Local columnist, Scott Maxwell shared with us a couple of days ago that Florida was recently voted the "Scariest State in America." Why? Because we're Number One in the following categories.
- Shark attacks
- Hurricanes
- Lightening
- Spiders
- Snakes
- Tornadoes
- Murderers
- Meth Labs
OK, so why did Peter Benchley's novel and Steven Spielberg's movie use the fictious Amity Island off the coast of Massachusetts for the greatest scary shark story ever - Jaws? That story should have taken place off the coast of Daytona Beach.
We're proud to be the lightening capital of the world. Every afternoon from May to October we can except to have our power pop on and off requiring a rebooting of all electronics. Occasionally we have a direct hit requiring 911 assistance. It's very exciting.
And we don't get nearly enough credit for our murderers. Not to mention hate groups. We've got Neo-Nazis, White Nationalists, Neo-Confederates and the Ku Klux Klan. Speaking of the KKK, last week a Seminole County (my county) Deputy Police Chief and another deputy were fired for being members of the Klan. And in a related story, yesterday a recently decorated 28 year old Seminole County patrol deputy was arrested for soliciting sex from a 17 year old girl on Facebook. Let's put that in the "What were you thinking?" category.
What can I say about meth labs? Breaking Bad made them very trendy.
Maxwell also mentioned sexually transmitted diseases. Every state has STDs but Florida is unique in that we have several senior citizen communities famous for their high rate of STDs. We're special that way.
And what about sink holes. Here in Florida you can go to work and not know whether your house will be where you left it when you return.
The United States would be a boring country indeed if it wasn't for Florida, California, Chicago and couple of other constantly "happenin'" places.
You're welcome!
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