Comments on: How Much Is Enough?

By: genny from jersey

genny from jersey — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:31:03 +0000

Sara, I forgot to mention that the main reason my husband watches “faux news” is because he believes it’s important to know your enemy.

One of the reasons I enjoy Jon Stewart is because he takes them on–using their own words. Just recently Hannity did a story about agroup protest in DC. The video from Fox of the group was actually several different events. They distorted their own video to make it appear that the group was larger than it really was. I guess that’s their definition of “fair and balanced”. No shame!

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:22:04 +0000

Sara,
Having aspired to be a writer when I was younger, my definition of success would be “Sara Paretsky’s career”. You are a fantastic writer who has created characters so believable and vivid that many of your readers feel they are real, and told stories that are entertaining and meaningful. That you have put these things on paper is in itself “success”. That you have shared it hundreds of thousands of others, and made a career out of what you clearly love, is what they call “gravy”. Ofcourse, I understand that promotion is a necessary part of getting and keeping readership. But I believe that you have reached a point in your career where the public seeks out, reads and judges your works regardless of what any commentator, liberal or conservative, has to say about it.

By: the Bag Lady

the Bag Lady — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:32:43 +0000

I tend to remain quiet on subjects I know nothing about (and I have never heard of this Beck person – I must be living under a frozen rock up here in the Canadian wilds) but dear G-d in Heaven, I hope Jacqui of the comment above was speaking with tongue in cheek, because I HAVE heard of Bill O’Reilly and his hate-mongering regarding Canadians!

By: Jacqui

Jacqui — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:09:36 +0000

So how do you reach a conservative audience? Bill O’Reilly?

By: paretsky

paretsky — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:48:10 +0000

Pam, yes, we in the US of A have the same founders complex. I always wonder what goes through nativists’ heads when they want all the immigrants to go home (except me, I’m the only good one.) I know a woman from Poland who is a huge follower of Beck and Limbaugh and turns bright red with fury on the subject of South and Central American immigrants.
Frank, thanks for thinking so carefully about this. Genny, your husband has a much stronger stomach than I do!
And I’ll ask Kimberly to get right on Jon Stewart!

By: pam newton

pam newton — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:15:39 +0000

Too right! It would be very difficult to give good interview whilst holding one’s nose!

I only know of Beck via the web but we have the same divisive brand of hate-mongering shock-jocks in Australia. Interesting to see the resonances across nations and cultures that this kind of right-wing infotainment produces. Much the same “enemies” are identified – greens, gays, teachers, academics, lefties(liberals), non-whites, non-christian.

Our mob are currently trying to whip up a frenzy and focus the nation’s hatred and fears on “boat people” “illegal immigrants” (aka asylum seekers to the sane).

Still what can you expect from a nation founded by a bunch of people who lobbed here in boats and took over the original owners’ land?

Interesting the figures you quote re the male writers – any wonder many female writers use initials instead of feminine given names on their book covers?

By: Frank Paine

Frank Paine — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:11:59 +0000

I find your comment about the National Socialist tactic absolutely on target. The furor raised by Beck and the shouting at so-called town meetings on health care remind me as nothing else but the methods used by the Hitler Youth.
These latter day facistas have studied the book.

And I certainly agree — you’d be a great guest on Stewart.
He does not pull his punches either.

To reiterate Satchel Page’s apt comment: Don’t look back; The bastards may be gaining on you.

By: Shirley Harrison

Shirley Harrison — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:57:42 +0000

You would be good on the new Headline News show with Joy Behar. Maybe Kimberly can find a connection with HLN or Barbara Walters, who put Joy on “The View,” and get you booked.

By: genny from jersey

genny from jersey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:44:37 +0000

Sara, I agree. I think it would be a real step down to appear on the Faux news station. I don’t think there’s enough disinfectant in the world that would wash that experience off once you’re done.

My husband will watch them from time to time–when he wants a laugh. I just yell at the TV and walk out of the room.

I always thought that you would be a great guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

By: Jason Brooks

Jason Brooks — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:03:24 +0000

Sara -

I agree. Not that being booked on Beck will ever be my problem, but the mere fact that a stand-up comedian has the ability to somehow become a lauded political pundit flummoxes me.

I applaud your agent as well for having the power of her convictions, and I continue the applause for you. After all, what do you really gain if you get the whole world but lose your soul?

Jason