The National Geographic Photo Contest 2012 is open.
The section “who may enter” of the rules includes the following list of countries whose residents are barred from participating:
Contest is open only to individuals who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry and who do NOT reside in Cuba, Iran, New Jersey, North Korea, the Province of Quebec, Sudan, Syria or Vermont.
Now, I have gotten used to Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria being excluded from anything that originates from America. But what the heck did the people of New Jersey, Vermont and Quebec do to warrant this special treatment? Have they harboured terrorists? Do they stockpile biological weapons? What is going on that has escaped my watchful eyes?
The Happy Hermit 
To see what has invalidated New Jersey residents, google “Jersey Shore”. :D
Other than being awfully hoity-toity, I can’t see a reason to disqualify Quebec residents, and I don’t really know enough about Vermont. I wonder (seriously) if it’s something to do with where NatGeo is incorporated? (For the US States – beats the heck outta me for Quebec.)
‘Merica.