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I dunno HOW I could have forgotten this story. It’s one of my favorite “gotcha” stories in the world.

I knew that columnist Molly Ivins would have something to say about the death of her friend Ann Richards. They had a lot in common as Texans: two women who loved their state and saw a lot of good in people but who tended to get hugely tired of the jackass good ol' boys that Texas excels at turning out. But here is my favorite story, retold in Ivins’ column today. I read it years ago and it’s what elevated Ann Richards above “smart caring politician” in my pantheon to “great human being”. It’s also a tale of snappy patter, which we usually only get in fiction so you just gotta love it when someone comes up with the EXACT right line in real life. DAMN she was fine.

Mind you - this is copyrighted material - 2006 Creators Syndicate Inc. from “Ann Rhchards: A Texan who lassoed good ol’ boys with laughter” by Molly Ivins

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."

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2006-09-18 11:19 AM One more about Ann Richards Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (1) Share on Facebook	I dunno HOW I could have forgotten this story. It’s one of my favorite “gotcha” stories in the world. I knew that columnist Molly Ivins would have something to say about the death of her friend Ann Richards. They had a lot in common as Texans: two women who loved their state and saw a lot of good in people but who tended to get hugely tired of the jackass good ol' boys that Texas excels at turning out. But here is my favorite story, retold in Ivins’ column today. I read it years ago and it’s what elevated Ann Richards above “smart caring politician” in my pantheon to “great human being”. It’s also a tale of snappy patter, which we usually only get in fiction so you just gotta love it when someone comes up with the EXACT right line in real life. DAMN she was fine. Mind you - this is copyrighted material - 2006 Creators Syndicate Inc. from “Ann Rhchards: A Texan who lassoed good ol’ boys with laughter” by Molly Ivins 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." Read/Post Comments (1) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top
:: HOME :: GET EMAIL UPDATES :: International Rescue Committee :: Brady Campaign to END GUN VIOLENCE :: Americans for Responsible Solutions :: David Zinn, artist :: Wendy Goldberg :: Kiva - microlending :: SQUISHIES!!!! :: Sluggo! Ann Arbor's Foremost two dimensional resident :: Mr. Monkey! :: Give Free books! :: Flying Spaghetti Monster! :: Matthew Shepard Foundation :: THE BLUE CARD :: Kickstarter :: EMAIL ::