I noted what a circle of ne'er-do-wells, hacks, connivers and downright idiots most of these chief executives were. Ann was the bright light among them, and there were one or two others who weren't so bad. But in general, I'd say Texas has been pathetic in selecting its leaders in an atmosphere of religious fundamentalism and big "bidness."
Now Kinky Friedman, the entertainer-writer who is running for governor, wants to be one of the good ones. And, in spite of his reputation for loose, fearless talk, his shocking one-liners, his truth-telling and his humorous ways, they say he has a good chance to win. His numbers are surprisingly impressive. So, the other evening, I went to a Manhattan fundraiser for my old pal at a gallery on Madison Avenue. Carolyn Farb, Houston's art collector and generous rich lady, hosted this party. Kinky was in all his glory, wearing his Western Deadwood-type cowboy clothes with a big black hat.
Kinky said to me, "Liz, my detractors are now saying I am a racist because I used the word 'Negro' in one of my detective novels long ago. So I just hope you will print that the other day, Oprah, on her own show, was asked to describe herself and she said, 'I am a Negro woman!' ... I have been saved by Oprah!"
I agreed with Kinky that he is no racist, having suffered plenty himself for being a Jewish boy growing up in Texas. It occurred to me that Kinky and Ann had a lot in common. She told truth to power but with humor so people could absorb it. Kinky does the same thing. I hope he can beat the odds against weirdness.
Now you may not care who becomes the governor of Texas but as this great state has sent three men to the White House, maybe you should. And if you were an Ann Richards fan, you could memorialize her by endorsing her own candidate -- Kinky. And if you are a real Democrat, a populist or a liberal-thinking person, I'd say Kinky is your man. I hope he wins.
