[marden]

Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards dies

By KELLEY SHANNON, Associated Press Writer Thu Sep 14, 9:40 AM ET


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.

Whether or not she succeeded at that, there was no question she cracked open the door.

Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards dies - Yahoo! News

[kobi]

Ann was a great Governor that many only wish they could be.
Rest in Peace Ann.
Texas will never forget you.

[finboy]

Originally Posted by kobi

Ann was a great Governor that many only wish they could be.
Rest in Peace Ann.
Texas will never forget you.

She was an inspiration to many women that I know, a real role model. I admired her greatly, even though I didn't like her politics all of the time. I can't understand, though, why I haven't heard "Ma" used. That's what EVERYONE called her, as a term of endearment.

[ghporter]

"Ma" Ferguson was the first female Texas governor, and her legacy of corruption and malfeasance is probably not one that the press wants to conjure up. Ann was good for Texas and good for the United States; all gadflies are, and she was one great one!

(I still miss Mark White, though.)

[Spliffdaddy]

She made the world a better place.


by leaving it.

[Helmling]

Have you no shame, sir?

[invisibleX]

Originally Posted by Helmling

Have you no shame, sir?

Spliff was raised with no manners it would seem. Because being a dick is far more important than being decent.

[Spliffdaddy]

Last time I checked, I still had the right to voice my opinion.

I honestly feel like the world is better off without her.

[marden]

Originally Posted by invisibleX

Spliff was raised with no manners it would seem. Because being a dick is far more important than being decent.

So please desist, won't you?

[Spliffdaddy]

Her policies reflected an "entitlement" mindset which led to disillusionment and continued poverty for many Americans. Promising the government would be there to care for people instead of promoting self-reliance.

[ghporter]

Spliff, have you studied Texas politics, and Texas history? In spite of the fact that you don't like the national-level stuff Ann pushed, her work in Texas was far different from "generating entitlements." What she did was mainly wrest some pull from the various interest groups that have more influence over Texas legislation than the legislators themselves (such as they are). Her gubenatorial policies were important in helping poor Texans NOT get ground under the heels of big business. And I'm saying that as someone who voted against her. As a national figure, her "aims" were not in keeping with my idea of running a nation, but at the state level, she did a lot of good.

[ironknee]

she pwned bush sr.

thank you ann for doing it

[invisibleX]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

Last time I checked, I still had the right to voice my opinion.

I honestly feel like the world is better off without her.

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck its probably a duck. Now swap the U for an I.