Rating: 
Summary: Jeffersonian Voice of the People--Not Wearing Blinders
Review:
Gore Vidal speaks truth bluntly and clearly. He addresses points that need to be addresses by every voter, for the people of America are losing their birthrights--their freedoms, their power over their own fate, their control of the resources of the nation that have been--quite literally--hijacked by a mandarin wealthy elite that would sooner cut deals with terrorists and their oil-field sponsors, than look after the best interests of the American public.
Interestingly, this book emphasizes something I had not considered that bears emphasis: although there were numerous intelligence failures in detail, Vidal suggests that the Director of Central Intelligence is correct when he claims that 9-11 was not (at root) an intelligence failure--but then leaves unsaid what Vidal says explicitly: it was a policy failure in that Bush-Cheney decided not to alarm the people and not to share the warning information, in part to avoid turbulence and in part because such an attack would be welcome--as Pearl Harbor was welcome--as a means to remilitarize foreign policy. Indeed, Vidal focuses relentless on the fact that all of the terrorist planes were allowed to run their course, without being intercepted and shot down by any of the military aircraft in the area. Although it would have taken a "strip alert" aircraft to be really effective, and it may not have been possible to load and launch aircraft on standby status in a hanger, it does appear that both the civilian and military chains of command avoided any active efforts to stop the airplanes from hitting their intended targets. There are some extraordinary truths in this book that bear public discussion during the forthcoming Presidential campaign. I list just a few: 1) It is the US, in its obsessive anti-communism (perhaps aided by the desire of those in power to accummulate wealth and extend their power) which really kicked off the Cold War and were willing to support any dictator, commit any crime, violate any oath, in pursuit of anti-communism. The number of US attacks within an *undeclared* war status is over 250--and this does not count the secret bombing runs into the Soviet Union in the early years when we were just testing their vulnerability. 2) Japan was trying to sue for peace, and the US not only refused to receive their emissaries, but chose to drop the atomic bombs (two of them) to intimate the Russians rather than finalize the Japanese. He also addresses measures the US undertook to force the Japanese to attack Pearl Harbor. 3) Vidal talks about the number of covert wars that have been fought using taxpayer dollars, but without the knowledge or the approval of the taxpayer-voter. This is really a vital point--the people, and their elected representatives in Congress, have lost both the power of the purse and the power over war. 3) Coming further forward, Vidal addresses some stark truths about the current American condition that include the incredible percentage of the population that is either in prison or on parole; the continuing abuse of black citizens, especially in Florida; the continuing censorship of the media in relation to the interests of its advertisers--to include the deceptive and manipulated findings of the polls sponsored by the media; the erosion of individual rights; and the continuing gutting of the US economy by the combined emphasis on arms sales (including to ourselves) and cheap oil that the elite managers of the commonwealth persist in pursuing. Vidal ends with two notes: first, that a Constitutional Convention, demanded by the people, would allow a complete overhaul of the system--once "we the people" are assembled, they have all the power and can recast the system as they wish--what an exciting idea; and second, that the logical direction for a free people is toward a Swiss like confederation of cantons or city-states (or, as Joel Garreau suggested, "Nine Nations of North America"). In my view, Vidal stands alone, with Chomsky, in terms of speaking truth to power. Others, like Joe Nye, Jeffrey Garten, Max Manwaring, and Howard Rheingold dance around the issues of policy, credibility, and survivability in capable ways, but Vidal cuts to the heart of the matter: do the people wish to think for themselves and take back the power, or cower as slaves in the gutter? This is very refreshing reading.
Rating:
Summary: Rule of Capital?
Review: I saw a short resume of the book on German Public TV last night, with interviews with American intellectuals and Scholars. I was horrified to learn of the Bush-enron and Chaney-Halliburton connections and revolving door strategy of American politics and business. The plutocracy and 'rule of Money/Capital' are the new religious and colonialisms of the near future, a preamble of some serious conflict that is inevitable to come. I will buy this book tomorrow, not because it is a European propaganda piece, it is written by an American like Gore Vidal ("Dreaming War: Blood for Oil and the Cheney-Bush Junta") and Noam Chomsky ("9-11")! All three are telling a similar story.
Rating: 
Summary: Listen to him, please
Review: One good thing about democracy is that you can publish something completely against your government and you're not put in jail and killed (like happens in Cuba or Irak or China). I like this thing about the States -you can write books like this and keep on living (critized, demonized, ignored in Literature books - but alive). I agree with nearly everything Gore Vidal has to say, and I hope he will have a long life to keep on saying certain things. So as I think he, like Chomsky, has some very interesting things to say, I ask everybody to listen to him. But, as him, I have not a great hope. And the terrible thing is: he can have no hope in future but I cannot, because I'm a mother of two and I have to fight for their future. Thinkers like Gore Vidal or Chomsky are our consciences. They give me the hope they themselves lack.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth of the Bush Regime
Review: Let's get this straight from the beginning: Gore Vidal is not anti-American, and in fact, he is a true patriot that loves his country enough to ask the difficult questions in the face of the current wave of false patriotism that is taking over since the 9/11 tragedies. _Dreaming War: Blood for Oil and the Cheney-Bush Junta_ is a bold and maginficent look at the Bushian chronicles leading up to 9/11, and the consequences thereafter. Two things that are important to dwell on: Both the attack on Afghanistan and the Patriot Act were well entrenched and ready to go before 9/11 ever came about. 9/11 was merely an open door to the growth of State meddling in the lives of U.S. citizens. Vidal looks at all the "interests" that are served by Bushian Imperial ambitions. As Vidal says, Osama is merely a poster boy for greater U.S. interestes, that being Empire, oil, and the corporatist State. Gore gives us decades worth of examples on how the U.S has come to this position. Perhaps the one thing that is missing is an in-depth analysis of why the State loved that 9/11 happened, and how it keeps that from the American people while shedding its false tears of sorrow, and suckering folks into buying the State moral code concerning the tragedies. Vidal's essays are compelling, truthful, and unapologetic. A fantastic read.
Rating: 
Summary: A senile patrician totters offstage, trailing paranoia
Review: It is very sad to see Gore Vidal having descended so far. In his youth, he could be brilliant, but one always had to be careful of his overriding "political philosophy," which was embarrassingly oversimplified: the "government" "owns" "the big corporations." And then the "big corporations" "own" "the media." And then "the media" brainwash all of us poor ignorant American slobs, and the Undeserving Rich party on.
One might imagine that Gore Vidal knows what he is talking about, since he is a member of that Undeserving Rich class himself. But, unfortunately, Gore Vidal has never even opened (or tried to understand) the most basic economic textbook. I remember well reading an essay where Vidal fulminated against a druggist making a profit on a bottle of aspirin -- and I understood at that point that Vidal was an idiot, economically speaking. (If the druggist does not make a profit, he cannot pay the rent on his store -- which the Vidal family just might own -- much less begin to feed himself or his family.) In fact, Vidal made me think of Claude Debussy, another quasi-anarchist artist who opposed all salary raises, for people other than himself.
In this specific case, of course, "big corporations" do not own the "government," and the "government" does not own the "big corporations." One of the main job requirements for any CEO is to remain well away from the political fray. Deviations from this policy usually result in corporate disaster.
And then -- do the "big corporations" own "the media?" And brainwash us harmless American masses? I might be inclined to believe this, if I were not presented with contrary evidence every day of my life -- for example, when I log onto the Internet, and Yahoo! News presents me with more tales of Iraqi "insurgents" and the American "disaster" in Iraq. I myself would call the "insurgents" terrorists, and would be inclined to call the "disaster" an amazing success. You may well disagree with me on all points, and that is all to the good. My point is that "the big corporations" aligned with the "government war machine" can hardly be said to "control the media." This much is self-evident, to those who have not yet begin tiptoeing down the road to senility.
Sic transit gloria mundi!
Rating:
Summary: Vidal shines a light on our 'Blood for Oil' nightmare
Review: "If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers." - Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon.
While the mostly unassuming Americans ponder over the moral questions about occupation in Iraq rather than the sad realities, the swindlers that run the show are gloating over the spoils and conspiring to start the next racket.
Dreaming War is collection of essays and op-eds exposing the origins of American foreign policy failures and cover-ups by a great literary provocateur.
Vidal's observations on the events and people around 9-11 and the following wars are penetrating, fierce, and extraordinarily witty.
Rating:
Summary: Dreaming War
Review: This is a collection of essays. The first, and longest, is about 9/11 and the events surrounding it. It's followed by a number of essays about American politics, American media and the American empire.
As always, it is evident that Vidal knows what he's writing about. His knowledge about American history is impressing, and he is as well spoken and witty as usual.
The only (small) objection I have is that Vidal spends a little too much time in one of the essays defending himself against a negative book review, somewhat taking focus off the real subject. Except for that, this is a very good book and it gives a very good understanding about the oligarchial way in which the United States is governed, as well as events, unknown to most people, that directly or indirectly led to 9/11.
Gore Vidal has been compared to Michael Moore. And they bring up many of the same issues. But while Michael Moore is good, Vidal is more witty, seems more careful to get the facts right and suggests solutions to some of the problems.
This book brings up very important issues. I recommend it to everybody, American or not, since America is, like Vidal says, an Empire, and American politics affect everybody, worldwide.
Rating:
Summary: Here he comes again
Review: Here he comes again, Gore Vidal, armed with outrageous charges against the Cheney/Bush regime and the entire United States government in "Dreaming War: Blood and Oil and the Cheney-Bush Junta."
Sadly, "outrageous" doesn't mean that what Vidal writes is untrue. His examination of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America, and the way our leaders (deliberately?) failed to take action to prevent them is frighteningly credible, and is backed up with research from sources never consulted by the mainstream media.
This collection of essays, some new, some old, may have inspired Michael Moore's film "Fahrenheit 9/11," but while Moore is content with mere Bush-bashing that sometimes plays into the hands of the equally corrupt opposition, Vidal surveys the full landscape of our government's questionable activities and pulls no punches when doing so.
Some of what Vidal writes is pure speculation, but the questions he raises need to be considered by every American, liberal and conservative alike. The New York Times promises to deliver "all the news that's fit to print." Vidal gives us the rest, the news that the Times and the other masters of miscommunication have neither the guts nor the integrity to report.
Brian W. Fairbanks
Rating:
Summary: A much needed voice in America!!!
Review: I am pleased that there is someone like Gore Vidal in the world speaking his mind, no matter the reaction to his thoughts and words. In a time when a person can be branded unpatriotic for simply criticizing the actions of our government or , God forbid, our "leader" in the Oval Office, it is necessary to have a voice willing to challenge the overbearing strong arm of the conservative right. Whether or not you agree with Gore Vidal's essays, his words provoke thought and conversation that needs to be sparked during a time when little is being done to question our government official's actions or their motives. Mr. Vidal revealed our country's willingness to use our military might for our own gain (no matter the cost of lives in our "oppositon's" populations) in his last book, "Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace: How We Got to Be So Hated". Now, he returns with harsh but truthful words for Dubya and his group of right wing bullies because few others are brave enough to speak up for fear of being hated or called "Anti-American". Michael Moore and Al Franken are two others who come to mind, who (through humor), speak their minds and give liberals and minorities a voice that has, for four years, been silenced through a biased media. Vidal not only criticizes Bush and his Republican cronies but also aims at Democrats and liberals who seem all to eager to allow the right wing's army to bulldoze over them. But he reserves most of his venom for George W. Bush, who has done nothing but destroy American's relationship with pretty much every nation on the face of the globe, excluding the ones like Britain, who we pretty much like to keep under our thumb. I agree with Mr. Vidal that George W. Bush will be viewed by historians as one of the worst Presidents in our nation's history, if not THE worst. People who like to chant "We're Number One", waving their flags like the good patriotic cheerleader's Dubya and his Republican svengali's have programmed them to be, need to take a little time and consider some of Gore Vidal's questions about our eagerness to invade other countries without the least bit of hesitation or consideration of the American people's opinion of these actions. I look forward to each book of essays Vidal produces and hope the citizens of this great country listen up and realize it is time to call our government into question. Give this book a try---agree or disagree---it will give you plenty to discuss with friends, family and co-workers!
Rating:
Summary: A voice of sanity in the midst of total insanity and tyranny
Review: A few years ago, prior to ~Dreaming War's~ publication, the article, `Goat Song', was emailed to me from a friend. In this article, Vidal lists the numerous anomalies prior, during and directly after the events of 9/11. The questions this article raises are legitimate, considering the U.S. government has spent literally trillions of dollars on national "defence" since 1947. When the alarm bells began to ring on that terrible day, those in charge did not follow military protocol, but merely sat on their hands, and seemed to let it happen. This is a frightening thought. In the end, the investigation into these anomalies turned into a finger pointing exercise, and a few scapegoats made, but to this day, some questions still remain. However, Vidal has no doubts as to the aspirations and motivations of the current government's actions in the Middle East; as the title of the book makes perfectly clear: Blood for Oil. To finally read the full article and the ten or so other pieces in the book after reading that initial email was informative and quite disturbing. Vidal certainly lays it all on the line. Gore Vidal has been called many things, but for certain, he has made it his life's mission to understand American history and point out how and why his beloved Republic has gone off the rails, particularly since the creation in 1947 of NSC-68. He laments the loss of his Republic to a National Security State, (Military Industrial Complex) including a noticeable dwindling of the Bill of Rights. The loss of the rights of citizens in a democratic country is a frightening scenario, (in my opinion, the worst scenario) and it's actually happening right before our eyes. Domination, control and wealth are the motivations, and the events Vidal has illustrated over the last half century, and that is nearly two hundred `incursions' in other countries since 1945...in which the U.S. has been the aggressor, is simply too hard to ignore. In the article, `Mickey Mouse, Historian', Vidal discusses the corporate ownership of America and the politicians, but also states, generally, what he would like to see changed: " I am a patriot of the old Republic that slowly unravelled during the expansionist years and quite vanished in 1950 when the National Security State took its place. Now I want us to convert from wartime to a peacetime economy. But since the GE-style conglomerates that govern us will never convert, something will have to give, won't it?" (P.165) Vidal not only lists the many problems about his beloved country, but also offers solutions that sound workable and real. But those holding power at the moment will be hard pressed to let the current system go. This book is highly recommended to anyone concerned about American and international affairs.
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