Rating:  Summary: The Confused Al Franken Review: Mr. Franken appears to be confused on the cover of his latest doorstop of a novel. Is he squinting to see any trace of "conservative biases" in the media, or is this just another example of Mr. Franken's strangely and unsettlingly odd facial contortions?
I am a conservative. I occasionally read books from the left in order to "know the enemy," so to speak. Mr. Franken's tome was the most recent one I read. It was not enjoyable to say the least. Mr. Franken is supposed to be a comedian, but he is far too vicious and far less funny than should be allowed. Ann Coulter, whom Mr. Franken disparages in two back-to-back chapters (backed up with "evidence" that Ms. Coulter has long since rebutted with actual evidence), is vicious too...but she's got a sense of humor that balances the tone, at least in my mind. Mr. Franken, on the other hand, frequently uses swear words and (occasionally) graphic sexual descriptions in his writing. This is not particularly funny or unfunny; it is just increasingly repulsive, especially as one crosses over the 400-page mark. Ann Coulter keeps her books in the 200-300 page range. Mr. Franken's 420+ page paper weight is just too much cynicism and ad hominem attacking for one novel.
Al Franken thinks Bill O'Reilly is a conservative. I pose the following question to Mr. Franken: If the "global warming"-believing Bill O'Reilly is really a Republican, then why is he pro-gay marriage, pro-gun control, pro-choice, and anti-death penalty? Certainly these are not traits that Mr. Franken would apply to any other "conservative." I realize that Mr. Franken has a personal enmity towards Mr. O'Reilly, but without credible evidence to back up the "really a Republican!" claim, it is unconcinving, in my opinion.
Sean Hannity is a conservative. Alan Colmes is a liberal. Mr. Franken takes one "Hannity & Colmes" episode and discovers that Mr. Hannity said over 2,000 words, while Mr. Colmes was relegated to just over 1,000. But keep in mind, this is just one episode. What if Mr. Colmes had the flu that day? Maybe he was mad at Mr. Hannity for having a bestselling novel and didn't want to speak. I like Alan Colmes, even though he's wrong on every single issue. Mr. Colmes is not vicious, forceful, obnoxious and/or annoying (things that Mr. Franken is). For Mr. Franken to criticize Mr. Colmes for not, I don't know, "standing up" for the liberals out there is just another example of the crumbling Democratic party. This is just one more instance of the difference between liberals: there are radicals and there are moderates. Mr. Franken is a radical. Mr. Colmes is a moderate. See the difference? I do.
All in all, I did not enjoy reading Mr. Franken's novel, which plumbs new depths below the bottom of the barrel. Mr. Franken is second only to Michael Moore in terms of sophomoric writing styles, and it is not something I wish to experience again. Here's to conservatism!
Rating:  Summary: A MASTERPIECE! Review: Mr. Franken boldly and forthrightly confronted the conservative press icons, rebuking and refuting their most blatant LIES with deft debunking. Franken used mostly direct quotes from the right wing radio and TV broadcasters (themselves!)and authors, as well as quotations from items that are a matter of public record to solidy (bedrock!) document his debunking. It is about time someone did what Mr. Franken did -- long overdue!! THANK YOU Al Franken!!
Rating:  Summary: An excellent example of Soiviet style propaganda Review: Mr. Franken combines inuendo with a few facts to produce an excellent example of the type of propaganda that, I thought, died with the Soviet Union. The style that mixes facts with satire that implies a truth that never was, is reminicent of Crocodile the old Soviet satire journal. Note the mixture of footnotes where the facts are solid and chapter references where they are not. The quotes of various right oriented commentators that he calls ad hominim attacks (e.g. calling Clinton a rapist)are well documented and used as examples of the tone of the Right, although the facts of the Clinton criminal cases are not disputed. His technique is Classical Marxist in character and is a dificult read for anyone not well aquainted with Marxist dialectic.
Rating:  Summary: humorous look at serious things Review: Mr. Franken gets his "ducks in a row" to take shots at the media, the administration, and some fellow authors. I found it fairly easy reading, but suspect not all will know when he's joking, as he does at various spots in this book.It compares favorably to his "Rush Limbaugh is a big fat Idiot," Michael Moore's books, and "Memoirs of a Sleepless Mind" Good reading if one likes to ponder serious things and chuckle along the way.
Rating:  Summary: Interesting look at the Right Review: Mr. Franken had a great idea: turn the ideas of the conservative against them! Unfortunately, he instead uses it to promote his political views. Think of how funny this could have been if he had written it like a third party observing this from heaven or outer space! In other words, he should not have written it in a liberal manner, but instead as a neutral third party making innocent comments and insights. Still this book is not without its laughs, from thoughts about George Bush to making fun of Rush Limbaugh. An interesting book, I'd maybe recommend this to hardcore liberals, and thats all who will (or can) really enjoy it.
Rating:  Summary: THE WORST Review: Mr. Franken has done it again. In his endless goal to try and make money he has pandered to the lowest form of humanity, hate. Mr. Franken Hates conservatives and republicans, he hates free speech(fox news). And he basically hates everything america is all about, he hates open debate, he hates people with differnt political views then him and he hates religioins like christianity. This is a hateful intolerant book. Mr. Franken should not be purchased, it only feeds his ego and feeds his hatred towards america. A terrible book that condemns fox news simply because he doesnt agree that society should be given all points of view.
Rating:  Summary: Wonderful Review: Mr. Franken has done it again. In his latest book, Lies and the lying liars who tell them, he unravels right wing consipracies and frauds to the tune of sarcarstic wit and utter disbelief. He exposes truly ridiculous lies spread by the right through both the media and politicians. My only complaint with the book is that it is pretty partisan in that it doesn't show any flaws in the left at all. I know he's liberal but he can't be blind to the left's deceptive nature also. He presents the liberals in too pure a light. Otherwise this book is a winner and a must read for all liberals, conservatives and americans.
Rating:  Summary: shining the light Review: Mr. Franken has provided a great public service for the USA with his book, "Lies and the Lying Liars That Tell Them, A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right". O'Reilly, Coulter, Hannity, Limbaugh, Bush, Cheney; These people deserve to have their written words and speech held up to the light of day for everyone to see, hoisted on their own BS. The book is courageous, very funny and would be more enjoyable if the subject wasn't so deadly serious. Speaking Truth to Power and Power's sycophants with a smile. Very well done Mr. Franken
Rating:  Summary: Finally the truth Review: Mr. Franken has the truth and actually backs it up with extensive research. Unlike Coultor or O'Reilly he uses facts to prove what we as Americans for long have been lied to about. People who refuse to look as history as a valuable learning tool (elite right) will make the same mistakes over and over. Al Franken mirrors the frustration of many Americans who follow world events closely. Thank you Mr. Franken for not speaking to us as stupid blind followers!
Rating:  Summary: Good comic relief Review: Mr. Franken is foremost a comedian, and his credentials are more closely aligned with comedy than fiction, although this is moderately well written. His arguments are very baseless, and I actually had to fight off putting the book down for good. The real target market for this book, in my opinion, is any left-wing reader who wants a little reinforcement for his views, and K-3rd graders. I enjoyed Mr. Franken on Saturday Night Live; he "left" me with this tome.
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