http://www.codysbooks.com/calendar/calendar2.jsp - Friday, May 21 - JOHN STAUBER - returns with BANANA REPUBLICANS . The bestselling author of Weapons of Mass Deception now lay bare how the " right-wing conspiracy", as represented by the national GOP and its functionaries in the media, lobbying establishment, and electoral system, is undermining dissent and squelching pluralistic politics in America. Sound familiar? BANANA REPUBLICANS reveals how the GOP leadership maintains its hold on power through systematic manipulation. Stauber and his writing partner Sheldon Rampton examine the legacy of the 2000 Florida ballot scandal; how a GOP echo chamber spreads its views through conservative media giants; how, even within its own environs, the national Republican Party has squelched disagreement and moderation; how GOP leaders have strong-armed traditional lobbying firms into exclusively hiring Republicans; and how corporate-funded think tanks and Republican Party pundits have equated disagreement with treason. "Rampton and Stauber are two of America's bravest, finest journalists. Their work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how greedy corporations and their allied in government now wield power in the United States." - Eric Schlosser. 7:30 PM at Telegraph Avenue