# Help me make a critical life decision **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 2, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090 "2002-07-02T19:47:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/1 "2002-07-02T19:47:53Z")
Hasbro being one of the largest employers and benefactors of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the state in their wisdom has decided to reward it’s benificence in a rather practical (uh huh) way. I’m wondering if I should join in with this. Help me decide. Should I get a liscence plate for my car with Mr. Potato Head on it? Note : This is Rhode Island. You _can’t_ make this stuff up. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/2 "2002-07-02T19:59:03Z")
How could you pass up an opportunity like that, **Euty**? All I can get is a bull. ---
**Author:** ![Taran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Taran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taran)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/3 "2002-07-02T20:31:34Z")
Madre de Dios. I don’t know what I was expecting from a thread title like that, but…not this. Definitely not this. To help us help you, do you have a link to a picture of the Mr. Potato Head? These things are vitally important. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/4 "2002-07-02T20:44:38Z")
Well, I tell ya. The first thing I think when I see potatoes is Idaho, so if you have no problem with correcting people who ask you what it’s like to live in Idaho, why not?? Just curious - usually specialty tags are for the benefit of some organization or charity - is that the case here? ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/5 "2002-07-02T20:47:59Z")
Yes. Definitely yes. Definitely, definitely yes. Oh definitely yes. This said from me in Florida, the “Land o’ License Plates”. (and **Ringo** - we have a bull on a license plate, too - University of South Florida (Tampa), Brahman bull is their mascot) ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/6 "2002-07-02T20:51:05Z")
Does he have the mustach? It’s important. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/7 "2002-07-02T20:55:25Z")
I think Mr. Potato Head is a fine choice, but are there other options? I say do it. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/8 "2002-07-02T20:57:12Z")
Is Gumby available? I might consider moving. StG ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/9 "2002-07-02T20:57:20Z")
I’m with **Zebra** here – if the Spudster has the moustache (and, ideally, resembles his appearance in _Toy Story_), then go for it. Otherwise, hold out until they put Optimus Prime on a license plate. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/10 "2002-07-02T20:57:29Z")
Will you be able to redo his face on a daily basis? What about Mrs. Potatohead? ---
**Author:** ![Tygr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@Tygr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tygr)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/11 "2002-07-02T21:16:46Z")
Junyer Bear and I are quite certain that Rhode Island should have a [B-A-T](http://www.nonstick.com/wsounds/jrbear4.wav) on it’s license plate. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/12 "2002-07-02T21:25:33Z")
Personally, I’m holding out for G.I. Joe tags. Tripler ‘Because knowing is half the battle’. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/13 "2002-07-02T21:28:28Z")
Oh my heavens YES, get the Mr. Potato Head plate! You must! That is just WAY too cool to pass up! ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/14 "2002-07-02T21:32:25Z")
**Euty** , if I understand correctly, Rhode Island will donate half the $40 fee to the community food bank for every Mr. Potato Head license plate? If that is true, then in addition to being humorous, it sounds like this might be all for a good cause. I searched and searched the web and was unable to find a picture of the plate itself. But I did find this tidbit [here.](http://www.gethep.net/road/potatohead.html) Don’t take this personal, but Rhode Island is a bit weird. > [@](#): > > In March of 2000 all eyes were on the steps of the Rhode Island state house. It was a day met with great appeal by many as the Governor of Providence swore into office the newest members of his cabinet. They were 47 Mr. Potato Heads. > Their official function was to serve as the states travel ambassadors. Rhode Island is home to Hasbro Toy Manufacturing. The Department of Tourism thought they could put a new face on the state by using the spuds as part of a promotional campaign. The idea was to skin some bucks from the tourist till by creating the illusion that the state was a family destination. The catch phrase was “Rhode Island - The Birthplace Of Fun!” > > The super sized spuds were the creation of local artists and each was based on a theme relating to the state. They were placed in prominent positions and visitors were encouraged to spot all the 6ft tall spuds in their travels. > > After a year of the potatoes being mashed by vandals the campaign bit the dirt. Ten of the heads were auctioned on Ebay. A sack-full were donated to museums and the rest found themselves rooted at the businesses of the sponsors who commissioned them to be built. Some of the later remain on display. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/15 "2002-07-02T21:35:19Z")
I’d be all up in that Mr Head plate so fast it would make your head spin. Then I’d cruise down the street with Nelly blaring, It’s getting hot in here so take off all your clothes…😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/16 "2002-07-02T21:38:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ivylass \* > \*\*Will you be able to redo his face on a daily basis? What about Mrs. Potatohead? \*\* This is exactly what I was thinking. You get the plate with the base potato shape, accompanying holes and the plastic accessories. Then re-arrange as often as you like. This could be followed up by the Lite Brite license plate, in which you could rearrange and personalise your plates (including numbers) with little plastics nubbins. Fun for the whole family! Compare to the (boring as hell) [Ohio Bicentennial Plate](http://www.state.oh.us/odps/division/bmv/BicentennialPlate.html). Blecch! I don’t think they even have that little “Ohio” flourish on the left as pictured, since normally there are many more characters. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/17 "2002-07-02T21:46:07Z")
Ooh! Lite Brite license plate. I like that idea! If part of the money is going to a good cause, it might be fun to do it, provided you don’t mind plunking down the extra dough. Too bad you couldn’t rearrange the NUMBERS on the Mr. Potato Head plate. Think of all the crime you could get away with! The police would be stymied. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/18 "2002-07-02T21:55:31Z")
Wow **Euty** , I hadn’t heard about this! And hey, what’s so weird about Rhode Island? Yeah, we’re a former colony of outcasts and freaks, but that was a long time ago! Or something. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/19 "2002-07-02T22:10:35Z")
I meant “weird” in that… uhhh… most affectionate of ways. ~grin~ ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090/20 "2002-07-02T22:21:06Z")
It’s a no brainer. The question is what to put on the license plate “HOTPOT8O” “SPUDSTUD” “DANQUAYL” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-critical-life-decision/117090.md?page=2)