Elephant in the Room

Texans use the "S-word" and all "H" breaks loose

When Texan governor Rick Perry announced his strong support for HCR 50 (being discussed today by the Texas legislature), it looked like the first step toward secession. Certainly it was a savvy political move for Perry, who is seeking re-election in 2010. But there's more going on here than mere Machiavellian positioning.

A Yankee by upbringing, no I'm not from Dallas, I was first shocked when I heard this increasingly discussed by Texans over the last six to nine months. I've been taught to view "secession" as inextricably linked with racism and other ugly concepts, which likewise are wrapped up into a generally negative worldview of the South.

I can only imagine the shock experienced by scores of millions of Northerners when they heard Governor Perry say openly what his constituents have been discussing privately. But I've come to understand secession is a far more complex issue than it appears on the surface. Below is a list of links related to the secession hullabaloo that bring up important points of discussion:

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Texas secession blog posts

U.S. News & World Reports
Commentary by John Aloysius Farrell - You might not agree with his conclusions, but Farrell does bring up real challenges for an independent Texas at this moment in history.

Houston Chronicle
Democrats: Perry should disavow secession talk

The Dallas Morning News
Rick Perry strikes a chord with comments about Texas secession

Texas Secede!
Doesn't the Texas Constitution reserve the right of Texas to secede?

Unwelcome Visitors

Gun sales are up, but will Texas see tourism growth from war correspondents?

Update: New sources say only small portion of weapons to Mexico from U.S.

Independent journalist Michael Yon, former Green Beret who has spent much of this decade covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is slowly shifting focus from Afghanistan to the conflict in Mexico.

Noted for his balanced and measured coverage, it appears from reading his recent dispatches that he may be spending more time in Texas.

The word "Mexico" today is starting to ring like "Iraq" did six years ago. It's interesting that Afghanistan evokes very little emotion, and so reporting truth from there is less likely to spur outrage. And today, Iraq is no longer the lightning rod that it was... [b]ut Mexico...there's a lightning rod. ...

Hurricane Mexico seems to be gathering energy both in reality and in the media. At least if you cover Mexico, you can live part time in Texas or thereabouts with Americans. Been a long time for me.

One of the main lightening rods is the alleged U.S.-originated firearms trafficking, which is discussed in a 17-page Department of Justice statement. Such rumblings could have tremendous 2nd Amendment implications, and its makes Texans justifiably nervous.

The proof is in the fact that sporting goods stores and gun dealers can't keep certain ammunition types in stock and gun sales are through the roof.

My prayer is that Yon's observations are not so prescient this time around. I suspect he'd agree. .:.