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Wisconsin Designates State Microbe

Hugh Pickens writes "The NY Times reports that state legislators in Wisconsin raced against the clock to pass a bill designating Lactococcus lactis as Wisconsin's official state microbe. 'The first time I heard the idea, I thought, I've got more important things to do than spending my time honoring a microbe,' says Gary Hebl, a Democratic state representative who proposed the bill which, he says, would make Wisconsin the first state in the nation to grant such a designation, 'but this microbe is really a very hard worker,' added Hebl, referring to the bacterium supported by the Department of Bacteriology at UW — Madison used to make cheddar, Colby, and Monterey Jack cheese. The proposal faced only one detractor in committee ('the opponent was clearly lactose-intolerant,' says Hebl), and there was no sign of a last-minute campaign from other bacteria, so by evening, the Assembly had approved the measure, 56 to 41. In case there were any doubts about Wisconsin's priorities, a separate bill also awaits consideration in Madison, declaring cheese Wisconsin's state snack."

7 of 102 comments (clear)

  1. State microbe ... by Stooshie · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... now that's just cheesy!

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    America, Home of the Brave. ... .and the Squaw.
  2. Boy Am I glad by rockclimber · · Score: 2, Funny

    that the really important problems are tackled, without fear or failure....


    What's next, Michigan delcaring Fe(OH) their state mascott?

  3. i declare this travesty of waste of taxpayers time by circletimessquare · · Score: 3, Funny

    delicious

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    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  4. In Alabama... by dgun · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...we're fighting over bingo. So, you know, legislating official microbes actually sounds productive.

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    FAQs are evil.
  5. Haha by The+MAZZTer · · Score: 4, Funny

    The Onion always cracks me u... wait, what?

  6. WI should have motto "Eat Cheese or Die" by elwinc · · Score: 5, Funny
    In about 1985, the then governor of Wisconsin wanted to change the license plate motto (America's Dairyland) to something more exciting. A popular suggestion was

    Eat Cheese or Die

    Unfortunately this suggestion did not survive. I believe the time is ripe to try again to implement this new motto.

    If you think I invented phony "facts," see http://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/08/us/wisconsin-s-license-plates-won-t-say-eat-cheese-or-die.html

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    --- Often in error; never in doubt!
  7. Re:For Our Non-United States Friends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Wisconsin is only known for fireworks because they are illegal in some of the adjacent states. The fireworks sold in Wisconsin are all made in China.