West Virginia Writer Slams Ohio: Too Much Taupe And Beige

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Maybe the legislature needs to appoint a special commission, or beg Cleveland-based paintmaker Sherwin Williams for help. Or maybe Charleston Gazette-Mail columnist Karin Fuller needs to see a shrink. You decide. Fuller says she doesn't like to visit Ohio because too many homes and buildings in the state are painted either beige or taupe. Taupe is a dark gray that is tinged with brown, purple, yellow or green. Who knew?

"There's something sad about sameness, about visual political correctness. About adhering to a color palate that strives to be only un-offensive. The heck with originality or individuality or going out on a limb. Heaven forbid anyone try something daring or new."

For years, Ohioans have been trying to sort out whether the state is blue or red. Now we learn from West Virginia we are actually a bunch of taupes. Fuller dredges up an old Steven Colbert interview question with Cleveland U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones: "Twenty-two astronauts were born in Ohio. What is it about your state that makes people want to flee the Earth?"

Fuller writes her own reply: "Maybe it's because they want to see something other than beige."