Well, I'd want to know: does Branam believe that blacks are largely responsible for their underachievement? Or that larger societal forces are more responsible?

Or does he buy and give out books that he disagrees with, just for kicks?

Just to be clear, I don't know if that summary of Williams' book is correct (i.e. black underachievement is largely self-caused). And I think thinking critically and sharing arguments even if you're not sure you believe them (but if you think they are well-argued) are good traits.

And I'd love all the city council candidates to answer the same question, not just John, who generally seems like a good guy.

I just think the incident raises some questions about what Branam found so inspiring or interesting about Williams' book. Maybe all the candidates should write a book report?

Give us a fucking break!

If you're so damn interested, why not just call him up and ask to go out to coffee with him or request an interview?

The Achievement_Gap is fundamentally genetic in nature (diffeences in racial groups IQ). See Hart "Understanding Human History" and Lynn "Race Differences in Intelligence." Both are recently published, easily read by the layperson, and contain all the necessary references to massive peer-reviewed published research by well-credentialed scholars. The professionals are keeping their mouths shut with respect to the mainstream media so they don't get the Watson Sledgehammer Treatment and risk losing their grants and careers. grants.

I have given Ronald Regan's memoirs as a gift to two different friends (including one co-worker), because I thought they offered some interesting insights to a dude that was totally insane. I also gave the Amy Sedaris cookbook as a gift last Christmas, even though I do not condone the preparation of meals whilst intoxicated. Does this mean I cannot run for public office?

This attention to what books our candidates buy -- and gift -- is the silliest examination I've heard of yet.