Doug Lindsay

Behind the curtains of the modern Republican Party

Revisado: 12-07-20

Although I am a lifelong liberal I grew up in South Texas surrounded by conservatives and Republicans including my own family. I have discussed and debated politics with many conservatives over the years. I have really noticed a change in the Republican way of addressing and dealing with problems, especially legislatively over the last twenty five years, This book really drew back the curtain on the game plan that started in the 1950's and slowly and steadily evolved. James Buchanan, a somewhat Libertarian economist, felt like the federal governments abilities to legislate around everything from civil rights environmental regulations and especially taxation far exceeded the preferences of many on the far right despite it being within the parameters of the Constitution. The real fear is that the majority of citizens might impose their will legislatively on the wealthy and powerful, a minority, with progressive taxation, social programs and regulations as happened in The New Deal and the Great Society years. In a largely low profile, hidden from public view strategy and with the help of billionaires like the Koch brothers and conservative think tanks they begin a systematic plan to change legislation and the judiciary from municipal, county, state and federal levels largely via lobbying and the American Legislative Exchange Council, otherwise known as ALEC . One of the overriding themes is staying in power by any means necessary. It explains a lot about McConnell's years long obstruction of most of Obama's federal judicial nominees, no matter how qualified, and culminating in the Merrick Garland blockade and recent Barrett ramming through. That is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I also went through Stuart Stevens "It Was All a Lie" and I am working on "The Impostors" currently. All of these books show the same thing from different perspectives. Historically we have expected our governments to attempt to help solve problems of the American people. I believe Republicans have largely walked away from that. A lot of the focus is now on on tribalism and maintaining power. They have much less interest in policy and legislation now. The Republican Party did not even have a platform for 2020 for the first time in GOP history. Watch what they do not what they say.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

This is the Flirting guide you're looking for

Revisado: 11-05-20

Ray wastes no time getting down to brass tacks reminding us A.) What a lot of women are hoping for in men 2). How to communicate verbally and non-verbally C.) things we might have done and not even realized were either helpful or unhelpful about meeting and interacting with somebody when you are first meeting or getting to know them. I have a lot of life experience and have had 2 relationships where the banter seemed to be natural and easy. I have had other relationships that although there were benefits for both sides didn't have that easy chemistry. I was hoping to "look under the hood" and figure out why. This really helped. Ray isn't telling you to try to be someone you're not but presenting your best self and some guidelines that at least make you conscious. Lots of concrete examples including different jobs, roles and countries customs. There is another flirting audiobook that seems to largely be a theoretical pep talk and some common sense suggestions. I felt the other one was a waste of my time but your mileage may vary. Good luck.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Not a lot on the specifics of flirting

Revisado: 11-05-20

I am just reviewing "Flirting" not the "Friends" title. I got this to help me keep a conversation going and light and fun and not overwhelm people with my vast nerdly detailed knowledge of the handful of topics that I'm passionate about while having little to say about topics I don't know or care much about. I was looking for a happy medium. I have been in 2 great relationships with women where there was lots of light joking, a little teasing without much mean line crossing, innuendo, and some sexy stuff once we were seriously involved. It felt natural and right. I was hoping there were ways to start a new relationship like that. The first 18 chapters seemed to be kind of a "you can do it" pep talk. Yes listen and be respectful. Yes hygiene and clothing matter. Yes body language is important but it seemed it was offering much more of that type dating advice than hands on, one-on-one conversational skills. There was lots of repetition and cheerleading. If you haven't been in many relationships and are very shy this book might help with some basic dating advice' I was looking for a little balance so I could better keep a conversation going and interesting and lighten up or switch topics as needed. I might not be the real target audience for this book. There's another audiobook with the word flirt in the title that seemed to get down to brass tacks right away. It gave me some of the general guidance as well as concrete examples and even some psychological insight about what many women want from a man that I was hoping for. Good luck.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Science based dietary information

Revisado: 12-27-19

Dr. Greger lays out all the various tests and studies over and over undeniably showing that the best way to get healthy, which for most of us includes losing weight, is by a Whole Food Plant Based diet low in saturated fat and high in fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, roots, nuts, seeds, shoots and sprouts. I love his melodic voice and inflections and often humorous delivery. If you have any doubts about his narration listen to a Nutrition Facts video so you know what you’re getting. I lost over 60 pounds after going vegan after listening to “How Not to Die” 2-1/2 years ago. This has shown me and inspired me to lose more.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A prerequisite for a fulfilling relationship!

Revisado: 06-16-18

This is undoubtedly one of the most important books on understanding relationships. Applying its principles will save you years of unfulfilling relationships, expensive counseling sessions, not to mention heartache. You'll be able to quickly weed out inappropriate partners as well as recognize the right ones. Listen more than once, then follow with Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg and practice, practice, practice!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Darkness in Texas

Revisado: 06-11-15

I originally read the book 20 years ago, shortly after spending time writing down and reviewing my own childhood as part of a 12 step program. I also grew up around the same era in Texas around some dysfunctional behaviour so maybe it hits a little too close to home for me but this is truly a brilliantly written memoir in that you can inhabit the head space of her younger self for much of it. As others have said be prepared to laugh and be shocked often in the same paragraph. Although Ms. Karr's reading is a bit dry at times it suits the material pretty well. I wish the EQ was scooped a bit with the treble up and mid-range down.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Long Live the Mayor!

Revisado: 03-18-15

Where does The Mayor of MacDougal Street rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love this biography/mini-history of the mid-Twentieth century Greenwich Music music scene. It magically transported me to a very special time and place through the eyes and heart of a person who devoted his life to music despite all of the "slings and arrows". His sense of humility, intelligence and humor shined a great spotlight on "The Folk Scare" of the early Sixties. Two of the things that I liked a lot were how hard it was to make it as a musician and the cultural description of NY and other places when he was on road trips elsewhere and briefly living in California.

What other book might you compare The Mayor of MacDougal Street to and why?

Keith Richards biography. Keith barely acknowledges his good luck and seems vain and thin skinned compared to this guy.

Have you listened to any of Sean Runnette’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never listened to the narrator before but he did a wonderful job kind of becoming Dave in a way.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Although the Coen Brothers movie "Inside LLewyn Davis" borrows generously from this book, and I really love the Coen Brothers movies, it is not any kind of accurate reflection of Van Ronk's personality. You would be best served watching it afterward. I saw it both before and after with very different perspectives. If you have already seen it it won't diminish the book in any way.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas