Patterson to Star-Telegram: "I couldn't care less."

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson has a few choice words for your hometown newspaper.

In an editorial Thursday, the Star-Telegram called the Republican land commissioner's position on the Christmas Mountains untenable, and said that "his obstinate invocation of the gun issue in the discussion borders on obsession."

In a response Thursday, Patterson cites the oath he took years ago as an officer of the United States Marine Corps. He also notes in his 400-plus word letter that  the "Fort Worth Star-Telegram may consider my position 'untenable' and my zeal for the Bill of Rights 'obstinate' and an 'obsession,'  but I couldn't care less."

Patterson has expressed an unwillingness to transfer the 14.5-square-mile tract to the National Park Service if the agency insists on enforcing its regular firearms restrictions on the land. The park service has offered to add the land to Big Bend National Park.

Patterson, who as a House lawmaker also authored the state's concealed handgun law, also has suggested he would not honor an expected U.S. Supreme Court ruling if it contradicts his views on the Second Amendment.

"I guess you can just call me an old-fashioned believer in the wisdom of those who penned the Bill of Rights and not much of a believer in the wisdom of editorial boards," Patterson wrote.

You can click on the comments section below for a full text of the letter.

--R.A. Dyer

Comments

[david calvert Weatherford, TX]

THE man is totally, completely, clearly, obviously, Constitutionally, philosophically, and in every other way - RIGHT! We need MORE like him in public
service - not less.

As for the "editorial" board - well - they are journalist - what more needs to be said?

DRC

[Mike]

Well, the Star-Telegram isn't really a home-grown paper. It's ownership is based in California, and doesn't even come close to sharing the same views and opinions of the average Texan. That said, I applaud Patterson for his stance.

[Jim Suydam]

Jake…things aren’t like they used to be, when a reporter had full control of what his readers do and don’t get to see.

You cite Commissioner Patterson’s Marine oath, but you skip over the part about his oath of office? Let’s let the readers see the full text of Commissioner Patterson’s response to today’s editorial, maybe they can make up their own minds.

Let the editors at the Star-Telegram hear your thoughts on this issue, at letters@star-telegram.com

Below is Commissioner Patterson’s full response to today’s editorial in the Fort Worth paper.

"I, Jerry Patterson, do solemnly swear or affirm, that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of Commissioner of the General Land Office of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State, so help me God."

I understand that solemn oath as a commitment similar to the oath I took decades ago as an officer in the United States Marine Corps to "uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic." I do not regard such affirmations as mere anachronistic formalities. I feel compelled to uphold these commitments even at the risk of my political future in the case of the oath of office as Commissioner, or of my life as in the case of my past career as a Marine.

You'll note that the above recitation DOES NOT STATE I "will preserve, protect, and defend the constitution and laws of the United States and of this state" ONLY WHEN APPLICABLE TO THE DUTIES OF LAND COMMISSIONER.

The 2nd Amendment provides that, "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

Art 1 Sec 23 of the Bill of Right of the Texas constitution also provides, "Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime."

Transferring 9300 acres to an agency of the federal government that clearly ignores these constitutionally enumerated rights would simply violate my oath of office. I can only assume that the Fort Worth Star-Telegram believes elected officials should not be expected to comply with their oaths of office.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram may consider my position "untenable" and my zeal for the Bill of Rights "obstinate" and an "obsession," but I couldn't care less. In my opinion, any elected or appointed official at any level of government lacking the same zeal and commitment to the U.S. and Texas constitutions should be subject to impeachment.

I guess you can just call me an old-fashioned believer in the wisdom of those who penned the Bill of Rights and not much of a believer in the wisdom of editorial boards.

In the case of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, it's not even close.

Jerry Patterson
Commissioner, Texas General Land Office
LtCol., USMCR, ret.

[Jennifer Harrison]

Wha...?

As usual, the people that feel necessary to speak their mind, don't have them. Or don't use them.

First of all, the ownership of the Star-Telegram recently changed to a company based in California, it's true. But all the people working at the Star-Telegram (with the exception of the new publisher) are from Fort Worth. They're as entitled to their opinions about Texas as anybody else living in Texas.

Second, the Christmas Mountains are not chock-full of nutritious wildlife. Some jackrabbits, some deer, some black bear which really shouldn't be hunted anyway, as they're scarce in Texas.

The whole point of giving the land to the National Park Service is so it can be preserved, not destroyed by a bunch of hunters with four-wheel drives and ATVs. This way, hikers and campers can explore the park without having to wear a bright orange vest so they won't be mistaken for a deer.

[Lizzy]

What a dweeb. Patterson, you'll never get my vote again.

[Herb]

Patterson is absolutely right!

And Mike, I have written several letters to the Star-Telegram in recent weeks stating EXACTLY what you have stated. If you note, it's the Star-Telegram now, not the FORT WORTH Star Telegram.

Check J.R. Labbe's blog for her response to my saying that Amon Carter would be spinning in his grave if he saw the paper today.

When is FOX news coming out with a newspaper?

[Steve]

Bravo Mr. Patterson. Your zeal for the Bill of Rights is neither obstinate nor an obsession. The Star-Telegram is wrong.

[sgmorr]

Second Amendment issues have no place in the Christmas Mountains controversy. The state of Texas was given this land by a donor in 1991 in order to be preserved and ultimately transferred to the National Park system or to the state park system. Why is Patterson more insistent more insistent on injecting guns into this issue than he is in upholding the good word of the state of Texas to follow through on the original agreement with the donor? He'd rather showboat than act responsibly.

[Ed Pischedda]

Commissioner Patterson's invocation of imaginary, irrelevant "gun rights" in a land transaction transcends the merely obsessive and bounds into the realm of borderline insanity; accordingly he deserves to be removed from office by Governor Perry in order to restore proper function to the Texas Land Office.

[gunowner]

Patterson thinks he's king? The Supreme Court gets to decide what the words of the constitution means, whether King Patterson likes it or not. And once they decide, he, as an office holder and oath taker, needs to up hold it, until he can get the decision changed or the constitution amended. He sounds a lot like the racist southern governors who stood in school house doors deriding the Supreme Court for allowing blacks to attend good schools. As a gun owner and concealed carry licensee, I think Patterson is a nut.

[David]

Patterson again is off his trolley. This is not a 2nd Amendment issue. Everyone following this story knows it. Patterson is a one-dimensional gun fanatic. How unfortunate that he has been given this power. And now, he feels superior to Supreme Court opinions. Such hubris.

[John Olthoff]

Two names from past years with the startlegram (if you from here you know the name) Etta Hulme & Bob Ray Sanders...both lean so far to left they can look at anything laying on left sidfe most of us have to stand UPRIGHT to see.

Star-Telegram left off being a TEXAS paper when sold to Knight Ridder and other media companies, with no ties to Texas..ask Richard Connor

[Joe Gardner]

I find it ironic that your paper, in the business of selling words and ideas under the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, stating that the Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, so easily casts aside the 2nd Amendment stating, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Political relativism is alive and well at the FWST. What a luxury it is that you can pick and chose what parts of our rights your wish to support. It proves that, as with all moral relativism, our Constitution is no threat to our form of government.

Since Commissioner Patterson’s words seem to mean nothing to your editorial board, shall we also equate this standard to your words?

We, the citizens, rely on you, the press, to print the truth in your yellowed pages. You have a unique responsibility to us, as it is the press that guards our gates and protects or civilization from the hordes entering there, intent on our destruction. Of late, we are suspect of the impartial exercising of your constitutionally granted responsibility.