|
 
$6.95
Used Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Patriots Act: Voices of Dissent and the Risk of Speaking Outby Bill Katovsky
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:What is the relationship between patriotism and dissent? Why is political protest often maligned as disloyal and un-American? And what are the risks for speaking out and taking a principled stand? These questions form the backbone of Patriots Act: Voices of Dissent and the Risk of Speaking Out. Here are interviews with federal whistle-blowers, peace activists, military veterans, members of the media, practioners of nonviolent civil disobedience, and former high-ranking government officials. They represent the many types of protest found in this country. These individuals have exercised their rights, resisting censorship and the restriction of free expression — often with surprising results. Some were publicly vilified as a result of their defiance and outspokenness. Others jeopardized their careers. Several went to jail. They have diverse backgrounds and political views-liberal and conservative, young and old, secular and religious-but they all share a common commitment to speaking the truth, regardless of the Among the voices heard in Patriots Act. Each interview in Patriots Act traces its own narrative arc. The cumulative effect of these oral histories embodies what is best about our national character. It also shows why
it's important to stand vigilant against those who wrap themselves so tightly
in our nation's flag that they can neither see nor hear what others are actually
saying. Dissent is our birthright. It should not be silenced.
Here are some of the patriots who speak out in the book: "You can't chalk this all up to `failure to imagine, when in mid-August an agent in my office was on the phone and saying to FBI headquarters, This is a guy who could fly into the World Trade Center!" Coleen Rowley, FBI 9/11 whistle-blower and Time person of the year "When I write a column that really bothers people, even something about Bush's personal character or, oddly, something that says that the economy isn't doing too great, I can get up to 1,500 hostile e-mails." Paul Krugman, New York Times op-ed columnist "The Republicans will take someone and tear them to shreds. They will question their patriotism. They call me Osama bin Randi. Randi Hussein. Tokyo Rhodes." Randi Rhodes, Air America Radio talk-show host "We have a White House now that is extremely dangerous. They don't believe in democracy. Now is the time for people to show courage. I would like to see a lot more whistle-blowing." Daniel Ellsberg, leaker of Pentagon Papers and peace activist "I have known both military and political battles. I have been traumatically wounded by both. Winston Churchill said that politics is a lot like war, except in war, you get killed once. In politics you get killed many times." Max Cleland, former U.S. Senator and war veteran who lost three limbs in Vietnam "Nonviolent civil disobedience has really been maligned. Oftentimes the violence done to people of nonviolent means is then turned around and projected backonto them, so it looks like they deserve what they got. Then it's easier for protests to be dismissed or marginalized by the media." John Sellers, the Ruckus Society Other interviews in Patriots Act include: former FAA Red Team Leader Bogdan Dzakovic who criticizes aviation security and tells why it's still unsafe to fly; Rand Beers, special assistant to the president for combating terrorism, explains why he quit the White House five days before the start of the Iraq War; Nadin Hamoui, a young Syrian-American woman, relives her arrest and detention during the post-9/11 roundup of foreign nationals; war correspondent Kevin Sites recounts the cost of reporting from the battlefield; Marine reservist Paul Hackett discusses coming back from Iraq and running for Congress as a fightingDemocrat; civil liberties advocate and expert John Dempsey looks at domestic spying; Max Mecklenburg talks about being arrested at the 2004 Republican National Convention — a 30-hour ordeal; and political satirist Mort Sahl riffs about the importance of humor to keep the opposition alive. BookSense Notable Pick "Powerful" Booklist Review:"Oral historian Katovsky (Embedded) sets out to 'defend the defenders of our freedoms and civil liberties' with 20 oral histories of outspoken contemporary American dissenters. Some of his subjects, like Max Cleland, Randi Rhodes and Paul Krugman, are well-known critics of the Bush administration; some, like former FAA official Bogdan Dzakovic, 'Pentagon Papers' leaker Daniel Ellsberg and former White House anti-terrorism advisor Rand Beers, became whistleblowers out of frustration with the ineffectiveness and dishonesty they encountered in the government. In celebrating his interviewees' lives, Katovsky provides brief overviews of their careers (though some are much longer than others and wander into areas where the subjects have opinions, but not expertise), and in the absence of any opposing views or objective reporting, the interviews begin to sound self-righteous. However, as the title suggests, the book avoids becoming a partisan philippic by emphasizing the protestors' patriotism-their faith in the idea of liberty at the core of the American political tradition and in the good intentions and courage of their fellow citizens. Readers who share Katovsky's politics will find this a bracing tribute to those who have risked popularity, a pristine police record, or a job by acting on their beliefs." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.) Book News Annotation:This work profiles 20 Americans who in one way or another have
dissented from the current politics of the United States during the
"War on Terror," a number of whom have paid the price in terms of
losing their job or even being jailed. Among those interviewed are
Daniel Ellsberg of Pentagon Papers fame, former Democratic Senator
Max Cleland, political satirist Mort Sahl, Iraq War veteran Paul
Hackett, liberal radio talk show host Randi Rhodes, New York Times
columnist Paul Krugman, FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley, war
correspondent Kevin Sites, and anti-war activist Kathy Kelly.
Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Synopsis:The award-winning author of "Embedded: The Media at War in Iraq" offers this oral-history examination of the human cost of rebellion and of what it genuinely means to take an unpopular stand. Synopsis:Marine Corps Combat Veteran and U.S. Senate Candidate Paul Hackett: When Rush Limbaugh said that Hackett was a "staff puke who goes to Iraq to pad the résumé," here's Hackett's response: Rush is blowing it out his ass. He doesn't know what the hell he is talking about. I never talked to the man. All I can tell you is some of the Marines in my command--officers senior to me in my unit--heard him and called into that show and I guess his phone screeners, when they heard the officers were calling to criticize Rush and defend me, the callers were just politely thanked and hung up on. The officers I served under and the Marines who served under me knew that the description of "staff puke" was about 180 degrees opposite of who I am and what I did in Iraq. I was not a desk jockey. When I was on the Bill Maher Show, I said look at Rush Limbaugh. What he is. He is a draft dodger, he's a drug user, he's a drug addict, he calls himself patriotic? What more can you say? I tend to think when he takes on a guy like me, that he probably loses a lot of people. I am not saying I'm pure as the driven snow. I'm not saying that. Christ. I'm a Marine. The Marine Corps is not exactly Aunt Fanny's Finishing School for Girls. But I am what you see. I am all about service and I am all about patriotism. And I am all about serving my country. And when a guy like him who dodged the draft during his generation's war, with some bulls**t excuse about he had a sore ass, trust me, guys in the military we think that's disgusting. Patriots Act: Voices of Dissent, An Oral History is a book about dissent in America and what patriotism really means. Is the term still meaningful, or has it simply become an exercise in bumper-sticker sentimentality? Here is a powerful collection of interviews with federal whistleblowers, social activists, soldiers, politicians, journalists, and even a former senior White House counter-terrorism advisor. Many of these individuals risked careers and vilification; others prison by virtue of their defiance on issues that deeply mattered to them. Our nation grew strong on the brawny shoulders of dissent. When those in power go after their critics by employing an arsenal of unsavory tactics, from demotions to firings to personal attacks in the press, we suffer as a nation. Those interviewed for Patriots Act have taken great risks to defend our freedoms and civil liberties. Despite their diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and even political orientation, their personal stories embody what is best about our national character. Dissent is our birthright in America. Anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong. Among those who speak are: New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Paul Krugman; legenday comedian Mort Sahl; Lorenzo Dominguez, staff sergeant with California National Guard, who spoke to the media about poor training and equipment; former Senator Max Cleland, a triple-amputee Vietnam War veteran; former White House counter-terrorism expertRand Beers, and many others. About the AuthorThe author, Bill Katovsky, is the co-author of Embedded: The Media at War
in Iraq, which won Harvard University's Goldsmith Book Prize. What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
Other books you might like
Related Aisles
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
Follow us on...
|
||||||||||
Don't Miss
