There has been such an enthusiastic response to this Book Ring that I have decide to split it into three interlocked rings.

This copy will be for the EuroDUDE Ring.

See my comments on the book and check out the journal entries at the USDUDE(1) Ring, the USDUDE(2) Ring, PacificDUDE Ring and the CanDUDE Ring.

The EuroDUDE Ring:

rubyblue / Nunspeet, Gelderland / The Netherlands (done)
biba89 / Deventer, Overijssel / Netherlands (done)
DianeO / Chesterfield, Derbyshire / UK (done)
talkland / Eastbourne, East Sussex / UK
Miss-R / Lingfield, England / UK
Xana /Lisbon / Portugal
suzen / Montreuil, Seine Saint-Denis / France
PenelopePitstop / Melzo, Lombardia / Italy
BlackLilith / Città di Castello (PG), Umbria / Italy
agnul Milano, Lombardia / Italy
Lisa-B / Riedstat, Hessen / Germany
Kiddie / Lisbon / Portugal
YowlYY / Sydenham, London, England / UK
lavale / Milano, Lombardia / Italy

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.

The European copy of DUDE, WHERE'S MY COUNTRY? went into the mail to rubyblue in the Netherlands about an hour ago.

Now that all three books are moving, I will get back to the job of processing all the PM's that I have received onto the appropriate lists.

Yippee!!! EuroDUDE has arrived, to begin its travels on this side of the pond. First thing I see when I open the book is that it has been "APPROVED by the Department of Homeland Security. It contains no seditious acts or acts of treason. Each word has been examined and analyzed by a team of terrorism experts to insure that it gives neither aid nor comfort to The Enemy.... No hidden messages to terrorists are contained within. This is a good Christian book, written by a patriotic American who knows that we will crush him should he ever step out of line. If you have purchased this book we are required to notify you per Section 29A of the USA Patriot Act that your name has now been entered into a database of potential suspects should the need to declare martial law ever arise, which we are sure will never happen. Being on this list of names also qualifies you for the grand prize drawing where ten lucky winners will receive all new Formica kitchen counters, compliments of Kitchen Magic. If you are indeed a bona fide terrorist and have purchased this copy in a bookstore, or obtained it at a library in the hopes of using the information embedded on these pages, rest assured that we already know who you are. This page you are fingering right now is made of a top-secret linen paper that registers an automatic fingerprint and beams it to our central command in Kissimmee, Florda. Do not attempt to tear this page out of the book--IT IS TOO LATE...." Signed: "George W. Bush, Commander in Chief of the Fatherland."

I guess obtaining this book via a bookring means I'll be missing out on those kitchen counters. Damn.

From the jacket flap: "When the powers-that-be succeeded in ignoring--and then silencing--the nation's widespread dissent over war, one man stood on an Oscar stage and, in front of a billion people, outed the comander in chief for his fictitious presidency and his fictitious war. Now, just a few months later, those words have remarkably become the accepted truth of the land.
Yes, Michael Moore is the scourge of Stupid White Men everywhere. He's taken on fat cats, gun nuts, lying politicians....and now ...is on a mission in [this] book: Regime Change."

Can't wait to start reading it.

I've arranged to hand this book over to the next person in the ring, Biba89, on Wednesday, February 11, at our next BC meeting in Utrecht.
Little did I know what would ensue when I quoted Michael Moore on the forum a while back. I had just read the quoted passage when I came to the forum and saw a post that seemed to me to be begging for his comment: http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/5/262839/page_2. I guess people either love Moore or hate him. But he's always good for a controversy.

At last, ecoboy, EuroDUDE is on the move again. I will be handing it over to biba89 tonight at a BX meeting in a Greek cafe in Utrecht. I really enjoyed the book. I can see why ecoboy is eager to have this book circulate and be read by as many people as possible. Moore, rabble-rouser that he is, is the rabble rouser that America (and all who desire to live the"American dream," no matter in what country they live), needs. In "Horatio Alger Must Die," talking about the rich: "...the rich, by and large, are neither conservative nor liberal, neither right nor left, nor are they devout Christians or Jews. Their real political party is called Greed, and their religion is Capitalism. But they are more than happy to see millions of poor whites and even millions more middle-class people cheerfully pulling the lever in the voting booth for the candidates who will only screw these poor-white and middle-class people once they're in office.

So, our challenge, our mission, is to find ways to reach out to these millions of working people [who I guess are what the media now refers to as 'the working poor'] and show them how they are voting against their own best interests. It took the bankruptcy of Enron before thousands of its conservative employees, many of whom have said they proudly voted for George W. Bush and the Republicans, woke up.... But that's a painful way to build an opposition party. These otherwise good people should not be punished because they thought Rush Limbaugh and Tom DeLay were looking out for them. They were deceived and used. I truly believe that when they find out about tricks like dead peasants insurance and the senior death discount, when they learn what this latest tax cut has cost them in the form of reduced services and higher local taxes, they will wise up and be mad, very mad. And once they realize their name will never be Horatio Alger and that fairy tales are for childen, they will grow up--and rise up--mighty fast."

Cf. on page 200, "These days, the chance of you being rich, as I said earlier, is zip. Right now, the 13,000 families that make up the top .01 percent control the equivalent wealth of the poorest twenty million ones. And while those living it up in the top one percent have enjoyed income increases of 157 percent in the past twenty years, the middle class has only gotten a 10 percent increase. Only 10 percent for the mass of people who have powered the explosion in wealth we have seen in the past twenty years!"

It's unbelievable (and I keep telling myself surely this must be a hoax) but on p. 161, Moore shows form 8302: Direct Deposit of Tax Refund of $1 Million or More, with the caption: "With so many millionaires getting back so many millions, thanks to George W., the IRS has an actual form just for them...

In "Bush Removal and Other Spring Cleaning Chores," Moore argues the Democrats will not be able to get rid of Dubya: "No one--and I mean no one--trusts the Democrats' ability to get this job done. They are professional losers. They can't get themselves elected out of a men's room. Even when they actually win an election--as they did in 2000--the Democrats STILL lose! How pathetic is that?" Moore suggests the solution is an independent candidate: "....we know ...people will vote for an independent candidate, as Jesse Ventura has shown us. Perot did incredibly well--imagine what a sane person could do!" And then he suggests Oprah. For years, I've thought Oprah would be one person who could actually effect change (for the better) in the US were she to be elected President (and she would be if she ran, I believe), but then I double-thought, No, she's too smart to want to BE president. (Really, who in their right mind would want the job nowadays? It ain't what it used to be in the days of say, Abraham Lincoln...)
After giving his arguments for Oprah running, and announcing he would have a "Draft Oprah" petition on his site, which I didn't see when I looked a few days ago, he suggests General Wesley Clark, and from what I saw on Moore's website, it looks as if he is now actually pushing for Clark to run.

Well, I can't quote the whole book here, now can I? Loved Chapter 6, "Jesus W. Christ." And I absolutely agree with what he writes in Chapter 5, "How to Stop Terrorism? Stop Being Terrorists!": Point 8: "We need to offer the world a drink of water. Right now, 1.3 billion people can't have a glass of clean water. 1.3 BILLION? That's a lot of thirsty people. I say, give them a friggin' drink! If that's all it'll take to stop them from coming over here to kill me, it seems a small price to pay.
There is no excuse, considering our wealth and technology, for not ensuring that everyone on this planet has safe, clean, and sanitary living conditions. What if we vowed to provide clean drinking water for everyone on Earth within the next five years? [See, now that's the kind of thing I see Oprah getting done] And then we did it! How would we be thought of then? Who would want to kill us?"

After other mostly reasonable suggestions, he concludes: "The only true security comes from ensuring that all people, here and around the globe, are able to meet their basic needs and dream of a better life. At the very least, we have to make damn sure we are not the ones robbing them of that dream."

The one place I disagree--strongly--with Moore is point 6 in his chapter on terrorism: "It might be good to find out why hundreds of millions of people on 3 continents....are so pissed off about Israel.... I'm talking about a perceived notion that we Americans are supporting Israel in its oppression of the Palestinian people. Now, where did those Arabs come up with an idea like that? Maybe it was when that Palestinian child looked up in the air and saw an American Apache helicopter firing a missile into his baby sister's bedroom just before she was blown into a hundred bits. Touchy, touchy! Some people get upset over the pickiest things! Is that any reason to dance in the streets when the World Trade Center falls to the ground?
Of course, many Israeli children have died, too, at the hands of the Palestinians. You would think that would make every Israeli want to wipe out the Arab world. But the average Israeli does not have that response. Why? Because, in their hearts, they know they are wrong, and they know they would be doing just what the Palestinians are doing if the sandal were on the other foot."

Sorry, Michael. Could not that American Apache helicopter firing a missile into that baby's room be in response to Arab aggression towards Jews and Israelis? Or to some Arab blowing him/herself up in order to take out scores of Israelis, including babies and children, in some cases wiping out 3 generations of one family? It's my experience, that if left in peace, no Israeli would want to harm anyone. I remember hearing Golda Meir say: "We condemn you [speaking to Arabs] not for killing our sons, but for making it necessary for our sons to kill yours." I don't know why, but it seems fashionable for "liberals" (even among Jews and Israelis) nowadays to see the Palestinian as the underdog, the victim, rather than the Israeli. I believe the sandal IS, as Moore says "on the other foot," and the Israelis do what they must to protect and defend themselves; I just don't understand why many people see them as the aggressors and not as people defending themselves against aggressors. I would love for someone to get back to the very beginning of this conflict. Who threw the first stone? We have two victims here, two oppressed peoples here. Two peoples with rights to a place to live in peace. Maybe Oprah could figure this one out too?

Ecoboy, thank you so much. Isn't bookcrossing just the perfect way of spreading messages? Let's get this message out. I will start reading TODAY!

This book is too important not to be read by ANYONE, but mostly by anyone from the States. Moore is passionate about his country and his fellow Americans, ranting on about what has happened to them since the Bush administration came to the office. But that isn't all, Moore is dedicated to do anything to prevent Bush from being re-elected and he is very specific about what all readers from the States could add to that. Yesterday I heard half a news bulletin stating that yes, Osama Bin Laden has been captured, quite some time ago actually, but the Bush administration has decided to keep that bunny in the hat until near election day. Now isn't that just the sort of thing you would expect them to do? Nothing surprises me anymore after this book. Way to go, Michael, I passionately hope that everyone reads it and I will pray that you succeed in getting Oprah for president!

Dude is shipped off to England today. Good travels!

Received today - thanks! Now I can find out what all the fuss is about (from an English point of view).

I actually enjoyed this book more than I expected to, but have to confess that the statistics kind of overwhelmed me. However, no one with an open mind can deny that he makes a lot of sense, and he raises too many really good points to ignore. The footnotes at the end of this book, substantiating his claims, really are a must-read. And chapter 5 (How To Stop Terrorism) had me reading out loud to my husband from each page, with both of us nodding in agreement. Thanks for sharing this book!

To be sent on it's way to talkland on 5th April.

Much of the content of the book I already knew from other sources. Michael Moore style of imparting information and putting his opinion across is a like being hit over the head with a sledge hammer when a little nudge in the side would do. It gets a bit wearing after a while. Interesting stuff though!!!

Released on Sunday, April 18, 2004 at the post office in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, in Controlled Releases.

Off to Miss-R

Got this through the post last week but this is the first chance I've had to write a journal entry. I'd be enjoying it more if it wasn't so scary!Michael Moore for US President (or our Prime Minister, if possible)

The book arrived last week, i wasn't able to make a JE because i was in hospital. I'm going to read it asap. :-D

ehm....sorry, I wasn't logged in...:-(

Sorry to everybody for keeping the book for such a long time...
A couple of days after the arrival of this book I was brought in hospital and my second daughter was born 2 months too early, so i was quite busy in the following weeks.

I liked this book, but like Stupid White Man i found it quite frightening, not that in italy we have a better political leadership... ;-)

Blacklilith asked to be skipped and so the book is going to Agnul.

Book was waiting in the mail. Despite being the Euro-Dude, the book will follow me on a holyday across the ocean. :-)

Much more political than "Stupid white man"... yuck. :-)

Raises some good points and it's fun to read, but maybe I'd better (we ?) read also something from someone on "the other side". Seems like Mr. Moore may not be the most objective guy around. :-)

Book will be on it's way as soon as possibile.

Just arrived! :-)

18/10/04: I did't wrote my 2nd j.e. so please forgive me! But thanks a lot for this ring! I really liked it!

Received today! Thanks to ecoboy for establishing the EuroDUDE Ring.

I liked this book very much, better than "Stupid White Man". The earlier reviews pretty much summed everything up. Thanks also to rubyblue for commenting on Moore's view re. the Israelis and the Palestinians, I very much agree with you.
It was interesting to hear Moore's views on who should be the Democrats' candidate, like Oprah, or one or the other actor. Of course it came out differently and there is Mr.Kerry, and I hope he'll make it. It's only 5 days until the election!

The book is already on its way to Kiddie, in Paris, France.

Arrived a few days ago. Thanks to all!

Just finished it and I found this book interesting. Nothing really new for those who have seen Farenheit 9/11, but certain things are worth repeating.
What I really liked is that the book is intended for American, and it helped me understand a little bit more how those people functionned (I mean I htink I understand a bit more of their "collective mind" or psychology).
The book will go today to England.
Thanks Ecoboy!

It has just arrived in Nottingham! Thanks for shipping this and for starting the ray...I will read it asap :)

It took me several weeks before I could start reading this - how come bookrings and rays always come in bulk within a few days?!?
I found this book just as interesting as STUPID WHITE MEN, and the funny way he has in expressing facts and issues makes the book the more entertaining, although the topic is a very worrying one. Alas, we know what happened in November now, and it was very disappointing to see GWB win the election. After watching FAHRENHEIT 9/11 I was hoping that Moore's powerful message could help change the course of American politics, but it wasn't to be. Interesting what he writes at page 204: "[...]what I discovered was even worse: Democratic Party leaders have told me something that they will not admit in public - that they have basically written off 2004; that they see little chance of defeating George W.Bush. They would rather save their energies for 2008 when Hillary or one of their bigger marquee names - whoever the hell that may be - will run and win."
A grim view of the opposition party indeed...
Unlike rubyblue and Lisa-B, I share Moore's view on the Israel/Palestine issue, and I am very much in favour that if weapons of mass destructions have to be eliminated from the area, what about Israel getting rid of them?
Now, will the US citizens survive another 4 years of GWB in a row? And a more pressing question for the rest of the world, how will his "reign" reflect on the international relationships? I will just have to wait and see.

This book has a nice collection of postcards on the back, with and without comments from the previous readers, however during its journey in Europe the jacket has been lost, as the book reached me in its black nakedness ;)
I am waiting for Lavale to confirm whether she already bought a copy of the book, so that further plans can be made for this book.

RELEASE NOTES:

As Lavale is overwhelmed by boorings and rays, she asked to be skipped. The book will be travelling to London, visiting Jacinta2000 who has it on her wish list, and she promises to see that it is going to be read by other BCers from Europe that attend regularly the London meetups.

Cheers!

This is a superb book, in fact better than Stupid White Men. I particularly loved the chapter about dealing with 'Your Conservative Brother in Law'. Very true, how bigoted they are. Will use his methods! Still reading this book though!