Posted 2/26/2006 11:43:00 AM by Douglas

Something to be said for the least populated county in the nation. And that would have to be bat-shit crazy.

The material described the plans of a Libertarian faction in its own words "to win most of the elected offices in the county administration" and "restore to freedom" Loving County. The blueprint, called "Restoring Loving County," said that land was hard to come by but that a ranch had been split up and members were in the process of buying sections.

"The people who are living there will be able to register to vote," it said. "They must swear that they intend to make Loving their home."

The goal, said an e-mail message attributed to a group member, was to move in enough Libertarians "to control the local government and remove oppressive regulations (such as planning and zoning, and building code requirements) and stop enforcement of laws prohibiting victimless acts among consenting adults such as dueling, gambling, incest, price-gouging, cannibalism and drug handling."

And there's where the Libertarian cause falls apart. I think most people wouldn't argue with the Libertarian stance of less taxes and less government involvement, but when you throw out incest and cannibalism, that tends to alienate some folks.

Still, despite this piece National Geographic did on Mentone a few years ago, even the term "West Texas" will conjure up an ideal of people, bless their hearts, that just ain't right. Whether it's a Mormon cult in San Angelo, or a Prada store in Marfa, the area draws and retains people that march to the beat of a different drummer. And let's not forget about the castration of the alcoholic mayor of Lajitas, who happened to be a goat.