The United States of America is still run by its citizens. The government works for us. Rank imperialism and warmongering are not American traditions or values. We do not need to dominate the world. We want and need to work with other nations. We want to find solutions other than killing people. Not in our name, not with our money, not with our children's blood.
First Ann Richards, now Molly Ivins:
Best-selling author and columnist Molly Ivins, the sharp-witted liberal who skewered the political establishment and referred to President Bush as "Shrub," died Wednesday after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 62.
David Pasztor, managing editor of the Texas Observer, confirmed her death.
The writer, who made a living poking fun at Texas politicians, whether they were in her home base of Austin or the White House, revealed in early 2006 that she was being treated for breast cancer for the third time.
More than 400 newspapers subscribed to her nationally syndicated column, which combined strong liberal views and populist-toned humor. Ivins' illness did not seem to hurt her ability to deliver biting one-liners.
"I'm sorry to say (cancer) can kill you, but it doesn't make you a better person," she said in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News in September, the same month cancer claimed her friend former Gov. Ann Richards.
To Ivins, "liberal" was no insult. "Even I felt sorry for Richard Nixon when he left; there's nothing you can do about being born liberal -- fish gotta swim and hearts gotta bleed," she wrote in a column included in her 1998 collection, "You Got to Dance With Them What Brung You."
She was a better liberal than me: I don't think I ever felt sorry for Nixon.
I only have one personal anecdote related to Ivins, aside from the enjoyment I got from her columns. It dates back to 1997, when The Wife and I had only recently moved back to Houston. I had just started a job, we were sharing a two-bedroom apartment with a friend, and my grace period for my student loans was coming to an end. In short, I didn't have a lot to spend on a gift for our looming first anniversary.
We were both big fans of Molly Ivins though, and in a rare moment of gift-giving creativity (it being our paper anniversary and all), I went out and bought Nothin' But Good Times Ahead and Molly Ivins Can't Say That, Can She? Next, I called her contact number at the Star-Telegram, and - through her assistant - got her to sign them. It was a mixed bag for The Wife: she got Ivins wishing her a 'Happy Anniversary,' but also encouraging her to 'Hook 'em Horns' and opining about what a great husband I was. What can I say? She knew quality when she read it.
In all seriousness, Ivins was one of a kind. She was a uniquely Texas voice, and she will be missed.
The Observer has a nice obituary.
Wow, I sure am going to miss her. She is a role model for all Texas Women, particularly those with a streak of independence and the sense god gave them. My mom wanted me to write for the Observer at one point, I think that is a pretty good recommendation when someone’s mom wants her daughter to grow up and be like you.
Cheers Molly…I am raising my glass in tribute to your memory.
Thanks for the memorial Pete.