Rating: 
Summary: Comments from Conservatives: Have you read the book?
Review: It's possible to like Al's book or to not like it. However, I am struck by the number of reviews from conservatives that describe the book as "simple", "inaccurate", "lying", etc., without citing those facts in the book that they regard as inaccurate or wrong--and why.Franken cites a multitude of facts and provides precise research and references which can be checked for their accuracy or for their inaccuracy. These include: -The results of the non-partisan Pew Center study of media coverage of the 2000 election (pp. 37-39, as compared to the statements of Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and Bernard Goldberg (p. 38) -George W. Bush's statements in his autobiography "A Promise to Keep" (how ironic) regarding his stint in the Air National Guard--namely, that he flew with his unit until 1973--versus the statements of his Base Commander William Turnipseed that he is "dead certain that" Bush did not show up (p. 45) -His citation of the Howard Kurtz research on Bush coverage in the New York Times, based on factual citations (p. 49). -Bill O'Reilly's claims, each quote accessible by LEXIS transcipts, that he won two Peabodys (the most prestigious award in journalism), O'Reilly's subsequent denials that he made the statements (despite the transcripts clearly showing that he said this); O'Reilly's subsequent castigating of those who pointed out the undeniable statements as liars (despite the transcripts), and O'Reilly's subsequent statement that he actually won a Polk (he did not; Inside Edition did--after he left). By the way, how does one "confuse" one Polk with two Peabodys? "I said I won 2 Nobel Prizes but I actually meant that I won the Northwest Pillsbury Bakeoff. I was confused. A slip of the tongue" (pp.67-72). -Bill O' Reilly's extraordinary lie that he is a "registered Independent" (and therefore, as he often likes to repeat, that he is an impartial observer) when his very own Voter Registration Form indicates that he is a registered Republican--as written in his very own hand (p. 75). -Sean Hannity's claims regarding school vouchers, claiming that the Harlem program he cites as evidences uses them--they don't. (pp. 93-4) -Hannity's wilfully distorted presentation of Federal Budget Outlays during the Reagan Administration (this matters, folks--Reaganites and Bush partisans blame Congress and protect themselves with such data) vs. the actual, non-distorted figures provided by the (conservative) Brookings Institution (pp. 95-101). -Bernard Goldberg's failure to cite the collapse of the Soviet coup and the full remarks of Tom Brokaw in his attempt to "expose" bias, and his patently false comments regarding the Commentary article (note Goldberg's use of shoddy and manipulated research to prove his thesis) (p. 29-34). The fact that not a single conservative who has characterized the book as inaccurate has addressed these or the multitude of other facts presented in the book specifically with regard to their accuracy, while characterizing them as inaccurate (or various other synonyms) strongly suggests that: -They don't know what "accuracy" means;
-They don't understand how to do research; or (most likely)
-They haven't read the book. Like they say--if you can't understand facts, then just use ad hominem words. But...you probably don't know what ad hominem is. No...it's not commercials for hot cereal.
The 1000 word limit prevents including the many, many, many other specific, factually sourced examples. So the book is "inaccurate", eh? Specific factual examples, please. From the legion of brilliant, factually grounded, non-emotional conservatives.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, incisive, and a deft commentary on the hysterical
Review: It's probably telling to any reasonable person that the radical conservatives on Amazon are posting one line reviews about how Al is hate filled, destroying America...blah blah. You'll notice they bring NO tech to the table. Al's book is well researched, factual, and virtually mistake free. They can't find anything wrong in the book, so they'll try to get you to not read it. When the facts are against them, Republicans resort to name calling, distortion, hysterics, and yes, lies. If you've got even the least suspicion that maybe something foul is afoot inside the beltway, then read this book. It will energize you, and give you ammo against the ridiculousness perpetuated by Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, O'Reilly, and their henchmen. Particularly helpful was the chapter on Clinton's surprisingly good record on terrorism, the insight into Karl Rove's absolutely hideous record of distorting people's records and attacking good men like McCain and other less conservative Republicans, and the straight info on Hannity, O'Reilly (he really is a jerk), and Coulter.
Rating:
Summary: IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Review: It's so depressing to have witnessed only over the past few years this rag-tag assortment of arrogant, ill-tempered right-wing demagogues, bullies and thoroughly obnoxious creeps--shamelessly posing as "fair and balanced journalists"--create an entire media industry that is now treated as if credible, legitimate and mainstream. Franken could not be more on the money, and the fact that he actually went to the trouble to do the extensive research to put this book together is highly commendable. My only question is, WHY HAS THIS BOOK NOT COME OUT SOONER? Am I the only one who is fed up with being greeted upon opening the door of my local Borders or Barnes and Noble by stacks and stacks of malicious propaganda by these talking heads bashing "the Left" and anyone who is its potential constituency (environmentalists, gay and lesbian people, women, arabs, Europeans, religious minorities, peace proponents, civil rights leaders, etc, etc, etc) ...claiming McCarthy was a "great American Hero" ...proposing yet more conspiracy theories to bash the Clintons (presumably to make the White House's currant occupant appear less objectionable, by comparison) ...using 9/11 as an excuse to beat people up and enshrine anti-democratic views and policies... ??? It's like walking into a German bookstore in the 1930's with this recent massive drive to normalize such meansipirited, insular, bigoted, nationalistic, irresponsible right-wing propaganda within the mainstream of public opinion(!) Coulter, Savage, Hannity, Olson, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Carlson, etc, etc are one shameful, disingenuous, malicious recent phenomenon which desperately needs to be put put back into perspective in the popular forum, and have the unearned rugs of credibility and respectability ripped out from under its abusive feet.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: It's sort of amazing that the amount of slander that has been thrown from the neocon's at the democratic party isn't picked up sooner. Franken does a great job of disassembling their statements with little effort. When people like Coultier or Goldberg make so many empty-headed and blasphemous statements it doesn't take much to dissmantle them. But Franken does it well and he's funny at the same time. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: the liar who wrote this book
Review: it's strange that when a LIBERAL wants to make a point he or her reverts to name calling and vague facts. Not once did I find any of franken's arguements valid or compelling I consider myself moderate but if this is the future of LIBERALS I may have to change the way I veiw things. This reminds me of if you tell a lie enough times it becomes true... Fair and balanaced Mr. franken HARDLY. You give LIBERALS a bad name!!!!
I would like to dispute the so called facts of this book but there are so many inaccuracies or nebulous facts that I don't have time to write a novel safe to say I think this is trash and I don't want to be considered LIBERAL, Left,or Democrat for fear I will turn into a liar and teller of Half truths as Mr. franken has...
Rating: 
Summary: Funny and detailed, but get it in audio
Review: It's surely useless to convince readers of this review that Al Franken is or is not on the side of Good or Evil. You all already have your opinions. I just want to make a particular pitch for the audio version. We listened to the audio version non-stop on a 9-hour car trip, and it was the only book I've ever encountered that could make the drive through Northern Indiana genuinely entertaining. My apologies to the great city of Fort Wayne, but it's true. I strongly urge you to get the audiobook version, since a great part of the humor comes from Franken's comic delivery (he reads his own text in the audio version). The audiobook also adds value to the printed page by using the actual audioclips of events reported in the text, such as speeches as Sen. Paul Wellstone's funeral. Regardless of whether you are liberal or conservative, if you don't have a sense of humor, stay away from Al Franken's book.
Rating:
Summary: antidote for the mainstream media blues
Review: it's time to call a spade, a spade. american politics today is dominated by a cadre of liars, as al franken diligently documents in his new book. you won't believe what the right gets away with!
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Interesting, but Mostly Funny
Review: It's true that Franken's book offers a well organized attack against a type of political commentary that has become all too common. The Hannity/Coulter ultra-conservative cult encourages an oversimplified approach to the world, in many cases devoid of actual facts. The facts they do mention are so twisted and misrepresented it's almost sinful to call them facts. Republicans make strong arguments in some key issues, but with mouthpieces like this making the case, it's hard not to dismiss it all as drivel. In addition, Franken offers perspectives you may not have heard before about: the truth about Al Gore's problem with lying, Bill Clinton's attempts to thwart terrorism, what really happened at Paul Wellstone's memorial, amongst other issues. His most astute commentary may be that the mainstream media is neither Liberal nor Conservative, but they are lazy. Through it all, Franken's sharp sense of humor dominates the book. Anyone with an open mind can enjoy his jokes and one liners in spite of political idealogy. The book's not perfect (I could have done without the chicken-hawk and Supply Side Jesus cartoons), but it does provide a much needed balance to the political discussion. As you prepare to consider your vote for '04, give Franken's book a look. Let him report and you can decide.
Rating:
Summary: My Wife Loves The Book and She Hasn¿t Even Read It Yet!
Review: It's true, as I read the book I laughed so frigging hard that my wife would start to chuckle. It is a page-turning guffaw. If, like me, you are looking for the Anti-Rush, Anti-O'Reilly, Anti-Fox News, look no further, for The Humor and The Humorous Humorist Who Hums It --aka Al Franken-- is our man. (Larry Miller --"humorist" with the Weakly Standard-- eat your heart out!)
Rating:
Summary: Who's watching the watcher?
Review: It's truly no wonder so many Americans are political cynics. Franken claims to be policing the right, identifying scoundrels and liars, yet only appears to be able to do so by spinning lies of his own as fast as his little liberal lips can murmur. Check out frankenlies.com for a small sampling. In the end, anyone who reads this book can accuse Franken of not only lying, but of stealing the valuable time that one might have spent doing just about anything else.
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