Syndicated columnist Ms. Molly Ivins died two years ago on Jan. 31, 2007 at age 62.
The loss of Molly Ivins — patriot liberal, progressive and humorist — was the passing of a unique voice of outrage against the abuses of position and power.
Molly Ivins revered the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. She wrote, “It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America.”
Of herself she wrote, “I don’t have an agenda, I don’t have a program. I’m not a communist or a socialist. I guess I’m a left-libertarian and a populist, and I believe in the Bill of Rights the way some folks believe in the Bible.”
Robert Shetterly wrote of Ivins in his book, “Americans Who Tell The Truth,” “To honor a journalist as a truth teller is implicitly to comment on the scarcity of courage and candor in a profession ostensibly dedicated to writing and speaking the truth. Molly Ivins is singular in her profession not only for her willingness to speak truth to power but for her use of humor to lampoon the self-seeking, the corrupt and the incompetent in positions of public trust. Her wit and insight place her squarely in the tradition of America’s great political humorists like Mark Twain.”
Molly Ivins left nearly half her estate to the American Civil Liberties Union. In typical fashion, she commented, “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do with my worldly goods than fund folks who will be a pain in the ass to whatever powers come to be.” Ever the optimist, she wrote, “Any nation that can survive what we have lately in the way of government, is on the high road to permanent glory.”
We may continue to honor Molly Ivins contributions by following her oft-quoted advice, “So keep fightin’ for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don’t you forget to have fun doin’ it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin’ ass and celebratin’ the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was.”
San Juan Island chapter
American Civil Liberties Union of Washington
Friday Harbor
