Gov. Ann Richards
1933-2006


People often ask me what it is about Texas that is so intriguing and I can never answer this question entirely. We like our trucks and we talk with a twang. We also have a reputation of being passionate and opinionated on just about everything and also boast a most assorted cast of characters. We lost a helluva political character last week, Gov. Ann Richards.. People around these parts either loved her or hated her but she left her mark with her wit and humor. They called her "silver haired and silver tongued" with her big hair and bigger opinions. A classic old school, loud mouthed Texan "broad" taking on the Dubya and Daddy machine never batting an eye.

Ann Richards on How to Be a Good Republican:

1. You have to believe that the nation's current 8-year prosperity was due to the work of Ronald Reagan and George Bush, but yesterday's gasoline prices are all Clinton's fault.

2. You have to believe that those privileged from birth achieve success all on their own.

3. You have to be against all government programs, but expect Social Security checks on time.

4. You have to believe that AIDS victims deserve their disease, but smokers with lung cancer and overweight individuals with heart disease don't deserve theirs.

5. You have to believe...everything Rush Limbaugh says.

6. You have to believe God hates homosexuality, but loves the death penalty.

7. You have to believe in prayer in schools, as long as you don't pray to Allah or Buddha.

8. You have to believe that only your own teenagers are still virgins.

9. You love Jesus and Jesus loves you and, by the way, Jesus shares your hatred for AIDS victims, homosexuals, and President Clinton.

10. You have to believe a poor, minority student with a disciplinary history and failing grades will be admitted into an elite private school with a $1,000 voucher.

Ann, you were one hell of a ride and we will miss you.

You might live in a trailer park if:
You incite a diner riot after buying all the fried pies.