If George Bush, Sr. was born on third base and thought he hit a triple, then Dubya was born on home on home plate and thought he hit a home run. posted by jonp72 at 6:29 AM on September 14, 2006
(I don't think it does justice to Ann Richards' legacy to remember her entirely with respect to how she put George Bush in his place. Not everything is about George Bush. Most of Richards' contributions to society happened while George Bush was still snorting lines and driving drunk. I suggest focusing on those accomplishments, not her bon mots) posted by pardonyou? at 6:37 AM on September 14, 2006
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/"I'm MRS. Miles" is still the Best. Retort. Ever. npr link posted by lysdexic at 6:38 AM on September 14, 2006
. posted by vhsiv at 6:43 AM on September 14, 2006
If nothing else, she had a better sense of humor than 95% of the political animals running loose. And her Doritos commercial was more dignified than, say, Bob Dole and Viagra, posted by COBRA! at 6:43 AM on September 14, 2006
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A true Texan. posted by fnord at 6:44 AM on September 14, 2006
pardonyou?, I don't believe it's the fact that the comments are Bush related. Instead, as COBRA! stated, it's the fact that "she had a better sense of humor than 95% of the political animals running loose." Two of her most memorable comments simply happened to be directed towards Republicans, and, specifically, the Bush family. (The quote in the post, by the way, was towards the elder Bush, not the younger.) posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 6:48 AM on September 14, 2006
NMRN, thanks for pointing out the H. W. / W. distinction -- I was mistaken. I just get so tired that everything has to be about W. But I see that was not your mindset. My apologies. posted by pardonyou? at 6:56 AM on September 14, 2006
She gets an attagirl for one of the better uses of the "Ginger Rogers...backwards and in high heels" quip (I think it's in the NPR segment) although I doubt she originated it.
If she and Molly Ivins had ever sought the Democratic nomination for prexy & veep, I'd've so totally voted for those two.... posted by pax digita at 6:59 AM on September 14, 2006
I once met her at a black-tie (mostly) gay and (some) lesbian fundraiser in Austin when she was Gov, and during her keynote she said,"If you people would spend more time worrying about your rights and less time worrying about your Armani tuxes, you might be able to get something done."
I had to laugh, because she really hit the nail on the head. She wasn't just witty, she said things everyone thought but no one wanted to admit.
Speaking of which, as much as I love her, I'd also like to remind everyone that more Texas prisoners on death row were killed under Ann Richards than under any previous governor. If you think she was a candidate for liberal sainthood, you haven't looked closely enough.
She and Tyrone Garner, RIP. Two brave Texans willing to speak the truth. posted by pomegranate at 7:08 AM on September 14, 2006
I was sad about this. I loved ol' Ann. If she never existed here in Texas, we would have hoped her into being. She had the spunk, the independence, the attitude, and take no bullshit attitude that made it impossible to ignore her.
When I heard she died, I thought only of Hamlet's comment regarding his dead father:
She was a woman, take her for all in all,
I shall not look upon her like again.
Give 'em hell, wherever your are Ann. posted by dios at 7:17 AM on September 14, 2006
Worth mentioning that her governorship win was at least partly due to opponent Clayton Williams' infamous "lay back and enjoy it" rape joke. She helped make me a feminist before I even knew what one was.
God speed, Ann. Texas owes you much. posted by emjaybee at 8:25 AM on September 14, 2006
The pathologist in me marvels at how odd it is that she died of esophageal cancer. Very rare in women.
We need many more like her. posted by amberglow at 8:29 AM on September 14, 2006
pomegranate: "If you think she was a candidate for liberal sainthood, you haven't looked closely enough."
I don't think Anne Richards was conservative or liberal. She accepted whatever monikers people placed upon her so long as it assisted her in accomplishing whatever goals she set for herself, and if they got in her way she would dismiss such descriptors with a witty retort and a rolling of the eyes. She was just that way.
She was a Texan. She was a woman. She was an American. She believed in the ideals that founded this country. She wasn't perfect. God, is anyone? She did her best to help others and she followed her bliss. If she was a little tough in terms of the death penalty, that's not necessarily her being a liberal or a conservative. She was a civil servant, and Texas is rather...
This really isn't the thread. She served Texas well. We can argue the death penalty some other time.
God speed, Anne. posted by ZachsMind at 8:38 AM on September 14, 2006
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As I mentioned elsewhere, I always held a small hope that she would have run for national office. *sigh* oh well. posted by edgeways at 9:55 AM on September 14, 2006
man alive, this is how the 9/11 post was supposed to go posted by mazola at 3:30 PM on September 14, 2006
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However many years ago it was and however young I was at the time I still remember that speech. All politics aside she was an admirable woman and worthy Texan. posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 3:32 PM on September 14, 2006 [1 favorite has favorites]
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Ann Richards was awesome in every way.
And yeah - Bush is not from Texas. posted by dog food sugar at 3:52 PM on September 14, 2006
He may have owned a baseball team in Arlington, been Governor, and still own the ranch down in Crawford, but I sense damn few people in Texas consider W one of their own -- I believe the expression I heard when I lived there was that he's "all hat and no cattle."
(and mjjj liked a comment of mine! I'll be smilin' all day...) posted by pax digita at 6:10 AM on September 15, 2006
I believe the expression I heard when I lived there was that he's "all hat and no cattle."
Exactly. As in, literally, he has no cattle on this "ranch" of his.
It took me moving away from Texas to realize that there are in fact lots of things about Texas to like. Ann Richards personified those things. A real honest-to-God loudmouthed, populist, take-no-bullshit Texas lady. What a badass she was. posted by catesbie at 6:49 AM on September 15, 2006
I listened to G. Bush's comments on Richards' passing this morning. Mostly perfunctory or clichéd stuff ("hard worker," "really, really good candidate" and "larger than life" for example). Of course it's no surprise to hear praise of a former opponent when it comes after her death. Still I was a little surprised (if only because he was saying it) to hear, “One thing’s for certain -- she empowered a lot of people to want to participate in the political process that might not have felt that they were welcome in the process.” posted by PY at 2:17 PM on September 15, 2006
I took a course at Brandeis guest lectured by Ann Richards and met her on a few ocassions. She was awesome. She will be missed. posted by LilBucner at 4:28 PM on September 15, 2006
If Richard was Texas on parade, then Bush is definitely Texas after a 6-month meth binge. posted by amberglow at 6:22 PM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite has favorites]
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posted by pax digita at 5:48 AM on September 14, 2006