Miles and Miles of Texass
Kevin Pask writes an interesting piece on social/ political conditions in the Lone Star state. In an article in the summer 06 Dissent titled Gods Casino , he analyzes the bizarre blend of oil money, Christian fundamentalism and new technology wich defines the Sun Belt freak factory. Money and God becomes Money IS God. Those who know me know that Texas and Texans cause a strange, mean , visceral reaction at a molecular level in me. I have met a few wonderful Texans in my time, somebody reading this may very well be one and the author of the article is certainly aware, but I have also met enough Texan assholes to fill the Berkley Pit here in Butte (big pit for those unaware).
Mr.Pask points out the queer confluence of mega-churches and mega -box stores in the glistening new exburbs of mega-cities like Houston and Dallas. I can picture the highly educated and technologically savvy workforce piling into both of these Modern Cathedrals to Irrationality ,right before consecrating themselves at the High School Football Statium on Sunday. Redneck Pride is a perverted populism which cranks out crappy music, cannon fodder for capitalist wars and boring loudmouths; "You can always tell a Texan but you can't tell him much". Convinced they are Chosen People, yet perpetual victims. (Like Zionists!) Think LBJ, John Connely, the Bushes, Ken Lay and Co. and on and on. Pathological sociofreaks. Glad I could finally get that off my chest.
posted by troutsky @ 6:51 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
Goodness but I can't stand mega-churches. When the Catholic do build a big church, at least we have the wherewithal to make it look nice, as any number of Catherdrals will attest to.
Worse, the doctrine coming from preachers at mega-churches is almost always guaranteed to be anti-Biblical and decidedly un-Christian. Sweeping generalization? You bet. But Christianity is a tough religion to adhere to. A scathing sermon against divorce won't produce a mega-church; hence, the glaring absence thereof therein.
Well, that's oK, troutsky, the rest of us Texans don't take offense.
We acknowledge there are some weird rich dudes here.
But truthfully, aren't there the good and the freakish eveywhere? Even in your state?
The only Texans you hear about are the rich ones. The rest are pretty much like everyoen else. Maybe it's the RICH factor you should deprecate.
Convinced they are Chosen People, yet perpetual victims. (Like Zionists!)
I've previously advocated, to my Zionist friends, that, if we really need a "Jewish state", we'd be better off starting over in eastern Montana. But perhaps west Texas would be a good choice. Now that really is (thanks to the efforts of 19th century pioneers) "a land without a people for a people without a land", where transplanted Israelis can once again "make the desert bloom".
I'm only half kidding.
You can give a person money but that won't make them bright or nice.
You are right ,Glenda, about knuckleheads being spread out pretty evenly and maybe if I meet more Texans like you and the folks you describe I can lose this prejudice.Think Molly Ivens and Hightower, troutman. But I will always remember the Alamo!
I don't know about eastern Mt.as a new homeland, CO, they would need water and come looking for it here in the west, as they are doing now in Lebanon and the West Bank.
First time I have seen thereof and therein linked so elegantly, Wiser.Therefore, well done.
Hehe, there's no denying that Texans have this bigger than life image, not just in the States but, all over the world. Quite frankly, I think it's mainly created by seemingly unresistable need for a Texan to play the role and perhaps over act in a process. I could be mistaken though.
perverted populism indeed.
Wiser you are right, these churchs are ugly and completely unmoving. I am no religious man, but I love the feel of cathedrals. These mega-churches have all the feel of a best buy and make me want to puke.
Texas was also the place a strong trust busting movement sprang up to oppose the power of the railroads. This is populist as a positive force, it has been given a totally negative conotation lately. (as in, Chavez is a populist strongman blah blah)Thanks for the Spain book reference pekka, this is my assignment for the fall.
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