Is This “The Alamo”?

 

The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence. US Constitution, Art 4, Sec 4

Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, has become the focal point of the question of whether national sovereignty has any meaning, whether citizenship has any meaning, and whether oaths of office have any meaning. In the next few days someone is going to blink. Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 25 states are backing Texas in their fight for national sovereignty.  Biden and his federal apparatus is demanding that Texas step aside and let them resume facilitating the invasion by foreign nationals.

We’re less than a month away from the 188th anniversary of the commencement of the Battle of the Alamo. It was there, now in modern day San Antonio, Texas, that a small force of Texan patriots were besieged in a small Catholic mission converted to a fort. Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna had recently consolidated power in Mexico City ending what had been a federal system modeled after decentralized power in the United States. Santa Anna personally led the army to subdue Texas, previously a federal state, and brought it under the control of Mexico City. Santa Anna’s army held a 30 to 1 advantage when he faced the Texans at the Alamo. Colonel Travis sent a message out about their situation —

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World:

Fellow citizens & 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 dispatch—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

When the final attack came in the early hours of March 6, 1836, no quarter was given and all the Texan defenders were slain except for Travis’ slave, Joe. “Remember the Alamo” became a rallying cry for the Texans who, less than two months later, defeated and captured Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto near the Gulf Coast. So a loss fueled a victory that restored self-government to Texas.

The confrontation in Eagle Pass has echoes of the past. But what is happening there is not for Texas alone. The invasion is affecting America in all parts of the country. There are an estimated 22 million undocumented persons in this country with maybe as many as half of those arriving under the Biden Administration’s irresponsible opening of the borders.

In 1836 the question for Texas was whether it would cede control to Mexico City. The question for all US states today is whether they will continue to cede control to Washington DC, when those who hold the levers to power there break the compact with the very States that comprise the United States. This is not a partisan issue — both parties have contributed to the circumstances that have brought us here.

But it is a time of decision. And our future depends upon us choosing wisely.

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  1. Dotorimuk Coolidge
    Dotorimuk
    @Dotorimuk

    Is Trump talking mass deportation? He should be.

    • #1
  2. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Dotorimuk (View Comment):

    Is Trump talking mass deportation? He should be.

    He is.

    • #2
  3. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    You mean like Alamo 2.0 or something?

    And would that be a valid comparison anyway, since this time “The Alamo” is more likely to be attacked by the US government.

    • #3
  4. David C. Broussard Coolidge
    David C. Broussard
    @Dbroussa

    Interesting historical note. In 1836 and prior, the denizens of Texas referred to themselves as Texians. The use of Texan came after Texas became a State and those who lived through the Revolution most would continue to call themselves Texians until their passing (some into the 20th Century).

    • #4
  5. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    David C. Broussard (View Comment):

    Interesting historical note. In 1836 and prior, the denizens of Texas referred to themselves as Texians. The use of Texan came after Texas became a State and those who lived through the Revolution most would continue to call themselves Texians until their passing (some into the 20th Century).

    Might be ripe for a comeback. 

    • #5
  6. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    I keep wondering if we will have a May 1776 moment.

    • #6
  7. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Excellent post! There’s a lot on the line, and I hope that Abbott continues to garner more and more support from the other states.

    • #7
  8. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    I haven’t had much faith in Abbott but was heartened by the 25 GOP Governors that signed on in support, even Sununu? 

    If Larry Hogan signs on – cats sleeping with dogs.

    • #8
  9. Eugene Kriegsmann Member
    Eugene Kriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    I am in full agreement with Abbot’s stance. This nonsense at the border needs to stop. The Biden administration needs to get the message that the country is sick of his insane negligence. That is, ultimately, the only way this is going to change. I am unconvinced that Biden will respond to the Supreme Court if they rule against him, as they have on other issues. It is only when he realizes the rest of the country, in fact, the majority of voters have had enough. Unfortunately, for this to happened  the media needs to cover the issue with some actual journalism. I am uncertain that they are even capable of that. 

    We here are in our own little bubble, as it were. To us it seems obvious. We are pretty much all in agreements to one extent or another. However, there is a vast population of political illiterates out there who get their news from Joy Reid and her ilk, and actually believe that it is Republicans who are causing the problem. In a way it is easier to see why so few Germans in the 1930s and 1940s believed the NAZI nonsense. Our situation isn’t all that different. Propaganda is being produced at a level never heard of in this country before now. Somehow, the reality of what is happening, of what Joe Biden has achieved over the last three years in terms of destroying our republic needs to be brought home to more than those few of us who actually care enough to stay informed. To achieve this our Red State governors and other high officials have to get out there and talk this up to the extent that even our leftist media can’t ignore it. Trump could do it, but his particular agenda isn’t about these things. He has a score to settle, and that takes priority over mere problems like this one. Destroying Nikki Haley is more important to him presently than is the crisis on the border. That, if nothing else, is a pretty good argument for a better choice for Republicans in November.

    • #9
  10. Full Size Tabby Member
    Full Size Tabby
    @FullSizeTabby

    Rodin: When the final attack came in the early hours of March 6, 1836, no quarter was given and all the Texan defenders were slain except for Travis’ slave, Joe. “Remember the Alamo” became a rallying cry for the Texans who, less than two months later, defeated and captured Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto near the Gulf Coast. So a loss fueled a victory that restored self-government to Texas.

    In 1836 “Remember the Alamo” was a rallying cry for Texans.

    In 2024 “Remember the Alamo” should serve as a reminder to the national government that when waging war against a determined citizenry, winning an individual battle, even decisively, does not guarantee the national government will ultimately win the war.

    • #10
  11. DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    • #11
  12. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    This letter from former FBI officials should scare the bejeezus out of America.

    • #12
  13. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Wait, I thought Trump was supposed to cause a constitutional crisis and potentially trigger a civil war. . . 

    It’s always projection with the Left.

    • #13
  14. DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Rodin (View Comment):

    This letter from former FBI officials should scare the bejeezus out of America.

    “Former” being the key word there. I noticed all of them were retired. I can’t imagine the current FBI giving a flying flip.

    • #14
  15. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    WI Con (View Comment):

    I haven’t had much faith in Abbott but was heartened by the 25 GOP Governors that signed on in support, even Sununu?

    If Larry Hogan signs on – cats sleeping with dogs.

    I frequently mention the 17th Amendment when writing about the key enablers leading to America’s banking and fiscal crisis. Now we have the Texas invasion crisis and it may be an even better example of how ill-conceived was the 17th. Can someone make a list of Senators who will not stand with their State Governor on this?

    • #15
  16. David C. Broussard Coolidge
    David C. Broussard
    @Dbroussa

    The new talking point on X is that it is the R/s in Congress’s fault because Biden doesn’t have the funding to enforce the law.

    • #16
  17. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    David C. Broussard (View Comment):

    The new talking point on X is that it is the R/s in Congress’s fault because Biden doesn’t have the funding to enforce the law.

    I betcha if Biden had anywhere near the proper intent, that without any funding action by Congress and no prospect, Governor Abbott and the Texas legislature would provide all the assistance needed for effective federal enforcement of immigration law and Texas border control.

    • #17
  18. DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    David C. Broussard (View Comment):

    The new talking point on X is that it is the R/s in Congress’s fault because Biden doesn’t have the funding to enforce the law.

    And also that it’s Trump’s fault because Trump wants it for a talking point so he won’t let Republicans in Congress solve the problem. You know because the border issue just popped up a couple months ago. Prior to that everything was copasetic.

    • #18
  19. David C. Broussard Coolidge
    David C. Broussard
    @Dbroussa

    DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order O… (View Comment):

    David C. Broussard (View Comment):

    The new talking point on X is that it is the R/s in Congress’s fault because Biden doesn’t have the funding to enforce the law.

    And also that it’s Trump’s fault because Trump wants it for a talking point so he won’t let Republicans in Congress solve the problem. You know because the border issue just popped up a couple months ago. Prior to that everything was copasetic.

    Note that it is NT Senators who make up that claim.  They think we are stupid.

    • #19
  20. Fritz Coolidge
    Fritz
    @Fritz

    As I understand it, Biden’s proposal sounds like it’s for increasing border funding = increasing border security, but from what I have seen, it appears it provides more money to process illegals upon entry, not to prevent their entry or facilitate their deportation. It is a charade.

    • #20
  21. DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    • #21
  22. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):

    I haven’t had much faith in Abbott but was heartened by the 25 GOP Governors that signed on in support, even Sununu?

    If Larry Hogan signs on – cats sleeping with dogs.

    I frequently mention the 17th Amendment when writing about the key enablers leading to America’s banking and fiscal crisis. Now we have the Texas invasion crisis and it may be an even better example of how ill-conceived was the 17th. Can someone make a list of Senators who will not stand with their State Governor on this?

    Starts with Mitt Romney out of Utah. He is part of the “invade us more slowly” crowd of RINOs. 

    • #22
  23. DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Lower Order Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):

    I haven’t had much faith in Abbott but was heartened by the 25 GOP Governors that signed on in support, even Sununu?

    If Larry Hogan signs on – cats sleeping with dogs.

    I frequently mention the 17th Amendment when writing about the key enablers leading to America’s banking and fiscal crisis. Now we have the Texas invasion crisis and it may be an even better example of how ill-conceived was the 17th. Can someone make a list of Senators who will not stand with their State Governor on this?

    Starts with Mitt Romney out of Utah. He is part of the “invade us more slowly” crowd of RINOs.

    Mitt Romney is blaming Trump as well:

    On Thursday, Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney fumed over former President Trump’s interference in the deal by campaigning once again on immigration to win the election.

    “I think the border is a very important issue for Donald Trump,” Romney said. “The fact that he would communicate to Republican senators and congresspeople that he doesn’t want us to solve the border problem because he wants to blame Biden for it is really appalling.”

    This is a perfidious lie.

    • #23
  24. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Fritz (View Comment):

    As I understand it, Biden’s proposal sounds like it’s for increasing border funding = increasing border security, but from what I have seen, it appears it provides more money to process illegals upon entry, not to prevent their entry or facilitate their deportation. It is a charade.

    I’ve heard that, too. Where do you get that information, though, so you can know for sure? 

    • #24
  25. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Fritz (View Comment):

    As I understand it, Biden’s proposal sounds like it’s for increasing border funding = increasing border security, but from what I have seen, it appears it provides more money to process illegals upon entry, not to prevent their entry or facilitate their deportation. It is a charade.

    I’ve heard that, too. Where do you get that information, though, so you can know for sure?

    A related question:  Do you think President Trump should make that point when campaigning? 

    • #25
  26. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):

    I haven’t had much faith in Abbott but was heartened by the 25 GOP Governors that signed on in support, even Sununu?

    If Larry Hogan signs on – cats sleeping with dogs.

    I frequently mention the 17th Amendment when writing about the key enablers leading to America’s banking and fiscal crisis. Now we have the Texas invasion crisis and it may be an even better example of how ill-conceived was the 17th. Can someone make a list of Senators who will not stand with their State Governor on this?

    It’s an excellent question but this is a GOP (McConnell) problem more than the 17th Amendment. Ron Johnson is calling out McConell’s leadership on local talk radio.

    It’s been so long since that was enacted. Was it just the State Legistlatures that would appoint Senators back in the day or did the Governor need to approve the selection as well? If one party took over the state legislatures, could they replace both Senators? Would the old arrangement result in even worse spending, as states look to pawn off their spending to their senators at the federal level? I can see that sword cutting both ways – I honestly don’t know whats better.

    If we’re reversing amendments – sorry ladies, but I think a do-over on that one is warranted!

    • #26
  27. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    The Reticulator (View Comment):
    A related question:  Do you think President Trump should make that point when campaigning? 

    There are so many things that Trump could use to ping on Biden, that how could he possibly choose?

    • #27
  28. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):
    A related question: Do you think President Trump should make that point when campaigning?

    There are so many things that Trump could use to ping on Biden, that how could he possibly choose?

    I think he used to assign considerable importance to the border issue, so it would be strange if he’s downplaying it now.  

    But I suppose he could write them up like the Declaration of Independence does, and let his supporters carry the message from there.   

    • #28
  29. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    WI Con (View Comment):

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):

    I haven’t had much faith in Abbott but was heartened by the 25 GOP Governors that signed on in support, even Sununu?

    If Larry Hogan signs on – cats sleeping with dogs.

    I frequently mention the 17th Amendment when writing about the key enablers leading to America’s banking and fiscal crisis. Now we have the Texas invasion crisis and it may be an even better example of how ill-conceived was the 17th. Can someone make a list of Senators who will not stand with their State Governor on this?

    It’s an excellent question but this is a GOP (McConnell) problem more than the 17th Amendment. Ron Johnson is calling out McConell’s leadership on local talk radio.

    It’s been so long since that was enacted. Was it just the State Legistlatures that would appoint Senators back in the day or did the Governor need to approve the selection as well? If one party took over the state legislatures, could they replace both Senators? Would the old arrangement result in even worse spending, as states look to pawn off their spending to their senators at the federal level? I can see that sword cutting both ways – I honestly don’t know whats better.

    If we’re reversing amendments – sorry ladies, but I think a do-over on that one is warranted!

    You make good points. Actually, the 16th, 17th, and the Federal Reserve Act all came with Woodrow Wilson’s election and facilitated much of the effect you describe. State governors frequently favored more federal taxation for things that should have been state matters because it made elections easier if taxation and spending were not on the state officials. Education and Housing are two good areas for examples. Healthcare is now a good one as well.

    • #29
  30. DonG (CAGW is a Scam) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Scam)
    @DonG

    David C. Broussard (View Comment):

    The new talking point on X is that it is the R/s in Congress’s fault because Biden doesn’t have the funding to enforce the law.

    I sort of agree.   Congress should have impeached Biden 2 years ago for failing to execute immigration law.  There still is no talk of impeachment.  I am sure the GOPe would find it distasteful and will continue to fail in their duty to protect the Constitution.

    • #30
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