Avlon: The Obama Haters Book Club: The Canon Swells

Fear of a black President
Wingnuts • Views: 28,704

Jon Avlon has a piece at The Daily Beast on the sick and twisted world of the right wing Obama Haters Book Club, where fear mongering and deranged conspiracy theories are a thriving business.

Welcome to the Obama Haters Book Club—a parallel universe of fear mongering for fun and profit. 

Over the past four years, no less than 89 obsessively anti-Obama books have been published, as now catalogued by The Daily Beast. I’m not talking about cool statements of policy difference, but overheated and often unhinged screeds painting a picture of the president as a dangerous radical hell-bent on undermining the Republic by any means necessary. It is hate and hyper-partisan paranoia masquerading as high-minded patriotism.

Here’s the worst part—this steady drumbeat of incitement is having an impact on this presidential election because it has poisoned the well of civic discourse for many voters and those in their radius of damage. It has helped divide the nation beyond reason, distorting the president’s real record beyond all recognition.

By their very nature, books offer the promise of education and enlightenment. These conspiracy entrepreneurs pray on the prejudices of their audience. This is high-priced hardcover bile, boasting titles like:

The Communist; The Muslim Brotherhood in the Obama Administration; Where�s the Birth Certificate?; The Manchurian President: Barack Obama�s Ties to Communists, Socialists and other Anti-American Extremists; The Great Destroyer: Barack Obama�s War on the Republic; Trickle Down Tyranny: Crushing Obama�s Dream of the Social States of America; Gangster Government: Barack Obama and the New Washington Thugocracy; How Obama Embraces Islam�s Sharia Agenda; The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration�s War on America; To Save America: Stopping Obama�s Secular Socialist Machine; The Blueprint: Obama�s Plan to Subvert the Constitution and Build an Imperial Presidency; and what is still my personal favorite title: Whiny Little Bitch: The Excuse Filled Presidency of Barack Obama.

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63 comments
1 HappyWarrior  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:13:30am

It's a business. See, Obama isn't a communist or else he wouldn't inspire a whole cottage industry of whiny right wing screeds against him.

2 Kragar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:14:06am

All those wonderful books and not a Guy Montag in sight.
/

3 darthstar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:16:00am
4 nines09  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:16:11am

It's a fucking disease. And I don't see a cure in sight.

5 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:18:30am

re: #4 nines09

Sadly the only cure is actual reality but even introducing reality makes them think they are in re-education camps.

6 The Ghost of a Flea  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:18:30am

I wonder how many of these books have sales resultant from PACs buying in bulk?

7 HappyWarrior  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:18:56am

re: #3 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Ras also has Kaine up by one over Allen. *fingers crossed*.

8 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:19:56am

re: #6 The Ghost of a Flea

all of them do. There's major wingnut welfare involved in conservative book sales. They buy in bulk to distribute to friends/followers.

9 Kragar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:20:03am

re: #4 nines09

It's a fucking disease. And I don't see a cure in sight.

The only cure... is more cowbell.

Image: tumblr_ltdjk1NoB21qbayeco1_250.gif

10 Kragar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:21:17am

re: #8 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

all of them do. There's major wingnut welfare involved in conservative book sales. They buy in bulk to distribute to friends/followers.

Buy in bulk to call them best sellers, then hand them out for free on talk radio or as a free gift with your contribution to one of their scam organizations.

11 AK-47%  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:22:28am

Read them all, you don't want to be Left Behind, do you?

12 nines09  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:22:55am

re: #5 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

Sadly the only cure is actual reality but even introducing reality makes them think they are in re-education camps.

I'm serious. I though I knew perfectly rational people, I was wrong. How do you respond to a woman who's husbands brother has a gay daughter, and they are going to the wedding in NY and they are "very happy for them" but she's voting for Romney? Thinks the Tea Party is just great? How do you get through that wall of denial?

13 darthstar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:25:07am
14 HappyWarrior  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:25:36am

re: #12 nines09

I'm serious. I though I knew perfectly rational people, I was wrong. How do you respond to a woman who's husbands brother has a gay daughter, and they are going to the wedding in NY and they are "very happy for them" but she's voting for Romney? Thinks the Tea Party is just great? How do you get through that wall of denial?

I have no idea. I said this downstairs but the hardcore so cons really aren't what bothers me. What bothers me are people who say they're moderate to liberal on social issues but voting for Romney because they're concerned about the economy. Yeah, let's totally ignore that Romney's economic policies are no different than Bush's number one and two he will push a very socially conservative agenda if he's given a majority in both houses especially. Hell even if you believe that Romney is socially moderate at heart, he'd be under a lot of political pressure to do that.

15 makeitstop  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:26:36am

re: #13 darthstar

The one poll showing Obama up in FL also happens to breakdown Cubans and Non-Cuban latinos, showing R+8 and O+40, respectively

Wow. That's a huge difference.

16 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:27:38am

re: #12 nines09

believe me I know. My own family used to be intelligent, think for themselves types. Now thanks to Rush/Faux News their brains are mush.

17 wrenchwench  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:29:47am

From the link:

There have been twice as many Obama Derangement Syndrome books as specimens of Bush Derangement Syndrome. The cycle of incitement has gotten worse and more widespread because it’s been semi-legitimized. Some of the same folks who called BDS treasonous see ODS as part of a patriotic resistance. This is more insidious than simple hypocrisy.

The only thing wrong with paragraph is the 'semi-'. This shit is totally legitimized. The head of the Republican ticket indulges in it, and the second man on the ticket wallows in it.

18 nines09  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:31:45am

re: #14 HappyWarrior

I really don't know what they believe in anymore. They don't like this and they don't like that, but they cannot make a rational statement beyond "I like Romney" or "Obama sucks". I point out as much I can that Bush and Cheney laughed off the deficit. Why is it now a big deal? "Our CHILDREN!" or some other pile of jingoistic Rush claptrap....GEORGE SOROS!!!!!! I gave up to keep peace. Romney is going down. The other pack of jackals with the (R) after thier name is my concern.

19 engineer cat  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:32:38am

Bush Derangement Syndrome

haven't heard so much about this since some people decided that bush was a liberal democrat

they don't seem to be able to pronounce his name anymore, anyway...

20 engineer cat  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:33:27am

romney ahead in national polls, obama ahead in electoral college polling

it gifs me ze fitz i tell you

21 wrenchwench  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:37:32am

re: #4 nines09

It's a fucking disease. And I don't see a cure in sight.

I see the symptoms becoming more inflamed over the next four years.

22 Kragar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:38:15am

Fischer: Wedding ring conspiracy means Obama may be a ‘closeted Muslim’

Bryan Fischer, the director of issues analysis of a conservative fundamentalist Christian organization, on Thursday speculated that designs on President Barack Obama’s wedding ring meant that “he may in fact be a closeted Muslim.”

Earlier this month, World Net Daily’s resident birther Jerome Corsi put forth a conspiracy theory that the president’s ring “is adorned with the first part of the Islamic declaration of faith, the Shahada: ‘There is no god except Allah.’”

Corsi spoke to “experts” like “Dreams from My Real Father” producer Joel Gilbert and concluded that the ring “demonstrates the significance of Islam in his life.”

Actually, the ring apparently sends out a certain type of signal which only the rat shit fucking insane can pick up on.

23 HappyWarrior  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:39:15am

re: #22 Kragar

Fischer: Wedding ring conspiracy means Obama may be a ‘closeted Muslim’

Actually, the ring apparently sends out a certain type of signal which only the rat shit fucking insane can pick up on.

I heard it's for activating the X-Presidents.

24 nines09  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:40:12am

re: #21 wrenchwench

I see the symptoms becoming more inflamed over the next four years.

The Republican party always needs a bogey man to fan the fear and loathing machine. This time the bogey man is other American citizens.

25 MittDoesNotCompute  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:41:31am

re: #23 HappyWarrior

I heard it's for activating the Amazing X-Presidents.

FTFY...

;-P

26 darthstar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:41:35am

So Romney gave his "major economic speech" this morning. I caught part of it before having to mute the TV and join a conference call. All he did was normal stump speech talk about how bad President Obama is.

Apparently, I'm not the only person who noticed...

27 HappyWarrior  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:42:17am

re: #25 MittDoesNotCompute

FTFY...

;-P

I have lusted in my heart to kick your ass.

28 Kragar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:44:01am
29 MittDoesNotCompute  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:44:07am

re: #27 HappyWarrior

I have lusted in my heart to kick your ass.

Image: x-presidents.jpg

LOL

30 nines09  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:45:01am

re: #26 darthstar

"So Mr Romney, what would you do as President?" Mitt; "Well it's not about me, it's about how bad a job Obama has done."

31 Interesting Times  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:45:06am

re: #26 darthstar

So Romney gave his "major economic speech" this morning. I caught part of it before having to mute the TV and join a conference call. All he did was normal stump speech talk about how bad President Obama is.

Real reason:

32 HappyWarrior  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:45:31am

re: #28 Kragar

Rumors about the possible next James Bond: Idris Elba

Well if it is Elba, it would obviously give cred to the theory that Bond is merely a codename. I think it would be cool. I can totally see some people flipping their shit because that's what people do. I really want to see Skyfall. I like what I've seen of Sam Mendes' work. Revolutionary Road was very good and faithful to Yates' original novel.

33 HappyWarrior  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:46:28am

re: #29 MittDoesNotCompute

Image: x-presidents.jpg

LOL

Yep. Probably my favorite SNL: TV funhouse skit.

34 Kragar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:46:54am

re: #32 HappyWarrior

Well if it is Elba, it would obviously give cred to the theory that Bond is merely a codename. I think it would be cool. I can totally see some people flipping their shit because that's what people do. I really want to see Skyfall. I like what I've seen of Sam Mendes' work. Revolutionary Road was very good and faithful to Yates' original novel.

Elba is an awesome actor, especially in Luther. I think he could pull it off easily.

35 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:47:04am

re: #14 HappyWarrior

I have no idea. I said this downstairs but the hardcore so cons really aren't what bothers me. What bothers me are people who say they're moderate to liberal on social issues but voting for Romney because they're concerned about the economy. Yeah, let's totally ignore that Romney's economic policies are no different than Bush's number one and two he will push a very socially conservative agenda if he's given a majority in both houses especially. Hell even if you believe that Romney is socially moderate at heart, he'd be under a lot of political pressure to do that.

I know some of those and actually don't believe that they're voting Romney due to economics concerns. It's a cover for another reason they are not willing to elucidate on in public.*

* - Not a broad brush folks. I mean this particularly in relation to some personal acquaintances.

36 Targetpractice  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:47:18am

re: #28 Kragar

Rumors about the possible next James Bond: Idris Elba

I know it sounds racist, but I don't think people are gonna be able to accept a black Bond. In modern society, no matter how you try argue against it, the perception is gonna be that it's an "affirmative action" bit, that they cast a black Bond just to score points.

37 HappyWarrior  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:49:32am

re: #34 Kragar

Elba is an awesome actor, especially in Luther. I think he could pull it off easily.

I think he could too. I'd miss Craig. I really like him since he's sort of a modern day McQueen.

38 CuriousLurker  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:50:45am

re: #36 Targetpractice

I know it sounds racist, but I don't think people are gonna be able to accept a black Bond. In modern society, no matter how you try argue against it, the perception is gonna be that it's an "affirmative action" bit, that they cast a black Bond just to score points.

I know a LOT of women who'd have no problem with it. Idris Elba is serious eye candy and he can act. *swoon*

39 The Ghost of a Flea  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:51:35am

re: #24 nines09

The Republican party always needs a bogey man to fan the fear and loathing machine. This time the bogey man is other American citizens.

When you set up a group of people to be scapegoats for society's ills, inevitably some of the audience will move beyond making accusations and start acting. The right wing has been pounding away at the long list of who "threatens" this nation, and the scale and eminence of the apocalypse keeps getting bigger. At some point , someone's going to "defend" this nation against secularists, liberals, and Big Gay in a way that stacks up bodies.

40 Targetpractice  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:52:16am

re: #38 CuriousLurker

I know a LOT of women who'd have no problem with it. Idris Elba is serious eye candy and he can act. *swoon*

I have no problem with, I think the guy would be great in the role. But I still hear old-timers gripe that the "real" Bond was Connery.

41 Obdicut  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:52:20am

re: #36 Targetpractice

I know it sounds racist, but I don't think people are gonna be able to accept a black Bond. In modern society, no matter how you try argue against it, the perception is gonna be that it's an "affirmative action" bit, that they cast a black Bond just to score points.

They'll change their minds after they see Elba. Dude is ferociously charismatic.

42 AK-47%  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:52:43am

re: #36 Targetpractice

I know it sounds racist, but I don't think people are gonna be able to accept a black Bond. In modern society, no matter how you try argue against it, the perception is gonna be that it's an "affirmative action" bit, that they cast a black Bond just to score points.

I refused to accept a blond one...but I am just old fashioned. I begrudgingly accepted Roger Moore, but after that, nobody was a "real" Bond for me.

43 Kragar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:52:54am

re: #36 Targetpractice

I know it sounds racist, but I don't think people are gonna be able to accept a black Bond. In modern society, no matter how you try argue against it, the perception is gonna be that it's an "affirmative action" bit, that they cast a black Bond just to score points.

I care more about a good actor who can play his role.

44 alpuz  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:54:15am

re: #12 nines09

Right there with ya. I thought I knew a bunch of 'moderate' republicans until Walker 'dropped his bomb'. You should hear the crazy that flows after a few beers.

45 erik_t  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:54:35am

re: #40 Targetpractice

I have no problem with, I think the guy would be great in the role. But I still hear old-timers gripe that the "real" Bond was Connery.

Only because the three (?) afterwards sucked out loud.

46 MittDoesNotCompute  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:56:22am

re: #36 Targetpractice

I know it sounds racist, but I don't think people are gonna be able to accept a black Bond. In modern society, no matter how you try argue against it, the perception is gonna be that it's an "affirmative action" bit, that they cast a black Bond just to score points.

No shit...racist bigots already flipped their shit before with Elba and played that "affirmative action hire" BS when he played Heimdall in Thor; just imagine the wailing, gnashing of teeth, and worse from those same shitheads if Elba is ever seriously in the running to step into one of the most iconic roles in pop culture over the past fifty years.

He's a fine actor and I think Elba would make a good Bond, but I doubt Eon and MGM want to take that risk right now, seeing as they've just really righted the Good Ship 007 since Craig stepped into the role and the studio's still trying to get out from underneath its financial woes.

47 Targetpractice  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:57:45am

re: #45 erik_t

Only because the three (?) afterwards sucked out loud.

Hey now, I liked Brosnan as Bond.

48 lawhawk  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:58:06am

re: #28 Kragar

The rumor is just that. Considering that Daniel Craig is signed for a multipicture deal to do two more Bond movies after Skyfall (if not more), they wont be casting for another Bond for quite some time.

Craig probably would have gotten even more movies done if not for the bankruptcy mess with the studio that slowed/shuttered production on Skyfall.

49 darthstar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:58:31am

re: #31 Interesting Times

Real reason:

[Embedded content]

Ha! I didn't even think about that. That means he did have a prepared speech to talk about GDP dropping, and the 2% increase just fucked his plans. That explains why he said 'change' five times in two sentences. "We need change, and I'm going to change because change is change change."

50 nines09  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:00:03pm

re: #39 The Ghost of a Flea

I point out that this illegal immigration really sucks. What do you think, Cochise?

51 Big Joe  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:02:50pm

re: #36 Targetpractice

I know it sounds racist, but I don't think people are gonna be able to accept a black Bond. In modern society, no matter how you try argue against it, the perception is gonna be that it's an "affirmative action" bit, that they cast a black Bond just to score points.

Just look at how well a black James West went over.

52 nines09  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:04:01pm

re: #44 alpuz

Right there with ya. I thought I knew a bunch of 'moderate' republicans until Walker 'dropped his bomb'. You should hear the crazy that flows after a few beers.

How about a woman who works as a sales rep for a large company, who is insured on her husbands State Health Insurance, and he's a Union member.....and she's a raging GOP whack job, anti Union and anti anti anti..."They don't deserve to be paid that much! They make too much!" Of course she's underpaid and insured on her husbands dime.....Dipstick.

53 MittDoesNotCompute  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:07:16pm

re: #40 Targetpractice

I have no problem with, I think the guy would be great in the role. But I still hear old-timers gripe that the "real" Bond was Connery.

re: #45 erik_t

Only because the three (?) afterwards sucked out loud.

re: #47 Targetpractice

Hey now, I liked Brosnan as Bond.

It seems that the Broccolis and Eon have this whole "serious vs. playful" thing with choosing Bonds; just about every Bond, they switch off (just for simplicity, I'm not counting Lazenby in this).

In the (mostly) "serious/dark" category, you have Connery, Dalton, and Craig; in the the "playful/campy" category, you have Moore and Brosnan.

That's not to say that any of them suck, because all of them have had at least one movie in the series that's widely considered a classic.

54 ArchangelMichael  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:08:19pm

re: #28 Kragar

Rumors about the possible next James Bond: Idris Elba

People (that is, racist wingnuts) are going to lose their damn minds if that happens. I welcome this, especially in the case of Idris Elba. He's a great actor.

I could also see Chiwetel Ejiofor in the role as well.

55 alpuz  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:08:58pm

re: #52 nines09

Ayep.. or the couple who has a gay granddaughter, suffer from diabetes, are 'concerned' about the influence of the religious right but are hard core tea party republicans. I know them.. they're my in-laws. Oh, and they read these books.. can't get enough of 'em.

56 darthstar  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:09:37pm

re: #36 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

I know it sounds racist, but I don't think people are gonna be able to accept a black Bond. In modern society, no matter how you try argue against it, the perception is gonna be that it's an "affirmative action" bit, that they cast a black Bond just to score points.

As long as she can drink a shaken not stirred Martini, play baccarat, shoot people at one hundred feet with a small pistol, and doesn't mind half the people she fucks in the movie winding up dead within a scene or two, I'm fine with her playing the role of Jamie Bond.

57 nines09  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:10:13pm
58 Someone Please Beam Me Up!  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:10:13pm

re: #29 MittDoesNotCompute

Talk about role reversal -- here we have a group of presidents kicking a bunch of innocuous monsters. In comic books, the good guys are supposed to win!

59 Targetpractice  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:11:57pm

re: #53 MittDoesNotCompute

re: #45 erik_t

re: #47 Targetpractice

It seems that the Broccolis and Eon have this whole "serious vs. playful" thing with choosing Bonds; just about every Bond, they switch off (just for simplicity, I'm not counting Lazenby in this).

In the (mostly) "serious/dark" category, you have Connery, Dalton, and Craig; in the the "playful/campy" category, you have Moore and Brosnan.

That's not to say that any of them suck, because all of them had at least one movie in the series that's widely considered a classic.

I still count the tank chase through the streets of St. Petersburg in Goldeneye as one of my favorite Bond scenes.

60 MittDoesNotCompute  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:17:53pm

re: #59 Targetpractice

I still count the tank chase through the streets of St. Petersburg in Goldeneye as one of my favorite Bond scenes.

That was a great scene and Goldeneye is my favorite Bond film with Brosnan (I also thought Tomorrow Never Dies was pretty good, but didn't care for the others).

However, Dalton is a severely underrated Bond; he was the "serious business" antidote to the Moore era, years before Craig was called on to do the same after Brosnan. While The Living Daylights is one of my personal favorites, Licence to Kill was one of the darkest Bond films ever, IMO, up until Craig stepped into the role.

61 Bulworth  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:18:10pm

And these are the precious folks clutching pearls while fainting on to the nearest couch over a web ad.

62 makeitstop  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:57:45pm

OT: I have fallen in love with New Zealand's Kimbra. Don't tell my wife.

63 Romantic Heretic  Fri, Oct 26, 2012 2:02:24pm

re: #18 nines09

I really don't know what they believe in anymore.

They believe that they are good, and that those who believe differently are evil. They believe that they are in a war against evil, and that war is on a level with the war in Middle Earth. It will end only when one side or the other is annihilated.

The next few years won't be pretty.


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