January 2003 Cover

Photograph courtesy of Wide World Photos.

January 2003

Table of Contents

Features

Why the mighty Rio Grande isn't so mighty anymore: a twisted tale of international politics, water rights, and environmental reality (with a drought thrown in for good measure).

It was a year of asinine atheists, buck-naked bad guys, crud-coated coins, duct-taped duds, ex-Enron exhibitionists, felonious Ferraris, gaffe-prone guests, hijacked heads, icky incumbents, jittery java junkies, kaput kampaigns, lascivious lawyers, Munsters maniacs, ninny newlyweds, obdurate officials, pesky perfumes, quickie-minded quadrupeds, risible reading, superannuated sodas, titillating textbooks, un-dry urbanites, vamoosed vaudevillians, wandering weapons, Xena-like Xanthippes, yammering Yankees, and zealous zit-ologists.

Legend has it that an East Texas preacher's homemade flying machine took off in late 1902, nearly a year before Kitty Hawk. Are the history books wrong about who was first in flight—or are they right, brothers?

On November 22, 1963, I was working as a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram when I answered the phone—and got a close encounter with history.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that Cameron Park, a Brownsville colonia, is the poorest community in America—and yet optimism thrives there. How do you explain to statisticians and demographers that poverty is a relative thing?

Columns

Behind the Lines

Can the Republicans govern?

Cartwright's Texas

If you're wondering why trial lawyers were once regarded as heroes rather than pariahs, let me tell you about my friend Warren Burnett, the late, great champion of little guys and lost causes.

Sports

Drew Brees's parents don't look forward to seeing him get thrown to the ground on national TV each week. But they sure do love having an NFL quarterback for a son.

Faith

When I could no longer tolerate the religious fundamentalism of my childhood, I turned to the teachings of a Swiss psychiatrist—and rejuvenated my spiritual life.

Great Outdoors

There are rivers in Texas—some of the most beautiful places on earth—where the fly-fishing is great and you don't have to battle the crowds. Now, tell me again why I should vacation in Montana?

Books

No one took the literature of Texas or the Southwest seriously until J. Frank Dobie put it, and us, on the map.

Reporter

Reporter

They're ready for their close-up; are we? Our writer prejudges the thousands of celebrity wannabes at Austin's American Idol tryouts.

Not Forgotten

Opal Yarborough's silence.

A Few Words With. . .

The director of the new Alamo movie takes on the storied battle—and the eyes of Texas are upon him.

The Filter

Pat’s Pick

Pat’s Pick

Miscellany

The Last Roundup

My life as the Hummingbird Man.

Web Exclusives

A small town showdown with Hollywood comes to a draw.

Texas Monthly senior editor Michael Hall launches into a discussion about his story "Two Wings And A Prayer."

Senior editor Anne Dingus, who along with Paul Burka, organizes and supervises the annual Bum Steer Awards, gives insight on the history of the long-standing tradition.

Paul Burka, senior executive editor and resident Bum Steer co-captain answers a few revealing questions.

Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer remembers Cowtown in the sixties.

Photographer Artie Limmer talks about the challenges of shooting the mighty Rio Grande.

Editor Katy Vine sucked it up and sat around the auditions with a bunch of young vocalist hopefuls keyed up with the prospect of becoming...an American Idol.

Click here for more information on fly fishing.

The Contemporary Cowboy Cookbook: Recipes From the Wild West to Wall Street

Spend an afternoon antiquing or a weekend just relaxing—historic Salado is worth the trip.

Black-Eyed Peas

Recipes

Homestead on the 19th, Huntsville

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