|
14 Sep 06 - 12:39 AM (#1834074) Subject: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor From: Stilly River Sage So sorry to see this grand lady go! What a boost she gave to Texas when she was in office! Former Texas Governor Ann Richards Dies From Associated Press September 13, 2006 AUSTIN, Texas - Former Gov. Ann Richards, the witty and flamboyant Democrat who went from homemaker to national political celebrity, died Wednesday night after a battle with cancer, a family spokeswoman said. She was 73. She died at home surrounded by her family, the spokeswoman said. Richards was found to have esophageal cancer in March and underwent chemotherapy treatments. 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. She was governor for one term, losing her re-election bid to Republican George W. Bush. Her four adult children spent Wednesday with her, said family spokeswoman Cathy Bonner, a longtime family friend. "They're a strong group of people but they're broken-hearted, of course," Bonner said. Her family said as governor she was most proud of two actions that probably cost her re-election. She vetoed legislation that would allow people to carry concealed handguns, automatic weapons and "cop-killer bullets." She also vetoed a bill that would have allowed the destruction of the environment over the Edwards Aquifer. She grabbed the national spotlight with her keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention when she was the Texas state treasurer. Richards won cheers from delegates when she reminded them that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, "only backwards and in high heels." Richards sealed her partisan reputation with a blast at George H. Bush, a fellow Texan who was vice president at the time: "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." Four years later, she was chairwoman of the Democratic convention that nominated Bill Clinton for president. Richards rose to the governorship with a come-from-behind victory over millionaire cowboy Clayton Williams in 1990. She cracked a half-century male grip on the governor's mansion and celebrated by holding up a T-shirt that showed the state Capitol and read: "A woman's place is in the dome." In four years as governor, Richards championed what she called the "New Texas," appointing more women and more minorities to state posts than any of her predecessors. She appointed the first black University of Texas regent; the first crime victim to join the state Criminal Justice Board; the first disabled person to serve on the human services board; and the first teacher to lead the State Board of Education. Under Richards, the fabled Texas Rangers pinned stars on their first black and female officers. She polished Texas' image, courted movie producers, championed the North American Free Trade Agreement, oversaw an expansion of the state prison system, and presided over rising student achievement scores and plunging dropout rates. She took time out to celebrate her 60th birthday by earning her motorcycle driver's license. Throughout her years in office, her personal popularity remained high. One poll put it at more than 60 percent the year she lost to Bush. "I may have lost the race," Richards said after the defeat. "But I don't think I lost the good feelings that people have about me in this state. That's tremendously reassuring to me." Richards went on to give speeches, work as a commentator for CNN and serve as a senior adviser in the New York office of Public Strategies Inc., an Austin-based consulting firm. In her last 10 years, Richards worked for many social causes and helped develop the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, scheduled to open in Austin in 2007. Born in Lakeview, Texas, in 1933, Richards grew up near Waco, married civil rights lawyer David Richards and spent her early adulthood volunteering in campaigns and raising four children. She often said the hardest job she ever had was as a public school teacher at Fulmore Junior High School in Austin. Richards served on the Travis County Commissioners Court in Austin for six years before jumping to a bigger arena in 1982. Her election as state treasurer made her the first woman elected statewide in nearly 50 years. But politics took a toll. It helped break up her marriage. And public life forced her to be remarkably candid about her 1980 treatment for alcoholism. "I had seen the very bottom of life," she once recalled. "I was so afraid I wouldn't be funny anymore. I just knew that I would lose my zaniness and my sense of humor. But I didn't. Recovery turned out to be a wonderful thing." The 1990 election was rough. Her Democratic primary opponent, then-Attorney General Jim Mattox, accused her of using illegal drugs. Williams, an oilman, banker and rancher, spent millions of his own money on the race she narrowly won. After her unsuccessful re-election campaign against Bush, Richards said she never missed being in public office. Asked once what she might have done differently had she known she was going to be a one-term governor, Richards grinned. "Oh, I would probably have raised more hell." Survivors include her children, Cecile Richards, Daniel Richards, Clark Richards and Ellen Richards; their spouses; and eight grandchildren. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 01:04 AM (#1834077) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor From: Genie So sad to see the old girl go so soon. Of course the bigger tragedy is that Karl Rove was able to contrive to get Dubya in as Tex. Governor in her place a while back. I hope you're stirring things up wherever you are, Ann. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 01:38 AM (#1834086) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor From: Elmer Fudd Sorry to hear the news. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 02:12 AM (#1834093) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor From: Big Mick This one breaks my heart. I had always hoped that either her or Shirley Chisholm would be the first woman elected President. I have met Ann Richards on a number of occasions during campaigns I have run. She was one of those people that walk into a room and the air pressure changes. She was one of the great leaders, a no nonsense, call 'em like she saw 'em person. The world was a much more interesting place with her in it. God be good to her, Mick Lane |
|
14 Sep 06 - 02:40 AM (#1834096) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (Sep 06 From: Joe Offer She helped me to believe that maybe Texas wasn't all that bad - and then came George W. Bush. But her four years as governor were an inspiration to many of us, reminding us that sometimes the "good guys" can accomplish something, despite the odds against them. -Joe Offer- |
|
14 Sep 06 - 09:31 AM (#1834334) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Stilly River Sage I finally had to toss my state map from when Ann was in office (each year a new one is printed, and the governor's photo is always on the back fold). I'd held onto it since Dubya came into office, and then Perry. But too many years had passed and a couple of weeks ago I found myself on a series of roads that hadn't been built when Ann was governor. I had hoped to hold out until another Democrat got elected, but I couldn't make it. I hope we'll get some smart and pithy Richards one-liners from diligent news sources in the next few days. She had some good ones! Along with Liz Carpenter and Shirley Chisholm, she was a great female voice for Texas. SRS |
|
14 Sep 06 - 09:38 AM (#1834342) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep From: Rapparee Damn, I said when I saw it on the news. Another good 'un gone. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 03:06 PM (#1834557) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: SunnySister This is definitely very sad news. I'm with Big Mick on wanting either Ann or Shirley Chisholm as my choices for America's firt female president. As an online master's student of the University of North Texas, I was hoping that if passed my master's test that's I'll be taking soon, that perhaps Ann would have spoken at my graduation ceremony in December. She, to me, was the only positive thing Texas had going for it in politics... She will be sorely missed. --Not so SunnySister |
|
14 Sep 06 - 04:01 PM (#1834604) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Don Firth "Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth!" --Ann Richards. Gotta love the woman! Don Firth |
|
14 Sep 06 - 05:21 PM (#1834684) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Wesley S Yup - you won't see anyone quite like her again. And Texas could have used a dozen more like her. As we like to say here "Well bless her heart". |
|
14 Sep 06 - 05:22 PM (#1834687) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Bill D She was one-of-a-kind. Witty, sharp and aware....how DID she do it, coming from Texas? I wonder...was she supporting Kinky Friedman? |
|
14 Sep 06 - 06:03 PM (#1834726) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep From: katlaughing Double damn. She was such an inspiratin to so many of us. American could use dozens more like her, but I don't think the mold is available anymore. Thanks, Ms. Richards and may you give 'em hell in the heaven of your dreams. kat |
|
14 Sep 06 - 06:11 PM (#1834743) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: robomatic Farewell to the white Barbara Jordan. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 06:42 PM (#1834765) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Genie I realize now that her passing is more premature than I had realized at first. She must have been just about 60 (younger than I am now) when she made that famous "silver foot in his mouth" quip about George HERBERT Walker Bush back in 1992. I think the white hair threw me off, even though she looked stunning with it. She was diagnosed with her esophageal cancer less than 6 months ago. What a bummer. She still had a lot of mileage left and we could surely use her in the political arena about now. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 06:53 PM (#1834770) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Bill Hahn//\\ Feisty, bright, and all the other superlatives. One of her great comments about Geo. Bush (not sure if the elder or the younger) --"...he was born with a silver foot in his mouth". Bill Hahn |
|
14 Sep 06 - 07:50 PM (#1834802) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Don Firth As Genie points out, Ann Richards made the comment about George H. W. Bush (former president and father of the current White House resident), but as history would have it, the remark is fairly widely applicable. Her tenure as governor of Texas was cut short by the Machiavellian machinations of Karl Rove. Rove, working on George W. Bush's bid for governor, had a bunch of leaflets printed up saying that Ann Richards had a policy of hiring homosexuals in her administration and got volunteer campaign workers to go onto the parking lots of fundamentalist churches in Texas on Sunday mornings and stick the leaflets under windshield wipers. There may have been a few gays on her staff, but that would have been pure happenstance. She had no such policy one way or the other. Gays in Texas!??? Oh, say not so!!! Today, Karl Rove is in the Seattle area, trying to see which local candidates he can screw over. Ann, smite him from above! Don Firth |
|
14 Sep 06 - 08:19 PM (#1834819) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Stilly River Sage It isn't surprising to have smart, funny, witty, and gifted folks here in Texas, like anyplace. They're just outnumbered by lunkheads who vote Republican. From Today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Memorable quotes from the colorful Texan "I have always had the feeling I could do anything, and my dad told me I could. I was in college before I found out he might be wrong." "I believe in recovery, and I believe that as a role model I have the responsibility to let young people know that you can make a mistake and come back from it." "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." (referring to George H.W. Bush, then vice president) "I thought I knew Texas pretty well, but I had no notion of its size until I campaigned it." "I've always said that in politics, your enemies can't hurt you, but your friends will kill you." "Teaching was the hardest work I had ever done, and it remains the hardest work I have done to date." |
|
14 Sep 06 - 08:20 PM (#1834821) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Tannywheeler The woman was an absolute prize. Several of my family worked/travelled with her on several occasions. Once she came to a family party costumed as Dolly Parton!!!! We need, as others have said here, more of her, not to lose the ONE & ONLY. Rotten damn shame. I hate the C word. Hate it, hate it, hate it. What a terrific shot in the arm she was....... Tw |
|
14 Sep 06 - 09:23 PM (#1834858) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Stilly River Sage I bet you have some stories you could tell, TW. . . but I know you won't. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 09:24 PM (#1834859) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: GUEST She was a buddy of Bill Clinton's when he and Reno mass murdered at Waco. Richards' part in that incident got her unelected. She deserved so much more. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 09:29 PM (#1834861) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Stilly River Sage Ah, a nameless faceless gutless "guest," spewing nonsense in his path. Maybe this is Karl Rove sneaking in to spread more filth. |
|
14 Sep 06 - 11:27 PM (#1834916) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Don Firth Hi, Karl. How do you like it here in Seattle? Oh? You're not in Seattle, you're over in Bellevue? I see. . . . Don Firth |
|
15 Sep 06 - 01:58 AM (#1834972) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: GUEST Ann Richards allowed federal troops to come into Texas and murder 76 Texans. She allowed the feds to burn babies alive. There are people who discuss people, those who discuss events, and those who discuss ideas. The cult of personality focuses you on a face. Or in Richards' case a hairstyle. By focusing like that, you never get to the next step of discussing events. The honest consideration of events is beyond you because you're fixated on individuals. As the govt-controlled media wants you to be. Ann Richards was responsible for some bad, bad events. Waco is right up there with the worst. She and her pal Bill Clinton contrived that sacrifice, and Richards deserved a fate far worse than what she got. But then, let's just talk about her hair. That makes things so much easier. |
|
15 Sep 06 - 10:14 AM (#1835245) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: leftydee Guest, You nut-cases just can't criticize anything without invoking the name of Bill Clinton. Tell me, just what is it about 8 years of peace and prosperity that you didn't like? Oh yeah.... Bill got a blow job.... that just wrecked your little narrow minded world, didn't it? But... back to the thread... Ann was great. She was quick witted and a great mind. Too bad Rove's dirty tricks cost her. Now Rove's on Capital Hill helping W defend the skirting of the Geneva Conventions. What a great fuckin' guy! |
|
15 Sep 06 - 10:20 AM (#1835249) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Big Mick Our country, and its basis principles, have never been more at risk than they are today. Now we seek to weaken the Geneva Conventions. Can't these guys see that as ye sow, so shall ye reap? Don't they understand that we should be strengthening those principles, and attacking any attempt to weaken them? We need more people that embrace the principles of Ann Richards. |
|
15 Sep 06 - 11:16 AM (#1835287) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Wesley S From Molly Ivens column which ran today: RELEASE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2006, AND THEREAFTER REMEMBERING ANN RICHARDS AUSTIN, Texas -- She was so generous with her responses to other people. If you told Ann Richards something really funny, she wouldn't just smile or laugh, she would stop and break up completely. She taught us all so much -- she was a great campfire cook. Her wit was a constant delight. One night on the river on a canoe trip, while we all listened to the next rapid, which sounded like certain death, Ann drawled, "It sounds like every whore in El Paso just flushed her john." She knew how to deal with teenage egos: Instead of pointing out to a kid who was pouring charcoal lighter on a live fire that he was idiot, Ann said, "Honey, if you keep doing that, the fire is going to climb right back up to that can in your hand and explode and give you horrible injuries, and it will just ruin my entire weekend." She knew what it was like to have four young children and to be so tired you cried while folding the laundry. She knew and valued Wise Women like Virginia Whitten and Helen Hadley. At a long-ago political do at Scholz Garten in Austin, everybody who was anybody was there meetin' and greetin' at a furious pace. A group of us got the tired feet and went to lean our butts against a table at the back wall of the bar. Perched like birds in a row were Bob Bullock, then state comptroller, moi, Charles Miles, the head of Bullock's personnel department, and Ms. Ann Richards. Bullock, 20 years in Texas politics, knew every sorry, no good sumbitch in the entire state. Some old racist judge from East Texas came up to him, 'Bob, my boy, how are you?" Bullock said, "Judge, I'd like you to meet my friends: This is Molly Ivins with the Texas Observer." The judge peered up at me and said, "How yew, little lady?" Bullock, "And this is Charles Miles, the head of my personnel department." Miles, who is black, stuck out his hand, and the judge got an expression on his face as though he had just stepped into a fresh cowpie. He reached out and touched Charlie's palm with one finger, while turning eagerly to the pretty, blonde, blue-eyed Ann Richards. "And who is this lovely lady?" Ann beamed and replied, "I am Mrs. Miles." One of the most moving memories I have of Ann is her sitting in a circle with a group of prisoners. Ann and Bullock had started a rehab program in prisons, the single most effective thing that can be done to cut recidivism (George W. Bush later destroyed the program). The governor of Texas looked at the cons and said, "My name is Ann, and I am an alcoholic." She devoted untold hours to helping other alcoholics, and anyone who ever heard her speak at an AA convention knows how close laughter and tears can be. I have known two politicians who completely reformed the bureaucracies they were elected to head. Bob Bullock did it by kicking ass at the comptroller's until hell wouldn't have it. Fear was his m.o. Ann Richards did it by working hard to gain the trust of the employees and then listening to what they told her. No one knows what's wrong with a bureaucracy better than the bureaucrats who work in it. The 1990 race for governor was one of the craziest I ever saw, with Ann representing "New Texas." Republican nominee Claytie Williams was a perfect foil, down to his boots, making comments that could be construed as racist and sexist. Ann was the candidate of everybody else, especially for women. She represented all of us who have lived with and learned to handle good ol' boys, and she did it with laughter. The spirit of the crowd that set off from the Congress Avenue Bridge up to the Capitol the day of Ann's inauguration was so full of spirit and joy. I remember watching San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros that day with tears running down his cheeks because Chicanos were finally included. Ann got handed a stinking mess: Damn near every state function was under court order. The prisons were so crowded, dangerous convicts were being let loose. She had a long, grinding four years and wound up fixing all of it. She always said you could get a lot done in politics if you didn't need to take credit. But she disappointed many of her fans because she was so busy fixing what was broken, she never got to change much. The '94 election was a God, gays and guns deal. Annie had told the legislature that if they passed a right-to-carry law, she would veto it. They did, and she did. At the last minute, the NRA launched a big campaign to convince the governor that we Texas women would feel ever so much safer if we could just carry guns in our purses. Said Annie, "Well, you know that I am not a sexist, but there is not a woman in this state who could (SEST ITAL) find a gun in her handbag." COPYRIGHT 2006 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC. Originally Published on Friday September 15, 2006 |
|
15 Sep 06 - 11:30 AM (#1835308) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep From: katlaughing Thanks for that, Wesley. |
|
15 Sep 06 - 12:14 PM (#1835356) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Tannywheeler Molly Ivins is another pistol. And she's had to take some serious lumps. Glad she's still with us. Her admiration of Ann R. is based on real in-depth knowledge/research into Texas politics & its history. She's a real Tell-the-truth-and-shame-the-devil reporter. David Koresh & THE FEDS were responsible for the mess at Waco. Neither party knew what was going on and botched their chances at any healthier solution. Tw |
|
15 Sep 06 - 01:51 PM (#1835427) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: GUEST Watch a video called "Waco, Rules of Engagement" for a bit more understanding on how the federal govt murdered at Waco. As far a Clinton, some of you have really short memories. Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda. Clinton aided and abetted all those genocides. Two Bushes with a Clinton sandwiched in between have been working for a quarter century to bring America to the brink of destruction, and you talk about Hairspray. Wide open borders while the Dem/Rep party says we're at war. The govt says it can kidnap you and torture you to death now, legally, and if anyone reports seeing you as you're "disappeared," then that person will be imprisoned too. Yeah, hairspray and protecting the good name of Bill Clinton (who ordered 666 trees for the grounds of his presidential library), those are the important things. Man you folks are out of touch. |
|
15 Sep 06 - 02:09 PM (#1835439) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Wesley S So what's your plan of action guest? Do you have anything planned other than trolling folk music sites? |
|
15 Sep 06 - 04:08 PM (#1835544) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: leftydee Guest, Rush and Fox News have completed their mission. They've now convinced you that no matter what cluster-fuck the Bushies dream up, Clinton is somehow still responsible. You probably don't believe there is global warming either. Say hello to the Kansas School Board for me. |
|
15 Sep 06 - 04:19 PM (#1835553) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: GUEST,zba Why are all you people apparently missing the obvious fact that "Guest" has just as low an opinion of the Bushes and the Republicans as he does of Bill Clinton and the Democrats? He thinks they ALL work for the same ends. He's right. They do. Their phony bipartisan electioneering drama is a charade to keep you distracted...and to keep ordinary Americans fighting uselessly with each other over party loyalty to 2 parties that are wholly bought, controlled from behind the scenes by the same rich men, and deeply criminal in both practice and intent. |
|
15 Sep 06 - 04:37 PM (#1835562) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: SunnySister Thank you, Wesley, for sharing the Iven's article. I didn't think my regard and respect for Ann could grow any larger, but it did. How much we have lost!!! Where are the other "Ann Richards" in our country? Please come forward- we need you! --Still not so SunnySister |
|
15 Sep 06 - 04:50 PM (#1835575) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: leftydee zba, I tend to agree and am pretty shocked by Bill's move to the right.I do believe that corporate America is responsible for most of our suffering. Something needs to be done. I make a separation, between the Clinton administration and The Bushes though. Please recall the early Clinton days when Hillary was out to put national health insurance in the forefront and was bashed into submission by the Conservatives. This act alone showed some bit of regard for the American public. Now the early Bush days..... tax breaks for the already weathy. Go figure! There is (maybe was) a difference. Milosovic was brought down without losing any Americans. Then, of course, there was Shock And Awe tactics that worked out so well by the Bushies. There seemed to be, at least, some some humanity in the Clinton years unlike the unraveling of America that corporate America is pushing for. Do you see gas prices? Isn't it obvious that an election is coming? Why would the corporate Greedies want you to think things are OK? It's as plain as day that they want more of the same mismanagement and mindless compliance to their whims and profits. |
|
15 Sep 06 - 04:55 PM (#1835582) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Stilly River Sage Guests who don't want to stick with the subject of the thread are more than welcome to go chat somewhere else. Ann Richards had great cause to be really pissed off at Dubya and Rove. It was Rove who initiated a whisper campaign close to the election, suggesting that Ann was lesbian (as far as I know, she wasn't) and that this is something to be ashamed of (it isn't). For the first time I notice a Google add linking to a story, not an add. The one at the bottom links to CNN for an Ann Richards obit. SRS |
|
15 Sep 06 - 10:29 PM (#1835735) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: Scoville Has anyone else seen the episode of "King of the Hill" where Hank accidentally moons Ann, who uses it as an excuse to meet and date Bill? It's hilarious. She had a Hell of a sense of humor. |
|
15 Sep 06 - 10:47 PM (#1835744) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep From: pdq It is possible to find detractors as well as supporters, but the time has come to let her go. Nothing negative should be said. Go in peace. |
|
16 Sep 06 - 12:55 AM (#1835790) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep From: DougR Yep, SRS, I'm sure Karl Rove has nothing better to do than sneak into the Mudcat and rain on your parade. Ann Richards had a great sense of humor. As to whether or not she was a good governor, I do not know. I do know, though, that the guy most of you folks love to hate beat her in her last campaign for Governor. How in the world could that happen? GWB? Well, it did. Probably foul play though, right? DougR |
|
16 Sep 06 - 02:12 AM (#1835808) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: GUEST zba above has it right. I've no love for Richards, the Bushes, the Dems or the Reps. I would've voted for the old whore Richards when she ran against GW for Governor if she had campaigned, but she didn't. She didn't lift a finger to get re-elected. She gave the election to GW. And even though Richards was a reprobate old drunk who allowed the feds to incinerate my neighbor's kids at Waco, I would have voted for her over GW just because I knew what the Bushes were capable of. The governorships of Texas and Florida were to be mere stepping stones for the Bush babies. Jeb ran for governor in Florida when GW ran in TX, but Jeb was defeated. GW won. If both had won, Jeb would be in the White House now because, as their daddy said, "Jeb's the smart one." But Jeb lost, and GW won because of Ann Richards. Richards seemed decent enough. She did pull herself up by her bootstraps and lick the alcohol problem (she had 4 kids depending on her, so how could she do otherwise?), and then she was guided into the governor's mansion. Fair enough...a weak governorship, just keep an eye on the state for a few years. But then she struck up a relationship with another of the truly evil families in this country. The Clintons. The Bushes and Clintons are demonstrably evil, folks. As in satanic. And Ann Richards (in my opinion) didn't realize this until it was too late. She saw what Bill Clinton had in mind in the way of human sacrifice at Waco, and that scenario hadn't occured to her. So she got scared and didn't utter a peep for the month and a half the feds were assaulting Waco. All she had to do was issue a call to defense and American history would be traveling a whole different trajectory right now. But no. She was silent. I figure the Bush-backed Clintons said they'd kill her kids if she got in the way, and she decided to sacrifice someone else's family (-ies) rather than her own. She should have sucked it up and called for the defense of her state. Anyway, Richards got in over her head and Texas suffered for it, and then the country, and now the world. She made the rise of GWBush possible. |
|
16 Sep 06 - 10:04 AM (#1835970) Subject: RE: Obit: Ann Richards, fmr Texas Governor (13-Sep-06) From: GUEST,Wesley S Hindsight is 20/20 guest. Look into your crystal ball and tell us what's ahead. Come to think of it - nevermind. Just go away and troll elsewhere. |