Former Texas Governor
Ann Richards paid a
surprise visit to the Brown Bag Soap Box
Speaking from the Soap Box: Gov. Ann Richards, Admiral Bob Inman
This year's first "soap
box" style Brown Bag event drew members of the LBJ School community
into a wide-ranging discussion of issues ranging from the viability of
the Department of Homeland Security to the prospects of military action
in Iraq before the November 5 elections.
The event also drew a surprise
visitor, former Texas Governor Ann Richards, who was pulled into the discussion
by students as she left a meeting in the LBJ Library next door.
Richards shared some of her
memories about the women's rights movement of the 1970s, particularly
her involvement in the international Status of Women Conference, and commented
on the current U.S. political scene.
In answer to a question from
discussion moderator Admiral Bob
Inman about recent polls showing that many U.S. women are in favor
of attacking Iraq, Richards said she was not surprised.
"There is no countervailing
voice against war," she said, "and besides, it's difficult
to think about international affairs when you're trying to put food
on the table and take care of all life's details."
Admiral Inman fielded a variety
of questions about Iraq, including this one: "If you had to put money
on it, will there be military action in Iraq before election day?"
Inman responded that if he had been asked that question four weeks ago
he would have said yes. "Now," he said, "the odds are better
than even that force won't be used in 2002," pointing to the loss
of momentum that followed the move to involve the United Nations in the
decisionmaking process.
The event was sponsored by the Brown Bag Speakers Committee, a student organization.
September 25, 2002
©2002 Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs
P.O. Box Y
Austin, TX 78713-8925
512/471-4962
September 25, 2002
Comments to: lbjwmast@uts.cc.utexas.edu
