Customer Reviews

110 People Who Are Screwing Up America (and Al Franken Is #37)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

No one is going to have a list that is exactly 100% the same but what is interesting about this list is that everyone can find something that they like about it. Don't judge a book by its cover in this case because while some might be quick to dismiss it as a knee jerk republican manifesto it really isn't.

Those I liked

Two people on the list whose names escape me who are screwing up American education by the demon of self esteem. One of these people is on record as saying that "it doesn't matter that student X thinks that 2+2=5 he did try after all and he is still a winner." Ok kid see how well that attitude works for you in college.

The one word description of #56 Courtney Love is just classic

The crowning achievement of this list for me is Peter Singer(30 something) who has made a lot of friends among my fellow disabled people by saying that disabled children should be either aborted or killed at birth for the betterment of the species. This would be bad enough however Mr. Singer says that you can kill a baby up to a month old that shows signs of weakness or frailty he equates this to returning a car that turned out to be a lemon.

On behalf of disabled people everywhere Mr. Singer thanks very much its always good to feel loved and cared for which I always thought was the true mark of an enlightened society.

Now I have issues with the book four of them actually Rodney King, Jesse Jackson and Michel Moore way too predictable. Other then that I found the book to be throughly entertaining.

This list-style book is wildly entertaining. I am a moderate and I still agree with much of the content. Goldberg calls out liberal cowardice and even neo-cons on ignorant decisions and views on socioeconomic issues facing our nation. Just for fun, he even throws in some pop culture figures that are wasting our space.

I recommend this for anyone who dislikes liberals, neo-cons, Hollywood elitists and anyone with a good sense of humor. Of course, conservatives will love this book.

Genuine entertainment for anyone who is not an extremist or idealogue.

No matter what your politics are, you need to read this book. (And before you liberal Democrats turn up your nose let me remind you that Goldberg himself is a Democrat who has never voted for a Republican.) Goldberg is one of the last truly moral, decent people in this country. In this easy, quick read he exposes the smut pushers, flim-flam artists, phonies and crooks for who and what they really are. Some of whom would have us believe that they are socially-conscious nobles.

Bernard Goldberg provides opinions that are food for thought--whether or not one agrees with him. The introductory section includes scathing criticisms of the media for its bias, Hollywood for its pompousness and arrogance, and academia for its political correctness and selective sensitivities. He also has choice words for the professional America haters, and for the purveyors of frivolous lawsuits. Goldberg decries the coarsening of the American culture, including the prevalence of public profanity. He points out that we could have retained the civility of the 1950's while doing away with its racial and gender prejudices.

In his original-100 list, reproduced here, Goldberg criticizes Michael Savage and Jimmy Swaggart for what he considers their intemperate rhetoric. He sees Jesse Jackson as someone who, unlike Martin Luther King, divides rather than unites, and who is a hog for the cameras. Goldberg chides Judge Moore for breaking the law. He sees Gloria Steinem, and other feminists, as hypocrites for looking the other way while former President Clinton preyed on women. Goldberg sees former President Jimmy Carter as soft on dictators.

This is a great book and hits it right on the money. This is a social commentary book that every person should be reading. I am a police officer in a large urban city and have been seeing the decline of morals, ethics, and society in general for years now. And when I read this book it is dead on. However, no liberal will ever read this book because it will force them to look at themselves criticaly. Just like the author, I too was a liberal back in my college days and when in graduate school. But, many years ago I saw how the real world works and that liberals are always making excuses for everyone and are destroying the moral fiber of this country. Thanks for a great read Mr. Goldberg!

A frugal person may try to squeeze eleven cents out of a dime, and Goldberg appears to be doing that here by making another book that mirrors the last with the addition of ten more names.

But his narrative is a contradiction of his own title. He criticizes Americans for criticizing America and Americans for being sympathetic to our enemies. Maybe someone should have tapped his shoulder and told him that he was doing exactly the same thing--criticizing Americans.

Goldberg makes it clear that his list is his opinions. This is an important caveat because if challenged he needs offer no evidence or proof to confirm his judgment. Often, he projects and assumes recklessly e.g. liberals are more interested in the rights of terrorists than Americans. This is shrewd strategy though. It is impossible to respond to such a "broad brush" attack without sounding like a moron.

He adds incredible names to his list e.g. Bill Moyers whose name is legendary in journalism, having garnered thirty journalistic awards in as many years. This smacks of a Pee Wee player criticizing a major league Hall-of-Famer. It has a hollow ring. But Moyers can hold his own. Goldberg's real low point was adding Courtney Love to the list and describing her in one word, Ho. It's difficult for me to look at this "author" as a gentleman or even as a man when he publicly calls a woman a whore. It's not even amusing.

Goldberg doesn't have any brainstorms here, just light drizzles. Put away the umbrella and the book.

Very good book. He doesn't freely hurl labels, he gives credit where due (for the most part) and backs up his statements with facts (unlike Michael Moore's Stupid White Men). I am non-partisan but lean a bit to the right; however, I would have liked the book more if he would have balanced the list a bit. Of the 100 people, I'd think 15 or 20, at least, would be Republicans.

I picked this one up out of curiosity, and am glad that I did. It is both funny and informative, and shows how utterly goofy some of America's most influential people can be. Although entertainers do not make policy per se, they certainly wield great influence with the public, and many of these ill-informed folks show up, in addition to politicians, professional protesters, and a conglomeration of "unasylumed lunatics" who are nonetheless helping to (mis)shape modern America. This is a great read, and highly recommended.

Though the 'new cover says 110, there are only 100. Otherwise, great read, well written and difficult to put down!

Highly recommended!

A nice list of people that have undermined the advancement of our Nation. For the most part I found the list correct, nobody is perfect. An easy read that made me laugh.