Just so you know, I was given this book. But, of course, I guess I could easily have left it on the shelf with the two dozen other tomes I have yet to crack. I'm usually not a fan of "current event" books like this. I prefer to concentrate in national issues that are at least ten to twenty years in the past. But, I had been recently amused by author Ann Coulter on some interview shows.
The cover is lifted. I attack page one.
And I am certainly glad that I did. "Demonic" has a point of view for sure. If you're on the uber-left, you would hate it. But, as I sit usually on the right side just degrees off the gooey, gooey middle, this book resonated with me. I was enamored primarily because Coulter writes with such a wonderfully sardonic wit.
She's clearly a conservative, but, as you delve into the pages, you are painted a fairly accurate (and well documented) picture of the absolute hypocrisy that envelops our political scene these days. Coulter starts with the horrific French Revolution, which is now revered in hindsight but, in reality, this mob uprising was absolutely maniacal in its grass roots. All other historical "protests' are direct offshoots of the screwballs that stormed the Bastille.
These days, there is no place where an informed person can get true, unbiased journalism. There are no longer journalists, only pundits, comedians, and psychos. "Demonic" shows you how all of the above have contributed to incite the masses. And she works very hard to show you that history has been rewritten and overwritten to fit into the talking points that are frequently espoused by the loons who run this country. This book is funny, insightful, and, from time to time, thoroughly depressing. But what isn't these days in this dying nation called the United States of America?
Take the civil rights movement, for instance. While I knew that Democrats in the past were truly against desegregation, I had no idea how strongly. Indeed, the United States President that introduced the most desegregation regulations was none other than the evil Richard Nixon. The way the sides have been played up, you probably wouldn't automatically think that. Civil rights has really only been adopted by the Democratic Party in the past four decades. Why? They figured that voting bloc had gotten too big to ignore.
"Demonic" is even more timely today as yet another mob movement grows across the country. The numbskulls who are protesting Wall Street greed are proudly "occupying" cities across the country, although most don't even know why. By occupying New York or Los Angeles, these are idiots who can barely occupy their own minds. Their recent actions are an up-to-date illustration of what Coulter is trying to show in her book.
Over and over and over, Coulter researchs and presents other wild inconsistencies that had my jaw dropping on a page-by-page basis. I consider myself usually a pretty good resource on American history. Yet, I learned stuff in these pages that really illuminated just how badly the mainstream media has duped the average Joe Blow citizen. No longer are there facts. Only crazy spins on half-truths.
As someone who would describe himself as conservative on fiscal issues and slightly liberal on some social issues, I'd more likely accept a dinner invitation from Ann Coulter than to shun her. And I'd probably be viewed as someone closer to a tea party than a coffee klatch.
Of course, if you listen to one side of the aisle, my conservatism translates to racism, hatred, and a wildly violent streak. The fact that it does not and I can still clearly write a concise sentence on this blog is another validation of Coulter's argument. In the mob rule of our daily issues, you are absolutely vile if you choose to disagree.
I didn't realize I would discover just how much in the course of reading "Demonic." As a matter of fact, I'd get the perfect illustration of what Coulter is talking about. On a plane ride to Dallas last week.
Apologizing ahead of time to those who hate capitalism, I had been upgraded to first class on my recent flight to Texas from Los Angeles. A million mile Platinum status on American Airlines will do that from time to time. As I settled into the window seat of 3A, my "row mate" arrived. A very well-dressed Black woman who was immediately a bit self-important as she argued over the tartness of the complimentary orange juice given to her by an unsuspecting flight attendant. Nevertheless, Miss 3B was kind enough to greet me as she sat down.
"Good morning, there."
I reciprocated in kind and immediately popped my ear plugs in. Okay, a word of advice to all of you who might be flying in proximity to me. Unless you are either Ann-Margret, Vin Scully, or Valerie Bertinelli, don't try to engage me in an in-flight conversation. I'm on board to simply get from one place to the next. I am not looking to expand my Christmas card list.
We soon took off and a wonderful breakfast was served. I listened to Miss 3B complain that there were only two choices for her morning meal. I wanted to suggest to her that there was a seat in coach if she wanted. Back behind the curtain, you have lots of choices. From granola bars to pre-packaged muffins to cans of Pringles potato chips. I resisted the urge to defend our erstwhile flight attendant and I simply polished off my omelette.
The dishes were cleared and most of us dove into our reading material for the rest of the ride. Miss 3B had brought along Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, so she obviously was "in the business." As for me, I wanted to finally finish the book I was reading. "Demonic" by Ann Coulter.
I caught Miss 3B glancing over to see what I was reading. And, after noting the back cover with a photo of Miss Coulter propped up on a stool, the reasonably polite demeanor of Miss 3B took a decided and sharp "left" turn. I could almost feel her body language scream at me.
"Oh, you're one of THOSE."
She immediately viewed me as a conservative, a greedy rich guy, and, oh, yeah, probably a bigot. Every action for the rest of the flight took on pronounced violence. She didn't simply replace the tray to the arm rest. She slammed it in. She couldn't seem to get comfortable in her seat. Every few minutes, I was elbowed or poked in some fashion. All of this with semi-audible "harumphs" and "tsks."
I guess I could have been annoyed. I silently found it hilarious. She actually was uncomfortable sitting next to me. And I enjoyed every moment of it. What else could I do? I wanted to suggest to her that there wasn't enough cord on my headphones to lynch her from the bulkhead. Just in case she was worried...
Nope, I resisted that urge and others. I simply continued reading my book. And noting that everything Ann Coulter had written down was playing out before my very eyes. I was a horrible person. Because I may have had a viewpoint that was different from the lady writhing in the seat next to me.
Of course, the piece de resistance happened when we were getting up to disembark. Miss 3B took the sweater that had been draped around her seat and pulled it off with such abandon that she whacked me across the face with it. Take that, you fiendish, murderous racist!
I said nothing. I tucked "Demonic" into my bag. Never before had a book so quickly proved to be so dead-on accurate. As I was leaving the plane, I turned to the flight attendant who was "byuh byuh-ing" us on the way out.
"Thank you for everything and, oh, by the way, the orange juice was perfect."
She smiled back. Boy, do I have a book for you!
Dinner last night: Cervelat sandwich.
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