Nothing Like Texas

While not a native Texan, I must reply to Phil Leslie’s letter in the April/May issue about Texas’s “big deal”—its 150th anniversary. First there is the important matter of being the only state (outside the original thirteen) to achieve independence by revolution. How can the mere admittance to statehood (shared by thirty-seven others beside Arkansas) compare to this? What does Arkansas have to compare to the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto? And assuming they do have something as impressive, what are they doing to celebrate it compared to the Texas wagon train, the recent spectacular at San Jacinto, not to mention a year-long variety of programs? If some Arkansas event occurs, I trust some writer from the land of opportunity will have taken the opportunity to submit a piece to you.