Molly Ivins: An appreciation

Political columnist Molly Ivins died in 2007. So as a little tribute, I cut up a speech she gave at Tulane U in 2004 and made some video snippets. Each clip is two to three minutes - very short.

Personally, I'll miss Ivins because she had a knack for espousing very populist, progressive views without clobbering people over the head with it.

The first clip is classic Ivins as she talks about defending the First Amendment against the machinations of an anti-pornography minister in Austin, TX.

She followed politics for the Texas Observer and could spin hilarious yarns about some of the odd elected officials that lived on planet Texas.

Ivins was critical of politicians and the political machine. But she never became cynical. That is, perhaps one of the things I admire about her most.

Merry X-box or xmas or something

Here are some things I love about this time of year.

Lights everywhere. It makes sense that during the darkest time of year, that people celebrate light. Whether you follow the traditional pagan recognition of the solstice or you believe Jebus is the light of the world.

And by the way, isn't it funny to hear the Christians complain about the 'war on xmas?' Or complain that Santa - a make believe character - is replacing Jebus as the symbol of the season? I find it just as plausible that a dude in a sleigh drawn by eight flying reindeer can deliver toys to children all around the world in one night - as I do that god decided to impregnate a virgin and that his son would perform magic tricks, get nailed to a cross and then rise from the dead.

Well, maybe that's all I like about this time of year. Nice having a day off work too I suppose.

Hey, my buddy Bill just started a blog. Check out his photos, he's a smashing photog.

Merry New Year y'all.