Post by mcallan on Oct 29, 2005 14:23:40 GMT -5
Just a guess, but I believe there is a common thread among people who appreciate good music: they care about the world around them.
This past week, Washington DC has been a political disaster zone. Regardless of your arty affiliation or lack thereof, the events of the past couple months (and arguable of the last four years) have taken a serious toll on the effectiveness of our government, our standing in the international community, and on our national unity. As Christine Todd Whitman (R-New Jersey) said last night on PBS' NOW, Americans are growing increasingly weary of the divisions, the vitriol, and the declining political situation in this country.
In the interest of building a better tomorrow, I humbly offer a short list of the best political books I've read lately (in no particular order)
--"The Great Unraveling" by Paul Krugman
Krugman teaches economics and freelances for a number of different publications. Krugman, a political moderate, lays out a concise and accessible critique of the Bush Administration's economic policies, their effect on this country and their effect internationally. Although, Krugman is an academic, his book is accessible, thoroughly researched, and solidly argued.
--"Fanatics and Fools" by Arianna Huffington
Folks in California may already be wishing they had voted for Ms. Huffington rather than the other candidate with a funny accent (heck, they probably wish they had voted for Gary Coleman over the Governator).
People who are only familiar with Ms. Huffington from her television appearances and her run for governor of California may have the mistaken impression that she is a radical liberal. Absolutely not. From the beginning of "Fanatics and Fools," she makes it clear that she is a conservative and a former Reagan Republican. She argues that fiscal responsibility in government is neither a liberal or a conservative "value," just as she argues that honoring the social contract is a democratic value and not the sole property of the Democrat Party.
Ms. Huffington's book is a focused critique of both sides of the two-party political system. As she demonstrates, just as the Republican party has been hi-jacked by neo-Conservative fanatics, so too has the Democrat Party suffered from a lack of clear vision and strong leadership.
--"When You Ride Alone, You Ride With Bin Laden" by Bill Maher
Yes, this book is very funny, and, yes, it is rife with criticism of the Bush Administration. However, Maher also calls for a renewed commitment political and social involvement in this country, comparing the sacrifices made by "The Greatest Generation" during WWII and our virtually unaltered daily lives today, despite the fact that we are at war in two countries. I have to admit, I didn't really expect Maher to expound so eloquently on the patriotism of former NFL star Pat Tillman.
--"Democracy Matters" by Cornel West
Former Harvard professor, actor (he's in Matrix Reloaded), and author of the best-seller "Race Matters," Dr. West eloquently lays out a prophetic vision of "deep democracy," a politics based on reasoned, Socratic discourse, compassion, and a renewed sense of community.
All of these books are currently available in paperback, and all are also available on CD, read by their respective authors.
This past week, Washington DC has been a political disaster zone. Regardless of your arty affiliation or lack thereof, the events of the past couple months (and arguable of the last four years) have taken a serious toll on the effectiveness of our government, our standing in the international community, and on our national unity. As Christine Todd Whitman (R-New Jersey) said last night on PBS' NOW, Americans are growing increasingly weary of the divisions, the vitriol, and the declining political situation in this country.
In the interest of building a better tomorrow, I humbly offer a short list of the best political books I've read lately (in no particular order)
--"The Great Unraveling" by Paul Krugman
Krugman teaches economics and freelances for a number of different publications. Krugman, a political moderate, lays out a concise and accessible critique of the Bush Administration's economic policies, their effect on this country and their effect internationally. Although, Krugman is an academic, his book is accessible, thoroughly researched, and solidly argued.
--"Fanatics and Fools" by Arianna Huffington
Folks in California may already be wishing they had voted for Ms. Huffington rather than the other candidate with a funny accent (heck, they probably wish they had voted for Gary Coleman over the Governator).
People who are only familiar with Ms. Huffington from her television appearances and her run for governor of California may have the mistaken impression that she is a radical liberal. Absolutely not. From the beginning of "Fanatics and Fools," she makes it clear that she is a conservative and a former Reagan Republican. She argues that fiscal responsibility in government is neither a liberal or a conservative "value," just as she argues that honoring the social contract is a democratic value and not the sole property of the Democrat Party.
Ms. Huffington's book is a focused critique of both sides of the two-party political system. As she demonstrates, just as the Republican party has been hi-jacked by neo-Conservative fanatics, so too has the Democrat Party suffered from a lack of clear vision and strong leadership.
--"When You Ride Alone, You Ride With Bin Laden" by Bill Maher
Yes, this book is very funny, and, yes, it is rife with criticism of the Bush Administration. However, Maher also calls for a renewed commitment political and social involvement in this country, comparing the sacrifices made by "The Greatest Generation" during WWII and our virtually unaltered daily lives today, despite the fact that we are at war in two countries. I have to admit, I didn't really expect Maher to expound so eloquently on the patriotism of former NFL star Pat Tillman.
--"Democracy Matters" by Cornel West
Former Harvard professor, actor (he's in Matrix Reloaded), and author of the best-seller "Race Matters," Dr. West eloquently lays out a prophetic vision of "deep democracy," a politics based on reasoned, Socratic discourse, compassion, and a renewed sense of community.
All of these books are currently available in paperback, and all are also available on CD, read by their respective authors.