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Summary: I loved this book!!!
Review: I'm still laughing at Franken's wonderful non-fiction piece of literary work. I probably wouldn't have purchased this book had it not been for Fox News raising such a stink about using the phrase "Fair & Balanced". But I thought if Fox was so upset about it, then this guy Franken must have something going. Of course, the pictures on the front cover said enough, but that's neither here nor there. The book has humor and great information about how things HAPPEN in politics. I've often thought Cheney was running the White House, but I guess it's Karl Rove according to Franken. I was a big O'Reilly fan for a long time, and I slowly began to realize how he was treating the guests on his program. And this thing about the Peabody & Polk awards that I learned about in Franken's book, well...that really turned me off with O'Reilly. So thanks, Al. I'll be looking forward to reading more of your Liberal books. Keep up the good work. From the ratings you're getting on this one, looks like a lot of people like what you have to say. I know I did.
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Summary: Another Franken masterpiece!
Review: I'm sure reviews of this book will indicate the reader's leanings. From my perspective, Franken does a superb job of refuting the tired and silly whine about a left leaning press as well as pointing to the lies and plain bad journalism of Murdoch's FOX and it's conservative cohorts. And all with a healthy dose of humor.I'm just sorry Franken doesn't write a book a year. The 2nd Bush administration certainly provides enough fodder!
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Summary: It's about time the democrats had a spokesperson
Review: I'm useing my wife's amazon account to write this. I loved this book so much I leant it to a right-wing, pro-war friend. I doubt if he'll read it. He, like his hero's in today's washington never served a day of his life in the military. I on the other hand joined the army the same day I left High School. I served 13 months of my enlistment in S.E. asia when it was a very unpopular thing to do. I have nothing but contempt for pro-war baby-boomer's that drape themselves in the flag and rattle their saber's for blood-shed (when they did all they could to avoid military duty during Nam). Al tell's the truth as he see's it--meaning without a stilted eye. He has rare courage to speak out during the present reign in such a politicaly oppresive climate. Go get 'em al! And shame on you Rush Limbaugh for trying to hurt a child as you did with the little Clinton girl's photograph on your T.V. show. What kind of a man would try and humiliate a kid like that? When I read that bit in Al's book I thought to myself, this "joke" sounds like something an old burn-out would pull. Good luck on the re-hab.
Rating: 
Summary: Politics has never been so entertaining
Review: I'm very grateful to Al Franken, he showed me that politics can be taken seriously but still laughed at. Instead of getting mad, be amused! This approach could add years to my life. I'm not giving it 5 stars because it wasn't perfect and I thought the fictional section about all the chickenhawks going to war was rather unnecessary and distracting, but I still very much recommend it. And a note to the NY reviewer a few reviews down, I looked at that site and quite a few of the rebuttal claims were weak at best. I had to laugh when they informed us that there was never actually a plan in the Bush administration called Operation Ignore. No, really?
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Summary: I Guess the Truth Hurts!
Review: I'm writing this review as someone who has actually read this book! This is unlike many previous reviewers. If your only source of "news" is cable television, you should probably not read this book. First of all, this is SATIRE, people. If you don't understand the word, look it up! Secondly, what Mr. Franken does, and does very well, is point out how many commentators take comments out of context to distort them and turn them into lies that are repeated over and over until they are taken as fact by their viewers. There is a saying that goes "if you say anything enough times, people will believe it". There are very good examples of this tactic used against not only Al Gore and Bill Clinton, but against Paul Wellstone's own children at a memorial service for their father. As for Coulter, O'Reilly, Hannity, and the rest, it is as Al says "like shooting fish in a barrel". ANYONE can listen to them for five minutes and see right through them. Or not.
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Summary: Dr. Michael L. Johnson
Review: I've always considered myself an independent who leans to the right (Yes, I voted for George W in 2000). I love Al Franken all the way back to his SNL days. I've read all of his books and this one his is best! At times hilarious and controversial, Al usually is right on. Do I agree with everything in the book? Heck No!!! I'm not a "mined-numb robot", but overall this is a great read. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Mr. Franken's work to date, get on it!!! It's only a few more months before the election. Dr. Michael L. Johnson author of "What Do You Do When the Medications Don't Work--A Non-Drug Treatment of Dizziness, Migraine Headaches, Fibromyalgia, and Other Chronic Conditions".
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Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: I've always enjoyed the satirical wit of Mr. Franken on those occasions when I've seen him on SNL and other shows, and this book doesn't disappoint. But the humor is merely the topping on the cake. Its the exposing of the right-wing media lies that makes this book well worth the price of admission. Debunking falsehoods in a manner that even a dull-witted Republican could understand, this book is a real breath of fresh air. I highly recommend it!
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Summary: A Must Read
Review: I've always tried to avoid the whole liberal vs. conservative literary bashing that's been going on, however, I figured to take a shot on this one.
I was inclined to pick this one up because I've been a Franken fan since his Stuart Smalley days on Saturday Night Live, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to read his commentary.
I'm not going to say that I believe every single piece of information he has written, however, I re-evaluated my views on W. Bush and Karl Rove. (I severly disliked both of them before and now can move towards the hatred mark of the scale.)
Franken's wit is flat out hilarious and there were moments when I had so much trouble stifling my laughter, I had friends asking if I needed help. "Operation Chickenhawk" is one of the most memorable chapters I read which had me literally in tears. The chapters on Ann Coulter made me realize, yet again, what a bumbling idiot she really is. Plus, the chapter on Paul Wellstone was inspiring and reminded me just why I love politics and made me want to get even more involved in public service.
As a self-professed bleeding liberal raised in a family of card carrying conservatives, Franken infuses his work with wit and poses significant questions regarding the current president and his cabinet. This book confirmed my belief that the right truly is wrong.
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Summary: Thank God for Al Franken
Review: I've been a fan of Al's since the 'Al Franken Decade' and have also read his other books . This one I loved so much so that I also bought the audio cassettes. I've been sharing the information in the book with my ultra-busy friends , attempting to broaden their views. It seems to be working. I've noticed that the media has not worked over this book and I haven't heard anyone dispute the content . I hope that is not going unnoticed. Keep up the excellent work, Al. I look forward to your radio show. Thank you!
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Summary: A humorous and satirical attack on the right
Review: I've been a fan of Franken for years. His first book, Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot, was hysterical and skewered the idiotic talk show host with a rapier wit. I was fortunate enough to see him live at Joe's Pub in NYC last year (02) on Election Night, and he's just as funny and articulate in person. So I had high expectations for this book. For the most part they were met. Franken makes many strong arguements against the mythos that the press is biased towards liberals. Using examples from the election of '00 and more recent political events, Franken makes a strong case for a conservative bias in the media. There were however, several pieces, the comic strip chapter among them that were unnecessary, unfunny, and that took away from the rest of the book. Overall, however, I'd still reccomend it.
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