Posted on 01/24/2006 7:47:23 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
As cherished icons of the Lone Star State, few loom as large or loved as the pony-tailed troubadour Willie Nelson or the dauntless Texas Rangers.
But despite playing the role of a grizzled ex-Ranger in the long-forgotten western "Barbarosa," Nelson and those tall guys in the white hats aren't doing that well off-screen.
In fact, Nelson's public association with the fundraising activities of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation of Kerrville has triggered a Ranger family feud.
"We just have a real problem with Willie Nelson for a lot of reasons," said Capt. Barry Caver of Midland, one of nine top-ranking Rangers to complain.
"Knowing Willie's past, we would be violating department policy by being around someone like that, whether it was Willie Nelson or my next-door neighbor," he said.
For starters, Nelson's appearance — alongside legendary Ranger Joaquin Jackson — on a Christmas card sent out by the foundation didn't sit well with the current generation of Rangers.
His involvement in a fundraiser for a Ranger museum proposed for Kerrville by the foundation really irked them — particularly the mention of a "private party" in July with Nelson and two Rangers for anyone donating big bucks.
In response, the top nine ranking active Rangers, from Chief Ray Coffman through all seven captains, threatened to end their support for all foundation activities.
"We are adamantly and vehemently opposed to the claim that active Texas Rangers would be present, associating with Willie Nelson," reads a recent letter, signed by all nine, referring to the July fundraiser.
"He is an admitted daily user of marijuana and therefore a confessed violator of the Texas Controlled Substances Act," it continued, also noting Nelson is on the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Coffman declined to comment, beyond noting the letter represents the personal views of the nine ranking Rangers and is not an official communication.
The Christmas photograph, sent out by the foundation's then-Chairman Shelton Smith, showed a grinning Nelson alongside Smith, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, Jackson, and entertainer and independent candidate for governor Kinky Friedman.
As part of his campaign platform, Friedman has vowed to install Nelson as chief of the Texas Rangers if elected, a prospect few Rangers find amusing.
"The potential for claims that the Texas Rangers support Kinky Friedman for governor of the State of Texas is obvious," reads the letter, which closes by demanding that Nelson's involvement in the benefit be canceled.
Attempts to reach Nelson through his publicist Monday failed.
In a brief telephone conversation, foundation President Joe Davis declined to discuss the brouhaha, beyond noting that Smith has been replaced as chairman.
But in a letter sent out Monday afternoon to the nine Rangers who complained, Davis tried to put the fires out.
"Neither the board nor its officers were aware that a Christmas card with our own Former Texas Rangers Foundation logo was being prepared and forwarded by our chairman at that time," Davis wrote. "As soon as we learned of the card's existence, we moved quickly to disclaim any involvement."
On the issue of it being inappropriate for Nelson to help raise funds for the foundation's proposed museum, Davis and the foundation board members were unmoved.
"We respectfully disagree that this is ill-conceived and compromises our integrity," he wrote.
The letter also noted Nelson has performed at fundraisers for all types of law enforcement groups and officials, "including the President of the United States, George W. Bush, and the first Lady, Laura, at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. last month.
"To suggest that to be entertained by someone you disapprove of is a direct endorsement and adoption of their lifestyles, views and actions is simply without foundation," Davis wrote.
The letter then closed with a postscript that may put the matter to rest.
"After writing this response, our office received a call this afternoon from Willie Nelson and he stated that in order to avoid any controversy, he wished to withdraw his offer to perform at the July private gathering."
No real Texan would support Kucinich for President.
Willie Nelson is a super-liberal, pot-smoking, SOB. Pure and simple. What is blazes are the Rangers doing using the likes of him to encourage support of their organization? Making a big mistake, that's what.
Bub-bye, Willie. But we're full up on nutjobs already.
...they'll ne-ver smoke weed with Wil-lie a-gain...
Duh, has been for half a century. So, go out and arrest him.
Good point!
The letter also noted Nelson has performed at fundraisers for all types of law enforcement groups and officials, "including the President of the United States, George W. Bush, and the first Lady, Laura, at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. last month.
Remember when Willie and Jack Carter smoked some weed on the White House roof?
I forget for the moment which congressional office Jack is running for.... maybe Willie would like to do a benefit concert for him for old times sake.
A local sheriff put two of his senior officers just to keep them busy while Willie Nelson was in town for a concert. They were high-ranking old time deputies and he just didn't want them to open up a can of worms.
Just wait 'til the PETA types find out he's been giving beer to his horses.
I met Joaquin Jackson once several years ago in Uvalde, Texas. Seemed like a nice enough guy.
I've never met Willie and to be honest I wouldn't walk across an an empty street to meet him.
There is a song in there...Don't Touch My Willie by Kevin Fowler.
Willie Nelson is either a Democrat or Libertarian as he has written some of the most raciest songs and helps terrorists by buying illegal drugs.
Having received one of these cards - I went off on any and everybody that I could find with emails, snailmail and FAXes about how wrong the TxRangers were to use Willie. I guess I wasn't the only one going off.
Ex-president Carter's son running for Senate Reuters - Jan 20, 2006 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Jack Carter, the son of former US President Jimmy Carter, said on Friday that he was running to become a US senator from Nevada and ...
The Rangers are men you don't, under any circumstances, want to p!$$ off. That old saying, "One riot, one Ranger" is true.
With drink in hand, they condemn Willie for smoking weed.
The Dixie Chicks.
Extremely popular. That is before they opened their mouths with stupid political remarks.
But I think most people will give Willie a pass. He may be a pot smoking liberal, but he does garner a lot of respect here in Texas.
...heh heh heh...
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