Blowing smoke why the right

Would you also like to submit a review for this item? You already recently rated this item. Your rating has been recorded. Write a review Rate this item: 1 2 3 4 5. Preview this item Preview this item. Blowing smoke : why the right keeps serving up whack-job fantasies about the plot to euthanize grandma, outlaw Christmas, and turn junior into a raging homosexual Author: Michael Wolraich Publisher: Cambridge, Mass.

TV and radio pundits warn their listeners that secular conspirators have a "secret plan" to "persecute" Christians and eliminate Christianity, or that the Obama regime is encouraging black kids to beat up white kids. Prominent blogger Michael Wolraich pursues answers to two questions: Why is this happening?

And what can we do about it? Wolraich documents, dissects, and deconstructs the myths that underlie the conservative movement's growing reliance on persecution politics. It examines the psychological and sociological appeal of conspiracy theories as well as the history of these ideas from the Goldwater era through the campaigns against affirmative action and gun control to the contemporary era of talk shows, Christian activism, and anti-immigration sentiments.

Read more Allow this favorite library to be seen by others Keep this favorite library private. Save Cancel. Find a copy in the library Finding libraries that hold this item Shipping options ». Hardcover Special Order. New This Week Shop this week's new arrivals, updated every Tuesday. Learn More ». Classic Totes Tote bags and pouches in a variety of styles, sizes, and designs , plus mugs, bookmarks, and more! Language eng. Publication Cambridge, Mass. Extent xii, pages.

Isbn Label Blowing smoke : why the right keeps serving up whack-job fantasies about the plot to euthanize grandma, outlaw Christmas, and turn junior into a raging homosexual, Michael Wolraich Instantiates Blowing smoke : why the right keeps serving up whack-job fantasies about the plot to euthanize grandma, outlaw Christmas, and turn junior into a raging homosexual Publication Cambridge, Mass.

Label Blowing smoke : why the right keeps serving up whack-job fantasies about the plot to euthanize grandma, outlaw Christmas, and turn junior into a raging homosexual, Michael Wolraich Publication Cambridge, Mass. Oct 15, John rated it really liked it Recommends it for: conspiracy nuts and Nazibaiters. Shelves: nonfiction. Mostly a good primer on the right's paranoid, conspiracy driven style of persecution politics. But the Glenn Beck examples are already very dated and not as dangerously relevant as they seemed at the time the book came out two years ago.

Rush and O'Reilly, sadly, still make hideous examples of themselves. Great chapter on the shift from commie baiting to homosexual threats.

Strangely absent, though, are all mentions of Islamophobia.. I suppose if you are interested in not a bad, fun little read. I suppose if you are interested in conspiracy theories and their origin stories, this is a good a place to start as anywhere else. Just remember, federal agencies very regularly run out of paper for their entire departments Aug 18, Cuyler rated it it was amazing. A great book that takes a look where the anger on the right in America is coming from, and how everyone from the left to the right can combat the hidden bigotry and misinformation out there.

I appreciate especially that while Wolraich admits that the ideas on the right are whack-job in nature, the actual people who believe in them are not. In fact, he specifically argues against calling conservatives and other right-wingers "crazy" or "insane", because this is not an individual problem; it's a r A great book that takes a look where the anger on the right in America is coming from, and how everyone from the left to the right can combat the hidden bigotry and misinformation out there.

In fact, he specifically argues against calling conservatives and other right-wingers "crazy" or "insane", because this is not an individual problem; it's a reflection of a larger problem in society. Aug 06, Marie marked it as to-read.

Wow, this seems to be a case of major projection here - as if the left didn't peddle ridiculous conspiracy theories themselves. I have a lot of books to read, so whenever I want to read a bunch of poorly researched lies pushed by paranoid liberals, I will go ahead and pick this up.

Because conservatives don't have any legitimate concerns at all. Oh no. It's a well-researched, at times amusing, rational look at the right wing's perpetual cries of victimization.

It mentions, but doesn't dwell on, various political figures and is centered on media figures and some in lobbying positions, think tanks, etc Quotes and such are sited for easy fact checking, but that won't keep it from being unpalatable to those who choose to believe the "real-America"-is-being-persecuted mythology.

Jul 22, Dan Gilbert rated it really liked it. Wolraich has a great sense of humor and, despite the seriousness of his topic, manages to get quite a few laughs in his method of presentation. His points are amply backed up by copious footnotes, giving the reader plenty of opportunity to verify any and all claims and statements he makes. Very enjoyable read.

Very insightful. Very frustrating. Dec 05, AJ rated it really liked it Shelves: politics-economics. The citations. Oh, the citations, footnotes and source lists make my little geek heart sing. Just the right amount of snark; not so much that I want to punch him in the face, but not so dry as to be an 'acceptable' academic paper. Jan 21, Ann Cardwell rated it it was ok. This tells the tactics of the extreme right in framing their rhetoric. While it gave an interesting insight into the subject, I had a hard time getting thru it because extended discussions of Bill O'Reilly, Glen Beck, etc.