A Lady dies, and another voice for Truth is lost.

I first bcame acquainted with Molly Ivins' work in May of 2003, after watching a broadcast of a book expo in L.A. on C-Span. She had joined comedian and political satirist Al Franken, and right-wing liar Bill O'Reilly, on a panel to discuss their upcoming books. While Franken enjoyed skewering the Fox Noise Channel talking head for lies he had told about awards his former TV show, Inside Edition, had won (with Billy-boy unable to do anything in response except to lamely yell "shut up"), Ms. Ivins displayed wit and grace that could only have come from a true Lady.

I made it a point to buy some of her books after that, including the one she had co-written with fellow journalist Lou DuBose, Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush's America (the tome she was dicussing at that panel in Los Angeles). And I read her columns online whenever I could.

The Lady had won my admiration, and inspired me to be a voice for Truth in a world where deceptions are presented as valid, "alternative viewpoints" on a daily basis.

You might ask, "how can you tell she was a Lady?" But it's not something you can put into words. Once you heard her speak, you just knew it. And because she was a Lady, she earned respect--even from most of those who fell under the scalpel of her pen, however grudgingly.

Ms. Ivins was an ardent critic of the Bush regime, and had zero tolerance for fools in public office, particularly in the Texas Legislature. She stood up and told the Truth, even when it was unpopular, and threw in her own brand of wit, Southern charm and biting humor.

It is a sad truth that the good die, while the bad manage to stay behind to continue fucking things up for the rest of us. MSNBC reports that Molly Ivins, aged 62, died yesterday of breast cancer.

The world is a much darker place now that her light has gone out. So it is up to the rest of us who value Truth to take up our own torches, and throw our spotlights on those who abuse the power life has given them. And, as Ms. Ivins urged, have fun doing it.