Molly Ivins once wrote that when she does radio interviews around the country, the question she always gets asked is "So just what is it about Texas, anyway?". Doesn't matter where she is, doesn't matter what else is going on, they always ask her that. "Mine is not to wonder why," she wrote, "mine is to answer the question 'So just what is it about Texas, anyway?'"

I think it's time we asked that same question about New Mexico. First they try to steal land from Texas, now they want to honor extraterrestrials. Once again, it's so goofy that I'm going to quote it in full:

SANTA FE, New Mexico (Reuters) - E.T.: Phone New Mexico. They may have a little something special for you.

A New Mexico legislator proposed on Monday having the state honour all extraterrestrial beings with a special day that will "celebrate and honour all past, present and future extraterrestrial visitors" to New Mexico, the measure reads.

Rep. Dan Foley, a Republican from Roswell, the spot where some say aliens crash-landed more than 50 years ago, said he introduced the legislation to "enhance relationships among all the citizens of the cosmos, known and unknown."

Extraterrestrial Culture Day would be held the second Thursday of February and would honour space travellers from other worlds and even give a nod to creatures made famous in movies, such as E.T. in Steven Spielberg's 1982 blockbuster film.

In July of each year, thousands of earthly visitors descend on Roswell, the self-appointed alien capital of the world, where many UFO buffs believe an alien craft crash-landed in 1947, based on claims that alien bodies were discovered there.

The town's population of 45,000 doubles and even triples during the week long festival that includes speakers on extraterrestrial life, UFOs and other anomalies such as crop circles.

Foley feels the same excitement -- and economic benefit-- can be spread to the rest of the state by adding a state-sanctioned day of alien celebration.

"If we can capitalise on something that did or did not happen in 1947 then it can help the entire state," Foley said.

I should note that over here in Texas, we know the proper way to deal with marauding aliens from outer space. Klaatu barada nikto, indeed.