Must learn to preview…
Monty:
Check out these links, and we’ll talk.
http://homeadvisor.msn.com/improve/experts/BasicFlagEtiquette0.asp
I keep getting conflicting stories on this. Maybe Cecil can come to the rescue.
musicguy, you seem to have an irrational hatred for a piece of land.
George W. Bush comes from Texas. So the fuck what. That obviously means the whole geographic area is bad, right? You must hate large parts of the world since it would be hard to find any land where someone you didn’t like was born or raised. Maybe you should sail off into the ocean for the rest of your life, hmm?
Might I suggest counseling?
Chef Troy:
I say this from direct observation of more than one issue of TDMN. I sat there and directly read off the bylines in disbelief. Basically, almost anything not directly related to the Dallas area was simply bought from another source. I guarantee that if you pick up a copy you’ll see this.
I refer not to the sucky football team, which as a displaced native of St. Louis I can assure you no one cared about in St. Louis, but to the baseball team of that name. You may have heard that their third baseman was just ROY, or that they have a famous first baseman. I think his name is Mark something.
I may be able to rest my case right here. Chef, you’re a godsend. Texas can’t just be great, it can’t just be my proud home state, no, “YOU SUCK!” Somehow, it seems to be a mathematical fact that Texas being cool = other people just sucking.
BTW, slander necessarily involves untruth and direct knowing lies. Not only did I not make knowing lies, except perhaps for the comment about a “flagship city”, I hardly even made enough factual assertions to be available for slander.
Also, notice I didn’t say that Texas sucks. Re-read my OP. I said that there is a breed of Texan who seems to think that not only is Texas totally bitchen, but that everyone else should be legally mandated to kiss its boots. That’s the attitude I’m referring to here.
Macro:
I’m not sure why this is supposed to be so impressive. Honestly. It seems that to some people, anything Texas has done is automatically not only good, but better than you.
Demise
I see here that maybe I tried to hard to trash Texas as a place. I don’t actually care to put it down. It’s just the constant bragging that’s annoying. It’s kind of playing into my hands here to automatically assume that I’m jealous, though.
Chef
So what happens if I admit this is true? I’m NOT saying “California rules and Texas is crap.” MY ENTIRE POINT IS FOR PEOPLE TO STOP BRAGGING IN A PUT-DOWN MANNER.
Bad News
This is beautiful. I had no idea I would have so much help in making my point.
Notice that I didn’t mention anything about this kind of thing. I did mention New York being a world-class cosmopolitan center, but I don’t think that, say, Idaho sucks because it isn’t one either. Notice, though, the lack of bombastic invective from the direction of Idaho.
Let’s get this straight once more: I don’t have a problem with Texas as such. It’s the kind of non-winking bragging and putting down of everyone else that frankly has sprouted right here in this thread, to which I refer.
Abuse
Ahh, more uninformed invective. I graduated from Buena High in Ventura, CA, and have lived in Ventura, L.A. and Orange Counties continuously since 1980. So where you get this idea, I have just no clue.
Adam
I haven’t lived in Texas, but was there twice in August, and have visited a couple times before that. I have NO idea where you get this “fact.”
And once more for old times’ sake: I’m not saying that Texas sucks. It’s possible I hinted at that. It’s verrrrryyy tempting to do so when the amount of bragging is so large. But, not being L.A. or New York or London or Paris or whatever doesn’t make Dallas or Texas in general or anywhere automatically suck. It’s just that when people get snooty and insulting, other people resent it. You’ve heard of the ugly American? This is the same phenomenon.
I’m not saying that you can’t find it in other places. What seems to be unique is the complete state-wide authorization of this attitude. Not everyone has it, but it’s embedded pretty deep in the culture.
Chef
I admit that the OP might seem to indicate that I think that Dallas is Texas, but that’s not what I meant to say. I do have most of my Texas experienced through Texas, and it might be a distorted view. Fine. Unlike some people, I’m available to be wrong.
I find it hard to believe that even you don’t know that the Lakers is a basketball team. And no, obviously I wasn’t talking about cities with only one sports franchise. We all know that L.A. and St. Louis have other teams. Jeez.
Again, it’s not the state, it’s the bragging and putting down of everything that’s not “of Texas.” I can’t make this point strongly enough.
Now, this should show my good intentions, such as they are. This is (overall) totally true. This is the stuff about the South that I like. I won’t get into the stuff that I don’t, because that’s not the point at this time. But this point is really on target.
Lynn
I admit that my OP my border on this attitude, but I maintain that I’m talking about only those people who fit in the certain shoe to which I refer.
Lieu
This is just simply too easy. I didn’t think I’d have illustrations of what I’m talking about supplied so readily.
I think I’ve made my point. I was not trolling, but I may not come back here, just because this got so out of hand (again, making my point for me) that I don’t want to participate in its furthering.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by musicguy *
**
I’m a bit confused here. Nine times out of 10, a bigoted remark has come of the mouths of Texans you have met at home and in travels. This would indicate one time of 10, you don’t hear a bigoted remark. If this is the case, how can you say you haven’t met someone who isn’t a bigot? Do you just assume the tenth Texan is a quiet bigot?
As for meeting Texans who don’t display these traits, I don’t, most of my friends don’t, and large numbers of Texans don’t. Though meeting us would dispell your notion, I can’t say it’s an appealing idea.
Obviously, this should be:
I do have most of my “Texas” experienced through Dallas.
Don’t Forget the Burn, Chef. Not a popular American sport, but the are pro.
ok… i point out that you don’t live in texas and so are not getting such an accurate representation of how texans act, and you haughtily inform me that you have lived in california most (or all) of your life? you’re denser than i am.
ok… i point out that you don’t live in texas and so are not getting such an accurate representation of how texans act, and you haughtily inform me that you have lived in california most (or all) of your life? you’re denser than i am.
this is what i am referring to:
how the fuck would you know what’s deeply embedded in the culture? you don’t live here!
yeah, and big surprise that you got some attitude from texans after insulting our state, calling all of the population braggarts, and doing all of this in the pit. shock, gasp, wheeze. i don’t think i can handle the surprise!
Uh, you seem to have an irrational hatred for people that don’t ** like ** Texas. Maybe you need the counseling more than I do.
I never used the word hate, nor would I. It just isn’t my cup of tea. Is everyone there a bigot? Of course not. I just haven’t ever had a good time there and haven’t been real fond of the people I have met from there. That is all. But some of you damn Texans think the place is god’s greatest gift to the world. I was just pointing out that it is no better than any other place and is far from perfect. Deal with it.
I never said that I assumed that all people there were like that so perhaps you could refrain from putting words in my mouth. I also stated that it was unfortunate that I had witnessed so many bigots from Texas. They are obviously giving the people like you and your friends a bad name. But they do exist and they exist in great enough numbers to cause me to have the experiences that I have had. Enough so that I couldn’t really care less if I ever go to Texas again. I’m sure you won’t lose any sleep over that anymore than I will because you don’t care to meet me.
You’ve only made one good point, Cardinal;
The utter sillyness of basing your perceptions of a whole state solely on the mumblings of one of it’s inhabitants.
I’ll be sure not to make the same mistake with California.
I spent 7 long years in Texas and I could not stand the ego. Most of my friends thought Texas was the best place on the face of this Earth and yet they’ve never left the state. Yes it is nice in someplaces, it wonderful to ride a bike through and the weather can be pretty sweet at times, but the fact that you guys (ya’ll for the Texans) have to go around spouting out “Don’t mess with Texas” and that it’s God’s country is just obsurd. No one cares Texas, I promise. It’s really annoying.
I also couldn’t stand that every commercial had to deal with: “Best XYZ in Texas.” Or the Texas Burger from McDonalds, please don’t you realize how full of yourselves it makes you look? They don’t have an Ohio burger, or anything. It’s a freaking state, get over it.
I also don’t care about Bush one bit either. I threw a fit when he was “elected” president. However, the fact that Lance Armstrong comes from Texas makes up for Bush in my book.
There is hope though everyone. Most of the people in Texas love it so much that they’ll never live anywhere else and never experience the true beauty of America. So we wont have to deal with them.
I’m analyzing your statement, not putting words in your mouth.
To your credit, you didn’t say all Texans are bigots. You just said that most of them you met were bigots and that you know it’s a stereotype but you can’t seem to meet any who aren’t, after which you questioned their existence. Given your concern with bigotry, I would assume you’re a tolerant person, but I would hate to put words in your mouth. Would you be willing to do this, to apply negative attributes to the majority of a group of people solely on the basis of where they live, to any other people but Texans?
I don’t own a Texas flag, or a ten-gallon hat. I grew out of my last pair of cowboy boots when I was six. I don’t know the lyrics of “Texas, Our Texas.” I’m willing to admit the state has a myriad of problems, including its numbers of resident bigots. Despite this, I don’t like it when people fling indiscriminate insults at my state. It is, after all, the state where I was born and raised, and thus will remain a part of me wherever I go. Given that, when I meet tell someone I’m from Texas, I would vastly prefer their first thought not be “bigot.”
Perhaps some change needs to take place in Texas before this attitude dwindles. I didn’t travel to Texas or meet any people from there with any preconceptions. Had I met one or two people that were bigots, I wouldn’t have thought anything of the place, just the specific people I met. Again, unfortunately that wasn’t the case. I’ve just never had a good experience in the place. After a while, I just decided to give up, cut my losses, and move on. You would admit, wouldn’t you, that many Texans love to brag about how great everything is in Texas. From my experience, I disagree.
Ah, so the answer is you didn’t understand what you read. 'Saright; lots of folks don’t understand legalese. But in this case, it’s pretty simple: you asserted (a) a particular story was a fact, and (b) the reason behind the story. I indicated, with a link to the federal code covering the subject that (a) the story was not a fact, and (b) that other States fly their flags (or at least are permitted to) on the same level as the National Ensign. You may recall that your assertion was that Texas is the only State so to do. Well, that’s wrong.
Now, I don’t have anything against Texas, per se. Just against San Angelo. Dallas is a fun town, and Houston’s a close second IMHO.
Cheers!
It’s not like you have any room to talk. You lived in a small town founded by Quakers, and you never made the 5 mile trip to Houston. I think you should actually get out and experience the city a little before you bash the state. The attitude is much different when you get out and actually do something besides cow tipping or whatever the fuck you did. You’re more country than most of us.
Ok, think about it… It was probably some idiots from some other state who came up with that crap. It’s just a bunch marketing and advertising nonsense. It’s not like we get off to our Texas burgers.
Yeah, you’re from Ohio. That’s a republican state too.
Geeze, aren’t we bitter? Not all of us can move to the beautiful corn fields of Ohio.
Don’t mess with Tokiwoki…I mean Texas. 
I always thought when several national flags were flown together outside an official state building or as in “Flags of the Nations” in Church that it was to signify all the different nations that once governed that state? Kinda like “Six Flags” (which I always remember being called by the longer name of “Six Flags Over Texas.”) If I’m right, wouldn’t it be proper for the Texas flag to be flown with the others that have held sovereignty there in the past, since Texas was of itself a sovereign nation? I’m no history expert, so if I’m wrong, please don’t crucify me. Cowering in the corner.
Just to go on record, I am a native of Texas living in another much maligned state–Alabama. (See other threads in this forum for details, as I haven’t the heart or the stomach to elaborate.) I love my home state despite its flaws. The beautiful banner that flies over her brings me great pride when I’m there and I see nothing wrong with that. Yes, I love the Dallas Cowboys even when they suck because I just do and that’s my right as an American. And I dig boots, hats and country music too. So I fit a small part of the stereotypical Texan–SO WHAT?!! Please don’t seriously ask me to believe that Californians and New Yorkers are always perfectly circumspect with their state pride or their prejudice against other states. You can’t tell me that you don’t stick your nose in the air and make “dumb, inbreeding, redneck” jokes about Texans every time you get the chance. Your derision of Texas and all its inhabitants in your OP effectively nullifies the comment about natives of other states not talking “smack.” The very fact that there ARE stereotypes indicates to me that people from other states liberally spread those misconceptions around!
The thing I feel most anti-Texas advocates miss is that within our Texas pride lies and even greater American pride. We wave Old Glory just as fanatically as we do the Lone Star and I double-dog-dare you to find fault with that these days! To anyone who does, I refer you to these lyrics from “Fightin’ Side of Me” peformed by Merle Haggard:
If you don’t love it LEAVE IT
Let this song that I’m singin’ be a warnin’.
If you’re runnin’ down my country, man
You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me!
And that goes for Texas too, Jack!
Sorry…my redneck alter-ego got the better of me for a minute there!
I spent 7 long years in Texas and I could not stand the ego. Most of my friends thought Texas was the best place on the face of this Earth and yet they’ve never left the state. Yes it is nice in someplaces, it wonderful to ride a bike through and the weather can be pretty sweet at times, but the fact that you guys (ya’ll for the Texans) have to go around spouting out “Don’t mess with Texas” and that it’s God’s country is just obsurd. No one cares Texas, I promise. It’s really annoying.
First of all, I’ve only left this country once in my life and that was on a canoe trip where we crossed into Canada for a day. I still believe this is the greatest country on Earth. So sue me.
Secondly, if you’re going to make fun of a particular word within a dialect, at least have the courtesy to spell it correctly. The word is spelled y’all as in you all, not ya’ll. (Of course, you misspelled absurd too.)
My experience with “Don’t Mess With Texas” had mainly to do with its use as an anti-litter campaign. So lots of people use the phrase in a “don’t f*** with us” fashion? Your point is?
As to the bigot issue brought out in another post: I’m not a bigot and never have been, so chalk one up if you’re making a list. There IS a lot of bigory in Texas, but the same is true anywhere you go in this country. Ask an Italian-American living in the slums of New York how many times he’s been called a “guinea” in his life, why don’t you? (Please pardon the reference to that epithet.) I’ve never been to New York myself and don’t know many New Yorkers, but I’d lay odds that the bigots run in herds up there just like they do down here. And in the sainted state of California too.
(By the way, my mother is a native Californian and one of the loveliest people on this Earth, so be advised that I have no inherent prejudice in that vein.)
…at least have the courtesy to spell it correctly. The word is spelled y’all as in you all, not ya’ll. (Of course, you misspelled absurd too.)
And then I go and misspell bigotry. sigh (I hate !&%#&@#ing typos! :mad: )