Being an avid fan of Molly Ivins, I was deeply sadened by the news of her passing. I was a great admirer of her courageous thinking, her witty writing and she always knew how to make me laugh. I always wanted to know what her "take" was on any given subject. I couldn't wait to see if her column would appear in my paper, and when it wasn't there, I went online and found her most recent. She inspired me to talk about a subject whether I thought she was right or wrong. She knew how to rouse a patriotic feeling like no other, with the way she wrote. Her writing would always prod me into finding out more about the subject of which she was writing. She would urge me into action, by writing my Congressman, an editorial, or signing a petition for a just cause. Most writers don't possess that kind of ability and this was her truest gift to us all. She once said," I believe ignorance is the root of all evil. And that no one knows the truth," but that did'nt stop her from searching for it anyway and that inspired others to go in search of it for themselves. Molly had a great patriotic heart and that will be truly missed.

Natasha Berg

Richmond, Virginia

I sure will miss my dear friend, Molly, beloved friend I never met.

Whenever my faith in my sense of justice was shaken, whenever I doubted myself, her writing would restore my soul, steady my course.

Molly was an archer with well-aimed, barbed arrows that seldom missed their mark, like a stake driven into the heart of the greed, sleeze, hypocrisy and inhumanity all too common among our high and mighty politicos.

Her body quietly flickered to an end but her soul never gave an inch and she left us with a voice strong and sure. So as we say our sad good byes, I feel a smile creeping across my face picturing the welcoming party: Ann Richards, Art Buchwald, Will Rogers and Mark Twain beaming with delight at her welcome arrival.

Susan Kovach

Irvine, CA

I'm someone who never met Molly Ivins, have no media presence, and am just an ordinary reader. So I'm more than a little surprised to find myself grieving so deeply on hearing of her death. For the past days I have been in a funk that is far beyond what I have ever felt following the death of a public figure.

For many years, I could hardly wait until Thursday, so I could read her latest column. She always spoke clearly and cleanly for me, a citizen both baffled and enraged by institutions of power and the halfwits in charge of them.

When a certain clueless Shrub saw fit to eulogize her (instead of keeping his mouth wisely shut), I thought it must be a joke she managed to play posthumously. Molly Ivins constantly impaled them all with the sharpest of weapons: truth and humor.

Her wide-ranging wonder at human folly was one of the greatest antidotes the good Lord has given us in our time. I can't believe how sorry I am to have to say that in the past tense.

Anyway, I'm sure that Jesus has welcomed her, his tiny little tuna-fishy hands surrounding her in the warmest embrace.

Jeff Davis
Carillonist, UC Berkeley Department of Music

Berkeley, CA

Molly Ivins makes me wish I believed in an afterlife. Knowing that I would get to read her columns after I die would be a piece of heaven to me.

I especially enjoyed hearing her interviewed. She could bring more truth to bear than just about anyone I have ever heard or read. It was her voice that helped me not to feel so alone in 2000 and 2004 when I was attempting to get people around me in Georgia to understand what a poor choice Bush would be, the lies being told to take us into Iraq, his budgetary malfeasance, and his overall incompetence. I even adopted her term, Shrub, whenever I referred to Bush.

Reading her columns always put me in mind of the song from Mary Poppins about a spoonful of sugar making the medicine go down. Her way with words made distasteful truths much more palatable. I will miss her very much. Hers was a real Texas accent and not something contrived to fake it.

Robert Moore

Atlanta , GA

I have been a loyal reader of Molly Ivin's for years, I honestly can't remember how long. Everyday, when I sit down at my computer, I always check for David Corn and Molly Ivins before I do anything else.

Molly Ivins wrote with humor, wit, passion and truth. She could cut through the bullshit of politics and shine a light on the ugliness that is so much a part of today's red state/blue state Republican hatefest.

There were so many times that I was ready to find a cave and become a hermit, until the Bush era had passed, like bad gas. Then there it would be, a wonderfully written column by Molly to raise my spirits and make me laugh along the way. I knew I wasn't alone in my agony of watching what is happening to this country.

I was saddened when I read that she was back in the hospital. I knew her time was running out. But I hoped that she could rally once more and rise up and fight the Bushies until the end. So we must continue her fight. We must also remember her humor and her devotion to this country. She was a true National Treasure!

Thanks for acknowledging her passing!

Pamela Hampson

Lake Oswego, OR

I’m sitting here thinking, “She can’t die now. We need her now, more than ever.” And I realize that there never will be a time when we won’t need Molly. There never will be a time when our world isn’t dominated by the cruel, the selfish, the self-serving, the moneyed class.

But it gets no easier to have her gone. Molly Ivins was a lifeline for me in a very dark time. After 9/11, after the Patriot Act, after the Iraq vote in 2002, it was a lonely and difficult moment. I was afraid to speak out, not numb, but intimidated by their cruelty and their audacity. It was Molly who gave me the courage to speak out, to write letters, to participate.

I had the pleasure a couple of years ago of hearing Molly in person when she came to Albany for Planned Parenthood. Just like her columns, she was magnificent – bold, tough, funny, ribald, and decent. I will miss that voice. We will miss that voice.

Farewell, Molly.

David Solomon

Troy, NY

I never (unfortunately) take the time to write to the Eds of anything, but in this case, must tell you that I was saddened to see the news of Ivins' death today, and was moved very much by your article.

Will forward it to all of my friends, and use the opportunity now to thank you for years of great writing and solid political commitment from The Nation.

Mary Beth Song,

Stoneville, N.C.

Tonight I shed tears for Molly Ivins. I cry for the woman who, through the power of her writings, brought to life the dreams, despair, frustrations, and, yes, hope to the many who believed that democracy belongs not just to the rich and influential, but to the rest of us.

She was never a phony or hyprocrite; she called it as she saw it. She didn't mince her words.

In many ways Molly was like the proverbial child; she never matured enough to become corrupted, and for that, we are grateful.

As a young Mexican-American Texan in the days when "my kind" were supposed to keep our mouths shut, Molly inspired me and thousands like me to stand up and challenge the status quo.

Que Dios te Bendiga, Molly!

Yolanda Jurado G

Edinburgh, Texas

Let us all cry for Molly, but all be proud that she was able to find the fortitude to tell it like it is.

I missed my chance to see her in person when she was in Michigan but will not pass the chance to say I will miss her, revere her and reread her books to remind me to stand up for what is right, not what ohers say could be.

Thank you Molly and there will forever be a light on in my heart for you.

Ed Kline

McArthur, Michigan

Molly Ivins is a national treasure. Irreplaceable.

Who will we turn to in our grief? Who will tell it like it is and make us laugh in the process? Who will give us courage to through the bums out?

What our flailing country needs most urgently is courage. Courage to stand strong and fight to the end. Not on the battlefield, but in the boardroom, the nursery, the schoolrooms and the press.

Molly, you are already sorely missed. I hope your words have inspired another voice to take up your pen.

Ms. Blake Russel

Albuquerque, New Mexico

She was one of the brightest stars in the heavens of Texas and is absolutely irreplaceable.

As a Texas woman from a long line of activists, I could always create a stong defense against comments about Bush being a Texan by citing Molly Ivins, Ann Richards, and Barbara Jordan as the true voices of the soul of our state.

She will never be forgotten.

Molly Hanchey

Chatfield, Texas

We have lost a journalistic giant. Molly Ivins is gone, but her work lives on in the hearts of those who benefitted from her commitment to honesty in American politics.

I started re-reading SHRUB last night, and this morning I got the news that Molly was gone. A very sad coincidence.

Dr. Louis S. Col

San Francisco, California

After the 2004 election, I just felt better knowing that Molly Ivins was around to shine some good old Texas sunlight on that shady little Commander in Chief, Decider and Texas wannabe George Bush.

Who'll step in to give us a good read over a cup of coffee and make us laugh about it all? I sure will miss her.

Teri Howatt

Kenmore, Washington

John Nichols' fine appreciation of Molly Ivins mentioned the book she co-wrote with Lou Dubose, Shrub: The Short But Happy Political Life of George W. Bush.

The first word of the title reflected, I've long felt, her generous nature. Instead of "Shrub" it could have been, after all, "Twig."

Morton Mintz

Washington, DC

Regarding “Remembering Molly Ivins”, by John Nichols, it is tough as nails losing this feisty, spirited lady of the press. I cannot count the number of times my friends and I turned to the simple clarity Molly Ivins issued--so many times, on so many matters--in plain-spoken language with a base-level elegance that was always equal to the task.

Molly Ivins framed the issues of the day better than anyone else. And she made us laugh, made us revel, in the exploration.

We'll miss her a lot. My appreciation to John Nichols for putting all of that into perspective.

James E. Berger

Champaign, Illinois

The death of Molly Ivins is like having a trusted friend and weekly visitor snatched out of your home in the night.

She appeared regularly in my mail box in several venues and I looked forward to her spunk and firecracker visits.

A stout voice for liberty and justice has been stilled but her legacy will live on in the multitude of people who have been affected by this pioneering idealist whose wit and wisdom we will long cherish.

William D. Cox

Marina, California

To John Nichols - Remembering Molly Ivins

I just finished reading your commentary in Truthout.org (and then, the original in The Nation) about Molly Ivins. What a beautiful tribute; thank you.

I cry as I write because I believe that Molly was our last--maybe our only--hope of jarring people into taking action to stop the madness that seems to be so prevalent in this country under the present administration.... and now she's gone. Now what?

Well--your commentary reiterating Molly's philosophy has encouraged me to continue to "fight city hall". As Molly might say, "It ain't easy."

Tamie Smith

Las Cruces, New Mexico

I was a fan of Molly Ivins. She, like The Nation is reassuring to people who live outside the US that there are rational well-meaning people in your country who stand for the same things we stand for.

When you are fed a diet of Bush and Cheney, sometimes your faith is shaken. In Australia we call someone like Molly Ivins a ratbag. It may not sound like it but it is a term of endearment. We should all aspire to be ratbags like Molly.

The world will miss her.

Alan Kennedy

Bondi Junction, Australia