Jones and things that sting

"It can be a hostile country. There's nothing living in those mountains that won't sting or bite or stab you. If you molest the plant, the plant will spike you. If you molest the animal, the animal will bite you. If you disrespect the country, it will cripple you. But I am very comfortable there. It's my home."


So says Tommy Lee Jones about his home turf of San Saba county in Texas, where he runs a sizable cattle ranch, to the Guardian's Benjamin Secher. But hell....except for the past about the spiking plant, Jones could be talking about the culture of Hollywood. Show respect. Always show respect.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 12, 2008 at 9:42 AM

comment #1

vansmith Author Profile Page says ...

agree, but how about a little work around the eyes, he's starting to look like Abe Vigoda..for old time sake huh....

Posted by vansmith Author Profile Page at January 12, 2008 9:57 AM

comment #2

Mr. Muckle Author Profile Page says ...

wicked bags

but you can't help but like a guy who cares so little about being liked

Posted by Mr. Muckle Author Profile Page at January 12, 2008 10:24 AM

comment #3

Gnome Sayin Author Profile Page says ...

Can never get enough of Wells' favorite bits of red state folk wisdom.

Posted by Gnome Sayin Author Profile Page at January 12, 2008 10:36 AM

comment #4

jghoward Author Profile Page says ...

"molesting" plants and animals? What in the hell is he doing out there?

Posted by jghoward Author Profile Page at January 12, 2008 11:06 AM

comment #5

BurmaShave Author Profile Page says ...

"Okay, I'll be a part of this world"

Posted by BurmaShave Author Profile Page at January 12, 2008 12:40 PM

comment #6

austin111 Author Profile Page says ...

THIS IS A FACE!!!! A real face that shows pain and sorrow and the realities of age. It looks like it's been lived in....nothing fake about it. Love it.

Posted by austin111 Author Profile Page at January 13, 2008 8:05 AM

comment #7

christian Author Profile Page says ...

In other words, step on my property and it will kill you.

Posted by christian Author Profile Page at January 13, 2008 1:43 PM

comment #8

JeffinTX Author Profile Page says ...

What a load of horseshit. It simultaneously humors and sickens me the way that TLJ plays off this grizzled Texan BS and the way the media and those outside of San Saba just lap it up.

First, he doesn't RUN a cattle ranch. He does have a sizeable spread, and there may be cows out there, but he isn't RUNNING anything other than a large polo field.

Second, there are no "mountains" anywhere near San Saba. Just hills. Most of the plantlife is juniper trees, oaks, and grass. There's a scattering of prickly pear here and there that might "spike" you if you "molest" it, I guess. As far as mean animals, I see on average about 2 rattlers a year and those are pretty easily dispatched with a scatter gun.

And Mr. Muckle, TLJ is DYING to be liked and recognized, especially here. Whenever he makes it into San Saba he insists on acting like a paparazzi-dogged celebrity when, in fact, nobody in town gives a good goddamn that he's there. And we don't exactly have a tourist trade for him to hide from either. The whole rugged, broken cattle rancher BS is simply a PR strategy so that he'll be viewed as the likeable native Texan who had the guts to go to Harvard, room with Gore, and be a liberal.

Posted by JeffinTX Author Profile Page at January 14, 2008 6:23 AM

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