Quote: DaButt @ April 16 2009, 12:27 PM BSTA photo from yesterday's protest at the Alamo. The news reported that there were 16,000 people in attendance.
And how many of those 16,000 weren't white males?
Status report Page 590
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 16 2009, 12:46 PM BSTHa! I'll keep my Guns! Are taxes stopping you having guns or something? You Americans are plum gun crazy.
There were a lot of anti-Obama protesters on hand, so I assume the sign referenced the president's anti-gun stance.
I must admit to taking that photo with the intent of posting it here, but there's no denying that Texans like their guns. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that 50% of the crowd were carrying.
Quote: DaButt @ April 16 2009, 1:00 PM BSTI must admit to taking that photo with the intent of posting it here, but there's no denying that Texans like their guns. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that 50% of the crowd were carrying.
It would have been cool if it had ended in a shoot out. 
Quote: chipolata @ April 16 2009, 1:00 PM BSTAnd how many of those 16,000 weren't white males?
Another photo I took.
The crowd was probably split 50-50 male/female. San Antonio is only 37% white, by the way.
Why does the USA need Texas but Texas doesn't need the USA?
Quote: chipolata @ April 16 2009, 1:09 PM BSTWhy does the USA need Texas but Texas doesn't need the USA?
Texans are a fiercely independent lot. Yesterday the governor even mentioned seceding.
Quote: DaButt @ April 16 2009, 1:17 PM BSTTexans are a fiercely independent lot. Yesterday the governor even mentioned seceding.
I'm no expert, but wouldn't places like California and New York - doubtless viewed as Sodom and Gommorra by your average gun-toting Texan - be far more financially viable is independent states?
Quote: chipolata @ April 16 2009, 1:19 PM BSTI'm no expert, but wouldn't places like California and New York - doubtless viewed as Sodom and Gommorra by your average gun-toting Texan - be far more financially viable is independent states?
California and New York are in deep financial doo-doo. Texas' economy is still relatively healthy. I've also read that Texas' electrical infrastructure is capable of being self-sufficient and could disconnect from the rest of the nation somewhat easily.
A map showing Gross Domestic Product for states versus countries:
Quote: DaButt @ April 16 2009, 1:30 PM BSTCalifornia and New York are in deep financial doo-doo. Texas' economy is still relatively healthy. I've also read that Texas' electrical infrastructure is capable of being self-sufficient and could disconnect from the rest of the nation somewhat easily.
A map showing Gross Domestic Product for states versus countries:
Wow I knew USA had a big GDP but I didn't think it could be split like that over states to actually match countries GDPs...
Hasn't there been talk of seceding before though?
Quote: Paul W @ April 16 2009, 1:41 PM BSTHasn't there been talk of seceding before though?
Yes. We in Iron Bridge are thinking of going it alone from the rest of the UK.
Quote: Paul W @ April 16 2009, 1:41 PM BSTHasn't there been talk of seceding before though?
I think most states have talked about it before, and quite a few of them did so about 150 year ago. 
Texas was originally part of Mexico. Then a bunch of battles were fought (including the Alamo) and it became a republic for several years before finally joining the union in 1845.
Quote: DaButt @ April 16 2009, 1:55 PM BSTI think most states have talked about it before, and quite a few of them did so about 150 year ago.
Texas was originally part of Mexico. Then a bunch of battles were fought (including the Alamo) and it became a republic for several years before finally joining the union in 1845.
I do love a bit of America history great stuff.
We have the same situation in the UK Dabutt is it devon or cornwall wanting to be it's own country? I laughed, I laughed.
Dinky little Vermont is always grumbling about seceding. Aww, aren't they cute. 
Woooorking. Though clearly not as hard as I should be, as I'm posting this. 
Also, there should be rules against feeling ill during your holidays. It's just not on!
Quote: PhQnix @ April 16 2009, 2:30 PM BSTWoooorking. Though clearly not as hard as I should be, as I'm posting this.
While I'm thinking about it, look what was just posted on Wilco's website:
AUG-23 BRECON BEACONS, UK GREEN MAN FESTIVAL
AUG-25 LONDON, UK TROXY
AUG-27 DUBLIN, IR VICAR STREET