Molly Ivins, Columnist, Dies at 62

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. link

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. Make our troops know we're for them and trying to get them out of there. Hit the streets to protest Bush's proposed surge. If you can, go to the peace march in Washington on January 27. We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, "Stop it, now!" link

One hellraising writer and feminist is gone far too soon and I already miss her.

Ten Reasons We Already Miss Ann Richards

Ann Richards, the famously silver-tongued and silver-haired former governor of Texas, died Wednesday from complications of esophageal cancer. She was 73. Here's just some of what we'll remember and miss about her:

1. Richards used her wit not only to disarm her political opponents but to encourage other women to get into politics: "Let me tell you, sisters, seeing dried egg on a plate in the morning is a lot dirtier than anything I've had to deal with in politics," she said.

2. As a homemaker raising four kids, Richards became politically involved by volunteering on campaigns, including helping elect Sarah Weddington, the 25-year-old lawyer who had successfully argued Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court, to the Texas House. Richards called Weddington the first "out-and-out feminist activist" she'd ever met, according to the Washington Post.

3. Two years after undergoing rehab for alcoholism in 1982, Richards was elected state treasurer, making her the first woman elected to a statewide post in Texas in 50 years. Of her return from addiction, she said: "I believe in recovery, and I believe that as a role model I have the responsibility to let young people know that you can make a mistake and come back from it."

4. When Richards gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 1988 -- where she zinged the elder George Bush -- "Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth" -- she also reminded the audience that she was only the second woman to give the keynote address at the convention in 160 years. The first was Barbara Jordan.

Continued in the Comments.

Sign up at ONE.org. This following post I did in June deserves a repeat

G8 2005 Protests
Many campaigns are pumping up their message for the G8 Summit, July 6-8, with counter conferences brewing globally. The G8 is a group of eight of the most powerful countries in the world, who meet annually to discuss global problems. Representing just 14% of the world’s population, but controlling two thirds of global wealth, their actions have an impact on the whole world.

In past years, everywhere they have tried to meet they have been met with a massive response from the world's social movements. Now, in Britain, a network of groups and individuals is emerging that hopes to resist the Summit, and build a lasting movement against capitalism. The centre of attention is Dissent! A Network of Resistance Against the G8 which was formed at the end of November 2003. Links to it and other G8 related websites are provided below.

Info-Sites:
* http://www.dissent.org.uk - The Dissent! Anti-G8 activity.
* http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/resist-g8/ - PGA G8 page.
* http://www.antig8.info - Anti-G8 portal.
* http://www.g8.gov.uk/ - The official UK G8 site, complete with worst corporate logo design ever.
* http://www.dragonbleu.org/G8/ - French mobilisation.
* http://de.dissent.org.uk/ - German mobilisation.
* http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2005/g8/ - UK-IMC info page, check out Scotland IMC here.

G8 Campaign Sites:
* http://g8feministaction.frockon.org/ - G8 feminist Action, Scotland.
* http://www.g8cyclecaravan.org/ - Cycling to the G8.
* http://reshape.org.uk/ - Edinburgh based G8 group.
* http://www.tridentploughshares.org/g8/ - Anti-Nuke Submarine Campaign.
* http://www.g8alternatives.org.uk/ - G8 Alternatives.

Forums:
* http://www.enrager.net/g8forum - discussion board for chat for everything to do with the 2005 summit.

Email Lists:
* http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/resistg82005 - practical organising and networking information relating to resisting the g8.
* http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/dissentedinburgh - list for people based in Edinburgh.

Sign the Live 8 List along with millions of others around the world - and tell the G8 leaders that enough is enough.

Every single day, 30,000 children die, needlessly, of extreme poverty. On July 6th, we finally have the opportunity to stop that shameful statistic.

G8

G8 2005 Protests
Many campaigns are pumping up their message for the G8 Summit, July 6-8, with counter conferences brewing globally. The G8 is a group of eight of the most powerful countries in the world, who meet annually to discuss global problems. Representing just 14% of the world’s population, but controlling two thirds of global wealth, their actions have an impact on the whole world.

In past years, everywhere they have tried to meet they have been met with a massive response from the world's social movements. Now, in Britain, a network of groups and individuals is emerging that hopes to resist the Summit, and build a lasting movement against capitalism. The centre of attention is Dissent! A Network of Resistance Against the G8 which was formed at the end of November 2003. Links to it and other G8 related websites are provided below.

Info-Sites:
* http://www.dissent.org.uk - The Dissent! website is now up and running, for all the info on anti-G8 activity.
* http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/resist-g8/ - PGA G8 page.
* http://www.antig8.info - Anti-G8 portal.
* http://www.g8.gov.uk/ - The official UK G8 site, complete with worst corporate logo design ever.
* http://www.dragonbleu.org/G8/ - French mobilisation.
* http://de.dissent.org.uk/ - German mobilisation.
* http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2005/g8/ - UK-IMC info page, check out Scotland IMC here.

G8 Campaign Sites:
* http://g8feministaction.frockon.org/ - G8 feminist Action, Scotland.
* http://www.g8cyclecaravan.org/ - Cycling to the G8.
* http://reshape.org.uk/ - Edinburgh based G8 group.
* http://www.tridentploughshares.org/g8/ - Anti-Nuke Submarine Campaign.
* http://www.g8alternatives.org.uk/ - G8 Alternatives.

Forums:
* http://www.enrager.net/g8forum - discussion board for chat for everything to do with the 2005 summit.

Email Lists:
* http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/resistg82005 - practical organising and networking information relating to resisting the g8.
* http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/dissentedinburgh - list for people based in Edinburgh.

The Rolling Stones are to embark on a mammoth world tour, kicking off with 35 dates in the US and Canada in August. [more »]

"If the draft is re-instated we may be subject to induction. We pledge that we will not serve in the U.S. armed forces as long as U.S. troops are occupying or waging war in Iraq." If you're at risk of being drafted, feel free to Take The Pledge.

There's an underground movement to make smoking sexy again... Coherent Light is an adult site that caters to fans of dominant babes who light up and don't give a flying fuck. In fact, they wanna blow smoke in your face and maybe snuff a Kool 100 out on your ass. Well, I'm all for smoker's rights. (via: wfmu blog - NSFW [more»])

Anti-war hoopster, Steve Nash, from Canada, wins NBA's MVP.

Robert Plant making late night rounds on tv this week. Listen to 3 of his new songs from the Mighty Rearranger cd.

Send a message to key Senators urging them to "Vote No" on the nuclear option. Write your own letter or use the letter online and just add your name and hit "send". Quick & easy to do.

Project Save CBGB. The New York club currently faces a rent dispute and lease expiration on August 31, 2005.

Today's Quote
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.
-- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

**Update--May 11, 2005
WAYNESVILLE - Pastor Chan Chandler submitted his resignation to the members of East Waynesville Baptist Church on Tuesday, a move some said was the only way to resolve current tensions at the church. link
There were taped recordings of his sermons telling parishoners that voted for Kerry that they could either repent at the altar and ask for forgiveness, or leave the church. His decision to leave the church may just be the beginning of his problems after the IRS steps in.