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 Dori Monson


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Washington's viticulture community is lobbying to allow minors in wine making programs to be able to taste wine, so Dori thinks we should change our state motto to: "Sip...swirl...but don't swallow." (AP Photo)

My new crusade: We need a new state motto!

March 9, 2013 @ 11:28 am (Updated: 10:31 am - 3/10/13 )

Dori writes...

In these divisive times, I've been looking for a cause to champion that can bring together our citizens regardless of their political and social beliefs. I think I have found it.

Don't the people of our state deserve a state motto that reflects our hearty, pioneer spirit?

Other states have great, inspiring mottos:

- Iowa: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"

- New Hampshire: "Live free or die"

- New Jersey: "Liberty and prosperity"

- West Virginia: "Mountaineers are always free"

And what is the Washington state motto?

"Al-ki" which means "by and by".

By and by? What a wimpy state motto. We need a motto that more accurately reflects the people of our state and our divine leadership in Olympia.

This week, the state legislature moved forward with a bill that will allow 18-to-20-year-olds to taste alcohol in college classes - AS LONG AS THEY DON'T SWALLOW THE BOOZE!!!

As one member of our legislature said: "they will be allowed to savor the wine, as long as they spit it out".

As soon as I heard that, I realized, that would be the foundation for a great new state motto that more accurately reflects our people and these times.

And so, this is my new crusade. I want to change our state motto from "Al-ki" to...

"Washington: Sip...swirl...but don't swallow"

You can take it literally... or you also also interpret it as advice to visitors: "Come enjoy our mountains and rivers - but then, get the heck out!"

It will instantly be the greatest state motto in this great nation of ours. I'll need all the help I can get. Are you with me in my new crusade?

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Comments (38)


  • Add A Comment

  • sghouse wrote...
    take another vacation Dori
    March 9, 2013 11:45 am
    seems like you are really stretching to come up with any material lately.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ronithink wrote...
    After the election I think this is a good slogan
    March 9, 2013 12:48 pm
    Marihoochie and Sodomy!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    If I may alter...
    March 10, 2013 11:20 am
    Sodom and Grungemorrah
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    Or in our earthquake prone region
    March 9, 2013 3:05 pm
    Shaken, not stirred.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • scampion wrote...
    We don't have a state motto -- not officially anyway
    March 9, 2013 3:56 pm
    We don't have an official motto as it is. Alki is bandied about but it's never been codified in the RCW. Neither has our nickname (the Evergreen State), believe it or not. Those are two surprises I discovered while researching an article for WA-List last year: http://www.wa-list.com/?p=155. In other words your "sip and swirl" has an open shot. Not that I'd go for it myself. I suggested several tongue-in-cheek state symbols in another article, though: http://www.wa-list.com/?p=158 Have fun with it!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Papoon wrote...
    what
    March 9, 2013 3:59 pm
    "our hearty, pioneer spirit" What are you talking about?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Raymong wrote...
    Eastern Washington,that great state of hearty
    March 9, 2013 6:46 pm
    Pioneering folks.Along with those in the upper left hand corner of Washington and along the coast,oh hell,everywhere but Seattle and King county.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    You gotta flow with it
    March 10, 2013 11:27 am
    "Hearty pioneer spirit to Bleeding Hearts & Pioneer Square spirits"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    How about 'Dumb and Dumber' ?
    March 9, 2013 5:45 pm
    Unless KIRO has a copyright for its afternoon programing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ratrustle wrote...
    How About...
    March 10, 2013 8:43 am
    We have a zero tolerance policy on nuclear waste! or Our largest employer moved their HQ to another State -- visit them on your next vacation! or We don't have an income tax, but our "fees" will sure get you! or We legalized pot but we don't have one to Pi$$ in! or Sound Transit -- We can do a bigger boondoggle than Boston's "Big Dig". or We can afford to overpay to get the Sonics back, but you'll have to pay to cross a bridge to get there!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    ...but don't swallow"
    March 10, 2013 10:16 am
    That sounds close to "hate speech" for a State that just said OK to Gay marriage. I might recommend "Washington, the confused state, not the corrupt city."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Tyrone DeVille wrote...
    How About The Sanctuary State?
    March 10, 2013 10:44 am
    Ooops, never mind!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    could compromise with that
    March 10, 2013 11:16 am
    ...not just another sanctuary State."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    How about
    March 10, 2013 11:35 am
    Come for the mountains stay for the Herb
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ratrustle wrote...
    Very good!
    March 10, 2013 1:43 pm
    That might even get passed!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Tyrone DeVille wrote...
    "Come for the mountains stay for the Herb"
    March 10, 2013 11:03 pm
    NOW, that I like!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • genemcd wrote...
    "Washington...it could be worse!"
    March 10, 2013 3:31 pm
    It seems like that's what everybody here says all the time so why not make it the official motto?!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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