Local Victory Garden in the "news"

I put "news" like that because it's the University Press, the Lamar U. student newspaper (which, frankly, barely qualifies as a university-level student newspaper, IMO). The article in question is on the front page (which I can't read in .pdf, no matter how many times I download & install Adobe, it just hates my computer and vice versa; thankfully I have the paper itself in front of me). The gist of the story is that the McFadden-Ward House is planting a Victory Garden, as a community gardening project called Green Thumbs, which is apparently a hands-on children's education project. From the story by Rei'sha Hector, UP staff writer:

"It's surprising that a lot of kids, these days, don't have a clue where vegetables come from, so it's important to teach them an interest in nature, conservation, and gardening," Carol Cuccio, McFadden-Ward House education assistant, said.

The education department at the McFadden-Ward House thought the same and created in January Beaumont's first community garden, now named the Victory Garden. A variety of seed have already been planted, such as carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, squash, green beans, zucchini, and tons more. The garden also contains a small herbal garden.

I think it's great that they're trying to get the next generation interested and involved in gardening, maybe the children can glean some wisdom from Beaumont's old timers, who had Victory Gardens for real, the last time around, before that knowledge is lost. I find it a little bothersome, tho, that the article made no mention of the historical nature of the Victory Gardens, or their current revival, especially in light of the occasions and holidays that the McFadden-Ward House is decorated as it was during the World Wars.

More about Gov. Perry and secession

In our local newspaper today ,they had a little "pro/con" editorial about Gov. Perry's comment at the Tea Parties about Texas seceding. Now, I think it's kinda funny that the "our position" view (of the Enterprise's editorial board) was that him bringing up secession also has the baggage of the Confederacy and slavery, when it's only the opponents of secession that EVER bring up slavery, to emotionally charge the argument and to bias any neutral bystanders against any rational reasons FOR secession. At least the two commentors on their page had the common sense to see thru the straw man claim. (Plus, they support my idea that those opposed to secession aren't from Texas to begin with. From what I've seen, true Texans love Texas and don't think it's a bad thing if Texas was an independent nation again!)

One thing I've started wondering about, is that if Gov Perry does declare Texas independent again, does he automatically become the President of the new Republic of Texas, and where does that leave the Texas Nationalist Movement? (Leaving aside for the moment whether we'd instantly become a Republic, or would there be a vote for some other name.) Last I checked, their President was also the last President of the interim govt of the Republic of Texas group. (There's also the thing about Chuck Norris saying he'd run for the job!) Hell, where would Kinky Friedman sit in all of it? Would he run for President instead of Governor? Same for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson; would she run for President too? She certainly wouldn't have her old job anymore, no need to represent a state that's not in the Union anymore, unless she was made first Ambassador to the US.

Speaking of ambassadors, I've figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be Texas' first Ambassador to France, appointed by President Chuck Norris! (Hopefully!) I already like their bread, and their toast (strange fact: French bread put into the toaster doesn't come out as French toast), and some of their knives (Opinel, cool old school!), and their Foreign Legion makes the US Marines look sane in comparison! Plus, if they give me any shit about being from "that little upstart country," I can point out a couple of things: (1) We're bigger than them; (2) (A) Mexico beat them; (B) We beat Mexico; (C) Therefore, I'm sure our embassy staff and me can kick more that a few of their asses! Also, it might be fun to have the Dissident Frogman over for drinks and swapping gun stories, and I could offer him sanctuary if his country goes in the crapper more.

(I had previously wanted to be Texas to be independent again so I could visit England, and I could wear a big honkin' Bowie knife on my belt, and be protected under their crazy-assed "cultural exemptions" to their highly strict knife laws! Now, I'd want to add a pistol and claim diplomatic immunity for capping some yobs and hooligans.)

Gov Perry in hot water after Tea Parties

I heard on the news a little bit ago that some Democrats and other whiny types are upset over Gov. Perry's mention of Texas secession at the tax protest Tea Parties yesterday. While he may have only meant it in passing, for some of us it is a very real topic. I encourage Gov. Perry to not back down from these fools, and I encourage all my loyal readers (yes, both of you!) to also write to the Governor to do the same. The last thing he needs to do is show lack of courage before these damnedyankees, scalawags, and carpetbaggers.

While there is not a direct email address for the Governor, there is a comment form on his website. Please use it (or call) to leave your encouragement.

Goin' to a Tea Party

They're having one tomorrow, here in town. Me and the Missus are going, tho there's something that's been bothering me about the whole thing. Weren't tax protests usually focused around NOT paying the taxes? Whatever the reason, be it your opposition to some gubmint policy (i. e. slavery, a war, Alaska being admitted to the Union, fluoride in the water, etc.) or whatever, you weren't supposed to pay your taxes, hence the media belittled you as a "tax protestor" and lumped you with other "fringe kooks."

As much as the local Tea Party group claims that they are acting like the Sons of Liberty in a non-violent action to make the gubmint notice, they're forgetting something. I think Mike Vanderboegh sums it up pretty well on his blog. I think it's pretty evident that our "representatives" in Washington, DC (District of Criminals) didn't listen to We the People when we said we didn't want the MegaBailOuts I & II and we think That One firing and replacing the CEO of GM (apparently it now means Gubmint Motors) isn't in his job description either! I'm afraid it's getting near nigh time to say talking isn't working anymore, maybe "They" will notice action! Something like what Vanderboegh imagined in the Window War. (This story is "non-violent" too, in the same manner that no one was hurt.)

Certainly, the expected number of people for the nation-wide Tea Party tomorrow will eclipse anything the "Million Moms" or "Million Men" could actually get out for their protests, and our "representatives" and other gubmint officials won't be able to safely ignore us anymore, tho I'm sure any complacency on our parts afterward will unravel our efforts for this protest; then we may have to resort to something more "extreme" for them to remember who the real bosses are. (Re: the US Declaration of Independence starts with We the People, not We the Ruling Elite.)

Standard Disclaimer: I in no way advocate the immediate use of violence to accomplish political goals. However, when our "opposition" in their gubmint offices can make a new code or rule with a simple stroke of the pen, enforceable at gunpoint by other gubmint officials "just following orders", and We the People have no immediate way of overruling them as they nibble away at OUR Liberties, THEY need to remember that WE are the ones who control the reins of power, and that WE will take that power back! Maybe thru peaceful means (see Texas' Gov. Rick "GoodHair" Perry standing up for Tenth Amendment/State Sovereignty recently), maybe thru violent means (the history books forget about the "Battle of Athens, Tenn." when WW2 vets picked up their guns and fought against their corrupt county officials), but We the People will retain the true reins of power in the US.

WHOOT! Ninjas 3, Pirates 0!

This news item just in: US Navy SEALs killed 3 of 4 pirates holding Capt Phillips off of Somalia, and rescued said Captain. Now to the WTF portion of our program: our dear gubmint is planning to bring the surviving pirate back to the US for trial?!? The only thing that bastid deserves is to swing at the end of a yardarm!!!

Gonna be busy tonight... Updated!

Listening to the Texas Perspective at 9PM, hoping they'll discuss how Chuck Norris wants to be President of Texas. (I wonder if he'd make everyone take Karate classes, in addition to Concealed Handgun classes? Nah, too many folks would freeze up in a robbery, trying to decide between shooting the bad guy or doing a flying roundhouse kick in the head!)

Updated!!! Some silly little columnist in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram thinks that Chuck is ineligible to be President of Texas because of some silly notion as not being born here! I feel I should point out that NONE of the Presidents of Texas between 1836 and 1845 were born here. (David Burnett, Noo Joisey; Sam Houston, Virginia; Mirabeau B. Lamar, Georgia; Anson Jones, Massachusetts) There's no qualification in the Constitution for a native-born Presidential candidate. To that end, Chuck already has a campaign commercial ready! (Altho I fear that if he was elected, then we truly would have a Chucktatorship!)

Victory Gardens

I've been reading up on these some, and to that end, we're planning on putting in a small-ish plot of a garden (around a 4 x 8 foot section) to see how well we can do. With all the concerns about rising this and falling that, it'll be a good way of insuring some stability for the household, better I reckon than stocking up on dry and canned foods, altho there is some of that. Still, one needs a way to replenish/augment any stored food with a fresh supply, and what better way than growing your own? Plus, we've had a fairly mild winter (seems to follow a hurricane, but I won't swear to it), so everything else is already pollinating and budding (and, according to these folks, we've already passed the date for our last frost, whatever's planted now would be safe from that).

There's a few places out there that will sell you a survival set of seeds, for planting after The End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine). That's great and all, but it reminds me too much of the overhyped "Pay-triots" cashing in on citizen's concerns in an apparent crisis, back during the 90s. Once that first set of seeds is in the ground, you still need to eat while waiting for that crop to ripen, which I'm sure they know someone who'll sell you a years worth of MREs, and while you're at it, they know somebody else to supply you with an "assault weapon" and thousands of rounds of ammo so you can protect your valuable pantry and garden from the Zombie Biker Gangs, who are roaming about like something out of Mad Max or Dies the Fire!

Seriously, I doubt it'll ever get that bad, for that long-- for one thing, if it was, then Uncle Sam can't collect his taxes for bailing us out!

A big part of my encouragement to start this was reading the Fox Fire series of books, about an ongoing class project to interview elderly Appalachians about the old skills, wisdom, and lore needed before and during the early 20th Century in their mountains and valleys. I feel like that knowledge isn't much different than what was needed and used by the frontier Texans of the 1830s and 40s. And I reckon we all need a hefty dose of inspiration from our forefathers, to remind ourselves that they endured much worse in their dreams for independence and liberty, so we should steel ourselves for similar hardships, be they natural, manmade, or "shit happens."

Victory Seeds
Red, White, and Grew website and blog