Remember the Alamo? It's Under Siege Again -- This Time From Within

Wall Street Journal ^ | 8-20-09 | BEN CASSELMAN

[kingattax]

SAN ANTONIO -- There's a new battle under way for control of the Alamo -- and just like the Texas legend, neither side shows any sign of surrender.

For more than a century, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas -- nearly 7,000 women who trace their pedigrees back to the origins of the Texas Republic -- have had total control of the Alamo, the state's most revered historic site. They maintain what's left of the old mission, manage its historic exhibits and run the gift shop. They don't charge admission, and the site doesn't cost the state government a penny.

Now a small group of renegade Daughters has broken away, saying the Daughters' outmoded traditions and iron grip on the "Shrine of Texas Liberty" are holding back progress and preventing much-needed preservation work from moving ahead. They liken their declaration of independence to Texas's own split from Mexico in 1836.

"We're still fighting for the same things," says Erin Bowman, the 60-year-old leader of the breakaway group, called Friends of the Alamo. Ms. Bowman's family has owned the same ranch in Independence, Texas, since the days of the Republic more than 150 years ago.

The Alamo has long inspired passion among Texans. Built in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries looking to convert the local Indians, the Alamo gained its place in Texas history in 1836, when about 200 Texas settlers died trying to defend the fort from Mexican forces. Among the dead: soldier Davy Crockett, famed knife-fighter Jim Bowie and Lt. Col. William Travis, who promised never to surrender or retreat. The battle cry, "Remember the Alamo!" helped inspire Texans to defeat the Mexican army a month later, securing Texas's independence

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[B-Chan]

This is what happens when there’s no men around.

[IbJensen]

Intramural spat.

[dmz]

This is what happens when there’s no men around.
______

LOL. Cuz you can see how much productive stuff happens in the biggest boys club in America, namely the US Congress.

What a hoot. Yes, when we male human beings get together, we truly seek the win-win situation that works out best for all involved.

If it was men involved in this, one of us would have gotten pi$$ed off and we’d have burned the place down just to prove our point.

[oh8eleven]

While I can appreciate what happened at the Alamo historically, I was less than impressed on my visit there last year.

[Fiddlstix]

Ping

[colorado tanker]

Oh, yer gonna catch some flak for that. :-))

[Timocrat]

This is what happens when there’s no men around

I assume you have your Asbestos suit zipped up tight otherwise you're gonna be a charred capon in a few minutes.

[a fool in paradise]

For more than a century, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas -- nearly 7,000 women who trace their pedigrees back to the origins of the Texas Republic -- have had total control of the Alamo, the state's most revered historic site. They maintain what's left of the old mission, manage its historic exhibits and run the gift shop. They don't charge admission, and the site doesn't cost the state government a penny. Now a small group of renegade Daughters has broken away, saying the Daughters' outmoded traditions and iron grip on the "Shrine of Texas Liberty" are holding back progress and preventing much-needed preservation work from moving ahead. They liken their declaration of independence to Texas's own split from Mexico in 1836.

They should settle this with a roller derby match.

[bgill]

Ha, that’s one reason why I haven’t submitted my membership application. A few years ago, they had an essay contest for kids. They felt the need to bring in race so went out to find a famous Texas black slave who made good. Sad thing is, the guy they decided on swore he wasn’t a slave and wasn’t black.

[GeronL]

Bringing in better fundraising methods should be a good thing. But she loses me when she wants to bring in the THC. No way should government be involved.

[GeronL]

Yes its all very politically correct now. Just like the booklets and stuff at the Dallas Heritage Village.

[GeronL]

did you expect a roller coaster?

[Rightly Biased]

I got P*oed at the DRT a few years back when they let a lady set up a Henna Tattoo Kiosk in the back of the Alamo Compound.

None of the tats said “Remember the Alamo” either!

[twigs]

So was I many years ago. Actually, I was shocked.

[ExpatGator]

Or mud wrasslin’

[bgill]

I was less than impressed on my visit there last year.

That's because there's no longer any land around it. They've let businesses encroach and the street is now nearly at the front step. It's sad how the DRT has let it go.

Ozzy peed on it because, duh, he was under the influence. Let's just say the lesson he was taught that night resulted in him losing a few IQ points.

[La Lydia]

You need to add “suicidal” to your tag line after that comment.

[Sudetenland]

Maybe a "Big Hair" contest. This is the bane of all volunteer efforts in which the participants claim heritage rights...there is a presumption of royalty by these "daughters."

I'm sure the sincerity is there, but I can't help but sympathize with this Bowman lady. There is nothing worse than a bunch of self-important, entitled, Texas biddies, hidebound to the traditional way of doing things.

Yikes what a mess...CAT FIGHT!!!

Can't say I blame the state from avoiding this fight like the plague.

[tx_eggman]

T.... director David Stewart, who resigned in May after seven years on the job. "It's a real trip to work for 6,700 women," Mr. Stewart said.

Ya think?? I'd have gone out in the parking lot and opened a vein.

[Brookhaven]

OK, we now officially know:

B-Chanz is a guy.
dmz is a gal.

[rightly_dividing]

You can tell from the website that there is not much to see inside the place. A drive-by w/pictures was sufficiant for us.

[Sans-Culotte]

While I can appreciate what happened at the Alamo historically, I was less than impressed on my visit there last year.

I'm a Texan, and I have been a couple of times. I'm always impressed because its...The Alamo.

Well, mainly just the chapel. I suppose it might be more impressive if all the stuff inside was removed, and the gun platforms with some non-firing cannon were re-installed, to give a feel of what it was like in 1836. The gift shop could be in a separate building.

Also, I recommend going to see the IMAX film Alamo: the Price of Freedom and then walking over to see the Alamo itself. Also, it might be more impressive to visit John Wayne's set in Brackettville, where you can see a full-scale version of the fort.

[a fool in paradise]

I’ve seen the same territorial bragging rights in women’s car clubs and in roller derby leagues. It isn’t uncommon to see them drum out the founders.

But in this instance, there is only one Alamo (they can’t leave to go establish a new organization).

[a fool in paradise]

I’m grateful for these organizations. Time was that San Antonio thought about tearing it down.

[Ole Okie]

Sad thing is, the guy they decided on swore he wasn’t a slave and wasn’t black.

Gee. If he'd been a slave and black, he'd be the only fellow I've ever heard of who'd be eligible for reparations.

Still alive today?

[a fool in paradise]

>>I was less than impressed on my visit there last year.

That's because there's no longer any land around it.

Is there a plaque in the alley across from the Alamo?

IS there even still an alley across from the Alamo?

[dmz]

LOL.

Wrongo, Brookhaven. Don’t know about b-chan, though.
I had some freepmail exchange with b-chan a few months ago and I seem to remember she being a her.

I do remember clearly that he/she took me school for questioning his/her tagline. I still have the welt (and deservedly so for being snarky without an ounce of knowledge on the topic).

[Sudetenland]

No doubt when I read that it was being run by 7000 big haired, blue haired, Texas women I blanched at the thought.

Train wreck about to happen.

[bert]

I wonder which group Abuela Castillo belongs to?

The old timers I’ll bet

[khnyny]

This is what happens when there’s no men around.

If it wasn't for the Ladies, the Alamo and Mount Vernon (George Washington's estate in Virginia) would have ceased to exist a long, long time ago.

[ansel12]

Men gave us the Alamo and men gave us Texas.

[Sudetenland]

Oh I'm greatful, just glad I ain't involved and genetically prohibited from being so.

I just enjoy watching..../breaking out the popcorn

[bgill]

No. There was some hoopla back when he was alive, not today.

[dmz]

I gather that tongue in cheek comments on a Texas/Alamo thread are entirely unwelcome.

All of those men you speak of were born to women. That ought to count for something, eh?

And if men gave us the Alamo and Texas, then why in God’s name are all those men allowing a bunch of women to run the damn place in the first place?

[ansel12]

I still don’t get your point, what is it?

[texmexis best]

The DRT is doing a fine job. Bowman is off the reservation and should be launched out of the organization.

The Alamo is not physically impressive as it was a small fortified church out in the middle of nowhere, but the story is compelling and is truly memorable. Texans, especially men, talk in hushed tones when going through the ruins and it is rare to see one with the their cowboy hat on their head.

When the SHTF, the Alamo is, for Texans, “The Gathering Place” and will always remain so.

Remember the Alamo.

[oh8eleven]

You can tell from the website that there is not much to see inside the place.
Picture taking wasn't even allowed inside even thought there really wasn't much to take pictures of.

[MeekOneGOP]

** Remember the Alamo!! **

- - - -

To my Texas list:

Ping! Ping! Ping!

[oh8eleven]

Also, it might be more impressive to visit John Wayne's set in Brackettville, where you can see a full-scale version of the fort.
Thanks, I'll do that on my next trip down to SA.

[bgill]

IS there even still an alley across from the Alamo?

Ya know, I don't think so. Between the new mall and shops and widening the street and parking, the Alamo itself is almost gone. Ripley's doesn't add much to the ambiance either. Son spent a week at the Menger last year so the window view was of the Alamo grounds. They weren't kept up and rather pitiful looking. I will give them kudos for blocking off traffic through La Villita but it's just not the same as it used to be.

[MeekOneGOP]

Who could forget? :)

[ansel12]

I gather that tongue in cheek comments on a Texas/Alamo thread are entirely unwelcome.

These threads so quickly turn that we sometimes don't notice that it was meant in humor, sorry.

[MinorityRepublican]

The title fooled me. I thought the article suggested that Texas was actually going to secede in the near future.

[onedoug]

Alamo basement ping....

[Faith-Hope]

For those of you who wanted to go to Brackettville to see the old Alamo set, that property is now closed to the public. I saw an article in our local paper a couple of weeks ago that the family had decided to close the set.

[boxlunch]

Hurray for your post from a 7th generation Texas (at least)! I was trying to think of a snappy comeback for all these denigrating comments. They must not be native Texans or they would understand.

I guess when they go to see Plymouth Rock they would be let down because it’s “just a rock”.

[nuadvntur]

I am a native born Texan and visit The Alamo on a regular basis. It is not the superficial trinkets in the cases that are important. It is what occured there. 187 men, more or less, gave up their lives so that the greatest state in the nation could gain it's Independence from a lying tyrannical government. I go there because it is spiritually uplifting and I feel some sort of kinship to the place. I read the names on the wall and prayerfully thank each and every one of them. If someone must explain the importance of The Alamo to a person, then no matter how hard they try, the person hearing the explanation will never understand. Two places that should also be visited are San Jacinto and Goliad Texas. God Bless the Daughters, for their work has preserved a very important historical site.

[60Gunner]

Men gave us the Alamo and men gave us Texas.

And God gave us Texas women!