Minnesota Man Defends The States Honor Versus Wisconsin

Don't Put Down My State!

I’ve only lived in Minnesota for about a year and a half, but this is home now. I’m told I’m now certified as a Minnesotan because I reluctantly allow my hopes to build around our professional sports teams and their chances of winning a championship. 

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When I complain about the wind, I have a co-worker who chants “one of us, one of us” at me. I mean, nobody told me about the wind here. The cold weather, yes. The snow, yep, they filled me in on that too. Nobody muttered a word about the wind. But I’ll save that for another day.  

So, when I hear someone take shots at Minnesota, or read something negative, I take that personally. That’s when the “redneck” in me wants to come out.  

You see, I’m from North Carolina, so I know a thing or two about losing my religion on someone who gets out of line.  

I saw this tweet on “X” or Twitter if you will, that was from an account I had never seen before. The account is @midwestern_ope or MidWest vs. Everybody. 

The account says it has the goal of promoting the best region in the country. But their post Monday did not project that goal. As a matter of fact, it went totally against it. 

I’ve got to admit, the “redneck” in me rose quickly, and I had to delete a couple of responses I had typed out. Luckily, a calming voice took over and I decided to do a little homework.  

What Is A Lake Really?

And by homework, I mean a quick Google search about how many lakes Wisconsin has. I learned something very interesting. Google AI says that in Wisconsin, a lake is considered any body of water that is 2.2 acres or bigger. 2.2 acres, really? In Minnesota, we call that a mud puddle. 

Google AI also said that if you measured Wisconsin’s lakes the way Minnesota measures them, there would only be 5,300. Even by my “redneck” math, I understand that’s nowhere close to 15,000.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says a lake is anything 10 acres or bigger.  

But there is a reason Wisconsin has to count their lakes differently, Google AI says that Minnesota is the 12th largest state in the country with 86,943 square miles, while Wisconsin is considerably smaller with only 64,497 square miles. 

I’m glad I allowed the calming force to take over, or I may have missed learning the facts between the two states. This tweet sounds more like little brother talking big rather than preaching facts.  

So, before MidWest vs. Everybody wants to take a swipe at Minnesota again, just remember this; Size Matters.