Toledo is much more liberal than most of Ohio. When you look at the 2004 election map, that little island of blue in the red sea is Lucas county, home of Toledo.

Now if you really want to scare those Evan ministers, tell them you grew up in Fulton county, Toledo’s neighbor. Gets ‘em every time.

But this guy is just off the scale.

The Statue of Liberty is a French mail-order bride of America.

Hahahahahaha! The Statue of Liberty is one of the original French mail-order brides of America, for sure. But she was given to us freely, right? And it’s awful funny how, with all of these problems with France, a naturalized French chick like that never gets her patriotism questioned…

Plus – having been to Youngstown and Toledo* (in fact, having had friends who even lived in each city**. On purpose. I kid you not.), I would have to say that, although they are close, Rochester and/or North Tonowanda, NY should be placed slightly lower (higher?) in the hierarchy. Especially in winter. I cannot vouch for (against?) Waterloo, Iowa.

* – the local joke goes: Michigan and Ohio fought over Toledo. Ohio lost..

** – different sets of people inhabited each town seperately. I know of no human who could withstand prolonged exposure to both of those environments in a single lifetime.

It’s a great piece: I loved how the author managed to tap into the psyche of the men on those trips: whore in the bedroom, slave in the kitchen. I do hope that Natasha or Ludmilla doesn’t end up shot dead and under the floorboards.

One thing to say about Toledo: it was the local paper which uncovered the whole GOP coin-dealing scandal. As opposed to, say, the Washington freakin’ Post.

Not after seeing Lady Liberty’s Ass in a Thong.

They’d be running back across the border in no time.

Toledo does have a nice zoo.

I always wondered why they picked Toledo for Corporal Klinger’s home town on M*A*S*H.

Because Jamie Farr is from there. He hosts a golf tournament there every year. It was cool when he wore “Mudhen” paraphernalia on M*A*S*H

I was told a strange tale about another rather dismal place, Waterloo, Iowa. A local meatpacker couldn’t find enough people willing to do that kind of work for that kind of money, and sought recent American emigres. The leader of the Bosnian community in Chicago was brought in, in hopes he could convince his countrymen to relocate to the west; afterward, he smiled, and told his hosts he may very well be able to do so. Waterloo, he advised them, reminded him a great deal of Bosnia.

there is a metaphor in here for wingnuts and Prez Bush, but I am too lazy to make it. I am only going to pretend to make it.

Nothing, I repeat nothing is worse than Youngstown. Of course, recently, Canton seems to be getting just as bad. So, so sad.

I’m so proud that we have our very own Statue of the Big Assed Liberty, though. I’m joining OSL8 on a pilgrimage so that I may bow to the greatness that is her thong. That may be better than a ride through Amish country.