Win This Book

I just got back from a mini vacation in Arizona visiting with my parents, sister, and nephew. The first of 2 books that I read when I was away was “Founders v. Bush” which is a comparison in quotations of the policies and politics of the founding fathers and George W. Bush.

In 1776 George Washington said “Beware of Pretend Patriotism,” and one might wonder what that George would say to the George that is living in the White House Today.

“Founders v. Bush” is an interesting political read because the book contains only quotations–no political commentary (although one can argue that the compiler of the quotations uses the specific quotes that he does to make a commentary).

An excerpt regarding the freedom of the press:

GEORGE W. BUSH: “The disclosure of this program is disgraceful…We’re at war with a bunch of people who want to hurt the United States of America, and for people to leak that program and for a newspaper to publish it does great harm to the United States of America.”
-June 27, 2006

THOMAS JEFFERSON: “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
-Letter to Dr. James Currie, January 28, 1786

ALEXANDER HAMILTON: “The Liberty of the press consists in the right to publish with impunity truth with good motives for justifiable ends, though reflecting on government, magistracy, or individuals.”
-Propositions of the Law of Libel, 1804

I think that Steve Coffman could have made a pretty good political opinion book out of what I’m certain was a massive research endeavor he did for “Founders v. Bush,” and I’m kind of sad that he only went this far.

I will mail a copy of “Founders v. Bush” to the first reader to email me his/her address and the correct answer to the following question:

The Willella Howe-Waffle House is an historic landmark in downtown Santa Ana across from the old Courthouse. Dr. Howe-Waffle was one of the first female physicians in Southern California. Her husband, Dr. Alvin Howe, left Orange County after being accused of committing a crime. Although he was acquitted of the charge by OC’s first Grand Jury who determined the evidence mere hearsay, the accusation was so shameful that Dr. Howe was forced him to leave his wife and children in Santa Ana and move to San Francisco. What crime was Dr. Howe accused of committing?