# Texas, Our Texas... how you have fallen **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 21, 2023, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351 "2023-07-21T13:30:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/21 "2023-08-09T12:03:43Z")
Heck yah! Take that, Australia! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/22 "2023-08-09T13:13:09Z")
She just needed to get out of the way so the hawk could have his breakfast! Geez, woman, get a clue. šŸ™„ ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/23 "2023-08-09T13:27:48Z")
Hereā€™s [one of my favorite ballads.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVBC5nDN6c4) A friend of mine I happened to meet on the bus told me she had moved back to Chicago from Texas after three years of living there. I asked her how she liked that state. She said, ā€œItā€™s ghastly.ā€ Hmm. You donā€™t hear the word ā€˜ghastlyā€™ so much anymore. Iā€™m glad its usage is coming back. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/24 "2023-08-09T14:00:33Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > The report cited as weaknesses Texasā€™ attacks on inclusiveness, reproductive rights and voters rights. It also noted the stateā€™s weak worker protections\> > > Various state policies ā€” such as a ban of diversity, equality and inclusion programs in state-funded schools; a refusal to expand Medicaid; and legislation targeting transgender people ā€” contributed to the low rankings. > > > > ā€¦ This country is, sadly, turning into a big V, far apart on the left & the right & very few in the middle. What youā€™ve quoted is clearly from a left-leaning survey but looks more like a marketing piece for those on the right to move there. IOW, what youā€™re citing as bad others are looking at as positives Before you jump all over me understand that I have no plans to move there at all or even visit any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/25 "2023-08-09T15:07:13Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > What youā€™ve quoted is clearly from a left-leaning survey Are you saying that it isnā€™t true? ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/26 "2023-08-09T15:19:20Z")
no, I was saying what some people see as negatives others see as positives. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/27 "2023-08-09T18:00:17Z")
Speaking to @Spidermanā€™s point, itā€™s IMHO more correct than not. Although I tend to think it actually intended to work in the opposite direction. My friends (again DFW and AUS) get a distinct feeling of pressure that theyā€™re NOT WANTED by their own (state) government. Sure, they know that in the urban areas, especially the ones I mention, they are, if anything, the majority. But Texas seems to be pushing legislation that is intended to push those people out. And theyā€™re often in the better positions to do so because of wealth and education, as opposed to the rural communities who may have fewer choices. [huge, sweeping generalizations, granted] So talking to the point @pullin makes, either in jest or seriousness, thereā€™s a strong feeling to ā€œlove it or leave itā€ with the Texas Conservative attitudes, and forcing everyone to adhere it it by crippling city-wide or other local efforts at improvement. And Iā€™m leaving out the issue where even socially liberal individuals are irritated by the Californication (sell your shack in CA for $1.5 million and move to TX [or Colorado, or what have you] ) and buy up property for cash to the extent that long timers have no prayer of even bidding on property. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/28 "2023-08-09T18:07:47Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > And Iā€™m leaving out the issue where even socially liberal individuals are irritated by the Californication (sell your shack in CA for $1.5 million and move to TX [or Colorado, or what have you] ) and buy up property for cash to the extent that long timers have no prayer of even bidding on property. [sarcasm/on] What, the commies in those places donā€™t appreciate the invisible hand of the free market working in their town? [sarcasm/off] ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/29 "2023-08-09T18:23:49Z")
Youā€™re right of course, but from the POV of many of those folks, itā€™s still blame it on California (and consciously or not, liberals) for making it impossible for those ā€œpoor honest working class peopleā€ to find a house/apartment they can afford. While, in all honesty, itā€™s those widely respected ā€œfree marketā€ policies beloved of Conservatives being applied just as you said. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/30 "2024-11-22T20:29:32Z")
Itā€™s not just Texas adults who are gun-happyā€“but also Texas toddlers: > **[Be Alert: Toddlers Shoot Three People Every Month In Texas](https://kfox95.com/toddlers-shoot-people-texas/)** > > Last year there were 36 unintentional shootings by children of all ages in Texas ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/31 "2024-11-22T21:00:01Z")
Quote from the _San Antonio Express_ re-quoted by @ThelmaLou > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Texas has reached two new lows, according to a CNBC ranking. For the first time, Texas was last in the nation for quality of life, and it slid out of the top five best states for business in the annual report. > > The state received a mixed report card. In addition to earning an F for ā€œlife, health and inclusion,ā€ Texas earned C+s for education and infrastructure while notching A+s for ā€œeconomyā€ and ā€œaccess to capital.ā€ The last phrase of the last sentence explains the first paragraph. Take everything thatā€™s wrong with present-day America, multiply by 10, and you get Texas. The great, late Molly Ivins, who loved the positive things about her home state, Iā€™m sure would have agreed. The really scary aspect of this is that most of the things that were wrong with America 50 years ago are themselves multiplied by 10 today. Texas today must be an interesting place. I note that Ken Paxton, who should be in jail and probably eventually will be, is currently the attorney general there. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/32 "2024-11-22T21:48:26Z")
An average of about 10 children per-day were referred to the Texas justice system for making threats in September. > **[Texas sent about 10 kids per day to the justice system in September for one...](https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/11/13/texas-sent-about-10-kids-per-day-to-the-justice-system-in-september-for-one-reason/)** > > More children are facing criminal consequences for terroristic threats in recent years. ---
**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/33 "2024-11-22T22:00:29Z")
Just keeps getting better and better here. Glad weā€™re focused on the important things: > **[Texas approves Bible-infused curriculum for public schools](https://www.kut.org/education/2024-11-22/texas-approves-bible-infused-curriculum-for-public-schools)** > > The Texas State Board of Education gave final approval Friday to controversial new K-5 curriculum that weaves in Christian references. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/34 "2024-11-22T23:17:57Z")
If you see someone with a bible and a gunā€¦ RUN! ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/35 "2024-11-26T15:46:07Z")
> [@dougrb](#): > > see someone with a bible and a gunā€¦ RUN Been wise advice for 500 years all over the world. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/36 "2024-11-26T16:03:22Z")
My boot camp company had 17 Texans in it. They were all insufferable blowhards and my mind hasnā€™t changed some 58 years later. Iā€™ve never gone to Texas willingly, but have been there on business a few times. I saw nothing to entice me to change that. West Texas is a blasted hellscape full of oil derricks, armadillos and snakes. DFW is a giant concrete blob, and Houston a sweltering hellhole. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/37 "2024-11-26T16:29:25Z")
Awwwā€¦ Iā€™m not doubting the authenticity of your experience. But seriously we arenā€™t all like that. And the whole state isnā€™t like that either. Even though I will be the first to say that the politicians in this state should probably all be marched into the desert and left there with no water. But thatā€™s another conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/38 "2024-11-26T17:40:12Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Awwwā€¦ Iā€™m not doubting the authenticity of your experience. But seriously we arenā€™t all like that. I drove to Waco for the eclipse, and the people were fine. I had a nice time. I came back through the ā€œWest Texas is a blasted hellscapeā€ area, including Ulvade, Del Rio, and Marfa, and, yeah, itā€™s empty, and could use a few more gas stations, but it was fine. The one thing I DID notice was that there were a lot less ā€œtrumpā€ signs than in AZ. You could argue that is because they ALL are trump fans, and they have no need to brag. But then, if that were true, there wouldnā€™t be a need for a 190 foot tall cross in Groom. I guess they think that God will like them more if he can see the strength and trueness of their devotion all the way from heaven. [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNURkTe4zAdQ7RUqJbE_YAe3m-OBFnSQAcXg&s) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNURkTe4zAdQ7RUqJbE_YAe3m-OBFnSQAcXg&s) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/39 "2024-11-26T18:02:00Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > At least around here, thereā€™s still some good, affordable food from nearly every corner of the globe. If/when I ever leave the state, thatā€™ll be one thing I genuinely miss. An anecdote of one. I have family in Texas and I spend my winters there. Last February I was down in Texas and I felt like making a batch of chicken korma. I donā€™t make my korma sauce from scratch; I buy a jar or two and then add the chicken and vegetables I want. I could not find any jars of korma sauce in my local HEB. Or my local Walmart or Brooks Brothers. I also couldnā€™t find any jars of korma sauce in any of the other supermarkets I checked for a couple of weeks. Nor could I find any jars of tikka masala or butter chicken or tandoori or even basic curry sauce. So while Texas may have many cuisines, I found it lacking in Indian. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351/40 "2024-11-26T18:08:13Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So while Texas may have many cuisines, I found it lacking in Indian. Texas in general, sure. The Houston area (the ā€˜around hereā€™)? There are a variety of south Asian restaurants and markets. Thereā€™s a selection of regional cuisines from across the subcontinent, mainly because the immigrant population comes from everywhere. My particular suburb of Sugar Land is pretty well represented in that regard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-our-texas-how-you-have-fallen/987351.md?page=3)