Hear, Hear!

Hear, hear!

“We all have a tendency to take for granted what we are used to, and to regard it as somehow natural or automatic — and to be unduly impressed by what is unusual.Too many Americans take the United States for granted and are too easily impressed by what people in other countries say and do.

That is especially true of the intelligentsia, and dangerously true of those Supreme Court justices who cite foreign laws when making decisions about American law.

There is nothing automatic about the way of life achieved in this country. It is very unusual among the nations of the world today and rarer than four-leaf clovers in the long view of history.

It didn’t just happen. People made it happen — and they and those who came after them paid a price in blood and treasure to create and preserve this nation that we now take for granted.

More important, this country’s survival is not automatic. What we do will determine that.

Too many Americans today are not only unconcerned about what it will take to preserve this country but are busy dismantling the things that make it America.”

Excerpted from Taking America for Granted by Thomas Sowell.

Texas Independence Day!

Commandancy of the Alamo
Bexar, Feby. 24th, 1836

To the People of Texas & all Americans in the World– Fellow Citizens and Compatriots–

I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna–I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man–The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken–I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls–I shall never surrender or retreat.

Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all despatch–The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country–Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis, Lt. Col. comdt.
The flag that flew over the Alamo:

Another flag from the war of Texas Revolution:

From Flags of Texas Independence Movements at Texas A&M University.

Go out and celebrate today!

Red light cameras in Dallas

Frontburner (the D magazine blog) has leaked released a list of the intersections where red light cameras may be placed.  Only 15 cameras will be placed initially, but the list is longer than 15.  There could be dummy cameras at the other locations.

Now, I don’t care for red light runners.  In fact, I dislike the behavior.  But I’m less in favor of computer monitored law enforcement.  This probably comes from my general distrust of the government.

And the argument that these are placed for safety?  Via this fine post at Frontburner I learn of a study by the Texas Traffic Institute at Texas A&M University that says “red-light cameras reduce collisions by just 7 percent overall, while lengthening yellow lights decreases violations and collisions by more than 40 percent.”