Category Archives: Texana

Ruminations of an oil field gate guard

MyOldRV is on the job, thanks to the mini-boom in shale oil these days due to $100 a barrel pricing. It pays good but it can be a lonely life:

“One of the impediments to commerce in Texas has always been the distances involved and the remote aspect of some areas of the state…Oil field gate guarding is a recent addition to the oil fields of Texas.  I can find little reference to it prior to 2006…[T]his job is not for everybody.  Just so happens it fits me and Miss Kathy like a worn pair of Lucchese Ropers.”

Worth a look. Enjoy.

Endorsing Rick

Ace has a good argument for his endorsement of our governor-for-life Rick Perry, the only active-duty military veteran among the potential Republican nominees:

“America, and especially the Republican party, has long favored elevating governors to the presidency. Governors are, after all, the presidents of single states. They have nearly the exact same duties and functions (including even maintaining and controlling the state national guards). They have similar executive powers and set the agendas for their respective legislatures. In the case of border states such as Texas, they even require some foreign policy making duties.”

So does Mike Flynn, editor of Breitbart’s Big Government:

“This isn’t simply an endorsement against Gingrich and Romney; it is an endorsement FOR Rick Perry. Perry is the longest serving governor in Texas history, a state with a long-standing tradition of voting incumbents out of office [true!]. He has successfully managed budget shortfalls without taking the easy path of tax hikes. General Revenue spending, accounting for population and inflation, is lower now then when he took office. He has cut taxes by billions. He has rejected federal dollars when he thought the feds where overstepping their authority….”

I still prefer Newt, because of his proven record (as Speaker of the House) of balancing the federal budget and dismantling the welfare state, and that he’s the most likely one not to defer to Obumbles in debate, but to clean his clock.

But I have to admit that Aggie Rick also appeals (as he does to most Texans) and it would be fun to watch the liberal media (especially the NYTimes) have a nervous breakdown over another president from Texas—and the first real one (i.e. born here) since LBJ. So it’s good to see these prominent members of the conservative blogosphere endorse him.

Gig ‘Em!

Via Instapundit.

Too tricky, Rick

I’ve read the liberal whoop-de-do about Gov. Rick Perry’s supposedly anti-gay campaign ad, Strong.

It’s the usual, predictable misinterpretation. Watch it for yourself at the link. You’ll notice, unless you’re the hysterical type, that he doesn’t, in fact, say that he’s opposed to gays serving in the military.

He only says that if they can do that, as controversial as it is to some people, why cannot Christmas be mentioned in the public schools? I agree, except that, uh, it is mentioned, at least here in Austin, Rick’s hometown. They just call Christmas vacation Winter Break, and I don’t have a problem with that. I wouldn’t like to see manger scenes at school. That would be going too far.

But when Rick drags in the idea that kids, of whatever religion (but Christian by implication), should be praying in schools, well, that’s where our governor-for-life crosses my line. But here again he isn’t specific. We can assume he means organized prayer, but he doesn’t say that. Way too tricky, Rick.

Soaking rains

Our several long days of soaking rain, which ended Monday, have been really welcome here at the parched rancho. According to our amateur rain gauge we’ve collected a little more than two inches since the steady showers began at the end of last week.

Now Mr. B. has something extra to look forward to on his Boy Scout troop’s Hill Country camping trip this weekend: a camp fire for the first time this year. The rains most likely have been sufficient to lift the burn bans imposed in most parts of Texas this year.

Image

History museum’s Lone Star

South Texas oil boom

Unemployment in the San  Antonio metro area already is down to 7.5 percent, compared to the official 9 percent of the rest of the country—thanks to a South Texas boomlet in the oil and gas industry.

This one also is bringing prosperity to the small towns of a 400-mile area that geologists call the Eagle Ford Shale, which is part of the Austin Chalk. Drilling companies are hiring truck drivers to computer techs, as well as the usual roughnecks and tool pushers for the oil and gas drilling rigs servicing a new pipeline in Hobson, southeast of San Antonio.

It’s part of a national boom in shale oil and gas recovery in North Dakota and Pennsylvania and, if the drillers get their way, even in upstate New York. And they might, if Obamalot and its anti-fossil fuel Green cronies can’t find a way to kill the whole thing. If they’re smarter than they’ve acted so far, they’ll back off and lay low until the 2012 election is over.

Thanksgiving, indeed

Texas beats A&M in possibly their last meeting by a field goal: 27-25.

Wouldn’t have been possible without good defensive play, special teams play, a trick play and two interceptions. Then QB Case McCoy (his white uniform grass-stained green from so many downings) burst for 25 yards to put them within FG range with two seconds to go. Nice work, JV offense. Heh.

Now the Ags will go on to bcome the doormat of the SEC. Good luck with Vanderbilt.