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EMAIL RESPONSES
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RE: HOUSTON CHRONICLE OP ED
> I am so insanely liberal that I have happy dreams that Bill Clinton
>is King of America. Get help!
Well said.
By the way, the California energy market was never really deregulated,
that's why Enron was able to manipulate it. How's Arnie? He was over here
this past week
TMl, LV (This is my brother)
RE: You Are no Texan, Bush 2004!
Mr. Mitchell,
Anyone who "feels" he has to apologize for being from Texas is not am
man, much less a TEXAN. Your assistance in eliminating pollution from
MY State of Texas by moving to Sacramento is greatly appreciated. I suggest
you now concentrate on the scum and tainted history of your new home state
"Californicate." You are now where you belong, on the left coast, please
stay there.
You will not be missed.
B P
TEXAN
RE: WELL DONE
Joe,
Despite the numbers, we texas liberals cannot afford to give up......and
there are in fact many of us who share your philosophy and welcome your
contribution...[nice to see it highlighted in the formerly very right
Chronicle, whose transition since the death of the Post is evidence that
there is hope]...most folks prefer to make decisions on the basis of labels,
brands, slogans, so bein' a texan lately makes it easy for them, but remind
them that it was LBJ and Sam Rayburn, not JFK or jerry brown, who gave
us civil rights and medicaire legislation, which regardless of the meaness
of the bushes and gingrich et al are with us forever...
your allies in the struggle for justice
Jan and Milton F
RE: YOUR ARTICLE
Nice piece. I'm not surprised by your experience. Besides avoiding condescension,
coastal dems who now control the party, might come up with some sensible
policies as well. Myself I'm a DLC democrat, far from fully recovered
from Clinton's running twice on our platform, and abandoning it each time
in his governance; and Al Gore abandoning the DLC platform altogether
to run as a populist.
Bruce S.
RE: Guilty of Being Born Texan
Joe,
your article ran on the front page of the Houston Chronicle's Outlook
section. I found it most amusing. My cousins are from California. Here
are some pointers. Ever since the Beach boys, Californians seem to think
they are the center of the universe. Unfortunately many Californians don't
"get around" and realize they are often the laughing stock of the nation.
As far as Texans stealing our state and a few others, maybe your Californians
ought to read their own history. A large majority of Californians are
not Californians at all and don't realize they "stole" their state too.
What about the Texas' death penalty? What we are trying to do is inform
criminals that if you kill rape, rob and steal you need to go to California.
You get three chances there. Tee hee. Texans stole the election? I believe
we need to go back to our history books again. Unknown to most, the US
is a Republic that's why we say,"And to the Republic for which it stands".
Authoritarian? Unfortunately since being sucker punched on 9/11, we have
given up a number of our rights. We have also entered a war that is pretty
scary at times. However, at least we have a president ( a West Texan I
might add) that has the nads to get up off the floor and say" now it's
our turn". Americans are so wrapped up in instant gratification that we
often forget our own history. Iraq has the potential of being a great
nation and a model for the entire Middle East. Unfortunately it has been
ruled by a loose canon who clearly had a bone to pick with the US. Remember,
he is the guy that paid the families of the suicide bombers in Israel.
He also had two sons with great reputations who would most likely continue
his madness. Progress takes time. What we are doing in Iraq is pretty
bold. If it works, the Bush "clan" will go down in the History books as
great leaders unlike Grey Davis who will go down as the Mr. Rogers of
the US neighborhood. When Iran and Syria see where Iraq is in 30 years,
they will fold like a house of cards. What your Californians may be forgetting
is the interim government officials and countless good Iraqis are risking
and losing their lives on a daily basis in a brave attempt to hold something
that has been out of reach for over 30 years. Admittedly self serving,
what we are doing over there is part of a big picture that does not revolve
around California. When your Californians ask you about your gun you need
to correct them by stating the real question should be is ,"where are
your bullets?". Then you inform them that if you are minding your own
business and they attempt to carjack you, they will find your bullets
in their head. As far as your first date's problem with Bush, she sounds
like a very open minded catch. Look at the bright side. Thank goodness
she didn't state you were too short, fat, stupid or ugly. That's when
it really hurts, especially in public!
Joe, even though you are a lib, you need to come home to the Armadillo
where the people are friendly and the with the prettiest women you've
ever seen. I'll buy you a beer.
Jim B.
Houston TX
P.S: See if the Chronicle will print this.
RE: HOUSTON CHRONICLE 8/8/2004
Dear Joe
I'm a transplanted Californian, from Stockton, When I was growing up Stockton
was the essence of your "midwest county seat farm center for SanJoaquin
County. The population was about 50,000. Now I think Stockton and Sacramento
are almost contiguous. My cousins grew almonds in Tracey, and Tomatoes
and alfalfa on Roberts Island.In fact my Mother was born on the "Ranch"
in the Islands. My brothers and I were big in the Sea Scouts in our teen
years . Now one of our friends of youth is donating a good part of his
time and his fortune to the sea scouts in Stockton. Robert French commands
the largest sea scout vessel in the world. Ibelieve the Naval Reserve
center there is probably one of the largest Sea Scout base in the world
. My older brother Lee and his wife Joyce, owned the Store,cafe,hotel
called Bassetts Station in Sierra City for many years. I've a Twin Brother,
John, He and his wife and girls oversee the families stables in Hanover
centre MA. Oh , Lee and Joyce sold Bassetts last year and moved to Joseph
OR. Here I am in as the Stockton Record called it Big League City Texas.
I'm not sure what has happened to all of my cousins. I've only kept tract
of one over the years who still lives in Stockton. In the last few years
Mom and My stepdad have passed away. I still e-mail friends from high
school on a regular basis. When I was growing up I acn't remember one
Republican Govenor. Joe, recently I attended a mini residency on Dental
Implants in Yorba Linda CA. It was attended by about 25 dentists from
all over the US but mostly from CA. I wasn't ashamed to say I was a TEXAN
now. Yup I grew up in Stockton. Do you know what I told these new Friends
of mine that I Loved about TEXAS ? The Legislature only meets every Two
years and then only for 6 months. Besides that theres no Income Tax. You
know as well as i do joe, Folks here really don't accept foreingers like
me as Texan ( my children are). In fact I think Texans are more Heritage
aware than Ca's . But Texas is being diluted just as CA has by folks from
all over the world. If you stand back and look at the schools from elementry
to college, there mirror images. these two states are really fairly close.
Politicians often look to CA to see how they are doing it or how they
solved the problem. Its sad too. that Texas isn't able to maintain its
independent status. In Fact we should make a bumper sticker"Don't Californicate
TEXAS" You Know Joe a Texas Democrat is akin to a california Republican.
Your really more conservative than you think you are. You really ought
to be voting for the RIGHT man, George W. Ya,all take care here.
Dr D.
League Ciity TX
RE: Chronicle Op-Ed
Joe-- So happy to read that you are experiencing the liberal mentality
of being long on emotion and short on reason and reasonablenss. You are
in the right spot. Hang in there. You have a head start on being well
adjusted in Northern California. Your secret is safe with me. If you don't
tell anyone you are from Texas, I won't either. --
Phil T.
Houston, Texas
RE: California Nightmare
Joe,
Thanks for your op-ed piece in the Chronicle. I just got back from Capitola/Santa
Cruz visiting a childhood friend. Naturally, she and her boyfriend and
his brother from Fla. are Liberals and the four of us watched the convention
while I was there. On Saturday I took the navy blue windbreaker I'd packed
for our trip to the City and ferry ride to Sausalito. Her boyfriend remarked
that because it had red stars over a white band it was politically incorrect
so I turned it inside out and was afraid to wear it. After the ferry ride
and walking to our car off the Embarcadero I spied a HUGE SUV parked on
the street. On the side window was a decal with the word "terrorist" in
all caps with George W.'s picture above it. I didn't mention seeing it
to my friends but my thought was that person, because of his gigantic
vehicle, had to place the decal so everyone would know he had some redeeming
quality as a liberal since he, like the rest of them, hated G.W. (My girl
friend, away from the guys, told me she IS patriotic and is not ashamed
of our flag as an apology for her boyfriend's remarks. I never mentioned
the decal. They probably saw it, too. FYI the four of us, are 72 and older.
What is happening to our beloved country?)
Sallie W.
RE: PROUD TEXAN
under any circumstance,if you are afraid to say you are a Texan,then you
are not one!
Chuck S. /Pasadena,Texas
RE: YOUR ARTICLE
Read your article in the Houston Barnacle this morning.I just can't believe
how surprised you act about your reception on the left coast. Don't you
know that a raving Texas Liberal is barely a moderate most places in your
new neck of the woods.I hope that you are able to see what can happen
if your Liberalism ran unchecked in Texas. We could end up like what you
may become if you stay in Northern Calf. Next time they ask about your
gun,stick back in their face.My God you are a Texan boy,be proud.
Hook em Horns,
Terry D.
RE: DEMOCRATS ARE MEAN
Mary Matalin was recently interviewed and stated that she and her democrat
husband, James Carville, used to attend democrat and Republican events
together. She stated that Republicans were nice to James, but democrats
were rude to her. Your article re-enforces that fact. The democrats you
wrote about were very mean-spirited. Incidentally, the Sacramento area
does have a Republican Congressman, so the people you see must come from
the democrat part of the county.
W. G.
RE: LIBERAL TO LIBERAL
As one that has had to suffer the rancor of several people regarding
being a Texan I feel we are taking abuse that is as accurate as many of
Bush's statements. I would like to inform EVERYONE that George W. Bush
is NOT A TEXAN, the imposter was born 07/06/46 in New Haven Connecticut.
Our state is, as always, being bombarded by people from "Up North" and
from Mexico. I catch heck for being a Democrat, the GOP moved into a polling
place we had used for years, they took over as if they were, as one of
their great voice's and another of their "DRUG ABUSERS" declared, "On
loan from God".
Ed R.
RE: GUILY OF BEING BORN A TEXAN
Dear Mr. Mitchell:
Read your article in the Houston Chronicle today. I appreciated your
comments and wanted to say I admire your ability to separate the prejudice
you face from your personal convictions. I am older than you are. In a
time when you had to be 21 to vote, I was first eligible to vote in 1960.
I didn't vote then, but haven't missed an election since. Though I live
in Houston, I am a native Hoosier and transplanted Oregonian. I lived
in Oregon for 25 years up to 1998, when I moved to Texas, and during all
of that time I harbored the bias you described meeting in northern California.
I would have added to your list of crimes the blame for the assassination
of John F Kennedy, an event etched deeply in my personal psyche. Though
there is probably much I could add to the comments above, I will only
add one personal response to your main point set out at the end of your
article, namely, the "limousine liberal" mindset. As a mainstream liberal
from the '60's and a native of a part of the heartland of America, I have
never believed that those from the heartland or the south were too backward
or ignorant to understand what is best for the country. I have been aware,
however, of a concerted effort by the very well organized conservative
movement to convince those in the heartland or the south that liberals
consist only of the eastern well-to-do elite. By this well organized divisive
thrust conservatives have convinced many well meaning people to vote against
their own interests for years. I am not convinced that the "eastern elite
mindset" is the cause for the prejudice you have encountered. Rather I
am inclined to believe it is the result of nearly 25 years of relentless
negative propaganda from the far right, which has so alienated liberals
as to foster a fallback to the "blame" game. What better subject for "blame"
than the state, which proudly adheres to everything, which is wrong with
the conservative movement, from the liberal point of view? Thank you for
your article Mr. Mitchell, and I truly hope you find more acceptance in
California than I have felt in Texas.
(Mr.) Jan P.
RE: TEXAS
FOUND YOU ARTICLE IN THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE QUITE AMUSING. DON'T THINK
TEXAS STOLE THOUSANDS OF SQUARE MILES FROM MEXICO. WE FOUGHT THEM IN A
BATTLE, WE WON AND THEY GAVE TESAS TO US. YOU HAVE A POOR GRASP OF HISTORY.
AS FAR AS THE EXECUTIONS GOES EVERY ONE OF THE SON OF A BITCHES DESERVED
IT AND WORSE. IT IS LIBERALS LIKE YOU THAT THE ISLAMIC TERRORISTS DEARLY
LOVE BECAUSE IT IS YOUR INSANE POLICIES THAT WILL MAKE THEIR DASTARDLY
DEEDS JUST THAT MUCH EASIER. I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF VISITING CALIFORNIA
ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND DON'T THINK TOO MUCH OF THEM AS I'M NOT ON
THEIR SAME WAVE LENGTH. THEY COULD USE A LITTLE GOOD OLD FASHIONED FRIENDLY
TEXAS HOSPITALITY. ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR MOVING TO CALIFORNIAL THAT STATE
IS JUST PERFECT FOR THE LIKES OF YOU. IF YOU EVER COME TO YOUR SENSES
COME ON BACK TO THE GREATEST LAND IN THE WORLD, TEXAS.
CHARLIE W.
RE: (NO SUBJECT)
Dear Joe,
Holy Longhorn Cow, I thought I was the only one. I feel like Robinson
Crusoe must've when he found foot prints in the sand. I still live in
our great state, home of mass executions and last in education, in La
Grange, a small town FAMOUS for pretty girls and poultry products where
I profess to be to the left of Eleanor Roosevelt hoping to balance out
one of the many local Nazis. I am sure you are deluged with ugly e-mails
from your letter in thr Houston Chronicle so will close for now, keep
at it,
Love from La Grange,
Tex P.
RE: Reactions in Cal to a Texan
Mr. Mitchell:
I read your well written tale of a Texan in Cal in today's Chronicle.
I too am a strong liberal, born in Connecticut and raised in West Va,
and have lived in texas twice, once from 75 to 85 and now from 95 to present.
A couple of yrs after my move here in 75, my wife (raised in Ct) and I
attended a neighborhood birthday party. Party givers had their 5-6 year
old daughter stand on a table for the assembled group - mostly Houstonians,
and sing, to the amusement of most everyone but not us, a tune that went
something like this "Turn up the AC and make a Yankee freeze in the dark".
We semi took it in stride, but, as indicated, were not amused. Nor were
we amused by the fact that at least a couple of our nearby neighbors used
the word "nigger". We remained friends with the party giving neighbors,
good friends, and their overall conduct toward us was not consistent with
the tune that their daugher had sung. When we moved to Cal from Texas
in 85 we were more or less looked on as Texans, at least at first, but
I dont recall encountering the type of reaction that you describe in your
write up. One problem, I think, is that since 85 Texas has become much
more republican, and the republicans in charge have become much more conservative
and/or abrasive, with the result, in turn, that Texas can look like a
rather unloveable and uncaring place to outsiders. If Kay Bailey Hutchison
was typical of local Texas Republican leadership, the result would probably
be different. But Perry, Bush, and...in particular...DeLay, in my opinion,
give the state a bad name and a bad look. Perry is pretty but not much
else. DeLay is much more effective but seems snarly, stingy and vindictive
. Bush has a nice enough flavor to him but, when all is said and done,
strikes me as someone who really doesn't give a more than half a darn
about the concerns of the poor and lower middle class. Same went for Phil
Graham before his retirement. Nor did it help that Enron, best buddy of
Bush before the scandal, appears to have gone out of its way to exploit
California's energy mess, with great success till the lawyers caught up
with them. This might not justify what you have encountered, but I believe
it puts it somewhat in perspective and might help explain why you get
targeted. When I was on vacation in Connecticut this summer i saw a group
of 7-8 senior citizen Democrats demonstrating against Bush's Little War
on the town green, signs and all. I went up to them and told them that
I was from Houston and agreed with their sentiments. They were astonished...and
tickled pink of course...that "someone from Houston" would agree with
them. Maybe it is a compliment to Texas that outsiders think of it as
such a powerful place. In any case, you seem to have handled the situation
well, and, as stated above, you certainly wrote a cheery little summary
of your experiences. Keep up the good work and please dont turn republican
over this. And maybe you should contact the lady who left the restaurant
in a huff and ask for a second date.
PS re Houston - I find it, overall, to be a very tolerant place, as big
cities go. As I explain it to friends, " In Houston you could be a one-legged,
buddhist Lesbian from Lithuania and it wouldnt bother anybody."
PPS: You are VERY lucky, still and all, to be in Cal midst that perfect
weather and heavenly scenery.
Regards,
Fred H, Houston
RE: Guilty of Being from California
Mr. Mitchell,
Though I'm not quite finished reading your article in today's Houston
Chronicle, I just had to send you my sincere apologies for the rudeness
and ignorance you have experienced from those in my adopted state of California.
I believe I can empathasize. After moving to Houston about 19 months ago,
I've experienced a prejudice of my "Californianess". Initially, my daughter,
then 17 years old, accompanied me. She returned to California in February.
While for me it has been amusing to experience the prejudice, she experienced
outright rudeness. But I have also been very lucky to meet people who
I believe will be lifelong friends. While there have been many who have
been ungracious at best, there have many Texnas who have shown me that
Texas does indeed have many things that are the "biggest"...but the best
"biggest" claim to fame has been their willingness to help me adjust,
to share what's good about Texas and to appreciate what's different about
me. Please be assured, not all Californians are like those characters
you described in your article. For whatever reason, you have not met those
who are warm, kind and very generous of spirit and heart. You will soon
meet them. They are there.
Linda P.
RE: California Dreaming
Dear Joe,
I loved your piece in today's Houston Chronicle. What did I love about
it, you may ask? Well, it is the part about you being in California. Please
convince all of your friends there on the Left Coast that Texas is every
bit as backwards and reactionary as they have heard. We certainly do not
need any more of them moving to Texas. Even those California Conservatives
tend to suffer from culture shock when they show up here. Meanwhile, I'll
do my part to sing the praises of California here in Texas so that more
of your buds will more out there. Heck, maybe we can convince everyone
in Little San Francisco, I mean Austin, to move to Sacramento. If we promote
it right, U-Haul will give them a group discount.
Wishing you were there,
Judson C.
"Democracy is a lamb and two wolves voting on what to eat for dinner.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
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