I feared that I would soon be writing that headline when I posted about her battle with cancer this past weekend. I just didn't expect it to be quite this soon.

Molly Ivins, the liberal newspaper columnist who delighted in skewering politicians and interpreting, and mocking, her Texas culture, died yesterday in Austin. She was 62.

Ms. Ivins waged a public battle against breast cancer after her diagnosis in 1999. Betsy Moon, her personal assistant, confirmed her death last night. Ms. Ivins died at her home surrounded by family and friends.

In her syndicated column, which appeared in about 350 newspapers, Ms. Ivins cultivated the voice of a folksy populist who derided those who she thought acted too big for their britches. She was rowdy and profane, but she could filet her opponents with droll precision.

I'll let my comments from the weekend stand as my tribute to her.

I find her positions wrong-headed and hateful, and her prose lacking in elegance. I don't even like her accent. But I would hate to see her voiced silenced at what is a relatively young age.

* * *

Get well, Molly -- I don't agree with you, but I don't want to lose you.

Sadly, the Lord did not choose to honor that parting sentiment, and so today I close with a different one -- may she rest in peace, in the presence of the Lord.

Posted by: Greg at 11:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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