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!!!