The Texas State Cemetery: Home to Yellow Dogs Everywhere (I’ve made my reservation)

My eventual resting spot in this memorial place is in the area called “Statesmen Meadow,” which lies about a hundred feet from Stephen F. Austin's Monument, where one of my closest neighbors will be former Dallas Cowboy Coach Tom Landry.

Just below my name on my chunk of black marble at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin (my eventual resting place, but hopefully not soon) are the words, “Poet, Populist,Yellow-Dog.” Most Texans understand what all three mean, but this essay explains how I came by them and why they are depicted at my final resting place. First a bit about me, I was raised southern baptist, the red lettered words took...the religion did not. However, ethics and morals are important to me, so I write this piece with love of state in mind, knowing my only expertise is on my own opinion.

The cemetery is a historical and quite soulful place with thousands of tourists and students forever visting and researching grave sites of the many famous Texas heroes and historical figures who in some way by “deed or fame” was of service to Texas. It resides on 22 acres of beautiful parkland in the heart of Austin. Busloads of people and students take daily tours from grade school to college level classes. You can only be buried there if you served the state as a legislator, judge, or elected official, or if you’re designated by proclamation or by a committee as a sufficiently distinguished Texan. In short, the cemetery is perhaps the most exclusive club in Texas. I feel deeply honored to be able to spend eternity there. 

My future neighbors there include great Texans from “Alamo” survivor Susanna Dickinson to Governors Ma & Pa Ferguson, Ann Richards, Texas Ranger, Big Foot Wallace, Darrell Royal, Barbara Jordan to the likes of Astronaut, Gene Cernan. Notable political couples such as: Governor John Connally and wife Nellie, George & Laura Bush, Galveston iconic couple Senator, Babe Schwartz and wife Marilynn, and of course, Bob Bullock for whom it is named, to many people not only a Lieutenant Governor but also a “ Legendary” Texan, someone I considered a friend and someone who preceded me in serving the fine folks from Hill County. Many individuals just come to marvel at the history represented there. My part of this memorial place is in the “Statesmen Meadow” about a hundred feet from Stephen F. Austin's Monument, one of my closest neighbors is Dallas Cowboy Coach, Tom Landry. 

Poet:  I have written over three hundred poems and songs, so I guess the poet thing is earned, I am not saying they are significant poems as I know poetry is in the ear and heart of the beholder. I don't pull flowery things out of the air or find complex metaphors, I just write about things I've felt or witnessed and needed to describe. Over the years, I would just say, “I tell stories in rhyme,” but pleased to be called a poet. I do believe if you read the poems I have written, you may see the connection to all three titles on the headstone. Which are about laments of the working class, homeless, life, love and a bit of bullshit here and there.

Populist: Populism as described by Webster's is the form of politics that involves actions to speak for the people that is more authentic to the experiences and needs of those people. In other words, most likely that a populist's policies would conflict with parties supporting the elites. Lately and unfortunately, populism has garnered  a negative conatation, to me, being a populist is listening to the needs of people and feeling that government actions should reflect those needs. I think you can see it in legislation I have passed such as: Anti Speed Trap, Run Away and Throw-Away Kids, Prison Reform, Capital Punishment, and Suicide Prevention legislation, (trying to keep people  from killing themselves, staying out of prison and off death row)

 I call myself a Yellow-Dog because of a “Childhood Promise” I made to my grandfather who asked me to “Never” vote for a republican, he did so out of gratitude to FDR for getting our family through their hardscrabble lives of the 1930s. And though I don't particularly recommend it to others but, I have lived up to the promise, made so long ago... with one exception. And I caveat that, as the vote was for an “Independent.” 

Funny thing, at times I have also been called a “Blue-Dog” usually when other Yellow-Dogs were pissed at my vote for a conservative piece of legislation. I don't find offense with that, just note that my vote on legislation may have been liberal or conservative based on the issue and effect on Texas or those I tried to represent. Legislative power can be quite intoxicating on which just single vote and can make you friends or enemies for life. I tried to keep my usually “left” leaning progressive populist sentiments on “policy” and tried to keep my tribal leanings only in elections not governing.\

My Yellow-Dog voting exception was made when I agreed to support Kinky Friedman for Governor of Texas. I met Kinky through a friend who asked me to meet with him as he was going to run for governor as an independent. Agreeing to meet with him was easy as it is hard to be a 7th Generation Texan and a songwriter without being somewhat familiar with the very colorful man named “Kinky.” 

After a friendly and fun conversation with the charming Mr. Friedman, he asked me if I would support him for governor, trying to look thoughful, I paused for a moment and said “No”...even though I had not made a commitment as yet in that race. Taken back a bit and appearing somewhat crestfallen, Mr. Friedman firmly said, “Why Not?” I took another pause and then went to my standard reply for supporting one candidate over another through the years, although admitting to myself  many never met the standard I set. I did suggest he should run as a democrat, he declined, but years later would say he wished he had.

So, I told him, “I like deep thinking intellectuals, who don't shoot from the lip or hip, who are non-reactionary and think through issues to come to a solution.” To this day, I still admire Kinky, his quick mind, intellect and his response. He said to me, I have written 23 books, traveled the world, so, “I think I am a “Deep Thinking Intellectual” “but here's what I'll do as governor,” “I'll Never Meet with a Fucking Lobbyist” and “I'll Get the Fucking Money Changers Out of the Temple!” 

I have often wondered if he could have given me any other answer that would have kept me from supporting the democrat that year. However, after spending time in the “Temple” dealing with the “System” and the moneyed interests of whom he spoke. (Those who spend vast sums to keep the ruling elite in charge, with business strategists, tax advisers, corporate lawyers and public relations firms.)  His response hit me at the “Core” of my political being, so trying to UN-jumble my thoughts, I said...“I will think about it...when will you be in Dallas next?” He responded, “I'll be there next week, I am playing “Poor David's Pub.” I said, “I'll see you then and let you know, although deep in my heart...I knew.” 

I believe deeply in public service, I also knew that only modest changes would come to Texas government without dramatic changes in funding elections or finding a marketable “grass roots” candidate with sell-able message. I said, come stay in Don Nelson's loft it's only a block away from Poor David's. (The Nelson's had generously offered their guest loft to me for bringing in celebrities for my non-profit fund-raising events) Knowing he needed more than just my vote it would mean contributing dollars, advice and influencing others. (All of which I did.) The Poor David's event went exceedingly well as he brought other “Austin Royalty” in Billy Joe Shaver and Joe Ely.  I committed that nght.

A month or so later in a conversation after a campaign event, he asked if I ever thought about serving in government again...(I used to joke if I had enough money for a filing fee in a campaign account and three people who said they would vote for me I would run again)  however, I took it to mean in his administration. I politely responded, “giving our current relationship, I can't ask and you can't offer.” I was very happy running the non-profit, but the thought spawned an idea, as there was only one appointed position in the state I would be interested in and that was Secretary of State, working to take drawing of new legislative maps out of legistive hands and end gerrymandering in Texas was and is a long held dream. (I never shared, he never offered)

Some may think Kinky is a little rough around the edges for politics, “He's Not,” he wears his “Non Political Correctness” with bearing and sense of humor, he is in one sense “every man” and interacts very nicely with all, something needed in good politicians and public servants. That being said, one of the things you discover about Kinky, he is firm in his beliefs, is his own man and his main adviser. He welcomed all but my “populist grassroots campaign advice.”(admit-tingly, it would be quite a logistical undertaking, but...if you want to be governor?)  

My advice to him was to take his own ”Populist” tour to 254 Texas county court houses, meet with County Judges and Commissioners, I think that would have worked especially well in rural counties like those I represented. Have free concerts at local parks, start every concert with his song, “Sold American”which would have produced plenty of CDs being sold and small grass root campaign contributions. Populists like my grandfather and of course, myself would have loved it, so would rural voters who want to see their candidates up close to get a “personal picture” who they are, you get that sense immediately with Kinky.  

Bottom line...I thought of Kinky as a good man with a good heart who loves Texas and would have made a “Texas Sized,” unique and  very interesting Governor and believed that everything he wished to do with government was honest and above board driven by the young and working class. He was in fact, leading the field in some of the early polls and it looked quite promising. 

That being said, political campaigning is a craft...in someways like formatting and writing a poem or song. Here's wishing he had applied to the campaign management, like the arrangement in the songs he wrote, as you need to have a “hook”... you also need to have a narrative verse, moral allegory and emotional bridge to resolve into a satisfying simple, clear and concise pitch. All that because it “Ain't Just Words & Music!” He had the hook, he had the opportunity, thelyrics was his to write, the picture was his to paint. I believe, if he had done so correctly, Rick Perry would not have been re-elected governor.

As for me, “exploring” what it took for me to set aside my “Yellow-Dog” status and bring about my campaign involvement. I can relay in the simplest terms...“Words Move Me”... usually in poem or song, but sometimes in a “Simple Wish” that would be in harmony with my grandfather's request. That some things are worth honoring, some words worth repeating and writing about.

I heard his “Song” in a few descriptive words succinctly describing what was in "my heart," I just wish he had crafted it to where all of Texas could have heard...promises honored and actions taken that every two years and legislativesine die we would seethe populace of Texas back in charge and the moneyed interests excluded from governing our state.

I voiced my advice, I used my influence, I invested my treasure, I voted "populist" and stayed true my promise. So looking back, as I stand in front of my headstone in Austin and read... Poet, Populist, Yellow-Dog, I can rest peacefully below...knowing I earned and can keep the titles. 

If you haven’t been there, walk the grounds and check out the history buried there.