MUD-SLINGING POLITICIANS, IDEOLOGICAL FANATICS, AND APATHETIC NONVOTERS BEWARE: GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA'S GOT A FEW CHOICE WORDS FOR YOU....

In his first controversial New York Times bestseller, I Ain't Got Time to Bleed, ex-Navy SEAL and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura told the remarkable story of his climb up the Reform Party ladder to the governorship of Minnesota. Now, with jackhammer force and candor, Governor Ventura issues an urgent wake-up call to America -- a resounding indictment of our creeping national cynicism, and how our political system rewards mediocrity while turning a blind eye to accountability.

In Do I Stand Alone? Ventura sternly warns against the danger of expecting too little from our elected officials. He decries the ease with which most Americans surrender their freedoms and apathetically accept a system of governance driven more by pork and patronage than by the best interests of the constituency. He also denounces an irresponsible media, taking them to task for too often confusing fame with notoriety, and for driving the news instead of simply reporting it. And he unabashedly speaks out on today's hot-button issues, including welfare, racism, youth violence, immigration, abortion, campaign finance reform, and gay rights.

Giving us fascinating insights into the future of independent parties, Governor Ventura ushers us deep into the polished corridors of power, exposing the best -- and worst -- of our current crop of political personalities. He offers straightforward, uncompromising profiles of the current presidential candidates, and lays out a workable strategy for bringing our political system -- and its politicians -- back to greatness.

In a forthright, razor-sharp, and entertaining critique, Governor Jesse Ventura has once again thrown down the gauntlet -- challenging today's politicians as well as a disenchanted public to transcend the tired rhetoric and defiantly reclaim the freedom and opportunity that is our American birthright.

This book should be issued to all American civics classes in our schools. And the most important part, the part to be marked with the yellow highlighter, is the part that says that we, the voting public, must take back control of our government from the career politicians and spit-licking sycophants that surround them.

What hurts the most for me is the (justified) media-bashing that Ventura does. As a member of the media, I have seen first hand the petty bias that my profession is capable of. That's why I won't run for office myself, because I know what my "colleagues" are capable of. I'd apologize for their behavior, but I'm not high enough on the totem pole to make it stick. Hopefully, I can reach that high someday, because I believe the power of the press can be used judiciously and properly.

After reading this book, I remembered a line from the late Robert A. Heinlein's book, Time Enough For Love. To paraphrase; "If you are part of a society that votes, do so. If you don't know who or what to vote for, then at least know what you want to vote against."

If there was a space on the ballot to do so, I would write Jesse's name in for President. There isn't one, mostly because the career politicians don't want it there. Keep talking like this, Jesse, and we might just draft you for the job.


Grand Slam: a book for every patriot   September 3, 2000
 25 out of 29 found this review helpful

This book was like a breath of fresh air to me. Mr. Ventura explains everything simply and what is amazing is that he helped me understand the political terms that I haven't been understanding for years. He is truly a man for the people and I really envy the people of Minnesota that they are presided over by a patriot in the truest sense of the word. I think our Founding Fathers would be proud of him. He is worthy of our respect and much more.


Jesse "The Mind" Shows His Stuff   September 7, 2000
 24 out of 26 found this review helpful

Governor Jesse Ventura's first book "Ain't Got Time to Bleed" told of his adventurous past and the circumstances that led him into politics. His new book "Do I Stand Alone" takes a hard look at the connection between politics and media along with many other societal issues. In a sense it could be described as a road-map for continuing democracy in the 21st Century.

Ventura's common sense style is well-suited to not only pinpoint the essential problems in our society, but also to offer manageable solutions. He provides an intricate appraisal of the Amendments to the US Constitution. It is a section that should be required reading for new age students who no longer study the roots of government in the United States.

It is not without a few flashpoints, probably the only ones that will be quoted on TV news shows. The Governor of MN takes some jabs at the two party system and returns a few salvos to the media -especially the local flatfoots who have done their finest to search for some disparity in his message. But this book is mostly a comparison between today's perceptions and the original intents of our country's founders.

All in all, it is less about individuals and more about the philosophy of governing. Combine that with Ventura's vision for a better America and this book should strike fear into the heart of the two party system, the corporate power-brokers, and the degenerative media. Jesse "The Mind" Ventura is here to stay.


Glad I DIDN'T stand alone in voting for this man!   September 9, 2000
 20 out of 21 found this review helpful

Do I Stand Alone? is a gem. Truly, it is a much-needed slap in the face of irresponsible, sensationalist members of the media and corrupt, out-of-touch career politicians, phrased in Gov. Ventura's signature candid manner, and it is clearly a "wake-up call" to the voting public. What truly makes this book shine, however, is Gov. Ventura's underlying message that we need to think critically about current events, public figures, the media, and our own beliefs. More than once, Gov.Ventura urges his audience to examine and evaluate evidence and claims, consider sources of information and their assumptions and biases, scrutinize one's own viewpoints carefully, and form reasonable, logical, independent judgments. This is precisely what educational researchers, philosophers, and teachers have been urging for years! And as someone who researches and teaches critical thinking, and a supporter of the Governor's, I hope strongly that this easy-to-read, absorbing, and lively book will make the importance of critical thinking evident to a very broad audience. Bravo, Gov. Ventura!


my hero   August 30, 2000
 19 out of 21 found this review helpful

If only we could vote for a guy like this ... Never in my 35 years of living on this planet/country did I ever feel a person running for public office worthy of my vote. I am truly amazed. Jesse Ventura mirrors all of my own thoughts and feelings.