Arkansas travelers vie with questions, wisecracks abroad

KRISTEN EVERETT
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Most Arkansans know the feeling, arriving in another city for a holiday, a business trip or to visit friends. When a non-Arkansan finds out they are from here, the barrage starts.
"Oh, so you must know Bill Clinton."
"Hey, what do you think of Monica?"
Or add in any number of opinionated comments, insults, wisecracks, and one-liners.
Most Arkies are used to it, especially since the impeachment and trial. Some said it's grown worse recently.
Some laugh it off.
Some defend the president.
And some head the comments off with their own cracks.
"I just say, 'I'm from Arkansas, I voted for Bill Clinton, and yes, he is a friend of mine,' " said Jerry Kincl of North Little Rock.
Another former Arkie told people to wait for the outcome of the trial before they make a judgment.
"If he comes out of this without losing his skin ... it can be a learning experience," said Joe Daniels of San Diego. Daniels left his home of Fountain Hill, Ark., in 1952 to join the Navy.
One man about to leave for the Navy's basic training said, "That's how people think about us. Our southern talk and Bill Clinton." Valente Babb, 20, of Fort Smith said he still loves this country even though he is disappointed in Clinton.
Another youth leaving for training said it doesn't bother him.
"I don't see the point of getting really angry. I just laugh about it," said Andrew Dames, 17, of Little Rock.
Thrifty Car Rental agent Kelly Robbins said Clinton is the first subject people ask about when they get off the plane.
"It gets really monotonous. I try to accentuate the positive," he said.
And Arkansans abroad are getting an earful as well.
"It's definitely a cause for discussion in Thailand," said former Arkansan Helen Siedell who lives in Bangkok. "It's not often they get to meet someone from Arkansas," she said on her way to Dallas.
"Really it's embarrassing for the state, but he's improved the outlook on Arkansas because I don't think anyone thought anyone from Arkansas would be president," Robbins said.
Little Rock travel agent Buzz Holbrooks said that when clients call for reservations, Clinton is one of the first topics they address. He said they want to know all about Clinton.
"I have to convince them that just because I'm from Arkansas doesn't mean I agree with everything he does," he said.
It was the rare traveler who said he didn't hear any comments. At the airport Thursday with a backdrop of Arkansas Republican Rep. Asa Hutchinson on CNN as a trial prosecutor, Morrilton resident Helen Browning was rushing to catch a flight to Rhode Island.
"They don't mention him because they probably think it would hurt my feelings or something."
Shea Hinton, 17, of Little Rock said she'll always defend Arkansas. "I'm proud of where I'm from," she said.
The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau says calls haven't changed since the impeachment.
"I am getting a lot of calls from media people about how people in Arkansas feel about Clinton," said spokesman Hallie Simmins who has been with the bureau 14 years.
"We have a Clinton brochure. Some people like to have it and others have no interest at all. But they say the same thing about museums," Simmins said. "People call us when they are making plans for a trip they are trying to enjoy. So the mindset is not a serious mindset."
The out-of-state comments get tiresome, said one Arkansan who travels throughout the central United States for her business with a diagnostic company.
"I've heard it so much. ... I think most people are just sick of hearing about it," said Jan DeVazier. "I've just learned to laugh it off."

This article was published on Sunday, February 14, 1999

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