Conference back40::soapbox

|Are these guys serious??
    
    Ask the released hostages.  They are *DEADLY* serious.
    
    								-mr. bill

It used to be that our country had some frontier (usually to the west) to
act as an escape valve for those who don't know how to get along.

I've often wondered what that sort does now.  I guess I'm getting a clue.

    Group of malcontents du jour. <yawn>
    
    Sounds like a good time to turn off their electricity and any other
    utilities they have (except the phone.) Eventually they'll get hungry.

 and play "Achy Breaky Heart" loudly nonstop

    I'd give up before the sixth bar.

Show me the way to the next whisky bar.

    
    i see more natural selection coming up.

1. Are we truly *rid* of the Dallas Cowb*yz?  YEEEEHAAAWWWW!

2. Just what we need: another Mexico.  We already have Mexico, New Mexico,
   and now Texaco.  

3. Weld had good inside info on becoming ambassador to El Paso.  (I think
   he's in it for the diplomatic license plates.)

3. We can charge huge import duties on those Austin-based computer imports.

4. My next pitcher or two of beer at the Cowtown Jamboree will be in 
   another country.

5. The Electoral College go down the drain.

6. Now the USA will _never_ go metric.

Chuck

      Well, I haven't a clue as to what is going on, but any cessation
      from the federal govt., at first glance, seems to me to have to
      be a good thing.
    
      I'd love to have nothing to do with then myself.

    Crispy Critters ....
    
    And, would you like fries with that?

    
    	That could never happen.
    

    
    Let me guess, you would all prefer that nuts like this be allowed to
    take hostages, and commit seditious acts against the U.S.??
    If they don't surrender peacefully, I think they will get what's coming
    to them, a short trip to the hereafter.

    
      alamo the sequel
    
      bb

    The real question of the day: 
    
    'why are there more of these going on now in the history of the US than
    any other time?' 

    Because the education crisis has us woefully underinformed about
    US history?  The Sediton act, the VietNam war opposition, Eugene
    Debs, John Brown, Opposition to WWI, Black Panthers, blah blah
    blah... 

    .15:
    
    There are?
    
    Musta been a diffrnt history class.

    
    	Are you older than George?
    
    	That could explain it.
    

    
      quick, hire a branch davidian for tv color analyst, we're going
     split screen...call reno if she's sober...
    
      bb

    Don't forget the lawyer with the fringed buckskin jacket.  Gotta work
    him in there somewhere too. 

    Slabo yha old goat! Careful bout the age zing.:) Your in that over 40
    sumthin age bracket too aint yha.:)
    

    
    
    	George,
    
    	No, I don't think Shawn is in the over 40 age bracket.  Over
    	30 probably, but not 40.  
    

    
    	I just turned 30 last year.
    
    	However, now I'm closer to 31 than 30.
    
    	I know it's hard to believe that someone can get this smart and
    	funny in only 30 years, but it's true.
    

    
    yes, it is hard to believe you're 30.
    

    
    	Thank you.
    

    Slabo, you considered a member of the X generation? 

The 30 part does indeed surprise me.  I was still waiting for Slabbo to
announce his "sweet 16" celebration.

I too am impressed at how smart and witty you've gotten in 30 years, Slab,
but cheer up: There's still plenty of time to catch up.

    ....that and sometime to jade out.:)))

    
    news from austin, texas!
    
      "As you can imagine, the ROT brouhaha is big news down here. What a 
      bunch of mental cases." 

    re:
    
    And I suppose this will give some Back East Sissy's yet another excuse 
    to demand that our Guns are taken away from us...
    
    Couple folks go crazy and use guns and everyone yells we have to ban
    guns.. when some nut goes crazy and drives over a Dozen people in a 
    parking lot no one screams that we should ban Trucks...
    
    Just because we have more guns in Texas than most countries in the
    world doesn't mean we're ready to exit the Union... We're just ready
    in case that invasion comes from the outside and the East and West
    coasts are overrun because they melted all their guns into boat
    anchors...
    
    Now if the FBI and BATF and MS Reno would just leave our Texas 
    excentrics alone, our rangers could do their job without all the 
    national hoopla associated with a Washington Police Action...
    
    JMHO
    
    John Wisniewski
    (Texan Transplant, father to two native Texans so you can't kick me
    out;-)
    

    from what i've read in American Rifleman you also have your problems
    with a group of Texas pansies as well. they're everywhere!

    
    John, i hear the ROT has a couple of openings. Maybe, you ought to
    apply?

I'm a back east sissy with an assault rifle.  You got nothing to worry
about from me.

Well, you needn't worry about my taking your guns away.  I guess in all
other respects, you have a lot to worry about from me.

heh heh heh.

    
    dawn, oh great and powerful goose cooker. The thought of you with
    an assualt rifle in hand gives me the willies. I mean, what if you
    decided to just off say, Melrose Place fans.

    She'd only need half a clip.

                <<< Note 855.35 by 35568::BATTIS "EDS bound" >>>

>I mean, what if you
>    decided to just off say, Melrose Place fans.

	Well then, we have to start planning the tickertape parade.

	;-)

Jim

        
        /Just because we have more guns in Texas than most countries in the
        /world doesn't mean we're ready to exit the Union... We're just
        /ready in case that invasion comes from the outside and the East 
        /and West coasts are overrun because they melted all their guns 
        /into boat anchors...
    
        he's kidding, right?  i don't know anymore.
    
    

        <<< Note 855.38 by LANDO::OLIVER_B "looking for deep meaning" >>>

>        he's kidding, right?  i don't know anymore.
 

	Sure he is, but do YOU want to be the one to tell him?

Jim   
    

             I'll tell him ... I think he's asleep ...

Deal to end Texas standoff falls apart

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press

FORT DAVIS, Texas -- The leader of the holed-up Texas secessionists broke
off negotiations just when it seemed a surrender was in sight, a state
official said Wednesday as the standoff in the mountains reached its fourth
day.

"For those of you who are not from Texas, we have a little expression here:
`Sometimes a wheel falls off.' Unfortunately, we've lost a wheel," said
Mike Cox, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety.

Meanwhile, seven men carrying Republic of Texas membership cards and a
variety of weapons were arrested as they apparently headed to Fort Davis to
join the armed standoff. And a sheriff said he thought more members of the
secessionist group were on their way.

An agreement with the Republic of Texas group to end the siege had been
drafted Tuesday night, but no final deal was signed, Cox said, refusing to
provide details. As of Wednesday evening, nothing had been heard from
Richard McLaren, leader of the group, Cox said.

"We don't like that. We don't want that," Cox said. "We'll be happy to talk
with him some more. He knows how to get in touch with us."

McLaren's attorney, Terry O'Rourke, told reporters Wednesday that he hadn't
talked to his client since Tuesday night, but he believed the agreement was
still intact. He said he had prepared documents that were to be delivered
to McLaren's headquarters.

"Here in Texas you don't have to sign agreements to have a deal. I would
say that there's an understanding. And here, you know, they say a handshake
is a deal and your word is your bond," he said.

Cox said authorities might be willing to allow a face-to-face meeting
between McLaren and his attorney.

"Our bottom line is to get a peaceful solution," Cox said. "I am not
guaranteeing anything, but we are certainly going to listen to reasonable
requests ... We can't do anything until we hear from them."

O'Rourke said McLaren is not seeking diplomatic immunity but wants a
hearing in federal court, although he faces state charges. Noting that
Thursday was designated as a national day of prayer, O'Rourke also asked
that people "say a prayer that peace works out."

Cox would not discuss methods negotiators were using to contact McLaren,
but he did say they had exchanged faxes. McLaren's web site, which had been
updated daily, was no longer accessible after Wednesday morning.

The standoff in the Davis Mountains, 175 miles southeast of El Paso, began
Sunday after members of the Republic of Texas took two neighbors hostage in
retaliation for the arrests of two followers.

Both hostages were released Monday in exchange for one of the jailed
followers, a man arrested on weapons charges. The other follower, a woman,
remained jailed on two contempt charges.

Cox said 13 people -- all adults -- are believed holed up in McLaren's
trailer, including at least two women. He said authorities are interested
only in the six members who had been charged with kidnapping or other
offenses in the hostage-taking.

"This is not the Alamo. This is not San Jacinto. And I'm not Davy
Crockett," Cox said. "We're just a state law enforcement agency trying to
bring some folks to justice who need to get their day in court."

Nearly 100 state and federal officers stationed in the area were reinforced
by two armored personnel carriers that were moved into place on Tuesday.
Bloodhounds and horses were brought in on Wednesday.

The seven men arrested Wednesday were picked up at a truck stop near Pecos,
70 miles from Fort Davis.

Officers searching their vehicle found five semiautomatic rifles, one
shotgun, one .45-caliber pistol and several hunting knives, said Texas
Ranger Sgt. Steve Foster. They also had ammunition, military rations,
fatigues, medical supplies and marijuana.

Officers had a theft warrant for one of the seven men. No immediate charges
were filed against the six others.

Reeves County Sheriff Arnulfo Gomez said he believes more members of the
group are coming because people identifying themselves as Republic members
had been calling his office.

"I know they're headed this way. I'm hoping there's no confrontation,"
Gomez said.

The Republic of Texas, which has splintered into three factions, claims
Texas was illegally annexed by the United States and wants a statewide
referendum on independence.

The leader of one of the other factions said he's considering reuniting
with McLaren's group in light of the standoff.

"Texans are like any family," said Archie Lowe, president of one of the
factions. "Every day I would fight with my brothers, but you don't let the
guy come from next door and hit him."

Richard Johnson, leader of the other faction, said he won't support McLaren
under any circumstances.

McLaren's group is willing to consider a truce, said his spokeswoman,
Jeanette Kinman: "If they want to reunite, that's great. We have to work
together."

    Givum Texas
    
    

    too late, they gave up.

    
    
    'cept for the two still running around the woods.
    
    

    
    hunt them down like dogs.

    i know they're hunting them down WITH dogs.

    
      Davey Crockett was captured alive by Santa Anna, and summarily
     executed.  When Sam Houston subsequently captured Santa Anna alive,
     he was accorded the respect due a prisoner of war, and eventually
     acquiesced in the independence of Texas.
    
      bb

    butchered and mutilated (was what i heard).

    Whereupon the Texans reintroduced slavery, which had been illegal
    in Mexico.

Shots fired, and one of the tracking dogs was injured.

The leader of the "Republic of Texas" faces a theoretical maximum of
700 years in prison.

    700 counts at 1 year per, served concurrently?

It sounds like something like that.

    One down, one to go....

    natural selection at its finest. where did these two yahoos think
    they were going?
    
    last i heard a helicopter was delivering fire on the last guy keeping
    him pinned behind some rocks. my only curiosity at this point is
    whether this twinkie survives.