Korn from Kalifornia

Stereotypes can be entertaining or offensive -- it all depends on your point of view. If you are the party being spoken of in a derogatory manner, the jokes aren't quite so funny.

In the truth is stranger than fiction department, we offer the following for your amusement or to raise your blood pressure. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a tireless promoter of his state, told a group meeting on infrastructure that California remains a top tourist destination.

That, in and of itself is fine. We wouldn't argue the point.

Not content to tout his state, which continues to teeter on the brink of bankruptcy, the governor then went on to denegrate other states, including Iowa.

"No matter where you go in the world, people still want to come to California," Schwarzenegger said. "There's no one screaming like, 'I can't wait to get to Iowa.' That I can guarantee you. They want to come here to California."

No one? Really?

We realize the governor is more than likely prone to exaggerate and probably felt that his pitch was a hit with his audience. He went on to say, "like one state is known for its potatoes; one state is known for its oil, and another state like Florida is known for the old people."

Really? Of all the things Florida is known for: oranges, spaceflight, beaches, tourist destinatons like Disney and Universal Studios, and good college football teams, you choose the old people.

Nice.

As you may imagine, when word of this speech became a national news item, it became a matter of honor. A spokesman for Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, Troy Price, said Iowa's balanced budget and improvements in the quality of life in the last few years were a contrast to California's deep budget problems. He added, "We invite Californians and Gov. Schwarzenegger to come to Iowa and see what the best state in the nation has to offer."

Not a bad comeback, but if you are going to play with the governator, Mr. Culver, you need to bring the sterotypes.

How about "we teach our students that California is spelled with a 'c,' not a 'k."

Corn is corn, Gov. Schwarzenegger. Don't quit your day job.