Morning Fog: Survey: Know Any Curious Slogans?

A few days ago on television I heard the story of Hardin, a small town in Montana with a big, brand-new prison that for various reasons hasn't been put into use. Hardin's officials (unlike Montana's two U.S. Senators and many other Congresspeople) were actively campaigning to have the detainees from Guantánamo transferred to their high-security jail, figuring it would bring at least a few jobs to the town. Now, that's the good old American spirit of enterprise!

This report also reminded me of my father's home town, Leavenworth, Kansas, which boasts three major prisons within the city or its environs: one federal, one state, and one military (at Ft. Leavenworth), plus several smaller ones such as a Federal Marshals Detention Center. Although a century and a half ago Leavenworth was considered a good bet to become the region's "big city," upstart Kansas City, a little farther downstream, eventually outstripped it. As far as I know, the prison facilities are the town's main economic activity nowadays.

The town's official motto now is "The First City of Kansas" (meaning the oldest). But a few years ago I happened to pass through there and picked up this visitor's guide with the slogan "How About Doin' Some Time in Leavenworth?" Well, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, but still, this seemed to be a less-than-perfect catchphrase to attract visitors.

I began to think about the possibilities for other counterintuitive mottos. My own "town" (actually a county) - Arlington, Virginia - is mainly famous outside our immediate area for Arlington National Cemetery, though we also have the Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, and lots of history. Now, a national cemetery is more prestigious than your run-of-the-mill one, but still, you have to admit, having a cemetery as your town's main identity is a bit of a downer. I tried to think of a motto...hmm... how about "Arlington - Not As Dead As You Think!"? Maybe I'll try that one out on the county board...

I'd love to hear comments from any readers, if you've got an idea for a lemonade-type slogan for a town or maybe a company (will GM need a new slogan?). Use your imagination for a town that doesn't have a motto, or let 'Morning Fog' know about a real one you've encountered.