Live Free or Not — Your Choice?

Kansas isn’t the only state with periodic debates about its state slogan. New Hampshire is now arguing about a new tourism motto — “You’re going to love it here” — that lots of people, including the governor, hate.
They want to replace that slogan on various highway signs with New Hampshire’s traditional gritty motto, “Live Free or Die.” But other residents think that’s too, well, harsh.
Nonsense. What’s wrong with a slogan that actually stands for something and reflects the state’s history? If they want to update it for the hip-hop generation, here’s an idea: “Live Free or Die Tryin’.”
Posted by Randy Scholfield

9 Comments

  1. writerdog
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 2:33 am | Permalink

    Sorry the motto has to go, too American, too not politicially correct, too take a stand against Governement intrusion.

    Nope it has to go! What is freedom without security? what is believing in something greater then your life? Freedom is grossly over rated, it must be! Look how much of it some are willing to lose? Freedom mean you have to tend to your own buisness. It is a dinosaur in this age, an idea passed it time.

  2. raptor
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 7:13 am | Permalink

    I gotta say, it has a much clearer message than, “to the stars, through difficulties”. I have absolutely no idea what that is supposed to mean…some kind of prophesy?

    Live free or die is clear, definite, and a clear statement of how far people will go to defend freedom. To the stars… means…what??

  3. J R
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 8:14 am | Permalink

    It figures raptor wouldn’t get it.

    “To the stars through difficulties” implies great dreams and aspirations willed to life; acknowledging and IN SPITE of things that get in the way.

    I know a guy with an idea about a tower that brings that phrase to mind.

    I’ve never been to New Hampshire. But their motto has always seemed a little strident to me. It is very applicable circa 1776. But now? WHo is going to subjugate and take away New Hampshire’s freedom? Maine? bush?

    It is a fine feel good statement and state motto. It probably is not the best thing to put on road signs.

  4. raptor
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 9:11 am | Permalink

    And it figures that JR would be his usual condescending self.

    Historically, state mottos are positive statements, like Kentucky, “United we stand, divided we fall”, or Arkansas, “The People Rule”, or Illinois, “State Sovereignty, National Union”. Many of them refer to equal rights, government or progress. But…”to the stars..”? Ok….whatever.

    And having been to NH, I can attest their motto fits them quite well..the locals are a feisty type.

  5. ict alum
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 11:53 am | Permalink

    “To the stars through difficulty” is a great motto. Part of what makes it great is that it can mean different things to different folks. To me it means that anything worth having is worth the struggle. Of course, we could always dumb it down.

  6. Steve
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 2:51 pm | Permalink

    “What’s wrong with a slogan that actually stands for something and reflects the state’s history?”

    What’s wrong is that it’s been 200 years since America has faced a real threat to its freedom on its own soil. “Live Free or Die” means nothing to most people today because they have grown up taking our freedoms for granted. NH’s motto is not PC and upsets some because most people have forgotten what it means to be free.

  7. Damoon
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 7:31 pm | Permalink

    I know a good motto for Kansas, “Be stupid or leave”. I’m sure the BOE would like that one.

  8. J R
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 9:55 pm | Permalink

    I didn’t mean to be unkind you raptor. Usually I do but not here.

    I don’t see how you don’t get it.

    “To the stars through difficulties” is actually very profound. I tried to explain that above.

    Consider the history of Kansas. As a nation heads toward inevitable civil war over the issue of states rights v. slavery, Kansas decides to be a free state. (the stars) this in the face of things like the Quantrill Lawrence massacre (the difficulties)

    The Kansas motto is really about the only thing I really like about this state.

    Now raptor you yourself have seen an example of “ad astra per aspera” on the “those aren’t statues Dorothy, they’re buskers” thread. If you have trouble getting the concept or why it is such a great state motto, go read Joe Williams vision for the Peerless Tower again.

  9. Brian
    Posted April 10, 2006 at 10:36 pm | Permalink

    New Hampshire has no sales or income taxes and this is a great reason that people near New England visit NH (besides the fact that the state liquor stores sell booze for practically nothing). If they want to attract tourists from farther away while maintaining the state’s traditional motto, then maybe something like “Live practically free, but not dry”.