The Joy of Hate by Greg Gutfeld @crownpublishing #bookreview

The Joy of Hate 
by Greg Gutfeld 
(2012 Crown Forum/Crown Publishing)

How do you feel about the current political situation in America? I am thoroughly fed up with the polarized posture of both parties. I tend to be an independent and am always hoping for politicians and commentators who can offer a balanced agenda to restore the greatness of America.

The most recent elections have been discouraging. There are no plans or reasoned analysis of the future. Rather, there is just attack and political rhetoric. Both parties demand their own policies, none of which seem to have worked very well. They also demonize each other.

In our group of men who participate in a Philosophers’ Club (male version of a book club), we have a well balanced group from political and religious standpoints. Yet, when it comes to politics we demonize each other as well. It is as if there is no middle ground. On religion or philosophy, we can have a rationale discussion.

This month’s selection is The Joy of Hate. It was chosen by a thoughtful friend seeking to engender discussion of the group. He will succeed!

Mr. Gutfeld is a political talk show host. He is obviously conservative, though not quite to the far, far right. His book, like his shows I suspect (I do not watch much TV so have never seen his show), is stated in strident terms of what he hates about the left. He finds the outrage of liberals to be phony, because it is self-serving and devoid of reflection on flaws in their own views. 

In The Joy of Hate, Mr. Gutfeld presents his outrage on 28 topics – probably all drawn from TV commentary. He addresses Muslims, male boobs, bigotry, vaginas, subsidies, Mr. Obama, lies, workplace violence, medical care, fat people, Sarah Palin, the Tea Party (viewed as “parents” by the left) vs. Occupy Wall Street (viewed as “sex” by the same side), and so on. In doing so, he bemoans the phony outrage of the left.

Hatred of phony outrage is appropriate. I quite agree. On the other hand, I was surprised that Mr. Gutfeld does not turn his frame of analysis on the conservative right which is guilty of the same foolishness.

I am sure that he will do so in future shows, books, and presentations.

It would be amazingly refreshing to see a conservative commentator take such a look at conservatives. They have lost two elections in a row, by an increasing margin. It is apparent, even to me, than the phony outrage of the conservative right is rejected more by us voters than the phony outrage of the liberal left. 

Mt Gutfeld, I enjoyed reading your book. How about a balanced approach next time? It may not be popular with your core followers, but it would certainly do you, them, and our country a service to become such a balanced voice, perhaps even a balanced voice. For example, the dust jacket characterizes your view of the liberal left as an “oversensitive, wussified culture.” As of now, it is in the majority. What does that say about the conservative right, now a minority?

Warms, Cym

AMAZON