Some Texas Facts

[markiver54]

Was born in Amarillo, so, I guess I can be American!

[Sir Henry]

All my ex’s live in Texas. That’s why I live in Arkansas.

[220]

I guess the size thing is relative, in Australia Texas would be considered small.
It would be in the bottom 1/3rd on land size, we still have Territories that havent been granted state hood larger than Texas, although the population of Texas is just above the entire Australian population.
Even Alaska would only come in 3rd on size when compared to our state sizes, Texas, California, Montana and New Mexico combined are the same size as our largest state.
Mainland Australia is virtually the same size as the continental USA, with external territories it is larger than all USA territories helped greatly by nearly 2.3million sq miles of the Australian Antarctic Territory.

[markiver54]

That is why Australia, in and of itself is considered a continent.

[markiver54]

That is why Australia, in and of itself is considered a continent. not a state.

[220]

That is why Australia, in and of itself is considered a continent.

Yep largest island, smallest continent and I think the only country that is also a continent.
I think if you asked Australians what state in the USA they would most like to visit Texas would come out on top, at the same time I think most get a laugh from the everything is bigger in Texas mantra.

There are lots of stories about Aussies and Texans trying to outdo each other, my favorite involves the late Kerry Packer. Kerry was a very astute business man but a big time gambler. Possibly the only man in the world casinos feared, he had enough money to bankrupt them and was willing to gamble it. He was banned from the MGM grand and all affiliates in 1995 after wining 26 million in a few hours betting up to $500,000 a hand playing blackjack.

This story has many versions and the complete truth of the details has probably been lost over the years but the bones of the story goes like this…

They say Kerry was playing every box at a blackjack table and not allowing anyone else to play or back bet at the table. They say this angered an arrogant Texan oil baron. The Texan began to throw his weight around, complaining and telling all and sundry he was a big deal. He’s worth $100 million. He shouldn’t have to wait for a god dang blackjack table!

Packer swivels around in his seat only for the Texan to point at Packer and reiterate, “I’m worth $100 million!” So Packer pulls a coin out of his pocket, stares at the Texan and says, “So you want to gamble hey? I’ll flip you for it.”

[BrokenolMarine]

I love that one!
Bet that shut him up.

[markiver54]

Good one 220!!

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Just pointing out Texas is smaller than British Columbia, Ontario, Northwest Territories, Quebec and Nunavut. Quebec and Nunavut are both bigger than Alaska.

A song for you all.

https://youtu.be/I49PI_MbNKI

All that said I do like Texas since my brother-in-law and sister live there.

-Ed-

[220]

Kerry Packer was almost a larger than life character, would have fitted in well in Texas.
In the mid 1970's he wanted exclusive TV rights to test cricket in Australia. The governing bodies rejected his bid, at the time cricket was still amature, with very few players earning enough to survive by playing cricket alone.
He went and signed the best 50 cricketers in the world as full time professionals from Aus, Eng, NZ, South Africa, India, Pakastan and the Caribbean and started his own World Series Cricket competition. The C'mon Aussie chat you hear around the world was actually part of the advertising campaign for his World Series.

A little bit on his gambling history if anyone is interested.
https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/b ... 4d7a7efa00