"101 People Who Really Are Screwing America"

"(And Bernard Goldberg Is Only #73)." I just finished this book last night. It's author Jack Huberman's response to Bernard Goldberg's "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America (And Al Franken Is Only #37)." If one would carefully peruse over Goldberg's list, the majority are considered liberal. Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, celebrities in general, John Edwards, and Ted Kennedy are all on there. Who's #1? Film director and author Michael Moore. I read through a few of these while at the bookstore and from what I read, Goldberg was merely spouting his opinions on how these people are "screwing up" American ideals and morals. Ludacris' rap lyrics. Celebrities' "stupid" and "vicious" comments. Michael Moore's film "Fahrenheit 9/11." For Michael Jackson, he wrote a one sentence summary of what he put Jackson on his list, something along the lines of, "If I need to tell you why I put him on here, you've been hiding in a cave for the past few years." That may not be verbatim, but it's pretty close. The parts I read was like reading a 5-year old who idolizes Bill O'Reilly rant about why these people are "screwing up" America. Actually, it was quite comical, but probably not in the sense Goldberg intended it. Goldberg seemed to focus his attention more toward Hollywood and the entertainment industry, because he believes that's what has truly "screwed up" America. Michael Jackson and his NeverNeverLand Ranch. Celebrities and their being liberal. Michael Moore making it seem patriotic to question authority and speak out against the Bush administration. Yeah, this is what is truly "screwing up" America allright. Why don't I just add Tim Robbins for his antiwar sentiments. Oh, wait, Robbins did make Goldberg's list. How about MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann for having a feud with Fox's Bill O'Reilly? Al Franken had a feud with O'Reilly and he was #37 on Goldberg's list. Perhaps if Goldberg updated it, he'd add Olbermann. Write for the New York Times and chances are, you made it on Goldberg's list. Forget about the Washington Times or the Wall Street Journal or Fox News. Why? I wonder. Goldberg tried to claim that his list wasn't biased (funny, because he wrote a book on the liberal media supposedly being biased when the book itself was actually biased, and not liberally).

Huberman went on the counterattack and attempted to broaden the spectrum some, from just displaying "liberals" as creeps to showing the whole ball field of liberals, conservatives, and moderates. Just as Goldberg's book was conservatively biased, Huberman's was liberally biased. But, as opposed to concentrating on Hollywood movie stars and celebrities, Huberman saved most of his ink on powerful individuals and companies, such as: the NRA, Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Halliburton, amongst others. He did get silly with a few of them, such as: author J.K. Rowling, Mel Gibson, and Toby Keith, but he focused more of his attention (than did Goldberg) on the powerful individuals and corporations in this country who truly influence its citizens a great deal on a daily basis.

Portions of the book were very humorous. There were times when I really wondered, "Why did he write about this guy?" But, those examples were few and far between. Overall, I'd say that I'm glad I bought and read the book. It made for quick, easy, and enjoyable reading, but I would NOT recommend it to die-hard Republicans and Bush supporters. If you do buy it, I'd recommend saving it for the winter and putting it in the fireplace on a cold night. The book, as Goldberg's did, kind of preaches to the choir, but if you are part of the choir, then it makes for a fun show.