Robert's profile

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Robert's bookshelves

read (203)
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fiction (113)
plays (29)
biography (22)

metaphysics (18)
non-fiction (15)
shortstories (6)

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October 05

Robert made a comment in the group Constant Reader—Topical Stuff topic:

Robert wrote: "A divisive electorate is an exasperating outcome of honed Presidential campaigning. Two prototypica...more A divisive electorate is an exasperating outcome of honed Presidential campaigning. Two prototypical ideals have been created. Myths featured as pragmatic. These dual visions are partially phased into common national beliefs, I tell myself—perhaps something based on my seventh grade social studies class—which is to see ourselves as a good nation. However, this common vision individuates into a multipicity of oppositions, does it not?

I would so much prefer if these flashpoints, these things that drive each political party into apoplexy about each other, were, in fact, based on fact. But so much of the mutual animosity is directed at fictions costumed as reality. How often do we stigmatize other party members through inflamed misrepresentations? How about my mean girls rap about Sarah Palin? Is it fair? Or fear?

I feel like I’m always searching for the real story.

What I want to believe is that we all have an American ideal. A greater optimism and capability than the various well-publicized mega-dampers afoot. Stronger than dirt, gossip dirt. So that we stop raining on each others’ parade all the time.

I come at this from the example of my octogenarian mother and me. We are absolutely bonded, this gay son and his mother, and couldn’t be more politically polarized. Yet, there is a common element that I loose sight of regularly the gist of which is supportive. We want whatever we want to work, improve and enhance the nation. Sometimes our commonality ends right there and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s an elastic boundary. How can we avoid being gridlocked into an ideological civil war?

Joe Klein wrote a TIME magazine commentary about the mythic power of Sarah Palin and the enjoyment of her story, the Americana that she embodies regardless of the degree to which her myth represents the truth. I believe it partly does. How do I express what I believe diverges from the truth without denigrating the ideal Sarah Palin represents?

This conundrum presents itself to me in part because I love my mother. Our relationship encourages me to discover a more basic understanding.

Robt
...less "

October 03

Robert made a comment in the group Constant Reader—Favorite quotations? topic:

Robert wrote: ""I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. ...more "

October 01

Robert made a comment in the group Constant Reader—Damien Hirst topic:

Robert wrote: "I first saw art by Damien Hirst at the Sensation exhibition when it came to the Brooklyn Museum. I ...more "

September 29

Robert made a comment in the group Constant Reader—September Birthdays topic:

Robert wrote: "Ruth,

You were the one who introduced me to Robert Bechtle years ago. Totally cool. Thanks for po...more "

September 23

Robert made a comment in the group Constant Reader—Santa Fe Photos topic:

Robert wrote: "Sherry, Thanks for the fab photos.

Robt "

August 29

Robert voted on the poll: I would be willing to host the 2009 Constant Reader meeting the third weekend of September. (This is an in-person gathering that has been going on for 14 years.)

August 05

Robert took the never-ending book quiz.

questions answered:	6
correct:	6 (100.0%)
skipped:	0
best streak:	6
questions added:	0

beat his score »

February 27

Robert read and liked a piece of writing titled "Sixty-Seven Years" by Ruth

"Sixty-Seven Years

and I’ve understood nothing
except the stretched weight of summer nights,
the burn of the sun at four o’clock,
the shadows of the eucalyptus,
the indifference of r" ...read more »

see all 203 of Robert's books »

Robert's groups (recent posts)

Constant Reader — 971 members — last activity 17 minutes ago
An open forum for friendly discussion of books and anything to do with reading, movies and art.

New Jersey GoodReads — 82 members — last activity 08/22/2008 05:30AM
I'm looking for GoodReaders in New Jersey, from New Jersey, or readers of good books about New Jersey. What exit are you (ha ha, just kidding) and wh...more

What's The Name of That Book??? — 819 members — last activity 34 minutes ago
Can't remember the title of a book you read a while back? Come post a description on our message board and we can try to help each other out.

***N...more

Robert's friend comments

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from Misty

09/04/2007 06:31PM

Thank you for the friend request! I'm looking forward to this group. - Misty

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Robert's friends (42)

	Barbara 161 books 88 friends
	Dean 2 books 25 friends
	Sherry 681 books 134 friends
	Susan 57 books 56 friends
	Lynn 34 books 25 friends
	Emanuel 224 books 511 friends
	Misty 244 books 24 friends
	Karey Shane 484 books 2609 friends
	Ricki 319 books 70 friends
	Frederick 416 books 69 friends
	Robert 881 books 1464 friends
	Anne 137 books 31 friends
	Mark David 86 books 464 friends
	Jean 476 books 33 friends
	Sarita 1055 books 66 friends

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