series and movies that they make jokes about New Jersey many times. ¿what is so funny/terrible about that place?

Another problem with New Jersey: If you're driving on the Jersey Turnpike - just passing through on your way to better places - there are certain points at which you really want to keep your windows up, because the whole place smells awful. Pollution and industry and dreck are everywhere. For many, this is their only experience with New Jersey, and it is invariably unpleasant.

[Arrian]

The Jersey Pike is not a scenic drive, it's true.

-Arrian