Texan Mentality? (Houston, Austin, Midland: credit, unemployment, college)

[TexasHorseLady]

Which Ann Richards are you talking about?????? Surely not the one that was Governor of Texas!

It doesn't really have to do with being born here. It has more to do with his entire demeanor/attitude; that's what makes me think "not a Texan".

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

I don't think he's Texan at all, other than by preferred residence.

His east coast background is all too apparent to me.

Same here. I've NEVER considered Bush a "Texan". EVER!

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Well, I'm "Texan through and through," as well (we were here before there WAS a Texas), and I disagree with you. He has something of a Texas accent (one of them), but he's never struck me as a Texan. His wife, yes. But not him.

But, then, I'm definitely not on the "Texas is the SOUTH, never mind all those other influences" bandwagon, either.

Funny how most Native Texans are the ones that don't consider him one bit "Texan" and transplants and those that live in other states/countries DO.

Hmmm, wonder which ones really know what makes someone a real "Texan". I'd say us natives but then I'm bias.

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I'm not going to scream at you (that wouldn't be a polite Texan thing to do), but my opinion was formed when he first hit my radar LONG before he became President. I wondered what on earth that person was doing running for Governor of Texas and when he'd moved here and from where, before I knew his history.

It was bad enough he owned part of the Texas Rangers. Then he up and said he was running for Governor of our fine state. I'm betting if anyone were able to go back to each voter in that election and found out where they were from they would find the MAJORITY of those that voted for him were NOT from Texas. Texas Monthly had a GREAT article on the election between him and Ann Richards. Ann Richards did A LOT for the State of Texas to make it attractive for businesses to operate here. Which in turn brought a lot of transplants for the jobs. These jobs now were created BY what ANN RICHARDS did and accomplished while in office. Yet those that came flocking here for them voted for Bush not realizing he was NOT the one that created the economy that was keeping this state afloat and making it better.

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

He wasn't born here nor were his folks, but he was raised here (since the age of 2) and is quite a Texan to me.

Personally, I think he appears to be a lot like Ann Richards, but that's just my opinion.

It is the way he acts that makes it sooooo apparent to us Natives that he is NOT a Texan at all.

There is nothing about him that resembles ANYTHING of Ann Richards.

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Which Ann Richards are you talking about?????? Surely not the one that was Governor of Texas!

It doesn't really have to do with being born here. It has more to do with his entire demeanor/attitude; that's what makes me think "not a Texan".

NO KIDDING!!!! To say that even one itty bitty thing that Bush has EVER done in his life is like Ann Richards the former Governor of Texas........... wow. No way!

There are people that were born elsewhere that move to Texas and adapt. They can become more "Texas like". Bush however has NOT. All he has done is try to "play Texan". Much like my kids play school and one pretends to be the teacher even though they are still in elementary school. His actions speak louder than words and time and again he has proven there is nothing about him that resembles a TRUE Native Texan. What Bush does is the same that all professional politicians do.......... they posture themselves to APPEAR to be something they are not to a crowd they are TRYING to attract at that point in time. One day he may TRY to appear to be "Texan" and the next day he is playing his East Coast roots to get those votes. He has NOT let go of those East Coast roots at all. He uses them every chance he gets. Those that TRULY KNOW what that type of person REALLY is will recognize the fakeness in it in a split second and know it for what it is. FAKE!

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Well, I'm "Texan through and through," as well (we were here before there WAS a Texas), and I disagree with you. He has something of a Texas accent (one of them), but he's never struck me as a Texan. His wife, yes. But not him.

But, then, I'm definitely not on the "Texas is the SOUTH, never mind all those other influences" bandwagon, either.

Laura is a native Texan, born and raised in Midland, so yep......

Bush the younger was born in NH, CT while his father was attending Yale. That family has deep eastern roots--nothing wrong with that, but he's no Texan. Bush the elder was born in MA, and you don't get any more east coast than that!!

[bostoner]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

Same here. I've NEVER considered Bush a "Texan". EVER!


It is the way he acts that makes it sooooo apparent to us Natives that he is NOT a Texan at all.


There are people that were born elsewhere that move to Texas and adapt. They can become more "Texas like". Bush however has NOT. All he has done is try to "play Texan". !

I never voted for Dubya or his father, and never would in a million years, but I totally agree with you here. I don't think the transplants get it, though. What he does/has always done is to play out the stereotypes of being a Texan; what "Texan" looks like to the outside world. He's a caricature of a Texan. A real native Texan, particularly of his social class and standing, is something quite different than the stereotypes.

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Which Ann Richards are you talking about?????? Surely not the one that was Governor of Texas!

It doesn't really have to do with being born here. It has more to do with his entire demeanor/attitude; that's what makes me think "not a Texan".

Yes, that's the one; there is no other. Personally, I couldn't stand her and like Bush much more, but they are/were very similar in character to me. I just think he's nicer, but maybe that's just a facade.

His demeanor and attitude is what makes me think Texan. How funny? We're all so different, but that's a good thing. That's a compliment to him and what I think is Texan. I think he's nice and Richards, not nice.

[TexasHorseLady]

I think Houstoner pegged it. As a transplant, you have a stereotype of a Texan and he plays to that. We see through it

I really see no similarity between Bush and Richards, and certainly liked her better. (Since I'm neither elephant nor donkey, party had nothing to do with it.) What similarity do you see?

[bostoner]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

Yes, that's the one; there is no other. Personally, I couldn't stand her and like Bush much more, but they are/were very similar in character to me. I just think he's nicer, but maybe that's just a facade.

His demeanor and attitude is what makes me think Texan. How funny? We're all so different, but that's a good thing.

Are you serious? In character??? They couldn't have been more different. In what ways do you think they're alike? For one thing, Richards was far and away more intelligent, and that's just ONE thing out of many... I've noticed Californians and people on the West Coast have a seeming inability to see beneath the surface of things. They see a thing and think that's all there is to it. I think it's because of the topography. And Hollywood. Anyway, I say that to say I'm not that surprised by your POV. It just seems so very off to me. I've never heard anyone compare the two...

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

Funny how most Native Texans are the ones that don't consider him one bit "Texan" and transplants and those that live in other states/countries DO.

Hmmm, wonder which ones really know what makes someone a real "Texan". I'd say us natives but then I'm bias.

Perhaps you should outline what makes a person a "real" Texan other than being a native Texas. That doesn't cut it in most cases.

I do agree that Bush is fake and does try to portray the cowboy. I believe the Crawford Ranch was just a prop, in a sense. Now that he's looking to live in Preston Hollow, oh my, what a difference. Oh well, no one really knows the true intent of the ranch and now the elite area.

I always thought Richards was a fake and as I said, I couldn't stand her but if you say she did well for Texas, I believe you. I didn't pay much attention to politics in the early 90s.

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by houstoner

Are you serious? In character??? They couldn't have been more different. In what ways do you think they're alike? For one thing, Richards was far and away more intelligent, and that's just ONE thing out of many... I've noticed Californians and people on the West Coast have a seeming inability to see beneath the surface of things. They see a thing and think that's all there is to it. I think it's because of the topography. And Hollywood. Anyway, I say that to say I'm not that surprised by your POV. It just seems so very off to me. I've never heard anyone compare the two...

She had a very superior attitude and although Bush has a slight one, it's not as bad as Richards'.

She had a lot of spunk, but was full of wisecracks all the time. I didn't think that was cute at all. He's a bit of a smart alec, but he's not at all on her level.

You know, you're right. Dubya and Ann really are different in character. I think he has more of the "good stuff" and to me, he'll always be a Texan.

I do hope NOTAM reads this. You all know she's a native and loves Bush. Maybe she can give you more insight on her feelings than a TRANSPLANT can. Heaven help me, what a title I've been given.

Okay, the natives think Laura Bush is a Texan. How in the world does she even compare to the Texan, Richards? Laura is quite a lady and Richards was just a big mouthed, condescending woman. I so admire Laura, soft-spoken, kind, intelligent, and a gracious person. I just didn't see any of that in Ann.

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I think Houstoner pegged it. As a transplant, you have a stereotype of a Texan and he plays to that. We see through it

I really see no similarity between Bush and Richards, and certainly liked her better. (Since I'm neither elephant nor donkey, party had nothing to do with it.) What similarity do you see?

The demeanor of Ann Richards was nothing to boast about. Please get off the transplant kick. It's quite corny and after living here 30 years, I didn't just set foot on the soil. I know what I see and if Ann Richards and her nastiness makes a Texan, I will not consider her to be one. (I know she was, but that's not what I like to think of as a friendly and kind person). The natives I know are much nicer than she and so is this transplant.

Do you all know how much a transplant grows in 30 years?