A few of those screwing up America

In my last blog I referred to a book by Bernard Goldberg called 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America. I mentioned various groups of people that he attacked, but the majority of the book deals with particular individuals he feels are bad for the country. I'd like to look at several of these in the next few blogs.

Eve Ensler is the author of a play called The Vagina Monologues. The New York Times says the show is her "crusade to wipe out the shame and embarrassment that many women still associate with their bodies or their sexuality." Goldberg points out one scene that's gotten particular attention: a twenty-four-year-old woman gets a thirteen-year-old girl (later changed to sixteen) drunk and has sex with her. But for the author, this is not a bad thing. To the contrary, afterward, the girl says, "If it was rape, it was a good rape. I'll never need to rely on a man." What's been the result of bizarre lines like that? Ensler now has international recognition and a boatload of awards.

Jane Smiley is an author of many novels and essays. She's proud to say she's a liberal, but she's only liberal in certain areas. Right after election day 2004, she wrote a piece for Slate titled "The Unteachable Ignorance of the Red States." Her theme? It's about how everyone who voted for George W. Bush is a moron and a bigot, not to mention dishonest, arrogant, and filled with hate. Here are a couple of her comments: "Ignorance and bloodlust have a long tradition in the United States, especially in the red states." "The error that progressive have consistently committed over the years is to underestimate the vitality of ignorance in America." I guess that refers to many of us, huh? Gosh, I feel so humiliated--please send me to a re-education camp soon.

Chris Ofili is an artist famous for his picture of the Virgin Mary which was sprinkled with elephant dung. He represents so many today who use art to shock and offend. As a way to summarize this trend, Goldberg quotes a sculptor who did the moving statue of the three soldiers at the Vietnam Memorial: "Deliberate distraction of the ideals of grace and beauty characterize much of the art of the 20th century… The current philosophy and practice of art thrives on deliberate contempt for the public. An offended public is a critical necessity for the attainment of credentials… Once, under the banner of beauty and order, art was a rich and meaningful embellishment of life, embracing – not desecrating – its ideals, its aspirations, and its values. Not so today."

Janeane Garofalo, a comedian and actress, illustrates the virtues of leftist philosophy in this rant: Our country is founded on a sham: our forefathers were slave-owning rich white guys who wanted it their way. So when I see the American flag, I go, “Oh my God, you're insulting me." That you can have a gay parade on Christopher Street in New York, with naked men and women on a float cheering, "We're here, we're queer!" – that's what makes my heart swell. Not the flag, but a gay naked man or woman burning the flag. I get choked up with pride.

Well, that's enough to digest now. Or maybe I should say, that's enough to cause you indigestion right now. I have more to say in the next block, so brace yourselves.