Homegrown Democrat

Rating:
Summary: Citizen Keillor
Review: To say this book is about why President Bush should be defeated is a little like saying that Moby Dick is a book about a whale. True enough,as far as it goes. No, the book is really an extended mediation on citizenship---what it means(we all hang together or we all hang separately), how we lost it(lack of courage by both parties), how we get it back(civility).
But civility for Keillor is not the same as passivity. No, he believes that the idea of citizeship is in mortal peril and like a mother protecting its offspring(come to think of it he does write about his newborn) he attacks what he thinks wants to kill it: intolerance(he muses over why many Republicans can't figure out how not to think about homosexuality), lack of authenticity( he ridicules the Democracts for failing to be true to themselves in Vietnam and the drug war), and arrogance(the belief by many of both parties that they owe nothing to the past, believing themselves sprung full blown without a context ).
And, like the best poets, he takes the personal---how he grew up, where he was raised, those who nutured him---and makes it universal.
Now,make no mistake, he wants President Bush defeated and talks at length about it. Yet I think that he'd like nothing better than to talk to a fellow citizen about being a citizen and thinks,like the Stevie Ray Vaughn song, that there is only one allegiance we have and it's to freedom. Take him up on his offer. Have a dialogue. Be a citizen.

Rating:
Summary: A Thought Provoking Piece of Work
Review: Well worth the read.

I bought this book as part of a book club sign in and set it aside until "later". I've enjoyed Mr. Keillor's work for many years, seeing a similar perspective on life in a small town or farming community as presented in his Lake Wobegon stories. This books is different from those stories in that his pov regarding America the Country as opposed to America the Politics is front and center. He makes his case plainly and to the point -- and not without rubbing a few folks the wrong way, too.

Perhaps that is what is needed, however.

As I've delved into the text and read the words so carefully chosen and placed on the page, I find myself pondering the idea that it is important to THINK about what is presented to the individual instead of just going along because it is the "flavor of the month", the "in thing", the way things are done, or because the Powers That Be prefer the American Populus think the way they tell them to.

This work challenges the reader to reassess himself and dare to think outside the box. Heaven forbid - the reader might actually learn a bit, too!

You may not like the book for what it says, but I dare you to read it cover to cover and not think about what is presented.

If you are stuck on labels, spend your money elsewhere. If you are a thinking individual (party affiliation not important), this might be the best book you read in the next year.

Rating:
Summary: At least one All-inclusive review of what Demos I know !
Review: Within all of these multiple offerings of diversity and scolding I choose the more recent one of July with 199 + Positive Devon-TT, All-Inclusive, Majoring upon Prof K's use of the Term Social Compact! I keenly looked for his quotes to see if he noted Sir- G.K. commenting on what he thought upon at the Latrine: "Niagra Falls!" Of course, we may all agree that Mr. K is one more of a growing number of humorous creative genuises, that may likely do an impression of Robin Williams, spinning out an on-the-spot One Act Comedy! My thots fly anywhere towards Jim Carey, Bill Cosby, George Carlin and Jonathan Winters! I jump at every opportunity to hear G.K. on the Writer's Almanac & Prairie Home Companion! He appears to be all of an awesomely honest, truthfully tuned-up Comedian, Artist, Singer, Writer, plus also he seems-to-be one really, Authentic Person! Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood