Somebody's Gotta Say It

by Neal Boortz

Book Overview

Neal Boortz, the High Priest of the Church of the Painful Truth, has been edifying, infuriating, and entertaining talk radio audiences for more than three decades. Now, the author of the smash New... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060878207
• ISBN13: 9780060878207
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

This is a Fun Book, Especially if Your views lean Libertarian

I've never heard of Neal Boortz and have not listened to his radio program. Still, I enjoyed this book, which was entertaining and well written. This book is written in a conversational style, where Boortz explains his views on a variety of hot political topics, such as the war on terror and the public educational system. What I liked most about this book is that Boortz does not neatly fall into either major political party. He is definitely a conservative, but in the libertarian sense. As a result, his views on evolution, abortion, gay rights, and even flag burning are not consistent with those of most Republicans. But I think they are consistent with someone who cares deeply about individual liberty and personal freedom. This is not to say that Boortz doesn't choose sides here. He's much more supportive of the Republicans than the Democrats. Still, unlike many political commentators, he is unafraid to criticise both parties on important issues. In the end, Boortz's governing philosophy is his belief in the power of the individual, and his dislike of welfare dependence. This is a perspective that doesn't get as much media exposure as it deserves in the mainstream media. If your politics are libertarian-leaning, you will probably enjoy SOMEBODY'S GOTTA SAY IT. But even if they're not, this is a good down-to-earth introduction to the libertarian mindset. I enjoyed it. My only regret was that this book wasn't released during the holiday season; it would have made a nice gift.

Even liberals will have a good time

Fact: Before any of us were "liberal" or "conservative" we were just people, babies perhaps, but people nonetheless. Before we became shackled by various viewpoints and expectations which the world makes impossible to avoid, we could identify certain truths. So, let's say that one of these truths is that nobody wants to be pushed around by a stranger whose job it is to push people around. Or, that nobody likes being censored, and told what is appropriate to think or not to think. On such simple matters we can agree, and on such simple matters does Neil Boortz give us a lively and thought-provoking book that EVERY person who enjoys exercising the gray matter between their ears will certainly benefit from. Now follow this: Regardless of your political persuasion, you cannot create "constitutional rights" from thin air. You may believe certain rights OUGHT to exist, but this is different from knowing which actually do and do not actually exist. So while you may believe every person has a constitutionally guaranteed right to vote, you cannot say with honesty that this right is actually spelled out anywhere in the constitution, as it is not. So what, you ask? Ok, here's the closer; for the liberals who now claim to be in a higher intellectual echelon than your typical Republican (see the "Somewhere in Texas, a village is missing an Idiot" and "I think, therefore I vote Democrat" bumper stickers) you should welcome some sort of filter that prevents idiots, morons, the crazy and serially uninformed from voting. Doesn't it only make sense that it would provide an advantage to the "enlightened" liberal philosophy at the polls to weed out the philistines who vote with a can of Busch light in one hand and a confederate flag sticking out of their back pocket? Of course this will drive liberals crazy, that there should be some sort of quality control over the people who vote to ensure they at least grasp the basics of American civics as this would result in a forfeiture of considerble amount of votes from the very morons and charity cases on whom they rely for electoral victories. So should it too upset every card carrying liberal ACLU member that Congress and certain courts want to regulate and censor certain types of speech, except for the fact that it is conservative speech that is being stymied, in which case it is not only acceptable, but preferred. In such a manner does Neil Boortz trod upon the dieing weeds and vegetagion of liberal orthodoxy to say the things that political correctness and special interest victims' groups despise. Which used to be an act that would get you accolades from liberal groups, who knew the value of heaving off a few verbal bombs now and again to keep the opposition on their toes. But alas, they have grown fat and reactionary in their ivory towers. If you love subversive ideas expertly articulated - as a person beyond an ideological label - then you will greatly enjoy this book.

What we are all afraid to say, all in one simple book...

I fail to understand those that automatically hate the book, despite having even read it. If you're going to have an intelligent discussion over things, then acutally READ IT first! This book is an excellent example of what we are all afraid to say out in the public, as we are afraid of "offending" anyone that it may affect. Boortz, not known to pull any punches, tackles various topics that are bringing this country down. Whether you love Boortz or not, at least read the thing and then form your opinions.

Somebody finally said it...

I have anticipated the release of this book for quite some time and on the day it was released I bought it, went home, and read the entire thing in one sitting. It's an easy (and entertaining) read and while it addresses many important issues that this country is experiencing today there is one that sears into my mind like no other, that of course being the teacher unions. When I read that chapter in the book I could feel the temperature around me rising, and by rising temperature I'm referring to the boiling heads of the hard left with their constant support of the teacher unions. The fact is that the teacher unions are beyond dangerous and I don't know if the country can be saved. Not a person on the face of the earth could have addressed this issue better than Neal Boortz. He should be given a medal for his relentless attacks against this powerful organization that will undoubtedly destroy the future of this great nation. I have no doubt that the teacher union part of this book will cause an uproar all over the United States. Neal Boortz will be fending off the teacher unions for the rest of his life for what he has said in this book. If for some reason you don't want to buy this book because you hate people like Neal, buy it for this portion!! With Neal being a Libertarian he has very strong feelings regarding the freedom of individuals and the value of the choices that we make throughout our life. Another fantastic chapter is why all drugs should be legal and the "War on Drugs" is a complete failure. All of the money (it would actually take much less) used for it should be put into treatment programs instead of putting non-violent criminals behind bars. Before reading it I've always kind of disagreed with the legalization of harder drugs (while agreeing about soft drugs like Marijuana being legalized), but after reading this I have changed my position. The minimum wage is addressed in a good bit of detail as to why there shouldn't be one in the first place because it's not the roll of government to set wages. There are many other fantastic parts in Somebody's Gotta Say It, too many to really mention, but I can say that Boortz doesn't hold ANYTHING back in this book!!! You'll be somewhat shocked while laughing at the same time with his disregard for the "sensitive" people's feelings. I've read so many books I can't begin to count. From Atlas Shrugged to cookbooks and this is one of the best books I've ever read. I'm sure that many "one star" reviews will flood this item from individuals that haven't even read this book, just out of their shear hatred for Mr. Boortz. All I can really say is that you should ignore them and read it anyway. I can't say it enough, thank you Neal for having the strength and courage to write this! After over 30 years of talk radio this book is Neal's masterpiece. Everything that he has believed in and spoke of for all these years has been built up to create this book. You are a brilliant man and you were so right

Enjoyable entertainment, like the radio show

I enjoy Neal Boortz's radio show, and have for many a year. Having become acquainted with his points of view, I eagerly awaited the release of this book.... and have not been disappointed. After I am done with this volume, my ten year old daughter will have the opportunity to read it. Hopefully, this will help reinforce the lessons in accountability and logic that I have been trying to instill - and de-emphasize the "programming" that her "government indocrination center" (public or government school) has been attempting to get her to believe. Living in Chicago, I have gotten exhausted, listening to the continuous liberal-type dialogue that is so popular here. Personally, I recommend this book for everyone to read, as it helps to counter-act the media bias that is so widespread in most of the media today. Hopefully, this book will top the New York Times bestseller list - and stay there for an appreciable length of time.