I was appaled by some of the views in this article. As someone who considers himself a true Texan, even holding my status as Texan far above my status as an American, I cannot understand the motivation for this. From the picture itself, it contrasts those from "the city" as well dressed and refined, but shows those from "the country" as lacking class, with a picture of a girl in overalls with her cleavage hanging out and tattoed. I am aggrivated by comments by students polled in this article who "could not imagine living here if there were not students here" and see a "lack of culture in this town". News flash...they chose to come here. They point out the fact that we live here with no skyscrapers blotting out the sky, yet fail to realize that we also have several events on campus that are all about culture, and that we have several restaurants in town with almost any sort of ethnic food one could possibly imagine. This article shows a complete lack of respect for the Southern way of life, even pointing out how students "feel disgust for Southern rural living" and how there's "nothing here". We live in Central Texas, a place I believe happens to be the most beautiful part of Texas. Do they have any regard for the wonder that is natural Texas? Also, the comments on our "night life" are rediculous. Yes, The Hall is a classic example of a Texas dance hall, I'm pretty sure that the name and the countless number of pickup trucks that are parked outside every night reflect that. Yet because of the crowd who also wants the "club" environment, The Hall and Midnight Rodeo also play a good deal of rap music as well. I am hard pressed to find somewhere I can go to dance and not hear it. If you want a club, go to one of the many places on Northgate that cater to your preferences, don't complain how several places in town don't suit you. They shouldn't change to meet your expectations from places like New York. This isn't the north, nor is it a big city. And when people talk about coming out of "classier places on Northgate" to find people "dipping into bottles", then mention how they "don't understand it", that is just sheer intolerance. What's not to understand about it? Some might not do it, but what is so terrible about those who do? Do they affect you? Why is it only intolerant when people like myself don't like rap music and seeing girls walk into clubs on Northgate dressed in their sluttiest attire to dance like girls out of some MTV video, but when people complain about those who dip snuff and like being here it is seen as somehow morally superior? Yes, people from Texas like country music, they like Copenhagen, they like the freedom of the fields and rivers. My hometown was once a small Texas town, when my mother was a girl, she rode horses on her family's land, my dad rode bulls on his high school rodeo team, but with "progress", Dallas has virtually enveloped my town and the small town atmosphere has turned into a suburban wasteland. I can't do things I like, such as hunting or camping without having to make at least an hour long drive. Moral of my story is, if you don't like living here, if you don't like being a part of Southern living, chicken fried steaks, two stepping at The Hall, or watching the sun set over a ranch and being able to see it for miles, quit complaining. You are here now. Don't criticize us for being how we are. If you like New York City, then go home, that's obviously where you belong. But if you want to stay here, learn to accept this place for what it is and stop complaining about it being backward and lacking class.

I get pretty tired of the comments about the "lack of culture" and "close-mindedness" of small towns. Seems to me that generalizing every person who happens to come from a small town is pretty close-minded. So what if you never went to a Wal-Mart until you moved here? That doesn't make you morally superior. Growing up in a small town does not mean we lived in a bubble, completely oblivious to the outside world.

In response to Ms. Cisnero's views of us, the simple hayseeds of college station,do you not think you are a bit hypocritical saying we are small minded and unaccepting of other people? How can you say that small town people are close minded when you yourself talk about how we have no culture. I'll have you know that while we might not be the well-rounded, worldly Houstonian that you are we have a different sort of culture. Maybe, since you are so open minded, you could try and embrace some of that?

At first, I wondered how these two junior girls had managed to "endure" living in College Station for three long years. Then it dawned on me: it enables them to feel so superior to the "yokels" who surround them. It seems to me that that must be very important to them. For people who can't believe the intolerance of small-minded country folk, they themselves show precious little acceptance of others. Hurry up and get your degree so you can get the heck out of here. Then be sure to tell other like-minded people all about your bad experiences, so they won't come here. We don't need any more like you. Oops, was that intolerant?