From the “Be careful what you vaguely allude to in a plausibly deniable way in front of a frothing crowd that knows exactly what you’re talking about and is loving every word of it” department:
Rasmussen: “75% [of Texans] Opt to Stay.” But isn’t the lede here that nearly one in five Texans–18 percent–do want to secede?
Careful now, people. Consider the sort of nation Texas would become: bellicose, oil-rich, brutal–and with terrifying chemical and nuclear weapons stockpiles controlled by a dangerously irrational religious fanatic. By the political logic of Texas conservatives, that’s a pretty good formula for U.S. military action. (“Welcome to Austin, Mr. Bremer….”) Plus, Gates would certainly want it back–and he knows the geography well enough.
Apparently, Jay Leno made the same observation last night; others have since piled on as well. Isn’t it nice to be made a laughingstock? Thanks for reminding everyone that George Bush wasn’t an aberration as Governor, Rick. Evan Smith will be sending you a bouquet of roses to express his appreciation for making this year’s Bum Steer Awards edition write itself. Having Tom DeLay come to your defense while making John Cornyn sound statesmanlike, that’s just icing on the crazy cake.
All I can add to this is that the political logic noted above is not exactly unique to Texas conservatives. And that I’d bet the same poll in most other states would get a similar result. It’s not like we were the only ones infested with teabagger rallies this week, after all. The Crazification Factor suggests this; hell, if anything, that 18% number is on the low side. Hold still, you’ve got something in your eye…
UPDATE: Via Elise Hu, Rep. Jim Dunnam is trying to gin up support for HR1383, which states in part:
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Texas reaffirms the pride of all Texans in both our one and indivisible National Union and in our one and indivisible State and the common heritage of both; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives expresses its complete and total disagreement with any element advocating the “secession” of Texas or any other state from our one and indivisible Union
So let’s see who’s for what. Seems an easy enough call to me, but clearly I’m not the patriot Rick Perry is.