Member: RichardBorkow

Richard . . .

Let's get this straight: The government admits you're right, but won't do a thing to correct their error. I've been reading one of Louise Erdrich's novels about life on the reservation, and there seems to be a pattern here . . . government making decisions entirely at odds with facts and opinion and good sense, government sticking to its version of events while admitting its version is wrong.

You certainly have your work cut out for you, Richard, but I'm sure you know you come from a distinguished (not to mention long) tradition of people trying to set things right. I wish you well.

As for events here in Texas, I wish you to know that I am not one of those people threatening secession. We did that once -- despite the counsel of Sam Houston who lost his job and many of his friends over the issue. You can still get a good fight started over the Civil War (the War Between the States, Lincoln's War) and secession and Reconstruction and how much better off we'd be if we were a nation rather than a state. I've heard the arguments all my life. As Molly Ivins said, "Good thing we've still got politics in Texas -- finest form of free entertainment ever invented."

I wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving, Richard.

mollygrace

posted by mollygrace at 4:00 am (EST) on Nov 23, 2009

Richard . . .

Thank you for your invitation. I've been studying your LT profile and your Village Historian website, and looking at the books you recommend. I'm retired now and don't read as much history as I used to -- I've always been more enamored of fiction -- but it will always be an interest of mine. I don't know a great deal about Dobbs Ferry, but I'm sure your website will straighten me out on that subject.

I've lived in Texas all my life and my tbr pile (imagine Mt. Everest) contains a number of volumes from a project called The Library of Texas which is devoted to publishing new editions of first-hand accounts of 19th Century Texas. Some fascinating stuff -- even if the writers are a bit too interested in glorifying their own role in the proceedings (actually I enjoy it when they do -- makes them that much more human to me).

I taught American history (the first part -- through the Civil War) to eighth graders for about fifteen years. I cared more about the Revolution than the Civil War -- we always took time to read (or, if I had the time, for me to read to them) Johnny Tremain. I made sure the students were well-acquainted with the historical figures in the book -- Paul Revere and Joseph Warren were always the favorites. Over the years I became rather fond of Copley's portrait of Revere -- and I was eventually able to see it in person (as part of a Copley exhibit that came to Houston in the 90s). I'm simple enough that I can get chills just standing next to something like that -- and I did. I'd been gazing at another painting when I turned, and there, at the end of a short hallway, was the portrait of Revere, just waiting for me. Like an old friend. Amazing.

Anyway, I thank you again for your invitation. I like the photo of you and Linda with the Revolutionary War trio. A similar picture taken here in Texas would show soldiers not quite so well-dressed -- our San Jacinto troops would look pretty scruffy, but they're the ones I get interested in -- those volunteers, the common folk like the Minutemen and the Texas farmers and just-recently-arrived fellows out for adventure and a new start.

Goodness, I do go on (Miss, the bell's about to ring -- ), but I have a feeling you understand. My regards to you and Linda. Thanks again.

posted by mollygrace at 12:46 am (EST) on Nov 11, 2009