The backward state of Texas

[Gordon Fitch]

DANIEL LAZARE:
> ...
>     Texas's unshakeable state constitution - the state legislature
>     attempted to create a new one in 1975 but failed - has distorted state
>     politics ever since. Texas has a brand of folk conservatism that has
>     become the law nearly as much as driving on the right or stopping at
>     red lights. If the political culture of the Texas land-owning class
>     helped shape the Texas state constitution in the 1870s, the
>     constitution has, in return, served to ensure its hegemony over the
>     ensuing 125 years.
>
>     A rigid constitution has led to rigid politics, morality and much else
>     besides.  ...

So Lazare also believes that _jurisdictio_ trumps _gubernaculum_,
at least in the State of Texas.  That is, a body of words
masters the society, the culture, even the ruling class there.

Well, just remember that Texas is where _Slacker_ came from,
too.  It ain't _all_ bad.  "Twenty miles to Texas, 25 to
Hell" as the song goes.