In his blog entry titled Jerry Patterson Wants You to Bring Your Guns to the Alamo, Paul Burka writes upon the recent call to arms by Jerry Patterson for owners of so called "long guns" to converge on the Alamo as a demonstration of the right to bear arms.  Paul Burka himself is an avid admirer of guns, having been the Deadeye Dick at his high school, obtaining a score of 236 out of 250 on an accuracy test.  However, as a private citizen he does not own any personal weapons.  Despite his skill with firearms, he still believes that it is insane how overly protective of their guns many people are.  While he is aware that most gun owners are average people like himself, he claims that there are many people who are legitimately afraid of a day when the government will attempt to take away their personal guns.  Recently  at the rally at the Alamo, long gun owners(guns with long barrels ex. shotguns) attempted to push the limits of gun laws by publicly displaying loaded firearms.  They were incited by Jerry Patterson, currently the commissioner of the General Land Office, and current candidate for Lt. Governor.  Patterson's aim for the rally was to make the public aware of a "peaceful right we fear losing", however Burka believes that there is absolutely no chance the 2nd amendment will ever be removed.  
Clearly Burka is writing towards a moderate audience of people who perhaps own guns, but do not particularly harbor any paranoia about the government. He points out that it is possible to be a gun lover without resorting to armed demonstration. Indeed, I fully agree with Burka, people are far too paranoid about their right to bear arms, especially in a state such as Texas.  The majority of the population probably does not own guns, and it is absurd to think that every citizen needs a personal arsenal in their home.  The carry of long guns also shows a disrespect to those who perhaps do not feel safe around guns.  While it's fine to argue for the right to have long guns in your car on your gun rack, walking down sixth street with a loaded shotgun is a much more serious issue.  We are only human after all, and what good can come of open carrying weapons that can accidentally discharge and kill?

           In his op-ed What it Takes from Texas Monthly, Robert Draper speaks on the issue off Wendy Davis' announcement for her inclusion of the gubernatorial race.  Draper seems to be of the opinion that Davis is not some random celebrity/politician that is running off of her recent filibuster fame.  He claims that she is a genuine candidate that seeks out true change in Texan Government, as opposed to her opponent Greg Abbot who is simply a Perry crony.  He claims that her ideals are more in line with mainstream conservatism because of her recent speeches on the tax loophole issue than actual republicans in office. Davis' recent opposition to the Obama Administrations anti-merger declaration for American Airlines and U.S airways has given her an issue that demonstrates her pro-Texas business policies, and proves that point.  Draper however, fears that she will simply be caste as a liberal "abortion barbie" or simply a flag bearer for the dead Democratic Party in Texas.  However, he also remains hopeful, since Davis was able to beat out the sixteen year incumbent in the Texas Legislature in a majority conservative district, it seems she may last.  Unfortunately, says Draper, she has one very important issue to confront.  What does it mean to be  a Texas Democrat? This definition seems to be the real deciding point on whether or not she will be successful.  Ultimately Draper thinks that Davis stands a real chance, as she is candidate that pulled herself from a low-income trailer park childhood, to Harvard Law School and a political career.  He believes she is the embodiment of the "pull yourself up by your boot straps" idea, and thus stands head and shoulder above the other candidates, and may allow Democrats to retake Texas.
          I completely agree with Draper, I too believe that Davis could revitalize and re-brand the Democratic party of Texas.  However, I think that the Democratic party of Texas will have to change significantly in terms of their affiliation to the Larger Democratic Part of the United States in order to woo the conservative votes.  I think that abortion, nepotism, and tax loopholes are some of the most important issues confronting Texans, and I am one hundred percent behind Davis' on all three of those issues.