Don't Mess With Texas

Besides being Will Ferrell/George W.'s main defense for invading Iraq and Afghanistan, the phrase is being echoed throughout the hills of Wimberley this week for a different reason.

By 9:15 this morning, I had two e-mails relaying the same story: a newly-elected councilman from Wimberley apparently does not recite the Texas pledge at official meetings.

And the natives are restless.

A couple of thoughts that I'm sure will bring comments. Reciting a pledge does not automatically produce allegiance. True allegiance must be a conscious decision - only you can do it. Second, if you don't pledge allegiance to the Texas flag, you don't get my vote. I want to know that if we decide to break off at any time, you'll be on my side.

I do respect his decision not do it, however. Too many people try to be patriotic, but go about it the wrong way.

The first time I went to a hockey game, I was absolutely appalled at the fans who gleefully screamed "Stars!" after solemnly singing about the rocket's red glare and the bombs bursting in air. I thought it was just hockey fans, but apparently not. When we were at Fenway, a little boy reminded his mother to remove her ball cap before the national anthem. "Girls don't have to do that, just boys," she said. I had to restrain myself from turning around and giving an impromptu civics lesson. Sorry, ma'am, respect for our country isn't gender-specific.

I'm also bewildered at the people who take off their ballcaps and place their hand over their heart during "God Bless America". You can do the same thing when they play The Ubiquitous Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" over the speaker system; it's not our national anthem either.

But back to the Texas pledge.

Working in state politics, you often find yourself in the company of interesting people. I can't tell you how many club meetings I've been to in VFW halls where you don't make it out alive if you don't know the words to the Texas pledge. A Texas pledge rookie will keep his hand over his heart during its recital. Old-timers lower and extend their right arms. That's old-school, baby. Since pledge protocol was amended only a few years ago, I haven't been able to figure out the origin behind that particular move. I'll do my homework.

So do it, don't do it - I won't say a word. Just know why you do or don't.