..

..

yeah, why not

Do I think it could happen? Sure.

If the entire state of Florida was consumed by a combination of tsunamis, subterranean volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, asteroid implosions, and giant, enraged turtles emerging from the sea (along with a Chernobyl-style nuclear meltdown somewhere near Tampa, Jacksonville, or Orlando), leaving only a sliver of Southeast Florida livable...then, yes, Miami would be a viable candidate for State Capitol.

You can't forget that while Miami is largely loved by Miamians (like us) it's also largely (and stupidly) hated elsewhere in the state, except by a precious few. With 90% of that hatred based on bigotry because Miami is largely an immigrant, Spanish-speaking city. Hell, even a significant part of the MSA itself in Broward and PBC holds that opinion.

So, no, Miami will never be the capitol of Florida without the combination of geographic disasters, celestial bombardment and sea monsters mentioned above. Micanopy and Two Egg stand a better chance.

But may I offer another alternative? A Florida locale built on optimism and the dream of a brighter tomorrow?

Not Wakulla Springs or Islamorada or Marianna. Not Pembroke Pines or Satellite Beach or Kissimmee, either.

The new state capitol must be:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/201696637_6435a8f459.jpg

^^ :D

I don't see why Miami should be. Leave the capitoling to the smaller cities so Miami can continue being the financial capital.

^^ :D

I don't see why Miami should be. Leave the capitoling to the smaller cities so Miami can continue being the financial capital.

Agreed. That's how it is in a LOT of states.

San Francisco is a first-rate financial and cultural epicenter, Los Angeles is the entertainment center of the planet...yet neither is the state capital.

Seattle is a vibrant dynamo. Not the state capital, though. That would be thoroughly forgettable Olympia.

Louisiana: Who has ever planned a vacation around Baton Rouge versus New Orleans?

Maine: Augusta versus the gorgeous coastline and hip Portland?

Pennsylvania: Funky and historic Philly versus Harrisburg?

Illinois: If you are visiting Springfield you are at least in the same state as Chicago.

Sometimes it dovetails. Denver, Boston, Atlanta being logical capitals or someplace like Austin just being cool and vibrant on their own despite bigger cities in that state.

Mostly, though, state capitals are pretty inconsequential aside from the government jobs they contain. Few, if any, have ever become the nexus points of their states.

Montpelier is pretty, though...:cheers: (seriously)

Argue about whether or not you think it could happen. Theoretically, if jacksonville fell off the face of the earth, what city would be next in line?

lol the dade courthouse would become the capitol.

I have now used both spellings of capitol. Of course miami is the capital of florida but could it be the capitol?

JAX!??!? Do you really know what city is the capital of Florida?!?! It's Tallahassee!!!!!

And why should be?! Very few states have that so I don't see anything special in particular to "move" it to South Florida...

..

"hatred based on bigotry because Miami is largely an immigrant, Spanish-speaking city. Hell, even a significant part of the MSA itself in Broward and PBC holds that opinion"....wow you are right on target here!! :)

I can't believe I was wrong about the capitol and no one picked up on it. They must have assumed I meant that jax would be choice 2 so it would have to be gone as well.

I was going to say something but I was afraid of you going all ballistic over me. I think sending you pm would have been an appropriate way to deal with it...

An interesting thread, which will do nothing except occupy 15 precious mintes of my life. Spellbound, you have done it again....you reply is correct, funny thought provoking.

Although I need to clarify a few things, When we talk about moving the capital to Miami---are we talking about The City of Miami...or any other local municipality? Because I am wondering if your rationale takes Opa-Locka out of the running. The poster who suggested the Dade County courthouse building as the capitol building seems unaware that the Opa-Locka City Hall bldg. would be the coolest capitol building EVER....if we could just get Florida to move the capital. Hey, if we can get Lebron James, what's stopping us now..?

Seriously, I read a book by Joel Garreau in the early 80's called THE NINE NATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA and it is still one of the most interesting reads---ever. The author makes the case that city, state and even some international borders are irrelavant in shaping an area of North America.

A few examples....Maine and Canadian province of New Brunswick are NEW ENGLAND...where as QUEBEC is a separate nation, from the rest of North America.

Just going on memory...the 9 nations were....

DIXIE
NEW ENGLAND
THE FOUNDRY
EMPTY QUARTER
MEX-AMERICA
THE ISLANDS
QUEBEC
ECOTOPIA
HEARTLAND

and several...what he called abberations!

I found his borders to be fascinating. He cut south Florida off somewhere south of Lake Okeehobbe and called it THE ISLANDS. It included The Bahamas, and most of the Carribbean. Each nation was given a capital---and Miami was his capital of his nation...one of the 9 nations of north America.

I think this has direct bearing on the original premise of this thread. The is no need to make Miami the state capital.....it is already more important than THAT!!!!

PS...props to me for working Lebron James, Opa-Locka and a serious thought all in one post!!!!

:applause::lol:

I'd like our state capital to be Eugene.

I don't mind that the capital of Florida is Tallahassee, though I do wish it were built and envisioned to be more monumental. It's rather underwhelming as capitals go. If it were to be moved to a larger city, I'd chose Orlando for it's centrality (our high speed rail hub---oh wait), or perhaps even St Augustine to bring us back to Florida's roots.

You really want all those politicians and the accompanying lobbyist and interest groups invading your town every year?! I don't see the lure.

** I've got a better idea **

Breaking news:
Miami secedes from the United States to become the capitol of South America

AP-Miami officials announced today that they are planning disintegrate Miami as a major North American city in favor of becoming the capitol of all Latin American countries.

CAPITAL!!!! Capitol is the building...GOD!!!!!!!

PS...props to me for working Lebron James, Opa-Locka and a serious thought all in one post!!!!

A post after my own heart, Embarcadero! :cheers:

(and, agreed...I could easily envision Florida's governor making various proclamations and decrees from high atop a minaret. It would be beyond cool)

CAPITAL!!!! Capitol is the building...GOD!!!!!!!

:lol:

Breaking news:
Miami secedes from the United States to become the capitol of South America

AP-Miami officials announced today that they are planning disintegrate Miami as a major North American city in favor of becoming the capitol of all Latin American countries.

:lol:

I thought that title was taken by Mexico City??? or so they claim.!!!

Chances are that most of the State of Florida will be covered by water before Talhassee which has a high elevation of 203 ft.

Tallahassee's terrain is hilly by Florida standards, being located at the southern end of the Red Hills Region, just above the Cody Scarp. The elevation varies from near sea level to just over 200 feet, with the state capitol located on one of the highest hills in the city

So Floridas State Capitol is on a high hill. So less chance of being flooded.

Miami average elevation is less then the size of a basketball player. :lol: Highest elevation is 26 ft. Orlandos elevation is 106 ft. Orlando regional average elevation of 127 ft. Lake City has an average elevation of 188 ft.

The average elevation in Florida is 100 ft.

So chances are Florida will be keeping Tallahassee has there Capital. They should really move it to at least Lake City, its high enough. Also, it is where the Panhandle and Peninsula seem to connect.

http://www.floridaairporthomes.com/images/Lake%20City%20sm.JPG

They should really move it to at least Lake City, its high enough. Also, it is where the Panhandle and Peninsula seem to connect.


And more importantly, it is near the Two Egg metroplex.

Miami is the capital of the papaya. Best fruit in the world. Some of you know what I really mean. :cheers:

Miami is the capital of the papaya. Best fruit in the world. Some of you know what I really mean. :cheers:

I love papaya so much that I moved to Costa Rica.....! Papaya everywhere!!!!

And more importantly, it is near the Two Egg metroplex.

My parents retired to Lake City...from Miami!!! First place that I ever saw with signs upon entering a convenience store...SHIRT and SHOES FORBIDDEN!!

Lake City is inconveniently located to every place in Fla worth seeing...! They had the FLA Sports Hall of Fame...and it folded. It's now a library.

Gimme Opa-Locka any day of the week...

I am getting pretty excited. I will reach 500 SSC posts in a couple of more years.....!!!

Miami is the capital of the papaya. Best fruit in the world. Some of you know what I really mean. :cheers:

The seedless ones are best. :cheers:

I am getting pretty excited. I will reach 500 SSC posts in a couple of more years.....!!!

You can have some of mine.

Miami is the capital of the papaya. Best fruit in the world. Some of you know what I really mean. :cheers:

I love papaya so much that I moved to Costa Rica.....! Papaya everywhere!!!!

LOL! That old Cuban joke....I have a funny story about my Castillian (Spanish) professor in high school..funny lady!

LOL! That old Cuban joke....I have a funny story about my Castillian (Spanish) professor in high school..funny lady!

Say it! Say it! Say it!

The worst part about Miami is it's a part of Florida which sucks, Miami should become it's own state!

The worst part about Miami is it's a part of Florida which sucks, Miami should become it's own state!

On the contrary, most people would say the worst part about florida is that it has miami, and would be glad to be rid of it. If anything, everyone would oppose making a state 51, and we'd prolly donate it to cuba or so.

Maybe if they traded by putting the carolinas back together as one state, carolina, they would break off the bottom of the penninsula. Make an illustration, half assed is fine, where you would put the state line. Would it be straight across? But then it might catch tampa, too.... or would it form around the south florida tri county metro? What about key west...

The worst part about Miami is it's a part of Florida which sucks, Miami should become it's own state!

I think you'd need a little more argument than that.

On the contrary, most people would say the worst part about florida is that it has miami, and would be glad to be rid of it. If anything, everyone would oppose making a state 51, and we'd prolly donate it to cuba or so.

Maybe if they traded by putting the carolinas back together as one state, carolina, they would break off the bottom of the penninsula. Make an illustration, half assed is fine, where you would put the state line. Would it be straight across? But then it might catch tampa, too.... or would it form around the south florida tri county metro? What about key west...
I would say tri county.

I think you'd need a little more argument than that.
Not really.. Florida=backwards and full of idiots, Miami=Progressive city held back by Florida politics and idiots so Miami-Florida=Progressive city.

I say it should become it's own country. USM = The United States of Miami. Capital will be Opa Locka. National Anthem = Guantanamera. Official animal (instead of bird) = chupacabra. Build a mini Mt. Rushmore with Dan Marino, Tony Montana, Jack McKeon and of course Telly Savalas. These were the four figures I nominated before for statues at the Marlins stadium park.

Have a great weekend all!

I say it should become it's own country. USM = The United States of Miami. Capital will be Opa Locka. National Anthem = Guantanamera. Official animal (instead of bird) = chupacabra. Build a mini Mt. Rushmore with Dan Marino, Tony Montana, Jack McKeon and of course Telly Savalas. These were the four figures I nominated before for statues at the Marlins stadium park.

Have a great weekend all!

Seconded. Any objections? Motion passes. :cheers:

I would say tri county.


Not really.. Florida=backwards and full of idiots, Miami=Progressive city held back by Florida politics and idiots so Miami-Florida=Progressive city.

Progressive isnt always a good thing.

You can't forget that while Miami is largely loved by Miamians (like us) it's also largely (and stupidly) hated elsewhere in the state, except by a precious few. With 90% of that hatred based on bigotry because Miami is largely an immigrant, Spanish-speaking city. Hell, even a significant part of the MSA itself in Broward and PBC holds that opinion.


Does it stand anywhere else than to reason, though, that the city of fleeing immigrants was also the poorest city in America in 2000?

Am I the only one who sees the downside of small towns being capitals and not the larger cities? What seems to happen is most states, including New York, is that large cities have to subsidize the more rural areas and have similar amount of influence over the state as the much more rural and less populated areas.

Than there is Atlanta where the state as a whole doesn't bend over backwards for Atlanta like it does for the state as a whole. This is even though the Atlanta Metro IS so huge compared to the whole state. Seriously the Atlanta metro is like 90% or something of the states population, they should be able to get whatever it is they want from the state but rural areas can sidetrack them with different issues.

Though I guess I might be simplifying things to much, I am sure this is due more than just because of where the state capital is located.

States usually place their capitols geographically close to the center of their states. In the case of Florida, when Tallahassee was chosen as the capital (in 1824) it was likely that only the panhandle of Florida was much populated with few (if any) people south of St Augustine (even up until the Civil war most of South and Central Fl was Yankee controlled swampland). Even if they were to move the capital today (a very costly endeavor) both Tampa & Orlando would be a far better candidate than us for their geographic centrality.

This is also why DC was chosen as the US capital as it was geographically close to the center of the US (at that time) before all the Louisiana purchases and other wars/secession/purchases that make the 48 states what it is today.

Well moving the capital of Florida to Central Florida would make more sense since that is the population and geographical center of the state. Also, D.C. seems to have been a good choice I guess, beats being built in the center of the country, out in Kansas or something.

Miami is the capital of the papaya. Best fruit in the world. Some of you know what I really mean. :cheers:

I know what you mean.....yummy....:)

I say North Florida (being one state) and South Florida (Being another state) like North & South Carolina....with the capital in the middle of the metro area....somewhere around Hollywood or Aventura....

This is also why DC was chosen as the US capital as it was geographically close to the center of the US (at that time) before all the Louisiana purchases and other wars/secession/purchases that make the 48 states what it is today.

You're correct but don't forget George Washington himself quietly lobbied for the Potomac River site for "Federal City" (as it was then called) because it was close to his beloved Mount Vernon. The location was also something of a compromise as it sat--as it does today--along the traditional 'boundary' of what is considered the North and the South.

I've always found the original site selection process to be an interesting slice of American history. One of the proposed sites was along the Susquehanna River, very close to where today's I-95 crosses it. It's an absolutely beautiful spot where the river is very wide and the surrounding banks are up on high bluffs. Really would have given our nation's capital quite a dramatic and gorgeous setting.

I'm surprised you didn't mention the city that was our nations capitol before DC. Seeing as how you have your location tag and all. ;)

I'm surprised you didn't mention the city that was our nations capitol before DC. Seeing as how you have your location tag and all. ;)

Well, of course! My new neighborhood is within walking distance of Independence Hall and much of the old Colonial center. Pretty cool for any history buff.

As for moving Florida's capital, I still have to go with the Opa-locka option. How many states have a capital with minarets, huh? :cheers: