Mugged: Racial Demagoguery from the Seventies to Obama Hardcover by Ann Coulter (Sentinel)

As the title of my review indicates, this book is even more relevant in 2017 than it was at the time it was published (2012). Since 2012 we have heard the cries of “racism” from the liberal press, and liberal politicians, rise to a deafening level. These two old chums (liberal press and liberal politicians) are still up to their old tricks (as exposed by Coulter) – i.e., trying to advance themselves by falsely claiming a pandemic of white racism in America. The subtitle of this book – “Racial Demagoguery from the Seventies to Obama” is dead on accurate (but could be equally accurate if it was “… from the Seventies to at least Trump”). (For those who don’t know, the definition of “demagogue” is (from Webster’s): “a leader who makes use of popular prejudice and false claims and promises in order to gain power”. That definition pretty much tells the whole story.) Coulter justifies her allegations by numerous examples – in fact, at some point it almost seems like “too much!”, but in order to build an iron-clad case, the abundance of example is perhaps justified.

As for readability, the only word that comes to mind, and which seems to be accurate, is: “brilliant!” Just about the time you’re ready to give up all hope for the future of humanity, Coulter injects a healthy dose of acerbic wit (the “laugh out loud” kind) in order to keep the insanity in perspective. Coulter is today’s Will Rogers regarding clever political sarcasm, but coupled with a perhaps unique intellect. For me, the only reason this book was a “slow read” is that I kept rereading her delicious passages – like savoring a fine old Scotch whiskey. Coulter’s research is amazing (I assume she has assistants who help her in this regard, so my kudos to them). Coulter is highly intelligent, but never comes across as condescending.

If you really want to put the whole theory together, read this book along with: “Righteous Indignation” (Andrew Breitbart, 2011); “Stealing America” (Dinesh D’Souza, 2015); and “The Un-Civil War” (Taleeb Starkes, 2013). Breitbart calls out the “Democrat-Media Complex” for their collusion in: (i) tearing down conservative thought; and (ii) championing the “progressive” agenda. D’Souza also calls out the “Complex”, but further offers reasonable valid motivations for their agenda. And Starkes (a black author) shows how black criminals are high jacking the American “conversation” (Eric Holder’s word) on racism. “Racism” is basically just the latest tool that the “progressives” use in order to obtain control over the masses. They tell you that you are racist, and the best way to overcome this “disease” is by handing over control of your lives to the enlightened liberals. (See "Mugged", pg. 252, third full paragraph from bottom.) In the end, the so-called “liberals” (or “progressives”) want to put themselves in the position of telling you what is best for you. And a large segment of the mainstream media is willing to go along with this agenda for their own self-aggrandizement. The only remaining question is, if the “Complex” does not truly represent mainstream America (both black and white), then how did they come to dominate the conversation? The answer is simple – fear. Fear of being labeled “racist”. It’s no different than the reason shop owners pay “protection” money to the mob – fear of the consequences of going against the existing power. Fortunately, Breitbart provides the solution in “Righteous Indignation” – i.e., attack the “Complex” (and in particular, the media) using the same play-book that they use.

I was initially thinking that Coulter should issue a second edition of this book, bringing it up to date with the recent (2016-2107) claims of “racism in America”, but after reading her quote at page 204 (“Ironically, Democrats are going back to their demagogic segregationist roots by constantly stirring up racial hatreds to motivate a small slice of the population to vote for them.”), I realized that this applies as well in 2017 as it did in 2012. While an additional five years worth of more examples would reinforce her case, she already made the case so well in 2012 that more examples would merely be redundant.

As Coulter says at page 255, “What moves the country beyond race is to move beyond race.” Perhaps the best place to start is a total boycott of MSNBC. Once their ratings drop precipitously, they might just get the message that Americans are fed up with their race-baiting and race-mongering, and are ready to move on.