Molly Ivins Dies From Breast Cancer At 62 genre: Happy Remembrances
Columnist, author, and humorist Molly Ivins has died following her third battle with breast cancer. Her syndicated columns were always amusing and often filled with satirical wit and humor. In some ways, she reminded me of the late former governor of Texas, Ann Richards...a good friend of Ivins.
From The Associated Press:
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."
In a column in mid-January, Ivins urged readers to stand up against Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq.
"We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war," Ivins wrote in the Jan. 11 column. "We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, 'Stop it, now!'"
Ivins' jolting satire was directed at people in positions of power. She maintained that aiming it at the powerless would be cruel.
"The trouble with blaming powerless people is that although it's not nearly as scary as blaming the powerful, it does miss the point," she wrote in a 1997 column. "Poor people do not shut down factories,... Poor people didn't decide to use `contract employees' because they cost less and don't get any benefits."
The following video, The Dildo Diaries, is a video clip in which Ivins is discussing the Texas law banning sex toys. It's a good example of Ivins thought processes and her ability to spot hypocrisy and absurdity.
Molly Ivins - The Dildo Diaries (Adult Content)
Daniel DiRito | January 31, 2007 | 5:33 PM
Comments
1 On January 31, 2007 at 7:49 PM, Dusty wrote —
Thank you for the laugh. I have been overwhelmed with sadness at the news of Molly..but this helps ease my sadness..bless you for putting a laugh in my heart and a big smirk on my face.
2 On January 31, 2007 at 9:57 PM, Chad wrote —
:) good!!!
3 On February 1, 2007 at 2:30 PM, Gary wrote —
We wont see the likes of her again for a long time. She was the ONLY reason I could say Texas and not hurl.
Viya con Dios Molly
4 On February 1, 2007 at 8:57 PM, Denise wrote —
Oh, my, Molly was such a joy. It's tremendously hard to lose her, but imagine what life without her could have been like. Molly, hope to see you on the other side.
5 On February 2, 2007 at 7:49 AM, Bruce wrote —
Dear Gary: 21 million Texans do not give a shit about what you think. Hugs!
PS: Molly was a shrill hag and serial plagiarist.
6 On February 2, 2007 at 9:31 AM, Jill wrote —
Molly and Ann - two great women who spoke with honesty, style, and humor. We've just seen the end of an era.
That memorial posts are being attacked by the Tom Delay crowd is testimony to Molly's effectiveness as a reporter. "Values" voters just can't seem to help themselves - the urge to show their butt in a public forum is too much to resist, and that's exactly why Molly's work was syndicated.
For everyone who loved her column, please give to the Texas Observer and/or ACLU in Molly's name. Who knows? Maybe your contribution will give rise to another gritty woman ready to call out the corrupt Texas good 'ol boy establishment.
My heart's with you, Molly. Thanks for giving us all a lesson in how to say it straight up.
7 On February 2, 2007 at 10:32 AM, A Texan in Bavaria wrote —
Thanks for posting that. Molly was one of the reasons I'm proud to be from Texas.
Brucie, there are 24+ million Texans now. It's a different state than it was 30 years ago (which I know kills you and your ilk), and just keeps improving itself through immigration - both from within and outside of the US.
8 On February 2, 2007 at 10:58 AM, martin wrote —
Bruce, Chad, Presumably Chip and Billy-Bob will be posting later, proving the statistical thought experiment about putting chimps in rooms with keyboards, your posts aren't quite the complete works of Shakespeare, but well done anyhow. Cold hard common sense like Molly Ivins displayed is rare - tragicaly rare.
9 On February 2, 2007 at 5:03 PM, booger wrote —
a texas dildo talking about dilos! how quaint!
its funny when liberals die...all the other libs get real sad!
10 On February 2, 2007 at 5:34 PM, Daniel DiRito wrote —
Thanks to all for taking the time to comment. I certainly enjoy a good discussion and I am always happy to listen to differing opinions.
Notwithstanding, I wanted to offer this reminder to those who do comment...while I don't delete or edit comments unless they are outrageous...I do prefer that they remain civil. I know it can be fun to be snarky and to vent, but a thoughtful argument almost always exceeds insulting and derogatory rhetoric.
I would appreciate it if you kept that in mind as you comment. Thanks.
Daniel
11 On February 2, 2007 at 5:34 PM, martin wrote —
Q.E.D.
12 On February 15, 2007 at 11:11 AM, Ted wrote —
There will never be another Molly. Perhaps some people take comfort in that. But the world needs folks that speak out and jab the powers that be in the keister.
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