I've been to the Ranger museum in Waco. I'm telling you it's crap. I'm just telling you what I know to be true. I was born and raised in Texas. I am a direct descendent of the Comanche (some call us the Paduca) we say the Nuahmunuah.
The Rangers killed folks for no good reason at times, just like the damn Federales did in Mexico. Both of them were at war with my family. As late as 1908 my Great Great Grandfather was murdered in Mexico by the Federales. He was burned in a city square alive. He was killed for no good reason...oh well just another dead Indio...no matter.
Rangers hung and shot people without trial. I'm not sure why the Times has chosen to bring this up...more race baiting from the left I imagine.
There is a saying in that Indians in Texas used about the Rangers and about white people in general. "They kill like children."
It means that they kill not for food or defense, but because the have an undisciplined minds and hearts.
I love Texas history, and I've studied it to some length from many different sources. The Texas Rangers are always a big part of it.
What you say is true: The Rangers were not nice men. They killed when the mood struck them.
Part of this can be attributed to the age of these men. All of the famous Rangers achieved their fame before the age of thirty.
But most of it was due to the conditions under which they lived, and they didn't expect to live to a ripe old age.
They truly shot first and asked questions later.
I'm not trying to excuse or justify - just understand.