Author Archives: Red from Texas

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About Red from Texas

I'm proud to be Red. I have lived most of my life in Texas and I love this place. Here are a few things you should know about me. 1. I am happily married and intend to stay so. 2. I live in a house that is older than you, unless you are really old. 3. I own 2 rifles and a shotgun. I think handguns are just trouble. 4. I have never killed a man, but have taken out some deer and hogs. 5. I was a good student, but never close to being valedictorian. 6. In no particular order I like the Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Astros, FC Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Texas Longhorns and Houston Dynamo. 7. I hate Dallas but always have a good time when I go there. 8. I was a Dallas Cowboys fan for 26 years but declared that I was no longer a fan during the 1987 strike. 9. I don't own any pets. I like cats, and a good dog and I have met at least 3 of them in my lifetime. 10. I think the best part of Texas is west of I-35. 11. I own two pairs of cowboy boots, but don't wear them very often. 12. I don't have a pronounced Texas accent, but can affect one when needed. 13. My last meal would be fried shrimp with tartar sauce, a baked potato with all the fixins', a dinner salad with 1000 Island dressing, yeast rolls and chocolate fudge pie for dessert. 14. I'm an old Dad, but my children are none of your business. 15. I have two degrees from UT-Austin and somehow managed to fall in love with and marry an Aggie. 16. Most of my family are right-wing nut jobs but I love them anyway. 17. When I get to play golf on a regular basis, I shoot in the low 80's. 18. I don't get to play golf on a regular basis. 19. I think Fort Worth is the best town in Texas by a long shot. 20. I have a mean herb garden. Regards, Red P.S. Remember it's not a color, it's a state of mind.

Today in Texas History – November 8

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Image result for mexican circus poster

From the Annals of the Big Top – In 1852, the San Antonio Ledger published the first recorded mention of a Mexican circus in Texas.  The Mexican tradition of circus type acts has been chronicled since Bernal Diaz del Castillo wrote about the Mexican flyers who spun around a pole on ropes during an Aztec religious ceremony.  The traveling carpa (tent circus)  later incorporated Spanish themes with acrobats, jugglers and clowns. By the time such acts reached Texas,  the big-top Mexican circuses had incorporated some aspects of the Italian, English, and United States circuses, most notably the English clown with baggy pants and red wig.

Today in Texas History – November 5

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From the Annals of Classic Country –  In 1960, Johnny Horton  was killed in a car accident near Milano.  Horton was born in Los Angeles in 1925, but grew up in East Texas and graduated from high school in Gallatin. He worked in the fishing industry in California and Alaska but got serious about a country music career in 1950. In 1955, Horton got his big break when he joined the Louisiana Hayride as “The Singing Fisherman.” His first hit was Honky Tonk Man in 1956 and  “When It’s Springtime in Alaska” made it to No. 1 on the Country Music Charts a few years later. JH was also known for crossover hits such as North to Alaska, The Battle of New Orleans, and Sink the Bismarck.  Red’s personal favorite is his rendition of Whispering Pines.

Today in Texas History – November 4

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From the Annals of the Revolution –  In 1835,  Texians and a Mexican Army contingent met at the battle of Lipantitlán on the east bank of the Nueces River three miles above San Patricio in San Patricio County, directly across from Fort Lipantitlán. A Texas force of around seventy men under Adjutant Ira J. Westover engaged a Mexican force of about ninety men under Capt. Nicolás Rodríguez.  Reports were that the battle lasted thirty-two minutes, leaving twenty-eight Mexicans dead, including Lt. Marcellino García, second in command. The Texans suffered only one casualty, when a rifle ball cut off three of the fingers on William Bracken’s right hand.  Red always questions these lop-sided reports of results, but then again the victors write history.

Red’s NFL Picks – Week 9

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Hard to believe that the season is approximately half over and Red is not killing it. Last week, Red screwed the pooch again with a 2-3-1 record somehow managing to stumble into predicting another game that ended in a tie.  For the record, when that happens, Red awards himself a tie as well. So at midseason, Red is 21-25-2.  Not enough to win in the Electoral College, but close enough to make it interesting.

Sure Bet Pick of the Week – Vikings vanquish Lions. Sure bets are hard to come by this week (but see, Texas Franchise Pick of the Week).  The Lions come in as a 6 point dog on the road to a team that just lost its offensive coordinator because of relationship issues.  Which proves that the NFL is not just a “what have you done for me lately?” kind of enterprise.  Rather, the current vibe is “what have you done for me in the last quarter?”. The venerable NT had suffered through ugly losses in the last two weeks that largely were the result of massive devastation in the offensive line and gee, the loss of Adrian Peterson and then Jerick McKinnon might have had something to do with the nosedive.  So calling the Vikings a “sure bet” to do anything but implode after a remarkable 5-0 start is  . . . well, looking for the words here . . . yeah, REAL STUPID!. But when has that stopping Red.  To tell the truth, Red is probably influenced by having watched the Lions offensive ineptitude in person last week when the decent Texans defense bottled up the Lions rather effectively.  So if that C-Note is just burning a hole in your pants pocket, put it down on the Vikings to overcome adversity this week and eke out a one touchdown win.  Or take the under at 41 – if you are really smart. Minnesota 21 Detroit 14.

Underdog Pick of the Week – Jaguars jolt Chiefs. Yeah, Red picked the Jags to be playing in the AFC championship back when he still believed in Blake Bortles.  But BB and the Jags have regressed to form and will be spending the off-season working on their English accents, and looking for a new offensive coordinator after firing Greg Olson.  Compared to A. Smith, BB’s numbers don’t look all that bad.  Of course, compared to A. Smith’s numbers, Case Keenum looks like an actual professional quarterback.  But Red digresses.  Is there any reason to think that the Jags can win this week? Yes, and his name is Nick Foles.  Hard to believe that Foles was once thought of as perhaps, the next big thing. Jacksonville 25 Kansas City 23.

Rivalry Game Pick of the Week – Giants gut Eagles. This one goes back to 1933 when the Eagles came into existence and got stomped 56-0 at the Polo Grounds. The Eagles and Giants have played in the same “division” ever since. The real glory days of this rivalry were in the 1940’s and 50’s when both teams fielded powerhouses.  Some claim this is the No.1 rivalry in the NFL.  It certainly is one of the most evenly balanced with the Giants hold an 85-81-2 edge including 4 playoff meetings. The most famous game probably occurred on November 19, 1978 when the Miracle at the Meadowlands occurred.  The Giants were leading the Eagles 17-12 with 20 seconds remaining. Offensive coordinator Bob Gibson called for a running play when all that was needed was for the Giants to take a knee. The handoff between quarterback Joe Pisarcik and Larry Csonka was fumbled and Eagles cornerback Herman Edwards grabbed the loose ball and returned it for the winning score. Nothing that exciting this week.  But it might just be the NFL Game of the Week. New Jersey 35 Philadephia 31.

Texas Franchise Pick of the Week – Cowboys crush Browns.   Wouldn’t it be just great if the Browns broke their losing streak and the Cowboys winning streak in the same week?  Wouldn’t it also be great if Red got a winning quick pick Lotto ticket this week? Aint neither one gonna happen. Arlington 27 Cleveland 13.

Prime Time Pick of the Week – Raiders ride roughshod over Broncos.  Lil’ brother Carr is making the rest of the league forget that “David Carr still sucks.”  Ah, it feels good to write that again.  He flirted with breaking Norm “the Dutchman” Van Brocklin’s all time single game passing record on Sunday when he accounted for 5 TDs and threw for 513 yards against the Buccaneers last week.  And yet the Raiders only won 30-24 in OT.  Meanwhile in the Rockies, Bronco fans are distraught that their heroes cannot play the Texans every week.  If Red could go to one game this week, Red would make the trip to the decrepit Oakland Coliseum to look for the emaciated ghost of Al Davis celebrating the biggest win Raider win since their last title.  Because a win against the Broncos will put the Raiders in first going into a bye week followed by a trip to La Ciudad de Mexico for a game against the entirely beatable Texans. Oakland 35 Denver 24.

Shit Bowl Pick of the Week – Jets jangle Dolphins. Jets are already at the make or break point for a shot at the playoffs.  Can they run the table with no quarterback, no running game, a suspect defense and a coach with one foot in the grave and one on a spilled Gatorade.  Red has paid almost no attention to the Dolphins this season, which puts him in good standing with 97.5% of NFL fans.  The only time the Dogfins have made news is when their washed retread of a running back announced his retirement.  Sorry, Arian – Red calls ‘em like he sees ‘em.  Red is trying to think of a single reason for a rational football fan to watch this game.  Fortunately for the NFL, rational football fans are few and far between.  Duct tape the remote control to your wrist before tuning in to this one as ye might be tempted to launch it through the front window well before half time of this turgid turd tussle. New Jersey 17 Miami 3.

Today in Texas History – November 2

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From the Annals of School Financing –  In 1920, voters ratified the Better Schools Amendment to the Constitution of 1876. The amendment removed limits on school district tax rates and was intended to ease the state’s share of school financing. Supporters of the Amendment also hoped it would increase equality in school conditions by enabling each district to improve its facilities. The impact of the amendment was erratic.  By 1923, there was a 51 percent increase in overall local taxes for school districts support for public schools.  Yet, many school districts refused to increase tax rates and continued to rely on the state as their primary source of financing.  The problems caused by the Amendment persist today as the reliance on local property taxes for the majority of public school financing has created great inequity between rich and poor school districts leading the Legislature to enact the very controversial Robin Hood school financing plan.

World Series – Game 7

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Tonight will be the 37th Game 7 in World Series History.  Of course, that includes a Game 8 in the 1912 World Series between the Red Sox and the Giants in a 9 game series.  There have been some memorable Game 7’s  in the not-so-distant past.

In 2014, Madison Bumgarner of the Giants delivered a pitching performance for the ages throwin five shutout innings in relief (on two days’ rest no less) to clinch the Giants’ third championship with the longest save in postseason history.

In 2011, the Cardinals capitalized on their amazing comeback win against the Rangers in Game 6 – who were twice one strike away from the champagne shower – to secure 11th WS title.  But Game 6 was the memorable game in that series.

In 2001, the Diamondbacks stunned the baseball world by defeating the Yankees 3-2 in Game 7.  The game featured an epic battle between starters Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling, but was decided when Yankees future HOF closer Mariano Rivera appeared human for a brief moment. Tony Womack tied the score with an RBI double, and Luis Gonzalez’s bloop single won it.  Randy Johnson got the save mowing down the Yankees in the 9th inning on zero days rest.

In 1997, in a Game 7 the Indians pray is not repeated tonight, the upstart Marlins won their first championship in only their fifth season. Craig Counsell hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to tie the score and scored the winning run on Edgar Renteria’s 11th-inning walk-off single.

Red will be happy for whichever team breaks its long drought tonight. As with most fans, Red just hopes the game will be exciting.

The First World Series

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The first World Series was played in 1903 when the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League challenged the Boston Americans of the recently formed American League to a nine game challenge dubbed the World’s Championship Series.  The upstart Boston team took the title with a 5-4 record while winning the last 4 games.  The American League had formed in 1901 after the National League contracted from 12 to 8 teams.  The new league had raided the NL taking away such stars as Cy Young and Jimmy Collins.  In September of 1903, the two clubs decided to play the series.  It was perhaps intended to be a one off event as witnessed by the fact that no series was played in 1904.  But by 1905, the leagues determined it was a good idea and participation by the respective pennant winners became mandatory.

The 1903 games were played at the Huntington Avenue Baseball Park in Boston and Exposition Field in Allegheny.  Game three topped attendance with over 18,000 fans present.  Bill Dinneen of the Pirates pitched four complete games winning three.  The immortal Cy Young had a 2-1 record for the series.   Both paled in comparison to Deacon Phillippe who pitched five games with a 3-2 record.  They don’t make ’em like that anymore.

Patsy Dougherty of the Americans was the only player to ever hit a leadoff inside-the-park World Series home run until 2015, when  Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar did it in Game 1.

 

Today in Texas History – October 28

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From the Annals of the Buffalo Soldiers –  In 1880, Apache warriors killed seven soldiers from the famous black Tenth United States Cavalry known as the Buffalo Soldiers.  The soldiers had been defending settler’s in Hudspeth County.  The attack was one of the last episodes in what came to be known as Victorio’s War.  Chief Victorio, who was considered one of the fiercest of the Apaches, had led his followers away from the San Carlos Reservation in 1879 to return to Fort Stanton.  From there he led a campaign of terror across New Mexico, Texas and Mexico.  Most of the fighting ended when his camp was overrun in October. Victorio was killed along with many of his warriors and some women and children.

Today in Texas History – October 27

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From the Annals of the Founders –  In 1806, Juan Seguín was born in San Antonio.  Seguin was an early opponent of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and participated in the Battle of Bexar which drove Mexican forces out of San Antonio in 1835.  He was commissioned as a Captain in the regular Texas army and joined William B. Travis at the Alamo.   He escaped death in the final battle only because Travis sent him through the Mexican lines to carry his famous “never surrender or retreat” letter.  JS got the letter through and returned with men to reinforce the crumbling mission only to find that it had already fallen.  He continued to serve and after the revolution became the only Hispanic Texan in the Senate of the Texas Republic and later served as mayor of San Antonio.

Two Texas Judges Leave GOP – Will the Trickle Become a Flood?

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In the past two weeks, two Texas judges have said, “Enough” to the Tea Party dominated Texas GOP.  First Terry Jennings of the First Court of Appeals in Houston switched to the Democrats.  According to Jennings:

 “The Democratic party- and the Democratic party alone- presents our country with a positive and optimistic vision for the future of all Americans, not just a select few.”

Then this week, Judge Lauren Parish of the 115th Judicial District which serves Upshur and Marion Counties returned to the fold.  Parish had served as a Democrat but changed teams as those  rural counties turned more and more red.  Parish cited her Christian values in making the decision to return to the Democratic Party.

“The Grand Old Party of Lincoln no longer exists today. The current Republican Party has abandoned all the principles instilled in me by my parents, my church and my community.

I was brought up to respect my fellow man and to respect authority, to love my neighbor, to help those who cannot help themselves, and to help build people up not tear people down.

I see no way of reconciling my Christian beliefs with the manner in which the Republican Party is conducting itself. That is why I feel compelled to stand up and come back to the Texas Democratic Party.”

Almost too predictably, the Republican powers that be in Upshur County are now contemplating suing Parish after she issued an order making it easier for prospective jurors to do their civic duty.  Parish ordered the court house to be opened at 7:30 on jury days with the metal detector operating.  That got up the hackles of the Tea Party controlled county government and the county commissioners have hired an Austin law firm to investigate whether to sue Parish.

Red doubts that this signifies a larger trend.  It may be that some RINO judges in Harris County join Jennings in abandoning the GOP ship, but it seems unlikely right now.  If the Democrats sweep in November, Red may be singing a different tune.