Molly Ivins

I am mourning Molly Ivins over here, severely. That woman had a bite in her humor and it livened my soul as far as politics goes. I will miss her witty criticisms of ... everything, frankly. When she commented on the Texas legislature, Bill's tacky infidelities, or Bush's stupidity she made me laugh and think. Her piece on "ort" (known as art, outside of Texas) was brilliant. The whole genre of cows on buildings made me laugh out loud (there's some of that here in NC, but clearly Texas has a corner on it). To speak her mind when other people's criticisms could have had her cowering is something I admire. Garrison Keillor wrote a great poem about her:

Molly Ivins
Enlivens us all.
She was tossed in—
To Austin
But could thrive in
St. Paul.
If you're arrivin' —
Whenever you're due—
Give me a call
Soon as you're here.
I'll find a drive-in
That serves barbecue
And Lone Star beer.

Two-thousand seven
She's flown up to heaven
And is giving St. Peter
(Who came out to meet her)
A piece of her mind.
We miss you, old girl,
It's a poorer world
You've left behind.