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Plenty of liberal scholars, entertainers and pundits have railed against the hoodwinking of the American people, but Michael Moore's
Dude, Where's My Country? stands out for its thoroughly positive perspective. He says America has been tricked by Republican lawmakers and their wealthy corporate pals, who use a combination of concocted bogeymen and lies to stay rich and in control. Moore is angry and has harsh words for George W Bush and his fellow conservatives concerning the reasoning behind going to war in Iraq, the collapse of Enron and other companies, and the relationship between the Bushes, the Saudi Arabian government and Osama bin Laden. But his book is intended to serve as a handbook for how people with liberal opinions (which is most of America, Moore contends, whether they call themselves liberals or not) can take back their country from the conservative forces in power.
Moore uses his trademark brand of confrontational, exasperated humour skilfully as he offers a primer on how to change the world view of one's annoying conservative blowhard brother-in-law, and he crafts a surprisingly thorough "Draft Oprah for President" movement. Refreshingly, Dude, Where's My Country? avoids being completely one-sided, identifying areas where Moore believes Republicans get it right and making some cutting criticisms of his fellow lefties. Such allowances, brief though they may be, make one long for a political climate where the shouting polemicists on both sides would see a few more shades of grey. Dude, Where's My Country? is a little bit scattered, as Moore tries to cram opinions on Iraq, tax cuts, corporate welfare, Wesley Clark and the Patriot Act into one slim volume--and the penchant to go for a laugh sometimes gets in the way of clear arguments. But such variety also gives the reader a broader range of his bewildered, enraged yet stalwartly upbeat points of view. --John Moe
Kurzbeschreibung
Dude, Where's My Country? is the follow-up to the hugely successful
Stupid White Men timed to coincide with the run-up to the 2004 US presidential election. Its intent is to make sure there is no repeat of the 2000 election fiasco.
More international in focus, W. and his cronies get a thorough going over in Mike's inimitable style, as well as the lacklustre peformance of politicians in general and the barons of corporate America. Plus Mike's idea on what ordinary individuals can do to get their country back into shape. He's the scourge of Stupid White Men everywhere. He's taken on fat cats, gun nuts, lying politicians. And now he's going to do what we'd all love to and kick Bush's butt from here to kingdom come (and show how everyone can help). Yes, Mike's back.....!
Remember when we all thought it couldn't get much worse? Before bomb-happy bush and his best friend Tony decided to wage a war that no-one (in their right minds) wanted? Before he wheedled more tax cuts to grease the pockets of his rich ronies. Before Saddam and his weapons of mass disappearance vanished (using the same travel agent as Osama Bin Laden....)? Well, now the world's Bushwhacked. It's time for the good ol' boy to head for the hills, and Mike's on a mission to smoke him out at the next election - and help ordinary people get their country back. What's more, he's going to use his share of the tax cut to do it. But that's not all. He also trashes Murdoch's media; campaigns for a President Oprah; reveals the truth about his Oscar Shock and Awe; offers a Quick and Easy Guide to preventing future terrorist attacks and some handy tips on 'How to talk to Your Conservative Brother-in-Law'!
"Michael Moore is the un-Kennedy of the American Left. He is low-born, indestructible, untelegenic, unelected, untarnished by scandal, and powerful ... (which) draws attention to his courage, his self-taught skills and his dogged pursuit of targets that the mainstream media ignore" The Times