Deliver Us from Evil: Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism

Deliver Us from Evil: Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism Sean Hannity Date: 17 February, 2004   —   $16.98   —   Book product page Rating:

Frankly, I borrowed this book from the library because I really miss the political entertainment shows in the US. Here in Singapore, I only get Hard Talk on BBC which is as accurate and informative as it is deadly dull. I miss the diatribe and demagoguery of conservative talk shows. I miss throwing stuff at the TV and yelling, "What a F@&king moron! What a stinkin' liar!" It's like the Holy Grail of media: interactive TV. Hannity's book didn't disappoint me - I put a few marks on the wall where I threw it.

The book is the usual right-wing cesspit of wacko spin, character assassination, and outright lies. But I'm giving it one star, rather than the zero stars I gave Coulter's waste of paper, because Hannity's pushing an agenda (re-electing Bush), rather than chronicling dementia. Thinking about the pundit books I've read, it's interesting that the lefties, like Carville and Huffington, focus more on issues and solutions, and the righties are pretty much just all about how you should hate anyone who's not a Republican.

Predictably, Hannity trots out the usual rant about how the "liberals" are plotting to destroy America. Like all his conservative colleagues, he directs his charges against the evil "they", "them", and "the left" without actually mentioning any names. The few instances where he does source his ire, it's always some obscure editorialist I've never heard of. Oh, and the celebrities. It's fascinating how the conservative media has fabricated this "liberal" world where Barbara Streisand is worshipped as its leader and Sean Penn and Martin Sheen are its intellectual elite. HELLO! They're actors!

Anyhow, I had fun with gaily-colored Post-It tabs cataloguing all the contradictions. For example, it infuriates Hannity that Democrats refuse to confront tyrants - yet a few pages later he rips into President Clinton for overthrowing that fascist Milosovic. And then Hannity points out (rightly) that the UN has no credible military force without the backing of the United States - then craps on the UN for not intervening in Rwanda without the backing of the United States. Whatever.

And of course, no tome of conservative tirades is complete without its homage to Saint Reagan. I'm still not sure how President Reagan defeated the Soviet Union through his "moral will" alone. Apparently, neither is Hannity since he doesn't elucidate. You have to watch out, though. Every once in a while, Hannity throws in a platitude like, Saddam is evil or America is a great nation. I mean, who the hell is going to argue with that?

Anyhow, the book is dreck. If you buy into any of it, let me know and I'll set you straight.