Dealing with Texas stereotypes while in other states (Houston, Dallas: transplants, 2015)

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by hooky hornstein

Well, as much as I would like to completely agree with radiolibre99 and side against david449 simply because I favor the political leanings and posting style of the former over the latter, I will say that environmentalists in the Austin area have cited the fragile habitat of endangered critters a time or two to try to halt or slow developers.

At one point (I'm thinking mid-80s) construction was halted on development in northwest Austin because it threatened the nesting of the Golden-cheeked Warbler.

And in the early '90s, the habitat of the Barton Springs Salamander was used to stop development plans by Freeport-McMoRan that could've potentially had an adverse affect on the Edwards Aquifer.

As for San Antonio, I don't know.

And the motivations of Democrats and/or Liberals in Texas run deep and wide. Some are green. Some are populist.

The values of blue collar populism radiolibre99 and hound 109 referenced earlier are those of the more traditional Texas Dems who ruled the state for 120 years.

Yes and that's who I stand with. I really just can't fathom why someone would halt progress for an endangered animal, especially much needed progress. In this stagnant national economy, you need all the help you can get.

But Austin is another matter entirely. It has a lot of greens and crunchy types. They remind me a lot of the coastal liberals at times.

I remember creating a post in the Austin forum asking the Austinites just what makes Austin so progressive? Many couldn't answer outside of food co-ops, vegan shops and an overall eclectic live and let live vibe.

I was asking them that if they're so proud of being the oasis in a desert, then what policies have they actually implemented that makes them like the progressive cities of San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, LA, Minneapolis or even Madison, WI? They couldn't answer except to say that they're contained by the Texas constitution.

I retorted by saying that Harris County has a pretty extensive public healthcare program that helps low income residents. That Houston also has a pretty extensive affordable housing initiatives too.

Austin to me is like Whole Foods; liberal crunchy in appearance but libertarian on operation.

[hooky hornstein]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Austin to me is like Whole Foods; liberal crunchy in appearance but libertarian on operation.

Hmm.... I'd really argue with that if I could, but it's kind of spot-on. Touché.

[davis449]

Sorry to burst your bubble guys, but here ya go:

Spider stops construction at 1604/151

Blind Spider stops construction of 151 & 1604 interchange. FYI, this is the fastest growing section of the city plagued with nightmarish traffic problems.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by davis449

Sorry to burst your bubble guys, but here ya go:

Spider stops construction at 1604/151

Blind Spider stops construction of 151 & 1604 interchange. FYI, this is the fastest growing section of the city plagued with nightmarish traffic problems.

Did the federal US wildlife ask the TXDOT to stop the project? Either way this is ridiculous.

[theone33]

Lol those Austin types are a joke. I know EXACTLY what your describing radiolibre...usually come from money, never worked a hard day in their life, love to bring up diversity and open minded but wont live in a non white area. These same people lock their car doors as soon as they get to Houston lol.

[hooky hornstein]

Originally Posted by theone33

Lol those Austin types are a joke. I know EXACTLY what your describing radiolibre...usually come from money, never worked a hard day in their life, love to bring up diversity and open minded but wont live in a non white area. These same people lock their car doors as soon as they get to Houston lol.

How old is your car?

I don't think I've driven one in the last 20 years that didn't lock its own doors whenever it's put in gear - regardless of what city or neighborhood I'm in.

But seriously, I see your point. I'm a native Austinite and a liberal who values the environment, but I'm like the exact opposite of everything you describe. Grew up on Ea'side and my job takes me into the Third Ward monthly. I feel like I live on Elgin Street, I spend so much time on it. Love the people and the atmosphere.

That said, you're right about a lot of Austinites. Many of them in north central Austin where I work are the kind my father used to describe as having "more dollars than sense."

But would you like to know the one thing in Houston I really really envy?

James Freaking Coney Island.

OMG! I could eat a dozen of those things. They're like crack! If I lived in Houston, I'd have $50/day hot dog habit, weigh 300 lbs and be dead in a year.

And die happy.

[theone33]

Haha james coney is the ****!! Do you think Houston scares a lot of Austin folk hooky?

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by theone33

Haha james coney is the ****!! Do you think Houston scares a lot of Austin folk hooky?

The way they rant about it is insane. I remember visiting Austin several times during my college years and reading idiotic op eds in the Daily Texan about how terrible Houston is. They were obviously written by young know nothings who grew up outside the loop in some suburb of Houston and never ventured into the city to explore it. Houston may not have the natural landscape of the hill country but as a city it's far and above more culturally relevant and has way more amenities.

Austinites think Houston is a boring suburb outside the loop and a ghetto inside the loop. Houston's character is mix of urban black, Hispanic and rich upper crust in the city while Austin is more homogenous in both race and culture.

[Johnhw2]

Texans have a lot of state pride. Visitors see no reason for that pride from the looks of the state.

Living in Texas is different from most U.S. States. How many other states havea part time legislature for example?

Some of us like this and many do not. But it makes Texas a somewhat unique option. It's nice to have choices which are different not just because of weather and scenery.

Texans come across as arrogant more often than residents of other states than perhaps California. I have seen that stereotype along with those created by Hollywood of desert and the biased media about Texas. I ignore the comments or respond with the part time legislature to generate more useful discussion.

[radiolibre99]

New Yorkers are the only people that match Texans in terms of pride.