McMurtry Counter from UNT Grad Steve Blow

[Harry]

To be honest, I dont write this one with much enthusiasm. (And how excited you must be to read it!)

One of the big-dog editors noticed that Dallas and Houston happen to both have new promotional campaigns going. He thought a little rivalry column might be fun, throw a few barbs and all that. I politely resisted.

But then, coincidentally, Larry McMurtry went and upped the ante. In an essay in the current Texas Monthly, McMurtry took it upon himself to rank the states six major cities.

I would now put Houston first by a large margin; its a great city, he wrote. Next would come Austin and Fort Worth. Then, with only harsh words, he goes on to put Dallas in fourth place.

I havent enjoyed Dallas since the sixties, he said. Dallas is a second-rate city that wishes it were first-rate.

And here we wince.

San Antonio is treated kindly but gets fifth place on McMurtrys list, mostly because a favorite bookstore closed, it seems. And El Paso is consigned to the bottom because it just doesnt feel to me like a Texas city.

Somewhat wearily, allow me to rise to Dallas defense. Or more accurately, let me rise to Dallas nondefense.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20130209-first-rate-second-rate-dallas-is-all-right-with-me.ece