Bad message to send

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

When you make your vanity plate public for all to see you then subject yourself to public comment. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom of consequences of such speech.

That surprises me that she holds such a view when her very livelihood is dependent upon those she wishes to GOHOME. If tourists decided to go elsewhere and spent less money at Skelley's, there would be less need for services at Skelley's (translation: less hours available to work).

I am sure she is a nice lady and I am sure she, as well as many of us, put up with a lot of guff from the non-residents. My point is that it is the non-residents who pay for the bulk of what we as a town spend in our budget and a little appreciation towards those who actually foot the bill for all we are able to do would be nice.

Some think the plate is funny, some think my out of town visitor acquaintance (who I encouraged to come visit) should be more thick-skinned. I am of the thought that we need to be more appreciative to the non-residents.

What surprises ME is your lack of knowledge revolving around an irrelevant issue of which you have created. I hope you feel better about yourself for trying to make a statement over something you have no actual knowledge about. Her license plate simply says "gohome", not "gohomeoutofstaterswhosupportoureconomy"...

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

What surprises ME is your lack of knowledge revolving around an irrelevant issue of which you have created. I hope you feel better about yourself for trying to make a statement over something you have no actual knowledge about. Her license plate simply says "gohome", not "gohomeoutofstaterswhosupportoureconomy"...

It is the perception that is created with the plate in the first place. Let's face it, there are plenty of people in the area who have the attitude of GOHOME to non-residents. That is the impression that the person who visited got from the plate, and that is a fact. Overreacting? Maybe, but maybe they will find other places to go to spend their dollars that is more welcoming and we won't have to worry about them overreacting, or spending money, in our community again. Keep in mind that in the day of social media, something like this can go viral and taint a community in minutes.

If it doesn't mean what people think, what does it mean?

[SIKSUKR]

OMG. We're so politically correct now that we can't have a plate that says gohome? There is more to this thread like perhaps somebody has a complex about being from out of state and maybe got an earfull from a local at one point. Move on and enjoy our (including out of staters) beautiful lake.

[BroadHopper]

Social media is an extremely powerful tool today. Many pollsters feels that was what elected Obama in the last election, he uses social media as a voting tool when the republicians did not.

There are a group of lakefront owners who whiches the boating population to go away and make the lake their 'Golden Pond'. The infamous SL law is a perfect example of this and they are very proud of it. Unfortunately the boating industry and the hospitality industry also felt it and it is not good.

More fall out from this results in boating and tourists magazines dropping the Lakes Region down in top destination rankings. Our neighboring states sre enjoying increases in tourist dollars while NH declines.

While I did state I am not in favor of folks moving up here and bringing their 'dirty laundry', I never said tourists are not welcome here. The majority of the tourists are great and like all crowds there are a few that spoil it for all.

And this few are like criminals, they enjoy the 'media hype' of their outcome.

[WakeboardMom]

We have had vanity plates since moving to NH in 1983. We usually register two cars and a work truck; plus various cars belonging to my kids...so that's a lot of vanity plates in a 30-year span. It's only recently that we've been seriously questioned by the clerk at town hall for an explanation of each request.

They turned down my "fnfunfn" (Fun Fun Fun) plate for what, in retrospect, is an obvious reason.

This plate doesn't have bad language, but when taken at face value, it seems to have a negative message. Someone said the plate is at least 10 years old... I wonder if it would pass the state's current "sniff test?" It might not be allowed if they apply your mother's rule of "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

[knittaplz]

Originally Posted by WakeboardMom

This plate doesn't have bad language, but when taken at face value, it seems to have a negative message. Someone said the plate is at least 10 years old... I wonder if it would pass the state's current "sniff test?" It might not be allowed if they apply your mother's rule of "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

My mom taught us to not be afraid of speaking our minds. Who decides what is 'nice' enough for a license plate. As long as it isn't outright offensive, who cares?

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by knittaplz

My mom taught us to not be afraid of speaking our minds. Who decides what is 'nice' enough for a license plate. As long as it isn't outright offensive, who cares?

I agree. I always speak my mind, unless it's something that's better off unsaid. (Usually my husband lets me know...! ; )

I think the plate could be interpreted as offensive, which is what sparked this interesting discussion.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by WakeboardMom

I agree. I always speak my mind, unless it's something that's better off unsaid. (Usually my husband lets me know...! ; )

I think the plate could be interpreted as offensive, which is what sparked this interesting discussion.

It was interpreted as offensive. I just thought I would point it out to everyone. My livelihood is not dependent on tourism.

The fact that the owner of the plate doesn't have an explanation for the plate speaks volumes. Yes, yes, I know she doesn't owe me or anyone else an explanation, but perhaps the Maine tourism bureau would love to use the plate for their new ad campaign. Picture this:

Glossy paper in AAA magazines, visitor brochures, and online ads.

Why
GOHOME (picture of the plate)
Come
VISITME (picture of a Maine plate)

Maybe a huge billboard in Mass could sport that ad as people drove north prior to them getting on I-93.

[wuwu]

I do have an explanation for this plate, I just believe its not a concern of yours!
Lighten up
Laugh
Live free

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

It was interpreted as offensive. I just thought I would point it out to everyone. My livelihood is not dependent on tourism.

The fact that the owner of the plate doesn't have an explanation for the plate speaks volumes. Yes, yes, I know she doesn't owe me or anyone else an explanation, but perhaps the Maine tourism bureau would love to use the plate for their new ad campaign. Picture this:

Glossy paper in AAA magazines, visitor brochures, and online ads.

Why
GOHOME (picture of the plate)
Come
VISITME (picture of a Maine plate)

Maybe a huge billboard in Mass could sport that ad as people drove north prior to them getting on I-93?

Think, people. Think.

You've buried yourself. You're the one who is shooting yourself in the foot now and looks negative. You are NOTHING BUT NEGATIVE and had nothing positive to bring to the table here other than to bash someone you don't know based on assumption. Someone who has kindly laughed about the situation and given you a response. What are you trying to get at? What more are you trying accomplish other than making yourself look more and more like a ____________ Give it up...admit that that you were wrong and show some maturity.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

You've buried yourself. You're the one who is shooting yourself in the foot now and looks negative. You are NOTHING BUT NEGATIVE and had nothing positive to bring to the table here other than to bash someone you don't know based on assumption. Someone who has kindly laughed about the situation and given you a response. What are you trying to get at? What more are you trying accomplish other than making yourself look more and more like a ____________ Give it up...admit that that you were wrong and show some maturity.

In retrospect my original reply was snotty which was why I did edit it. However, I am not wrong in that this area had a visitor that was offended by a perceived negative plate.

Ok, I am off to smash my computer now.

[Scott's Yott]

Ya get a life or stay in ur 1,000,000 lake house(go home)

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

In retrospect my original reply was snotty which was why I did edit it. However, I am not wrong in that this area had a visitor that was offended by a perceived negative plate.

Ok, I am off to smash my computer now.

Someone who is *truly* offended by something so simple as a single license plate has much bigger issues going on. Especially when this plate is one of most likely 1,000 things they would see and experience on their visit, with the other 999 items most likely being quite positive.

It's already been pointed out that the plate doesn't mean what your visitor apparently thought it meant. However, even if it DID literally mean "Go home, you nasty tourist", people ARE entitled to their opinions. Also, there ARE many people in the lakes region who have been residents since long long before it was the highly popular tourist area it is now. It's quite possible some of those people might prefer the "old" region, with less tourism, they are certainly entitled to their beliefs.

Basically, your visitor needs a damn hobby...

[Chaselady]

This whole thread is an example of how people love to jump all over each other.

[Pineedles]

You would think that its mid-January and everyone has cabin fever, reading this thread.

[sluggo]

This thread is funny as hell ! I vacationed here for over twenty years before I moved here full time. It took five years before the locals even warmed up to me and when they found out I didn't want to change anything with my property or the way of life up here I was accepted with open arms. Now I come from Massachusetts originally and I have a better education than most but since I have lived here people that I work with that are seasonal here have referred to me as a dumb hick , an under educated moron , red neck , simple minded and I can go on and on. Don't get me wrong I meet a lot of really nice people but on the other hand I really don't understand the upper attitude people take when they come up here and the way we are looked down upon. I am older now so I could care less so I just laugh about it now but if I could fit ( cant wait till Columbus day ) on my license plate I would !!!

[BroadHopper]

Some folks thinks the motto is insulting, see below.

In 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Wooley v. Maynard, 430 U.S. 705, that the State of New Hampshire could not prosecute motorists who chose to hide part or all of the motto. That ruling came about because George Maynard, a Jehovah's Witness, covered up "or die" from his plate. "By religious training and belief, I believe my 'government' – Jehovah's Kingdom – offers everlasting life. It would be contrary to that belief to give up my life for the state, even if it meant living in bondage." Pursuant to these beliefs, the Maynards began early in 1974 to cover up the motto on their license plates.
He was convicted of breaking a state law against altering license plates.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in his favor and likened Maynard's refusal to accept the state motto with the Jehovah’s Witness children refusing to salute the American flag in public school in the 1943 decision West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette.
"We begin with the proposition that the right of freedom of thought protected by the First Amendment against state action includes both the right to speak freely and the right to refrain from speaking at all,” Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote for the majority in Maynard.
"Here, as in Barnette, we are faced with a state measure which forces an individual, as part of his daily life indeed constantly while his automobile is in public view to be an instrument for fostering public adherence to an ideological point of view he finds unacceptable.
"The fact that most individuals agree with the thrust of New Hampshire’s motto is not the test; most Americans also find the flag salute acceptable," Burger wrote.
The Supreme Court concluded that the state’s interests paled in comparison to individuals’ free-expression rights.

[SteveA]

.. wouldn't fit on the license plate.

Gen.John Stark, the hero of the Battle of Bennington, had to decline an invatation to the 32nd celebration of that battle due to poor health.

The last line in his letter, explaning why he couldn't make the event, he proposed that the men at the event, say as a toast "Live Free Or Die; Death is Not The Worst of Evils.". The rest as they say, was history.. The New Hampshire legistrator adopted that toast as the official state motto in 1945.

[dave603]

I was born and raised in Mass., have lived in N.H. for 35 years now, after spending time in NY, Conn., Texas, Colorado, and places outside the U.S. in the service and for jobs.
I moved here because it was what I wanted for me and the family, the way of life.
I resent those that do come here to "get away" from the way things were from where they were at, and then try to make it the same way as it was there.
So all and all, I can see and somewhat agree with what the plate says.

But I also see where the money to support the state infastructure has to come from to support it.
That says, although you may not like them, they are needed for us to be they way we are.

JUST DON'T LET THEM CHANGE ANYTHING!

[diz]

Originally Posted by dave603

I was born and raised in Mass., have lived in N.H. for 35 years now, after spending time in NY, Conn., Texas, Colorado, and places outside the U.S. in the service and for jobs.
I moved here because it was what I wanted for me and the family, the way of life.
I resent those that do come here to "get away" from the way things were from where they were at, and then try to make it the same way as it was there.
So all and all, I can see and somewhat agree with what the plate says.

But I also see where the money to support the state infastructure has to come from to support it.
That says, although you may not like them, they are needed for us to be they way we are.

JUST DON'T LET THEM CHANGE ANYTHING!

I'm in a similar situation to nj2nh. My family has split their time between Mass. and the Lakes Region for 30 years. My wife and I recently bought our own home in Laconia because we enjoy life here, NOT because we're looking to change things. It's disappointing to hear the opinion that all out-of-staters have an agenda. My wife and I like it up here and that's why we invested in a home here. It's that simple. We enjoy our new friends and neighbors. That's enough for us.

[WakeboardMom]

It's easy to say, "Don't change anything," but you do understand that the only constant in life is change...right...? And you do understand that the only way that NH can truly sustain itself is to finally, in some way, enact some type of broad-based tax...yes?

[RLW]

Originally Posted by dave603

I was born and raised in Mass., have lived in N.H. for 35 years now, after spending time in NY, Conn., Texas, Colorado, and places outside the U.S. in the service and for jobs.
I moved here because it was what I wanted for me and the family, the way of life

I resent those that do come here to "get away" from the way things were from where they were at, and then try to make it the same way as it was there.
So all and all, I can see and somewhat agree with what the plate says.

But I also see where the money to support the state infastructure has to come from to support it.
That says, although you may not like them, they are needed for us to be they way we are.

JUST DON'T LET THEM CHANGE ANYTHING!

. dave603, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Thanks for your post.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

It is the perception that is created with the plate in the first place. Let's face it, there are plenty of people in the area who have the attitude of GOHOME to non-residents. That is the impression that the person who visited got from the plate, and that is a fact. Overreacting? Maybe, but maybe they will find other places to go to spend their dollars that is more welcoming and we won't have to worry about them overreacting, or spending money, in our community again. Keep in mind that in the day of social media, something like this can go viral and taint a community in minutes.

If it doesn't mean what people think, what does it mean?

Michael Buble has a song called I Wanna Go Home....maybe it's they're favorite song ( just can't get the whole title on the plate). Maybe it's a family joke aimed at certain visiting guests (aka mother in law). But we can go on if you want putting this woman down because of only what some think it means

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

It is the perception that is created with the plate in the first place. Let's face it, there are plenty of people in the area who have the attitude of GOHOME to non-residents. That is the impression that the person who visited got from the plate, and that is a fact. Overreacting? Maybe, but maybe they will find other places to go to spend their dollars that is more welcoming and we won't have to worry about them overreacting, or spending money, in our community again. Keep in mind that in the day of social media, something like this can go viral and taint a community in minutes.

If it doesn't mean what people think, what does it mean?

Why don't you find out for yourself rather than sit there and make foolish assumptions. You're painting someone negative based on six letters that could mean ANYTHING. You have got to be kidding me that you seriously have nothing better to do but criticize someone for their choice of a vanity plate. It's people like YOU who taint society. Everyone knows that the Lakes Region economy is funded by both in-staters AND out-of-staters.

Maybe she has an immense amount of wealth, works locally to occupy her time, and truly wants people like you to "go home". However, what I have just stated is simply a "what-if" because I have no knowledge.

This topic is utterly pointless and really doesn't bring much value to this forum. I do know that vehicle is local to the area, but for all you know this car could have been someone from Southern NH and is referring to critical people like you from central NH. You have no basis for your argument without facts and your "freedom of speech" on this topic should be revoked considering is has nothing to do with Lake Winnipesaukee unless of course you want to rely on your ASSUMPTION that this person wants out of staters to go home.

Lock it, move it to the general issues forum, or delete it (my suggestion)...but this is far to pointless to keep open in the general forum.

[RailroadJoe]

37 posts and still going strong.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Why don't you find out for yourself rather than sit there and make foolish assumptions. You're painting someone negative based on six letters that could mean ANYTHING. You have got to be kidding me that you seriously have nothing better to do but criticize someone for their choice of a vanity plate. It's people like YOU who taint society. Everyone knows that the Lakes Region economy is funded by both in-staters AND out-of-staters.

Maybe she has an immense amount of wealth, works locally to occupy her time, and truly wants people like you to "go home". However, what I have just stated is simply a "what-if" because I have no knowledge.

This topic is utterly pointless and really doesn't bring much value to this forum. I do know that vehicle is local to the area, but for all you know this car could have been someone from Southern NH and is referring to critical people like you from central NH. You have no basis for your argument without facts and your "freedom of speech" on this topic should be revoked considering is has nothing to do with Lake Winnipesaukee unless of course you want to rely on your ASSUMPTION that this person wants out of staters to go home.

Lock it, move it to the general issues forum, or delete it (my suggestion)...but this is far to pointless to keep open in the general forum.

I am not saying anything about the individual. I have no idea who the owner of the plate is nor do I wish to know. The negativity is directed at the message, not the messenger. I am always treated with courtesy and respect when I go into Skelley's. Let's give the owner of the plate the benefit of the doubt and say it has nothing to do with non-residents; the point is that someone who came here to visit did take it as an unwelcome message and was annoyed enough to bring it to my attention. Word of mouth and social media are powerful tools to bring wanted, and unwanted, attention to an area. Some states spend millions of dollars to attract tourists. I will bring it back to the question I posed in my original post:

Is this really the message we want to be sending the people who visit our community?

Lock it down, move it, the conversation has been civil and has given me some angles I hadn't thought of. Perhaps it has done the same for others. If civil discourse that disagrees with one, but has garnered what at this time is over 1,700 views, makes everyone uncomfortable, feel free to lock it. What is the criteria for a thread to remain in general discussion, which is what I thought we were having?

[jeffk]

Sentiments like this have been around for decades. There are always some people in a tourist area that can't stand the tourists. I have seen signs with statements like this in shops around the area. If people haven't been scared away yet they are not going to be now. Nor is a license plate posted on the internet going to cause anyone any problems. Ever notice the amount of griping about motorcycles and bike week. Doesn't stop them from coming, does it?

On top of that, it doesn't seem to mean what it was originally assumed to mean so lets get over it.

[Russtic]

My vanity plate in MA means one thing to me but something else to some people (not offensive in any way.) That's fine, don't care what others think of my plate or me.
Have always liked vanity plates because they are fun to decipher. My tongue-in-cheek guess of the story behind the plate in question:
Maybe an aging, former Massachusetts resident who realizes all the financial benefits of tourists and out-of-state owners...
it stands for "Good Ol' Hicks Owe Massachusetts Everything"

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Russtic

My vanity plate in MA means one thing to me but something else to some people (not offensive in any way.) That's fine, don't care what others think of my plate or me.
Have always liked vanity plates because they are fun to decipher. My tongue-in-cheek guess of the story behind the plate in question:
Maybe an aging, former Massachusetts resident who realizes all the financial benefits of tourists and out-of-state owners...
it stands for "Good Ol' Hicks Owe Massachusetts Everything"

You never know... I do know the plate owner (as I noted earlier) is not a NH native. I think many would be surprised by how few NH natives there are out there.
I'm local but not native

[Misty Blue]

My New York in-laws were up for a visit. Nice folks. When they were returning home things started to go wrong.

The closer they got to NYC the more people in other cars were yelling at them and making gestures. They didn't know why.

When they parked the car they noticed that some trickster had put a "Yankees Suck" bumper sticker on their car.

Gee whiz. Guess who they blamed?

Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk....

Misty Blue

[ITD]

I thought it was code for an "EMO" Harley.......

"EMO" "HOG" (Go Home spelled backwards).

[tis]

Originally Posted by Russtic

My vanity plate in MA means one thing to me but something else to some people (not offensive in any way.) That's fine, don't care what others think of my plate or me.
Have always liked vanity plates because they are fun to decipher. My tongue-in-cheek guess of the story behind the plate in question:
Maybe an aging, former Massachusetts resident who realizes all the financial benefits of tourists and out-of-state owners...
it stands for "Good Ol' Hicks Owe Massachusetts Everything"

Now THAT is insulting! The nerve, calling us hicks!! And thinking we owe Massachusetts everything?????? I DON'T THINK SO!!!