Molly Ivins - RIP

by Robert Wilkinson

The world has lost a journalistic giant. Molly Ivins is dead at 62, way too young an age for someone with a razor wit, generous outlook, and bold attitude in the face of the puffed-up would-be powerful men and women of our political circus. She was an inspiration when I was writing my political columns over the past few years, as well as when I was a much younger political consultant delusional enough to believe that politicians and corrupt were not synonyms. Her columns could always make me smile, if not laugh out loud. For a few gems of this wonderful woman's wit, keep reading.

She coined the word "lege" as shorthand for the ten-ring circus of fools and buffoons that was, is and seemingly forever will be the Texas Legislature, From her obit in the LA Times, "Describing knock-down, drag-out brawls, flagrant bias and absurd laws, she wrote of its shortcomings with gusto and horror, declaring it 'the finest free entertainment in Texas. Better than the zoo. Better than the circus.' And, "when the state Legislature convenes it means that 'every village is about to lose its idiot.'" Another line about a local congressman: "If his IQ slips any lower, we'll have to water him twice a day."

In my years in Texas, she was considered one of the original "Texas mafia," or "Texas Circle" as some in political circles called the political women of power. She hung with Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, and the other strong women of principle and wit who could go toe to toe with the men and always skewer them and their pomposities with humor as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel. Remember Ann Richards' famous observation (adapted from Johnny Hughes) about George Bush the elder: "Poor George - He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." Or Linda Ellerbee's joke about Ginger Rogers doing everything Fred Astaire did, only backwards and in high heels. These were some strong women with a real sense of humor!

Whenever I would get bent about the way the Republicans were ruining the air, water, and beaches of Texas, I could always count on Molly to remind me that much of our world of politics is farce, a political theater of buffoons, outlaws, bandits, and slackers. She was marvelously non-partisan that way, even though Republicans really couldn't stand the heat of her humor. Of course, in my experience they usually can't handle ANY humor directed at their expense, regardless of how absurd their assertions or actions.

So here's to Molly and all others who help us remember that the powerful are just like us, except they're usually willing to say anything to get them a buck or a vote, regardless of how ridiculous it is.

Here's more from and about this remarkable woman:

From Working for Change, a list of her columns since 2000.

From the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram a few recent columns.

A Molly Ivins tribute courtesy of Creator's Syndicate, along with a calendar you can use to navigate her columns from 2006.

Comments

[Karen M]

Thanks for this post, Robert! I knew you'd have something up about Molly... I haven't yet, because I've been too busy reading what everyone else has written. She was one of my heroes, and I don't have that many.

FYI... The Texas Observer has a tribute to her, too: http://www.texasobserver.org/

[kathy]

hi robert,

i'm from texas, was very influenced by Molly. saw her speak at a bookstore event in NYC just a few years back, then bumped into her in Texas again. One fave of mine: Molly used to gently remind people that no speaker of the house (the state house) had ever NOT been prosecuted WHILE IN OFFICE for one flavor of felony or another. Yep, those lawyers in Texas learn about laws by breaking them. She was, as my brother would say, "as strong as a garlic milkshake." In her last appearance, she had softened markedly, and took no potshots at W. I applaud her amazing courage to take on the fatcats, who were so busy scratching each other's backs, the thought never occurred to them that corruption might be addressed. I hope more truthtellers will emerge in her place, but no one can replace her. kpd

[Robert]

Hi Karen and Kathy - She may have been the only journalist I've completely respected since Cronkite. "Strong as a garlic milkshake" is an apt description for this giant. I'm sure she mellowed in the final months, since impending death does tend to rearrange our attitude. And unfortunately, you're right, Kathy - no one will ever replace her. She was one of the greatest of our times.

[Diane Scholten]

Wow, how did I miss that in the news. thanks for reporting this, Robert & thanks for caring. It IS a loss.

[jill]

On July 24, 2003 Molly Ivins wrote an article titled 'North to Alaska' and I've been carrying it in my backpack ever since.
I was so grateful that one of my heroes had come all the way up here and had seen it the way I do and said it the way I wish I could; "One of the oddest things about Alaska is the complete disconnect between its politics and its reality."
In this piece she defends the salmon and the Tongass and gives us the courage to keep on defending them.
In her final column, Molly Ivins wrote, "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. Raise hell… We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, ‘Stop it, now!’”
I wish I had met you Molly. Thank you for your columns that I will miss so much. Thank you for coming to Alaska. There are people here in the Other Great State wishing you Godspeed, think of us when you pass the Big Dipper and the North Star.

[Robert]

Hi jill - She was a towering beacon of truth in the midst of mealymouthed political animals, unafraid to call it straight, with humor like an icepick nailing the hypocrites and pretentious panderers currently posing as "leaders." May her death create a thousand bold humorists. Thanks for checking in.

[jill]

Thanks for being here to check into Robert.
Have been appreciating your work for awhile and would LOVE to have a chart done...someday soon I hope, before teenagers and geese take all our funds. Am aries-like you, but virgo moon and rising. Monkey rising like our dear Molly's lunar sign-if she was born after January 25'44. How I wish this sheep could be as bold!

[Robert]

Hi jill - Sure. Though it's been some years, I remember teenagers occasionally seeming like black holes of consumption. Still, it's great when they're grown and we can have a different relationship with them.

Molly was a Virgo. And of course, you as an Aries can always be bold, when you're not worrying about every detail in every thing! ;-) I suspect you'll catch fire this year, which will lead you to closures as Saturn passes through your 12th, giving long overdue rewards and a large view of your wisdom-experience.

[Johnny Hughes]

Hello. I noticed you mentioned me in quoting Ann Richards about the silver foot. Thanks. I am not used to that. How did you hear about that?

[Robert]

Hi Johnny - Welcome to Professor Robert's cantina. You're most welcome, of course. I am an ex-pat Texan who was active in the "counterculture" of Austin from the moment I hit there in the Summer of 1969. Became musically and environmentally active, and embraced political activism soon after. My path intertwined with Ann's off and on for years.

In assembling links to honor Molly, I ran across the Texas Monthly thang somewhere else, and figured that it's always best to honor the wit and wisdom behind those who get the publicity. So here's to you, Johnny Hughes - Thanks for the line! Timeless wit right up there with "Born on third base and thought he hit a triple." BTW - I checked out your site, and your writing is excellent. "Lubbock or leave it" indeed. (And I hope you got a smile out of the two part "Election Reform" article posted just after this one.) Thanks for dropping by the metaphysical cantina.