A Single Southern Guy in America

July 07, 2003

He's From Texas

"Bring 'Em On"

- President George W. Bush, July 3, 2003

I heard the President say that on television the other day and I was half asleep when I heard it. I rolled over to watch for a bit and immediately made a note to watch for the report that would come later in the day with the soundbite of the President saying what he meant and meaning what he said.

I am an Arkansan. Until the University of Arkansas left the Southwest Conference for the greener pastures of the Southeastern Conference, we were raised to have two favorite football teams--Arkansas and whoever's playing Texas. We had a nice rivalry with Texas. Texans would flood our state parks in the summer taking the best lakeside camping spots and our young people would flood the Dallas job market taking the best jobs. We share a city, Texarkana. We share a lot more than that as well. It's amazing to me how we could have so many similarities and have such vastly different presidents from our respective states.

By the very nature of the climate, geography, and to an extent the unease of access, the people of Arkansas and Texas had to develop a self reliance, a resilence of spirit, and tough demeanor. Problem is, just like in playing poker, when you're acting tough, someone's always willing to call your bluff.

Al Qaeda, the Taliban, Saddam, and others have all in turn tried to call the United States's bluff. To their dismay, it wasn't a bluff. We were holding a full house and when we laid them on the table; well, it was all over but the crying. It seems that whatever Baathists and Saddam loyalists remain in Iraq are intent on calling our bluff again. I suppose they are going to rely on the Mogadishu model to inspire them this time. Just a reminder fools, this time we have armor, 150,000 troops, and control of the vast majority of the country--oh, and a President named George W. Bush.

The rules have changed for your dealings with the United States. You will be held accountable, justice will be served, and in reality, your battle is already lost. The rules the U.S. once went by in dealing with you have also changed. The old models that you relied on are gone. This president isn't going to launch a $10 million dollar missle at a tent and hit a camel in the butt. He will drop in 20-40 of the world's best trained, deadliest, and best equipped troops around your tent, take care of you if you're there, and let the camel go if you're not. We know you'd like to win, but you can't. You'd have better luck at winning out of a tight slot machine Gulfport, MS.

Arkansas shared a national championship with Texas in football a few decades back. In 2003, we share a national champion with Texas again. This is Bush country, even if he's from Texas.

Posted by Adam H at July 7, 2003 06:44 PM ~ Link Cosmos | Trackbacks (0)

Comments

Amem, brother! I'm with you on that one..

I didn't vote for him, but I'm damn glad he's our President now..

The new US policy of "calling the world's bluff"

L.T. Smash chimes in on the "Bring 'em on!" remarks

The troops in Iraq say "Bring 'em on!" also

Posted by: Del Simmons at July 9, 2003 09:25 PM

Heh, just saw your link to Shiner. I'm really a fan now!

My wife's from Texas, I'm from Georgia. I don't call her bluff either!

Posted by: Del Simmons at July 9, 2003 09:28 PM