ytterbiumanalyst

I think you're missing Just a few syllables here To write a haiku

Heidi Gardner is from KC. Wouldn't surprise me if she wrote the sketch. And as just a bit of trivia, former cast member Jason Sudeikis is also from KC.

And now they're clinging to driftwood in deeper water. Not much of a help, is it? If you're right, though, and we do have an SGF-TYS flight for cheap, that would be amazing. Allegiant's schedule is, er, not the most convenient, but $50 to Dollywood and I'm in.

Yes, the area is good to a few people, and that's the hallmark of the growth around there. You pointed out the rise in average wages, but I would submit that the average wages are not telling the whole story. A few exceptional blue collar jobs that can match the exceptional white collar jobs don't really help to tell the whole story here. For that, we need to look at the median income in addition to the average income. Arkansas is second to last in median income, behind only Mississippi.1 A rise in average income without a corresponding rise in median income means a small number of people are making substantially more than the vast majority. A population base who are all making near minimum wage is not the base you want for a theme park. You need a strong middle class with disposable income for that. Walmarton isn't creating a strong middle class; they're elevating wages for upper middle earners while leaving working class wages stagnant. As to your other point about the airline, in theory that's what will likely benefit the park more. Branson has always depended on out of state tourists, and that seems unlikely to change anytime soon. I wish them luck, but I've seen several ultra low cost carriers come and go from BKG and SGF, so count me skeptical that one flying out of XNA will be more successful.

You don't see how the economics of the local area around a theme park affects that theme park? Ok.

"[T]he Benton County wage increase can be tied to a surge in professional services jobs that include engineers, lawyers and some technology-related occupations. Those jobs tend to be high-paying positions." Yeah, your average Arkansawyer isn't seeing any of that money. As always, when you look under the surface, a few people benefit and everyone else gets the scraps. So sure, SDC might see a few passholders among those professionals, but wouldn't it be better if wages were increased for the vast majority of Missourians and Arkansawyers so that a greater number of people could afford to go to the park? A rising tide lifts the boats, sure, but it doesn't do a whole lot for the people who are clinging to driftwood.

^ Good point.

Lucy Dacus, "Thumbs"

Glad you finally got to go to Texas! It's a great park, despite the idiotic membership/season pass stuff. I believe I posted on here a while back about SFStL denying us benefits of a Gold membership when we had a Gold season pass, even though they had signs that said both were good for it. Six Flags still has yet to figure out the membership model. Overall I like it, but they just have to get it together chainwide.

I still find it amusing that y'all in Walmarton have a hard on for taking Springfield down a notch. It's a new sponsorship, cool. They've had Humana as a sponsor for a few years now, so whatever, somebody else will be on the banners now.

Eh, I'm all right with the Moon Cars leaving. They removed most of the track when Evil Knievel was built, so the current version was already a shadow of its former self.

Yes. People of colour have a shorter average life span from having to deal with racism. AWESOME that Canada recognizes this and prioritizes the First Nations.

Currently having all the feels with Alexander 23's "Come Here and Leave Me Alone."

Yes! I love the Dune series, and am very much looking forward to the new movie. Missouri's doing the absolute worst job of vaccinating people, but we're still getting closer to normality.

Wouldn't require any sort of lift to get back up, any more than Magnum requires a lift after its first drop. The energy in the train depends on the height of the drop, not whether it's above or below ground. I suppose there could be some differences in air resistance, but unless that tunnel the train's going through is a wind tunnel, I doubt it'd be significant enough to prevent the train from coming back up 100 feet. The main problem with a tunnel that deep is economic, not physical.

LOVED "Judas and the Black Messiah." We've been fans of the Black Panthers for years, ever since a co-worker was involved in our local chapter and told us all about the great things they do for the poor. Fred Hammond is an American hero. He deserves so much more recognition for what he accomplished.

Theoretically bought a PS5 on Thursday in the Walmart drop, 8th round. Still watching for it to actually be shipped to me.

I know who you're talking about, and I'm with you. I'm embarrased that he's from Missouri. Such a hateful man. Glad he's gone.

I miss our A&W. They always had good stuff. Was replaced by a KFC several years ago, and if there's anything we have no shortage of in the South, it's fried chicken.

So glad you both are going to get the vaccine! It's been so hard in MO to get one too...We get this vaccine, then we fight for better government, right?

Oh man, I LOVED Mystery Mine and Blazing Fury when we visited back in '17. If they are retracking both, that sounds AWESOME to me.

^ Thank you for this story. It's not easy to share something this personal. Hopefully people will see that their actions have consequences.

^ Right. Just like in MO we passed the $12/hr minimun wage and right now it's $10.30 but a lot of businesses are just hiring at $12 anyway. Businesses will pay whatever they need to in order to attract employees. Paying $15 may help that one employee make the decision to work for Six Flags instead of their local McDonald's.

^ Agreed. I'm really just hoping for a discount to KK with SDC passes. I would be very happy with some HFE-quality shows added.

I converted to the cast iron skillet years ago, and I swear by it now. Best way to make bacon. I made some club sandwiches for lunch today.