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May 19
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Ryan
gave
 
to:
Great American Hypocrites: Shattering the Big Myths of Republican Politics (Hardcover)
by Glenn Greenwald
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in May, 2008
Ryan said:
"Greenwald doesn't take any prisoners with this book, an all out assault on the character myths that have clothed Republican politicians for decades. He exposes his targets with boldness and by saying what is obvious to everyone yet which few comment...more
Greenwald doesn't take any prisoners with this book, an all out assault on the character myths that have clothed Republican politicians for decades. He exposes his targets with boldness and by saying what is obvious to everyone yet which few commentators have the courage to reveal. His critiques are well researched but his style can be repetitive and a touch frenetic. There is enormous energy and haste in the writing, as if there are great volumes that just pour out of him, making the organization of his arguments a little awkward. But I think the essence of the writing is of great value, especially in regard to the coming 2008 presidential race. In this enormously important election, it remains to be seen whether the democratic candidate can refute out of hand the republican attempts (enabled by the media) to use character issues to decide the election, rather than the issues which have damaged our country under republican rule.
Greenwald's approach is to turn the hypocrites' weapons against them, to insist on equal application of their ideas which ultimately become policy.
For example, he argues that true adherence to values voters would require laws that not only outlaw gay marriage but also penalize divorce and adultery, which would criminalize many of the most powerful republican politicians.
This doesn't address whether or not policy should be created out of value systems such as the bible, but does argue that if this is so, it should be fully consistent. And in being fully consistent it would persecute those in power as well as minority groups such as homosexuals. And of course, this would end consideration of the legislation altogether....less
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July 24
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Ryan
gave
to:
So Wrong for So Long: How the Press, the Pundits--and the President--Failed on Iraq (Paperback)
by Greg Mitchell
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in July, 2008
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February 18
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Ryan
is currently reading:
The Adventures and Misadventures of Maqroll (New York Review Books Classics)
by Alvaro Mutis
bookshelves:
currently-reading
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Ryan
gave
to:
The End of America: A Letter of Warning To A Young Patriot (Paperback)
by Naomi Wolf
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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Ryan
is currently reading:
Beautiful Evidence (Hardcover)
by Edward R. Tufte
bookshelves:
currently-reading
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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Ryan
gave
to:
Cosmicomics (Paperback)
by Italo Calvino
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in February, 2008
Ryan said:
"Whimsical, funny, the book at times reminded me of the Roberto Benini scene in Night on Earth. It rambles and rumbles at times, takes you through incredible supernatural landscapes and universes. It uses abstract scientific hypotheses as a starting p...more
Whimsical, funny, the book at times reminded me of the Roberto Benini scene in Night on Earth. It rambles and rumbles at times, takes you through incredible supernatural landscapes and universes. It uses abstract scientific hypotheses as a starting point for weird philosophical musings which seem to generate the scenery and narrative around one eternal figure. But despite this unique approach, I almost didn't have quite enough attention to really fall into the groove of the book, to absorb it handsomely. I was intrigued, but at times eager to get it over with. I feel like the book deserved better from me in other words, and not the other way around. ...less
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February 11
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Ryan
gave
to:
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain (Hardcover)
by Oliver W. Sacks
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in January, 2008
Ryan said:
"...musical hallucinations...perfect pitch...synesthesia...music in amnesia...music as a way to channel both tourette's and parkinson's...music as existing in the moment of time, yet each moment integral to the entire piece that stretches some duratio...more
...musical hallucinations...perfect pitch...synesthesia...music in amnesia...music as a way to channel both tourette's and parkinson's...music as existing in the moment of time, yet each moment integral to the entire piece that stretches some duration of time......less
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January 07
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Ryan
gave
to:
The Omnivore's Dilemma (Hardcover)
by Michael Pollan
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in December, 2007
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December 17
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Ryan
gave
to:
Letters to Wendy's (Paperback)
by Joe Wenderoth
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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August 06
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Ryan
gave
to:
The Dharma Bums (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
by Jack Kerouac
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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