| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"MarkA" |
| Date: |
31 Oct 2006 11:41:33 AM |
| Object: |
alt.atheism book club |
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
--
MarkA
(still caught in the maze of twisty little passages, all different)
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| User: "Ghod" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
31 Oct 2006 03:11:54 PM |
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"MarkA" <manthony@stopspam.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2006.10.31.17.41.51.376717@stopspam.net...
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it
occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'.
It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care
to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive
now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
Ah *****.....George Orwell was an optimist.
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| User: "Robibnikoff" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
01 Nov 2006 09:53:31 AM |
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"MarkA" <manthony@stopspam.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2006.10.31.17.41.51.376717@stopspam.net...
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
Hmmm, I dunno - I hated the book back in high school ;)
--
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
#1557
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| User: "Sean C" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
31 Oct 2006 03:42:11 PM |
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In article <pan.2006.10.31.17.41.51.376717@stopspam.net>, MarkA
<manthony@stopspam.net> wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
I think the most prophetic book of them all was "It Can't happen Here,"
by Sinclair Lewis. Though written during the Depression, the parallels
of the ficticious fascist regime of the book and the Bush adminstration
are almost eerie in their similarity, but perhaps not to anyone who
understands the latent fascism that has always existed within a segemnt
of the American public. Sinclair Lewis had an almost uncanny
understanding of the American public, and of the vacuousness of our
alleged cult of liberty. He understood the way our preoccupation with
religion, security and comfort coupled with our anti-intellectualism
could be easily exploited by someone as seemingly stupid as Bush, but
whose very ignorance appeals to a large segment of the American people.
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Book_Reviews/It_Can't_Happen_Here.html
http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/09/far04030.html
--Sean C
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| User: "Pat Kiewicz" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
01 Nov 2006 06:39:22 AM |
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Sean C said:
In article <pan.2006.10.31.17.41.51.376717@stopspam.net>, MarkA
<manthony@stopspam.net> wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive
now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
I think the most prophetic book of them all was "It Can't happen Here,"
by Sinclair Lewis. Though written during the Depression, the parallels
of the ficticious fascist regime of the book and the Bush adminstration
are almost eerie in their similarity, but perhaps not to anyone who
understands the latent fascism that has always existed within a segemnt
of the American public. Sinclair Lewis had an almost uncanny
understanding of the American public, and of the vacuousness of our
alleged cult of liberty. He understood the way our preoccupation with
religion, security and comfort coupled with our anti-intellectualism
could be easily exploited by someone as seemingly stupid as Bush, but
whose very ignorance appeals to a large segment of the American people.
Hey, my library happens to have a brand new copy which is...checked out.
OK, I put a hold on it.
--
Pat K. aa#1154 ('someplace.net' is comcast)
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
04 Nov 2006 09:29:27 PM |
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On Wed, 01 Nov 2006 06:39:22 -0600, (Pat
Kiewicz) wrote in alt.atheism
Sean C said:
In article <pan.2006.10.31.17.41.51.376717@stopspam.net>, MarkA
<manthony@stopspam.net> wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive
now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
I think the most prophetic book of them all was "It Can't happen Here,"
by Sinclair Lewis. Though written during the Depression, the parallels
of the ficticious fascist regime of the book and the Bush adminstration
are almost eerie in their similarity, but perhaps not to anyone who
understands the latent fascism that has always existed within a segemnt
of the American public. Sinclair Lewis had an almost uncanny
understanding of the American public, and of the vacuousness of our
alleged cult of liberty. He understood the way our preoccupation with
religion, security and comfort coupled with our anti-intellectualism
could be easily exploited by someone as seemingly stupid as Bush, but
whose very ignorance appeals to a large segment of the American people.
Hey, my library happens to have a brand new copy which is...checked out.
OK, I put a hold on it.
The book is available here:
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301001h.html
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
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| User: "Pat Kiewicz" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
05 Nov 2006 06:15:23 AM |
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stoney said:
On Wed, 01 Nov 2006 06:39:22 -0600, (Pat
Kiewicz) wrote in alt.atheism
Hey, my library happens to have a brand new copy which is...checked
out.
OK, I put a hold on it.
The book is available here:
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301001h.html
Anything more than about three pages I read in hard-copy...
--
Pat K. aa#1154 ('someplace.net' is comcast)
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
06 Nov 2006 07:56:18 PM |
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On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 06:15:23 -0600, (Pat
Kiewicz) wrote in alt.atheism
stoney said:
On Wed, 01 Nov 2006 06:39:22 -0600, (Pat
Kiewicz) wrote in alt.atheism
Hey, my library happens to have a brand new copy which is...checked
out.
OK, I put a hold on it.
The book is available here:
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301001h.html
Anything more than about three pages I read in hard-copy...
That's fine.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
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| User: "Enkidu" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
31 Oct 2006 01:49:09 PM |
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MarkA <manthony@stopspam.net> wrote in news:pan.2006.10.31.17.41.51.376717
@stopspam.net:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
1984 sounds good to me. That or "Common Sense".
--
Enkidu AA#2165
http://www.thoughts.leaddogs.org/
EAC Chaplain and ordained minister,
ULC, Modesto, CA
You imply that -Christians- are tolerant, but the reality is modern western
society is tolerant, and Christians have to go along with that whether they
like it or not. And Christian history implies strongly that they do not.
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| User: "Neil Kelsey" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
01 Nov 2006 10:24:02 AM |
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MarkA wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me?
I will, as soon as I've finished the God Delusion. Which I'm really
enjoying.
Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
My next book was going to be "For Every Mistake" by Canadian military
historian Gwynne Dyer, who is excellent. If you want to read an
interesting, wry, and objective take on the events around September
11th, read his "Ignorant Armies."
--
MarkA
(still caught in the maze of twisty little passages, all different)
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| User: "Lucifer" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
01 Nov 2006 12:20:44 PM |
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MarkA wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
--
MarkA
(still caught in the maze of twisty little passages, all different)
Space Merchants, Brave New World and The Machine Stops are always
relevant...
--
Lucifer the Unsubtle, EAC Librarian of Dark Tomes of Excessive Evil and
General Purpose Igor
The Anti-Theist
"Don't worry, I won't bite.......hard"
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
04 Nov 2006 09:31:26 PM |
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On 1 Nov 2006 10:20:44 -0800, "Lucifer" <wyrdology@hotmail.com> wrote in
alt.atheism
MarkA wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
--
MarkA
(still caught in the maze of twisty little passages, all different)
Space Merchants, Brave New World and The Machine Stops are always
relevant...
The Space Merchants. I haven't even thought of that book in ages. I've
got a copy in a book box around here somewhere....
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
.
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| User: "Nosterill" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
01 Nov 2006 07:39:36 AM |
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MarkA wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
Alistair Beaton's "A Planet for the President"
Too contemporary to be truly prophetic and played for laughs, but worth
a look.
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| User: "Lord Calvert" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
05 Nov 2006 09:17:08 AM |
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MarkA wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
Along with the many other excellent suggestions, I would recommend:
If This Goes On... - Robert Heinlein
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
And particularly relevant for today:
V for Vendetta - Alan Moore
"Strength Through Unity, Unity Through Faith" would dovetail nicely as
the GOP's slogan.
Rich Goranson
Amherst, NY, USA
aa#MCMXCIX, a-vet#1
EAC Department of Cruel and Unusual Theology
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| User: "Frank Mayhar" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
05 Nov 2006 12:56:34 PM |
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On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 07:17:08 -0800, Lord Calvert wrote:
MarkA wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
And particularly relevant for today:
V for Vendetta - Alan Moore
"Strength Through Unity, Unity Through Faith" would dovetail nicely as
the GOP's slogan.
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the gunpowder, treason and
plot!"
--
Frank Mayhar frank@exit.com http://www.exit.com/
Exit Consulting http://www.gpsclock.com/
http://www.exit.com/blog/frank/
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| User: "DarkAngel" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
31 Oct 2006 04:30:00 PM |
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MarkA wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
George Orwell's "Hommage to Catalonia" is a pretty fascinating book,
plus it has the advantage of being non-fiction.
Jack London's "The Iron Heel" is one of my favorite lefty books. You
can read it for free here:
http://london.thefreelibrary.com/The-Iron-Heel/
"This, then, is our answer. We have no words to waste on you. When you
reach out your vaunted strong hands for our palaces and purpled ease,
we will show you what strength is. In roar of shell and shrapnel and in
whine of machine-guns will our answer be couched. We will grind you
revolutionists down under our heel, and we shall walk upon your faces.
The world is ours, we are its lords, and ours it shall remain. As for
the host of labor, it has been in the dirt since history began, and I
read history aright. And in the dirt it shall remain so long as I and
mine and those that come after us have the power. There is the word. It
is the king of words--Power. Not God, not Mammon, but Power. Pour it
over your tongue till it tingles with it. Power."
---
No Gods. No Masters.
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| User: "Michael Gray" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
31 Oct 2006 03:39:35 PM |
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On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:41:33 GMT, MarkA <manthony@stopspam.net> wrote:
- Refer: <pan.2006.10.31.17.41.51.376717@stopspam.net>
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me?
You turn the pages too quickly for me to keep up.
Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
Noam Chomsky's latest(?) "Failed States"
(The abuse of power and the assualt on democracy)
would fit the bill perfectly.
ISBN 1 74114 914 2
His previous political stuff is a gold-mine of info on the current
administration's history, thinking and motives.
Buy them all, or read them at a library, if Big Brother allows them to
be stocked.
--
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| User: "Doc Smartass" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
31 Oct 2006 06:21:31 PM |
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Michael Gray <mikegray@newsguy.com> wrote in
news:ucgfk2t3bqbpb7nvnenhb6bv6ihid6c5ld@4ax.com:
On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:41:33 GMT, MarkA <manthony@stopspam.net> wrote:
- Refer: <pan.2006.10.31.17.41.51.376717@stopspam.net>
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs
to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'.
It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me?
You turn the pages too quickly for me to keep up.
Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
Noam Chomsky's latest(?) "Failed States"
(The abuse of power and the assualt on democracy)
would fit the bill perfectly.
ISBN 1 74114 914 2
His previous political stuff is a gold-mine of info on the current
administration's history, thinking and motives.
Buy them all, or read them at a library, if Big Brother allows them to
be stocked.
If they were to be banned, there's always the e-book newsgroups, P2P,
FTP, IRC channels, and "weed" CD networks where you get stuff together,
burn it to a CD, make 10 copies and distribute them--then the recipients
make 10 copies, and so on.
--
Doc Smartass
The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of
words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the
people who must use the words. - Philip K. *****
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| User: "Al Klein" |
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| Title: Re: alt.atheism book club |
31 Oct 2006 03:56:32 PM |
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On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:41:33 GMT, MarkA <manthony@stopspam.net> wrote:
With the mid-term elections drawing near (here in the USA), it occurs to
me that it has been a LONG time since I read Orwell's novel, '1984'. It
would probably be appropriate to re-read it about now. Anyone care to
join me? Any other books you can think of that would be instructive now
that Bush has radically changed the politics of the modern world?
Anything about Stalin's Soviet Union.
Any books on surviving POW camps.
--
rukbat at optonline dot net
"I have never imputed to Nature a purpose or a goal, or anything that could be under-
stood as anthropomorphic. What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can
comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of
humility. This is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism."
- 1954 or 1955; quoted in Dukas and Hoffman _Albert Einstein the Human Side_, p. 39
(random sig, produced by SigChanger)
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