the stars at night are big and bright

Growing up in Texas, you're required to take Texas history in both 4th and 7th grade, where they indoctrinate you with the patriotic pride that pushes many of us to get the state tattooed on our forearms. Ask any Texan, and he'll tell you that today is Texas Independence Day, commemorating the moment in 1836 that we defeated Mexico in the Battle of San Jacinto (not the Alamo; we lost that one) and Sam Houston became the first President of Texas. It lasted just 10 years, but the "nationalism" sticks with us today. Ever hear someone say "Don't Mess With Idaho"? Anyone from New Hampshire more likely to describe themselves as a Granite State-er before they call themselves an American? Probably not. So, today, big ups to the mockingbird, the bluebonnet, the longhorn (and the Longhorns), the Polyphonic Spree, the pecan tree, chili, everything being bigger, Willie Nelson, Texas A&M, Janis Joplin, Texas women, LBJ, Shiner Bock, Jim Hightower, Bob Wills, barbecue, populism, pick-em-up trucks, Buddy Holly, Tex-Mex, Dan Rather, "y'all," thunderstorms, the Toadies, the Big D Dallas, Funkytown Ft. Worth, the Gulf Coast, Big Bend, the Piney Woods, the Hill Country, Lukenbach, the Cowboys (and cowboys), Possum Kingdom Lake, chicken-fried steak, cotton, bass, ruby red grapefruit, armadillos, friendship, horned lizards, rodeo, and that big, beautiful, Lone Star. But not George W. Bush. He's from Connecticut, not Texas, and fuck him anyway.

UPDATE: This article by Molly Ivins damn near made me cry.