Guest blogged by Joy Williams
According to CNN, Ann Richards, the former Governor of Texas, has passed on due to esophogeal cancer. She was a straight talker, a truth teller, and an intelligent and fiery woman. She will be missed.
As a former Texan, I found in Ann Richards a salt-of-the-earth kind of person who had an incredible amount of compassion, and is one of those gems that you find amongst those tumbling tumbleweeds. You could trust her. You could rely on her. You knew she cared.
Her spirit and energy were phenomenal. She would have made a tremendous President.
In 1988, she gave the Democratic National Convention Keynote Address. Though it’s a different George Bush, much of what she said then applies remarkably well now. The Bushes have NEVER changed their agenda. Please read her address.
We love you, Ann!

Ms. Ann Richards was the last of the great ones who truly believed public office should be used to protect the public. When Ms. Richards left the Governor’s office Texas had a surplus in finances, a surplus in credibility and surplus of honor.
How very sad that in such a short time Shrub was able to put Texas in a deficit, sold Texas out to special interest groups and made Texas a bad joke.
I pray her passing is peaceful and her family can rejoice that they had the privledge to be up close and personal with such a great lady. Hope Texans can see the difference in a public servant and a public criminal.
What a damn shame. We love you Ann, and we’ll miss ya! RIP
Ann was a wonderful person and the voice of sanity in Texas. Thank you TEXASLADY and MOLLY. I knew that you would have kind words for this classy lady.
Ann Richards was great on politically incorrect and real time w/ bill maher.
Never held her punches, always let people know how she felt. She was worth a hundred neocon jackasses.
What a wonderful picture of Ann Richards. It really captures her personality.
Thank you for posting it.
Saw an old campaign sign of hers on the news:
“A womans place is in the dome”, with a picture of the capitol dome.
Funny!
I Loved to hear this Ann Richards unbridled spunky comentary on anything. I will miss her!