Wouldn't it be wonderful if the feisty, funny Molly Ivins were around for this election? Maybe she is and we just can't see her. Maybe she's operating from the angelic realm, reminding us to laugh at every opportunity during this too-often-grueling exercise in Democracy. There's plenty of opportunity for laughter if only we don't wander too far into the hell of it. And worry about the serious consequences of the outcome. Which I do all too often.
If for some reason you didn't know Molly's work, you have a treat in store. Just google her, check out some of her columns and her books. She was to written political commentary what Stewart and Colbert are to political TV. Nothing was sacred to Molly, and I especially enjoyed her delicious pokes at the Texas culture.
Molly died in 2007—age 62, breast cancer. God, I miss her.
She could illuminate the most serious situation in the light of her sharp humor. And she was a tireless advocate of having fun—which I find Liberals more inclined toward than Repubs. That was clearly demonstrated at the two Conventions recently. Democrats showed up and celebrated. Republicans just showed up. Fun wasn't part of the Tampa experience. (Somebody observed that Gov. Romney and the Republican Party are in something of a loveless marriage. Not much fun.)
Seeing these words from Molly makes me want to read more. And I will.
". . . keep fightin' for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't you forget to have fun doin' it. . . . 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." ~ Molly Ivins
Molly surely is missed!!
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