It's interesting how the myths have changed and developed over time. The wars in Texas. Santa Anna. All that.
To be clear, the Americans were invading Texas at the time of Santa Anna. I always find it interesting how the American side of things that we're raised on neglects to mention that, and makes it sound like he's the one invading us; a blood thirsty mad man with no cause to slaughter an undermanned outpost of the Grand Territory of Texas.
Not a President of a newly formed country, just broken away from the largest and wealthiest Empire of the time, simply trying to ride the tiger and keep his provinces whole and losing.
Anyways, history and myths are freaking fascinating like that! The Texas myth is FAR more fascinating than some silly losers getting upset over a little extra tax and making a tea party for the British. Who cares about tea!?
Yes. The way it is taught now, it’s basically the Tea Party, a Riding horse through the night, and then BAM! Constitution!
Never mind details like some skirmishes on both sides, a Britain that seems to have gone through the wringer with it’s own problems, France goading everything on, and the colonials just egging things on with the natives till the crown was like, “What are you fools doing, draining all my bloody resources over there!? Over FURS!”
For most of my life—when I was feeling charitable—I’d react to Texas pride with smiling indulgence, like one does toward a child overly proud of something unremarkable.
When I was feeling less charitable, I’d roll my eyes and recount the story of a Proud Texan raising money to build a Great Wall of Texas. The joke was that most of the donations came from other states.
Then, four years ago, we moved to Texas and I am cured of my sneering condescension. I don’t have the words to explain it, but I understand it now. There’s something special here, something I’ve never sensed in any of the many places I’ve called home.
My ashes won’t be buried here, but it’s likely this is where I’ll live the rest of my days.
As for your post—my God, I hope you’re on to something! And if history is any indication, I think you are. Yes, there’s truth in all the dread spewed by our countless Prophets of Doom. But there’s still the germ in us and our children of the spirit that carried our ancestors here and drove them to create something remarkable.
Are we talking an American morph of the Byzantine half of the Roman Empire? The Donald has some facial resemblance to the Carmagnola head of Justinian in Venice. Happy Easter, in passing.
Saw a red 62’ Impala the other day & my dad has his mom’s 55 Bel air. They just don’t make them like they used to. None of that feminine (as in the body of a woman) design philosophy.
I’m thinking we’re up for being an (continuing) empire, but I’m skeptical we’re up for being the fifth (depending how you count) Rome. But that would be interesting.
Ah. So you’ve seen the Aridoamerican Plane it seems…
This is how they are. From Texas to California and Durango to Colorado. This is part of how I realized Huntington was an idiot regarding the southwest.
I used to just sit in my in my 69 Dodge Dart in the rain.
One of the best places I ever found.
And that special silence that would accumulate
after the first failed start
chug, chug, chug, bahhhh...
the smell of gas and old things and the sound of rain
a stolen moment of total freedom
I call that (borrowing from Dutch) "heimwee."
Well it seems like we're really gonna attempt to clear out the cartels - at which point I welcome our Mexican brothers and sisters.
Both sides could benefit as long as they get our labor rules and wages since theirs are abysmal and drag ours down as well.
Best of both worlds or bust.
It's interesting how the myths have changed and developed over time. The wars in Texas. Santa Anna. All that.
To be clear, the Americans were invading Texas at the time of Santa Anna. I always find it interesting how the American side of things that we're raised on neglects to mention that, and makes it sound like he's the one invading us; a blood thirsty mad man with no cause to slaughter an undermanned outpost of the Grand Territory of Texas.
Not a President of a newly formed country, just broken away from the largest and wealthiest Empire of the time, simply trying to ride the tiger and keep his provinces whole and losing.
Anyways, history and myths are freaking fascinating like that! The Texas myth is FAR more fascinating than some silly losers getting upset over a little extra tax and making a tea party for the British. Who cares about tea!?
Well the Tea Party story does overshadow a lot of other stuff. I think it started as a synecdoche and now we think of it as the thing itself.
Still, The Alamo is a better story.
Yes. The way it is taught now, it’s basically the Tea Party, a Riding horse through the night, and then BAM! Constitution!
Never mind details like some skirmishes on both sides, a Britain that seems to have gone through the wringer with it’s own problems, France goading everything on, and the colonials just egging things on with the natives till the crown was like, “What are you fools doing, draining all my bloody resources over there!? Over FURS!”
Anyways, it was a giant mess, as most history is.
I love the Bel Aire story; it's so much more than just about the car; it's a wonderful tale of fellowship. We need stories like that.
Nice post, Phisto... kind of inspiring.
Thank you. Beautiful, and inspiring. Happy Easter!
For most of my life—when I was feeling charitable—I’d react to Texas pride with smiling indulgence, like one does toward a child overly proud of something unremarkable.
When I was feeling less charitable, I’d roll my eyes and recount the story of a Proud Texan raising money to build a Great Wall of Texas. The joke was that most of the donations came from other states.
Then, four years ago, we moved to Texas and I am cured of my sneering condescension. I don’t have the words to explain it, but I understand it now. There’s something special here, something I’ve never sensed in any of the many places I’ve called home.
My ashes won’t be buried here, but it’s likely this is where I’ll live the rest of my days.
As for your post—my God, I hope you’re on to something! And if history is any indication, I think you are. Yes, there’s truth in all the dread spewed by our countless Prophets of Doom. But there’s still the germ in us and our children of the spirit that carried our ancestors here and drove them to create something remarkable.
Our best days are not behind us.
Are we talking an American morph of the Byzantine half of the Roman Empire? The Donald has some facial resemblance to the Carmagnola head of Justinian in Venice. Happy Easter, in passing.
Saw a red 62’ Impala the other day & my dad has his mom’s 55 Bel air. They just don’t make them like they used to. None of that feminine (as in the body of a woman) design philosophy.
I’m thinking we’re up for being an (continuing) empire, but I’m skeptical we’re up for being the fifth (depending how you count) Rome. But that would be interesting.
Ah. So you’ve seen the Aridoamerican Plane it seems…
This is how they are. From Texas to California and Durango to Colorado. This is part of how I realized Huntington was an idiot regarding the southwest.
I’d like to give a nod to Juan Seguin here, the Tejano freedom fighter right up there in Texas history with Sam Houston as far I’m concerned.
A stirring sentiment. I don't know that it will necessarily come to pass. But Tejanos are generally awesome, just as you describe.
Will this Chevy encounter be an inspiration for new curriculum?