HELL NO, I WON'T GO.

[Bouncy Ball]

Another thread I just participated on really drove something home for me. This is my home. Not DU (though it is a great internet home), but TEXAS.

I don't care that repukes seem to have hijacked this beautiful place. There are so many redeeming qualities STILL that I can never leave.

My great-grandparents owned a boarding house in Liberty Hill, Texas, and state representatives would stay there while they were in town for legislative sessions. My great-grandfather had a typewriter, and those weren't easy to come by, so his boarding house was quite popular for that reason, and my great-grandmother's amazing breakfasts. She used to also have to collect all the chamber pots in the morning and clean them out.

When my 16 year old grandmother married my grandfather, a 20 year old rich boy UT grad about to join the Army Air Corps and fight in WWII, my great-grandfather tried to get one of those state representatives to annul it. But he saw how in love they were, how decent of a man my grandfather was, and he stopped. They were married 53 years.

My other great-grandparents were not so well off. They worked the land hard in northeast Texas, around Cooper, which is near Paris. They had rough hands their whole life. My great-grandmother even gave birth to my great-uncle while she was working in a field. There was no time to get inside or get the doctor. Born on the dirt, literally, in 1918. She yelled for help and they brought linens.

We've been here since time out of mind. My mother did years of geneological research and found that we go back as far as 1782 in Texas, since right after the Revolutionary war, years and years before it was a state. My great-times-six grandfather was named Jonathan Edwards. He had fought in the revolution and then moved here, where he fought Indians and Mexicans, and in two cases, had babies with them. We've been here ever since.

Many a great Democrat came from this state. My entire family, as far back as we can tell, were all Democrats. And not Dixiecrats, either. We never left the party. My father told me the day he turned 18, his mother took him aside and said, "Son, this is all you need to know. When you go into that voting booth, you just pull the lever next to the D. You do that, never fail, and you'll be fine. Teach your children the same thing."

She worshipped FDR, had a picture of him hanging in an old cheap frame on the wall.

I ain't leaving. This is MY state.


(And I meant to add, the bushes are a bunch of damn lying carpetbaggers. I'M a Texan. He barely qualifies as a transplant.)

[Texasgal]

1. AMEN!

I couldn't have said it better myself!

I am proud to hail from Texas and I will never, ever be ashamed of it! The Texas bashing here on DU has gone on long enough, it's time for us TEXANS to stand and unite!

Thank you Bouncy Ball, from one TRUE Texan to another! YEEE HAW! Sista!

[Bouncy Ball]

2. Thanks

but the Texas bashing here has never bothered me. I guess I'm weird. I always saw it as them bashing the stupid freepers we have crawling all over the place.

We really need a Texas-sized exterminator don't we? LOL!!!

Get some cockroaches!

[JohnKleeb]

3. You know what I dont get is why Tom Delay the former

exterminator never exterminated himself, after all he's the biggest cockroach alive right now.

[Texasgal]

10. AGREED!

I'd love to exterminate that bastard!

[JohnKleeb]

12. You know that I actually do have some family in Texas

Houston, actually come to think of it, one passed away, and the other is still living. The only republicans I knew of in our family lived in Houston, well actually their mother, my other grandma's sister was a dem but the sons were republicans, and one was even the judge in the Dominque Moceau case.

[Texasgal]

8. I guess the only reason why it has bothered me so

is becuase there are so many people who can make accusations about Texas but have never even been here!

I once had a DU'er tell me that it must be soooooo hard to live here, becuase of all the freepers,and that her heart went out to me...blah, blah, blah...

I had to REMIND her that it is not difficult at all, I live in a VERY blue county! *sigh*

Your not weird at all, you just have a better way of seeing through it all! :)

[Bouncy Ball]

19. Oh I love that kind of sympathy.

Milk it for all it's worth. Tell people like that it's a STATE LAW that you HAVE to own at least two firearms, they'll really feel sorry for you. Hee hee.

[Texasgal]

21. HA!! HA!!!

That's perfect! I'll have to remember that one! :)

[Bouncy Ball]

24. If you can do it to someone in person, their jaws fall open.

I also told a guy the cops are allowed to beat you with the flat of their sword.

He said "SWORD?"

I said "Yeah" just like it was totally normal.

I couldn't hold it in any longer, I started busting a gut laughing. He was moving here from Chicago and I thought he was going to wet his pants a little when I told him that.

And I've had a person or two actually believe me when I said it was a state law that every adult had to own two firearms, minimum.

She freaked.

[tavalon]

74. Funny you should mention that

I've been straddling Austin TX and Seattle WA for the last 4 years and lived in San Antonio TX for the 16 years prior to that. I've been fond of making fun of one of the Texas laws that says it's illegal to own more than six dildos. My running joke is that in Texas it's against the law to own six dildos but in Seattle, WA it's a crying shame to own less than six dildos.

Sorry, even though I'm a 20 year Texas resident, I think the place is creepy and backwards and that the tourist board had it right when they called Texas "A Whole Other Country". It really, really is.

Most of the Travis County folk I know suspect that their county was switched at birth with Orange County, CA.

[GOPisEvil]

4. This has become my state!

God help me, I love it so!

[Texasgal]

13. And we LOVE YOU!!!

Texas and Texans alike are so happy that you are proud to call it your state!

[GOPisEvil]

15. Egads...I've been here well over 1/2 my life!

As a military brat I never thought I'd say that.

I'm going to be 37 this year, and in August I will have been here 25 years. :wow:

[Texasgal]

17. Wow... your OLD!

HA!!! Just kidding, we're the same age!!! :P

[GOPisEvil]

20. You know I'm having a Super Bowl party right?

BOUNCY BALL IS COMING!!!!!! :bounce:

You HAVE TO COME!!! DAMMIT!!!! :D

[Bouncy Ball]

22. Yep, she has to come now! LOL!

[Texasgal]

23. I am actually considering it...

I didn't want to post just yet about the party until I was sure... I'm a lil' shy....

[GOPisEvil]

25. Hey - we're a cool bunch.

I'd be honored if you'd come. There's gonna be tons of food and drinks.

DID I SAY BOUNCY BALL IS COMING?!?!?!

Seriously, please come. :-)

[Texasgal]

26. I can't tell which one of you guys I like better!

You are both such great posters, I would be awed in your presence!

[GOPisEvil]

28. Oh stop...

...I'm actually not this hyper in person. I'm really kinda quiet. :D

[Bouncy Ball]

30. Both GOP and I are introverts

so it'll depend on what kinda mood I'm in. If I'm running low on people energy I might be kind of quiet (I know that's hard to believe, but true). If I'm not, I'll be very bouncy and talktative.

Just depends. :shrug:

[Texasgal]

33. I am seriously going to consider it.

I will make a final by tomorrow. I will PM with details such as what to bring etc....

[Bouncy Ball]

29. Awe would be an appropriate emotion in my presence.

;-)

[Bouncy Ball]

27. You're gonna build me all up

and then people are gonna meet me and go "THAT was her? Big whoop."

Hee hee.

:hug:

[Texasgal]

31. Is this your first time meeting other Austin Du'ers?

Can we be virgins together?

[GOPisEvil]

34. Yes! You'll be Austin DU virgins!

After meeting us, you're going to want to join us for brunches and other fun stuff!

[Texasgal]

35. WOW!!

Virgins huh? This should be interesting to say the least! Maybe I should bring a CHERRY PIE!!! ( Oh god, I am so sick! ) :P

[GOPisEvil]

36. Bwahahahaha!

I mean...Bouncy's coming all the way from up Dallas way...you HAAAAAAAVE to come!

[Texasgal]

37. My only conflict is..

That I too have some folks that are stopping by on Sunday from Dallas. I don't think they are staying long, just a short visit on their way home from San Antone. I shall be getting the details ( time etc. ) by tomorrow. I'll let you know then!

How many people are coming?

[GOPisEvil]

41. Probably 8-12 people.

Small gathering. Good food, hopefully a good game, good fun!

[Bouncy Ball]

39. Yep, I've only ever met Dallas area and a few Ft. Worth area DUers!

How exciting to lose our virginity with GOPisEvil!!!

[Texasgal]

42. I couldn't think of anyone better

to lose my virginity to! :P

[GOPisEvil]

43. Oooooh...deflowering TWO virgins!

Woohoo!!! :D

[GOPisEvil]

32. But you're Bouncy F*ckin' Ball, dammit!

I'm still planning the menu to go along with bearfan's mountain o' venison sausage...I know I'm makin' chili! :9

[Red_Viking]

5. Well said, fellow Texan

I'm a native as well. My family goes way on back; my great-something grandfather got a land grant from SF Austin in Tennessee and walked to his new homestead. It's still in my family, in Robertson County. He was part of the "home army" that stayed behind during the Civil War to help protect the people from Indian attacks. My dad worked for a radio station owned by LBJ, and met him on more than one occasion.

My parents are staunch Dems, but my dad's more rural family is firmly ensconced in the Church of Christ, and belong to the * Zombie Brigade.

I lived in Austin all my life, 38 years, before moving to Oregon last summer to attend law school. It's beautiful here, but Texas is home.

No way is that carpetbagging piece of shit part my MY home state!!!!

Tipping my cowgirl hat to another Lone Star...

RV

[Bouncy Ball]

18. Thank you ma'am.

Oregon is pretty damn kick-ass too. I'm a wee bit jealous.

[Texicrat]

78. Second that!

Inspiring!

My family doesn't have those kind of roots here, only been in North Texas since the 1850's...

[guitar man]

6. I feel the same way

about occupied Oklahoma. I thought for a while about leaving the state and maybe even the country, but fuck 'em. I have a home paid off here that I like, a job that is, eh, ok and a lot of great friends and cohorts in the local music scene. I'm staying and no, I will not keep my opinions to myself. They are just going to have to learn to deal!

[Bouncy Ball]

9. THAT'S RIGHT.

KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES.

This state does NOT belong to them.

[MuseRider]

7. Great post Bouncy!

I stuck up for Kansas in that thread. I love it here, I will never leave. I get a little bummed by the way most people feel or think about it but I guess it is their loss. I think much of Texas is beautiful, been in a lot of it. I guess I am just happy to see someone who can see beyond all the red state bullshit and appreciate the beautiful place they are in.

[Bouncy Ball]

16. Well put.

See beyond the bullshit. How can I not, when I was raised by Democrats in this fine place? No way in hell I'm just throwing up my hands and saying "oh well let 'em have it."

Fuck all.

[Zomby Woof]

11. I salute all the fine musicians from Texas!

Including liberal activist Willie Nelson,... Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, blues legends Albert Collins, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, T-Bone Walker, Johnny Winter, and so many more...

Then there's Jim Hightower and Molly Ivins...

One thing we don't have in common, is I am not from Texas, nor have Texas roots, but I am glad the state has people like you, standing up for what is good about the state! :toast:

[Bouncy Ball]

14. THANK you sweetie! (Mind if I call you that?)

You forgot the late, great, incomparable Stevie Ray Vaughn. Do you get Austin City Limits on your local PBS station? It is VERY good.

And HOW could I have forgotten Molly Ivins?

My boss is such a huge liberal, he was talking about Molly Ivins one day and got CHOKED UP.

Yet another reason to want to stay: my good liberal boss and his fantastic liberal wife and liberal grown kids.

[Zomby Woof]

44. Of course you can call me that!

I love SRV! Saw him in 1985 when I lived in VA ("Soul To Soul" tour)... and have most of his albums. I knew I would forget someone. :-)

Great show... made my ears ring for days, lol.

I have some Austin City Limits on tape... not only his performance, but Robert Cray's too. LOTS of great music from all over the spectrum!

[Bouncy Ball]

48. I admire Austin City Limits so much for that very reason.

They put on such a wide variety of acts. And the audiences are always rocking.

I want to be in the audience sometime. I once wore out a cassette tape I had of SRV!

[TexasBushwhacker]

38. Yup, they aren't kicking me out either

I just moved to Austin a few months ago after spending most of my life in The Big Stinky (aka Houston). I was waiting in the car last weekend when my boyfriend went into Whole Foods (Lamar and 6th) to grab a couple of items. He's from Virginia and came out and said "I just talked to that lady that was governor here a few years ago." Sure enough, I spotted Ann Richards pushing her cart several yards away in the parking lot. It's hard to miss that white hair. I SO wanted to drive up along side her and tell her that I was glad that we had at least one former governor that we could be proud of. She'd already gotten into her car though.

[Bouncy Ball]

40. OMG that's cool.

The Whole Foods at Lamar and 6th is pretty damn cool, too. I know, I'm sad. But hey I live in suburban hell.

[GOPisEvil]

45. Congressman Lloyd Doggett shops at that Whole Foods, too!

Hey...Super Bowl party in Austin Sunday at my house. You should come - bring the boyfriend! Food...drink...DUers...

[Bouncy Ball]

49. I HEART LLOYD DOGGETT!!!

And he won his new seat, too! Which spans across 18 fucking counties all the way to the coast.

Fucking repukes.

[GOPisEvil]

52. We were registering voters at Book People, and he came up to us.

He shook all of hands and thanked us for registering voters. Book People allowed us to be PARTISAN, too, so he knew we were Democrats! He was very nice. When he was my Congressman (before the evil Tom DeLay) his staff wrote the best e-mail replies. No form letters! Lloyd rules!

[Bouncy Ball]

53. He was one of the ORIGINAL Killer D's. I bow before his greatness.

He is an icon.

[driver8]

68. My dad is from Texas...

He grew up in a little town called Wharton. My grandmother's side of the family is HUGE! As a matter of fact, I have been told that they have the largest family reunion in Texas.

I still have a lot of family in Texas and although I have never lived there, I always enjoy visiting. Most of our trips are to Austin now -- I could definitely see living there.

[Bouncy Ball]

69. I know about Wharton!

Austin is way kewl.

[driver8]

71. Not much to Wharton, is there??

My dad told me when he was in high school there were thirty something kids in his class and twelve of them were cousins.

He also told me that they played 11 man football with only thirteen guys on the team.

[bloom]

46. I enjoyed visiting Texas

It was a few years ago. (Pre-Bush :) ).

Seemed like there was an interesting convergence of music/culture going on.

Tex-Mex, Jazz, seemed like some other things.

Lots of places are losing their identities (to WalMart, etc.) . Texas doesn't seem like it's about to do that.

[Bouncy Ball]

50. Oh we definitely have some blah, vanilla, white bread areas.

They're called suburbs. And I live in one. Fortunately not one that is TOO blah. But it's still blah.

But yeah, we still have some very lively places that have TONS of personality.

[ScreamingMeemie]

47. My aunt and uncle (ret. AF colonel) live down there with you. Both

are major Dems. You are not alone. :hi:


on edit: They are in San Antonio.

[Bouncy Ball]

51. San Fucking Antonio rocks.

I was just there a couple of weeks ago. That place is bluer than shit. Well, bluer than a robin's egg, how's that?

It's gotten a bit too commercial, compared to the old days, but El Mercado and the riverwalk are still pretty cool.

[BiteMeDotCom]

54. The stars at night, are big and bright,

deep in the heart of Texas,
The prairie sky is wide and high,
deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume,
deep in the heart of Texas,
Reminds me of, the one I love,
deep in the heart of Texas.

The coyotes wail, along the trail,
deep in the heart of Texas,
The rabbits rush, aroung the brush,
deep in the heart of Texas.
The cowboys cry, "Ki-yip-pee-yi,"
deep in the heart of Texas,
The dogies bawl, and bawl and bawl,
deep in the heart of Texas.

[Bouncy Ball]

55. I never knew the last part of that song.

:thumbsup:

[aaronbees]

56. fantastic post...

I'm new to the Texas area (I'm in northeast, where the Piney Woods start) and though the politics can drive me nuts, there's obviously great spirit and, really, parts of Texas are beautiful. Here's an inspirational book about growing up in Texas (maybe you've read it?): Mary Karr's "The Liar's Club." Your line about born on the dirt - totally reminds me of it. :)

[Bouncy Ball]

62. Well welcome!

And thanks, I'll look for that book. I'm actually between books now.

[crispini]

57. Hey, Bouncy, did you see Kinky on Hardball?

He called GWB just as much of a Texan as he is. And said some very nice things about Laura. :sigh:

[Bouncy Ball]

58. WHA???

Well fuck Kinky. And to think I enjoyed his writing.

[crispini]

Yeah, he just doesn't get it.

He's all like, The Dems and the Repubs are both in the pockets of big corporations, and I'm all like, In Washington maybe, but have you paid any attention to Texas politics lately? the Dems really don't have a lot of money these days from what I've heard.

[Lisa]

64. personally I think he's sweet on Laura!

She was raised a Democrat, remember. I bet it's a cunning play on Kinky's part, to lull W into complacency. Meanwhile, Laura will be smitten, and will forsake the Connecticut Cowpoke.

We can hope, eh?

[Ramsey]

59. Beautiful!

Maybe there is hope for this country yet. You've inspired me.

[Bouncy Ball]

60. Well thank you!

We're here, all over. We're just not so uncouth as to YELL all the time like the freepers do. We're getting over that, though.

[Lisa]

61. Darned right! Your family's been there longer than W's!

Why should an interloper like him be allowed to run you off YOUR turf?

They want to replace Texas, in the minds of people there and everywhere else, with some kind of stupid caricature. The reason why they picked Texas -- its colorful history and widely-recognized "brand name". They think that if they parade their guy around in a fake cowboy outfit, they can capitalize on the state's good name (and thereby on the good name of the entire country). As an outsider, I find it very inspiring when people like you, with "street cred", remind us that Bush's version of reality is more "Hollywood" and "Madison Avenue NY" than the places he derides so much.

[Bouncy Ball]

63. Have you noticed they picked Texas and Florida?

It was blatantly political. Texas was easy pickins (the Dems let their guard down here a bit), and Florida was WAY strategic.

Thanks! None of them are from here, anyway. I HATE it when anyone says he's from Texas. He's not.

[Lisa]

70. big and shiny ...

W could have gone after Connecticut (born in New Haven and all) -- or Maine or Florida, what with his family connections -- but by associating himself with Texas, he got a lot more free publicity, that's for sure! Like a toddler grabbing for the biggest, brightest parcel on Christmas morning.

I wouldn't be surprised if, when he went travelling in his youth (he did go as far as Scotland and China, as a youngster), he noticed that "Texas" got more recognition than the other states where he'd lived. I would bet that it registered, somewhere in his opportunistic consciousness -- that if he identified himself with Texas, they would think he was strong, interesting, and generous as well.


Notice these revealing slips:

"I like to tell people, Laura and I are proud to be Texas"
--Wilmington, New York, Apr. 22, 2002

"I'm a proud man to be the nation based upon such wonderful values."
-- Washington, D.C., July 2, 2001

[bearfan454]

65. Very well said

I'm here for the duration too.

[Bouncy Ball]

66. Taylor???

I went to A&M with some hicks from...I mean PEOPLE from Taylor. You know I'm just kidding right?

Actually the few people I knew from there were SUPER nice. Very down to earth.

Hey I'll be seeing you on Sunday!

[bearfan454]

67. Great !

Looking forward to meeting you.

[Spacemom]

72. Thank You Miss Bouncy

I was born here and raised here. I'm NOT leaving. It's just time to do a little house cleaning and sweep out the riff raff. :D

[Bouncy Ball]

77. House cleaning long overdue ma'am. I agree.

And PICTURES!!! From this time last year, my daughter and I went to the Hill Country and stayed in a kind of a lodge....

(Sorry the pics are so big, I STILL don't know how to resize!)









(This last one is actually from a different trip to northeast Texas--Lake Bob Sandlin.)

[Spacemom]

79. Beautiful!!

We try to get out to the Lake (Travis) as much as possible during the summer.

[GOPisEvil]

73. Kick - for the morning crew!

[VelmaD]

75. Preach it, Sister

This is my home. My family has been here forever up in northeast Texas. And I adore living in Austin now. Texas belongs to us and people like us - people like Barbara Jordan and Henry B Gonzalez and Ralph Yarborough and Maury Maverick Sr and Hightower and Ivins and all the others in the long tradition of great liberals to come out of Texas. Don't ever forget this place has given birth to some of the greats. That's the real legacy of our state...not some carpetbagger who couldn't even make money during a freakin oil boom. :)

[Bouncy Ball]

76. Now you're preachin it!

I do so wish you could be at GOP's party Sunday, I would be thrilled to meet you. But I understand! Maybe another time!

[HippieCowgirl]

80. Proud Liberal Texan Here too

My family was instrumental in the formation of Texas as an independent Republic. A Great-many-times removed great-uncle and grandfather both represented the House of the Second Congress for the Republic of Texas. Our name is on the Hall of State. We have a county and county seat is named for us. I have family buried in the State Cemetery in Austin.

I will never leave, I will never shut up, and I will never let a pack of power-hungry facists ruin what my ancestors created.

[Bouncy Ball]

81. You fucking kick ASS.

:toast:

Wish I could say the same about the Hall of State. That's too cool.