This is the Pacific loop of the DUDE, WHERE'S MY COUNTRY? BookRing. This copy of the book travelled first to Hawaii, and from there will go to Australia where it will do a dedicated tour in that part of the world.

fanclub / Honolulu, Hawaii / USA (done)
juliebarreto / Kamuela, Hawaii / USA (done)
allysther / Wahiawa, Hawaii / USA (done)
jawin / Brisbane, Queensland / Australia (done)
grooble / Adelaide, South Australia / Australia (done)
fushmush / Sydney, New South Wales / Australia (done)
noodlebowl / Sydney, New South Wales / Australia (done)
boreal / Dunedin, Otago / New Zealand (done)
Hawkette Melbourne / Australia
felicia-fairy / Mackay, Queensland / Australia
charmedwitch23 / Sydney, New South Wales / Australia
veracity / Sydney, New South Wales / Australia
dolphin-au / Coffs Harbor, New South Wales / Australia

This is the PacificDUDE copy of the book. So many people requested to be on the list that I have purchased four more copies to send out on a second US Ring, a Canadian Ring, a European Ring and a Pacific Ring. Check out journal entries and comments at the USDUDE(1) Ring, the USDUDE(2) Ring, the CanDUDE Ring, and the EuroDUDE Ring.

You know the drill -- journal the book when it arrives, read the book as expiditiously as you can, contact the next person on the list to confirm that he/she still wants the book and to get a postal address, send the book off, and make another journal entry (with insightful comments) to say that the book is on its way to the next reader.

And while you are waiting for the book check out Moore's DUDE, WHERE'S MY COUNTY? website.

This book went off this afternoon to fanclub in Hawaii.

This came in the mail today and is 2nd on my bookring stack...the other one is short, so I should be starting soon! Thanks for sharing!

Huh...I must say, this book was a real eye-opener for me. Typically considered a bit "naive" about the ways of the world by those that know me best, I must admit I was surprised to learn many of the things detailed in this book. I guess I always wanted to think that everyone is as completely forthright as I am...Wow. I just can't believe some of the stuff our government has gotten away with! This is the first book I have read by Mr. Moore, although I am expecting "Stupid White Men" from a bookring in the near future. I have seen the film "Roger & Me" and have purchased (though not yet watched) "Bowling for Columbine"...I am afraid to come out at the end of these new reads as a cynic, but I find myself compelled forward, eyes wide open...thanks for sharing, ecoboy!

This is going on to juliebarreto ASAP.

It just arrived today! It's a very hot item around here!

Thank you for sending this along! I will start reading the book this afternoon.

First let me say that on this day, one of the things that gives me thanks is my bookcrossing family.

This book is most definately a call to arms! With humor and a bit of bluster Michael Moore manages to get this liberal girl excited. He has a definite agenda, and actually outlines exactly how to make it successful.

Let me just say that I agree with him wholeheartedly, and that I look forward to the days that the political commentators can tell the truth about Bush. I really hope that Michael Moore's plan works, and that we can get our country back.

As my husband commented last night, we may not know yet who we will vote for, but we know who WON"T get our vote!

Sending this off in the mail today. I'll be nabbing a copy of this book for myself soon, too.

Received in book ring. Looking forward to reading it.

This book was certainly an eye-opener for me.

As a non-American, it is difficult to understand how the land of the free has come to this. How do the liars and cheats get away with what they seem to? How do President Shrub and his like keep getting elected?
Why are right thinking people not standing up and saying 'NO - enough is enough'? Especially with the analysis shown here of what the real views are of Americans - as opposed to the very conservative public face we see.

I know we have our problems here - and don't even get me started about Little Johnny Howard (our excuse for a prime minister) - but we seem much more willing to question and constructively oppose abrogation of our accepted freedoms.

There is a lot to absorb from Moore's expose. Not least, for me, is the need for us here in Australia to be sure not to go further down the road the US has gone. The need for positive action to ensure that there is a real opposition to the deputy sheriff and his mates at our next election, rather than just accepting the Labor Party has as much chance of winning as I do of winning the lottery (without a ticket) is also clear.

Off to the barricades!

sent to gtooble today

not a fun read, an outraged one. this book needs to travel!
(like from under my couch where I found it after a long search!)

posting it off today. Thanks Ecoboy, what a read.

posted to fushmush, in such a rush, I forgot to pop a postcard in, sorry mate!

Received in the mail last week. I have about 5 bookrays at the moment but I will try to get to it as soon as possible. Thanks!

I've always agreed with Michael Moore's views on a number of issues. Reading a book like this makes me angry at the state of the world! (I did notice that at least one chapter was a recap of information from Stupid White Men.)

However, I'm confused because lately I've also read a lot of anti-moore material, which proposes that Moore's facts and figures aren't always the complete truth. Usually the anti-moore essays point out little white lies that Michael Moore uses to bring home a point. Who do I believe?

Moore has valid points and a noble cause. Let's hope it's not tainted by lies and deception. I'm going to sit on the fence until I've learnt more. *g* But I do hope he succeeds in his attempts to remove Bush from power!

I passed this book onto Noodlebowl last night at dinner.

Arrived yesterday at dinner. Looking forward to it.

I finished this today at work, sneaking in a few pages every few minutes...hehe. I've watched Bowling for Columbine and enjoyed Michael Moore's everyday man humourous approach to important issues facing his country and us. His enthusiasm for the subject matter is motivating and I definitely hope that his call to arms is answered. (Run Oprah run!)

I found the facts and information he provided very disturbing. Undoubtedly, he, like any writer with a point of view, probably twists his facts to suit his need, but the undeniable fact that money makes the world go round is quite clear. How long will it go on unheeded?

*sigh*! Off to Boreal next.

Sent to Boreal today. Should get there in a few days. Enjoy!

Arrived today -I will get onto it after the weekend as we are going to be out of town.
The book won't be sitting here unread though as my son has asked if he can read it first, I said yes as long as he has it finished by Tuesday.

Well both my son and I managed to get this read -and we both think it was an eye-opening book aimed more at the American public than the world at large.
Not a very balanced book but I suppose that is what you expect from a crusader like Mike Moore. This was my first book by this author and I liked the way it was written -the humour makes it very readable. I shall watch the American elections with a bit more interest after reading this.

I am adding to my journal entry a picture of a banner created by my sister and which was part of a joint exhibition titled "Wargasim" held here last year. I thought it would be a good illustration for this entry.

I have Hawkettes address and will get it posted to her very soon.

I have just today returned from 5 weeks of travel, and was very excited to find this in my pile of mail. I have really being looking forward to this one.

The angry, cynical, and feedup voice of pretty much the majority of people I know! And the tongue in check witticisms is also our current day voice too! Now if only we can educate the generation above us - my parent's generation, who seem to be in the majority in numbers - we may have some electoral changes this year, in both US and Australian political circles. Please!!

Moore is outlining the lies that we were told going into the war against Iraq, and terrorism. The backlash and propaganda that we have been fed by our media (I say our, when Moore means America - but we have been fed the some tripe here in Oz), and the motivation behind the lies and overly aggressive actions, all in the name of protecting us from evil. Not much of what Moore has to say is surprising - and that's probably the most alarming of it all. We know we are being, and have been lied to...and hopefully, as Moore is calling for it, we can demonstrate our stance come election time.

The point that gives me pause is that fact that Moore's reference sources are from fairly mainstream media sources, hmmm....

Moore's voice is angry, and alittle over the top at times. The letter from God irriates my educated mind - respecting other people's religion was one of Moore's points elsewhere in the book. But apart from this chapter, I think the angry voice is the voice of (fingers crossed) the majority today (we'll see!) - at least it in the voice of people I have talked to about the political sitauations of the world.

The startling things I learnt from this book includes the alliance between the bin Ladans and the Bush's (I can't believe that gets so little attention), and the evacuation of bin Ladan's family immediately after Sept 11 (although there was a denial of that in the news today...who can we believe anymore? The media?? The men in power? *shrug*). The reaction of George W. upon hearing about the second plane crashing into the WTC is bloodchilling - was that not a shock to him??!! He kept reading the children stories - I remember being shocked to speechlessness when I heard and then saw the very same thing!

We actually like to think we are not like the silly Americans here in Australia - but someone voted Little Johnny in again and again. Even after the Tampa debarcle, his treatment of asylum seekers fleeing atrocities in other lands, and...well, you name it - health, education, tax breaks, he's buddy-buddy relations with George W. I hope, and am holding my breath that we see palimentary change this year too.

I loved his "How To Talk To Your Conservative Brother-in-Law" chapter! The discussion around the Christmas dinner table always has me gobsmacked when politics and policies and brought up - Moore has given me pointers!!

The fact is, as Moore does address, there is a lack of decent candidates that do deserve our vote, who tell us the truth, and have the integrity to stand for office. It's evil verses evil-er in most electoral races. The Oprah suggestion is hilarious - and yet right on the mark - she's respected, cares for people (for the dollar I am sure, but cares sometimes at least!) and listens, doesn't take crap from anyone, and Moore's right, she already makes plenty of money for that not to be her major motivation in every presidential decision. I will have to check his website for the progress on this idea.

The thing is, Moore has not only stated his case, and made us aware of the issues - but has outlined ways to take action, and is taking action himself. Why isn't Moore running for office? On the eve of the much anticipated release of Fahrenheit 9/11, this book has me wanted to hear more Moore!

This book has been posted today, to open more eyes. Hopefully the more people that read Moore, the people will question what we are told, and seek out the truth, and vote accordingly.

The book arrived today while I am away on a conference, my husband called me to tell me that it arrived! I get home in 6 days, have 3 other bookring books first (yikes) and then will pass this on.
Cheers!

Starting to freak out about the amount of bookring books here at the moment. And then... I see an available copy of this on bookrelay! I have accepted that copy and will post this to charmedwitch23 tomorrow (or as soon as I have her address.) That way, I am not holding everyone up any longer!
Enjoy!

Recieved safe and sound. Both my partner and myself will read this.
It is the 6th bookring/ray book in line for me to read so will take a while. Sorry. My fiance is reading it in the mean time.

My partner read this and enjoyed it I think.
I have started reading it now. Sorry about the delay but you know how it is.

2/11/04 - Update - On the eve of the US elections I am still struggling with this book. I too have my doubts about Moores sources and credence as a factual writer. Comming from a scientific background myself, if I used his writing style and sources I would be shot down, BUT it is a book for the general public and not a journal paper after all. Yes I have my reservations about Moore but I did enjoy Bowling for Columbine. So, I am wondering whether I should keep reading this book, it is not really keeping me interested. So sorry for holding it up.

I have given up on this book. I got about halfway thru. I am so busy and it just was not interesting enough to draw me back. Infact I really didnt enjoy it much at all. Sometimes I put it down in disgust. I have a policy of never giving up on books, but for this one I shall break it. I have had it for WAY too long anyway - I am sooooo sorry for holding it up so long. Uni has been a night mare, actually I am writing this when I should be writing my final assignment.
I think I was also disheartened by the US election results which came out while I had this book. Man, Americans are idiots. But hey, we did the same thing huh! Lots of Aussies are idiots too. Oh well.

Thankyou to all above me.
Cheers
Charmedwitch23

Update 30/11/04 - Posting to Dolphin-au today as Veracity has asked to be skipped.

It's been a long wait, but I'm sure it has been worth it. Looking forward to reading this, even though we now know that the 'good' side has lost.

I enjoyed this book but found a lot of overlap with Fahrenheit 9/11. I’m afraid it appears Moore is preaching only for the converted, I don’t think he has much chance of getting any Bush supporters to change sides. I tend to agree with most of Moore’s opinions, but he does not seem to have much of a clue why Christians ‘think’ as they think, and the Christian vote has probably been a deciding one in the last elections.
Even though Australia is also plagued by a re-elected conservative government, I think the background here is different. At least Howard’s government seemed to be able to do a decent job for the economy (in my opinion the main reason why he got re-elected), while the US looks like it is going down the gurgler with it’s enormous deficits.
I was amazed that Howard got back in again and disappointed that for Australians apparently their backpockets are more important than environmental and ethical issues. In the US it seemed that the ethical issues were the most important, but unfortunately it shows that the majority of the Americans do not share my ethical values. It looks like Michael Moore was a bit too optimistic interpreting the statistics about the opinions of the American population.

Seeing that this is the end of the bookring I will, with ecoboy’s permission, try to find a good place for this book.
Thanks ecoboy for organising this bookring. It’s a shame Bush got back in again, but at least he will have to start cleaning up his own mess this time, and they can’t blame the democrats for it.

Thanks so much to dolphin-au. This is the first book I've received via bookrelay.com, as it was part of the 3 day or swap Australia only offering.

This is the first Michael Moore book I've had to read, but I've seen most of the movies and tv work he's done. I'm from Saginaw Michigan which is the next town over from Flint, where Michael Moore is from. I remember how the local media really trashed him when he did his first movie (Roger & Me), trying to talk to the head honcho at General Motors. These days the media either loves him or hates him depending on what side of the fence they're sitting on.

I like Moore because of the way he's able to just say what needs to be said and is able to get away with the most amazing things. Like getting Kmart to stop selling bullets after Columbine. That, and I have a little 'home town hero' stuff going, but it's the things he does that always impresses me the most.

I am so looking forward to reading this book!

This was a good read although it was a bit dated thanks to the elections being over. There were some quite well researched topics and I learned a few new things (like employees taking out life insurance on their employees but the corporation is the beneficiary). I winced a few times when he mentioned it would take a tidal wave to make things change. Not his fault, he had no idea there would be a devastating tsunami in the near future. I loved the God chapter, and loved the notes on that section too!

I'm not sure what to do with this book as it's too good to wild release. I may ask around first and see if there's anyone I know interested in it. Or go back to bookrelay.com :-)

Thanks again to Dolphin-Au who also bailed me out after 3 or 4 tries on bookrelay.com!

RELEASE NOTES:

Gave to Wirigerie this afternoon. Enjoy!