frankiep, maybe you hadn't noticed, but Liz Smith was a close, long-term friend of Gov. Richards. This was no "I was so torn apart when the celebrity I never knew died" piece.

Ms. Smith's personal reminiscences are unique, and her perspective makes for a richer portrait of a person neither you nor I knew.

Try not to be such a knee-jerk snot, huh?

I caught "Avenue Q" in NYC back in October 2003.

Leaving the theater, I thought I spied a familiar silver coif ahead of me in the crowd. Turning to my son, I wondered out loud..."I could have sworn I just saw Ann Richards!"

We laughed at the thought. I mean, what would Ann Richards be doing watching a Broadway show?

Heh.

ANN

So grand

Ideas as expansive and diverse as Texas Land

Rock Star

Czar

Blue eyes saw

Neuvo ways to execute law

Helmet Hair do on a jet

Economy of Texas ceased to fret

Texas business grew

Every time she flew

My daughters will never physically know

A road like she had to hoe

They have an attainable shot at glory

because I'll tell them her story

What a human

What a loss

Texas shone brightest, when she was boss

Thanks to Ann----

Tobi Jackson

p.s. if you can say something nice about the lady, then post, otherwise let

your silence speak.

Beautiful tribute Liz! You'll have to excuse the rude as hell RepubliCons who don't respect themselves much less the passing of a legend...

Texas has lost a great Statesman and the world lost a great woman.

I'm just so heartbroken!

I had the honor and pleasure of meeting her once during her Gubernatorial campaign when she visited city hall in San Antonio Texas. Her presence rocked the entire building like a mighty earthquake. You just knew someone powerful was there. It was either God or Ann Richards! She was awesome and I hoped one day she'd become President.

God speed dear Ann. God bless and comfort your family in this time of great sorrow. The world mourns the only person who could rip "Jr." to shreds and make him look like the ass he is! We love you Ann!

I, too, am greatly saddened by the death of Ann Richards, but what's with the RIP, y'all? Do any of you think Ann Richards would want to spend the rest of eternity resting peacefully? Hell, no! I hope she's up in heaven raising hell, and I'll just bet she's even now got St. Peter doubled over in laughter.

Forget this "Rest In Peace" stuff, Annie! Show 'em how to cut loose Texas-style!

Thanks for posting that here. I didn't previously know that about Gov. Richards, and I am happy that I do. We've lost a wonderful sister (mother, countrywoman, citizen, sponsor, grandma...)

This article claims that Karl Rove prevented Ann Richards' re-election.

That is untrue. Ann Richards' was very popular with Texans of both parties. She would have been easily re-elected except for one little oopsie. She vetoed a pro-gun rights bill that would have allowed for concealed carry licences.

That's all it took. Don't mess with our gun rights in Texas if you want to get re-elected.

I remember her fondly anyway.

Do I have to elaborate?

No -- you are a conservative loser! No heart, no love, no decency!

It is the repug way! Another one like you stole the White House

(Fla. and Ohio (my state)). You and That "little" guy sitting in the

Oval Office have killed 2700 of our finest and best young people!

Wounded 20,000 of them. Aren't you proud? IRAQ HAD NOTHING TO DO

WITH 9/11. Have you caught on yet? Even the nincompoop from Texas

has admitted Saddam had nothing to do with it -- but only after lying

through his teeth for a long time. Support your crooks. They are

putting lots of money in their own pockets. You and I don't have

the kind of money they have -- but they write the laws to give THEM

more.

GO GET'EM, LOSER. You don't have the brains of a nincompoop!

Donnameche

Ann Richards, the former Governor of Texas, died yesterday. I never

met the lady, but I feel as if I lost a grandmother, or an AA sponsor.

She was my role model when I first got sober. She was probably one of

the first sucessful women to be very open about the effects of her

alcoholism, and the benefits of recovery. "I have seen the very bottom

of life," she said. "I was so afraid I wouldn't be funny anymore. I

just knew that I would lose my zaniness and my sense of humor. But I

didn't. Recovery turned out to be a wonderful thing."

There's a great Ann Richards story. One of her former political

opponents was intervened on, and spent many months in rehab. When he

flew back to Texas in the small hours of the night, none of his

colleagues were there to meet him: just Ann Richards, his former

rival. She welcomed him home, and gave him a Where and When (the schedule of AA meetings).

Whether you agree with her politics or not, the woman really had class!

was the essence of all Democrats could be it they just got there act together. I never met her but had a huge amount of respect for her. She left us far to soon and she will be missed.

Just want to say thank you to Liz Smith for one of the most heartwarming and funny tributes I've ever read. I hope that her joy and wit will stay with all those who loved her and there are many who loved Ann Richards.

Darn it Ann, you left too soon. Darn it. We need you. A 53 year old man and the tears are rolling down my face. God luv ya you wonderful lady, ya did good...REAL good!

I never met Governor Richards. All I can honestly claim is that I fervently admired her from afar, and that I loved her wit. Who will ever sum up George Herbert Walker Bush better than her "Born with a silver foot in his mouth" quip?

If George W. Bush represents the worst of America, Anne Richards represented the best. We lost a bright star, yesteday, and far too soon. Believe me, Anne, I remember you for far more important things than housekeeping. Well done.

Goodbye Annie, and conversation in the afterlife just got a lot wittier.