Wingnuts: Extremism in the Age of Obama Paperback – August 12, 2014

Avlon does a creditable job and performs a public service by deconstructing both conservative and liberal pundits using their own words. Pointing out that right-wing tactics are an adaptation of tactics developed by Vietnam War Era radicals, he shows how the current generation of conservative zealots have refined them into a veritable art form. He also points out that the "birther" movement was started by faction of Democrats: disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters.The author's point is that circumspection and introspection have been lost by some on both sides, and replaced with inflammatory and hyperbolic rhetoric. Irrespective of what kernel of truth there may, such rhetoric is pointless if it merely incites. As Avlon points points out, throughout history there have always been a very small number of disturbed people whom this rhetoric incites to violence: the murders at the Holocaust Museum, of Pennsylvania policemen, of a doctor attending church, the Oklahoma bombing, to name but a few examples demonstrate the malignant potential of this rhetoric, which earns these pundits millions of dollars. To his credit, Alvon emphasizes the latter point - make no mistake, these pundits are doing it for the money.To some extent books of this type are "preaching to the choir": likely readers will probably have already concluded that the current degree of hyperbole is excessive and counterproductive. It is also a book that is guaranteed to draw fire from both sides - judging by some of the reviews here. One may quibble over the author's omission of details. For example, in writing about "Bush Derangement Syndrome", he does not mention the fact that the Bush Administration authorized water-boarding, which legal precedent had long established is a prosecutable war crime.Alvon includes a quote from William Butler Yeats, "The Second Coming":"...The best lack all conviction, while the worstAre full of passionate intensity..."And the question from all of this vitriol must be:"...And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?"In his conclusion, Alvon quotes from George Washington's Farewell Address:"...I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally..."The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty..."It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another..."As Avlon writes, we would be wise to heed Washington's advice.

A very worthwhile book that makes many great points. The silent majority now as in the past, is letting our country's agenda be defined by those on the fringes of the Left and Right. While this is a book about those outer fringe or "Wingnuts", without a question the vast majority is about Wingnuts on the Right, ultra conservatives who believe Obama is hijacking our country. He's not necessarily talking about the Limbaughs and Becks, although Beck is in for some blasts, but rather the people that they touch who are really out there that write things like: "Betraying the Constitution... turning sovereignty of the U.S. to the Communist Controlled UN, ...given support to Communist-inspired racial groups." Oh, by the way, this is a quote about John Kennedy from the 60s. You see, this has been going on forever with the big differences being the media is so polarized, i.e., Fox/MSNBC, and the rise of the internet provides a venue for these Wingnuts to spread their beliefs.While I enjoyed this book and found it worthwhile it is not flawless. It's about 50 pages too long and tends to ramble over the same points repeatedly. Good writing is about making a point and moving on. Maybe there is not enough material for a book but who wants to write a long article on the internet for low wages.The most fascinating piece is the conclusion on how the 80% (his estimate) silent majority in the middle can retake their country. Of course these theory solutions won't happen but the final quotes from George Washington are worth the read. Unknown to me he was not a member of a party and warned that party affiliation would lead to power and jealousy, basically the environment we find ourselves in today. One thing is for sure the system is broken.Every review will be written from the point of view of the political leaning of the reviewer therefore, if not evident, I will disclose mine. I have always voted Republican until the last election. After voting for Bush twice I did not like him doubling the national debt. Suddenly all of my Republican friends have this same belief about our current President, but ONLY after they are out of power. In the last 40 years we have only run a surplus one period, under Bill Clinton. Both parties have problems but the Right Wing of the Republican Party has decided I'm not "pure" enough. Therefore I find myself one of the swing voters that gets to decide the elections. Currently the Wingnuts on the left concern me more than the Wingnuts on the right.

Pulls together the range of fridge elements in today's American politics and analyses why they're different from the past radical elements. As background to the current dysfunctional legislatures and upcoming elections it's worth reading.

well written, well researched and very revealing of how the current US political situation came to be.