Staff Picks Category: Politics

The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise by Michael Grunwald [Book]

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If you have ever visited the Everglades, (or what’s left of it) you know it is a marsh, not a swamp. The swamp of the title refers to the name commonly, especially in previous centuries, assigned to it by non-specialists, but even more to the morass of politics that has alternatively consigned it to death, and pushed it back from the brink. This is a book for observers and students of political strategy and American history. Yes, there are ecological lessons here, but it is more a tale of why some people become environmental activists (some very surprising stories), and why some have a different vision for the future, and of their continuing battles for the future of the Everglades, and by extension, south Florida.

Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together by Van Jones [Book]

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The “messy truth” to CNN commentator and progressive activist Van Jones is that the country was primed for a revolution regardless of the candidates in the 2016 presidential election. He elucidates the history of the increasing divide between the four segments of American political life he identifies, and makes suggestions for both liberals and conservatives for understanding, corrective action, and finding commonalities across what seems a huge chasm. In spite of the detailing of serious problems like the epidemic of addiction, Beyond the messy truth isn’t a depressing read because of solutions offered. Fresh ideas, persuasively expressed. Strongly recommended regardless of your politics, though progressives may find the most to digest here.

Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie [DVD]

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Saying Morton Downey Jr. was a complex man would be the understatement of the century. Son of a famous singer, Jr. began his career in show business as a vocalist himself. He had a small hit with in 1958 with the haunting tune “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”. He later worked in radio and eventually became involved with the world of sports by first buying an American Basketball Association team and later co-founding the World Baseball League.

What brought Morton Downey Jr. national attention was his short run on the syndicated Morton Downey Jr. Show based out of New Jersey. The host who grew up hanging around the Kennedy family, became a loudmouth, conservative screamer on his late 80’s program. The documentary pulled many clips that made the air where Downey Jr. gets in audience members faces and says some of the most horrific and offensive things you will ever hear in your life. His show seems to be pure theater and unfortunately it paved the way for future trash television such as the Jerry Springer Show.

Like him or not, Evocateur is a massively entertaining film. It’s an excellent documentary of the strange life and quick rise and fall of a man whose life was filled with controversy.

American Theocracy by Kevin P. Phillips [Book]

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This book offers useful insight into American hubris. Fascinating background on the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) and the intertwining of oil, religion and debt.