The Left Wing, On NBC

Oy it's a freakin' T.V. show. Who gives a rats asshole! (Is American Idol conservative or liberal?)

Most of these modern American writers have GHOST writers (surprise). I'm sure McGentrix will have a heart attack with that little tidbit of knowledge.

As far as dumbing down is concerned, forget Hollywood. Faux News has that down to a science.

Yeah, that's about the level of response I expected.

Should I post a link to picture of my library? Would that help you? If you do not believe what I say, and that is fine and dandy, do your own research on these authors. Perhaps you could read the vast amount of stuff they have written.

As far as TV fiction writing, you're right, Dookie. Which is why they hired the king of them all, Geraldo.

Sure it's only a TV show and what little I've watched is good writing for a TV show. So where's a conservative writer who can write a good political TV show? They have to know it's a great way to reach an audience, poltically or not politically inclined.

I've read likely everything they've written. Go back to your 5'x 6' bookcase library and find one little statement that even hints of their political bent. I don't have to prove the opposite as you went out on a limb and made the dubious statement. Incidentally, my library takes up two rooms plus hundreds of books unpacked in the garage (since I moved into my townhouse) that I have no room for.

(There's no Michael Crichton nor Tom Clancy in the lot).

I am surprised at your ignorance for being as well read as you claim to be.

Oh, come on, McG, you know I'm pushing your buttons and you have to resort to a direct insult to justfy your statements.

And that would prove...?

That he's got all of Mickey Spillane backed up against Herman Melville. I suppose that isn't any different than keeping the canned dog food next to the canned truffles.

It's hardly an insult. If you are as well read as you claim to be, you would realize that a large percentage of writers, playwrights, directors, producers, actors, etc (probably near 50% of them) claim to be conservative. I don't know you, for all I know, you have 2 rooms for of books by Al Frankin.

My favorite author is a flaming liberal.

McG - did you forget that the Baum books were banned in several counties and states as he was thought to promote communism? Definitely not a conservative writer - almost every book provides examples of how characters who can't do things individually can do things collectively/co-operatively. (this was part of my undergrad thesis work, so I've got way too much info on this topic)



edited to more correctly present my view (I don't think he was a communist)

That's a completey general statement directly from your catalog of absurdities and you know it would be impossible for you to prove that 50% of all these artists are verifyable conservatives. I have no Al Franken in my library -- those particular political books are sometimes loaned to me (and I do return them after skimming through the discourse). You don't know me and I'm not here to publish my IQ nor back up any rash, unprovable statements like you seem to be determined to do.
I like the "claim" to be conservative -- nice qualification or should I say, rationlization.

He was using that old egghead trick of just pulling names out of the air and hoping nobody knows he's grasping for straws.

probably a bit more than random naming in the Baum case - he lives near Baum's hometown as I recall, and has mentioned it several times

(Emerald City location, and all)

Maybe the benevolent Wizard of Oz will tell you to snap together your ruby slippers and go home. You could start by writing your own original posts instead of quoting without credit (I think that's called plagerism even in polite circles):

http://www.turnmeondeadman.net/OZ/BaumPolitics.html

You should read this one as well.

(Shame on me to post before I finish reading!)

In recent years, a number of scholars have pointed out inconsistencies between The Wizard of Oz and Populism.
In his 1991 book Populism: The Humane Preference in America, 1890-1900, Gene Clanton argued that Baum had indeed intended to write a political allegory. He agreed for the most part with Littlefield about the symbolism of each character with one important exception. To Clanton, the Wicked Witch of the West did not symbolize nature, but Populism itself. Clanton distinguished between right-wing and left-wing agrarian revolt and he pointed out that while Baum may have supported Bryan, he disliked the left-wing Populism that had such strong influence in the West. To Clanton, The Wizard of Oz was better suited to be an allegory of Progressivism rather than Populism.[15]

In Land of Desire, William Leach points to Baum's background in advertising and suggests that The Wizard of Oz does not offer any sort of Populist critique of capitalism. On the contrary, he argues, Baum wrote an upbeat story that affirmed the growing consumerism brought by industrial capitalism.[16]

Rather than a Populist critique of the excesses of capitalism, in this light The Wizard of Oz represents a pro-capitalist fable. Gretchen Ritter points out that it is possible to read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as "poking fun at believers in the mysterious power of silver, criticizing the false value of green paper currency, and celebrating the power of gold when properly used by wise rulers."[17] She goes on to say that it's hard to refute the notion that Baum wrote a Populist allegory, given the prevalence of imagery the consistent with the Populist outlook. The alternate interpretations of The Wizard of Oz are certainly interesting but probably will not stop scholars from referring to The Wizard of Oz as a parable on Populism.

Okay, you're off the hook with me at least, McG. I think this sparing match should cease, however. It's off the point of the topic and no Lusatania (sic) in sight. The point is why is the right not coming up to bat and countering "The West Wing" with a show of their own? Is the subject matter so dull it's not salable perhaps? Or there isn't any talent out there to put together a coherant production?