She has been called loud. A giant. A beer-drinker. The only liberal columnist in the state of Texas.

Molly Ivins, three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and syndicated columnist from the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram, addressed a crowd of more than 900 people Tuesday night in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

In her signature thick Texas twang, Ivins spoke of the potential loss of freedom of expression stemming from the fear of terrorism.

“We hurt ourselves. We think we can make ourselves safe by making ourselves less free,” Ivins said. “You’re not safe, you’re just less free.”

Ivins said the war with Iraq has alienated the international community’s opinion of America.

“This isn’t a word I use very often, but I think it’s anti-American,” she said of the war.

Ivins said Americans must work to preserve rights guaranteed in the Constitution, both in times of war and peace.

“People all over the world have died to live that dream, not just in America, but all over the world,” Ivins said.

“This is our heritage. It is too precious a legacy, I think, to allow it to be chipped away because of fear.”

Ivins said when the war with Iraq began, there were demonstrations all over the world opposing military action.

“I think that may have been the beginning of global democracy,” Ivins said. “The question is whether or not this country wants the rule of international law.”

Ivins said after the war is over, the United States will have to deal with a three-way civil war in Iraq.

“It’s then that we face the peace from hell,” she said. “[American soldiers who occupy Iraq] will become a magnet for every terrorist in the Middle East.”

Ivins is the author of four books and has served on the National News Council. Her address was a prelude to First Amendment Day on April 17.

John Eighmey, CEO of and professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, said Ivins demonstrated why Americans need to be extremely vigilant in protecting the First Amendment.

“She has a wonderful sense of humor, and I think that helps her spread her lesson,” Eighmey said.