Original Mavericks To McCain: "You're No Maverick"

Brave New Films talks to the actual original Mavericks, who aren't too fond of John McCain using their name:

Fontaine Maverick, great-great-granddaughter of Samuel Augustus Maverick (1803-1870) explains the origin of the expression -- and why it shouldn't apply to the Republican candidate:

Samuel Maverick was a Texas cattleman, land baron and politician, so influential that he was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Fiercely independent and equally liberal. Sam became well known for what he didn't do, however. It seems, according to Fontaine, that he had taken some cattle in lieu of a debt he was owed. He let them roam on an island off of Texas, and for whatever reason, didn't brand them. So, any unbranded cattle became known as Maverick's. Now, this more than likely wasn't an act of revolt. No one knows for sure, but Maverick really wasn't much of a cattleman. He was also shrewd, later on in life if cattle weren't branded, he would often claim them.

Sam was also very spirited and free minded. It was because of this that in 1867 the term Maverick was first cited as being used to describe someone with an independent streak, someone not branded.

...

"Mavericks believe everybody has a right to be in America so long as they obey the law," Fontaine told me. "Grandfather Maury was no coward. He chased the Klan right out of San Antonio once, stood up to the mob... Maury was burned in effigy in San Antonio, for his defense of members of the Communist Party's right to assemble, for his defense of the Hispanic community, support for those who didn't have a voice. "

...

"My brother called me from California last week during the VP debate and told me if they said the world Maverick one more time, he was going to shoot the TV. Of course, he doesn't have a gun, but, you get the point. My mother was just quoted in the New York Times about how we feel McCain is branded, Palin is branded, they are Republicans, and true Mavericks carry no brand. It's driving our family crazy, upsetting us and the legacy of my family, and we really with the campaign would stop misusing the word and the phrase.

"John McCain on a few occasions has shown that he can go against his party, but how hard is that when his party has been wrong on so many things as we now see," she continued. "But he has a brand. And Palin, I'm not sure she even knows the history of the word of or my family, but one thing is clear to all of my family, she truly is not a Maverick."

Comments

[Ontrackmac]

Hey Fontaine and family...Y­ou made a difference.

We love ya'

[thehonestpolitician]

"In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope. In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need.....I­n one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history. That’s what’s at stake. That’s what we’re fighting for." Obama Closing argument Speech - Oct 27th 2008
Now GO VOTE! Make History!

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[AlaskanToo]

God bless these Mavericks!

[Jingo]

This explains why all the signs at McCain/Palin rallies spell it as "MAVRICK".­. they don't want to get in trouble for misusing the real name. The campaign can't afford a trademark suit so late in the election cycle.

[moongal6]

You mean they can't afford ANOTHER law suit, there are so many.

[theblahbook]

The Maverick family is an old established family in San Antonio. There's a story (and I'm sorry for not knowing all the name details, my dad told me this) Before World War II, Mayor Maury Maverick had an employee who was of Chinese decent, and they were slated to to be sent to an internment camp after the bombing of pearl harbor. Mayor Maverick hid this man and his family throughout the war. After it was safe for Asian Americans to live without being sent off to a camp, Maverick helped this man open a restaurant on Broadway St. and its still open today, run by that family , along with a few others around the city. However. If my father knew that the Maverick family was so liberal (which i am elated to find out) he'd have a baby, right now.

[SallyMutant]

Bless these real Mavericks. (And I believe James Garner is a long time Democrat.)
Finally, a reminder that there have beeen GREAT, LIBERAL Texans. Like Maury. And me.
Seriously, from what I've read about him he's up there best of the progressive New Dealers--Mayor LaGuardia, Clifford and Virginia Durr come to mind.

[helpusa]

I LIKE THESE MAVERICKS. They are the real deal. WOW!!

I passed it on. We only have one day 'till elections. I'm so nervous I could have a cow.

[RAFord24]

Priceless! Why isn't this ad playing in Florida? Love the song...

[foxbat]

McCain and Palin sound nothing like the originals. The originals sound pretty "pro-American" to me.

[Franb]

They sound 'pro-human' to me. I can well understand their disgust at the misuse of their family 'brand' by the Republicans.

[margardner]

What a great family. Mavericks with spunk!

[SColbert]

love the Mavericks!

[Chaucea]

Yay! A video on this finally! :-D

[mittenlit]

Mavericks are everywhere, even up here in Northern Michigan. I recently posted an interview with two Mavericks at http://mittenlit.com/?p=255 . I learned a lot about Mavericks and if the campaign had vetted the name they would've found out how liberal the family has been since the days of Texas Independence. They would've also learned that the original Maverick Samuel Augustus was a prisoner of war during the Texas War for Independence. It's more likely that the moniker was chosen since it was the handle for Tom Cruise's character in Top Gun. If Jim Cash, another Michiganian and the scriptwriter for Top Gun, knew that he would be turning over in his grave. Thanks but no thanks.

[ScarletBegonia]

I love the real Maverick's! Too bad McFailin is nothing like them!

[CintiBlue]

Nice to meet you, Maverick Family! Thanks for setting the record straight, plus the lesson is most interesting.

If McCain is cringe-worthy for me, these true Mavericks' cringe level must be off the charts.

Don't shoot your Teeeee Veeeee's yet, you'll need to be tuned in on November 4.

[JR-Vette]

There you go, there you have it!!!!!

Will the "poser maverick" stop using the term now?