Texas.

To think about the place is to consider the duality of Tao.

A State with a dramatic duality of geography—the trees and rolling hills of East Texas compare starkly to the Panhandle...or Corpus Christi, for that matter.

The duality extends to politics as well.

Consider today’s “Madness of King George”, the weird nexus between Conservative politics and State governance as practiced by Rick “Leadership by Coiffure” Perry, and the perennially wacky antics of the Lege and the unique personalities who find there safe harbor.

Balanced against that are the “aw shucks” kinda folks who have truly made Texas great: Jim Hightower, Ann Richards, and Molly Ivins being three examples who between them represent just a tiny scratch on the deeply carved surface of the big picnic table upon which the BBQ of Texas society is served.

Duality factors into today’s conversation as well; as we intertwine thoughts of West Berlin, succession, and a mini-review of one of the world’s preeminent music festivals: SXSW.

Intrigued?
Then let’s get to it.

Crossposted from Wiretap

First, let me just say that I told you McCain would win. And Mike Huckabee conceded with a lovely speech about a pitcher that is always waiting and ready in the event the other pitcher can't make it. Media folks are speculating if this is Huck making a comment about being VP? Or is this a crack about McCain being so old he's nearing death? I think that this was actually a comment about Mike Huckabee's new career in baseball.

Last night's primary and caucuses brought another opportunity for us to measure the successes of the youth vote. All of the following are for 17-29 year olds and can be found by combing through the CNN Exit polls.

Cross-posted from Blue Texas
I've made no secret about my like of Rick Noriega and his battle for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. One of Noriega's opponents, Mikal Watts, is also working to get the nod, but his explanations on his giving to some Texas Republicans are very troubling.
Here's part of one blogger's account of a recent Watts campaign visit to Victoria, Texas:

I might as well say it. My choice for the U.S. Senate next year isn't even close, either in the Democratic primary or the general election.

Rick Noriega is way beyond any other candidate has come up, either Democrat or the disease of an incumbent we have now in Bush rubber stamp John Cornyn.

Every once in a while I take a break from the daily corruption and mayhem caused by the Bush Mis-Administration. I talk about the North American Union being clandestinely pushed on the American people and others.

Crossposted from DFW REGIONAL CONCERNED CITIZENS

Editorial by Faith Chatham Legislation passed by the Texas House this week includes deplorable language which stands among some of the worst policies forwarded by that sometimes demenented institution. 1.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 the Texas House passed legislation to raise the cost of a Marriage License from $30.00 to $100.00. To strong-arm couples to submit to an eight-hour class on marriage, the fee is waived for participants!

I am again today playing the part of the player at the piano bar. Today’s request is from sarantx, over at the John Edwards site, who wonders how we might resolve her (and by extension, Texas’) John Cornyn problem.

Please contact members of the Texas House Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism and express STRONG OPPOSITION to HB 2460 Author: Flynn Title: Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Commission on the Arts. This bill calls for the abolition of the TCA.