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VANITY: Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" vs. C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters"
8/9/2009 | rlmorel

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.


TOPICS: Books/Literature; History; Religion; Society
KEYWORDS: alinsky
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; bigheadfred; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; ...

link sent by an online friend:
http://www.moonbattery.com/obama-socialist-joker_06.jpg


21 posted on 08/09/2009 7:57:09 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: rlmorel

This is very interesting. Now I’m going to have to get a copy : )

Also, Wikipedia (yes, I know : ) lets the cat out of the bag with the entry on Saul Alinsky references to his great influences on Hil and BO.

One more thing, it’s not a good thing that some of the posters would even joke about stealing books from the library...reminiscent of book burnings and all. Seriously, several have Mein Kampf on their book shelves and that’s a good thing-know thine enemy.


22 posted on 08/09/2009 9:02:35 PM PDT by freema (MarineNiece,Daughter,Wife,Friend,Sister,Friend,Aunt,Friend,Mother,Friend,Cousin, FRiend)
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To: freema

I agree...that is why I haven’t done it...:)


23 posted on 08/09/2009 9:08:07 PM PDT by rlmorel ("The Road to Serfdom" by F.A.Hayek - Read it...today.)
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To: rlmorel

alinksy honored lucifer in his opening lines, whereas C. S. Lewis mocked lucifer in his.


24 posted on 08/09/2009 9:11:24 PM PDT by Vision Thing (He has a white house, and he wants to paint it black.)
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To: rlmorel
I've read Screwtape, and I just ordered Rules for Radicals from Amazon, based on your comparison.

I noticed something really interesting here: Amazon popped up a page that said, "Customers who bought Rules for Radicals also bought," and the first two books listed were Levin's Liberty and Tyranny and Beck's Common Sense.

Maybe conservatives are going to wise up, after all!

25 posted on 08/09/2009 9:25:47 PM PDT by umbagi (Who is Jim Thompson?)
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To: rlmorel

: )


26 posted on 08/10/2009 6:57:18 PM PDT by freema (MarineNiece,Daughter,Wife,Friend,Sister,Friend,Aunt,Friend,Mother,Friend,Cousin, FRiend)
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To: rockrr

Yes! A man after my own heart. You are forgiven. Imagine how many souls you have helped save! (:


27 posted on 02/04/2010 3:27:34 PM PST by mendlover
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To: freema

Since you put it that way I must agree. Too bad we can’t rely on our universal school system to teach the proper history concerning this subject.


28 posted on 02/04/2010 3:27:34 PM PST by mendlover
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