Houston Hug

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"The next time you want to talk some trash about what a provincial city Houston is, or how we all deserve to get blown away by a hurricane, consider this. And then consider this: In 2000, Al Gore got more votes than George W. Bush in Houston. And in 2004, John Kerry got more votes than George W. Bush here. So there." -- Variety critic and author Joe Leydon, sent to yours truly this morning.

Wells to Leydon: I never called Houstonians provincial. I certainly wouldn't in the wake of their having elected the openly gay Annise Parker their new mayor. I simply said that Hurricane Ike's hitting Houston in September 2008 was a case of oil karma -- i.e., a city living by the sword and suffering by the sword, that's all. It's Biblical.

As I wrote on 9.12.08, there are some situations in which you can't be truthful because the viewers (or readers) simply won't have it. Drawing a corollary between the oil industry, global warming and the Hurricane Ike devastation in the Galveston area was a no-brainer. Any climatologist would note the same thing if he/she were among friends and felt free to be honest. Anyone with a minimal understanding of the factors causing global warming would have quietly nodded if Al Gore had drawn this analogy, let's say, on a radio talk show.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 13, 2009 at 7:44 PM

comment #1

DeeZee says ...

I don't think you can applaud 'em too much, considering Lawrence vs. Texas, that sexual aide case and that guy who was arrested for selling an 18+ comic to an adult. Though I hear Houston's a different story from the rest of that state. Anyway, I'm just surprised the gay rights movement hasn't appropriated that Full Metal Jacket line [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyFSdj1J5Vw ]for itself by now.

Posted by DeeZee at December 13, 2009 8:29 PM

comment #2

Pynchon8 says ...

Yep, all the people living there are inextricably linked to the oil industry and deserve a hurricane on them.

Posted by Pynchon8 at December 13, 2009 8:31 PM

comment #3

DarthCorleone says ...

I applaud Houstonians for their belief that Annise Parker is qualified to govern them. However, somehow I doubt that the majority of them would grant their mayor a measure of personal respect comparable to that professional respect via the right to marry her partner if she wished to do so. This is a liberal Texan talking. There is still a long way to go...

Posted by DarthCorleone at December 13, 2009 8:32 PM

comment #4

Pynchon8 says ...

They won't have it because it is nonsense you blowhard.

Posted by Pynchon8 at December 13, 2009 8:34 PM

comment #5

BurmaShave says ...

Wells aren't you an athiest? Or does your belief merely extend to the punishment of perceived pro-business conservatives?

Posted by BurmaShave at December 13, 2009 8:39 PM

comment #6

BurmaShave says ...

christ, atheist

Posted by BurmaShave at December 13, 2009 8:39 PM

comment #7

Josh Massey says ...

"Drawing a corollary between the oil industry, global warming and the Hurricane Ike devastation in the Galveston area was a no-brainer."

Completely agreed. Although we probably have different takes on that last word.

Posted by Josh Massey at December 13, 2009 9:10 PM

comment #8

LFF says ...

As a person who used to live in Houston, I think its helpful to point out that that "Houston" as defined by the area inside the loop, and "Houston" that includes endless suburbia and the SW slums are two different places. Had the suburbs voted, this successful woman wouldn't have even made it past a primary.

Baby steps. I'm sure the folks in Montrose are celebrating being able to lift a big middle finger to the fundies with this vote, but one vote doesn't change the fact that Houston frequently is a nasty place, filled with ignorant and nasty people. Having an lesbian mayor (and I guarantee you that if it had been an openly gay man people would not have been as willing to cast that vote) is going to be cold comfort to the next 16 year old that gets chased thru the streets by a gang attempting to "beat the gay out of him"

I'm sure Mr. Leydon is a nice guy. I don't know him, but I do know Houston, and I think its reasonable to say- don't break your arm patting yourself on the back over this vote.

Posted by LFF at December 13, 2009 11:54 PM

comment #9

LFF says ...

SE not SW

Posted by LFF at December 13, 2009 11:56 PM

comment #10

austin111 says ...

Yup, as a native Houstonian (one of the few), I can easily attest to the fact that although there are many nice and kindly people here, there are also a lot of A-holes who refuse to believe in global warming aka climate change, anything that might be construed as "liberal", and gay marriage. And many do live in places around Houston like Missouri City, Sugarland, Pearland and Stafford, not to mention the Woodlands and Kingwood, many in affluent areas. Also the turnout at the mayoral election runoff was pretty pathetic.

Posted by austin111 at December 14, 2009 5:13 AM

comment #11

ErrantElan says ...

All the hate for Houston from former residents....I've never understood this sort of thing. I'm sure there are tons of assholes there. There are assholes everywhere. But why the need to hate on a city that at least just did SOMEthing positive?

When gay marriage is legal in Los Angeles and New York City, then we can talk hating Houston just for having "assholes". Until then, it's mere knee-jerk, illogical stupidity.

Posted by ErrantElan at December 14, 2009 6:15 AM

comment #12

Gogocrank says ...

"But why the need to hate on a city that at least just did SOMEthing positive?"

Because flying into Houston it's pretty clear that every cowboy boot and hat wearing dude on the plane with you would have voted otherwise if they knew there was an election?

I kid, I kid. But did you see that there was only a 16% turn out? That's one sad little number for you.

Posted by Gogocrank at December 14, 2009 7:48 AM

comment #13