Posted on 08/22/2011 3:57:34 AM PDT by wolfcreek
From his first “Howdy!” to the frequent thumbs-up gestures that punctuate his speeches, Rick Perry may seem over-the-top folksy to many who are watching him for the first time. But for those who share his cultural past, if not his political persuasions, Perry is sending a clear message, easily understood by a select but global group of insiders. That “Howdy” is akin to a password. The thumbs up a shared signal of determination. Translation: “I am a proud Texas Aggie.” That’s what graduates of Texas A&M are called. Perry is Class of 1972.
“Howdy” is not some corn-pone affectation, but the official greeting every Aggie freshman learns to say to friend and stranger alike, and it is just one of many Aggie traditions that the Governor who would be President cherishes. “People see it as folksy,” says Noel Freeman (Class of ’03), “but to not say ‘howdy’ would be unnatural for me.” The tradition helps teach courtesy, respect and helps young freshmen students, many from small town Texas, to reach out beyond their narrow origins. These days, howdy is as likely to be uttered by a South American president or a Saudi prince, given the worldwide span of Aggie alumni.
(Excerpt) Read more at swampland.time.com ...
\m/ Hook'em
Whoop!
What’s the favorite new drink in College Station??.....Perrier and Water. (This is an oldie but still one of ny favorites)
I heard that during a Halloween party last year 9 Aggies were seriously burned while....get this....BOBBING FOR FRENCH FRIES!
“\m/ Hook’em”
I thought it was \m/ Hook’em horns!
Members of its Corps of Cadets have served our country valiantly. 14,123 Aggies served as commissioned officers in WWII, more than the combined totals of both Annapolis and West Point.
The school has perhaps more traditions than any other (Google "Aggie Muster" for a FR-worthy one).
On the other hand, God help the GOP if there's a photo hanging around of proud Corps of Cadets member Rick Perry engaging in the proud Aggie tradition of "Squeeze 'em, Ags."
Proud Aggie Grad Here!
I’ve voted for Perry more than twice. Sigh. He always manages to be less worse than his opponents. The same would be true if he gets a shot at Obama.
That said, THIS Aggie Grad is looking forward to energetically supporting Sarah Palin!
Sarah Palin can’t win. She will get votes from some conservatives but not all, some votes from indies, no votes from moderates...and few votes from crossovers. That is the sad state of Sarah Palin running.
Sharp and Perry were at TX A&M together, with history as friends, competitors, "enemies" and now friends again.
Rick Perry started as a Democrat in West Texas (that was THE only party). He served in the Texas legislature - was known as one of the "pit bulls," conservative members who sat in the lower pit of the House Appropriations Committee and bitterly fought spending increases.
Perry changed parties in 1989, joining Phil Gramm and other conservative Texas Democrats, who now had a true ideological party with a burgeoning Texas GOP.
When Perry campaigned for Lt. Gov. [1998], he and his campagin staff were in it to win and his hard-nosed style was against the "friendly" advice and request of GWB and Rove to run easy against Sharp, a popular democrat (and Aggie friend of Perry's from their A&M years together). Rove wanted to broaden Bush's base for his upcoming White House run. Perry told them where to stick their advice, because he knew the voters would vote for Bush and then cross back over and vote for Sharp (D) if he just walked through the motions like the Bush-Rove team asked him to do.
Perry won the seat for Lt. Gov. -- the first GOP elected to that office since reconstruction. Now 13 years later and into his 3rd term as Texas governor, the GOP holds a super majority. So Perry has earned his conservative spurs -- fighting both parties!
[The Bushes and Rove supported Kay Bailey Hutchison's 2010 primary challenge against Gov. Perry this last election too--which he won and then went on to win the general election]
Perry’s a good Republican. He’s only a conservative when he’s running for office. That is the sad state of Perry running.
I’ll support a conservative first and hold my nose and vote for Perry only if I have to do so. Wouldn’t be the first time. Or second. Or third.
I believe that John Sharp — mentioned in my post above will be TX A&M’s new chancellor (with Rick Perry’s blessing).
Read post #11. Perry’s a strong conservative.
We need the right person who can beat Obama...I believe it is Perry. I don't won't voters sitting home and not voting for a candidate and that'd happen with Sarah Palin. She is disliked that much by a majority of voters and nothing will change that.
Perry’s only a conservative on the campaign trail. Once elected, he has the frequent habit of using his office for ends that cannot, even charitably, be described as conservative.
Calling Perry a conservative comes with a Texas-sized asterisk.
OK...you have to go to timeout!
Aggies class rings: makes ‘em easier to spot when they’re pickin’ their noses...
I wish more Texans would speak up and say what they think of Perry, before we let his bus get to rolling too fast and we find out we've locked ourselves in having to support another GOP candidate that's really been chosen by the high up GOP string pullers.
In just about any corner of the world an Aggie in trouble can find an Aggie that will help him.
If you ever get a chance to attend Silver Taps on a rare cold, rainy night in Aggie Land do it. You will be introduced to what respect for your fellow man means.
These things are what build the esprit de corps and keep the traditions alive.
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