Posted on 08/09/2009 7:29:45 AM PDT by rlmorel
I just finished reading Rules for Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky earlier this week, and it was one of the most unpleasant books I have ever read. I also think it was one of the most immoral books as well.
I had two people (my brother and a friend) who suggested that I read C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, so that has been on my list for a little while now.
As it stands, it was the next book I picked up after Rules for Radicals. I am stunned by the happenstance that led me to read The Screwtape Letters directly after Alinsky's book.
Most people know by now that Alinsky had a dedication to Lucifer on the earlier copies of his book Rules for Radicals that went as such:
“Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins — or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer
Both books are didactic in nature, but I see them at opposite ends of the spectrum. What I find striking is the absolute similarity in Screwtape's letters to his nephew, and the nature and prose of Alinsky's advice to his followers who read the book.
Read Screwtape, but not Rules. Suggested continuing reading: Darkness At Noon - Authur Koestler -— the story of what happens AFTER the revolution to its supporters. Also see history of the Stalinist Purges - avoid wikipedia as reference.
Rules for Radicals = written by secular Jew who had made communism his god
I had been trying to figure out a way to obtain a copy of “Rules for Radicals” by Saul Alinsky (being the bible followed by Obama and his associates) without paying for it, and the copies at the library were backordered for months. To my surprise, one came in.
I gritted my teeth and made it all the way through. It explains a lot. And none of it is good.
I was going to dictate the entire thing and make an audiobook out of it to give to people such as myself who don’t want a single red cent to go to anyone associated with writing, printing or distributing that hideous work, but I couldn’t stomach hearing myself read it in a way that would make it easier on the ears to listen to (To put the inflection in the right places means you have to read it as if you believe it, and I gave up after one chapter.)
It is probably one of the most immoral, twisted works I have ever read. Given that Alinsky wrote a dedication to Lucifer, I shouldn’t be surprised. The dedication was taken out of later editions so as not to offend the clergy he was attempting to recruit, but the version I have still carries it.
From what I can see, reading this book enables one to understand what makes Obama (and his followers) tick.
The very FIRST paragraph exposes very clearly what they are all about:
"What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be. 'The Prince' was written by Machiavelli for the Haves on how to hold power. 'Rules for Radicals' is written for the Have-Nots on how to take it away."
It is unrestricted class warfare, pure and simple. And it is the bible of Obama, Clinton, and many MANY others in this country.
What really chilled me was the similarity in style of Screwtape's letters to his newphew, a 'tempter in training' and Alinsky's advice to radicals.
i am reading the Playboy interview with Alinsky...very illuminating as to the realities that he and his generation faced. His view was way ahead of the times and yet frighteningly chilling.
He defintely grew up as a thug on the streets, was very close to the Mob for two years and then into ruthless union organizing. It is a very eye opening view of the ruthlessness of capitalism back then and the depth of the depression that explains the progressive movement’s origins.
Its not the same at all today...all except for the thugs.
Whittaker Chambers understood people like Alinsky all too well, as did his one-time Soviet masters.
Maybe scan the entire book, convert to text, have your computer read while your computer (or another one) records - just think of the different voices, pitches you could employ!! It might turn out to be quite funny despite the context.
Boy, ain't that the truth. We are seeing that today.
LOL...I don’t know. That might be too discombobulated for my brain!
Even the devil quoted scripture to Jesus.
ping
Which is partly why this seems so disturbing to me!
A year ago I stole for the first time since I was in jr high school. I found a copy of Rules For Radicals at the library and ripped it off.
I have it on my bookshelf where at least one copy will never again pollute an impressionable mind.
Good God.
I would do that, except I can’t steal it from the library. They have anti-theft devices in place, I think. If I just destroyed the book, they would simply buy another one with the money I would have to pay.
Don't be stupid.
Be a smarty.
Join the Obama democrat socialist party.
I have an edition of Mein Kampf from 1941 and one interesting observation in the introduction is that it is a propagandistic essay by a violent partisan. Also that it often warps historical truth and sometimes ignores it completely. In addition they say that no impression should be taken that Htler was writing history rather than propaganda. So far, similarities with other nationalist socialist parties, including the now openly socialist democrat Obama party, are not hard to detect or find in MEIN KAMPF.
It was actually rather easy for me. One of the bums that had taken to living at the library caused a stink (literally) when he claimed that another bum was intruding on “his turf”.
Instead of kicking them out the library staff was absurdly trying to negotiate with these dirty, smelly losers. I was sitting and reading the book and seized the opportunity to stroll out during the melee.
Yes, they likely will replace the lost book with another, but ‘mine’ is one copy that is now out of circulation...;’}
Mis-file it between two George Will books. They’ll never find it.
Bwaahaaahaa! Good idea! (Of course, I would have to travel about 30 miles to the library...I requested it online from a consortium, and they delivered it to me...
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