Greetings from the Republic of Texas

[Tyler Durden]

Found these Mottoes on another site:

"Relax, son. That thing's as scared of you as you are of it."

"Those aren't bullet holes. It's a 'ventilated mailbox'."

"Oh, wait. Those are bullet holes."

"Never feel like a tourist. We buy stuff shaped like the state, too!"

"America's been our closest ally for ±120 years. We love you guys, but if you don't knock it off, we're leaving."

"Where the words 'Gay Rodeo' leave good ol' boys feeling conflicted."

"Houston — we're New Orleans' prettier, better smelling, sister."

"Dallas — all the spontaneity of the Midwest, all the urbanity of the Deep South!"

"Austin — we don't need any more drummers."

"Laredo — a little slice of Bogota on America's doorstep!"

"San Antonio — Please remain in the tourist approved areas at all times! Thank you!"

"Vidor — For God's sake, just keep driving!"

"He's really from Connecticut!"

[Bridget Burke]

1. Houston--Home of the Montrose Beer & Gun Club

The Montrose Beer and Gun Club was started shortly after WWII, when servicemen returning to Texas with a greater sophistication relative to both beer and guns than they had before the war, discovered to their glee that the combination of beer and guns went together like ham and eggs. This was interesting and downright satisfying.

Sitting around drinking beer and swapping Beer recipes, while exhibiting favorite and sometimes exotic, firearms eventually led to getting together, drinking beer, and shooting those firearms.

www.montrosebeerandgunclub.com/

The Texas Gay Rodeo Association's Origin Story is more fact-based.

The first TGRA meetings were hosted by Jim Pollock at the Hidden Door. Then at a statewide meeting held during Houston's Gay Pride Celebration, the Texas Gay Rodeo Association was officially formed. November 1984 was the date selected for Texas' first rodeo. Simonton, 35 miles outside Houston, was to be the site...

But the highlight of the year is bound to be the 23rd Anniversary Rodeo in San Antonio the first weekend in August. Contestants and spectators from all over Texas will converge on the Alamo City Rodeo for a weekend of rodeo and celebration. Mr TGRA, Miss TGRA and Ms TGRA will be crowned after a Thursday night competition. Rodeo organizers are hoping for a gathering of many of the past All-Around Cowboys and All-Around Cowgirls. That's the title awarded to the contestant who scores the most points throughout the weekend of competition. As always, the rodeo itself will provide lots of extreme excitement! From bucking bulls and broncs, to high-speed barrel racing, to the fun and games of the Wild Drag Race. Officials are hoping for their largest attendance yet.

After 23 years, it's clear: nobody knows how to combine Gay and Rodeo like Texas!

www.tgra.org/cms_home/history.html

It's always a pleasure to see a slam against Dallas. (Just a friendly rivalry--don't want to offend anybody up in the Metroplex.)

[Tyler Durden]

2. Disappointing.

According to national statistics, Gay people are better educated as a group. I'd hoped they were above abusing animals and such.

No offense if Rodeo or Circuses are your thing. Just remember the good ol' Roman tradition they grew out of.

[crispini]

3. LOL. Ain't that the truth.