I must say nadin's had a good influence on me, personally.
Because of her Mexicocentrism, and her oft-stated desire that we're at the end of America's greatness, recently I started reading about the War for the Liberation of Texas in 1836 and the Mexican-American War of 1845-1848.
Yeah, yeah, I always knew about the Alamo and stuff, but never paid much attention to most of it.
However, in the last week and a half, I've read four books about the wars between Texas and Mexico, and between the United States and Mexico. I've been impressed, and thank nadin for motivating me towards this illumination.
I used to have this impression that Texans and Americans were great big bullies beating up on tiny weak little Mexico; not exactly our finest hour despite even the heroism at the Alamo.
Oops, that impression seems to have been wrong.
Much to my surprise, if there was an underdog in all these wars, it was us, not them.
I mean, 80 Texans holding off 4,000 Mexicans, or 500 Americans holding off 8,000 Mexicans?
And the underdog kept winning.
The capture of Mexico City by a rag-tag battered beat-up amateur army of Americans was particularly amusing, and warming to the heart.
I was similarly surprised to learn that the fabled General Santa Anna died peacefully at home in his bed, of old age. I had prior to that thought maybe he'd met his end at the hands of angry Mexicans.
Nothing against Mexicans, or Mexico--after all, I have many friends who are Mexican-derived, some of whom pay me money--but perhaps nadin should refresh her "knowledge" of the history of relations between these two countries.
But at any rate, franksolich has to thank nadin for inspiring him to look into this.
