If you could make a Bush voter read one book, article, or watch one movie,

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

what would it be?

I had this idea. What if you had a friend who was a Bush voter (I'm not even going to say Republican or conservative, because all that's over right now, it's all about the Bush empire), and you agreed to meet once a week and each read a book or article or see a movie or something, and discuss over coffee.

Each would have to read or watch one thing chosen by the other.

Perhaps you could formulate some questions to insure the other person read, but if you are friends presumably not necessary. Maybe you could even have a running bet if person missed more than than 20 percent of content questions then they'd have to buy lunch or coffee or whatever.

The question is, what would you choose first? Choose carefully! The first is the most important because there might be only one. And don't choose just based one what has the best facts or whatever, it has to have the highest chance of convincing the other person or opening their mind or making them curious to your point of view. So you have to consider carefully the style of writing or filmmaking, how long or concise it is, etc. and how it might be perceived by someone of opposing ideology.

Of course most people aren't open minded enough to do anything like this. But what if.

I just had this idea but hadn't decided for myself yet what my choice would be.

[eleny]

1. On the Beach

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. New Testament.

[madeline_con]

5. BRAVO!

I like the way you think.

[the other one]

3. Farenheit 911

[samdogmom]

4. Agree!

Duh! If you could get over your "objections" and listen...it's very powerful.

[Independent_Liberal]

7. Yeah, Fahrenheit 9/11...

I'd make them watch that.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

52. I brought 2 Repubs to see it and they both voted for Bush.

So I wouldn't use THAT to change someone if they are diehards.

[jody]

6. Red letter verses of the Synoptic Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. n/t

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. The Bible

[salin]

9. Paul Krugman's 'The Great Unraveling'

a collection of his essays beginning in either 2000 or 2001. Collected both chronologically - and by topic. Very thought provoking work - and can be read a few essays at a time (good for discussions.) Because he works from an economic /business perspective his work is easy to follow - and remind the reader that he was pretty critical of Clinton policies as well - and when started writing for the times did not do so as a "Liberal Commentator" but as a business/economist commentator. Read the forward to the book before selecting/buying and see what you think as to the receptivity of your friend.

[acmejack]

10. American Dynasty

by Kevin Phillips. An intelligently written book, by a one time Republican Strategist. Oh, the subtitle is great, too: "Aristocracy, fortune, and the politics of deceit in the house of Bush"

[despairing optimist]

11. It Can't Happen Here, by Sinclair Lewis

It's a novel about how a fascist wins the presidential election and takes over the entire government. Written in 1935, it rings truer now than it did 70 years ago, and since Americans don't read or remember much before 15 seconds ago, it should seem fresh enough.

[ailsagirl]

51. Seconded

[gulliver]

12. Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them"

It's got a lot of laughs and is hard to put down.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

18. I actually like "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot" better...

possibly a good choice for the limbot variety of Bush voter... But then again this type would never go for a reading exchange...

[illbill]

13. Against All Enemies - Richard A. Clarke

:)

[whistle]

14. George Lucas's first full length film: THX-1138

[katsy]

15. My Pet Goat...

aloud... prime time teevee.

[shraby]

16. Orwell's 1984

[anakie]

21. with appropriate substitutions

like changing Goldstein to Bin Laden (who?) or Al Qaeda, Cheney's snear for Big Brother and the Patriot Act and DOJ for the Ministry of Truth. It may be to subtle in its originalty for your typical Bush voter/moran.

[goclark]

45. That video that was here at DU @ 911

that had the symphony music to it about 911 and Bush sitting and reading.

That was sooo powerful.

Please somebody have that link.

[katsy]

46. I would love to see that again.

I wasn't being flippant by picking My Pet Goat to be read prime time.

It's one of the most powerful visual for all Americans to see, the pos sitting reading My Pet Goat, split screen, with the WTC collapsing shown simultaneously.

Think about how you reacted. Think about how your friends & family reacted. And watch how this pos occupying the white house reacted.

My children were toddlers at home and there was friends and family around. None of us was sure what was going to happen but America was being attacked in our minds. Let me tell you ONE thing I believe strongly... panic may be running around like a chicken with it's head cut off but ADULTS taking charge is a different matter all together. We didn't panic. I'm a nobody, but let me tell you something... I didn't surf the screen looking for Sesame Street so as to not upset my kids. I checked on my loved ones. I turned the toddlers over to a relative and tried to get as much info as possible from NY and CT. Checked on my husband who was in China at the time. What had they heard. And I cried. And it was in front of my kids and it was a healthy, adult reaction. Sitting reading My Pet Goat was the most perverse reaction I had ever seen.

DU has avery well-read membership. That's obvious.

It's also presumptuous to think that any piece of literature... historical, non-fiction, classic or fiction has not been read or manipulated into the workings of the gop machine. And who really believes that criminal sociopaths like bush and his cabal would magically change into the types of leaders America deserve by reading ANYTHING?

No. Pound this Pet Goat visual into the heads of every American voter instead.

Now... watch this drive.

[kath]

50. Here it is- "Bush Knew - An American Requiem". By Symbolman, at

Take Back the Media:

http://www.takebackthemedia.com/true911.html

[Algomas]

17. Republicans are lying, greedy, racist murderers by FUGWB

[fla nocount]

19. Hatfields"Fortunate Son"...."Lord of the Flies" would be beyond them. n/t

[quiet.american]

20. "Intelligence Matters," by Sen. Bob Graham

If there were a Bush supporter who would be willing to read anything written by someone other than Coulter/O'Reilly/Hannity, I would choose this work by the distinguished gentleman from Florida, Sen. Bob Graham.

Bob Graham is nothing if not bi-partisan in his approach as he relates his respect for, and close relationship with some of his "colleagues across the aisle." However, in that peculiar way Sen. Graham has of speaking softly and carrying a big stick, he almost casually drops bombshell after bombshell about what the Bush administration knew and when they knew it in regard to 9/11, and succinctly outlines how "the war president" not only missed 12 distinct opportunities to prevent 9/11, but, in Graham's own sotto voce way, he seems to point out as clearly as he can, without being accused of violating "national security" that Bushco LIHOP.

Anyone reading this will find only hard, cold facts -- Sen. Graham is the type of man who could never be accused of speaking or writing in a hysterical tone, and his years of experience on the Senate Intelligence Committee cannot be "pooh-poohed."

Of course, we know facts don't matter to those living in a fantasy-world, but Sen. Graham's reasonable voice may just pierce through the catatonia.

[MikeDuffy]

22. "Confessions of an Economic Hitman"

by John Perkins

[Media_Lies_Daily]

23. The DSM and the six supporting documents. Then look them in the eye....

...and tell them:

"Americans are dying in Iraq because of the lies told by Bush and his supporters.

Iraqis are dying at a rate of 100-1 for every American killed in Iraq, to include women and children.

Are you happy with being lied to, and being made responsible by the rest of the world for what's happening in Iraq right this very second?"

[brettdale]

24. The Downing Street Memo

The Downing Street Memo

[ellenfl]

25. 'my pet goat'

seriously, a generous du-er just sent me 'the power of nightmares' by the bbc. it is VERY eye-opening. that would be my first suggestion.

i think a movie would be the best start because so many people would rather watch than read and this one is by the bbc so there might be less reluctance to view it . . . fear of bias, you know.

ellen fl

[Don Claybrook]

26. A People's History of the United States--Howard Zinn

It doesn't even mention George Bush, as far as I recall.

But anyone who reads this book with an open mind will begin to see that we've never been the "good guys". Once that whole set of ideas settles into your psyche, GW Bush and company come as no real surprise, but the extent of their egregiousness comes into full view.

I think that this indirect approach might in the long run be more powerful than some (admittedly excellent) screed aimed directly at Bush.

[XemaSab]

27. Dominion by Matthew Scully

Hardcore Christian republican writing about treatment of animals.

On edit: The 9-11 commission report would be a good thing to read and discuss with a conservative, though it might not change any minds.

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

28. _King Lear_.

And remember, "Nothing will come of nothing."

[recovering democrat]

29. The US Constitution

It is published in book form.

[hangtotheLEFT]

30. PROTOCOL

starring Goldie Hawn, 1984

I just wanna hear the fuckers admit that, hey, those wacky Arabs aren't ALL such bad guys after all!!


.....................................................................
.....................................................................
clinton got head......BUSH KILLS TROOPS DEAD!.....
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
....My CountryMen Went To The Polls...................
..and All I Got Was THESE LOUSY REPUBLICANS!.....
.....................................................................
......
......
......
......
......

[alfredo]

31. Worse Than Watergate. by John Dean

It is well written, well researched. It shreds bush and his secret government.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

32. Yeah I'm more interested in the specifically political books, like this,

or O'Neill's book. I think even the "obvious subtlety" of a book like 1984 would be lost on many, although if I were to choose a "fiction" work that would be the one.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

33. Homegrown Democrat by Garrison Keillor

The best book I've read on what it means to be a member of the Democratic party. Very eloquent and moving. It reminds you that all - repeat ALL - good programs that have come from the government were Democratic ideas for the good of the whole and not just a few super rich or well-connected individuals. What it means to live in a neighborhood, town, city, state and country that wants all of it citizens to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It is even short, easy to read with words that even neocons can understand. <Sorry, snarkiness invaded thoughts.>

[alfredo]

34. There is nothing subtle about Dean's book. It lays out the case

clearly. He spells out how dangerous bush is for American Democracy. Coming from the only honest man in the Nixon White House, it has credibility.

Have you ever read it?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

35. No but I want to...

[alfredo]

41. Want to what?

It must be after 5 O' Clock there. ;)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

43. Want to read that book, that's what you asked, right? Whether I'd read it

[alfredo]

44. OK. I missed the context. Do read it. It is a quick read.

In my opinion, one of the best I have read on the bush junta.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

54. You guys have convinced me, I'm going to go look for this book today.

[alfredo]

55. Good. Be sure to pass it on.

I have passed it on to others.

[Individualist]

36. I second your nomination!

It's one of the best books I've read about the cabal.

[peekaloo]

40. Currently reading this one (finally)......I agree with this choice.

[cynatnite]

49. I'm reading this book now

It's a powerful piece of work.

[Gabi Hayes]

37. How about 1984, rewritten by Lewis Caroll?

[wyldwolf]

38. God's Politics - Jim Wallis

[annabanana]

39. perhaps the movie "Outfoxed"

It shows how the "news" was being deliberately twisted, and might plant the seed that information has to be gathered, not just ingested...

PLUS people get pissy if they find out they've been lied to...

[CAG]

42. One of their own - Paul O'Neill's/Suskind's book

As polite as O'Neill tries to be with his repub colleagues, it is clear that this intelligent, hugely praised corporation CEO, thought this administration he served was butt-ugly jerks, and that his boss was totally inept and ignorant.

[Marnieworld]

47. Hijacking Catastrophe

Better than F 9-11

[kaitykaity]

48. Leo Strauss and the American Right by Shadia Drury

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
After the Republican Party drafted its Contract With America in 1994, the New York Times traced the document's neoconservative ideology to the late Leo Strauss (1899-1973), a German Jewish emigre and professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago during the 1950s and '60s. Dubbed by the media as the "godfather of the conservative revolution," Strauss, according to Drury, was considered to be the shadowy force behind the Republican Party, as his teachings were being spread by former students and admirers like Allan Bloom, Clarence Thomas, William Bennett and Irving Kristol. Although Drury's (The Political Ideas of Leo Strauss) prose is occasionally dry and academic, her evidence is persuasive, and her research is impeccable. Beginning with an account of Straussians in Washington, she works back to the professor's dominant ideas and how they affected the current political climate. She investigates how Strauss formed his ideology and what events, such as the Holocaust, may have shaped his views. Her own opinions on the matter of conservatives vs. liberals (she sides with the latter) are clearly stated yet remain incidental because her interest seems to lie in exploration rather than conversion. For students of political theory, Drury is an expert guide.

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

[kskiska]

53. It wouldn't matter.

They've already read one book. The old saying, "Beware of anyone who's read just one book." They like to keep reading the same book over, and over, and over.

[BamaBecky]

58. I have discovered that they Believe in the Media just like they Believe

in the Bible. THEY seem to have a NEED for an authority source.
Bama

[Carla in Ca]

56. The Bill Of Rights

n/t

[gollygee]

57. Outfoxed

I think some republicans aren't aware of how badly they are being manipulated by the media. They might actually be swayed by being shown the truth about how faux news works.