BuzzFlash Reviews

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS

Everyone knows a dittohead. In addition to being devoted listeners of Rush Limbaugh, they're also loud, judgmental, and sure they're always right. One of the most common phrases you'll hear them use is "if you only understood politics you'd be a Republican." And from abortion to gay marriage to national defense to fiscal policy, Rush tells them how it only works the Republican way.

Originally a diary on the popular website Daily Kos, Confessions of a Former Dittohead is a unique personal and political memoir that follows red-stater and social conservative Jim Derych on a unique journey from right to left.

Opening with Jim's introduction to Rush by his father, Confessions details how over a thirteen-year period and a "thousand small cuts," Jim moved away from Rush and the Republicans and embraced the Democratic Party. Sharing both the personal--a friend who had an abortion as a teenager, a gay college roommate who delayed his coming out because of "people like Jim"--and the political--a comical encounter with the Young Republicans, his reaction to the torture scandals and the Iraq War--this is a moving and thought-provoking account that dispels the myth of "compassionate conservatism." (From the Publisher.)

Can a Dittohead see the light?

Well, there's no little pill that will turn them around (although Rush sure knows a thing or two about pills). They are as addicted to Rush's emotional, demagogic appeal as Rush is to OxyContin (and Viagra in the pursuit of seedy sex of some sort in the Dominican Republic.)

But in this delightfully earnest and humorous book, former Dittohead and regular guy, Jim Derych, lays out the psychological mindset of Rush's Stepford followers. He knows, because he lived to come in from the cold.

Amidst so many books of theory and humor about Limbaugh from progressives, it's amazing to read the forthright insights of a real live ex-Rush disciple.

Drych provides practical pointers on dealing with Dittoheads, such as: "You may have noticed that dittoheads are capable of incredible feats of mental gymnastics when it comes to defending Rush's beliefs [or BuzzFlash would call them propaganda points; we aren't really sure what fundamental beliefs Rush has beyond making tons of money, drug addiction, and hedonism]. That is why you won't score a whole lot of points with them by saying, "Rush is wrong!" But where you can potentially have some success cracking their worldview is through pointing out places where Rush uses double standards or is intellectually dishonest."

This is a from the heart, sincerely thoughtful, helpful book of personal transformation. It's kind of like reading a book from someone who escaped a cult.

Hmmm, that is what Jim Derych accomplished, isn't it?



BUZZFLASH REVIEWS