Customer Reviews

Seen and Heard: America's Youngest Political Pundit Tackles the Lies and Truths of Politics and Culture

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

The claim of this book is that the liberals are responsible for the decline of American society from the "good old days" and that to fix all of society's problems we should return to the glory days of the nuclear family. Nothing new there; that idea has been in circulation since the days of Confucius.

What makes Kyle Williams' book unique is its complete lack of supporting evidence for its claim. Take the very first paragraph (available in the Amazon exercept). Williams says that NBC's Thursday after-work programming is unfit for a five-year-old, much less a teenager. Leaving aside the odd grammar (transposing "five-year-old" and "teenager" would make more sense in context), we see absolutely no reason for why NBC's programming is unfit for children. Is Sex and the City scheduled for 6 PM? No, indeed: a quick glance at NBC's website shows that programming from 5-8 consists of the news, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy. Granted, lots of news stories are not appropriate for 5 year olds, but should the news be banned or filtered because of that? I hope not!

The book goes on in that vein, with its nostalgic "memories" of barn-raisings and vehement attacks on a school system that the author, being home-schooled, knows nothing about. (This latter would be ok if he had provided some valid study or other evidence to support his point, rather than merely "My mommy thinks public schools are bad for children," which is essentially what his argument comes down to.)

The only extenuating circumstance of this book (1 star instead of 0) is that the author is so young. This level of writing is what I'd expect from an 8th or 9th grader, but he shouldn't be touted as a "political pundit" until he learns to back up his claims with actual facts.

The only problem is even though it's only a penny you'd still have to pay $2-$3 shipping. Not worth it! Funny book written by a sweaty little fat kid with crazy Christian conservative parents. Hearing a 14 year old virgin boy's opinion on abortion is great. And it's all yours for only one penny!

As a 16-year-old American with aspirations of somehow being involved in the political process within the next ten years, I sympathize strongly with the urge to dispel the notions of many that children in our country "have nothing to say". Everyone is wondering why the youth of our country are so apathetic about voting and becoming politically active - why shouldn't they be? Everything about the political machine panders to people "18 or over", and if you don't fit into that demographic, then in essence, nobody cares about you.

With that said, however, we must understand the dangers of the susceptibility of children to any sort of information that may come their way. Williams spends the first few pages of his book talking about the "bubbling pot" of our present-day culture, mentioning that there is very little keeping the youth of America from seeing mass amounts of violence, sex, and other degrading values on television. So what are you advocating - censorship? The entire flow of the book reeks of dogmatic Christian beliefs, spewed by a child who, while quite eloquent and informed, is obviously part of the blind following of religion that leads to approximately half the country supporting Bush simply because he's a good ol' Christian, what with his intolerance of gays and inability to see any viewpoint except the church's on abortion.

John Kerry, in the second presidential debate this past Friday, made an interesting and valid point. He said that he was a Catholic and believed strongly in the value of a human life, essentially stating that he as a person was against abortion. He went on to say, however, that it is not the job of a President to take an article of belief such as that and force it on the American people like it was their own. Bush made some comment which he intended to be funny about how nobody could understand Kerry because of the way he spoke, which was in my opinion not only ignorant but insulting to the Americans watching the debate - he almost seemed to imply that we were too stupid to understand what Kerry was saying.

In any case, the point made is a good one, and applies here as well - we don't choose a President to tell us what to believe and to say that we can't believe certain things when some of us obviously do. In the same way, Williams cannot force his beliefs on me just because he came up in a Christian background and doesn't agree with what he sees on television or in the papers. Guess what, Kyle? Suck it up. You'll soon learn, if you haven't already, that nobody has the patience to listen to someone moan about how the whole world is out to get them, and that you can't use the fact that you're thirteen as a novelty for much longer. Conservatives, as a whole, pride themselves on being the "we-don't-take-nothin'-from-no-one" party, but they spend an awful lot of time whining about how everybody hates them and is trying to question the leader in a time when he shouldn't be questioned. Or about how the "liberal media" and the "feminazis" are out to ruin the American way of life. Liberals aren't out to ruin anyone's way of life except the people who are intolerant of the concept of FREE SPEECH and of this lap-dog ideal that many Republicans carry for our current president. We, as Americans, are charged with the responsibility of thinking for ourselves. Hey all you wailing conservatives out there, get THIS: liberals questioned Clinton after the Lewinsky scandal, so where's your indignance at there not being any WMD's? If Bush was a Democrat, he'd have been impeached before he could utter anything about Saddam being a threat to American security after the huge scam that was Iraq. This dogmatic approach to politics has to end. We need, and I'm sure Kyle would agree with me, a return to "civility in public discourse", as a famous pundit once said. We need to start thinking about what makes sense to us, and not what the politicians in Washington say you should think makes sense. Believe me, Kyle, I was in your shoes once, and for me it wasn't too long ago. Facts are the only constants in our life - don't let the opinions of angry or confused white men muddle the argument.

I've come to know Kyle Williams fairly well in the past several months: first through his writings, then as a friend and colleague. And I must confess an amount of envy for this young lad, as he's mastered skills in both creative thinking and articulation that takes most of us decades to hone... and he's only 14! In "Seen and Heard", Williams brings the considerable talent he's used on WorldNetDaily.net to a greater audience, and it doesn't come soon enough. As both mainstream liberals and conservatives wind down the culture wars into a mire of stagnancy, Williams offers a fresh perspective that belies the "conventional wisdom" of the status quo as much as it does his youth. If his character is any indication of what the rising generation of young Americans possess, then we should all sleep better knowing that our country is in good hands.

It's troubling--I was in a bookstore recently and saw this thing, picked it up, read a few chapters, and had a good chuckle. It's supposed to be about a young teen in the 'American heartland' who takes on all kinds of issues dominating the headlines. He points to a left-wing trend in many things, and he's a bit concerned.

Unfortunately, the book was misfiled in the 'Current Events' section of the store, and when I tried to point this out, the staff looked at me like I had six heads.

It's good to pick up a 'Humor' book now and then. Just make sure your local bookstore properly files things.

Once the novelty of this book coming from the youngest political pundit has worn off, it's sadly derivative. Anyone familiar with contemporary conservative ideology can easily follow his train of thought, to the point where it's possible to predict what he's going to say next even before turning the page. I suppose there's something to be said for having strongly-held beliefs, but a fourteen-year old shouldn't be this grim--even someone that conservative.

The 1 star reviews for this book are enough to make me seriously consider reading Kyle's book. References to his weight, insults about his religious background, ad hominem attacks with absolutely no reference to the validity of his arguments or the quality of his writing, simply illustrate the emptiness of the 1 star criticisms and those who wrote them! These are not critiques, but the political commentary of the opposing side. Please, people...can't you even behave as maturely as this fourteen year old author obviously does?

And to Amazon - I am really disappointed that you allow religious bigotry in your reviews, especially when it does nothing to educate your members on the merits or failings of a particular book.

Kyle Williams Seen and Heard is a unique work because of the way in which he presents his material. While others present this same material on a higher plain of thought brought about only by life experiences, journalistic practice, additional education and social interactions, Kyle, has proven with this book, that he is there equal in critical thinking. He brings the issues down to a more easily read and understood level. In other words, without trying to be sarcastic or offensive to anyone, he puts it in crayon for all to read and heed.

Oh, he does not say or impart any information that is new or earth shattering to most compassionate conservatives or those Americans who still have a true sense of ethics, morality, patriotism, individual responsibility, merit and a true understanding of the freedom of mind, conscious, speech and activities. And it is true that he may not convince a single hard core left-wing liberal to rethink their position; those who believe in the moral corruption, social chaos, and utter tyranny of like-minded ultra-liberals in the Senate and House of Representatives. But his down to earth, simply stated, average American view of these issues makes his presentation refreshing.

His subjects have been rehashed a thousand times again and again by advocates of the left and the right. We see in Ann Coulter a sophisticated conservative view interlaced with humor, wit and gile that many do not appreciate. In Michael Savage we find the ragging underlying currents of a nation and a people disgusted with those in power who represent those postions that are just too very far left. Savage represents those who are sick of the decay and who want to know how to stop the tidal wave of social degeneration pouring across the land, in our courts, media and political arenas.

In those like Rush Limbaugh, Shaun Hannity, Dick Morris, Doctor Laura and many others we see the exposure of the great hypocrisies of those on the left as they are pulled kicking and screaming into the sunlight like vampires. Those who condemn through jealousy, intolerance, prejudice and hate anyone on the right who is successful in dealing rationally, effectively and morally with this nations problems.

Avoiding effectively dealing with these issues for the mere sake of votes. Hence the fear that the next several Supreme Court nominations will give the highest court in the land the strength it needs to turn back the destruction that the left wing activist have wrought upon this great nation of ours.

Kyle seems to understand the dilemma America is in today and the chaos that the lefts philosophies and ideologies bring, and he has become the George Andres of the young people of America.

Mr. Andres is the former Marine in Florida who after serving and defending his country honorably refused to be intimidated by a despicable homeowners association over his American Flag. This association, that decided to use rules and regulations, to force Mr. Andres to remove his American Flag are much like the liberals of today. Yet being young, and attacked by the left, will not keep Kyle quiet.

It is interesting to ponder how a person as young as Kyle could become so well versed on so many issues and honestly, morally and ethically remain upon the right path about each of them. It is very reassuring. There may be hope for the next generation yet. To best sum Kyles work up, I would say he is very patriotic.

This country was founded upon people like Kyle Williams and Mr. Andres fighting unjust, immoral and unethical rules, laws and court decisions. As a matter of fact John Adams and countless other patriots proclaimed that it is not just a right to stand up to and battle with unjust rules, laws and court decision...but our sacred duty to do so.

Kyle Williams stands up and fights the forces of socialism, darkness and degeneracy. That he is doing it as a fourteen year old puts him in a unique class of American. If only all young people had his maturity and his education, the entire world would be a much better place. Klye is home schooled, no wonder the left is so afraid of him.

Having followed Kyle for some time now I do not find him manipulated or influenced unduly by anything but his own well founded convictions and critical thinking skills. To claim otherwise as many on the left will do is once again to engage in hate, intolerance, prejudice and character assassination, the cornerstones of their ideologies.

And as Kyle says the lefts attacks proclaiming intolerance on my part will continue without them acknowledging or ever noticing their own.

A well written, reader friendly, inspirational work. I highly recommend it for both young and not so young Americans.

855 Words

While I may not agree with everything that Kyle has to say in his book, it was an excellent read and pointed out several important facts about media biased, sexuality, and the corruption of our youth today. I am impressed that such a young man can think for himself and communicate those thoughts so well. I sure wish our politicians, religious leaders and corporate executives today had the moral and ethical background that Kyle does.

I went to public high school, where you were a geek if you studied, were smart, had thoughts of your own or expressed them. Teachers were the worst of those who looked down on those who could think on their own and challenged what they were teaching. Heaven forbid if you question an "educated" public high school teacher. If I had the chance to do it again, I would choose home schooling and Kyle is the perfect example of why. Congratulations to his parents for doing such a great job.

For those of us that still hold hope for America and its youth, this is a must read.

but what can a 14 year old boy do other than regurgitate what he's heard from rush limbaugh, his parents, and the other conservative sources that his mom and dad expose him to every day.

Can you take seriously the opinions of someone who's never owned a home, worried about paying his rent/mortgage, dated, been married, raised children, lived on his own and established his independence?

I will not cut Kyle Williams any slack because he's young. This book is simply a collection of "other people's opinions."

And more importantly, can a 14 year old really be happy spending is youth dwelling on politics, abortion, homosexuality, and myriad other meaningless subjects that americans distract themselves with? ...