Sam, Bill, and Matt-Arkansas' gift to American Heroes

[JIHawg]

Sam Walton, Bill Clinton, and Matt Jones-genuine American heroes in their own right, all three being gifts from Arkansas, and all three being the essence of what it is to be Arkansan.

Sam-the man with the broad vision hampered by the narrow mind-the greatest American businessman of the late 20th century, but not fully recognized by the minions of Wall Street, not really given his due, at least not in his time, the down-home hokiness and the small town way of doing things not really understood by the New York types who command the American business media scene.  Wall Street never really caught up with him, the nation finally did just days before his death with the awarding of the nation's highest honor.

Bill-the greatest politician of the 20th century, Arkansas bred, Oxford educated, a man of ultimate sophistication of political savvy and downright ignorance of personal conduct, with the flaw of character that almost brought his presidency down in what should have been  his finest hour. 

And Matt-the greatest athlete the state has ever produced, and possibly the nation, the greatest player ever for the University, who in the heat of the moment when the games were on the line, sometimes tried to do too much.  Play within himself-never.  It's not in his repertoire.  He only knows one speed, and that's full throttle.  Win it all on every play, that's his motto.  And sometimes it's his downfall.  His play often brought great joy to the Arkansas faithful, and sometimes great agony.

All three represent what is the essence of being an Arkansan, a people who invented self-deprecating humor.  If sweet and sour pork didn't come from China, it would come from Arkansas.  If Shakespeare, the ultimate mixer of comedy and tragedy, were alive today, he would live in Arkansas.  Bob Dylan, on explaining why he attended the presidential festivities in the Clinton inauguration of 1992, replied "I just wanted to be there when Arkansas took over America."  Dylan, the greatest poet of the 20th century, understood Arkansas.  Being Arkansas is being dumb like a fox, sophisticated hokiness, if you will, a tongue-in-cheek way of life.  Billy Bob at an elegant party,  house trailers with fireplaces.

That's why Matt will have a great future in the NFL.  Call it destiny, or whatever.  He's just too entertaining, too omnipresent.  The nation must not be denied this glorious athlete.  He's the final member of Arkansas' contribution to American heroes, Arkansas' holy trinity; the master, the favorite son, and the galloping ghost. 

[CusefaninAR]

Matt Jones is the greatest athlete this nation has ever produced.  NOW I've heard it all.  Why not just proclaim him the greatest athlete that has ever walked the earth? 

[maniax22bolts20]

Matt Jones is the greatest athlete this nation has ever produced. NOW I've heard it all. Why not just proclaim him the greatest athlete that has ever walked the earth?

In the first mentioned case, he would be.

[Ton Ton Macoute]

Sam Walton, Bill Clinton, and Matt Jones-genuine American heroes in their own right, all three being gifts from Arkansas, and all three being the essence of what it is to be Arkansan.

Sam-the man with the broad vision hampered by the narrow mind-the greatest American businessman of the late 20th century, but not fully recognized by the minions of Wall Street, not really given his due, at least not in his time, the down-home hokiness and the small town way of doing things not really understood by the New York types who command the American business media scene.  Wall Street never really caught up with him, the nation finally did just days before his death with the awarding of the nation's highest honor.

Bill-the greatest politician of the 20th century, Arkansas bred, Oxford educated, a man of ultimate sophistication of political savvy and downright ignorance of personal conduct, with the flaw of character that almost brought his presidency down in what should have been  his finest hour. 

And Matt-the greatest athlete the state has ever produced, and possibly the nation, the greatest player ever for the University, who in the heat of the moment when the games were on the line, sometimes tried to do too much.  Play within himself-never.  It's not in his repertoire.  He only knows one speed, and that's full throttle.  Win it all on every play, that's his motto.  And sometimes it's his downfall.  His play often brought great joy to the Arkansas faithful, and sometimes great agony.

All three represent what is the essence of being an Arkansan, a people who invented self-deprecating humor.  If sweet and sour pork didn't come from China, it would come from Arkansas.  If Shakespeare, the ultimate mixer of comedy and tragedy, were alive today, he would live in Arkansas.  Bob Dylan, on explaining why he attended the presidential festivities in the Clinton inauguration of 1992, replied "I just wanted to be there when Arkansas took over America."  Dylan, the greatest poet of the 20th century, understood Arkansas.  Being Arkansas is being dumb like a fox, sophisticated hokiness, if you will, a tongue-in-cheek way of life.  Billy Bob at an elegant party,  house trailers with fireplaces.

That's why Matt will have a great future in the NFL.  Call it destiny, or whatever.  He's just too entertaining, too omnipresent.  The nation must not be denied this glorious athlete.  He's the final member of Arkansas' contribution to American heroes, Arkansas' holy trinity; the master, the favorite son, and the galloping ghost. 

Don't know how to tell you this,but Sam Walton was born in Kingfish,Oklahoma.March 29,1918. He wasn't raised there,though. He was raised in Missouri.In fact he graduated from the University of Missouri.

[CusefaninAR]

Yep...didn't even move to Arkansas until 1945.  Excellent point!

[hawkeyefan17]

Matt Jones, American hero? That's taking it a little too far I think.

[Hoggysoprano]

Sam Walton, Bill Clinton, and Matt Jones-genuine American heroes in their own right, all three being gifts from Arkansas, and all three being the essence of what it is to be Arkansan.

Sam-the man with the broad vision hampered by the narrow mind-the greatest American businessman of the late 20th century, but not fully recognized by the minions of Wall Street, not really given his due, at least not in his time, the down-home hokiness and the small town way of doing things not really understood by the New York types who command the American business media scene.  Wall Street never really caught up with him, the nation finally did just days before his death with the awarding of the nation's highest honor.

Bill-the greatest politician of the 20th century, Arkansas bred, Oxford educated, a man of ultimate sophistication of political savvy and downright ignorance of personal conduct, with the flaw of character that almost brought his presidency down in what should have been  his finest hour. 

And Matt-the greatest athlete the state has ever produced, and possibly the nation, the greatest player ever for the University, who in the heat of the moment when the games were on the line, sometimes tried to do too much.  Play within himself-never.  It's not in his repertoire.  He only knows one speed, and that's full throttle.  Win it all on every play, that's his motto.  And sometimes it's his downfall.  His play often brought great joy to the Arkansas faithful, and sometimes great agony.

All three represent what is the essence of being an Arkansan, a people who invented self-deprecating humor.  If sweet and sour pork didn't come from China, it would come from Arkansas.  If Shakespeare, the ultimate mixer of comedy and tragedy, were alive today, he would live in Arkansas.  Bob Dylan, on explaining why he attended the presidential festivities in the Clinton inauguration of 1992, replied "I just wanted to be there when Arkansas took over America."  Dylan, the greatest poet of the 20th century, understood Arkansas.  Being Arkansas is being dumb like a fox, sophisticated hokiness, if you will, a tongue-in-cheek way of life.  Billy Bob at an elegant party,  house trailers with fireplaces.

That's why Matt will have a great future in the NFL.  Call it destiny, or whatever.  He's just too entertaining, too omnipresent.  The nation must not be denied this glorious athlete.  He's the final member of Arkansas' contribution to American heroes, Arkansas' holy trinity; the master, the favorite son, and the galloping ghost. 

You need you arse kicked for using Bill Clinton and Matt Jones in the same sentance.  One of those guys is a low down dirty rotten scoundrel, the other is a football player.

[Hoggysoprano]

Matt Jones is the greatest athlete this nation has ever produced. NOW I've heard it all. Why not just proclaim him the greatest athlete that has ever walked the earth?

OK

[Theolesnort]

Cuse please, take it for what it is, a little tongue in cheek.