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Listen to a random dose of wisdom from Kinky Friedman

Kinky Videos

From the November 2007 Issue

Reform Follows Function

The former candidate talks with Evan Smith on Texas politics, and why he may run next time as a Democrat (if he runs).

From the September 2007 Issue

Getting My Goat

Kinky talks about life on his ranch, his run for governor, and his former houseguest.

Kinky Stories

Features

Getting My Goat

I wanted to help my old pal when he became a Katrina evacuee. I really did. But any houseguest who stays for nearly two years is going to drive you crazy (or, in my case, crazier). September 2007

Columns | Miscellany

The Cable Guy

The match made in hell that is Bill O’Reilly and me. July 2008

The Four Questions

How would Jesus answer them? How will you? May 2008

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Why cigar haters make ashes of themselves. March 2008

Reform Follows Function

When I ran for governor, I saw firsthand everything that was wrong with our state’s political system. That’s why I know how to fix it. November 2007

Killing Me Softly

Professional suicide times two. March 2005

My Pet Project

Even stray cats and dogs need a Gandhi-like figure. February 2005

Dome Improvement

How I’ll change life at the Capitol as governor. (Hint: Spaying is involved.) January 2005

Keep Gomorrah Weird

A passionate, pointed, and in retrospect, pot-induced defense of Austin. December 2004

Zero to Sixty

A dreaded milestone approaches. November 2004

Bring Him On

A "conversation" with John Kerry. October 2004

Man About Town

Why do I live where I live? To get away from the Peruvian marching powder—and because my door was ajar. September 2004

The Wedding Partyer

Do I, Kinky Friedman, take tequila-loving country singer Pat Green to be my friend for life? I do. August 2004

Arrivederci, Melanoma

I never thought about saving my skin, until things got as serious as cancer. July 2004

Ardor in the Court

Racehorse Haynes is every year's model for what a successful trial lawyer should be. June 2004

Let Saigons Be Bygones

Thirty-five years after I refused to let my government send me there, Vietnam is where my kid sister, Marcie, lives. So I finally shipped out. May 2004

A Tribute to Me

Why did Willie, Lyle, and other big names pay homage to me by recording my songs? Because I asked them to. You got a problem with that? February 1999

My Willie

Willie Nelson and I have been friends for years, so why did I decide only now to make him a character in one of my mystery novels? The plot thickens. September 1997

The Love Song of J. Edgar Hoover

Nothing can stop Sheriff Frances Kaiser: not cancer, not grisly murder cases, and certainly not the good old boys of Kerr County. December 1996

No Show

Pushing the Limits. April 2004

Case Open

Life, death, and Max Soffar. March 2004

See Kinky Run

Me for governor, continued. February 2004

The Wanderer

My Jerry Jeff Walker. January 2004

Hair Today...

My hair apparent. December 2003

Unhappily Ever After

Once upon a time, there was a writer— it doesn't matter which writer—with talent to burn. Wanna guess how the story ends? November 2003

Lottie's Love

A whole Lottie love. October 2003

Jack Was an Ace

Jack Ruby: A killer role model. September 2003

Scout's Honor

The toughest cookies I know. August 2003

Whistlin' Dixie

I'm mental over the Dixie Chicks. July 2003

My Shelf Life

Yes, I am a dip. June 2003

Mad Cowboy Disease

Anarchy in the U.K. May 2003

Change, Pardners

Free the Hill Country! April 2003

Oaf of Office

Kinky Friedman for governor?!? March 2003

I Don't

Better dead than wed. February 2003

The Hummingbird Man

My life as the Hummingbird Man. January 2003

Tangled Up in Bob

Bob Dylan revisited. December 2002

Jungle Fever

How I became a wild man from Borneo. November 2002

The Houseguest

A sleepover at George and Laura's. October 2002

Yesterday Street

My West University Place. September 2002

Cliff Hanger

A vacation to die for (almost). August 2002

Psycho Paths

The truth—scouts honor—about Charles Whitman. July 2002

Blowing Smoke

In praise of old stogies. June 2002

It's No Mystery

Five easy ways to plot your life as a writer. May 2002

Does Not Compute

Why I won't plug in, boot up, or log on. April 2002

Unfair Game

On the trail of Texas' unhappy hunting grounds. March 2002

Don Imus Has Heart

In New Mexico—far West Texas to you and me—my old friend the radio jock runs a ranch for kids with cancer, and you thought he was all talk. February 2002

The Jest Is History

How Neiman met Marcus and other facts you never learned in seventh grade. January 2002

Room With a Boo

Having a ghost of a time at the Menger Hotel. December 2001

Hail to the Kinkster

George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and me. November 2001

Social Studies

Belching the Lord's Prayer and other fine points of Texas etiquette. October 2001

Band of Brothers

Keeping time with the Texas Jewboys. September 2001

Ode to Billy Joe

Singing the praises of Billy Joe Shaver. August 2001

Texas for Dummies

Lifesaving tips for new Texans. July 2001

The Navigator

My dad at war—and peace. June 2001

Strange Bedfellows

Under the covers with five of my closest friends. May 2001

All Politics Is Yokel

My assault on the body politic. April 2001