Obama to Campaign Hard in Texas

It looks like the President's El Paso speech was just the beginning.  From The New Republic:

"President Barack Obama’s campaign is heeding the political siren song of Texas, telling supporters he hopes to make a real effort in a state where the growing Hispanic electorate has long raised — then dashed — Democratic hopes.


Obama’s 2012 campaign manager, Jim Messina, speaking to big-money Lone Star State Democrats at closed-door meetings in Austin and Dallas in March, predicted Obama could make a “serious play” in the cornerstone of GOP presidential politics, according to people in attendance."

Certainly, it remains extremely difficult for a Democratic Presidential candidate to carry Texas, but a strong effort by President Obama would constitute smart strategic planning.  Texas is the 2nd most populous state, and demographics are trending purple.  Imagine.  California, New York, and Illinois are already deep blue and Florida is purple.  Adding an up-for-grabs Texas to the mix would mean that none of the five biggest states are solidly Republican.  Long-term trends are looking very sketchy for the GOP. 

TX TV News Question: "Do You Think This Country's Acceptance of Homosexuality Could Lead To Its Downfall?"

It is truly unbelievable that in the year 2010 a mainstream NBC news program would present this segment:



The station is KETK in Tyler, Texas and the radio station is KTBB.  You can go to KTBB.com and vote in it's poll here.  Scroll down and look for "talkback."  KETK's web site is here and, as of now, there is a link to this ugly story.  There's also a Facebook protest page here. 

I have a friend who jokes that every gay person is from Tyler, Texas.  When you live in Dallas, it sometimes seems that way.  It's incredible how many gay people come from there.  I can understand why they leave. 

Via Joe.My.God

UPDATE:  The station manager of KTBB radio has apologized.  Here it is:

The Talkback question that aired on KTBB Radio and was simulcast on KETK NBC 56 television in Tyler on Wednesday, October 27 was unfortunate in its wording and unfortunate in the perception that it created among a large number of thoughtful individuals. The question, “Will the acceptance of homosexuality lead to the fall of America?” is poorly worded at best and inappropriate altogether at worst. For that, we apologize.
There are many issues surrounding homosexuality that are fair game for discussion in the media and in opinion journalism. The proper role, if any, for openly gay individuals in the military, the legitimacy of same-sex marriages and the public behavior by some individuals at gay and lesbian events held outdoors in public view are among topics about which reasonable people may disagree. These and other topics surrounding homosexuality are topics that talk radio hosts and opinion journalists may legitimately pose to their respective audiences.
With that said, the way our Talkback question was posed might be seen as asking, “Do homosexuals, by their very existence, threaten to bring down America?” We believe that such a question, posed in such a manner, is likely to generate more heat than light.

I understand how those who either heard, or heard about, KTBB’s Talkback question on Wednesday might have been offended. For the offense that was taken, we sincerely apologize.

Paul L. Gleiser, President

KTBB Radio

Corpus Christi Finds Home in Dallas

You've probably read about the production of Corpus Christi at Tarlton State University that was cancelled due to threats of violence.  A theater company in Fort Worth  offered to host the production then backed out due to threats.  It was announced today that the play will be produced at The Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, sponsored by the Cathedral and Art for Peace and Justice.  The dates are June 4 - 6.  Get your tickets here. 

The Cathedral of Hope is a largely gay congregation of the United Church of Christ and a Dallas institution.   It's the sort of place that does not bow down to threats and intimidation.  It is also not afraid of challenging theological questions.  I think it's a perfect fit. 

Teabonics!

Texas blogger Manifesto Joe has a great round up of Teabagger signs.  One of my favorites:

Apparently he's over-taxed by too many consonants. 

Go visit Joe and click on his links.  Great stuff. 

Texas Literacy Update

Laredo is about to become the biggest city in the United States without a single bookstore. Laredans (?) will have to drive 150 miles to find a copy of Tinsel or the Augusten Burroughs Christmas stories (both of which you should totally read).

Don't get too worked up, though. I'm sure they have several Wal Marts with the Left Behind series and Going Rogue.

Clueless in America

Timothy Egan has a good article in today's New York Times about East Coast Americans' geographical illiteracy about the American West. He cites national broadcasters who can't pronounce Oregon and New Mexicans who are told to go through their own embassy when trying to order Olympic tickets from the US Olympic Committee. Good stuff, but as someone from the Southeast who moved west, I can tell you that geographical illiteracy works both ways.

Texans are Texas-centric and if you doubt it, just ask one about your distant home state. When I have told people I grew up in South Carolina, I have gotten "Hey, I was in South Carolina once, I went on a business trip to Raleigh;" or "You must be really proud of that Charlotte airport;" or "It must be really cold there." Cold? Really? Our state tree is a type of palm.

Then there's "I bet you're glad the Jesse Helms era is over." Yes I am, and the Strom Thurmond era too. My favorite Geographically illiterate response (and I've gotten this more than once) is "Do you consider South Carolina part of the South?" Um, yeah. You might want to read your history books about a little something called the Civil War. It started there. Check it out.