Fred Stopski spent the last 50 years as a second lecturer and teacher at a college who trained over 12,000 teachers. He is the co-author of "American Experience: The History of the United States and Social Research in a Global Society," as well as the author of almost a dozen other books, including Freedom and Control: Censorship in America, George Bush on the Planet Sul, Nuremberg Principles and international law ”,“ Catholicism and slavery ”and“ Bartolome de las Casas: champion of Indian rights ”. Fred also created the “Veterans Accelerated Urban Education for Teachers” (VAULT) program to help Vietnam veterans continue their education.
Tyler: Thanks for joining me today, Fred. I have to say that you have enough title for your new book. For starters, tell our readers a little about how to classify a book?
Fred: Thanks, Tyler for me. “Don Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney in Hell” is a political satire that blends sardistic wit with serious research into the key issues facing America and the world. We live in interesting moments, so political satire must have excellent qualities. This is a book about political and social issues, but its comic mood allows readers to smile and engage them in serious thinking.
Tyler: What is the plot of the story?
Fred: Don Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney are awakened to find that they are in the hallway in hell with Ken Lei of Enron glory, whom the devil said to organize a process by which many witnesses will testify to determine whether people are there or on Heaven. People from anywhere in the political spectrum, along with ordinary citizens, offer evidence. The book shows how each person, regardless of whether he is famous or not, suffers from the antics of these two men and can offer something as evidence. The material is mainly presented in the form of a dialogue that facilitates reading. Each chapter allows a specific group of people to testify. In all cases, multiple submissions are presented. The devil stays aside until the end, when he begins to enter cutting marks.
Tyler: I understand that the Devil calls on several witnesses to make his decision. Most of these witnesses are famous celebrities, but not necessarily politicians. How did you determine which celebrities to include?
Fred: Great question. I wanted to present the views of conservatives such as Ann Coulter or Tom de Lay, because their words are enough to accuse Rumsfeld and Cheney. I just had to let John Stewart, Bill Maher, Al Franken, Michael Moore, Jay Leno and Howard Stern perform their shows, because nowadays we pay serious attention to comedians and consider politicians to be comics. In particular, I had to allow this wonderful young man, Pat Tillman, to speak for himself, as well as with the members of the family of the deceased. I love Kinky Friedman and I'm a fan of Willie Nelson, so I just had to process them. Mixed with famous prisoners from Abu Ghraib and some ordinary people of the working class. Of course, I even made the command “Law and Order” to the unforgettable TRUE history of the famous weapons of mass destruction. I believe that most readers will be amazed to find the real meaning of the “Weapons of Mass Destruction”; this information is in itself worth the cost of the book.
Tyler: All celebrities from our time see, except brothers Marx. Why did you decide to include them?
Fred: The Marx brothers represent the height of American zana, crazy humor, and who else can match the crazy ideas of Rumsfeld and Cheney? I was having fun, letting the Marx brothers run in this chapter with modern Robin Williams, because these people in their satirical unusual comments make more sense than any member of the Bush administration. Please also remember that Groucho Marx was the president of Fridonia, so he is a policy expert like Rumsfeld and Cheney. As Groucho once said, "fish and politicians smell in three days." Uy, four years later, the smell ...
Tyler: Fred, tell me a little about unfamiliar characters - especially, you turned on soldiers who failed or even died in the war, or family members such as the mother who camped at the Bush ranch in Texas for a few weeks after was her son killed, only that the president refused to talk to her?
Fred: Every day I read blogs written by members of the military and armed forces, such as Stars and Stripes and Times of the Army, to be aware of how they feel. I stumbled upon several things written by the mothers of the soldiers who died, and included their views in chapter 14. I remained true to my feelings; one of them was really asking for Bush. I also had a strong influence on Pat Tillman’s story. While researching this beautiful young man, I discovered that he was an intellectual who read openly and was very patriotic. I tried to express my feelings and the feelings of my family members, who were furious about how Pat's death was used for political purposes. I am very proud that the account in the book is significantly different from what is being disclosed to the American media - that George Bush was told the real story of General McChrystal about Pat’s death and ignored the truth in order to rekindle anger and hatred, I could never cope with feelings family members or those who died.
Tyler: Fred, how did you come up with the idea of this book?
Fred: It may seem like a piece, but the death of our sweet young men and women gave me a lot of pain. I served in the army and worked to help veterans, so they stay close to my heart. I walked once, thinking about the cruelty of the day, when, in my opinion, I heard the words: “The Devil himself could not create more chaos and death than what is happening today in Iraq.” After a moment, I had an idea for a book.
Tyler: Fred, tell me a little about your military service? Have the military changed for the better or for the worse since you served?
Fred: I refused a respite in 1951 and joined the US Army during the Korean War. I went through four months of basic training, and then my unit received orders for Korea — in the ridge ridges. For some crazy confusion, my orders were irrelevant, and I got to Europe. Several of my dear friends were killed in these hills in Korea. In fact, my decision to become a teacher was related to their death, I wanted to do something in life to help prevent a war. In those days, everyone served, rich and poor, graduated, and those who never finished school. Unlike World War II, the Korean war was as unpopular as the Iraq war. Like today, in the early stages of the war, reservists and soldiers of the National Guard were called. But the people who were called quickly replaced them. Everyone who was on the front line went home after 18 months without returning the debt to Korea. After General Eisenhower was elected president, he immediately continued negotiations and negotiated a truce so that our soldiers could return home. Fortunately, we were joined by Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower as presidents, two men who greatly respected the Constitution and were ready to agree on a cessation of hostilities. Of course, both men served in the army and understood the meaning of death, something unknown to George Bush. I often wanted us to be the president of Dwight Eisenhower — he was a Republican, and a man who loved and loved the Constitution.
Tyler: Fred, why did you choose the devil and not God to test for Rumsfeld and Cheney?
Fred: The devil has always been chaos, confusion, pain and torture to me. Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush are the best examples of these human qualities. If there is Hell, then this is the right place for those who violate our basic human values. In any case, I did not want to disturb God, who spends time caring for those who have love and joy in their hearts.
Tyler: You also include several alleged cases in a trial. Will you tell which ones and why you chose them? What legitimacy are nominated candidates to court?
Fred: I read a lot in the life of Abraham Lincoln. I often had my stomach when President Bush refused to worship those who died. Lincoln constantly visited sick soldiers and was at many funerals. He also invited family members of those who died to see him in the White House. George Bush is not Lincoln. Bill Clinton was extremely calm about the allegations that he was somehow responsible for Al-Qaida or 9/11. I wanted to offer him the opportunity to refute this lie and directly confront Don and Dick about their tragic mistakes. Harry Truman is one of my favorite presidents. He always said it as if it were, and never scolded words. He was a self-named man who loved and respected his beloved Constitution, and I know that he is turning over in his grave by what Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush have done with this document.
Tyler: What are the crimes or injustices for which Rumsfeld and Cheney are charged with the book?
Fred: They deliberately lied about the causes of the war - the famous weapons of mass destruction. Please read my chapter, where the department of law and order finally reveals its secret. These people violated constitutional guarantees of fair trials, they canceled the Geneva Convention, which every soldier must abide by, they supported espionage on the average American citizen, and they must take some responsibility for the deaths of more than 3,600 Americans,
Tyler :: Do you think the American system failed, that these two politicians were not punished for their actions?
Fred: I believe that the American Constitution is the largest political document in the history of mankind. I believe in the American political system. Sometimes we Americans move slowly, but our system, in the end, always works. I am an eternal optimist when it comes to the American people.
Somehow, in some way, in the case of the American people, the backgrounds and charlatans and charlatans are being discovered. Our system did not fail because books like my own and others warn our nation of the insanity of those who run our government.
Tyler: What reaction has the book received so far?
Fred: As I said, I'm an eternal optimist. I get a lot of praise and compliments, as well as star reviews. Despite the fact that awareness was slow and restrained after it was available just over a month, I believe that at the end of the book will enjoy a big sale.
Tyler: Did you have any negative reviews? When Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 911” film came out, many theaters refused to show it, claiming that it would be unpatriotic when our troops fought, but it looks like aversion to war has increased significantly in three years since How would you react to people accusing you of non-patriotism, or is it not a problem?
Fred: Some people consider me unpatriotic for attacking the president in wartime. They urge us to remain united when the soldiers die. We had elections during World War II and the Korean War, Republicans said terrible things about Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, but our nation survived. I find it ironic that the Republicans were unholy in their attacks on Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, but now they say that we should avoid attacking the President - of course, today he is a Republican. The essence of patriotism is fighting for beliefs. When I entered the US Army, I took a solemn oath to protect and support the Constitution, and it was clear that if the president violated this document, our first duty was in the Constitution, and not in the president. If I cannot attack and not criticize the president who violates the Constitution, then I will remain in my duties as a citizen.
Saddam Hussein never attacked this nation. Our president lied to the American people about the causes of the war. I fully supported our attacks in Afghanistan against those who initiated the 9/11 attacks. I agree with the opinion of the new Prime Minister of England, Gordon Brown, who is now arguing about terrorism, coping with police forces the best. You cannot wage war against abstraction - terrorism. As for America, our law enforcement officers will best deal with terrorism.
I must confess some feelings of disgust when those who have never fought for their nation attack the patriotism of those who served — what the Republicans did to John Kerry was unforgivable. I do not doubt the patriotism or loyalty of any American; such words are not part of the American way of life.
Tyler: Fred, I already mentioned that you also wrote "George Bush on the planet Syula." Could you tell us about this book? I guess this is also a satire of the Bush administration, so why did you feel the need to write this second book, Don Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney in Hell?
Fred: I am a science fiction writer, so writing science fiction is part of my dream. One day, while reading a science fiction novel, a thought occurred to me: “What happens if aliens contact George Bush?” They will go crazy, trying to understand his mind. ” The book is about aliens from planet Xul, who are taking Bush to their planet, and then bringing many people from Earth who can help decipher how his mind works. Oh, people run from businessmen, writers, politicians, actors, comedians, etc. I had fun with Whoopi Goldberg, giving Xulians her version of Bush consciousness and how soldiers fighting in Iraq look at him, and Cindy Sheehan, finally , throws a blow to Bush, and there is even an episode of Seinfeld in which Cramer explains to Xuliance how the war in Iraq can be stopped. At the conclusion of the book, Bush takes over the universe. Frankly, I am often confused about how his mind works. The other day, he expressed disagreement with the new bill that would provide medical assistance to children on the grounds that this was the first step on the road to socialism. Or, speaking against the proposal of the Congress to raise the salary by 3.5% for soldiers because of its “excessive”. He sees things in his own inimitable way, and I thought that maybe aliens could understand this. I can not.
Tyler: Do you have plans for future satires in American politics? Next year, if the Democrats are elected to the post, do you think that you will saturate them, regardless of party lines?
Fred: As a satirist, I wouldn’t want Giuliani or Ron Paul to be elected. In fact, right now I am playing with the headline “Seven Faces of Rudi G.”, Hillary would be funny to make fun of because she is so often serious and a little pompous, but Barack Obama is tough because he has this young, young face. I can never get right to where it is Ron Paul or Paul Ron. I would fight with John McCain, because the man suffered so much and was caused by a lot of pain, it would be cruel to follow him. Rudy reminds me of the evil stepmother in Snow White, who always asks the mirror: "A mirror, a mirror on the wall, which is the most true of all." Anyone, if you believe satire, then no one is released.
Tyler: Fred, thanks for joining me today. Before we go, please let our readers know where they can find more information about Don Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney in Hell.
Fred: Currently there are three methods. You can go to Amazon.com, order it through your local Border bookstore, or you can purchase a copy directly from my political blog at http://www.TheImpudentObserver.com, where I will pay delivery and personally autograph each copy sent out.
Tyler: Thank you, Fred. I am sure that the book will become very popular among readers. Hope you have a bestseller on your hands.
