Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Finally someone has written what I've been thinking. I live in Chicago and first heard about Tammy Bruce during the O.J. Simpson trial in Los Angeles. I'm not a feminist but I was really impressed with her zeal about making sure domestic violence wasn't overshadowed by Simpson's "dream team" talk of racism. With her book I have found out why I liked her in the first place--she cuts through all the nonsense about social issues put out by the left, like political correctness, multiculturalism, and hate crimes. And, as a Dr. Laura fan, I was thrilled to see a chapter devoted to the true story behind the gay groups attacks on her. I've been waiting for someone to stand up for Dr. Laura. Ms. Bruce does a great job exposing the gay groups real agenda.
It's nice to see such smart politics based equally in common sense and passion, and humor. I can't tell you how many times when reading this book (which I did in one day by the way) I laughed out loud, cheered, and felt not-so-alone because I had always felt what Ms. Bruce was saying. I was just too afraid to say it. I guess I was a victim of the Thought Police! I also liked her chapter about what it was really like in NOW, their double-standards, and she reveals something explosive about NOW and their relationship with the Clinton administration which answered a lot of my questions about their hypocrisy on the issue of sexual harassment! It was also nice to read something dealing with current events that isn't boring. There are lots of stories that put things in a real-life perspective.
This is a terrific read, I learned stuff, enjoyed it and rediscovered someone who I hope will make herself known again in the political world. This book should do it. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting to see how power corrupts
Review: Good read! Interesting to note how people in power with an agenda will become corrupted. Conservatives did this in the mid 20th century and liberals in the later part of it. I do agree that change through education is the only method that is non-intrusive, and creating an environment of fear (like modern day PC people do) will only undermine their cause in the long term. Whether you are liberal or conservative, you should read this book, so you are not tempted to push your agenda or become victimized by others practicing these harsh tactics.
Rating:
Summary: The Left Brooks No Discussion
Review: It shouldn't make a difference to the thesis of this book that Tammy Bruce is an ardent feminist and open lesbian. The content should be judged for its truth value alone -- to look to the author for motivation is to engage in fallacious ad hominem argument.But it does make a difference. It makes a difference because it shows how bad the situation is. Even Tammy Bruce, a committed and prominent activist feminist, has come under the withering cannons of the left, silenced, in fact, for speaking out on behalf of women. This book is about thought control and how the modern left tries to silence dissent both within its own ranks and in the society at large. Bruce makes her case by discussing her own experience with what she calls the "Thought Police" in respect of various issues (Dr. Laura, AIDS, O.J. Simpson, etc.), and finishes by making a call for more healthy dissent and for free discussion. The book is readable and quick, with a very "from the trenches" feel to it. In addition to making her a dramatic example of how totalitarian the left has become, Bruce's history as an activist has given her a lot of really interesting stories to tell. Buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: The vast left-wing conspiracy
Review: James Madison stated "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty". This book shows how America has relinquished freedom in favor of political correctness. It "outs" modern Liberals as being either brain-washers-for-profit or the easily brainwashed. It convincingly portrays the Democratic Party as proponents of Socialism, Communism, and particularly, Totalitarianism, with gays as Gestapo. In case anybody still doesn't know, it proves liberal bias in the media, and with Dan Rather in particular. Tammy Bruce deserves great accolades for being an honest Liberal. She has a gifted mind and presents her thoughts well. As I read this book, I envisioned her rushing around Los Angeles in a Mercedes, talking on a cell phone, making sure every unwanted baby is murdered, and every unwanted husband is jailed. Apparently, she has given me permission to have those thoughts, and maybe the freedom to express them. The book shows how the politics of victimization oppress those it purports to represent, and explores the conflicts and hypocrisy when two victim groups clash. It could go much further by describing how it creates new classes of victims, who are outside the protected groups. No mention is made of false harassment allegations, false domestic violence charges, paternity fraud, judges fearing backlash, or the insipid prosperity which motivate these. Fatherlessness and the effect on the family is never addressed. I suggest Ms. Bruce team with fellow NOW dissident Warren Farrell and attempt reparations. In the end, the book offers little hope for those who prefer freedom. Nevertheless, all Americans should read this book, whether one is bent on preserving freedom, or bent on destroying it. This book deserves five stars, but I only gave it four because Tammy is white and I still don't feel free.
Rating: 
Summary: She is faking it
Review: people can think for themselves, come to their own conclusions, and still br liberal. there are thought police in all groups, both left and right wing
Rating:
Summary: Exposing those that work to destory liberty
Review: Tammy Bruce gives an excellent example of how actually knowing a person, in real life, as opposed to news bites and slanted reporting, can change your perception of that person. She writes of her experiences working with,and knowing as a friend, the radio personality Dr. Laura. She then recounts how the radical left maligned her in words and print and also threatened physical harm in addition to making bomb threats.
Yes, the radical left, The Thought Police, are tolerant and peaceful and loving and kind unless you disagree with them, then they turn ugly and vicious and threaten to blow up things.
Being one of the members of that "vast right wing conspiracy" I know first hand how easy it is for people to accuse me of being a mean spirited dishonest person, all I have to do is give my opinion or express my feelings on any political or religious topic. Of course, I'm not a public figure, so it doesn't affect me personally that much. Bruce talks about how some public figures have been so maligned and slandered that they've been reduced to tears. I realize, of course, that certain members of the left are probably elated to hear such stories, but readers of the book will see, if they take it all into context, how the once liberating idea of being able to express your beliefs without fear has evolved to a state in which members of the right need to protect themselves from physical violence by extreme left wingers, the "party of peace" (my sarcasm).
Bruce talks about being cut off from certain engagements because of her views. She talks about how the NOW organization actually tried to get her to shut up about O.J because they (the supposed feminists) were concerned her distaste for the act of a man violently cutting up two people, one of them an ex wife of his who he had previously beaten on multiple occasions, was going to harm the relationship that NOW had with the black community. I suppose it wasn't THAT bad, I mean, poor Simpson was an oppressed and victimized black man, down trodden due to the horrible racism he faced, so I mean, I guess she could have given him a pass, but, since she, unlike her soon to be ex-cohorts, actually has a ton of integrity, she just couldn't stop in her fight to support women that faced violent men in their lives (regardless of race I might add). That fighting spirit and intellectual honesty lead to this great book which I highly recommend.
Bruce introduced a lot of political stories I hadn't heard the details of before, the Brawley story involving Sharpton and others in the chapters on the "Misery Merchants" her description of the way that certain black activists elevated personal power over the actual helping of people.
Her story of two murders was quiet enlightening. It seems that not far from where Matthew Shepard was murdered, a young woman who didn't want to abort the pregnancy that resulted from an elicit affair with an adult man was brutally murdered by her former lover. You probably never heard about that one on the national airwaves, it didn't fit into the agenda of the left to make a big deal out of it, but you sure heard about Matthew Shepard, didn't you? I can't recall the name of the young murdered girl, but I'll never forget Matthew Shepard, it's been drilled into my memory by the constant retelling. It isn't that his death wasn't horrible, it was, it's just that in the other murder, two people died, now didn't they?
As Tammy Bruce points out in the book, the issue isn't that we have to agree with others that have dissenting voices nor that they should have to agree with us, it's that the radical left wants the dissenting opinion silenced. Free speech and free expression in the public discourse surrounding politics, religion, and such should have their limits, I guess, in the minds of some (this isn't about shouting "fire" in a crowded theater, by the way, it's about hating a radio personality so much that you threaten to blow people up with bombs if they allow her to speak). Bruce likes and has friendships with people that she doesn't agree with on many social/political/religious topics, she speaks out for their right to express their opinions. She points to the hypocrisy she sees in many of the organizations and personalities on the left and of course, as expected, she's attacked by many of those that share her beliefs on social issues. It's a strange world, that makes strange bed fellows, for sure, and this book is a must read for any that follow modern politics.
It's well written and makes very strong points, Tammy Bruce has laid out a compelling argument as to why and how the Thought Police operate and how their agenda hurts all those that love freedom and liberty.
With the chance of sounding politically incorrect I might add that she's a total hottie too.
Rating:
Summary: Filled with weak anecdotal evidence.
Review: Tammy Bruce has an opinion that many are assaulting our right to have an opinion. Tammy defends those who would not agree with her lifestyle and those who may actually condemn her lifestyle. Interestingly she supports the conservatives in their right to have an opinion. This book is a warning to America that we need to be able to state an opinion, whether left, right or center. Bruce is not promoting the right to slander and villify someone, however, she does support ones right to say that something is not correct without being labelled politically incorrect. America has values as a foundation to our society. Is is possible for either side of an issue to debate without accusation and reprisal? Her main foundation is the insanity that surrounded Dr. Laura and her attempt to get on TV after she discussed homosexuality on her radio program. Bruce breaks down the matter for us to show how Dr. Laura's freedom of speech was attacked. The reason Bruce is concerned here is because she does not want that right taken away from anyone, by anyone. At what cost is it that we lose the ability for dialogue? The New Thought Police is a good book for any idealogical point of view. That is my opinion, was this review helpful or am I going to get a no because you don't agree with the conservative approach of the book? Please, rate the review....not the perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on the sad state of America
Review: Tammy Bruce's book is a wonderful comentary on the damage being done by politically correct thought. Bruce, who is a liberal, exposes what she sees as inherent contradictions in the liberal ideology, as well as takes vehement opposition with the tactics employed by liberal politically correct scholars. Bruce argues that the liberal agenda is rooted in censorship of alternative points of view, with the systematic destruction of anyone who opposes the liberal voice. If the book had been written by a conservative, it would easily be billed as propaganda. The fact that it was written by a liberal (former President of the LA chapter of NOW), gives the book formidable credentials and a unique voice. Bravo to Tammy Bruce for this insightful book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on the sad state of America
Review: Tammy Bruce's book is a wonderful comentary on the damage being done by politically correct thought. Bruce, who is a liberal, exposes what she sees as inherent contradictions in the liberal ideology, as well as takes vehement opposition with the tactics employed by liberal politically correct scholars. Bruce argues that the liberal agenda is rooted in censorship of alternative points of view, with the systematic destruction of anyone who opposes the liberal voice. If the book had been written by a conservative, it would easily be billed as propaganda. The fact that it was written by a liberal (former President of the LA chapter of NOW), gives the book formidable credentials and a unique voice. Bravo to Tammy Bruce for this insightful book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent discussion of issues from a new perspective
Review: Tammy Bruce, an openly gay, liberal feminist, and former president of NOW LA Chapter, has written one of the bravest books I've read in a long, long time. In The New Thought Police, Tammy Bruce reveals the hidden agenda of the extreme left, which she says isn't equality and understanding, but rather control of the very THOUGHTS of everyone in our nation. Topics covered are: the ridiculousness of hate-crimes legislation, the unfair treatment of Dr. Laura (known for disagreeing with homosexuality, but also for demanding they be treated with dignity and respect), the exploitation by Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson of African-Americans and how they are destroying the progress made by the civil rights movement, the selling-out of NOW and the feminist establishment by refusing to come out against OJ Simpson as a wife batterer, how multicultural apologists have actually made things worse for immigrants, the danger to the career of Hollywood stars if they should 'come-out' as having right-wing or pro-life tendancies, and perhaps worst of all, the mind-control of the academic establishment on America's college campuses. Bruce sounds a wake-up call for all women, gays, minorities, and true liberals that trying to police what people think and say not only doesn't make the world a better place, but pushes dissenting opinions underground where they tend to fester and breed resentment, giving fuel to the truly dangerous types, like the KKK. Rather than trying to silence all opinions that we disagree with, Bruce suggests, we need to work to balanced viewpoints in media, and true dialogue. When the vitriole is turned off, she says, we actually find the the left and the right agree more than disagree, and can at least work together on issues that are common to all people (as she demonstrated happened when conservatives wrote donation checks to NOW in support of a project to help the plight of battered women). On the other hand, Bruce shows, if we don't stop the thought police, we will soon be living in the society of George Orwell's 1984, and we will no longer even be able to pretend that we live in a society where we can have the free exchange of thoughts and ideas.
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