Former Texas Governor Ann Richards Dies

Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein at 6:19 AM on September 14, 2006.

Democratic icon tried to open the government to everyone.

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Former Texas Governor Ann Richards died Wednesday, at the age of 73.

The silver-haired, silver-tongued Richards said she entered politics to help others - especially women and minorities who were often ignored by Texas' male-dominated establishment.
"I did not want my tombstone to read, 'She kept a really clean house.' I think I'd like them to remember me by saying, 'She opened government to everyone,'" Richards said shortly before leaving office in January 1995. [AP]

"Goodbye, Governor Richards," writes Amanda of Pandagon, "We need a lot more people in the world like you."

Kelly Shannon of The Agonist writes:

I had the great good fortune to have met Governor Richards a few times. Gov. Richards embodied all that was great about Texas and about the Texas Democratic spirit. She'd known hard times in her life but had overcome them. She's known illness and addiction and yet, overcame that as well. She dedicated her life to making the lives of others better. And even in defeat she was magnanimous. She was canny, clever and full of mischief. Her wit and warm heart will be missed. Absent Ann Richards Texas is a lesser place.

(I wonder if the Republicans will find something to whine about at Gov. Richards' memorial. It worked so well when Paul Wellstone died.)

[Pandagon, The Agonist]

Lindsay Beyerstein a New York writer blogging at Majikthise.

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The Trinity [Report this comment] Posted by: LynnZTV on Sep 14, 2006 7:22 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Molly Ivins, Linda Ellerbee and until yesterday, Ann Richards, were/are the trinity that kept Texas grounded in our solar system (and they are all stars.) Ann, you were driven (and not just on a Harley!) to open the doors of government to women and minorities--thank you for your energy and laughter. You are so missed (well, except by members of the Arbusto clan...). Some might remember the Alamo--I will never forget you. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: The Trinity Posted by: deaudonnee A special lady [Report this comment] Posted by: bettyn on Sep 14, 2006 9:08 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Having lived in Texas for twenty years, I found out quickly what a tough, fair-minded lady Ann was. She had NO CHANCE against the Bush family and its money and power and NO CHANCE against the relentless disease that claimed her, as well as my own father. Ann, you will be sorely missed in a world that desperately needs people like you to fight this evil administration, its corporate cronyism, and warmongering for oil dollars. You were an example for all of us who fight against the evil that has overtaken our country, now and forever. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] The Biggest Heart And Quickest Wit in Texas [Report this comment] Posted by: BlueTex on Sep 14, 2006 9:50 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] While I was a citizen-advocate for in vitro fertilization coverage, Ann was one of the people that I worked with. She was a great lady and humanitarian. Her legacy will be always to be remembered as a great governor with good fiscal horse sense, particularly when compared to the Elephant's patoot who replaced her. Everytime that I ever thought about Ann, I remembered her great advice and hilarious jokes. She never took herself too seriously, she owned up to her mistakes and, was by every measure, a wonderful human being. Today's politicians, by and large, don't measure up. The world is darker for having lost the light and gentility of Ann Richards. Gina de Miranda [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] GHW Bush and silver foot in mouth. [Report this comment] Posted by: larry278 on Sep 14, 2006 5:36 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] The late silver haired governor with the razor sharp wit is gone but lesser wits will continue to steal her pithy bon mots. W too was born with a silver foor in his mouth like dad but W is also an acrobat since in addition to having his silver foot in his mouth- W has his nose in his navel. Even more remakable is that W puts his nose in his navel from the inside via his anus, through his rectum & lower g.i. tract & from his transverse colon. No, it isn't any funnier when crude language is used. Gov Ann probably called GHW Bush OTB [one term Bush] after W aka #43 was re-elected in '04. She was bigger & better than LBJ. I hope that the mold they used for her wasn't destroyed. While there will never be a clone of her-I hope a number of women will emulate her. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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