Friday, April 17, 2009

United States of America…minus one?

Silver Squirrel Award Before anything else, I have a Silver Squirrel to bestow! The fabulous Miss Ginger Grant was the first one to get the reference to my strange, moss-covered object that looked like a rock...but it wasn't a rock! It was indeed a ROCK LOBSTER! A classic song by the B-52s. Look out, Miss G, here comes a bikini whale! Aaaaahhhh!

Today is another beautiful day, even a little warmer than yesterday, but doggone it if I didn't catch the cold that Ken has been battling all week. I feel a little better than I did this morning, but still kind of crummy. At least I know that this is only the beginning of nice weather, so I'll have plenty of chances to enjoy the summer days to come. Instead of a T-shirt and capris like yesterday, I'm wearing a sweatshirt and flannel pants. What a drag! I'll take this unanticipated downtime and order some books. Mostly gifts, don't worry!

Texas See the state of Texas there all by its lonesome, almost as if it were a country unto itself? Well, that's what Texas governor Rick Perry has been going around talking about the past few days. Perry refused $550 million in stimulus money that would have gone to the Texas unemployment trust fund, and has been very vocal (along with Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Gov. Kenneth the Page Bobby Jindal of Louisiana in his criticism of the federal government and President Obama's economic plan. That's their right, of course, but I wonder how the unemployed in Texas, South Carolina, and Louisiana feel about it?

Gov. Perry was very active in the tea parties in Texas yesterday...again, also his right. But things took an ugly turn when some in the crowd started shouting "Secede! Secede!" Later on, in an interview, he called his supporters "patriots," and said that there may come a point when Texans get so fed up they want to secede from the union. He continued on and said he didn't see a reason why Texas would want to do that, but "There's a lot of different scenarios. We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot."

[pause]

Secede Is this guy a freakin' lunatic?! And what is up with these people shouting for secession? Don't they remember how that turned out the last time they tried it? (Not real well.) And "patriots?" Isn't a patriot someone who loves, supports, and defends their country above all other entities, including their own state? How are these people patriots when they are chanting mindlessly for their state to leave the union? A union that was fully forged only after much blood was spilled and thousands died. And now this governor is playing along and saying that if the government doesn't shape up (at least according to his standards), it's possible that they could secede? This is appalling and dangerous.

Secede2 It's this kind of mob mentality and utter ignorance that makes me fear for our country, not the skyrocketing debt. We can work our way out of debt, but you can't fix stupid. Instead of spurring this on, the Governor should be saying, "Whoa whoa whoa! Everybody just calm the f*** down!" This is such empty rhetoric, and anyone who wants Texas to split off from the union clearly hasn't thought this thing through. Texas gets plenty of federal funds, I'm sure, for education, business development, environmental concerns, etc. And oh yeah, if anyone were to attack Texas, the full strength of our military would protect the state and its people. Do they really want their state to spend the time, effort, and money required to put together an army? Do they really want to have to get a passport to travel up to Oklahoma for the Sooners-Longhorns games? I'm guessing not.

Any take on this from my Tejas readers? Miss G? Amy? Teresa? Not sure of any others.

I love Texas, and have been there several times, to a few different cities. I've walked the River Walk in San Antonio; I learned how delicious Tecate in a salted mug is, in Wichita Falls; I've been to a Cowboys game and I saw the Cars on their Panorama tour in Dallas. But this is insanity, people, and I hope everyone can get a grip and start working together instead of pouting and threatening to take their ball and go home.

17 comments:

  1. I would like to think that the Guvna was speaking in exageration and glittering generalities when he made that comment. However, he should know Texans well enough to know that the minute he uttered it, assholes in his constituency would be firing up their circular saws and slicing plywood into political signs to further his message. It's all just a bunch of testeterone bullshit.
    And I'm sorry about Wichita Falls. Nobody should have to endure that place with nothing to drink but Tecate!

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  2. If Texas does secede, at least we'll all have a nice place to flee to if Sarah Palin becomes President in 8 years. God forbid either of those possibilities come to pass!

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  3. I felt some actual genuineness from Perry with the refusal of the money, and I thought there were good reasons to refuse it, but SECEDE? I can't wait for your post in a few weeks with him sitting in solitary confinement in a straitjacket. What a bunch of fantasists and he is fanning their nut fire. ~Mary

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  4. that's fine. texas, y'all just send that $$$ you don't want up here to michigan.....we can surely use it here.


    xxalainaxx

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  5. For once, Texas Governor Rick Perry is correct. Many conservative and libertarian Americans agree that the right of peaceful, democratic secession by state convention is a legitimate constitutional right of every state in the union.

    There are only two solutions to the massive Washington national debt now threatening the economic future and prosperity of every productive American. One is peaceful secession on the state level from the Washington Empire leaving the illegitimate federal debts with the Washington and Wall Street interests who created the debts. The second alternative is a constitutional amendment by the states to cancel the Washington national debt. The cancel the Washington Debt by 12/21/2012 Constitutional Amendment is now online at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67594690498&ref=ts

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  6. I can only laugh at the nutbags that have been on for the past few days :o)

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  7. Hi Beth,
    Who knows ... I suspect this whole "secede" nonsense is more of a publicity stunt than anything else.
    Best,
    Marty

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  8. Gov. Perry's butthole is puckering because he may be facing down competition in his own party this election cycle. Word around here is that Kay Bailey Hutchison is trying to woo the nomination away from him.

    As far as Texas secession goes...My conservative friends out there, if you think that there are too many billboards in Spanish now just wait until we seceed and there is no US Army to keep Mexico from taking our asses back and troops start marching Norte.

    Technically secession can happen. I believe it's in the treaty the Republic of Texas (a once sovereign nation) and the US entered into when it joined the Union that Texas can leave. I am not sure if other states have the same right.

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  9. Well, this is the first I have heard of this. I guess I haven't been watching the right news programs or reading the right magazines. I agree that it is any state's right to refuse the stimulus money (although I have a feeling that the individuals (not companies) who would be entitled to this money probably would prefer their state to take it), but secession is quite a leap to make, isn't it? It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

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  10. I absolutely LOVE the song 'Panorama'! When I was younger, listening to that song, that is all I wanted someone to do.

    You know, I am still sorta that way. It never bothers me if I am not someones idea of what they would like, not fitting in someone's fantasy. But if I could just get into the game, to make it a part of someones 'Panorama', I would make everything pay off.

    Dag ... gave away a potential hint ... oh well. As to this mess, I would rather not start. I see you have 'Ragtime' up there. I saw that movie by myself when I was a kid. Can't remember it other than some cute girl (elizabeth something??) and Howard Rollins being in it ...

    Not to rain on any parade, but JJ Abrams is doing Star Trek?? Didn't he make 'Cloverfield'? And he gets to reimagine the Star Trek leagcy? For me, that is a scary thought!

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  11. Dear, politics seem to be way over your head. Maybe you should just stick to "doggone it" and call it a day. Why strain yourself?

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  12. Chuck Norris was among those geniuses. Man, I can't stand that guy. Sorry you ended up with the cold that seems to be going around this area. I kid you not, I think everyone I know has had it now. Tomorrow is supposed to be super nice. Me and Jasmine will be out planting giant sunflowers. And then Monday will be chilly. The weather is such a tease.
    Love,
    Jamie

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  13. You said it right "can't fix stupid".

    Hope you and Ken both feel better. Remember the chicken soup!

    Hugs, Rose

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  14. I think its fine that he refused the money, and if it's for genuine reasons then I admire his commitment to his political beliefs. But Texas is staying in the Union. This was nothing more than idle talk picked up and magnified by the press.

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  15. "you can't fix stupid".
    Man, Beth..i want that bumper sticker. Awesome line.

    Perry needs to get a grip and shut up. Secede? Then what is he going to do?

    XO

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  16. Let Texas secede, as long they turn over San Antonio and Austin. Also, they can't call themselves "Texas" any longer.

    I suggest "Bezerkistan."

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I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?