"Is Texas America?" By Molly Ivins

[David Zephyr]

Couldn't find that this has been posted here, but Molly has it right on the mark here and hope you can take the time to read this:

"According to the demographers at Texas A&M (itself a source of much Texas lore), Texas will become "majority minority" in 2008. Unfortunately, we won't see it in the voting patterns for at least a generation, and by then the Republicans will have the state so tied up by redistricting (recently the subject of a massive standoff, now over, in the legislature), it's unlikely to shift for another generation beyond that. The Christian right is heavily dominant in the Texas Republican Party. It was the genius of Karl Rove/George W. Bush to straddle the divide between the Christian right and the country club conservatives, which is actually a significant class split. The politics of resentment plays a large role on the Christian right: Fundamentalists are perfectly aware that they are held in contempt by "the intellectuals." (William Brann of Waco once observed, "The trouble with our Texas Baptists is that we do not hold them under water long enough." He was shot to death by an irate Baptist.) In Texas, "intellectual" is often used as a synonym for "snob." George W. Bush perfectly exemplifies that attitude."


http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20031117&c=3&s=ivins

[Jacobin]

1. Bwwaaaahahahahah. Can always count on Molly for a gut busting

laugh, to-wit:

"The trouble with our Texas Baptists is that we do not hold them under water long enough."

[David Zephyr]

4. Best Line in the Article, Jacobin!

I see that hit you like it did me. :hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. One reason the Christian Right hates intellectuals is

that intellectuals actually think about things, and don't spout dogma to justify hatred and intolerance.

[K-W]

3. The christian right cant afford to think

theyd probably all comitt suicide if they actually saw the things theyve done.

[Jacobin]

8. Yeah, but now we have "faith based national parks"!!!!!!!

Didja see that thread on DU tonight?

You got it. Geological formations explained with plaques using "scientific creationism," that famous republican oxymoron.

[Elidor]

5. I like this bit

"Here's how we make progress in Texas. Two summers ago, Governor Goodhair Perry (the man has a head of hair every Texan can be proud of, regardless of party) appointed an Enron executive to the Public Utilities Commission. The next day, Governor Goodhair got a $25,000 check from Ken Lay. Some thought there might be a connection. The guv was forced to hold a press conference, at which he explained that the whole thing was "totally coincidental." So that was a big relief."

[Jacobin]

7. Funny how those coincidences happen....

Molly is so good at describing Republicancritters. Her reactions are great: "So that was a big relief"

[Cleita]

6. Molly never dissapoints.

Thanks for posting this. I needed the laugh.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. Let's hear it for "Equal Protection under the law."

Atleast, it was good in concept. As was the rest of the constitution. May it R.I.P.

[yowzayowzayowza]

10. Thatz prolly...

bout rite:

As Willie Nelson sings, if we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane. This is our redeeming social value and perhaps our one gift to progressives outside our borders. We do laugh. We have no choice. We have to have fun while trying to stave off the forces of darkness because we hardly ever win, so it's the only fun we get to have. We find beer and imagination helpful.

In decades of voting, I can count the ballots worth showing up fer in NO hands....

:kick:

[Dover]

11. Karl Rove's very own state Supremes...a match set to go with the

federal Supremes. Have to cover the bases, lest the Republicans be forced to abide by the laws of this land.


While round after round of "tort reform" was shoved through the legislature, closing off access to the courts and protecting corporations from liability for their misdeeds, Karl Rove was busy electing all nine state Supreme Court justices. So even if you should somehow manage to get into court, you are faced with a bench noted for its canine fidelity to corporate special interests.

[buddhamama]

12. Molly does it again

"As Willie Nelson sings, if we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane. This is our redeeming social value and perhaps our one gift to progressives outside our borders. We do laugh. We have no choice. We have to have fun while trying to stave off the forces of darkness because we hardly ever win, so it's the only fun we get to have."

the statement above is just one reason why i love Molly, but it's a biggie.
she gets it!

Thanks for posting,David. Happy Holidays! :toast:

[Killarney]

13. Very interesting read.... go Molly! eom

[amber dog democrat]

14. Makes you kinda feel proud

that some Texans are having an effect on the mainstream.
Surely there is a limit to how far this is going to go.
I cant see it yet.