----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 3:09 AM Subject: So Austin
********************************* I then went to a bar called Maggie May's and listened to a solo guitarist for about an hour before heading back to the hotel via a rather seedy part of town (accidentally) It was eleven when I got back and I was soaked in sweat after walking up the hill in 85° heat (and humidity that was probably still over 90%) You really prefer this over N.H. Julia? 8^) ************************************* You wonder why Texans think of themselves as tough?<G> Yesterday I was moving, packing boxes into a Uhaul, lifting furniture and all that for over 10 hours. Houston is much more humid than Austin and the temp where I live was 104F. About 2 hours into the moving I pulled a muscle in my back. But the show must go on. I feel ">WONDERFUL<" this morning! <G> ********************************************** On Thursday I quit the conference fairly early and dropped by the Capitol building which was only a few blocks from my hotel. Hmmm. This is the second old South capitol I've visited (Birmingham)and find the degree that the Confederacy is celebrated in both of them fascinating and frankly, rather disturbing. ************************************************* You Yankees just don't get it!<G> I'm know that you are aware that the Civil War was a particularly bloody conflict and many young lives were lost on both sides. Do you think that even on the losing side people would not memorialize those who fought for their cause? You have to remember that slavery was just the tip of the iceberg of reasons why the war was fought. OTOH, if you are under the impression that the reason the North fought in the Civil War was to "free those poor slaves", you need to review your history. At that time there were slaves working at The White House (among other Northern locations), so you have to wonder what was up with that. Funny thing is, I've lived here my entire life and cannot off the top of my head recall seeing a Civil War memorial anywhere in Texas. *********************************************** The most prominent and conspicuous monument on the grounds was an unapologetic tribute to the secession and of four other prominent statues on the grounds that I saw, two of them memorialized Confederate heroes (Hood and Ready's Rangers I think). There was also an Alamo memorial and one in tribute to volunteer firemen. No Austin statue. No mention of Sam Houston, Texas independence or the Mexican-American War. No mention of any twentieth century wars (or anything else for that matter) at all. *********************************************** Ever notice that Texas is BIG? The heroes of Texas are celebrated mostly regionally. Sam Houston is not a big hero in Austin with lots of statues because his big battles were in............Houston and back in those days the capitol was here. (In Harrisburg which is now a ghetto near downtown Houston). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Hermann_Park_Texas.jpg is where the statue of Sam Houston is in Houston. Stephen F Austin is memorialized in East Texas where he did most of his work and as far west as Austin (Bexar County). He died and was buried in West Columbia which is a county adjacent to the county Houston is in. ************************************************** Another interesting tidbit. I looked at the portraits of all the Texas leaders that adorns the walls of the capitol rotunda. This includes presidents of the independent Texas as well as all of its governors. Now maybe I missed him and I'm way off base here, but I could swear that Sam Houston's portrait wasn't there as either President or governor. Why is that significant? Sam Houston opposed the secession. ******************************************************** You appear to be a man with a hammer ATM. I have an ancestor whose portrait is in the Alamo. That portrait was taken down for two years while it was being restored. The portrait is back now, but does that imply that for 2 years he was considered to be overly fond of Mexicans.<G> [You have I'm sure heard the story of the line drawn in the dirt? My ancestor, 26 year old Tapley Holland was the first to cross if the stories are true.] ********************************************* Amazing stuff for a history buff. ********************************************* Sure! But one always must consider that people will remember their war dead and events of signifgance, whether they were on the losing side or on the winning side. Another thing to consider is that these memorials were not erected yesterday, just in time for your visit. So they represent *accumulated* memorialism as opposed to contemporary memorialism. Not that many people here give much thought to the Civil War anymore. ("cept on Juneteenth) xponent Apologies If My Tone Appears Uncivil<G> Maru rob
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