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 – January 14

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From the Annals of the Constitution –  In 1860, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee of Thirty-Three submitted a proposed constitutional amendment protecting slavery in all areas where it already existed. The proposed amendment was intended to stop states from seceding.   Following the election of Abraham Lincoln, the secession fury picked up in the South.  The Republican Party was committed to restricting slavery in the Western territories, and Southerners were dead set on protecting their right to own other human beings.  The House of Representatives appointed the Committee of Thirty-Three, consisting of one member from each state, to investigate avenues of compromise that would keep the South from seceding.

Most of the floated plans involved an expansion of slavery into the Western territories, but that fight was what had killed off the Whigs and given rise to the Republican party, and Northern states were opposed to any further slave states entering the Union.  The only plan to make it out of the committee was submitted by Thomas Corwin of Ohio and called for an amendment to protect slavery, enforce the fugitive slave laws, and repeal state personal liberty laws.  The South was increasingly concerned faced with numbers of slaves escaping to the North and the personal liberty laws made it difficult to return persons to the condition of chattel slavery.  South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama had already seceded by the time Corwin made his proposal. The plan went no where and the issue of slavery was only resolved with a long and bloody civil war.

And this is why floating absurd plans to amend the Constitution to fundamentally alter our federal system are a stupid idea Governor Abbott.

The San Antonio Raiders?

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With Oakland seemingly licking up the scraps from the NFL Owner’s table, the fate of the Oakland Raiders is in doubt.  When Raiders President Mark Davis visited San Antonio last year, many viewed it as a publicity stunt to show the league that the Raiders were serious about leaving Oakland and viewed San Antonio (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) as a possible destination.  But yesterday, the Raiders were left sucking hind tit when the owner’s committee recommended that the Rams move back to LA and give the Chargers the option of being included in the deal.  The committee also recommended that the league funnel $100 million towards the construction of a new stadium in Oakland.  But $100 million is a drop in the bleachers under current stadium construction budgets which typically exceed $1 billion.   The snub plus the fact that the Raiders have already purchased land in the San Antonio/Austin area, plus the fact that the Raiders would have a respectable temporary home in the AlamoDome are increasing speculation that the Raiders may be seriously considering a move to Texas.  Red supports the idea as Texas is clearly large enough to support 3 NFL teams and anything that would eat into the Cowboys fan base (the Texans get little love in SA) is okay with Red.

Today in Texas History – January 13

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From the Annals of Air Travel –  In 1974, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport officially opened.  Originally called the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport, DFW is the third busiest airport in the world measured by take-offs and landings and the ninth in the world measured by number of passengers with over 60 million passenger arrivals and departures.  Curiously, it is the second busiest airport in international arrivals/departures behind Houston’s Bush Intercontinental.  It does have the distinction of being one of the few airports in the world with flights to more than 200 foreign destinations.

DFW is located in Dallas and Tarrant Counties and takes in parts of Irving, Euless, Grapevine and Coppell.  It has its own ZIP code and postal designation (“DFW Airport, TX”).  The massive complex also has its own police, fire protection and emergency medical services.   DFW has 5 terminals with a total of 165 gates.  It has room to expand to up to 13 terminals with 260 gates.

All Quiet on the Constitutional Front?

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In the wake of Gov. Greg Abbott’s call to  fundamentally alter the structure of our country’s government, the Texas Tribune speculates about the almost total lack of support yet forthcoming from other Tea Party stalwarts such as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.  Even Sen. “Krazy” Konni Burton (TP- Colleyville) – never one to wander too far from the lunatic fringe – is maintaining radio silence on Abbott’s plan.   It seems as though the Tea Party is hesitant to get behind supporting a constitutional convention that might spiral out of control.

Someone was nice enough to leave a copy of “Restoring the Rule of Law With States Leading the Way” by Gov. Greg Abbott on Red’s desk.  Red has yet to work his way through the 92 page tome complete with 353 endnotes.  When he does, you will be hearing more.  But, there are two things that immediately strike Red about Our Poor Idiot Governor’s proposal:

First, why is OPIG so reluctant to do the job he was actually elected to do?  He seems to have little or no interest in attempting to run Texas.  OPIG spends most of his time grandstanding, filing absurd lawsuits, and kowtowing to the TP base that elected him.  Exactly how much of the state’s time and money was wasted on this non-starter of a “plan?”  Will someone send an open records request?

Second, if by some unf0rtunate happenstance, OPIG’s 9 constitutional amendments were to pass, then the seeds of a second American civil war will have been planted.  The  “indivisible” nation that we pledge allegiance to will be no more.  We will once again be a collection of states – and we know how well that worked out last time.  And if – under the new constitution (for that is what OPIG’s proposal would essentially create) –  some of those states still can’t get their way, then what would be the natural option for these newly emboldened states?  Cessation.  The precedent is firmly established in blood, sweat and tears that unilateral cessation is not an option in our republic.  The inevitable result of such an attempt would be rebellion and civil war.  And if you thought the last one was messy . . .  Red for one does not want to see this country torn asunder by fools like Abbott.

 

Forgive Me Father, For I Have Sinned . . .

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I brought a loaded .38 Special to Mass.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso has announced that it will not allow concealed or open carry in its churches.   According to KFOX-14, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Patricia Fierro, has indicated that the decision will into effect by next week.

KFOX14 wanted to find out how people felt about the diocese’s decision not to allow open carry.
 
Harry Sorensen, of West El Paso, says, “I think it’s a good idea on the church’s behalf. That’s their prerogative that they want to do. If they feel comfortable with people having weapons in the church that (is) their business.”
 
Daniel Fraire, of West El Paso, says, “I don’t think there’s any reason why we need guns in a church.  Although, there have been attacks in a church so I can see why people would want to take their gun in a church in a way.” 
  
Fierro doesn’t think their policy will impact whether people still go to their church.
 
“I’m thinking we might lose members if we allow them to bring guns into the church . . . But I think they’ll feel more secure if we keep the guns away.”

People have their own theories about the impact the decision could have on churchgoers.
 
Sorensen says, “They probably won’t go to church if they aren’t allowed to carry but that just depends on the person I suppose.”
 
“Why not see it both ways?” says Fraire.
 
He says, “Allow two separate Masses. Have one where guns are allowed and one where guns aren’t allowed. At least you can divide the people based on that.”

And the parishioners can fire in the air after the homily.

Today in Texas History – January 12

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From the Annals of Print Journalism –   In 1886, editor Simeon Newman published the last edition of the El Paso Lone Star.  Newman had learned the trade in Las Vegas, NM.  After teaching school for several years, Newman signed on in 1871 as an apprentice newspaperman for the Las Vegas Weekly Mail. A quick learner apparently, he bought the paper six weeks later.  The Weekly Mail regularly attacked the “Santa Fe Ring” for corruption.  After a ten year fight, Newman was enticed to move his paper to  El Paso and renamed it the Lone Star.  Newman continued his crusading ways in El Paso.  A staunch, Methodist, Democrat and reformer, Newman  chose “Hew to the line, let the chips fall where they may” as the Lone Star’s motto.  He attacked gamblers, saloon keepers, gunmen, and the criminal element, but also directed his diatribes at anyone he believed guilty of corruption.  This approach left Newman with few friends or supporters.  He was ultimately forced to close the Lone Star.

Today in Texas History – January 11

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From the Annals of the Civil War – In 1863, the last remaining soldiers of the Fourth Brigade of Walker’s Texas Division were captured at Arkansas Post. The Texas Division was reputed to be the only division in the Confederate Army made up entirely of troops from a single state.  Organized in October 1862, the Division was named after Maj. Gen. John George Walker, who took command on January 1, 1863.   It was nicknamed the “Greyhound Division,” or “Walker’s Greyhounds” as a testament to the troops ability to endure long marches during the conflict to reinforce troops at critical junctures.  Initially, the division was made up of four brigades. The Fourth Brigade, under the command of Col. James Deshler, was stationed at the Arkansas post until it was captured intact and ceased to be an active force for the remainder of the war.

Image of John G. Walker from maritimetexas.net.