Bill of Wrongs: The Executive Branch's Assault on America's Fundamental Rights
by Molly Ivins, Lou Dubose
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75 ratings, 4.23 average rating, 30 reviews
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published
2007
by Random House
binding
Hardcover, 214 pages
setting
The United States
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"To all the daring, courageous, or just plain stubborn 'ordinary' Americans who have ever gotten up on their hind legs and said, 'Well, that's no...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 129)
Many years ago, Ivins promised a friend that she would give a speech per month, for free, in some small town in America, in defense of free speech. This book, which turned out to be her last book, was going to celebrate those common people who decided to stand up and be counted. Watching what has happened to the Bill of Rights, America’s Supreme Law of the Land, due to the “War on Terror,” the book’s focus changed.
Jeff and Nicole Rank (she works for FEMA) were arrested on the grounds...more
Jeff and Nicole Rank (she works for FEMA) were arrested on the grounds...more
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Excellent journalism on the Bush demolition of the U.S. constitution.
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Read in November, 2008
recommends it for:
Every American who cares about freedom
Frightening and infuriating. Beyond the poignancy of knowing, while reading this book, that Molly Ivins had died of cancer just as it was being completed, the feeling that came through over and over was anger and disgust at the Bush administration's absolute contempt for the Constitution, the rule of law, human rights, human life, and any shred of integrity or decency.
The authors show, in a way that is thorough, systematic, and eloquent, that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and the people they b...more
The authors show, in a way that is thorough, systematic, and eloquent, that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and the people they b...more
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Read in May, 2008
God I miss Molly Ivins. A very sane person who knew the importance of just-the-facts reporting, but who was also enough of a stylist who could make you chuckle while you were shaking your head in disbelief.
The first sentence of the book says it all: "I set out to write this book as a cheerful and joyous tribute to all the heroes I have met over all the years, the folks who make the Bill of Rights more than just dead words on an old parchment." This is a collection of reports on t...more
The first sentence of the book says it all: "I set out to write this book as a cheerful and joyous tribute to all the heroes I have met over all the years, the folks who make the Bill of Rights more than just dead words on an old parchment." This is a collection of reports on t...more
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Read in December, 2007
If nothing else, this book is worth getting as a thank you and tribute to the life of the fabulous Molly Ivins. Ivins, who died of cancer in January 2007 cared passionately about the idea of America and the lives of Americans. She was frequently appalled by what she saw around her, yet never lost her faith in the system and in the good mass of folks out there to make the system work. She also never lost her sense of humor or appreciation for the irony of life.
Fortunately, there is ample r...more
Fortunately, there is ample r...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommended to Stacy by:
D'Annerecommends it for: everyone should read this for the good of our country
In 2001 a man carrying a sign saying "Welcome Governor Bush" was arrested for standing on a public sidewalk in view of the newly-installed president's motorcade. This incident happened on the campus of my alma mater, Western Michigan University. I remember vaguely hearing about it at the time, and dismissed it as Republican bullshit I don't agree with but can't do anything about. It took Molly Ivins' book to put things in perspective: this was an outrageous violation of the right t...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
Every American
Bill of Wrongs is the last book that Molly Ivins wrote (with co-author Lou Dubose), and while not as funny as Shrub or as flippant as Bushwhacked, it is just as, if not more, important as those two books.
This book is a clarion call for all those who care about the values upon which the United States of America was founded: freedom, equality, and justice. Through a number of case studies, the book explains in stark detail just how much damage has been done to the very fa...more
This book is a clarion call for all those who care about the values upon which the United States of America was founded: freedom, equality, and justice. Through a number of case studies, the book explains in stark detail just how much damage has been done to the very fa...more
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Read in December, 2007
Molly Ivins - unabashedly liberal and passionate defender of civil liberties; with a homespun wit that stripped the veneer off much of the soundbites that masquerade as political wisdom - how bittersweet and comforting to read her words again. I absolutely love this book; partially because her words express so many of my thoughts and partially because reading them is like a chance to visit with an old friend who is gone and sorely missed.
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Is it possible for a book to be both delightful and depressing? I like Molly Ivins and am sad that I discovered her so shortly before her death, but this book is downright sad. I mean, it's snarky and fun, but given the terrible consequences of the injustices she describes in the book, I can't say that I "enjoyed" reading it. You should probably read it anyway though. Just cause. And then vote in Nov.
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Read in June, 2008
Beware! I put this book down after reading the introduction.
I can imagine our first amendment rights have been violated by more then the present President. Or may be not. I don't really know yet.
However, this book written by a Liberal, (which would be ok I guess) uses what we call in our family garbage talk. I'm not reading a book with profanity.
I can imagine our first amendment rights have been violated by more then the present President. Or may be not. I don't really know yet.
However, this book written by a Liberal, (which would be ok I guess) uses what we call in our family garbage talk. I'm not reading a book with profanity.
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One of her best and tragically, her last--she will be missed terribly since she did such a wonderful job keeping an eye on political misdeeds. This one traces the many ways our civil liberties are being undermined by this administration. The most memorable story concerns textbooks and "The Battle of the Bulge"--you'll have to read it for yourself.
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Read in October, 2008
Oh, Molly Ivins, I miss you and your witty insights practically every day. This book is another reminder of what the world lost in January 2007. Fairly frightening stories balanced with humor and strong inspiration to fight all efforts to take away our constitutional rights. Brilliant as always, Ms. Ivins.
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Read in February, 2008
An excellent compendium of crimes against the civil rights of Americans, specifically against the first and fourth amendments of our Constitution. Easy to read but not as humorous as Molly Ivins previous social biographies of Bushie and his cohorts.
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Jeff Ray
I have always loved Molly Ivins and really respect her insight and analysis. This is her last book (posthumous with Lou Dubose) and definitely should be on the readying list of everyone who disagrees with the Bush/Cheney assault on civil rights.
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone who wishes they didn't voted Bush/Cheney
Wow! If you want to be amazed and pissed off at our current presidency, then this is the book for you. There are a lot of interviews with people who have been in Guantanamo as prisoners and as inspectors.
A great book!
A great book!
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Read in January, 2007
My first inkling that Bush's administration wasn't simply running things differently than I would, or that Bush was simply annoying, but that they were doing scary things. Love Molly's "voice."
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Read in September, 2008
If you are interested in what is going on with our constitutional rights under the Bush administration, this is the book for you. Prepare to be shocked, I certainly was!
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Read in March, 2008
Funny and absurd real stories of the Bush/Orwell plan for America, execept the fact that these things have happened and not been greated by national outrage is scary.
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone who cares about our basic civil liberties
Well researched, individual examples of the violations of our civil liberties at the hands of the Bush administration.
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Read in January, 2008
I learned that the Bush Administration is even scarier than I already thought. GWBush/Cheney make Nixon look tame.
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