While walking around in Texas, Houston, I pondered about this incredible city’s legacy and the people it has cultivated and fostered. By no means simple and easy ones – controversial American leaders, who all had a strong Houston flavor in their life and work. I got personally crossed with them while walking the streets of Houston.

Let’s start with Samuel Houston.

Why him? Let me open:

⁃ President of the Republic of Texas, originally from Tennessee;

⁃ Lived with, fought the Cherokees; hero at the Alamo

⁃ Big statue at the Hermann park entrance, played with Lumi, nice to visit, sun shining

Lyndon B Johnson

⁃ man of the “Great Society”; who succeeded in many reforms he tried to instill in America, including advancements in the civil rights

⁃ However stays controversial:

⁃ too “war hawk” for the Vietnam war protesters, hippies and left-wing movements;

⁃ too lame and liberal for the other Southern Democrats, whom he “betrayed” by supporting civil rights movements (Martin L King’s work etc.)

⁃ NASA Johnson Center named after him (got America to the moon)

⁃ Newer Johnson park at the Theatre district of Houston (where we stayed 2-3 days)

George H. W. Bush

⁃ airport named after him

⁃ Very HOUSTON guys;

⁃ At the center / crossroads of history

⁃ Big family: kids, G. W. Bush, but also Jeb and others…

⁃ Father’s role and importance (plus grandfather)

⁃ Oil family and background, industry; plus ranch

⁃ Plus: his right hand and long time friend – James A. Baker “The Man Who Ran Washington” – Read the book! And check his personal, touching commemorating words in Houston for G.H.W. Bush.

Plus, if I had to choose one more, I’d probably pick up Joel Osteen, the “mega pastor” of Lakewood Church in Houston. It’s truly a “Deep South” and “Bible Belt” in here… I read Osteen’s books -5 years Ago already, and his one of the most well-known (and controversial) “mega pastors” in USA and maybe the whole world.

Ok, this was a list of privileged WHITE people, and we should probably check some more colorful combo of people. Like M. L. King said: not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great.