By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor

Weck’s World

“Don’t mess with Texas.”

Sure, the phrase merely represents a campaign to cut down on statewide litterbugs, but honestly, do Texans wear T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan just because they’re tired of freeway garbage?

No way. Those four words symbolize Texas Pride, a sentiment held by far too many Texans who hold their state in too high a regard.

A 1993 statewide poll revealed that more than 60 percent of Texans believed themselves to be “particularly unique” compared to other Americans, and understandably so.

After all, Texas stands alone as the only state to have belonged to six different countries, including its own-the Republic of Texas-in the mid-19th century. How could I forget that, with all the Texans at ACU constantly reminding me that Texas was once its own country. But that didn’t last long. After nine years as an independent republic, president Sam Houston realized that Texas couldn’t handle its $10 million debt on its own and accepted admittance into the Union in 1845.

But hey, forget all that nonsense. No one can take the Alamo away from Texas. During the Texas Revolution in 1836, about 187 Texans-led by Col. William Barrett Travis-held the small mission for 13 days and killed about 1,600 Mexicans in the process. Not bad.

But hey, take it from a Yankee- I’m fine with your prideful nature. I’m fine with your enlarged San Jacinto monument, your $80-million state history museum, your bluebonnets and your prickly pears. I’m even fine with your state flag flying high above your country’s. Just don’t think you can make it without the rest of us.

Oh yeah, and could you do away with the whole “y’all” thing, too?