I just met Jim Hightower

[primavera]

and what a cool guy he is! He showed up here in DC at one of our small independent booksellers, a place called Politics & Prose, for a booksigning of his new work, Thieves in High Places: They've Stolen our Country and it's Time to Take it Back! He spoke for a bit and answered questions before signing books and his comments were fabulous - totally unflinching, absolutely right on the money, yet mixed with good natured humor (when asked about Texas redistricting, he quipped that Tom Delay was Newt Gingrich on Viagra) and a sense of optimism about the potential for grassroots activism to turn things around. He reports that, based upon his travels around the country, he's very encouraged by the number of people he meets who share our outrage at the excesses of the BFEE, despite whatever trumped up push polls Faux News may be inclined to report on, and is very optimistic that the shrub will be a one term dictator only. He described a number of encouraging anecdotes about ordinary people who have managed to successfully fight back and insists that they are not as few and far between as the media might have us believe, which certainly sounds promising.

Having only just now picked up the book, I've only managed to read the intro so far, but I like what I've read and, assuming the rest of the book follows the tone of his remarks this evening, I think I can safely recommend it to DU readers. Evidently it just came out yesterday and is already number 3 at amazon.com. There was also a surpisingly good turnout at Politics & Prose for this evening's signing - it was absolutely packed, with at least 300-400 people in attendance and copies of his book sold out almost immediately. You all might want to check it out.

[Cha]

1. Good on Ya! I love his writings in his "Hightower News"...

The media is a joke (albeit a deadly one) and it's People like Jim Hightower who are making a Big Difference in our Country! :kick:

[stevedeshazer]

2. Hightower is great

Check out how he had a national talk radio show syndicated on ABC, and was hosed by Disney for telling the truth.

Will Rogers would be proud of Jim.

[ewagner]

3. Perhaps prophetically

one of his books was entitled:

The only thing in the Middle of the Road is yellow stripes and Dead Skunks

I've got the book...I'm not making this up ...honest!

[maxanne]

4. er...Armadillos

not skunks, ewagner.

His other book is titled, "If the Gods Had Meant For Us to Vote, They Would Have Given us Candidates." It's a great look at the electoral system. He's smart, and funny - and he always offers practical solutions.

[cosmicdot]

5. put him on the ticket

... we could use some straight talk ... common sense ... and HUMOR!

...someone to counter the faux * Texas thang...with something real!

:bounce:

klep·to·crat na·tion

(klep´te krat na´ shen), n. 1. a body of people ruled by thieves. 2. a government characterized by the practice of transferring money and power from the many to the few. 3. a ruling class of moneyed elites that usurps liberty, justice, sovereignty, and other democratic rights from the people. 4. the USA in 2003.

The Kleptocrats have taken over. Look at America's leadership today – not just political, but corporate, too. Tell me you wouldn't trade the whole mess of them for one good kindergarten teacher.

http://www.jimhightower.com/


http://www.rollingthundertour.org/

"For too long progressives have walked fearful of their shadows, whimpering and whining about what's wrong and fighting amongst themselves over crumbs. That time is over." -- Jim Hightower

Upcoming Events:

Monday, September 1, 2003 - Labor Day St. Paul, MN

Harriet’s Island Labor Day Picnic hosted by the St. Paul Trades and Labor
Keynote speakers – Jim Hightower, Greg Palast and more
» For more information contact Pablo at [e-mail]


Saturday, September 20, 2003 - Manchester, NH

Veteran’s Park hosted by the New Hampshire Citizen’s Alliance
Keynote speakers - Jim Hightower and Granny D and more
New Hampshire Rolling Thunder website: www.nhcitizensalliance.org/nhrt.html
» For more information contact Denise L Perron at [e-mail] or 603.783.0468


Saturday, October 18,2003 - Kansas City, MO

Penn Community College Outdoor Courtyard and evening concert at The Uptown Theater
Keynote Speakers - Jim Hightower and more
Kansas City Rolling Thunder Website: www.freespeechkc.org
» For more information contact Mark Manning at [e-mail] or 816.561.6445

[GOPisEvil]

6. Lucky You!

Hightower's one of my favorites. I live in the same town as him, and I've never met him!

[Gloria]

7. He was on the Daily Show a few nights ago....and he reminds me of

Bill Moyers!! Really, take a look at his face closely, and imagine the cowboy hat off...

[MountainLaurel]

8. This needs a kick

:kick:

The weekend is almost upon us!

[DEM FAN]

9. It's Funny. To Me Jim Just Looks Like A Repub. Maybe It's The Hat.

:shrug: