Anyone read books on political and social commentary?

[FiveB247]

I usually read Noam Chomsky books. I've already read "Rogue States", "Year 501", "The Prosperous Few and Restless Many", "What Uncle Sam Really Wants" and "Secrets, Lies and Democracy". I thought they were all imformative and exceptional. Does anyone have a suggestion of such other books or authors in a similar genre or writing style?

[Reephdweller]

uhhh....what're books?

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[fluffernutter]

I have read the Michael Moore books and am currently in the beginning stages of Fast Food Nation. Like I really NEED to know what is lurking in the burgers and tacos. ECH!

RETIRED

[Death Metal Moe]

All I know is Al Franken is an Asshole.
And does the TV Guide count?

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[Yerdaddy]

I can't read that kind of general commentary anymore. It's oversimplified and usually falls into the category of political ideology. I need specialized books on a particular subject and form my own opinions based on the most facts I can get. I read government, NGO and academic reports. And I accept that if I don't have time to read about a particular subject then I just don't know about it.

<img src="http://yerdaddy.homestead.com/files/pics/sigelvis.jpg" >
It was a joke goddammit!

[Donnielimes]

Hunter Thompson is the greatest narrarator of American culture since Mark Twain. He predicted the Clinton presidency and is just an unbelieveable american voice. He also documented what America was like Before the AIDS and the Democrats when we had DISCO COKE and QUAALLUDES when it was all good and all raw and you had anal sex to prevent unwanted pregnancies you guys don't know nuthin good. <P> <P>

"Good Times/Noodle Salad, Thats my story"

[Yerdaddy]

HST is an insane genius. Love him

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It was a joke goddammit!

[TheMojoPin]

He also documented what America was like Before the AIDS and the Democrats when we had DISCO COKE and QUAALLUDES when it was all good and all raw and you had anal sex to prevent unwanted pregnancies you guys don't know nuthin good.

This is your brain.

This is your brain on drugs.

This is your brain on drugs after you've hit it with a hammer and allowed a three-legged dog to gnaw at the twitchy bits for the better part of an hour.

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VP #2 for the Coalition of Angry Micks, and Minister of Bloody Mayhem.
"You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[TheMojoPin]

Check out a lot of the titles on the following two publishing companies: Seven Stories and Soft Skull Press.

<img src=http://publish.hometown.aol.com/gpigking/myhomepage/hey%20you.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US>
VP #2 for the Coalition of Angry Micks, and Minister of Bloody Mayhem.
"You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[Evilpete]

I read Doonesbury cartoons....

and I read Roddy Piper's book, where the tries to complain about Wrestling politics, yet stay on the fence so he can get another gig with the WWE...

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[fiestygal]

if they dont got pictures or anything I DONT READ 'EM!

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this pic is thanx to E2R..I'll get off my SOAP BOX now!...
I am a goofball & swell to boot

[fiestygal]

although my dad has an autographed book called "JFK&NIXON" or something like that which was written by Chris Matthews who is the BROTHER of my dad's boss

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this pic is thanx to E2R..I'll get off my SOAP BOX now!...
I am a goofball & swell to boot

[DarkHippie]

try the books from disinfo.com. they're collections of alternative journalism.

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[JustJon]

I read Fast Food Nation. It was interesting. Alternatively, I just finished eating Ranch 1 for lunch.

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[fatty]

i suggest george carlin's braindroppings or napalm and silly putty.

that'll help straighten out a lot of ideas you may have.

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[FiveB247]

Thanks to some of you for responding.

[The Chairman]

OK - here are some all over the map I read or re-read recently:

Daniel Dennett - Conciousness Explained.
A former professor of mine, brilliant.

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America
Barbara Ehrenreich -
Good, if basic.

Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline
Robert H. Bork -
The man should have been on the Supreme Court....20 years ago.

A Pattern Language : Towns, Buildings, Construction
Christopher W. Alexander - Just read it!

Seven Life Lessons of Chaos: Spiritual Wisdom from the Science of Change
John Briggs, F. David Peat
Good intro to Chaos Theory

The Legacy of Isaiah Berlin
Mark Lilla (Editor), Ronald D. Dworkin (Editor), Robert Silvers (Editor)
Tremendous

Beyond Hypocrisy: Decoding the News in an Age of Propaganda
Edward S. Herman

good good plain good







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This message was edited by Chairman_Kaga on 1-9-03 @ 12:17 AM

[NewYorkDragons80]

There's a great book called "Afghanistan: The Bear Trap" written by a former Pakistani ISI agent.

Michael Moore is so busy telling us what he doesn't stand for that I don't think he has any convictions whatsoever.

"In war there is no substitute for victory."
-General Douglas MacArthur

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[jaxoncoherent]

Stupid White Men was great. But it seems that alot of these boooks suggested are a little leftist.
I haven't read them yet but i am looking foward to the following:
"Why The Left Hates America"
The new G. Gordon Liddy book
and sean Haniity's book

Also if you are Irish or maybe not even look into
"How the Irish beame white"

"Your revolution is over Mr. Lebowski! My advice to you is to do what your parents did! Get a job sir! The bums will always lose Mr. Lebowski, The bums will always lose!

[TheMojoPin]

"Why The Left Hates America"

I live in a relatively conservative area, and we sell "right wing" books and magazines at my store by the ton (Don't worry, we've got just as many works by the rest of the whackos on the OTHER side as well)...we've probably sold a few hundred of Coulter's and Hannity's books alone...but I swear, you couldn't give away "Why The Left Hates America" or Liddy's new book. We started with 60 copies of each, and just returned over 40 of each at the end of last week. Yikes.

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VP #2 for the Coalition of Angry Micks, and Minister of Bloody Mayhem.
"You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 1-8-03 @ 4:10 PM

[TheMojoPin]

Here's what I've finished recently.

"Blowback - The Costs & Consequences of American Empire"

"Disinformation - The Interviews"

"The Handy Politics Answer Book"...I HIGHLY reccomend this book if you have any interest in American politcs whatsoever. It's an easily referenced guide to all terms politcal and all of the significant political events in American history. Great, great reference to have.

"Terrorism & The Constitution"

"The Lexus And The Olive Tree"

"From Beirut To Jerusalem"...in my opinion, this is THE book on the how the current Middle East situation came to be, particuarly the Isareli/Palestinian conflict. A brillinatly written primer that can get anyone up to speed.

"Activism! - Direct Action, Hacktivism and The Future of Society"

"Terrorism - Theirs & Ours"

"The Clash of Civilizations and The Remaking of World Order"

"Battling Big Business - Countering Greenwash, Infiltration and Other Forms of Corporate Bullying"

"Branded - The Buying And Selling of Teenagers"

"Selling Out - How Big Corporate Money Buys Elections, Rams Through Legislation, And Betrays Our Democracy"

"Longitudes & Attitudes - Exploring The World After September 11"

THIS, for better or for worse, is my life. Enjoy.


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VP #2 for the Coalition of Angry Micks, and Minister of Bloody Mayhem.
"You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[jaxoncoherent]

should i cross them off my list then?

"Your revolution is over Mr. Lebowski! My advice to you is to do what your parents did! Get a job sir! The bums will always lose Mr. Lebowski, The bums will always lose!

[whale_JUNK]

hunter s. thompson is awesome.

SPOON!

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[TheMojoPin]

should i cross them off my list then?

It's up to you..."Why The Left Hates America" at least seems to be capably written, even though it really comes across as alarmist and sensationalistic. Liddy...well, if you've had the misfortune of hearing him on the radio, you can guess how not great he'd be at writing as well...

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"You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[DarkHippie]

"you are being lied to"
"everything you know is wrong"

Both are collections of articles from Disinformation http://www.disinfo.comone of the best sites for non-mainstream journalism.

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<marquee>Who is DarkHippie? "You look like an Amish child molester"-- Jim Norton. "Watch out for this one. Someday he's gonna snap and kill you all."-- Rich Vos </marquee>
<i>LABELS ARE FOR PRODUCTS, NOT PEOPLE! DON'T HUG A TREE, PLANT ONE!
</i><a href=http://www.freeopendiary.com/entrylist.asp?authorcode=A537085>Gonads and Strife: a journal</a>

[nealcassady]

Christopher Hitchens and Noam Chomsky are very interesting if at times repetitive. Lewis Lapham of Harpers Magazine, like Hitchens has a wonderful writing style. Check 'em out.

"Don't try"
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"Withdrawing in disgust is not the same thing as apathy"
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