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| Home > Reviews > John Stossel and his book visit Denver |
| John Stossel and his book visit Denver | | Date Created: Feb 02, 2005, 10:42 PM |
 Well this isn't quite a book review although Stossel's year old book, Give Me A Break, is out in paperback. And it's not a concert or movie review. ABC's "consumer reporter" and Co-Anchor of 20/20 was at the Davis Auditorium of Sturm Hall on the Denver University campus tonight. The event was sponsored by the Independence Institute, a Colorado conservative think tank, and the Young America's Foundation, a conservative campus organization. Here's what the website promo looked like.Special Event
Sold Out!
The Independence Institute, University of Denver and Young America's Foundation
cordially invite you to attend a lecture and book signing by
John Stossel
ABC News Consumer Reporter
and
20/20 Co-Anchor
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Davis Auditorium in Sturm Hall, University of Denver
7:00 p.m. - Lecture
8:00 p.m. - Book Signing
It wasn't quite SRO but was well attended and Stossel was preaching to the choir. I don't know whether he was paid for this appearance or how much but it takes a lot of effort to travel around and do this. Of course it promotes his book too.
I've been following John Stossel for years. He's the only game in town when it comes to a libertarian point of view on old school mainstream media. He also graduated four years ahead of me at Princeton University which makes him about 58 years old and a member of the turbulent 60's era. His shows have been available on video for years -- Laissez Faire Books still carries them, but he'd never written a book.
So when his book came out last January, I devoured it. You should read it. I learned how Stossel and I got to the same place politically and philosophically by different routes and you can learn what libertarianism is all about. Full review is still pending.
Tonight Stossel didn't really say anything that's not in the book but he said it with conviction and flair and remarkable forthrightness. His first words after an introduction by conservatives were, "I'm a libertarian.". He got applause. And at the end he got a standing O. A Q&A followed which he handled well and then the traditional book signing. I was fourth in line.
The one thing that struck me that I hadn't picked up in the book was how government regulatory excess only affects those who don't need it. It doesn't solve the problem or do anything for those who need it. In this it's the same as gun control legislative attempts. Only the law abiding citizens are rendered defenseless. The bad guys? It doesn't bother them. They find ways to get around it.
There was also an interesting exchange about Michael Crichton's book, State of Fear, which does for environmental issues and activists what Stossel does for government and media excess. Consumer advocates, trial lawyers, and the mainstream media also rely on creating a state of fear. Apparently, Stossel tried to do a show on Crichton and his book but it was put on permanent hold by his producers. Crichton doesn't have to cowtow to anyone but Stossel does.
A good time was had by all. Well, OK, parking was a problem... |
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