Give up acting unaware; you can't ignore the crime.

This week, I saw a pickup truck driving on Golden State with a bumper sticker that said, "Bakersfield: City of Righteousness". The woman driving must have been from Provo. It definitely gave me perspective, though. I mean, I could play the word association game a bit with everyone that I know, and if I were a betting woman, I would bet that 'righteous' isn't the first word that would come to mind for anyone. Probably not even the fourth or tenth (with the exception of Sarah P., of course. 'righteous' would likely be third, behind 'home' and 'Zion'). But you know what, as much as people complain about Bakersfield, I really do like it here. We may not have the cleanest air, but we've got the GET bus. And the Kern River... if you haven't gone for a dip in the Kern River, you haven't lived (...ironic choice of words). And if you're still not convinced, my friends, I have two words for you: Pioneer Village. Or De wars. But anyways, point is, Bakersfield is a pretty nice place, so lay off, haters. And please don't call it "Bako" or "B-town" or "Bakerspache" or any other term that isn't named on the list of approved terms of usage below. And if you hear someone else use these terms, please correct them. With your fist.

Approved Terms of Usage for Bakersfield, California, Kern County USA

• Bakersfield