Dear editor, I was very saddened by Molly Ivins’ death.

She was one of the very few media “personalities” who sharply and clearly analyzed our politicians and presented her conclusions without regard for polls or “spins.” Her death was a great loss to the republic.

Her views on George W. Bush, who she aptly named the “shrub,” were well known. In her last column, she vehemently opposed his Iraq “surge” with biting logic. Bush is desperate over his present position due to the disastrous mess he and his administration have created in Iraq, and I believe he now has two objectives: First, to try and salvage the damning political legacy he knows history will assign him, and second, to prolong our involvement (and losses) in Iraq through 2008 so that the withdrawal of our forces will be left to be done by the next president.

Bush's “surge” scheme was developed toward these objectives. It was not done for the good of the country and certainly not with regard to the well-being of our troops. Congress should take strong action, not ineffectual “resolutions,” to rein Bush in now and save our troops from more wasted death and injury. This will only happen if it becomes clear to the waffling politicians — Democrats as well as Republicans — that, come November of 2008, their fate will depend on their action or inaction to stop Bush now.

Joe Reynolds

Napa