Olympic volleyball fan and New Mexico resident Wade Miller recently tried to order Olympic tickets by phone, but found out operators for the '96 Games were "geographically impaired," according to the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. After telling the operator he was from New Mexico, Miller was put on hold. The operator then came back and said she couldn't sell tickets to someone who lives outside the country. Miller spent half an hour trying to convince the agent that New Mexico is a state. She then transferred him to her supervisor who responded, "Sir, New Mexico, old Mexico, it doesn't matter. I understand it's a territory, but you still have to go through your nation's Olympic committee." ACOG officials said the incident was a one-time occurrence.
(Lyle Harris, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/2)

In response to the above, which was posted to the GIGGLES list (giggles@listserv.vt.edu), David Lundquist wrote:

I had to smile at the man from New Mexico's problems trying to buy Olympic volleyball tickets. The following REALLY happened to me.

Four years ago, I was applying for my marriage license in Orlando, Florida. When the clerk of the court was reviewing my application, she asked if I was a naturalized citizen. I asked her what she meant and she replied, "I see that you were born in New Mexico." At least in this case, her supervisor knew enough to correct her.

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