Thursday, September 14, 2006

RIP, White Hot Mama


I was just about to go to bed tonight when I saw the news of Ann Richards' death.

Gov. Richards was a political hero of mine, certainly. A firm progressive in a state that hasn't always been receptive to such leanings, she earned my admiration for her desire to create a "New Texas" by appointing more women and minorities to state positions than anyone had before.

But even more, she earned my respect on a personal level for being a strong Texas woman like the ones in my family that I've long admired -- like my mom, my aunts, my sister. She ran against a virulently sexist pig and, gracefully but firmly, kicked his ass.

I remember watching in 1988 when she said George H.W. was "born with a silver foot in his mouth," and I remember watching again in 1992 when she led the convention that nominated Bill Clinton for the presidency, even though I had to kick band campers out of the dorm lounge so I could do so.

But mostly, I remember meeting her briefly in 1990, when she came to Pampa's Chautauqua celebration in her run for governor. Dad and I drove over to hear her speak, and afterwards, we got in line so she could sign a bumper sticker for me. She asked me my name, then promptly told me I should change it if I ever wanted to be taken seriously. I loved it. I even tried to take her advice, but it didn't stick. Two years later, Dad sent me a Molly Ivins column from Newsweek, quoting Gov. Richards at the Democratic convention. Dad and I don't always agree on everything, but politically, we're pretty in sync. Thinking of Ann Richards reminds me of that.

Thanks for giving 'em hell, Ann. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, September 07, 2006

"But I Love The Truth"

This is by far the most delusional, self-serving, absolutely blind-to-reality interviews with a reality-show evictee I've ever seen.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

"We Must Not Confuse Dissent With Disloyalty"

Truer words have rarely ever been spoken than the Edward R. Murrow quote that gives this post its headline and this blistering commentary by Keith Olbermann its conclusion.