Posted 5:58 PM by Scoobie Davis

Another Challenge for Book-reading Progressives

I would like to thank all my fellow bloggers who wrote articles on the errors, distortions, and misrepresentations in Slander. The hard right is on notice that it can’t get away with what it had gotten away with just a short time ago. As had been the case with previous right-wing hatchet jobs, Slander got a free ride from much of the mainstream media which, by and large, was too lazy to check the footnotes—or they assigned partisan hacks to review the book (as was the case for the Los Angeles Times). In the past, the offending author would have gotten away with it. Well, those days are over. As the John C. Cotey article pointed out, the blogosphere took over and did the media’s job. The Daily Howler, as usual, was on top of things. Tapped and Dr. Limerick got into the act. I was able to catch some major problems with the book. In addition, many in the blogosphere publicized the Slander meltdown (a few notable were Atrios, The Rittenhouse Review, and In Arguendo). The situation now is that if an unsuspecting Internet surfer googles the words “Coulter” and “Slander,” one of the web sites critical of the book is usually one of the first sites to pop up. This is of great importance.

Next project: Sean Hannity’s Let Freedom Ring: Winning the War of Liberty over Liberalism which is number two on Amazon.com. Right now, my schedule is a bit clogged, so I will leave it to others to research and critique this screed. I had read the first chapter and, to no surprise, the book is nothing more than a tired rehash of the kind of crap that Hannity peddles on his show (which is little more than Moonie Times and WSJ editorial page propaganda). I let you know on HorowitzWatch (see my 8/3 post) about Hannity’s Clinton/Georgetown smear. What I can offer is a link site (so far, my list is just the Spinsanity article). It is my hope that others will read the book and write witty critiques of Hannity’s propaganda so that the site will have numerous links.

One objection that people have is that they have to shell out money to Hannity in order to read the book. Unfortunately, Let Freedom Ring is not yet in most libraries, but there are other options. Most chain bookstores will allow you to buy the book and return it for a refund if 1) it is in kept in like-new condition; and if 2) you have the receipt. Check the bookstore’s policy. Also, another way is to spend a couple hours at a big chain store, read the book there, and take copious notes. E-mail me any links you think are relevant.