Molly Ivins was an outspoken American political commentator, humorist, and journalist. She was known and either revered or hated for her sharp wit and insightful commentary on politics. Ivins was born in Monterey, California August 30, 1944, and raised in Houston, Texas.
She gained prominence and notoriety for her beloved column in The Texas Observer, where she covered Texas politics with a unique and humorous perspective.
The Observer is a liberal paper, the only liberal publication in the entire state of Texas at the time Molly began working there. The byline of the paper – “Covering What Others Won’t.” And the home page still dons a picture of its greatest columnist Molly Ivins.
Molly took open aim at people who abused political power.
Ivins went on to work for various newspapers, including The New York Times, where she continued to critique political figures and policies.
One of her greatest accomplishments was her ability to use humor to dissect and analyze complex political issues. She?was fearless in challenging those in power, regardless of their political affiliation. Ivins was also an outspoken advocate for progressive causes.
Her writing style was characterized by a distinctive blend of humor, sarcasm, brutal honesty and a deep understanding of political dynamics.
Ivins authored several books, including “Molly Ivins Can’t Say That, Can She?” and “Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush’s America.”
She received numerous awards for her work, and her impact on political journalism continues to be celebrated.
Interesting Things To Note About Molly Ivins
- She was a 3 time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize
- She showed up to her interview at The Texas observer with a 6 pack of beer
- She drove a truck
- She was an avid hunter
13 Greatest Molly Ivins Quotes
Here are the 13 Greatest Molly Ivins Quotes:
- “Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful.”
- “I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part, and discuss it only with consenting adults.”
- “The first rule of holes: when you’re in one, stop digging.”
- “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.”
- “The thing about democracy, beloveds, is that it is not neat, orderly, or quiet. It requires a certain relish for confusion.”
- “Polarizing people is a good way to win an election, and also a good way to wreck a country.”
- “It’s hard to argue against cynics—they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side.”
- “I believe in practicing prudence at least once every two or three years.”
- “Being slightly paranoid is like being slightly pregnant – it tends to get worse.”
- “The trouble with blaming powerless people is that although it’s not nearly as scary as blaming the powerful, it does miss the point.”
- “Texans do not like one another nor do they pretend to.”
- “I mean if you want a bad idea tried, we’ve tried it. Texas is like Hungarian wine. It does not travel well. You should not take it across the river.”
- “”The trouble with most folks in Texas is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that ain’t so. We’re the people who shoot first and ask questions later, if at all. It’s a state of shoot-first, ask-questions-maybe, and it keeps us lively.”
These quotes reflect Ivins’ humorous and astute observations on politics and society.
Molly leaves a legacy of influential writings and provided a lifetime of inspiration to aspiring journalists and political commentators.
Checkout this previous post on Charlie Munger’s Greatest Quotes
