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Jan Jarboe Russell

Features

A Lady First

Today, many younger Texans may be inclined to think of Lady Bird Johnson as belonging entirely to the past. But if her demeanor and style seemed faintly anachronistic, the virtues instilled by her parents back in East Texas—practicality, thriftiness, good manners, and an open mind—made her remarkably effective as a first lady, more so than some of her “modern” successors. September 2007

Texas Women

They shouldn't be messed with. But you knew that already. February 2003

John Paul Cisneros

He's is a healthy teenager (and nothing could make his dad happier). September 2001

Politician of the Century—Lyndon Johnson

“Johnson continues to tower over Texas politics not just because he was the first Texas-bred president but because, 26 years in his grave, he continues to extend the very idea of Texas into American political history.” December 1999

Business • Red McCombs

Driven to succeed. September 1999

Alone Together

No one denies that there was love at the center of Lady Bird Johnson’s marriage to LBJ. But like Hillary Clinton, she endured quite a bit, spousally speaking, as her husband’s star was on the rise. August 1999

Art • Harriet and Harmon Kelley

Collecting their culture. September 1996

Lady Bird Looks Back

Frank talk about LBJ’s life, JFK’s death, the promise of Hillary Clinton, the perils of Oliver North—and more. December 1994

Sitting Pretty

After years of maintaining perfect public composure, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison now wears her ambition on her sleeve. August 1994

David Koresh and the Myth of the Alamo

He was no William Barrett Travis, but in many ways, the leader of the Brand Davidians was an archetypal Texan to the end. June 1993

“Why Us?”

Since AIDS infected their lives, the proud, the deeply religious Allens have been left to ponder the eternal questions of faith and suffering. April 1993

The Eternal Challenger

Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez has spent most of his 76 years swinging wildly at political heavyweights. Now he’s finally landed a punch—on the president of the United States. October 1992

Ann’s Plans

Is Ann Richards planning a historic move from the statehouse to the White House? July 1992

Rescue Mission

The politics of trauma. March 1992

Flight for Your Life

When a few minutes matter, an EMS helicopter can make the difference between life and death. March 1992

Dog Ghosts and Bottle Trees

A new collection of Keith Carter’s photographs captures the magical mojo of East Texas. January 1992

Wonder Drug on Trial

Prozac was supposed to cure Skye Morris’ depression. Now her husband is trying to prove that it caused her to commit suicide. December 1991

Secret Summer Places

Follow us for a great vacation, minus something all tourists can do without crowds. June 1991

Meaner Than a Junkyard Dog

“Guys like me like Iraq,” says Houston oilman Oscar Wyatt. “That’s the way the real world works, baby.” April 1991

Sissy Spacek’s Long Walk Home

You can take the girl out of East Texas, but you can’t take East Texas out of the girl. February 1991

A Boy and His Airline

He walks through airports dressed like Elvis. He paints his planes to look like killer whales. He’s Southwest’s Herb Kelleher, and because of him Texas’ psychic landscape will never be the same. April 1989

Columns | Miscellany

The Good Wife

Mary Alice Cisneros loved, honored, and cherished Henry’s political career. Now it’s her turn. May 2007

The Equity Myth

What happened—and didn’t—when we “fixed” school finance the last time. September 2005

The Good Rats

Cancer used to be something you died from. Now, thanks to clinical trials, it’s increasingly something you live with. June 2005

Grand Opportunity Party

The Republicans have made real inroads into winning over Hispanic voters. If that doesn’t freak out the Democrats, I don’t know what will. March 2005

The Old Gray Mayor

San Antonio politics, it ain't what it used to be—which is why it could be time for a grown-up at city hall. December 2004

Into The Woods

My parents and I had a generation gap. My kids and I have a geographic gap, as I learned when I took my son to my hometown of Cleveland. September 2004

Viva la Diferencia

A Harvard know-it-all predicts that the emerging Hispanic majority will be a drag on America. Tell it to your friends in Cambridge, bub. June 2004

Take Two Tablets

Should a monument featuring the Ten Commandments be allowed to remain on the grounds of the Texas Capitol? A homeless former defense lawyer says no. February 2004

Bless This House

Haven't we settled the prayer-in-politics debate and turned our attention to more important things, like the budget shortfall? Apparently not. May 2003

An Unmarried Woman

My divorce made me what I am today. February 2003

Jung at Heart

When I could no longer tolerate the religious fundamentalism of my childhood, I turned to the teachings of a Swiss psychiatrist—and rejuvenated my spiritual life. January 2003

Quite Contrary

Was the sacred image of the Virgin Mary in Mexico City painted by miracle or man? Even science can't say for sure. October 2002

Church and Statecraft

Right with his party, wrong with his religion: where God and government intersect for Rick Perry and Tony Sanchez. August 2002

Fathers and Sins

What happens to your belief in God when your son commits suicide after being molested by a priest? That's a question Nancy and Pat Lemberger have been struggling with for years. June 2002

School Spirit

Even in death, the former principal of El Paso’s Cathedral High is larger than life. July 1999

Luci in the Sky

After what seemed like a lifetime as the nation’s first daughter, Luci Baines Johnson has finally come of age. March 1998

Politics Red Square

Texas scientist Arnold Lockshin defected to Russia to find a new life. Has the collapse of communism shattered his dreams? July 1992

Child’s Play

“Just how hard can it be to build a playground?” I asked. The answer: Harder than anything I’ve ever tried before. January 1992

Henry B. Gonzalez

The life and accomplishments of Henry B. Gonzalez. January 2001

Reporter

The Last Maverick

With the passing of Maury Maverick, Jr., Texas liberals—real ones, not watered-down versions—are nearing extinction. July 2003

War Stories

Jan Jarboe Russell finds a revolution brewing at El Paso's Cinco Puntos press. July 2001

Vote of Confidence

Jan Jarboe Russell sizes up San Antonio's new mayor. July 2001

Alamodoomed

San Antonio mayor Bill Thornton likes to talk about the future, but he’s still a politician of the past—and so is everyone who’s running against him. April 1997