political debaters, please read!

[daveleau]

I have had some questions about my open-mindedness recently and some of that has begun in myself, and some by other members (of whom I have not replied to your PM, but I plan to when I have a little time tomorrow). To combat this, I would like to open up an idea to some debaters. People from all walks can participate, but if you are of like mind to me (conservative and Christian), I would ask that you take from the other views of politics or religion and not from me, so that you aren't just reading something you already believe in or support.

So here is my proposition:

I would ask that we do a book trade of sorts. I offer up a few books for you to read (all of which you can get at your local library or Barnes and Noble) and in return, I will read a thoughtfully engaging book that you would recommend.

My books would be:

1- The Seven Myths of Gun Control, by Richard Poe - this is a book on why the second amendment should be strengthened and why gun control is going to cause more crime.
2- The Case For Christ, by Lee Strobel - A journalist researches whether Jesus really lived and if he is really the Messiah.
3- Why The Left Hates America, by Daniel Flynn - Book defining how the US political left has become ultra-radical, illogical and anti-American in their ideals.

I will read your book if you are one of the first 5 to give me an alternate book and agrees to read one of my above recommendations.

Thanks!
Dave

[sharder8]

Interesting proposition Dave!

Not very fair, but interesting!

The 3 books you have chosen are all outstanding books that provide much thought, insight, and evidence to support your side.

Your opponents will be hard pressed to find equally comparable books to support their side. ''

Harder

BTW, you know where I stand!

[daveleau]

lol

[capybara]

"Nancy Reagan" by Kitty Kelly = the best "political" book ive
read recenty.
"Slouching Towards Gomorrah" by Robert Bork. A conservative
critique of the way so-called modern society is heading. Written
by the supreme court nominee who was rejected for being
"too conservative"
Out on a limb , by shirley maclaine. a famous book by a
famous "liberal"

[Knothead]

I have had some questions about my open-mindedness recently and some of that has begun in myself,---Daveleau

Well, Dave now you're really confusing me... that doesn't sound very closed-minded right there! If you're not careful, you may find yourself coming around to MY way more precisely, the "CORRECT" way. of looking at things...

Seriously, though, the only people I have a problem with are the apathetic ones. You may have noticed, I'm not the most political head around here, but I do enjoy the debates, and I often learn something!

You already nailed my favorite "gun" book, but if anybody wants some quasi-conservative laughs, I strongly recommend anything by P.J. O'Rourke, especially GIVE WAR A CHANCE and ALL THE TROUBLE IN THE WORLD, which are collections of essays on politics in America and abroad. Funny and insightful at the same time. You can't miss!

[osprey4]

I've read Strobel's book and I've looked at the arguments presented in a book critical of Strobel, "Challenging the Verdict: A Cross-Examination of Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ" (2001) by Earl Doherty. The contrast between these two books is remarkable, Strobel is thoughtful, logical, solidly referenced. Doherty is superficial, shows a blatant disregard for historical facts and uses only the flimsiest of references.

So I think you've picked a pretty solid book there.

[daveleau]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Anyone want to take me up on this and read one of mine? I'll read pretty much anything you throw my way in return if you promise to read one of mine above.

Thanks
Dave

Just want to pop in OT and say: What a novel idea! I like it.

I generally hate politics, so I offer only the above

(I'm currently reading The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George, which does have foreign politics in it circa 51 BC ±)

[MrBaseball]

The seven myths of gun control is a good book. I recommend everyone to read it.

[MegalosSkylaki]

Ok, here's how it goes. I was planning for a while to do a Post on our beloved Congress--as viewed through the perceptive eyes of Eric Felton of the Heritage Foundation.:The Ruling Class:Inside the Imperial CongressAbr. (C)1993, Heritage Foundation.

In fact on Theophylact's thread on 'The Other Third Party Candidate,1948', I offered that I would soon post about James Madison's Federalist Paper # 57,[which argues that Congress should be subject itself to the same laws it subjects everybody else] as discussed in above referenced book.

So da DooG DOOG opens to IMO, and what do I find: a book list.
You must have the 'Early Bird' Plug-N' of Sleep'N'Post, $69.98 (CHEAP). Hey ! I thought that was in Beta- Zoota Must be one of my Salespersons Knoto or Socalgal or ? put the finishing touches...how ambitious !

Anyhow, the antidote to closed-mindedness , in my view--and everybody has a bit of it (or more!) --was set forth by a Russian philosopher whose name escapes me 'cause Russian Philosopher had like a string of 20 names...so as to escape me

Well, here it goeson't be afraid to attack any idea, no matter how "self-evident" it seems. The good ideas will survive even the most rigorous criticism, while the bad ideas will fly to pieces under heavy criticism. To my thinking, criticizing an idea is almost a compliment--as who's got to time to waste on junky stuff.

Anyhow, be on the watch , folks, for my Post on why and how the Congress has "institutionalized" itself--away from the Citizen Legislature envisioned by the Founding Fathers.
Or you can read Eric Felten's book and spend some money

D G