Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars
What The Hell Is A Liberal, May 11, 2008
In today's world, war, violence, poverty, disease, starvation, and oppression, have become an unspoken accepted reality. These were issues that Liberals once fought to overcome. In his book, What the Hell is a Liberal? author David Truskoff presents a candid look at how liberalism has been successfully minimized by the powerful political "right." The rich are getting richer. The growing gap between the "haves" and "have nots" is increasing, and our natural resources are being rapidly depleted.
The term "Liberalism," is defined as equality for all that includes such aspects as engaging diplomacy instead of choosing war to resolve political turmoil, ending poverty, promoting free governments, advocating education and affordable healthcare...etc. Truskoff has been an active participant and witness to Liberal struggles such as the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King. Truskoff provides an in-depth account of the evolution of the relationship of the US with other foreign powers, particularly the US and Israel partnership. As well, he chronicles the influence of powerful lobby groups such as the American Israel Political Action Committee, one of the most powerful lobby groups in Washington.
Delivered as a well-plotted series of essays, Truskoff is able to chronicle how the evolution of the Right has successfully exploited and depicted Liberalism as a negative philosophy to mainstream society. The book is not presented as completely anti right as he notes a number of high profile figures on the left who have abandoned key principles of Liberalism for their own agenda. Truskoff points to Senator Joe Lieberman as one important example of abandoning one's principles and ethics. He discusses Palestine, without supporting the acts of terrorism, but the apartheid type conditions the citizens of Palestine live in. Fundamental themes that emerge throughout the book are how the greed and indifference of a select elite, with the help of the media, have been able to successfully change the dynamics of the world to everything Dr. Martin Luther King struggled against. That is, there are people in the world that are now considered disposable and military colonization has become an accepted method of resolving conflicts. Survival of the richest is now defined by Military Might.
Truskoff writes with clarity, having witnessed the decline of liberalism and the rise of capitalism without compassion, morality, and ethics. It is a very well researched and well written book that acknowledges this new breed of capitalism that seems unstoppable. Truskoff explains that it is not and writes with hope. He points to our own need to learn from the past so that we can go forward and adopt liberal ideas that seem to have been lost over the years. What The Hell Is A Liberal? is an engaging and compelling read meant to open our eyes to our past, present, and future. Whether you agree or disagree with arguments made in the book, it will definitely make you think and hopefully start a dialogue with others. It is a must read for anyone concerned about the future of humanity.
Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A political dirty word, May 7, 2008
Somehow over the past 30 years America's right-wing neo-cons have managed to make 'liberal' a political dirty word. They've somehow made 'liberal' synonymous with notions of being un-American, elitist, and morally unsound. It's a classic example of the Big Lie, of Orwellian-style 'double-speak'. Now finally, in a series of articulate essays, that neo-con Big Lie has been successfully and persuasively debunked by David Truskoff in "What The Hell is A Liberal?". Of special note is Truskoff's cogent essay 'Who Owns the American Congress'. These essays are particularly timely in view of the current presidential campaigns and should be considered a 'must read' for anyone who supports progressive solutions to our chronic problems of involvement in foreign wars, dilapidated infrastructures, faltering economy, failing schools, broken health care systems, the shrinking middle-class, and the growing chasm between the rich and the poor. Now at long last we have a book that we can simply hand out the next time someone asks what a liberal believes in, stands for, represents, or aspires to, thanks to David Truskoff!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Inside the Mind of an Activist, May 6, 2008
What the Hell is a Liberal? is David Truskoff's thirteenth book. In it the author continues his conversation about American and international politics. Truskoff is candid and unapologetic about his views. As a veteran of the United States Navy and the Civil Rights Movement, the author pulls from an impressive body of experience as a patriot and an activist to formulate his opinions on the current state of affairs in America. His delivery is direct and often tough, but he is careful to back his assertions with documented facts. Readers who have enjoyed Truskoff's work in the past will not be disappointed. Those who are receiving their first exposure to the writer should brace themselves.
Truskoff does not hold anyone's hand in this collection. He takes on the current Bush administration, Israel, Jewish liberals, and African Americans. His opinions about these groups can, of course, be disputed, hotly challenged. But one has to admire Truskoff for his honesty and insight.
In the opening essay, "Seize the Moment," Truskoff introduces the reader to his activist background and his belief that the sacrifices he and others made have not produced the fruit expected. "I want to see more results of my efforts and the results of the efforts and sacrifices of my family. Today we are marching backwards (16)." The author repeatedly points out that there are still segregated schools in the United States and poverty remains a significant obstacle for many African Americans. His outrage is warranted: lives have been damaged and lost so that long-lasting change could occur.
"Who Owns the American Congress" exposes the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) a foreign lobbying group that, according to Truskoff, throws it's weight around in the United States Congress by "...raising more money from around the world to support or defeat candidates than any other political structure (76)." Truskoff spends a lot of time with this organization and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a Jewish American, Truskoff offers tough words against the practices of the Israeli government and includes horror stories from the Palestinian side of this struggle.
Having participated in the Civil Rights Movement, Truskoff freely shares his thoughts about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. He also offers strong words against current African American leaders such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. In "Am I a Racist," the author recounts his meeting with Jackie Robinson in 1963 when he arranged for the former baseball player's appearance on a television show. Truskoff was shocked when he learned of Robinson's support of Richard Nixon from Robinson himself. The essay goes on to discuss the Don Imus controversy and Jewish liberals questioning themselves about being racists, but the set-up leaves the reader wanting on this particular topic.
This book is rife with historical references, the author's personal accounts, and his theories of what needs to be done to erect change as a permanent edifice in this country.
What the Hell is a Liberal? is enlightening, fiery and forthright. You will talk back to this book. You will scribble agreements and objections in the margins. And, I believe it is the author's hope that you will also be moved to jump into action.
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