Rating: 
Summary: Interesting to see how 9/11 happened
Review: I'm glad somebody finally has the guts to point out that 9/11 probably wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the bush administration's inept cuts in various security budgets, its lack of starting the democrat inspired homeland security agency until AFTER 9/11... all to give all of the country's money to a select group of very rich people. just like in saudy arabia, where all the wealth is in the hands of very few.I would have called it a tax cut, except we had to borrow $500B+ to pay for it. if you have to borrow to give money to a handful of campaign contributors, then isn't that stealing? I wish the media weren't owned by a bunch of republican owned military contractors and so forth. at least then such stories would be given a reasonable amount of coverage. Thanks Al, for at least talking about this stuff a tiny bit. my only peeve is that too few people will be able to see this small bit of light in such dark times.
Rating:
Summary: I'm loving it
Review: I'm going back and hitting some spots again. Yes, Franken does go over the top once in a while, but he had me literally laughing out loud many, many times. There are little gems here, too, especially the chapter "Loving America the Al Franken Way," wherein he compares the different ways conservatives and liberals love our country. It really resonated with me. I intend to give a few copies of this for Christmas this year! And while I've never watched Bill O'Reilly, my dad is a faithful viewer. I can't wait to share that chapter with him. I tried to swallow Ann Coulter's Treason first, and everything Al writes about her is true. Get this - you'll love it!
Rating:
Summary: Not really balanced, but then it's not supposed to be
Review: I'm having a bit of trouble understanding the critiques by the 1-star reviewers for Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them...", since their criticisms seem to center on three points: 1. The book isn't balanced as is "claimed" in the title; 2. The book is full of lies; and 3. Al Franken isn't funny. So, in order: 1. The "Fair and Balanced" portion of the title is SATIRE. It parodies Fox News' use of the same terminology to promote a blatantly conservative viewpoint, while attempting to represent itself as unbiased. The author repeatedly makes no bones about his problems with the political right wing and the tactics its pundits pursue. 2. The statistics, articles, and transcripts cited in Mr. Franken's book are copiously footnoted, and have withstood repeated fact-checking by individuals and organizations from across the political spectrum. Unlike Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter or their ilk, the author fully presents statistics and historical events without distortion, sins of omission, or worse. If this troubles you, follow the citations in the endnotes and check for yourself. If what you find shakes your faith in the easily-swallowed, black & white, good vs. evil world presented by President Bush and his apologists and backers, you have no one to blame but the actual arc of history. 3. Funny is a matter of opinion. Al Franken's humor has never been broad, and to be fair, while he is a professional comedian, the main thrust of "Lies and the Lying Liars" is not to generate chuckles, but to illuminate the dark distortions that have been propogated in the name of patriotism and conservatism (compassionate or otherwise). That these distortions have been so numerous and so onerous means that there isn't a ton of time for lots of yuks. It is to Franken's credit that there are still some truly funny asides, observations and imaginary scenarios scattered throughout. I don't recommend this book because I find it hilarious - although there were parts that definitely made me laugh - but because it is an insightful, accessible work supported by hard facts and documentation. Refreshing and well-researched, "Lies and the Lying Liars..." is potentially a spark that will help diminish both the herd mentality and the quest for simple answers to complex problems that seem to have afflicted our great nation for the past two years.
Rating:
Summary: Franken's Arguments Funny and Enlightening...and Undisputed
Review: I'm just finishing Franken's funny and illuminating book, and one wonders whether any of those who consider themselves to be right-wing will read this and ask themselves the hard question: "How can I support the duplicity and destructive tactics and goals of Bush, Cheney, O'Reilly, Coulter, et al.?" I'm doubtful; most people don't like to think they've been duped, and the reaction of someone who begins to realize it is more likely to be furious denial than honest self-reflection...as seen by the witless (and factually bereft) "arguments" of those three or four people here who give the book one star, denounce it without offering any concrete refutations of Franken's well-researched presentation, and who post over and over and over in an attempt to lower the book's rating average. (That they've failed in this can be seen by the Four Star average the book maintains.) I was raised in a Republican family and registered Republican when I turned 18. As I grew older and saw more of the world, I couldn't help but realize that many so-called truisms I had been raised with were, in fact...not true. The world is a much more complex place than those of a fanatical bent (of either right or left) would like, and I now stand as the only Democrat in quite an extended family of rock-ribbed Republicans. That most of these people are intelligent, yet hold such unintelligent and simplistic views fascinates and baffles me. It's not that a good argument can't be made for some conservative ideas; it's that I don't hear any, mostly, from my family. I get canned bromides which are recited as dogma and believed without having been really thought through. ("A rising tide raises all boats." Well, what if you don't own a boat? The rising tide may drown you. Reminds me of Father Bush's mythical "average American who has $100,000.00 to invest," (sic). Besides, since when has it been shown that Reagan's--and now Bush's--policies result in a "rising tide" to begin with? For those who are hooked in to the pipeline, there's hot-and-cold running oil--er, water; for most of us, there's a drought.) The success of the arch-Right's "big lie" technique can be seen in the oft-promulgated (and believed!) right-wing fantasy that Republicans are the Party of the "people," of down-to-earth folk like you 'n me, while the Democrats are the party of the elite, the effete, and the special interests, so-called. Historically, this is exactly the opposite of the truth! Perhaps it's just indicative of the power of wishful thinking: so many who labor at jobs-of-work are so envious of those above them on the economic ladder that they identify with them and have convinced themselves they are merely a few years work away from ascending into the wealthy elect. Formerly, those who were laborers--and whether it's ditch-digging or office-drudgery, if you're not the owner of capital, you're labor--were clear-sighted in their recognition of where and with whom they stood. 50 years of television have turned us into childish star-gazers, seeing ourselves as almost part of a club from which we are actually being forcibly barred. Franken eviscerates the tissue of propaganda and lies which so many like those in my family believe as almost religious faith...because they WANT to believe. He's funny, he's smart, he's done his research, and his book delivers the goods. If you're funny and smart, you'll enjoy this book. If you're not, you won't.
Rating:
Summary: HILARIOUS!!!!
Review: I'm no flower-child-of-the-60's-liberal but I do agree that the right wing gets away too often with too many outrageous misconceptions and statements about the left. Agree or disagree with the content, this is one HILARIOUS book. Franken does an impeccable hatchet job on some real pompous jerks and does so in the best way possible - skewering them with their own words. I was laughing so hard after the chapter on Bill O'Reilly that tears ran down my cheeks. The best part is - he's not JUST throwing out mindless insults and bilious attacks for the sake of self-satisfaction in insulting his enemies (although you can be sure that IS part of what he's up to.) However - he's got everything he says backed up with UNDENIABLE facts. (Which makes it even more vicious and funny). If you're a right winger, Franken's book won't change you into a liberal - but - right or left - if you're honest, you WILL find yourself muttering to yourself about his targets, "Yep, he's right, that guy IS a colossal, lying jerk.'
Rating: 
Summary: No evidence of lying on Franklin's part
Review: I'm not a big fan of Franklin, but since the future over our country depends on how we vote and how we vote depends on who we believe, I think it rather important that we get to the bottom of things. A couple of the reviews below said that Franklin was lying. Well, I couldn't find a single case where he said something untrue (when he was being serious), but maybe I just didn't look hard enough. So for the edification of all of us, I propose that anyone who thinks he is lying should: 1. Quote exactly what he said that was false.
2. Give the page number(s) on which he said it.
3. Give the information that indicates what he said was false.
4. Give a VERIFIABLE source of your information, like a URL or something that anyone could look up. If you can do that, you have done us all a public service.
If you can't, then you should reevaluate your belief system.
Rating: 
Summary: This guy is mean...
Review: I'm not a political guy. I bought this for my Aunt who is very into politics. I'm not, but I'd like to be able to have a decent conversation about politics one day. I began reading this book which basically tells me that "the right", whatever that is, are a bunch of liars... and he's so mean about it. It reminds me of the cruelty of children, on the playground. I know, not as a political "talker", but as a man I'd knock him out if he said this kind of crap about me, my friends or my family. What a jerk, really. I suppose if you're going to make a living in the public eye, you'd have to put up with petty people and their petty attitudes about you. I don't know from lies. I voted for Bush cause I didn't like Gore. It's that simple. I don't know from politics or their promises. I look at who they are and make my decision. This book makes me not want to vote at all. Who can you trust when you have liars on one side, and liars on another? It hurts my head to think that politics is this dirty. I wish it wasn't but people who have to make their points by belittling others has their own issues. Some of it was funny, I can't lie. So I gave it three stars. But I don't like this guy's method of making his point. It's just too mean for me. I know this probably didn't help anyone, so go ahead and click on how it didn't. I'm just speaking my non-political, non-left and non-right point of view about Al Franken the person, not his politics.
Rating:
Summary: Al Franken for president!
Review: I'm not much for writing reviews so I'll just say this: Al Franken is a satirical genius. Conservatives everywhere...welcome to the real no spin zone, with some much needed humor and truth mixed in. And even if you're a moderate afraid that the book is little more than liberal propogandist BS, it's a hilarious read and I highly recommend at least reading the first few pages. If you're a conservative then, well, out of mercy I'd advise you to keep reading your Coulter and O`Reilly, because Al nails them to the cross hard and leaves little room for denial.
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff
Review: I'm not nominating Franken for political analyst of the year, but he's worth reading. Funny as hell, and packed with good information and the occasional poignant observation, this book is a breath of fresh air in a publishing world that is presently flooded with ultra-right wing propoganda. Does anybody remember the good old days, when it wasn't cool to be conservative? I miss it so.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your money
Review: I'm not old enough to vote yet, but old enough to read the book. Mr. Franken is bitter man. I never read so much hate. There is not much in this book that I liked, and there isn't really much evidence that all the people he hates are liars. I think people need to support the President.
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