Is Our Children Learning? : The Case Against George W. Bush

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Summary: By: Sandra Snyder, Dallas Tx
Review: Although this book is extremely biased, and will not convert any W. fans into proud democrats, you will find that most conservatives will never even pick up a book with such a title as "The Case Against George W. Bush". Unfortunately, most conservatives I know, dismiss any negative FACTS regarding W. as just something somebody made up. They are hopeless and you should not even try to use a tool such as this to persuade those die-hard W. fanatics. Sure, Paul Begala is obviously biased in his narrative, but I was very pleased to find this book fact-filled as well. It was honest, funny, and easy to read. If you have that "uneasy" feeling in your gut when it comes to George W. Bush, wait until you've finished this book. You'll be disappointed and shocked to find out just how right your hunch really was. What I found the most disheartening about Bush's leadership style to date is his choice of Dick Cheney: a man who voted against the Equal Rights Amendment. He doesn't see women as "equal" to men. He says he voted against it because he was afraid women would be drafted. Although NO ONE has been drafted in 25 years. This book is full of many interesting facts regarding the voting records and policies of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

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Summary: Strikes some Republican Nerves!
Review: It is quite obvious that this sharp, insightful, and on target book really strikes some Republican nerves. Clearly they will do anything to defend the indefensible record of Boy George.

Begala makes no attempt to be objective and this book speaks for itself. His distaste for Boy George is worn on the sleeve and with good reason. This book should be required reading for all Americans.

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Summary: The facts all voters should have been given
Review: Mr. Begala does an excellent job of documenting the facts. On occasion he does add an editorial comment to keep the book from being a dry read. I am looking forward to more books from this fine author. In todays slanted media it is nice to hear form someone who values truth.

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Summary: National Enquirer - type writing
Review: Not for the intelligent reader for sure. Mr. Begala screams out accusation with very little support. I had trouble wading through this book without scoffing.

For the serious political minded person, I would refer them to George Will (Conservatives) or Jesse Jackson (Liberal)

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Summary: A pathetic attempt
Review: This is probably the worst book I have read in the past 10 years. Begala's attempts to smear and slime Governor Bush are pathetic - he draws extensively upon hearsay, circumstantial evidence, and outright lies, for his material. His partisanship is naked, and his bias obvious.

The quality of the writing is even poor. The paragraph structure is illogical and leaps from faulty presumption to irrational conclusion at pace that would even amaze Don Quixote. The metaphors are unimaginative and nearly collapse under the strain of being forced by this second-rate writer. In short, Begala needs to keep his writing in private journals (and preferably not published), where it belongs. However, I have no doubt this book will be praised by those who themselves are ignorant of good writing.

Do not buy this book. It was a waste of time and money.

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Summary: Smirk at the Facts
Review: With a finely tuned wit and startling capability to gather facts, Paul Begala portrays, sometimes with wit, sometimes to the astonishment of the reader, how a man used his family's name, father's connections, and affability to "fail upwards." Succinct in prose and sharp in comment, Mr. Begala portrays "Poppy's boy" as a man trying---successfully---to emulate his father and rise to the top without having to work for it. While clearly biased, Mr. Begala manages to write a witty book that will make each reader smirk at Dubya, laugh at his antics and beliefs, and shudder with sheer fear at some of George W.'s views, practices, and "thoughts." It is a book that should be read at face value, for each fact is clearly footnoted and referenced, thus making it a plausible and frightening read. Kudos to Mr. Begala.

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Summary: Unnecessarily cruel
Review: Even though I am an avid Democrat and a Gore supporter, I found the book to be too vicious--although I admit I laughed all the way through it.

Begala confuses inarticulateness with stupidity, a lack of academic success with a lack of intelligence.

Still, his evaluation of Bush's claims about educational reforms is useful, as is his examination of Bush's gun control policies and (heaven help us all) ideas on foreign policy.

Begala should have been content to discuss Bush's policies and lack of experience--which speak for themselves--while leaving W.'s personality out of it.

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Summary: Good, But Partisan
Review: This book is nothing more than a savage attack on George Bush, and man, does he deserve it. More of a coffee table book than a compelling insightful examination of the record, this book will amuse you and your friends for months, if not years. If W wins, I suspect this book will sell and sell, and it should. The only problem with this book is the partisan touting of Gore, it's one thing to point out the missteps of one side and ignore those of your side (the book is about W, after all) it's another to actively tout Gore throughout the book. Democratic partisans will love this book, but thoughtful independents will doubtless find it overly biased.

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Summary: new hampshire was right
Review: This was a good read, and the accounts seem accurate, but the author truly seems bent on completely humiliating George W. when his record screams for itself. Giving way to such rants only causes his work to sound, sometimes, less than credible.

I think everyone knows, by now, that Bush is not a clever man, or a hard-working man, or even a curious or interesting man. A thousand words are not enough to list his shortcomings. (six years in public office and he's ready to be president?) But I digress to some things the book left out.

1. Bush is a "leader" who wants to pull out of NATO.

2. He fears Al Gore will want to make the largest federal program into some kind of federal program. (that's just the latest, think of four years of that)

3. Let's give rich kids a break on their private school tuitions.

4. "It's not the governments money, it's your money, it's the people's money!" Okay, than we'll take that money and form a what? Yes, a government! Bush wants to play hot potato with a pile of cash.

5. Al Gore compliments himself on his policies while Bush compliments himself on what he is. (He did so an so because "that's what a chief executive does" "that's what leaders do")

6. Bush needs to learn the difference between being a visionary and having an aspiration. (I gag when Bush compares himself with Pres. Reagan who was a true visionary)

7. I, being of average intelligence, cannot, in any way fathom a situation in which I would mistake Nigeria for a continent. (this sounds trivial but come on, it doesn't even sound like one of the oh-so-many continents)

8. To Bush's credit, Cheney talks like dirty harry (big time). Which is way cool. Cheney is just a good 'ole boy who should have been the one picking Bush as a running mate. (Cheney probably would have passed on Bush)

9. I think Gore has a lot of Clinton's intelligence with only a hint of his arrogance.

10. Gore has no reason to dislike Bush. If not Bush, it would have been someone else running against him. Bush, however must avenge '92.

The polls are scary. They have the race neck and neck with Bush even a few points ahead in some key states. I suspect the Media plays a MAJOR role in keeping it this way. There is no way that this race could be some sort of toss-up, the differences are too obvious, one of them, too unqualified.

BUT, for as competent and driven as Gore is, if not elected, he will have lost to a man, who had no business running in the first place.

Go McCain 2004 !!

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Summary: Made me change my vote from Nader to Gore!!
Review: I would tell anyone who is even thinking of voting for George W. Bushto run out and read this book cover to cover and then see if youreally want to vote for him!

Begala does an excellent job ofshowing the real facts of what Bush has done as governor of Texas, arecord Bush claims he's proud of!? Hmm...more tax cuts for thewealthy, yet he opposed health insurance for 200,000 more children anda Patients' Bill of Rights. Bush claims some people choose to beuninsured.

That's only the tip of the ice, Begala shows howGov. Bush made it legal to carry guns to church in Texas, putvoluntary pollution controls in place for big corporations (who arealso fudning his election), opposed a bill that would ban Texas fromexecuting the mentally retarded, and the list goes on and on. ....