So to begin with, Harry Shearer brings us a moment of zen on the Huffington Post. A commercial break discussion on the Larry King show with the senior Bushes. It isn't scandalous or anything, just kind of an odd, rare candid look at three formerly powerful people who are getting on in years. My favorite part is when King blows his nose.
Also, here is a link to Bill Moyers getting righteous about the appropriation of PBS. I have never heard such indignation in his voice, and he has some great words. My favorite part is when he quotes himself on NOW explaining why he has an American flag on his lapel:
So what's this doing here? Well, I put it on to take it back. The flag's been hijacked and turned into a logo - the trademark of a monopoly on patriotism. On those Sunday morning talk shows, official chests appear adorned with the flag as if it is the good housekeeping seal of approval. During the State of the Union, did you notice Bush and Cheney wearing the flag? How come? No administration's patriotism is ever in doubt, only its policies. And the flag bestows no immunity from error. When I see flags sprouting on official lapels, I think of the time in China when I saw Mao's little red book on every official's desk, omnipresent and unread.
But more galling than anything are all those moralistic ideologues in Washington sporting the flag in their lapels while writing books and running Web sites and publishing magazines attacking dissenters as un-American. They are people whose ardor for war grows disproportionately to their distance from the fighting. They're in the same league as those swarms of corporate lobbyists wearing flags and prowling Capitol Hill for tax breaks even as they call for more spending on war.
Also, here is Woodward this morning on how he met Deep Felt (that's my only comment on this business, I swear). OK, except for this: Hal Holbrook turned out to be a pretty good likeness. Except for those sweet glasses.
Finally, Human Events online has gathered a list of the 10 most harmful books of the 19th and 20th century, which of course ends up being a must read list. I thought all the pinkos 'round here would appreciate Marx topping Hitler.
UPDATE: I really hope you have all seen this video of John Bolton "discussing" the UN.
4 comments:
I'm curious to hear people's alternative nominations for what should've been on that top-10 dangerous books list.
(And spare me the "that's what's different about liberals" speech. Imaginary book burning is fun!)
Trolling the web for a liberal equivalent, all I can find are titles like "Atlas Shrugged" and "Free to Choose". Have conservatives really never published any influential books?
If not, all in favor of keeping the Communist Manifesto at number 1???
Is it really JCS in the flesh? Astounding.
As usual, I don't have much of my own to say in reply, except Kevin Drum over at the Washington Monthly has covered this very question here, here, and here. Kinda interesting.
The Communist Manifesto would probably still be right up there, I s'pose. It was good to hear that suggestion from our resident ex-commie.
I really think you are streching the definition of "resident", N-Dawgg, but anyway...
I think if the discussion were about the most offensive books I would put this near the top.
Thanks for the Wash. Mo. links. I like their inclusion of the Atkins Diet. And I am surprised, as a post mentioned, that the Koran isn't on the Human Events list. I mean they were all thinking it right?
One thing I really loved about the Human Events post was their criticism of Dewey's Democracy and Education:
His views had great influence on the direction of American education--particularly in public schools--and helped nurture the Clinton generation.
So were there no Republicans in the "Clinton generation"? Can an entire generation be evil? If so, I am going with the parents of the boomers. Damn greatest generation, think they're sooo hot.
The most dangerous book is either Matthew, Luke, or John. Radical stuff. Swords that cut both ways. Yikes.
(And they're dangerous for both blue and red states.)
To the question: Is "dangerous" bad? The only people not in danger are dead people. Live and learn.
I suppose for "bad, mind-numbing danger" I'd have to put "How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life" up there...
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