Projo Arts Blog

If, like Molly, you started out covering the Texas legislature, you might understand why she became a steadfast liberal, although not a steadfast Democrat. She championed civil rights and the U.S. Constitution at a time when Texas was governed by good ol' boys, the ones who muscle everyone out of the way. She loved Austin, hated Dallas, and tolerated Houston.

But there was also the drinking. Molly was an alcoholic. Booze beat down her sense of self-worth. She could not give it up. Rehab didn't work for her. She never embarrassed herself professionally, but was sorrowful for the burden she put on friends. And there were legions who stayed out all night with her, cared for her when she became ill, took over her finances, schedules, housekeeping, and propped her up for the manic life she led. She never married, and the book is weakest trying to analyze that omission. Molly died two years ago at age 62.

In her own words: "Lone Star State Culture is a marriage of several strains of male chauvinism: There is the machismo of our Latino tradition; the Southern belle concept of our Confederate heritage; the pervasive good ol' boyism, the jock idolatry . . . and most important, the legacy of the frontier . . . as John Wayne lived on it. . . . It occurs to me, when I consider my more serious sisters in civilized parts, that a sense of humor about men is not a luxury down here; it is a necessity." That's Molly.

Mandy Twaddell (jimandy111@cox.net), a frequent reviewer in Providence, is particularly fond of this Molly Ivins quote: "Good thing we still have politics -- finest form of free entertainment ever invented."