An Expansive Idea Of Family In Colonial Virginia

I’ve been reading  Albion’s Seed—Four British Folkways In North America. This book was written by David Hackett Fischer.   

Here is what I read today in this book about the definition of family in 17th Century Colonial Virgina–

“The word family tended to be a more comprehensive term in Virginia than in Massachusetts. Virginians addressed relatives of all sorts as “coz” or “cousin” in expressions that were heavy with affective meaning; but the term “brother” was used more loosely as a salutation for friends, neighbors, political allies, and even business acquaintances. It is interesting to observe that an extended kin-term tended to be more intimate than the language of a nuclear relationship. The reverse tended to be the case in Massachusetts.”   

Fully understanding that this idea of family did not extend to slaves, there is a lot to be said for this concept  of family. It’s an idea we can update for the current day.  The broader the definition of family, the happier your may be. We are all connected in this life. The people in our immediate nuclear family may or may not be the people we really want around us.   

Here is my post “People Have A Right To Define Family Anyway They Wish.” This is a signature post of this blog.

Here is some good history of 17th-century Virginia.

Horror Begins—Texas Legislature Convenes Today

Our Texas legislature is set to convene today.

Get set for whatever blasts of misery it inflicts on the people of Texas.   

I offer nothing but the back of my hand to the millions of you here in Texas who elected Republican majorities in both Houses and, also, a Republican Governor and Lt. Governor.  

As for our Democrats in the legislature, I’m sure they have an organized plan to communicate with the White House to see what the new administration can deliver for Texas in this time of deep recession.     

Or maybe not.

Local Democrat Carl Whitmarsh Blasts This Blog (With Bonus Pictures)

Below is an e-mail sent out by local Houston Democrat Carl Whitmarsh to his extensive list of Democrats around the state. ( I don’t normally write in color, But this was the font Carl used, and copying his e-mail is making this full post in color. Color is good. )  Mr. Whitmarsh’s ire has been raised by a post I wrote yesterday asking if Houston Councilmember James Rodriguez can be trusted to be an effective representative for Houston.    

I surely never said Mr. Rodriguez was engaged in any so-called “wrongdoing.” I said that Mr. Rodriguez  helping a Republican who was considering a citywide run was how Houston is politically. It’s also not something I would do. 

I know it is shocking to ask if we can trust a politician. Whoever heard of such a thing?  Even more offensive were my brazen assertions that Mr. Rodriguez might take political steps to seek higher office at some later date, and ending the post by saying I remained hopeful that Mr. Rodriguez is an okay guy. What could I have been thinking!?! 

You’ll note that Carl never addresses why Mr. Rodriguez was supporting a Republican. 

 

From Mr. Whitmarsh  ( I added the pictures)  —

A Message from CARL WHITMARSH--One of the things about this email list is that I try to give everyone their say without too much of a say on my part.  I’m going to make an exception today because of the Over the Top Inflamatory Headline of the blog written below by Neil Aquino.  What earthly reason would anyone have to ask the question of Councilmember James Rodriguez, “Can We Trust Him?”  You’re going to have to bring a lot more to the table than a picture which appeared in a campaign brochure.  I’m not acquainted with Ms. Colon other than by her reputation, but I do know Senfronia Thompson – known her for 37 years – and I do know the lady on the left side of the picture, one Paula Arnold, former member of the HISD Board of Trustees and a former National Democratic Delegate.  Mr Aquino, maybe you were unaware, but during Ms. Arnold’s presidency of the HISD Board, she oversaw redistricting which effectively drew her out of her own district in order that Hispanics could have another representative at the table.  And of course I know James Rodriguez, as most of us involved have known him since he was knee high to a grasshopper and watched him grow, work through the different layers of government, campaign in the snows up north for Al Gore,  marry and settle down, offer himself for public office and now serves as a member of City Council.  If there is a word you associate with James , it is LOYAL!  WHAT IN THE HELL    POSSIBLE REASON WOULD SOMEONE ASK “CAN WE TRUST HIM OR NOT?” of JAMES RODRIGUEZ?  In reading this blog entry, I begin to think the writer is trying to resurrect McCarthyism  of the 2000’s…For shame….for absolute shame.  And for what imaginable reason could or should any of this have been written?

If you want to use your headline, why don’t you write about Borris Miles or maybe Jarvis Johnson – folks where at least allegations of wrongdoing have previously been made, but to write about someone like James Rodriguez, who has never even had a hint of wrongdoing attached to him is as far below the belt as I have seen a writer stoop.  If you have proof of something, BRING IT ON

While I am running this blog entry, I want it clearly understood I disassociate myself from it and stand here ready to stand with my friends, JAMES RODRIGUEZ, SENFRONIA THOMPSON and PAULA ARNOLD and will vouch for their good names and intentions and most of all their allegiance to the Democratic Party until the cows   come home.  Guilt by association based on a photograph is as sleazy as it comes……If you have an opinion about this entry by this blogger, who is also carried by the Houston Chronicle, write him directly at naa six-one-eight at att.net…….. cew……before somebody asks why I wrote this let me say…this is my email list and when folks I know, trust and care about are unfairly treated, I am going to come out like a cornered lion in their defense.