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The best government that money can buy. Destroy education for the masses. Exploit ignorance for the sake of the elite on a global scale. Today Germany exploits shovel ready industrial parks and cheap labor to their economic advantage, tomorrow Dubai, China, , Japan, Israel ? The list goes on.
The best and brightest and most motivated among us should be professionals in primary and secondary education but that profession has been relegated to little more than ditch diggers and sewer workers. You get what you pay for. An uneducated public is a public ripe for exploitation and that is an extremely lucrative enterprise if you are a member in good standing with the global elite. Yesterdays Shaw becomes tomorrows President of the United States. Will the elitist destroy themselves ? Eventually , yes, but in the interim they continue to utterly destroy checks and balances. Rather than debate and lay strategy for a common goal ,moving the ball in one direction, globally the money has joined forces against the better interest of the populace for the sake of short term gain. Money talks, especially when it comes down to privatizing education and who gets educated and who gets their hand put to the shovel in the ditches. That is a huge obstacle to overcome and may the powers that be help us in getting back on our own two feet on that score.
Please excuse this lengthy comment! There are several sections with titles.
Biblical Capitalism and the Religious Right
How can anyone talk to a person with this belief or mindset???
Biblical capitalism is the belief that government intervention in the marketplace is against God's will.
I do not oppose people who have religion in their life. Personally, I believe that religion is important in our lives. I am a person who believes that our country needs RESPONSIBLE CAPITALISM. I oppose PREDATORY CAPITALISM. I believe in and I try to practice living by the ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT. The Eleventh Commandment was given to us by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper with these words, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU." How can any religious person, be he right or left, and forget about Jesus' Sermon on the Mount?
The Religious Right is a fanatical group who is at war with Americans who value Jesus words and who believe that Jesus' words are a way of life. We must incorporate Jesus' words in our daily lives.
We must never forget that we are at war with the fanatical group, known as the Religious Right.
The Beatitudes
You may or may not know that when I examine my conscience I go through the Ten Commandments and the Seven Capital Sins. I will also go through the Beatitudes and give an example to examine in my conscience.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Do I share my gifts, talents, time, and treasure to help build the kingdom of God here on earth?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Do I, in turn, try to assist those who are suffering?
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Do I ever look down on others because they may not look or act like me?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be fulfilled. When I see or hear stories of people suffering injustice, what is my response?
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. When I am wronged, am I willing to forgive?
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. Do I respect the gift of my body, created in God’s image?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Do I work for peace in my country and throughout the world?
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Am I willing to take a stand that is unpopular, but is based on gospel values?
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Is my life on this earth focused on the life to come?
Hopefully, born again Christians may want to read the Bible more carefully.
Christianity and Violence
Yale theologian, Miroslav Volf, was on NPR’s Speaking of Faith before NPR became a fascist radio outlet. He said that things go wrong when people have thin religion and not thick religion. Thin religious people can be zealots and they can be manipulated. We will continuously live in a world of multiple religions. We need to celebrate plurality of religions. Religions need to come to an understanding of scriptural readings. There must be a discussion of differences and to carry on a dialogue. How do you deal with two groups fighting for what they perceive is justice? We need forgiveness. We cannot undo what has been done and so forgiveness is necessary.
The past cannot be undone. Jesus died for all of us while we were still enemies. He forgave His enemies and He set the example for our behavior. We need to embrace forgiveness. We must aim to lead a simple life and not let our possessions control us. Not all differences occur on the battlefields. We also have differences in our living rooms. Jesus befriended all the people. There are many enemies in the world and we cannot hold each of our enemies in check by force. We must reach out and befriend our enemies.
The will to forgive must be unconditional even though it is not always perfect. How do we achieve the will to embrace forgiveness? It is not easy but we must work on our will to forgive.
Our memories have a way of keeping us from friendships or to embrace friendships. Conflicts are in flamed by our memories. What do we do with our memories? How do we keep our shield of a memory from picking up the sword? Forgetting is the last step in a relationship and not the first step. Remembering is important but at some point we must forget. Helping us in the process of forgiveness and forgetting is in our reading of Romans, Chapter 12, in the New Testament, especially Romans 12:9-21.
Is there any person who believes that the Religious Right has forgiveness in their heart???
Biblical Scriptures
JESUS’ CONSOLING WORDS IN TIME OF NEED
You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives. Luke 21:17-19
HIS WARNING WORDS IN TIME OF TEMPTATION
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. Mark 9:42
HIS LOVING WORDS IN TIME OF LONELINESS
Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
HIS REVEALING WORDS IN TIME OF DOUBT
Why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. Luke 24:38-39
HIS HUMBLE WORDS WHEN TEMPTED TO BE PROUD
Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart. Matthew 11:29
HIS REASSURING WORDS WHEN TEMPTED TO DESPAIR
Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more. John 8:10-11
HIS PLEADING WORDS IN TIME OF APATHY
Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me. Matthew 11:4-6
Jesus did not leave us orphans. He did not leave us in the dark, not knowing which way to go. Jesus is the Way, and through Him, we have access to God, the Father! May His words be ours as we grow in loving union and prayer with God, the Father!
Definition of a Conservative
The word conservative means to preserve that which is essential, to hold on to those values which are timeless and of value.
A conservative is one who works for the integrity of the environment. A conservative in the Catholic Church would be one who goes back to the biblical values of Jesus and conserve the essence of what he taught and lived.
Take the beatitudes, the call to love one's enemies. How do we preserve and protect these ideals?
Yet, we need to ask the question, “Why did someone put the CON in CONservative?”
CAN ONE BE A CHRISTIAN AND A CONSERVATIVE AT THE SAME TIME?
Two Thousand years ago in the midst of the Conservative, Militantly, Bellicose, Roman Empire and the parallel Rule of the Ultraconservative Conservative Herodian Kings and Priests, where the death penalty was a broadly used as it has been in Texas and Florida since the Bush advent therein, there came a man who opposed all of that for which they stood. He opposed the death penalty and much forgiving of sexual sins. (The woman caught in adultery John 8:1-11)
He despised greed/avarice which the Bushites Gekko say is Good!. Luke 16:19-31 The avaricious rich man
He opposed violence of any sort; he was by his own admission, "meek and mild." He advocated tolerance and acceptance of others. He offered free health care to any who approached him.
He also refused to condemn or judge others except for the rich who were avaricious and the hypocrites. He opposed judging others, a prime factor in the Bush administration IS judging others Luke 7: 37-42- judging others
He was dismissive of sexuality as a major judgmental concern. Luke 4:4-42 Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well
Jesus was, by the definitions, condemnation and attacks on Liberals by the Bushites and the "Christian" Right, a "bleeding Heart Liberal." They are indeed correct, because in his opposition to everything for which The Conservative Roman Empire and the Ultraconservative Conservative Herodian Kings and Priests, stood Jesus was and remains a Liberal. There is no way the Church can, without being hypocritical wriggle its way around the reality that one cannot be a Christian and a Conservative, any more than one can be a Christian and support the slaughter in Iraq (A nation 12 times smaller than the USA, and lacking air force and navy at the time of the invasion), and the planned slaughters in Iran, and Venezuela.
Therefore, begs the question, CAN A PERSON BE BOTH A CHRISTIAN AND A CONSERVATIVE?
By the time a child is seven years old certain behaviors will be with the person for the rest of his life. Bush's attack on Iraq will affect Iraqi children until death. War must always be the last option.
Well said Gerald. Check out:
http://www.talk2action.org/
current public debt looms right around...$13,731,561,611,850.77. $10,000,000,000,000 of which was a going away present from the previous president. Or some amount there abouts. With 309,418,906 people that equals a shared debt load of $44,378.55 per person.
Its to bad we can shit golden eggs! I'd donate a few if it would help!lol Instead I'm just a working class stiff shitting golden eggs for my boss.
And as long as your curious the IRS estimates that close to $400,000,000,000 goes missing each year do to the cheaters and skanks getting away with cheating and skanking. Thats only on the schedule C and E filers. imagine how much more is missing with cash under the table deals.
Put that in the bong and smoke it.
Question for Ravi -- would micro-finance work in US, and why isn't Obama employing it immediately?
huh...what? rocks keep to many people in the dark get out and get some light once in a while. Get informed. read the news. sift through all the bullshit i call clues. And then you might just be waliking a bit more to center with the rest of us.
The very idea of the "boner" speaking is enough to make ones head spin! But as an extreme idealist it may be just one more thing that might put more light on the sheer level of idiocy that is ruining this once very great country. On the other hand, as the politcal stratigist stratigise, the pubes may just use it to thier advantage as with previous 2 years of obstruction they may well push all sorts of stuff through and use the right wing talking machine to gloat about what "they" have accomplished in an effort to regain the white house in 2012. That is scary! Get it? My daughter of 16 does!
More over I don't think Obama should concede anything!He needs to tighten up the laces and get all the way into the ring, front and center. Quit hanging around the ropes. What he should do is start his own gloat fest and should continue to speak his speak but start caring a big, big stick. Be seen and heard not just for some midterm election but weekly! Got fire side chats? Its know secret the demoquacks lack spine but the president? JOhn "boner"? I just can't phathom it. my head is pounding even now. I mean can you see the "boner" boo hooing to the president lieke some whiny little kid and then get what he was boo hooing about? Obama concedes to compromise? No! What the president should do is tell them all to get thier butts to work and dig us out of the hole that some one else got us in and tell them all to quit blaming him!
ME? I try to change it one conversation at a time even as people I once considered erudite have actually fallen for the notion that the tea baggers could actually run things any better!
By the way thom, Love your show!
Re: "The Obama White House is incompetent."
No, they are very competent.
Democrats vs Republicans, It's all a dog & pony show.
Thom, you are 100%
Thom, you are 100% correct----> Obama needs to kick some ass. He is seen by many of his supporters as weak. The right knows how to fight, as they view this as a war. Obama seems to view this as a hobby.
I just want to know what they(the repugnicans) think they are going to do with 300,000,000 destitute people they don't consider to be "Americans". They have a plan to create them...........
A worthless lying pig, really? Can you enhance or elaborate on that just a bit? After listening to the tea party candidates and republicans lying as a religion, I’d love to hear the lies Thom is spewing. Come on Jmac, lay it out, let’s poke this “pig”, and backup your comment with some fact. Sorry, I probably threw you for a loop with that word, fact, but see what you can do.
Interesting view Thom but I see this as a lack of leadership. If Obama, Pelosi and Reid would have ran with the agenda of the progressives, the one he campaigned on, the midterms would have turned out differently. There wasn't going to be any help from the republicans, but that should have been foreseen and avoided. Most people would define majority as 51%, only a moron would allow it to be 60%. Even at 60%, if the CHANGE agenda would have been pushed, even if it failed, progressives would have seen the reason for failure, republicans. Instead we got the weak compromises that neutered most bills that managed to get through which pissed off progressives. I can take failing as long as the effort is strong and sincere.
Pass the hat and a dooby Thom and by it back, you bought it last time.. what happen this time?
Put your dooby down Thom and let the air clear and you might be able to see the debt clock. How much is the public debt today Thom???
Erik you can't give up. Your a veteran, what's that old adage? Don't leave a man behind? Think of all the young men and women curious about their sexuality who can't possibly comprehend the struggles ahead. The fight to live a their own lives and be who they truly are. I know it's hard and discouraging but if you give up you will never know victory. I don't delude myself into believing this will be resolved any time soon. But I do know that without the likes of us this country will continue it's free fall unabated. We must never give up- for future generations and the freedom this country was built on.
First of all, jmac are you sure it isn't jpac? I just had to point that out. I live in Texas, a state notoriously filled with rednecks and morons. And they turn out to vote-every election. But perhaps we can look at this as not a defeat but an opportunity. With every bill, every quote or plan detrimental to us lower 97% my plan is to spread the word. Of course we don't have endless funds or nonstop media attention a la faux news...but I pray they do just enough damage to show American exactly which corporation they backed this election. Also, I think Democrats were wrong to distance themselves from Obama. They should be proud of the strides we made and that we took off running. Someone should have run an odd with their opponent sitting on their thumbs...and a Koch brother's lap dressed as Santa. "What do you want this Christmas Rand Paul?" "An election victory Mr. Koch Clause" "you got it Rand ol' boy!"
Is there any person who believes that the Religious Right has forgiveness in their heart???
Christianity and Violence
Yale theologian, Miroslav Volf, was on NPR’s Speaking of Faith before NPR became a fascist radio outlet. He said that things go wrong when people have thin religion and not thick religion. Thin religious people can be zealots and they can be manipulated. We will continuously live in a world of multiple religions. We need to celebrate plurality of religions. Religions need to come to an understanding of scriptural readings. There must be a discussion of differences and to carry on a dialogue. How do you deal with two groups fighting for what they perceive is justice? We need forgiveness. We cannot undo what has been done and so forgiveness is necessary.
The past cannot be undone. Jesus died for all of us while we were still enemies. He forgave His enemies and He set the example for our behavior. We need to embrace forgiveness. We must aim to lead a simple life and not let our possessions control us. Not all differences occur on the battlefields. We also have differences in our living rooms. Jesus befriended all the people. There are many enemies in the world and we cannot hold each of our enemies in check by force. We must reach out and befriend our enemies.
The will to forgive must be unconditional even though it is not always perfect. How do we achieve the will to embrace forgiveness? It is not easy but we must work on our will to forgive.
Our memories have a way of keeping us from friendships or to embrace friendships. Conflicts are in flamed by our memories. What do we do with our memories? How do we keep our shield of a memory from picking up the sword? Forgetting is the last step in a relationship and not the first step. Remembering is important but at some point we must forget. Helping us in the process of forgiveness and forgetting is in our reading of Romans, Chapter 12, in the New Testament, especially Romans 12:9-21.
The Beatitudes
You may or may not know that when I examine my conscience I go through the Ten Commandments and the Seven Capital Sins. I will also go through the Beatitudes and give an example to examine in my conscience.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Do I share my gifts, talents, time, and treasure to help build the kingdom of God here on earth?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Do I, in turn, try to assist those who are suffering?
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Do I ever look down on others because they may not look or act like me?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be fulfilled. When I see or hear stories of people suffering injustice, what is my response?
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. When I am wronged, am I willing to forgive?
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. Do I respect the gift of my body, created in God’s image?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Do I work for peace in my country and throughout the world?
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Am I willing to take a stand that is unpopular, but is based on gospel values?
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Is my life on this earth focused on the life to come?
Hopefully, born again Christians may want to read the Bible more carefully.
I do not oppose people who have religion in their life. Personally, I believe that religion is important in our lives. I am a person who believes that our country needs RESPONSIBLE CAPITALISM. I oppose PREDATOTY CAPITALISM. I believe in and I try to practice living by the ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT. The Eleventh Commandment was given to us by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper with these words, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU." How can any religious person, be he right or left, and forget about Jesus' Sermon on the Mount?
The Religious Right is a fanatical group who is at war with Americans who value Jesus words and who believe that Jesus' words are a way of life. We must incorporate Jesus' words in our daily lives.
We must never forget that we are at war with the fanatical group, known as the Religious Right.
How can anyone talk to a person with this belief or mindset???
Biblical capitalism is the belief that government intervention in the marketplace is against God's will.
iT SEEMS TO ME that we are smelling the Tri-Lateral Commission game here. We are dealing with Trilionaires who actually do all the driving of this earthbound ship. They have their spaceship designed, and when the poor and middle-class (what is left of it) finally combine to form a strategy toward their newly elected puppets (Called Republicans), they'll fly outta here anyway! We regular folks are merely maggots to these Super-CEO's. The military does protect them! This may seem far-fetched, but I think we better start thinking on this level, cause what we have been doing just will not work anymore. We need a bright moment folks. Lets get busy! Nuff said!!
Thom:
I really don't give a shit anymore about the Dems or the Progressive Movement. It's just not worth my time.
I took an active interest right around Gore v Bush and watched the US Supreme Court decide it would be our King Maker. Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, Ed Shultz, Michaelangelo Signorile and an entire choir load of you guys screaming into my ears via my AM (KTNF am 950) and Sirius/XM - I've been there every day for over a decade and I've cheered you guys on. ...every day.
DOMA: Struck down by a Republican appointed judge in Mass.
DADT: Struck down by a judge appointed by Clinton.
Calif Prop 8: Struck down again, by a Republican Appointed judge.
Obama's Justice Dept is appealing all of them. His Justice Department even pleads with the Pentagon to keep the gays out of our military. PLEADS!
Obama meets, for the first time, progressive and liberal bloggers less than a week ago. Meanwhile, Obama meets with the GOP two...three...four <?> times since he was inaugurated?! How does *that* work? Obama loves the GOP more than he loves the people who undebated put him into office?!
I - am - NOT - allowed - to - be - married - to - my - life-partner, Thom!
How is your marriage with Louise?! Is it a good marriage?!?
It's illegal for me to be married.
Gays couples can get married in Iowa, but the vote yesterday kicked out three judges in Iowa's courts for allowing people like us to get married. Seriously?!? People thought about the Iowa Constitution for a minute and they got fired because of a vote.
Return to nipple-rubbing, Thom. What I think about the Republican Party and what will happen now is "really interesting for me" now!
It's illegal for me to serve my country in the military, Thom. Entire careers are being destroyed because people are being honest about who they are. And Obama encourages more destruction.
So, how is your marriage with Louise, Thom?!? Really! How is it?!
My sham of a fake-marriage/"partnership" is a joke. My "joke" has been going on for eleven years now! Thanks for that, Thom! I live day by day living a joke. So again: how is that marriage of yours?! Enjoying those tax right-offs much?!? Really?
...Run off and bicker with some wack-job about meaningless stupidity in Knuckledrag, USA.
Support Obama! Quiz me some more: "What will the republicans do?!? Hrmm... How will they react?!? Hrm..... Rub my nipples some more... Hrmm.."
Like you, Thom: I'm self-employed. I'm a certified United States Veteran-owned small business owner. I served my country and my country couldn't give a rat's ass. I don't have rights in this country. I'm not a free American, and I'm packing my marbles and I'm no longer playing Obama's, Randi Rhodes', Michaelangelo's, or Thom Hartmann's street game of "Dumb".
Obama doesn't give a shit about people like me. And neither to you. Neither does Ed Shultz, or Nancy Pilosi or Chuck Schumer. It's all about the lettuce. The green in your wallet.
You guys on the radio and television are nothing but noise in my ears anymore. Clinton signs these destructive bills into law. You people (don't) crab and bitch about it. Obama supports appealing these anti-Constitution rulings and you guys are all "tut tut tut". You Progressives and Liberals on the radio are as useless as tits on a boar-hog. Limbaugh-wanna-bees.
The party doesn't belong to the Left, the Progessives or the exteme Right. "The Party" belongs to the check-book. And that doesn't include you.
EnK
I liken the Republicans and Tea Partiers to my ex husband. He was a control freak. There are many spouses out there (mostly men I'm afraid), who are belligerent, bully-ing, braggarts who say they "know what's best", whilst they're belittling and beguiling (yes, that's how they keep her there) their spouses and families. No matter what you do, it's never right or enough. If the focus is taken off him, he pouts, pushes, and postures until he gets his way. After bullying their way back into the alpha spot in her home, he says ... "you'll do it my way, compromise is up to you because you caused me to be this way ... when I strike out at you it's for your own good and what I stand for is the only stand you are allowed to make for yourself. Remember woman (country), I'm a very poor looser and I'll make you pay for making me lose, even if I deserved it. I'll turn it around, blame you and get away with it. I don't want your friends in this house, I don't want our family to thrive, I just want what's best for me, compromise is not an option unless you're doing exactly what I tell you to do."
That is what a man (or yes, in some cases women) does to his loved ones when he's blind to who he is and what he's representing. Sadly, there are many families who suffer under the hand of men like I've described and sadly the country is about to suffer under the hand of the likes of John Boehner who, in so many words, gave the above mentioned speech today. Yikes! Hide and find the nearest shelter! Oh wait, they'll all be gone because they're a public service and the tax dollars that keep those women safe are, according to the Republican's, better off in the bank accounts of the rich. They'll spend those dollars that kept her away from her abuser, on things ... which will eventually help her get a job making those things, so that she can move away, on her own, if she hasn't been beaten to death or shot. Oh wait, right, it's her fault.
I've been a Republican since 1976, but I have long thought that George W. Bush's election would bring about the death knell of the Republican Party by 2012. I didn't know how this would happen, but it somehow made sense.
I feel like Luke Skywalker on the plank of Java the Hut's floating barge. The lunatics in my party may be up now, but I still have the feeling that they're not long for this world.
I also had a similar feeling in 1997 that Bush would become President (it's a pretty ruthless family), and that he would fecklessly destroy the economy. I even started paying extra on my morgage, and keeping most of my holdings in safer places than in stocks. My house is paid off, I have no debts, and my nest egg is intact.
Thom,
I am writing to ask you to interview Scott A. Bonn (author, professor, consultant and media critic and expert) on the lies and crimes of the Bush Administration before next week when George Bush’s book of rewritten history comes out.
"Mass Deception: Moral Panic and the U.S. War on Iraq" by Scott A. Bonn, Ph.D. Rutgers University Press. Why did George W. Bush really invade Iraq? Is he a war criminal? "Mass Deception," the critically acclaimed new book from Scott Bonn, argues that the George W. Bu...sh administration manufactured public support for war on Iraq by falsely claiming that Saddam Hussein was involved in the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction which it intended to use against the U.S. In this book, Professor Bonn critiques the war and occupation of Iraq as violations of both U.S. and international laws. Bonn meticulously explains why, despite committing war crimes, the Bush administration enjoys both political and bureaucratic exemptions from prosecution under international law and, therefore, is unlikely to ever be held accountable for its actions. He also examines the real motivations of George W. Bush for invading Iraq—that is, emotional, ideological and pragmatic (business) factors—which had nothing to do with U.S. security. Bonn introduces a unique, integrated, and interdisciplinary theory called “critical communication” to explain how and why political elites and the news media periodically create public panics that benefit both parties. Through quantitative analysis of public opinion polls and news media coverage of presidential rhetoric pre- and post-9/11, Bonn explains that the events leading up to the Iraq war constituted a moral panic engineered by the Bush administration with the support of a compliant U.S. news media. Mass Deception connects propaganda and distortion efforts by the Bush administration to more general theories of elite deviance and state crime. Bonn is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Professor Bonn is not your average academic. He combines the knowledge and skills of an academic scholar with more than twenty years of senior-level corporate experience as an advertising and media executive. As such, he has unique insights into the public’s attitudes and beliefs, how they are shaped, and the agenda-setting powers of the government and the news media. Bonn has developed a unique, integrated, and interdisciplinary theory called “critical communication” to explain how and why political elites and the news media periodically create public panics that benefit both parties. He received his doctorate in sociology at the University of Miami, FL. Bonn teaches courses in criminology, sociology of deviance, media and crime, and criminal justice. His primary research interests include white-collar crime, state crime and media effects on society. His research examines how and why the public forms its beliefs on complex issues such as crime, drugs, punishment, war and terrorism. Prior to his academic career, Bonn held high-ranking corporate positions such as Vice President at NBC Television Network and Executive Vice President at SonicNet, an award-winning, Internet-based music service that was sold to MTV Networks in 2000. He resides in Manhattan, New York. “This book is a timely contribution to the emerging study of state crime. Bonn does a fine job of explicating moral panic and elite deviance arguments in the context of the Iraq war. A clear and compelling read.” — Gray Cavender, Arizona State University. “Bonn offers a careful analysis of the post-9/11 build-up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. This book should be of great interest to scholars in the sociology of deviance, communication, political science, and to the general public.” — Amie L. Nielsen, University of Miami. http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu/acatalog/Mass_Deception.html
Thank you,
Jean