Ann Richards Has Passed Away
September 14, 2006 5:37 AM Subscribe
"Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." Ann Richards, former democratic governor of Texas, has passed away from esophageal cancer. She was 73.
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posted by Hypnic jerk at 5:52 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by Hypnic jerk at 5:52 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by eustacescrubb at 5:53 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by eustacescrubb at 5:53 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by unknowncommand at 5:55 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by Mayor Curley at 5:57 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:57 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by polyhedron at 6:02 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by polyhedron at 6:02 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by Navelgazer at 6:15 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by Fuzzy Monster at 6:18 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by Pink Fuzzy Bunny at 6:23 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by grabbingsand at 6:26 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by wildclover at 6:27 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:27 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:27 AM on September 14, 2006
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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
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
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posted by green herring at 6:31 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by green herring at 6:31 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by icanbreathe at 6:34 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by icanbreathe at 6:34 AM on September 14, 2006
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(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
(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
/"I'm MRS. Miles" is still the Best. Retort. Ever. npr link
posted by lysdexic at 6:38 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
posted by COBRA! at 6:43 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by hydropsyche at 6:45 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by hydropsyche at 6:45 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
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 6:48 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by ottereroticist at 6:54 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by ottereroticist at 6:54 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
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
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 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
This is how I'll remember Ms. Richards and I like to think it's how she wants to be remembered. Big Mama riding a Hog. God speed, ma'am. And thank ya.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:09 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by ZachsMind at 7:09 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
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
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posted by birdherder at 7:52 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by damnthesehumanhands at 7:53 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by orthogonality at 8:00 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by zoomorphic at 8:12 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by zoomorphic at 8:12 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by The Confessor at 8:15 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by The Confessor at 8:15 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
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.
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posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 8:26 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 8:26 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
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
We need more like her, indeed.
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:40 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:40 AM on September 14, 2006
What's with the periods?
posted by QuarterlyProphet at 8:46 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by QuarterlyProphet at 8:46 AM on September 14, 2006
The last great governor of Texas, and the only good one in my memory.
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posted by blendor at 9:07 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by Smart Dalek at 9:49 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by Smart Dalek at 9:49 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by mattbucher at 9:53 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by mattbucher at 9:53 AM on September 14, 2006
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
posted by edgeways at 9:55 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 10:35 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 10:35 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by owhydididoit at 11:11 AM on September 14, 2006
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posted by thewittyname at 11:25 AM on September 14, 2006
posted by thewittyname at 11:25 AM on September 14, 2006
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Thanks for the memories old girl.
posted by Holy foxy moxie batman! at 11:45 AM on September 14, 2006
Thanks for the memories old girl.
posted by Holy foxy moxie batman! at 11:45 AM on September 14, 2006
She was a Texan.
I don't know that that's seen as an admirable quality these days.
posted by goethean at 1:22 PM on September 14, 2006
I don't know that that's seen as an admirable quality these days.
posted by goethean at 1:22 PM on September 14, 2006
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posted by gregschoen at 2:02 PM on September 14, 2006
posted by gregschoen at 2:02 PM on September 14, 2006
This is how I'll remember Ms. Richards and I like to think it's how she wants to be remembered. Big Mama riding a Hog. God speed, ma'am. And thank ya.
Absolutely. I was mentioning this just a few days ago to a coworker.. the image of Ms. Richards on a Harley.
She was a Texan.
I don't know that that's seen as an admirable quality these days.
It is if you're from Texas. I suppose you're referring to Bush - he's not a Texan.
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posted by bradth27 at 2:24 PM on September 14, 2006
Absolutely. I was mentioning this just a few days ago to a coworker.. the image of Ms. Richards on a Harley.
She was a Texan.
I don't know that that's seen as an admirable quality these days.
It is if you're from Texas. I suppose you're referring to Bush - he's not a Texan.
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posted by bradth27 at 2:24 PM 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
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]
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]
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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
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
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posted by UseyurBrain at 6:56 PM on September 14, 2006
posted by UseyurBrain at 6:56 PM on September 14, 2006
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posted by supercrayon at 7:15 PM on September 14, 2006
posted by supercrayon at 7:15 PM on September 14, 2006
The Texan who actually governed: Karl Rove's cutthroat tactics eventually defeated her, but not before Ann Richards made a huge impact on American politics.
posted by homunculus at 8:18 PM on September 14, 2006
posted by homunculus at 8:18 PM on September 14, 2006
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posted by nonliteral at 9:07 PM on September 14, 2006
posted by nonliteral at 9:07 PM on September 14, 2006
pax digita If she and Molly Ivins had ever sought the Democratic nomination for prexy & veep, I'd've so totally voted for those two....
Amen - that would have been my dream team. She will be missed.
posted by madamjujujive at 9:20 PM on September 14, 2006
Amen - that would have been my dream team. She will be missed.
posted by madamjujujive at 9:20 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
(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
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
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posted by spiderwire at 7:31 AM on September 15, 2006
posted by spiderwire at 7:31 AM on September 15, 2006
What a loss. I really admired her.
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 1:35 PM on September 15, 2006
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 1:35 PM 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
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
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]
posted by amberglow at 6:22 PM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]
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posted by pax digita at 5:48 AM on September 14, 2006