Regardless of who becomes the next President of the U.S.A., the candidacy of Mike Huckabee has already accomplished one thing of major importance: it has drawn my attention to the state flag of Arkansas.



What a flag! Arkansas is not the only state that has its state name on the flag, but I think Arkansas is the one who puts the name closest to the center of the flag, with the fewest other elements to distract from it.

When people look at the flag of California, for instance, I bet most never even read the words "California Republic" (and all that that implies) because all they see is the bear. And then they start chuckling about how the state that contains San Francisco has a bear on its flag. Heh.

There are no such diversions with Arkansas's flag. It's basically a big sign saying "Arkansas", clearly meant to be actually readable when its up on the flagpole. I bet nobody traveling through Arkansas ever forgets what state they're in.

It also looks less like a flag than a mid-20th-century railroad company herald. Which also rocks.

Arkansans reading this blog: I don't necessarily envy your state, but I do envy your flag.

(yes, this has been a quasi-deliberate attempt to mimic the humor style of the old Book of Ratings website)