Sorry, Everybody: An Apology to the World for the Re-Election of George W. Bush

This book, what it is and what it represents, is a part of what makes America great. It's the voice and image of the people (well, around half of them), made into something tangible that you can see, read, and experience for yourself. It is the concept of freedom of speech made into reality. Whether one agrees with the message or not, one has to admire the power of the idea itself, and how it caught the imagination of so many. This is not a book by one person, but thousands. It is not a single voice, but many voices, speaking from the heart in simple terms words of apology for a wrong they felt was done. From anger to sadness to hope, the feelings expressed in these images and on these handwritten signs are honest and true and heartfelt. The word "grassroots" is thrown around a great deal these days, usually inaccurately, but that word describes the idea behind this book perfectly...something that started as a simple idea and inspired many others to follow suit. It was not planned. It just...happened. This is the essence of a true grassroots effort. The pictures willl show you that the people represented here are not stereotypical in the least. They're not all hippies, peaceniks, or college students. They're not even all Democrats! There are people here from red states and blue states, from Boston and Seattle but also from Texas and Georgia and yes, even from Ohio and Florida. There are people young and old, blue collar workers, teachers, high school students, farmers, mothers, and members of the United States military. There are no celebrities here, no political pundits, no "loony lefties." Just everyday people, most of whom you've probably never met and never will, but they all have something to say. Each page has something funny to offer, or something touching... often both. It is a reminder of how we took that difficult time after the election in 2004 and turned it into a unifying moment, showing the world that we were better than how it seemed on November 2nd, speaking the same words in the voice of thousands, reaching across the country and around the world to spread the simplest of messages: "We're so sorry." Like it or not, this book is not the voice of the loudest few. It is the voice and the image of the many, who are usually silent but on this occasion had to speak, to make their voices heard so that their silence was not interpreted as acquiescence or agreement. These are the voices we don't normally hear from, speaking honest words from the heart. This is the face and the voice of America. Whether we agree or disagree with what they're saying, maybe we should all at least take the time to listen to them, and to see them for what they are. Americans.

All political debate aside (since this isn't the forum for it), this book is a collection of photos sent in just after last year's presidential election by (mostly) Americans who were disappointed and upset over the results (though there are a few photos of people from other countries, commiserating). The website was a great outlet for people to express their feelings, and they did so with wonderful photos of themselves with signs that were sometimes very touching and often quite funny (like the woman who offered to bake everyone cookies). Each photo expresses a lot with few words, and you get a sense of their genuine love of their country, their hurt over the election and irrepressible sense of humour. I don't think this book was intended as anything other than a snapshot (pun intended) of a portion of the country in a vulnerable moment in history, but it's very well done, and will renew your faith that there are many people out there who, after sending in their photo, probably took a deep breath, dusted themselves off, and are now working very hard towards the next election.

After the results of the 2004 Presidential election were made clear, a student from USC started a website www.sorryeverybody.com. The book is a collection of pictures from that website. Ted Rall (author and political cartoonist) wrote a forward for this book. People from all over the U.S. wrote how they felt and took pictures of themselves holding signs. Some signs were very creative. I would say these are not only some of America's best people, these are also some of the best Democrats. The people in this book are in the long haul and will always work for better education, healthcare and human rights issues. If you are non-American, I recommend taking a look at this book so you can see a much better alternative to the sorry "elected" officials who represent this country.

Until I saw Sorry Everybody, I used to say "Americans." Now I say Republicans or Bush-voters; I say Democrats or smart liberal Americans. I must honestly tell you that right after the election, when someone said that 2000 was a travesty but 2004 showed America's true nature, I agreed. But the book showed me that Americans don't speak as one. I was overwhelmed by the creativity, humour and wonderful humanity revealed in the photos and messages. You're not just good people, you're artists! It isn't easy being a Canadian and coping with Bully Bush next door. In fact, it's scary and miserable. Sorry Everybody makes me want you all to come up here for a visit or become a citizen, if you don't mind winter. Now we like to smoke up, we like our gay marriage and full abortion rights, we like going into a doctor's office without worrying about cash, we like hockey and canoes -- we are different from you. But we like you Democrats so very much. I will treasure this wonderful historic volume.

All I can say is this book sure helped me deal with a lot of anger and frustration and sadness. For the (slim) minority of us here in the US (and the majority of the world) who have been absolutely abhorrent of governer bush's handling of the presidency, this book is a much needed catharsis. More power to you, James Zetlen, and to the publishing company who made this book available to all of us. It is a wonderful documentary snapshot of this turbulent time. If you have read this far, and have not been polluted by the pro-bushies' anger, above, i seriously suggest you buy this book. Not only is it history, it is a breath of fresh air. I am proud to have it on my shelf, if for nothing more than to announce to all visitors who i am NOT allied with.