The Next Governor of the Great State of Texas
As the weather continues to drop and the leaves litter the streets of Greenville, one might consider this season just another gloomy autumn. However, the sound of gusting wind, and leaves scraping the sidewalks, could not drown out the cries of laughter on East Carolina’s campus in early November.
East Carolina University’s 1st annual HumorFest was held November 1-3, and hosted many talented acts that included a musician/humorist/novelist and most recently politician by the name of Kinky Friedman.
Conservative Republicans, stretching back to the early 1980s, have controlled Texas government. The politicians, who represent this seemingly one-sided party, and hold the reins to Texas government, are adored as much as the early 19th century Texan who adored the vast, arduous terrain while defending it’s freedom.
Kinky Friedman decided to run for Governor in a five-candidate race in 2006. He was defeated by a wide margin, but still expressed his aspirations for a great change need in Texas politics.
Friedman utilized the HumorFest as a political platform, to express his issues and the injustices of Texas politics, as well as his unique stand-up comedy act of political satire and song.
“I am not anti-death penalty, but I’m damn sure anti-the-wrong-guy-getting-executed,” reflects Friedman about the death penalty.
Texas Legislation passed a law that deems smoking of any kind illegal in all bars in the State of Texas. This chain-of-events led the comic to embark on yet another campaign: KFC or Kinky Friedman Cigar Co. An avid cigar aficionado, Friedman donates all of the proceeds from KFC to a generous cause – the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, a decade long project to adopt abused and stray canines.
His cigar endeavors included sharing an ashtray with two former Commander and Chiefs: Pres. Bill Clinton and Pres. George W. Bush. Kinky has always opposed the legality of possession of Cuban tobacco in America, he says.
“I’m not supporting their economy, I’m burning their fields,” was the line he delivered to a former United States President while they enjoyed a cigar.
Shortly after Kinky’s speech and impromptu stand up act came a musical performance. Jewford, an original member of Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, sat down on the piano bench and began to play.
The duo performed four songs at Hendrix Theater, which included “We reserve the Right to refuse you,” “Biscuits in the oven, Buns in the bed” and a Delbert McClinton cover, “Autograph.”
For the final number, Friedman asked all of the United States Armed Services Veterans to stand for acknowledgment. The final song of the night was entitled, “Ballad of Ira Haze,” that filled the room with dead silence as the mood quickly changed to a proud, patriotic feel.
He may be a Jew that calls Texas his home, but he is also a powerful voice that should be heard in the 2010 Texas State Elections. With the devotion and dedication he put for in 2006, to other candidates dismay, Kinky stays confident through all of the criticism. As Kinky signed a copy of his new book, with his campaign slogan “Why the Hell Not?” I noticed his perseverance and dedication for politics that for decades were overshadowed by pushing the envelope challenging socio-economical and political views through musical pursuits.
Filed under: HumorFest Reports