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.