John McCain announced that he was running for president to confront the "transcendent challenge" of the 21st century, "radical Islamic extremism," contrasting it with "stability, tolerance and democracy." But the values of his handpicked running mate, Sarah Palin, more resemble those of Muslim fundamentalists than they do those of the Founding Fathers. On censorship, the teaching of creationism in schools, reproductive rights, attributing government policy to God’s will and climate change, Palin agrees with Hamas and Saudi Arabia rather than supporting tolerance and democratic precepts. What is the difference between Palin and a Muslim fundamentalist? Lipstick. ….[ more ]
On the Republican “Fundamentalist Intolerance” Mouthpiece — ‘FOX Noise‘:
Asked on Fox & Friends about the “damage done” by having Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews anchor MSNBC’s election coverage, the Media Research Center’s Tim Graham responded, “Not only is the damage already done, the damage continues. I mean, not only are they keeping these people on for an hour a night, they’re adding this lesbian Air America radio host, Rachel Maddow, on every night.”
Editorial Review — From Booklist: Bageant mixes a reporter’s keen analysis, a storyteller’s color, and a native son’s love of his roots in this absorbing dissection of America’s working poor.
Returning to his hometown of Winchester, Virginia, after 30 years of life among the elite journalistic class, Bageant sought to answer the question of why the working poor vote for Republicans in apparent opposition to their own interests.
On a broader level, he examines issues of economic class distinctions as he drills below the middle-class claims of his hometown.
The reality is that two of five residents do not have high-school diplomas and virtually everyone over 50 has serious health problems in a town—and nation—with poor and failing schools and health systems.
Still clinging to illusions of personal responsibility and the vain hope of someday achieving wealth, Winchester’s residents fall deeper into debt, farther behind in ambitions beyond working in the local factory—if they’re lucky—and, along with their children, subject to the de facto draft of economic conscription.
Through the lives of his friends and family, Bageant explores the importance of hunting, religion, and redneck pride in what he describes as the “American hologram.” A wise, tender, and acerbic look at life among America’s working poor. ……[ More Reviews ]
Returning to his hometown of Winchester, Virginia, after 30 years of life among the elite journalistic class, Bageant sought to answer the question of why the working poor vote for Republicans in apparent opposition to their own interests. 
