, populist
, political commentator, humorist and author.
Ivins was born in Monterey
, California
, and raised in Houston, Texas
. Her father Jim Ivins, known as "General Jim" because of his rigid authoritarianism (or sometimes "Admiral Jim" for his love of sailing), was an oil and gas executive, and the family lived in Houston's affluent River Oaks neighborhood.
Ivins graduated from St.
All anyone needs to enjoy the state legislature is a strong stomach and a complete insensitivity to the needs of the people. As long as you don’t think about what that peculiar body should be doing and what it actually is doing to the quality of life in Texas, then it’s all marvelous fun. Texas Observer|Texas Observer, Notes from a rookie, March 26, 1971.
There are two kinds of humor. One kind that makes us chuckle about our foibles and our shared humanity... The other kind holds people up to public contempt and ridicule. That's what I do. —quoted in People magazine interview, 1991. "The Mouth of Texas." People Weekly, Dec. 9, 1991.
On a personal note: I have contracted an outstanding case of breast cancer, from which I intend to recover. I don’t need get-well cards, but I would like the beloved women readers to do something for me: Go. Get. The. Damn. Mammogram. Done. Dec. 14, 1999 syndicated column
"The next time I tell you someone from Texas should not be president of the United States, please, pay attention."