I appreciate all the comments — and especially your map, x.
I’m world-experienced, but a born-and-bred Southerner (to me, growing up, Arkansas was the Northwest). Now I have happily adopted Arkansas as “my” state for some 35 years. (Still a newbie; it’ll be a half-century before anyone refers to my land as “the old WombatArk place, LOL.”)
I think folks are overlooking the sweeping changes that started in the northwest part of the state with two titanic individuals: Sam Walton and J.B. Hunt.
Between them they brought growth, innovation, economic success and pride to a state that had long suffered “poverty of the spirit.”
They and their suppliers also brought a new understanding of economics and politics, along with new employees who understood both as more than mere party servitude. Their spirit infused not only the state but the type of retirees it has attracted from the North.
Interestingly, the remaining Democratic area of the state is the one diametrically opposed geographically: The old plantation area of the southeast Delta — and even that is beginning to change.
I have (he said immodestly) chosen a beautiful, varied and politically fascinating state in which to live out my life.
Did you say JB Hunt?. He is as popular as polocks as a subject of jokes
What do you get when you have 365 J. B. Hunt Drivers?
One year’s combined experience.
(Tom Carolan - J.B. Hunt Driver, Syracuse, NY)
What does J.B. Hunt, Schneider and the DOT have in common?
They all sit on their butts all day and watch big trucks go by.
(Tom Carolan - J.B. Hunt Driver, Syracuse, NY)
Did you hear about the merger of North American Van Lines, Great Coastal, Schneider ,and J.B.Hunt ????
They’re going to call the new company The Great North American Pumpkin Hunt...
(Midnight Bandit - Wal-Mart Driver)
A driver walks into a truck stop, tired after a long day on the road, but in good spirits none the less...he sits down at the counter beside another driver and begins talking...he asks the driver if he’d like to hear a great JB Hunt joke he had just heard that very day.
The other driver looks at him and says “Let me tell you something buddy. I drive for Hunt...and see that guy over there? He’s a Hunt driver too. And that guy over there, and that fellow at the other end of the counter there, and the guy over there in the booth...they drive for Hunt as well. Five Hunt drivers in here buddy...now...I ask you...do you STILL want to tell that joke?”
The first driver thinks it over for a second and finally says “Nah...better not...I don’t want to have to repeat it five times.”
(MadHatter - Yard Truck Driver for Stoughton Trailers,
but hitting the big road when she turns 21)
Why are most Schneider jokes one liners?
So J.B. Drivers can understand them. :)
(Rick. Pumpkin driver.)