Author Archives: RJS El Tejano

I Had A Flight to Catch, So I Killed Him

I’d tell you the names have been changed to protect the innocent. But there are no innocent parties. So I name names. And I’d tell you that the following is a true story. And it is, although some of it hasn’t happened yet. But just wait. As sure as my name is Richard Joseph Salvucci,Continue reading “I Had A Flight to Catch, So I Killed Him”

Qvam Pinus, Father

No. That’s not what you think it means, if you think it means anything at all. And this otherwise adolescent recollection has a serious point, especially with the way political life in the United States is evolving. I suppose I’m going to come across as a complete reactionary, but it’s not as if I careContinue reading “Qvam Pinus, Father”

All Politics is Local (and History, too)

The nice thing about a blog is you can do what you want. No pain-in-the-ass referees or editors. No academic brownie points, but no mindless annual reviews, H-indexes, or gruesome get-togethers that academics call “conferences,” “congresses,” or some such either. What brought this entry on was an acute attack of thought. Too bad it doesn’tContinue reading “All Politics is Local (and History, too)”

Why I am Not a Jazz Critic

No, this is not a play on Bertrand Russell’s “Why I am Not a Christian.” For obvious reasons, I wouldn’t dare. And for at least one less obvious reason. Russell argues that a Christian, among other things, had to believe in God. He did not. And that was that. What do you have to believeContinue reading “Why I am Not a Jazz Critic”

Happy Valentine’s Day, Andrés Manuel

Pa todos mis amigos de Mexico, sin rencor y sin politica, pero sí con mucho amor. Let me make it clear from the outset. I do not regard this as any more than a glorified opinion piece. It is not an academic study. No one has reviewed it. And I, as much as anyone, amContinue reading “Happy Valentine’s Day, Andrés Manuel”

BURY MY HEART AT SAN JACINTO

It never goes away, and it probably never will. The independence of Texas–secession if you will–was the means whereby Texas migrated from one Empire to whatwould arguably become another. And if matters had gone differently in the 1860s, Texasmight have been part of and not simply, a whole ‘nother country. Talk of Texit comesnaturally toContinue reading “BURY MY HEART AT SAN JACINTO”

I Still Believe in Santa Claus

Three years ago I started to write a blog once in a while. I had sworn I never would, but after getting thrown into Facebook jail for alluding to Trump as a fascist (“hate speech”), I figured I needed another venue. Guess what? The world had caught up. Now if you’ve ever read a bookContinue reading “I Still Believe in Santa Claus”

It’s college football, not just A&M

Yup. A 76.8 million dollar buyout is a lot of money for a college football coach. Especially one who slinks off with a winning, albeit mediocre record. We’re talking Jimbo Fisher at A&M, that seat of the intellect in College Station, TX. Let you in on a secret. I’ve lived in Texas for thirty years.Continue reading “It’s college football, not just A&M”

A Gringo Looks at Mexican History

Ok. Right off the bat I lose 80 percent of my readers. That’s ok. I expect it. You aren’t missing much. All ten of you. And if you were sort of hoping for personal yarns about experiences, good and bad, I’ve had in Mexico over 40 years, sorry. Not this time. Walking the streets inContinue reading “A Gringo Looks at Mexican History”