I have been attacked by Rush Limbaugh on the air, an experience somewhat akin to being gummed by a newt. It doesn't actually hurt, but it leaves you with slimy stuff on your ankle.

When attacks stick but don't wound

There's something both hilarious and deeply true about this comparison. Molly Ivins knew that not every attack lands the way its attacker intends. Sometimes the people who come at you hardest are actually ineffective—their words don't wound so much as they stick around uncomfortably, leaving a residue of annoyance you have to shake off. It's a useful mental shift for anyone who's been on the receiving end of harsh criticism, whether from a public figure or just someone in your life who enjoys being combative.

The real insight here is about proportion. We often spend hours stewing over criticism that, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't actually damage us. We obsess about the slime rather than recognizing it for what it is: temporary, surface-level, and ultimately harmless. The people most skilled at dismissing unfair attacks are usually those who refuse to grant them more power than they deserve. They name what happened—yes, it's unpleasant—but they don't treat a gumming like a wound that needs urgent care.

What makes this especially relevant now is how easy it's become to amplify criticism through social media, turning small irritations into major dramas. Ivins reminds us that sometimes the most dignified response is also the most practical one: acknowledge it, wipe it off, and move on with your day.