Yeh, Greg, it was a pretty fascinating place back then. We viewed it as a tropical paradise, though it certainly had economic and cultural shortcomings. But I loved the smell of orange blossoms and I ran the canal banks and rode my motorcycle down those long, palm-lined roads in the heart of January while everyone north of the Mason-Dixon Line was in snow up to their arse. I'm afraid McAllen and much of the valley, however, has just become a giant strip mall. McAllen feels like a baby Dallas to me, these days, not much authentic remains.
Thanks for an excellent essay about Boca Chica and the SpaceX monstrosity going up there. Elon Musk is a particularly vile representation of the greedy plutocrat myth in America — someone who uses government largesse to build an empire and then modestly refers to himself as a “self-made man.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
And now, under the ludicrous fig leaf of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk will be able to advocate for THE core Republican value of the last half-century — dismantling the social safety net in order to underwrite further tax cuts for the already-wealthy.
Colorado is looking good to me. At least the nasty corrupt fossil fuels companies there are being held accountable for the damage they’ve done to the environment. I don’t know how long that will last, but it’s done well holding Republicans to a minority. So far, it’s not having to clear every public spending policy with the mining industry.
After years of this MAGA BS here in Texas, it was refreshing to visit Colorado in October, and be in a place where people seemed normal.
I'm very fond of Colorado. Worked there early in my broadcast career out on the Western Slope. The state policies grow from a philosophy of caring for people and providing as needed social safety nets. It's not like Texas, where, if you are poor or disabled or homeless, you're on your own. Property taxes are less than Texas in Colorado, too, and summers are considerably nicer.
All compelling arguments to get the heck outta Texas and get Rocky Mountain High! I jokingly said to my husband, “You know, weed is legal in Colorado. It might not matter to us now, but in ten years when we’re in our 80’s and can barely move and everything hurts, we might be very grateful for it!”
And it is everywhere. Lots of shops in the LoDo of downtown Denver and in dang near every town. The business has faltered in recent years but still seems to be making money. Just not a crazy boom it was originally.
There is no other word I can think of than hate and contempt for the destruction of the best parts of Texas Bye, morbidly rich, billionaires like Musk Promoted and helped by our corrupt state elected officials. The destruction of the best parts of Texas all for corporate welfare, giving massive subsidies and contracts to the richest man on earth that cares nothing for the people and the earth that he lives on. He Is the enemy and all that enable him must be held accountable for their mini crimes against nature and humanity. It’s the same in far west Texas where I live. Our top so-called leaders don’t give a shit about us or the lands that’s sustain us and our life that lives here. it’s so sad reading depressing articles of destruction on a Sunday morning. But thank you for shining light on this Jim. I’m working in partnership with the Carrizo Comecrudo tribal leaders to stop a massive gas pipeline for export to China from West Texas through Mexico. They have sacred sites along the river all the way up here too and their people used to live out here on both sides of the Rio Grande long ago.
Thanks, Bill, for keeping up the good fight. I've watched your determination for what is approaching 40 years now and you've never given up, or even faltered, and you've won important victories. I know you'll never quit and maybe we will see things turn in the coming years. We've got to believe.
Jim, I appreciate so much your clear-minded view. (I mentioned Musk's environmental depravations this week, too.) If only people would listen. The trick that people of conscience have yet to figure out is how to get them to.
Thanks, Mick. The thing that is so annoying is all this is being sacrificed for his fanciful dream of going to Mars in five or six years. That simply is not going to happen. We are decades away from having the technology to make that happen. The amount of food, water, and oxygen needed to sustain life on the journey and then after landing is impossible to transport without multiple ships. There aren't many scientists who take the near term effort seriously. The first thing is a moon base establishment and then maybe provision trips from there, but we aren't going to get back to the moon for another 5 years, either, most likely. Meanwhile, Musk keeps blowing up rockets and ruining delicate environments for profit.
You are right on the mark! Elon, has not been a good steward of the communities he inhabits! He set to destroy Parts of Texas my home!
Now he’s set up the largest computer in world in Memphis which not far to me, and he is planning on expanding the damn thing! It’s an ecological nightmare, from the methane gas it burns off, and now a report comes out from our utility company of the electricity it will required to run it! The TVA will have to approve it? Who do you suppose will foot the cost? Enough is enough and this will send our very reasonable utility cost through the roof! Worst of all the deal was worked out quietly without much oversight, just the mayor and few good old boys! Sorry I am tired of all machinations of billionaires and zealots taking over!
I think I‘ll wish you a Happy Holiday Season and let it go.
Thanks, Jim... It makes you want to cry. I spent some time in the Valley the same time you were there. It was a jewel most folks had no idea existed.
Yeh, Greg, it was a pretty fascinating place back then. We viewed it as a tropical paradise, though it certainly had economic and cultural shortcomings. But I loved the smell of orange blossoms and I ran the canal banks and rode my motorcycle down those long, palm-lined roads in the heart of January while everyone north of the Mason-Dixon Line was in snow up to their arse. I'm afraid McAllen and much of the valley, however, has just become a giant strip mall. McAllen feels like a baby Dallas to me, these days, not much authentic remains.
I cried tears of blood
Thanks for an excellent essay about Boca Chica and the SpaceX monstrosity going up there. Elon Musk is a particularly vile representation of the greedy plutocrat myth in America — someone who uses government largesse to build an empire and then modestly refers to himself as a “self-made man.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
And now, under the ludicrous fig leaf of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk will be able to advocate for THE core Republican value of the last half-century — dismantling the social safety net in order to underwrite further tax cuts for the already-wealthy.
This makes me glad all over again that I left Texas. Yes, it snows in Gettysburg, but.
PS: Gorgeous writing!
Colorado is looking good to me. At least the nasty corrupt fossil fuels companies there are being held accountable for the damage they’ve done to the environment. I don’t know how long that will last, but it’s done well holding Republicans to a minority. So far, it’s not having to clear every public spending policy with the mining industry.
After years of this MAGA BS here in Texas, it was refreshing to visit Colorado in October, and be in a place where people seemed normal.
I'm very fond of Colorado. Worked there early in my broadcast career out on the Western Slope. The state policies grow from a philosophy of caring for people and providing as needed social safety nets. It's not like Texas, where, if you are poor or disabled or homeless, you're on your own. Property taxes are less than Texas in Colorado, too, and summers are considerably nicer.
All compelling arguments to get the heck outta Texas and get Rocky Mountain High! I jokingly said to my husband, “You know, weed is legal in Colorado. It might not matter to us now, but in ten years when we’re in our 80’s and can barely move and everything hurts, we might be very grateful for it!”
And it is everywhere. Lots of shops in the LoDo of downtown Denver and in dang near every town. The business has faltered in recent years but still seems to be making money. Just not a crazy boom it was originally.
When you work for the government you can’t get rich, but when you become the government…
There is no other word I can think of than hate and contempt for the destruction of the best parts of Texas Bye, morbidly rich, billionaires like Musk Promoted and helped by our corrupt state elected officials. The destruction of the best parts of Texas all for corporate welfare, giving massive subsidies and contracts to the richest man on earth that cares nothing for the people and the earth that he lives on. He Is the enemy and all that enable him must be held accountable for their mini crimes against nature and humanity. It’s the same in far west Texas where I live. Our top so-called leaders don’t give a shit about us or the lands that’s sustain us and our life that lives here. it’s so sad reading depressing articles of destruction on a Sunday morning. But thank you for shining light on this Jim. I’m working in partnership with the Carrizo Comecrudo tribal leaders to stop a massive gas pipeline for export to China from West Texas through Mexico. They have sacred sites along the river all the way up here too and their people used to live out here on both sides of the Rio Grande long ago.
Thanks, Bill, for keeping up the good fight. I've watched your determination for what is approaching 40 years now and you've never given up, or even faltered, and you've won important victories. I know you'll never quit and maybe we will see things turn in the coming years. We've got to believe.
Jim, I appreciate so much your clear-minded view. (I mentioned Musk's environmental depravations this week, too.) If only people would listen. The trick that people of conscience have yet to figure out is how to get them to.
Thanks, Mick. The thing that is so annoying is all this is being sacrificed for his fanciful dream of going to Mars in five or six years. That simply is not going to happen. We are decades away from having the technology to make that happen. The amount of food, water, and oxygen needed to sustain life on the journey and then after landing is impossible to transport without multiple ships. There aren't many scientists who take the near term effort seriously. The first thing is a moon base establishment and then maybe provision trips from there, but we aren't going to get back to the moon for another 5 years, either, most likely. Meanwhile, Musk keeps blowing up rockets and ruining delicate environments for profit.
Find Texas Paul then give me a call we will all have a great day
You are right on the mark! Elon, has not been a good steward of the communities he inhabits! He set to destroy Parts of Texas my home!
Now he’s set up the largest computer in world in Memphis which not far to me, and he is planning on expanding the damn thing! It’s an ecological nightmare, from the methane gas it burns off, and now a report comes out from our utility company of the electricity it will required to run it! The TVA will have to approve it? Who do you suppose will foot the cost? Enough is enough and this will send our very reasonable utility cost through the roof! Worst of all the deal was worked out quietly without much oversight, just the mayor and few good old boys! Sorry I am tired of all machinations of billionaires and zealots taking over!
I think I‘ll wish you a Happy Holiday Season and let it go.
When are Trump and Musk going to go for a flight on one of those Space-X rockets?🚀
I’m waiting!