An unexpected landing

By Staff
March 9, 2003
What better year than an election year for the Legislature to officially designate a state dirt. We already have a state toy (teddy bear), state beverage (milk) and state language (yes, it's English). And there are 19 other officially-designated state things.
What better political stunt could there be in this statewide election season than a candidate scooping up a handful of that coarse, fertile soil known as Natchez silt loam and tossing it in his opponent's direction. The symbolism is rich.
The Legislature in its infinite judgment has adopted Natchez silt loam as the official state dirt, er, soil, and sent the bill to Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. He'll likely sign it and we can thank state Rep. Reecy Dickson, D-Macon, for digging, er, bringing it up in the first place.
We agree with the sentiments expressed by state Sen. Hillman Frazier, D-Jackson, who cast the only vote against the soil proposal:
And so, soon, Natchez silt loam will take its rightful place alongside teddy bears and milk and the official state stone (petrified wood) as another fine symbol of our proud heritage as defined by our Legislature.