The governor-to-be

Posted on December 5, 2006 | Comments Off on The governor-to-be

When Mr. Boy was about two, John Garza, our neighbor at the time, predicted that Mr. B.’s more-or-less constant chatter meant he would grow up to be a politician. "He’ll be governor, someday," John said. Four years later, Mr. B. still is a chatterbox and, last night, he got his first look inside the 150-year-old governor’s mansion, at the annual Christmas party for the news media. Dad has retired from the biz, but Mom still is a part of it, hence the invitation. Mr. B. was somewhat impressed with the Sam Houston bed on the second floor, and the big painting of the Alamo fight in the entry hall, but the bowls and plates of gingerbread men and other cookies and candy downstairs required his full attention. Unfortunately, the mansion’s web site has few pictures of the many early 19th century furnishings. One of the docents said the pictures were removed for security reasons, so as not to attract thieves.

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0 responses to “The governor-to-be”

  1. Joe Bol's avatar Joe Bol | December 5, 2006 at 1:18 pm |

    I would think twice before breaking in to the governor’s mansion to steal a picture of the Alamo. Where are the Texas Rangers? I guess Mr. Boy is going to be a talker and not a writer like his parents. You can be his speech writer.

  2. Unknown's avatar Dick Stanley | December 5, 2006 at 2:18 pm |

    Or a piece of really ugly 19th century furniture. That stuff is bulky and hideous, for the most part. The Alamo painting in question is more like a mural–6 feet high by 20 feet long. The frame, alone, must weight 300 pounds. The mansion has state troopers on duty, with little ear pieces like the Secret Service. These days the rangers are detectives, on the model of the FBI, and a lot of them have accounting degrees. They used to be chosen from the ranks of police and sheriff’s deputies, men who committed one extreme act of violence in the course of an arrest or other duty. These days, more than a few of them are women.

  3. Joe Bol's avatar Joe Bol | December 7, 2006 at 9:41 am |

    They are probably one of the two most famous law enforcement groups along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Even though both stories include “some” exaggerations, they were critical to the growth of the US and Canada. However, in this computer age,more suffisticated ways are necessary to catch a felon instead of the six gun.

  4. Unknown's avatar Dick Stanley | December 7, 2006 at 12:47 pm |

    Not so long ago, the expression in Texas went: “One riot, one Ranger.” Because Rangers were (in)famous for quick, unchecked violence. It only took one man with a Winchester in his hands who knew he would fire and keep firing until “the job” was done. And the rioters knew it, too. The Rangers still have that aura about them, but I doubt it really applies anymore.