Left Behind in 2008? Arianna Huffington Doesn't Think So

Arianna Huffington's new book, Right is Wrong, finds the Bush administration wallowing in their fetid pool of imperialism, pomposity, and constitutional disregard while keeping Americans in fear of attack. Her outline of the last seven-plus years resonates with hope for the future if we elect President Obama, in stark opposition to the prospect of four more years of dangerous silliness if we elect John McCain to the Oval Office.

As each Bush blunder unfolds in Right is Wrong, the reader anxiously turns the page looking for the "why" behind the insanity. Huffington delineates the reasons for America's meteoric fall under the Bush administration: spineless members of the media, fear-mongering rhetoric, a PR machine fueled by Oil, and, of course, colossal arrogance.

Reliving the Right's painful screw-ups and smokescreens is palatable now only because promise for President Obama is only months away. Other books have come and gone, but this one is perfectly timed for any frightened American with a short memory. Arianna Huffington uses plain language against John McCain, reiterating his words then using logic against his fear-mongering rhetoric. McCain said:

"There's only one thing worse than the US exercising the military option, that's a nuclear armed Iran." Huffington retorts "I missed the part where we found out those were the only two options."

At its final page her book presents an America with potential to still soar into the 21st century, albeit eight years late, in the midst of a surging (escalating) war and suffering economically and emotionally from fear and constitutional rape.

The book's a hopeful read for anyone who needs to remember the past, look toward the future, or needs a primer to help jumpstart a Congressional inquiry.

In the end she reminds us the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly expecting a different result. Her optimism doesn't allow John McCain being given the chance to prove American voters crazy this time around.

Comments

[Sciguy]

"Huffington delineates the reasons for America's meteoric fall under the Bush administration: spineless members of the media, fear-mongering rhetoric, a PR machine fueled by Oil, and, of course, colossal arrogance."

I'm not sure that these are the core reasons. At least some questions underlying those 4 points are:

1. Why do we tolerate a spineless media?

2. Why do we believe fear-mongering rhetoric?

3. Why do we believe oil-fueled PR?

4. Why do we tolerate colossal arrogance?

In other words, I bet she did a great job telling us what's happened to America and why the right is wrong. But why have we allowed it to happen, and why are we still allowing it to happen? To paraphrase Thomas Frank, what's wrong with Americans?

[Cathexis]

One additional factor: If it wasn't for 9/11, Bush would have been a one-term has-been -- singularly ineffective and forgettable. But 9/11 provided the Fear Focus the GOP needed to sharpen their manipulation. Frightened people don't question. Macchiavelli said as much, a few centuries ago, and I have no doubt that GOP strategists have "The Prince" memorized.

[plebeianswillrevolt]

Well yes, I'm reading the book and I agree that no in can peel the layers off a phony like her.

As far as the "Congressional inquiry" threat. That is like being thrown in a pen with a toothless poodle. I hate the gutless American Congressional Democrats.