Molly Ivins, one of my favorite political columnists, died today from breast cancer. She was 62.
The writer, who made a living poking fun at Texas politicians, whether they were in her home base of Austin or the White House, revealed in early 2006 that she was being treated for breast cancer for the third time.
More than 400 newspapers subscribed to her nationally syndicated column, which combined strong liberal views and populist-toned humor. Ivins’ illness did not seem to hurt her ability to deliver biting one-liners.
I first started reading Ms. Ivins’ columns when I lived in Houston in the early 80’s. The Texas legislature almost makes Alabama’s look good by comparison, and she loved to point out its pitfalls — with great humor and insight.
Ivins loved to write about politics and called the Texas Legislature, which she playfully referred to as “The Lege,” the best free entertainment in Austin.
“Naturally, when it comes to voting, we in Texas are accustomed to discerning that fine hair’s-breadth worth of difference that makes one hopeless dipstick slightly less awful than the other. But it does raise the question: Why bother?” she wrote in a 2002 column about a California political race.
My sympathies to her family and friends. She fought a good fight.
Note to anyone who feels compelled to say something nasty in the comments: I have no problem with disagreement on political opinions, but personal attacks on someone who’s just passed away will not be tolerated here. This warning is NOT directed at any of my regular readers (you will understand my sensitivity on this issue), but to those who like to surf around the internet and drop poison as they go. I’ve already seen some incredible nastiness out there, much of it disguised as concern. Do it here and I’ll delete your comment and ban you.