Sunroom Desk

Robert Scheer, Former LA Times syndicated columnist and current USC/Annenberg School Professor and TruthDig.com editor-in-chief, kept a crowd of listeners engrossed as he objected to United States defense spending and financial system policies at a Friends of the Library event last night.

Scheer titled his new book The Pornography of Power because in these matters “we aren’t getting the real thing.” He contended that “the role of logic and fact becomes minor in discussions of these political issues,” and went on to discuss the logic and facts surrounding defense projects and their political support base.

Covering topics from the C-17 cargo plane, to the roots of the financial crisis (he urged the crowd to “google” The Financial Services Act and the Commodity Futures Modernization Act-on the second paying particular attention to Titles 3 and 4), to the BlackRock role in rehabilitating toxic assets, Scheer painted a grim picture of political pandering, legislative and policy disasters, and financial waste.

His sharp analysis of past presidents’ roles in U.S. defense and economic policy, from Roosevelt to Obama, had particular credence because he personally interviewed several presidents as a nationally syndicated reporter.

Scheer’s earlier book, Playing President, contains his fascinating analyses of Nixon, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush.

After his presentation, Scheer responded in detail to several questions from the audience, who were happy to stay and listen. Thanks to the Friends of the Library and especially board member Leon Mayer for scheduling this speaker. If you missed the event, buy the books!

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