My brother, big dumb loveable animal that he is, moved from Minnesota to Arkansas this week. Now, he has taken a lot grief about the move and the Arkansas jokes have been pretty much nonstop. He has been schooled in the fact that state jokes end with Arkansas as the punch line approximately 51% of the time with West Virginia running a close second at 49% of the time.

Why, even a now former co-worker of his in Minnesota said to him in a meeting one day, "Matt, when you move to Arkansas the collective IQ of two states will rise simultaneously!" That's rich. Really, very well stated. And, I feel that I'm qualified to rate said joke as I am a big brother, I have been to Arkansas, and I consider myself a bit of a "cut-up" from time to time. But, I digress.

I believe this unabated state bashing has got to stop. It's time that we treat all states with the respect due to them as parts of the 50 state collection which comprise our great country. This ridicule and bias toward our fellow states needs to end. States have been taking it on the chin ever since Howard Dean's gravel voiced listing of states he would take back ending with his infamous "YEEayyaa". Actually, I don't think Arkansas made that cut, but still, the point is clear. All states are equal.




Now, let's get back on track. Time to go see Brother at his new location in Arkansas via the state's scenic and picturesque highways.




Wait a minute, which way.....were we....going.....what?

Three dollar a gallon gas got YOU down? Check out this guy.

First, he drives a coach RV motorhome. YIKES.

But wait, he's thought ahead! He's no dummy!

He's also decided to pull a "get-around-town" vehicle behind his huge behemouth of a moble house. This towed vehicle will be easier to make local trips to and from the RV. Why, he'll now doubt save money on fuel costs...













...unless the vehicle he's towing behind the coach RV is an H2 Hummer!

I'm not sure what is more amazing.

Is it the fact that there IS an Oklahoma Horseshoeing School?


Or, is it the fact that said school has a "South Campus"?

Because, a "South Campus" no doubt denotes that there is another "campus".

I wonder, do they offer on-line courses? Exactly what does one do with a degree from the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School? Funny, I've never seen blacksmith on those Internet lists of Top Jobs for graduates.

Do ranchers really require an acredited horseshoeing expert?

Finally, do students of this school have to take 2 semesters of a foreign language also?