Syndicated Columnist, Feminist Molly Ivins Dies at 62

Molly Ivins, a celebrated feminist author and political columnist, died at her Texas home on Wednesday after fighting breast cancer. Ivins was well known for her up-beat criticism and commentary of "politics, Texas, and other bizarre happenings."

As a journalist, Ivins worked for the Texas Observer, where she served as co-editor from 1970 to 1976, the New York Times, the Dallas Times Herald, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In addition to her newspaper work, Ivins also wrote several books critical of George W. Bush's presidency, including "Shrub: The Short But Happy Political Life of George W. Bush" and "Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush's America." She was always an advocate for women and frequently pointed out the hypocrisy of the US that works against women. Recently, Ivins wrote of the Bush administration's de-funding of the UNFPA, "Of course, our poor government is so broke that it can't afford to waste $34 million on women in poor countries. It has more important things to do, like spending $100 million on 'promoting marriage.'" Her outspoken views sometimes landed her in trouble -- she was banned from speaking on the Texas A&M University campus at least once -- but her response was always, "raise more hell," the Texas Observer reports.

In her last column, "Stand Up Against the Surge," Ivins urged Americans to be active in their opposition to the war in Iraq, writing, "We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous."

Media Resources: truthout.org 2/1/07; Creators Syndicate 2/1/07; Alternet 1/12/07

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