The proposal is included in a package of economic development suggestions that was put forward last month by the Greater North Dakota Association, which is the state's chamber of commerce. Backers say "Dakota" has a more pastoral, Old West ring and better appeal than "North Dakota," which can evoke images of towering snowdrifts and wind-swept, barren prairie.

People in South Dakota definitely don't think much of the proposal. "Well, you can put a pig in a dress, but it wouldn't change the fact that it's a pig," South Dakota state Rep. Mel Olson said last week. "I can change my name to Arnold Schwarzenegger to make people think I'm big and muscular, but the first time people see me, they'll know it's not true."

Changing North Dakota's name would require a state constitutional amendment, approval from voters, and a change in federal law. North Dakota's Legislature considered an amendment to drop "North" in 1989, but the proposal was soundly defeated in the state Senate.

I hope this proposal doesn't go through. Dick Pence, one of the early pioneers of genealogy technology, is a native of South Dakota, and he delights in telling North Dakota jokes. I am not sure they will sound the same if he has to drop the word "North" from all those punch lines!

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