we remember

in memoriam
september 11, 2001

stephanie tubbs jones reported dead

UPDATE: Major news sources can now confirm that Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has in fact died after suffering a brain aneurysm. We give our apologies for the confusion over this story, and our thoughts and prayers to the congresswoman's loved ones.
Major news sources are retracting their stories reporting the death of Congresswoman Tubbs Jones after doctors revealed that she is alive but in critical condition.

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, suffered a brain aneurysm and died today, sources say.

She was removed from life support at 12:19 p.m. at Huron Road Hospital, the sources said.

Tubbs Jones, 58, served as a Cuyahoga County judge and prosecutor before succeeding U.S. Rep. Louis Stokes. She has served five terms in Congress and is expected to easily win her sixth in November.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was a staunch supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton's candidacy during the primary season, though she threw her support to Sen. Barack Obama after Clinton conceded the race.

remembering lady bird

Whenever you drive on a highway in the state of Texas, you are likely to see blooming bluebonnets clustered on the medians or on the side of the road. There's one person to thank for that breathtaking sight.

Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson, affectionately known by the country as Lady Bird, was the wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, and one of the most remembered and adored First Ladies in history. A Texas native, she embarked on beautification programs to make the nation a better-looking place for all of us to live. But planting flowers wasn't her only contribution to eradicating the ugly in life: she was known for condemning hatred and championing civil rights.

Lady Bird died on July 11 due to natural causes, surrounded by her family. She was 94.

Capitol Annex has a moving tribute to Lady Bird Johnson, including choice words from several other Texas bloggers that mourn her loss.

ntl remembers molly ivins

Molly Ivins, likely the most beloved Texan of our time (at least among we progressives), passed away yesterday at the age of 62. She ended a long battle with breast cancer.

Hailing from Austin, Ivins became successful as a reporter and as a best-selling author and political commentator. Later in her career, she became a wildly popular newspaper columnist. Her numerous awards include the David Brower award for journalism from the Sierra Club, the Pringle Prize for Washington Journalism from Columbia University, the Eugene V. Debs Award in the field of journalism, and election to the Academy of Arts and Sciences. She says of all her accolades, though, one of her favorites is getting banned from the campus of Texas A&M University.

Via Texas Kaos, here's the statement released by Speaker Nancy Pelosi:

"Molly Ivins' biting commentary and fierce wit contributed mightily to the political debate in our nation. Through her more than 40 years as both a political observer and national conscience, she exposed the low points of corruption and the high points of dedicated public service - always with good humor.

"Never wavering in her commitment to populist ideals, she was a courageous voice for peace and opportunity. Molly Ivins faced her final battle with cancer with the optimism and dignity that has always been her signature.

"I hope it is a comfort to her family and friends that so many people share their loss and are praying for them at this sad time."

For tributes to Ivins from Texas bloggers, see the following: The Agonist, Brains and Eggs, Burnt Orange Report, Capitol Annex, Gonzo Muckraker, In the Pink Texas, Eye on Williamson County, Feet to the Fire, Marc's Miscellany, McBlogger, Musings, Off the Kuff, The People's Republic of Seabrook, PinkDome, Rhetoric & Rhythm, South Texas Chisme, Texas Kaos, and Three Wise Men.

Also be sure to read Molly's final column: Stand Up Against the Surge. And heed her advice.

ntl remembers pearl harbor

Today, NTL honors the men and women that died in the attack on Pearl Harbor 65 years ago today. The surprise attack by the Japanese spurred President Roosevelt to enter U.S. troops into WWII.

Yahoo! News has an excellent story on today's memorial service.

Nearly 500 survivors bowed their heads at 7:55 a.m., the minute planes began bombing the harbor in a surprise attack that thrust the United States into World War II.

"America in an instant became the land of the indivisible," said former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw, the author of "The Greatest Generation," who spoke at the shoreside ceremonies. "There are so many lessons from that time for our time, none greater than the idea of one nation greater than the sum of its parts."

The veterans, most in Hawaiian aloha shirts, were honored with prolonged applause at the solemn ceremony near where some of the ships remain rusting and moss-covered under the harbor's waters.

Many were treating the gathering as their last, uncertain if they would be alive or healthy enough to travel to Hawaii for the next big memorial ceremony, the 70th anniversary.

"It is because of you and people like you that we have the freedoms we enjoy today," Capt. Taylor Skardon said after relating each ship's story at the end of the ceremony.

Please join us in honoring our WWII veterans and those that made their final sacrifice on Dec. 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

former governor ann richards dies at 73

Tonight, NTL grieves the loss of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, who was diagnosed with cancer in March. Cecile Richards announced her mother's death Wednesday at 7:50 p.m. Richards was 73.

Barbara Ann Radnofsky, the Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in Texas, mourned the loss of Ann Richards today. "We mourn the death of a great Texas leader, Ann Richards. She inspired the next generation. She championed vital causes and led with spirit, eloquence, humanity, wisdom and humor. May her memory be a blessing."

Richards was known for her biting wit. Of former President George H. W. Bush's verbal gaffes, she was quoted as saying, "Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." She was also a strong supporter of women, especially in politics. A feminist, she once said, "Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels."

Vince Leibowitz of Capitol Annex put it this way: "For the Texas political landscape to be without Ann Richards’ presence is like a field without bluebonnets."

Rest in peace, Ann. You will be sorely missed. Because of you, Texas will never be the same. Thank you for your service to our great state.

in memoriam: 9/11/2001

IN MEMORIAM:
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Today, the North Texas Liberal staff reminds you to pause and reflect on the events of September 11, 2001. Please take a moment to remember the souls lost five years ago today during those devastating terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. We also honor the brave heroes that brought down United Flight 93 in rural Pennsylvania to prevent another attack from taking place that day. We put aside partisan politics today in honor of the families that lost a loved one, anyone that lost a friend, and everyone affected by the tragic events that day. We will never forget.