Back Page
No Direction Home
Four years in the Air Force, including stints in Iraq and Afghanistan, have prepared me for every conceivable situation. Except, that is, for my mind-numbing new civilian existence.
Ring of Fire
It was one of the most passionately observed traditions on any college campus in the country. Then, on November 18, 1999, a week before it was scheduled to burn, the Texas A&M Bonfire collapsed in the middle of the night, killing twelve Aggies. Ten years later, as the university continues to wrestle with the tragedy—and debate whether Bonfire should ever return to campus—the students and alumni who chopped logs, hauled timber, and built stack talk about what they saw, what they lost, and how their school was changed forever.
BackTalk (36 comments) »
Below the Surface
Since 1996, a legal battle has raged between ExxonMobil and a powerful South Texas ranching clan that believes the oil company sabotaged wells on the family property. Even after a ruling by the state Supreme Court earlier this year, the bitter feud shows no signs of letting up. Maybe that’s because it’s about something far more important than money.
BackTalk (8 comments) »
With God On Their Side
The decision to abruptly remove 437 children from a fundamentalist Mormon compound in Eldorado sparked the largest custody battle in U.S. history. But now that the last child’s case has been settled and all the kids are back home, a question still lingers: What really happened on the Yearning for Zion Ranch?
BackTalk (37 comments) »
The 50 Greatest Hamburgers In Texas
A gastro-scientific inquiry into the finest burgers in the state that invented the burger, including the Toro (#4), the Stodg (#6), the Miss Hattie (#28), and, in our top slot, a miracle of meat served only on Sundays. No wonder they call it the Lord’s day.
BackTalk (35 comments) »
Across The Line
According to the district attorney in Smith County, this building was the site of the most horrific child sex ring in Texas history. Three of the adults convicted of running it have already been sentenced to life in prison. There’s just one problem: The DA in neighboring Wood County, where the building is located, says nothing happened here at all.
BackTalk (40 comments) »
The Reaper Doth Protest Too Much
When the president visited Texas A&M last week, the opposition was waiting.
BackTalk (5 comments) »
Memo to Kay
Even someone who supports the death penalty, as you do, can and should be up in arms over the Cameron Willingham case.
BackTalk (9 comments) »
Texas High Ways
Why the unlikeliest of states—ours—should legalize marijuana.
BackTalk (25 comments) »
Fundamental Arguments
On October 26, the first FLDS criminal trial in Texas begins. What legal strategies remain for the defense?
BackTalk (4 comments) »
kids miller art outdoor center learning dance theater science aggies free children concert christmas things football culture education university of texas opening longhorns kaboom books outdoors music events free children’s music green weekend austin children’s museum austin charity young holiday family holidays professional miller outdoor theatre theatre nature classes ut arboretum fun houston hispanic
