50 Reasons Why Arizona is the Best State in the Country

Categories: News
aztattoo.jpg
Arizona Love, inked.
​Our Arizona-hating friends at hit-hungry Gawker completed their countdown of the worst states in America this morning. 

We weren't surprised by their hometown pick for the best state, and we're even less surprised we're at the bottom

It's all true -- they could thank Arizona for dishing out a variety of daily content, including continuing SB1070 drama, boycotts, political scandals, and camera-crazy law enforcement officials. Shit, we had a guy shoot himself right in the penis in a parking lot a few weeks ago. 

Instead of a card, we got a kick in the balls. But here's a thought, Gawker: we're not the worst state. Actually, we'd like to lobby for the cheap and default No. 50 spot you gave New York. 

Here are 50 reasons why:

50. Even New Yorkers say we have the best pizza in the country

49. We were quick to the punch -- the second state to name an official state gun. Ours? the Colt Single Action Army.

48. There's inspiration in the desert (and we're not just talking about peyote).

47. Hear of that sheriff who makes his inmates wear pink boxers and eat bologna while he's busy capturing illegal immigrants on tanks and arresting local journalists? Yeah, so have we.

46. Our sunsets are pretty spectacular. 

45. Northern Arizona houses the world's No. 1 Anthrax research lab

44. We're home to jumping cacti and mirages -- and we have the country's largest lodge pole pine forest. 

43. Phoenix is home to the largest indoor laser tag arena in the world

42. We understand the reason for a town named "Why." Also one called "Carefree."

41. Our backyard scorpions could take on your rats any day of the week. 

40. We make our own lakes.

39. Some of the best DJs in the world got their start here: Z-Trip, Markus Schulz, Eddie Amador, and Fashen.

38. Arizona leads the nation in copper production. 

37. Arizona is the only place in the United States where mail is still delivered by mule in Havasupai, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

36. Keith Haring painted a mural here. (A bunch of local artists have, too.) 

35. Arizona voters approved the best medical marijuana law in the country, even if the state's right-wingers are doing everything possible to derail it. 

34. We have the best Sonoran hot dogs outside of Sonora, Mexico. 

33. Arizona is the only state in the entire country that's home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

32. Ever flip through the shopping catalog instead of listen to the safety instructions on a plane? You can thank the braintrust at Sky Mall, located in Phoenix.

31. It's a great place to be a naked meth addict

30. South Mountain Park is the 4th largest urban park in America. At 16,283 acres, it beats Central Park by 15,440. 

29. It's the birthplace of rocking ladies Stevie Nicks and Linda Ronstadt. 

28. The Meadows rehab facility in Wickenburg brings in the likes of Kate Moss, Elle MacPherson, Eric Benet, and David Duchovny.

27. Winter temperatures in Phoenix are like summer temperatures in Florida, minus the humidity. 

26. Frank Lloyd Wright wintered here. 

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