2008 Woodie Awards
Mama, don't let your babies. . .
Texas' star shines bright despite some tarnish from president, death row
By Dylan J. Elmore, Madison High School
Issue date: 6/30/08 Section: Back Page
Originally published: 6/29/08 at 10:24 AM CSTLast update: 6/30/08 at 11:32 AM CST
Satires often portray him as a dull-witted, bumbling cowboy, with emphasis on his Southern accent and Texas upbringing.
"People will still say they are from Texas with pride regardless of what impact Bush's actions have had on the economy," Cox said.
Evan Smith, editor of Texas Monthly magazine, said the performance of any president, good or bad, will have effects on the reputation of his home state.
"People have said Bush has a cowboy mentality, and that term's giving them an inaccurate portrayal of Texas," Smith said. "We need to get our word (cowboy) back."
Remmler described Bush as a "drugstore cowboy," someone who acts like a cowboy but doesn't uphold the values associated with being one.
"(The cowboy lifestyle) is the best way," Remmler said. "Your word is your bond."
Mary Zink, a resident of western Wisconsin who was attending a recent conference in downtown San Antonio, doesn't associate Bush with Texas at all.
"When I think about Texas, the first thing that comes to mind is what Texas did for Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit," Zink said.
"It's given me a very positive impression of their pride and fellowship for others."
The issue of multiculturalism and diversity also has been affecting Texas' reputation.
Ethel Minor, former president of the San Antonio branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Texas' embrace of multiculturalism is slow but steady.
"We are keeping up with the rest of the country," Minor said. "We could do better, but we are keeping up."
Minor said African-Americans have always tried to be inclusive of others even when others have not always been inclusive of them.
"We shouldn't be a divided people," Minor said. "We need to come together because one person can't change everything; it takes the collective initiative of the group to get things done."
Remmler said Texas shouldn't change its ways just to please people in other states or nations.
"People will still say they are from Texas with pride regardless of what impact Bush's actions have had on the economy," Cox said.
Evan Smith, editor of Texas Monthly magazine, said the performance of any president, good or bad, will have effects on the reputation of his home state.
"People have said Bush has a cowboy mentality, and that term's giving them an inaccurate portrayal of Texas," Smith said. "We need to get our word (cowboy) back."
Remmler described Bush as a "drugstore cowboy," someone who acts like a cowboy but doesn't uphold the values associated with being one.
"(The cowboy lifestyle) is the best way," Remmler said. "Your word is your bond."
Mary Zink, a resident of western Wisconsin who was attending a recent conference in downtown San Antonio, doesn't associate Bush with Texas at all.
"When I think about Texas, the first thing that comes to mind is what Texas did for Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit," Zink said.
"It's given me a very positive impression of their pride and fellowship for others."
The issue of multiculturalism and diversity also has been affecting Texas' reputation.
Ethel Minor, former president of the San Antonio branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Texas' embrace of multiculturalism is slow but steady.
"We are keeping up with the rest of the country," Minor said. "We could do better, but we are keeping up."
Minor said African-Americans have always tried to be inclusive of others even when others have not always been inclusive of them.
"We shouldn't be a divided people," Minor said. "We need to come together because one person can't change everything; it takes the collective initiative of the group to get things done."
Remmler said Texas shouldn't change its ways just to please people in other states or nations.
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