Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Into The Void with John Miller

It was appalling to learn what Mike Huckabee thinks of the state he allegedly governs. To hear him, a former Baptist minister, say the state of Arkansas is a "banana republic" is simply unforgivable for someone in his position.

The first question is why did he say such a thing in the first place? Granted, he was on the Don Imus radio program and Imus, along with other such radio rats, thrives on garbage trashing people and places. The worst part is Imus isn't funny and never has been. He's just offensive.

What was the Huckster doing on Imus anyway? He could say "no" to such requests, but he may have been stumping for Dubbya, something he spent a good deal of time doing during the presidential campaign instead of his job  governing Arkansas.

Granted, this state is far from perfect. Yes, the educational quality is lacking. Yes, the roads are in terrible shape. Yes, we have an abundance of folks who don't know what MENSA is. But this isn't the point. Gov. Huckleberry Hound shouldn't have said these things, especially on a nationally syndicated radio program.

Now, let's turn the tables and ask Huckleberry what he's done to change things in Arkansas. Let's see now, well, he did want to let convicted rapist Wayne Dumond out of jail. I can see where this would have improved the state's reputation. Yeah.

He's also promised teachers a $3,000 raise next year, but changed this to $1,500, because the money isn't there. Of course, the $1,500 raise he promised has resulted in a freeze on the budgets of all other departments at the 1998 level.

To improve the state's image he moved into a triple-wide mobile home while the governor's mansion was being renovated. That helped immensely. Actually the triple-wide incident, which refuses to die, is typical of the Huckabee regime. After all who tends to head banana republics but tinhorn despots who can't do anything else.

By accepting the mobile home, or trailer, as most people call it, Huckabee is in effect saying Arkansas doesn't want to improve; Arkansas doesn't want to attract any high-tech industries; Arkansas doesn't want to improve the level of education for its children, or even keep its young people once they're out of school.

Apparently our governor is telling us Arkansas isn't worth bothering with or living in. If this is how he feels about the state he is more than welcome to pack his bags, get off the public payroll and leave. Texas would probably welcome him with open arms. Bush may even have a place for the Huckster in his cabinet as shoeshine boy or something, should Dubbya steal the election.

Instead of casting aspersions at the people of Arkansas, Huckleberry Hound should be doing the job he was elected to as governor and trying to improve things. Granted there's only so much the governor can do, but Bill and Hillary Clinton (remember them?) managed to improve quite a few things in the state before heading to Washington eight years ago.

But Huckleberry Hound would rather do what he's best at  whining instead of working, complaining about and not listening to, moaning because he's possibly inept and incompetent. After all every time something negative has been printed about him Huck has cried and told everyone how mean the media is to him and he's innocent of everything anyway and anyone who says differently is a sinner doomed to hell.

I've been on the receiving end of one of Mike's tirades before, though it was several years ago when he was Lieutenant Governor.

Maybe Arkansas isn't the greatest state in the nation. Maybe Arkansans don't live up to Huck's expectations. Maybe he should just leave. It's not like he'd be missed.

No, before throwing stones at the people who put you in office in the first place (a major mistake by the backwood people of Arkansas if ever there was one) you should take a look in the mirror. I seem to recall something in the Bible (a book you used to use regularly) about he who is without sin casting the first stone.

By the way, if you need help packing just give us a call. We'll be glad to lend you a hand in getting out of Arkansas.