One of my very favorite stories as a child was "The Emperor's New Clothes." I suspect it was for many who identify as progressives today. For the few who may have missed this great parable, it is a story of courage and honesty in the face of enormous imperial power and public timidity. It is about the bravery (or perhaps simply innocence) of a young child who shouted out as the Emperor marched through the town, ostensibly to show off his magnificent silk clothes, that the Emperor was, in fact, quite naked. No townspeople dared point out the obvious for fear of beheading, although no one with two eyes could otherwise ignore the obvious. Yet the entire town did just that---except for the young child.
For the past several decades, Molly Ivins has been that voice---willing to say what so many of us believed yet so few, especially those in power, were willing to acknowledge. She said it with extraordinary intelligence and humor---qualities so often lacking today. She spoke often and courageously about the folly of war--and the idiocy of George W. Bush, whom she nicknamed "Shrub". With that excellent descriptive title, she wrote and published a book shortly before he was "elected" President in 2000 (obviously not enough voters read the book, but should have) entitled: Shrub-The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush
