When it comes to ranking U.S. states, we longtime Alabamians are used to saying “Thank God for Mississippi.” It may be a stereotype, but for decades it seemed that our two states occupied No. 49 and No. 50 at the bottom of many national lists.

So it’s only natural that we’d say “Thank God for Mississippi.” Like that old joke about two guys being chased by a bear – you just have to be faster than the guy in last place.