Who do you consider a REAL Texan? (rating, party)

[doctorjef]

Services, snuffster, like police, fire depts, public libraries, trash removal. You know, batty leftie stuff like that.

[SacalaitWhisperer]

The music scene in Austin back in the late 60s thru 70s was a hell of a lot better than has been portrayed in this thread.

Armadillo World HQs? Antones before they relocated!?
Backyard!!

I beg to differ. The music scene back then was quite good.

[snuffster]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Services, snuffster, like police, fire depts, public libraries, trash removal. You know, batty leftie stuff like that.

Never heard anyone in Texas speak against that and neither have you. Stop sending me PM's, weirdo.

[doctorjef]

Originally Posted by SacalaitWhisperer

The music scene in Austin back in the late 60s thru 70s was a hell of a lot better than has been portrayed in this thread.

Armadillo World HQs? Antones before they relocated!?
Backyard!!

I beg to differ. The music scene back then was quite good.

My point wasn't that the 1970s music scene in Austin wasn't good. In fact, it was great. Just that a lot of stuff that came out of Michael Murphy (my least favourite of any of the Austin lot) and Jerry Jeff was kind of parody -- intentional or unintentional -- of Texana and was kind of inconsistent with the realities of Texas as a whole, if not Austin more specifically. One really great local "new" countryband during that time was Greasy Wheels, which was IMO way better than the more enduring Asleep at the Wheel. Armadillo World HQ and Soap Creek Saloon were both incredible venues with a constant stream of good music and very CHEAP beer. I never quite got into Antone's so much, but to me it was a more serious bluesy kind of scene. Anyway, I just think that some Austin music of the time presented a kind of parody of Texan identity. Some of that may have been deliberately ironic -- one would like to think so.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

My point about sticking one's head in the sand could, in fact, be generalised to most Americans at the national level -- people want services and infrastructure but don't want to pay for those things.

Well, I generally agree with you about this particular point. That is, that Americans want certain services but don't want to pay for them. And many do not connect the dots to see the contradiction involved. For example, public opinion polls consistently indicate the vast majority believe taxes are too high and government spending is out of control. Which they are and it is!

BUT...when it comes to asking coorelated questions such as should we cut this or that from the federal budget in terms of social services, then most said "no." Especially if the social service/assistance program in question hit close to home!

*laughing a bit* An ex-brother-in-law of mine was a classic example. He was a very sucessful Kansas farmer and cattle-raiser. He constantly bitched and griped about bums on welfare and food-stamps and Section 8 housing. Ok, I totally agree myself with the thrust of that.

BUT? HE didn't mind taking a check from the government for not raising a certain crop and for farm subsidies! He never could (at least IMHO) acknowlege that he was on a form of "welfare" himself! We got to where, at family gatherings up there, we just didn't talk to each other much! LOL

Anyway, this is the danger that will inevitably manifest when government (federal especially, but states too) go beyond their specific constitutional obligations.

There is where we likely disagree. Far as I am concerned...well, lets just say I believe strongly in the 10th ammendment. Guard our borders, maintain our intra-state highways, provide an army/navy for common defense against obvious foriegn enemies and threats...and otherwise, stay the hell out of it!

[Willsson]

Originally Posted by doctorjef
My point about sticking one's head in the sand could, in fact, be generalised to most Americans at the national level -- people want services and infrastructure but don't want to pay for those things.

While I might agree with 'most Americans...sticking one's head in the sand', I would agree only in the lack of objection to those services and infrastructure 'benefits'.

I would believe 'most Americans' to be benevolent to allowing the implementation of those benefits for those who demand them while reluctantly sharing the cost. Given a preference, or option to vote on any given expenditure those 'most Americans' would refuse many of those services and infrastucture improvements.

The abuse of the 'head in sand' trick is slowly imploding upon itself.

[snarfkohl]

My granddaughter was born in Killeen,tx to my son(U.S.Army from Va.) and her mother is from Banning Ca. Does that make my granddaughter a true Texan?

[jtur88]

Anyone who would be eligible for citizenship in the (hypothetical) Republic of Texas, which is also how Real Americans are defined.

If Texas were to become a republic, it is interesting to speculate on who would be eligible for citizenship. I would propose that Texas citizenship be granted to
1. any American citizen who was a bonafide, de facto resident of Texas at the time of secession, or
2. any person born in Texas, or
3. any person with one Texas-born parent and having lived in Texas during his lifetime, regardless of present residence.

I think, in all probability, such law would be that any person qualifying in 1 or 3 above would also need to be able to speak and understand English and/or American Sign Language, however personally I wouldn't care if Texas were a completely bilingual republic.

Down here where I live, most older Anglos can speak Spanish decently, and quite a few speak it very well, but younger Anglos can't speak a word of Spanish. I think this is a sad loss of a great and valuable treasure.

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by nativetexasgal

But, I despise people who willingly choose to move here and then complain about the weather, conservatism, geography, etc.

4th generation Texan and I aprove this message!

All joking aside, there are many people who I would consider honorary Texans despite immagrating from other states. These people keep Texas in their hearts and are in no way trying to convert or impose some outside socialist state beliefs on Texans! Yes Texas has a long history of Democrats BUT these people where Conservatives...who later joined Republicans.

[UTHORNS96]

A true Texan is somebody that loves Texas to death, but can also be objective about it. You don't have to be born here to be a true Texan, but you do have to love it as if you were born here.