Rating:  Summary: This is a must-read for all on the political spectrum Review: This book made me laugh out loud, but the realization that the things Al Franken points out to us that are being propogated by people who lean to the right (and beyond) is sobering. Even though the Rush Zombies would never accept anything he writes as truth, I am gratified that Al has done the research to counter the fabrications and distortions that we get on an all-too-frequent basis. I even tested him (albeit without his knowledge or permission) - I did a random internet search on my own on some of the things he writes about. It is amazing that I could find the answers in a matter of minutes. So why can't Ann and Bill do the same?The book was engrossing and intriguing. It is loaded with a lot of information that most of us overlook or bypass when getting the news. Al Franken is a sharp detective of what just doesn't pass the litmus test for truth, and goes after it and bears the burden of proof without making anything up to promote his agenda. Besides being politically astute, Al Franken is definitely more funny than Ann Coulter.
Rating:  Summary: Comic Relief for Liberals Review: This book made me laugh outloud in several places. It's clearly not fair or balanced, but THAT'S THE POINT!!!... Franken does much of what he criticizes in the right wingers, because he clearly (and I think justifiably) feels somebody to the left has got to fight back in the same terms. So amongst all the very amusing and spot-on critiques and rooting out of truth behind the lies-a-plenty, there seem to be a few dubious, less well-founded arguments. But on the whole Franken seems like he's making an honest effort to reverse the spin with well-researched truth and he's even willing to criticize himself in a couple of places. This book is somewhere between Palast's 'The Best Democracy Money Can Buy' and Moore's 'Stupid White Men' in its tone and content, so if you liked both of those you'll definitely like this.
Rating:  Summary: This Book Rocks Review: This book marks beginning of the end of the right winged nuts' stronghold on the media. Al Franken has made criticism of the lying radical right winged media a common and necessary occurance. This book is brilliant and entertaining. No wonder it is a huge success! We will be looking out for your next project, Al, we've heard it will be radio!?! Hope it's soon.
Rating:  Summary: The Right is Running Scared! Review: This book must really be touching a big nerve with the more insecure members of the Right...look at how the Dittoheads and Freepers have been coming out of the woodwork lately, posting more non-substantive "reviews," offering vague critiques of a book they obviously haven't read, complaining about a "shrill" or "bitter" tone by Franken which is nowhere to be found in the good-natured and humorous, but deadly serious, book I read and thoroughly enjoyed. They have yet to offer even one single refutation of Franken's facts or arguments, proof they haven't read the book and thus don't know the facts or arguments he presents, (or they simply cannot dispute his cold, hard facts). I also accuse these folks of being un-American and unpatriotic: among the distinguishing attributes of our society, one of the greatest is our freedom of speech and thought, and our ability--as a society--to contain diverse opinions and points of view. From the synthesis of these many voices and ideas, we arrive at a lively and progressive society, with great innovation in every field, from the scientific to the artistic to the philosophical to the economic. Yet, many of these folks who most loudly proclaim their "Americanism" are the most hostile to ideas which differ from their own rigid, often ill-informed views, seeing any contrary opinion as indicative of aberrant thinking, to the degree that it must be pathological. This hostility to alternative opinions reveals how little these folks truly understand the very society they claim so loudly to love. Their own thinking most closely resembles the mindset of the irrational fanatics who produce repressive regimes in their own lands and who make up the terrorists who bedevil our own. Every outraged, misspelled, badly-written, fact-starved "review" offered here serves as one more admission by these folks that their world-view is intellectually bankrupt and survives only through their refusal to see (or say) the truth. Go, Al, Go! You've got 'em on the run!
Rating:  Summary: worth your time Review: This book points out the lies of conservative pundits. It pays special attention to Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, and Bill O'Reilly. O'Reilly once violently threatened a man who lost his father in 9-11 because the man didn't support the war in Iraq. He then went on to spread lies about the man. This book has a transcript of Hannity lying about Al Gore. This book was not as funny as Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot. It has a more serious tone. It does have alot of funny parts though. I especially liked the cartoon Supply Side Jesus. Some reviewers don't seem to understand that Franken's subtitle A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right was meant to be ironic. The Fox news network uses the slogan Fair and Balanced. They then go on to be blatantly biased against democrats. Fox tries to make democrats look as dumb as they can. Franken doesn't mean for this book to be fair. He was making a joke and giving conservatives a taste of their own medicine.
Rating:  Summary: Interesting commentary, but not that funny Review: This book provides an interesting analysis of the popular sport of liberal bashing. Mr. Franken defends his postion with, surprise, facts. He provides information that shows many lies that have been told by conservatives, and continue to be shamelessly repeated over, and over, and over. This book is at its best when he is pointing out the lies and deception provided by some members of the 'right'. A few drawbacks - he focuses on Coulter WAY too much. We get it. She lies. He hammers this point a little too hard. Also, I don't find Mr. Franken that funny in this book. I've always enjoyed watching him on SNL, and laughed with him then, but in this book he just isn't able to be that funny. Perhaps his humor is tempered by the seriousness of the subject matter that he discusses - it's hard to laugh when you're so angry with the lies that are being told, and believed, by so many Americans. Maybe this book will help the right actually discuss some issues, and stop calling everyone who disagrees with them "un-American". As Mr. Franken points out, this is probably very unlikely...
Rating:  Summary: Un-American Rhetoric Review: This book rates no stars. It is nothing more than extreme left-wing rhetoric that is attempting to destroy our country. Franken is of the ilk of Michael Moore, Jesse Jackson and Alec Baldwin. They are all examples of lying left-wing fanatics who have sold their souls for the almighty buck. Franken is a hired gun of the fanatical left-wing and a loser of the highest magnitude. Do not buy this disgusting, Un-American piece of dishonest propaganda.
Rating:  Summary: There's lies, damn lies and then there's Al Franken Review: This book reminds me of the Rambo movies, entertaining but based on ignorance and a mean spirited premise. Buy this one for your favorite non-thinking liberal friend. I guess what hit me most about this book was that the slurs and venom, while wrapped in humor, were not to inform. This this lowering the bar on political dialogue. If you must read this, wait for a copy to be open at the library. Don't put money in the pocket of hate mongers whether they be on the left or right.
Rating:  Summary: Witty and absolutely FACTUAL Review: This book right on time. We all know (except blind "always right" conservatives) book like "Treason" are full of lies, distortion of facts, whinning, name calling. Nobody, execept the always-right conservatives likes O'Reilly's shouting - cutting off whenever someone disagrees with him. After war is over we all know about Weapon of Mass Deception. Al Franken makes his point in as-usual witty and absolutely no-nonsese manner. And not to mention the content are factual - to the point. One should read Ann Coulter's Treason and this book together and understand what is factual and what is popaganda. In this book Coulter's 'endnote/footnote' is great. O'Reilly's 'Peabody/Polk' is funny. There are more funny stuffs.....
Rating:  Summary: Mandatory reading. Review: This book should be read by everyone who loves the U.S. The laughs are constant--on average, I laughed out loud at something on nearly every page. But the real purpose of the book is to instruct. I suppose I knew a lot of the information in the book already, but Franken delivers the goods with pertinent, often fascinating background info that makes these anecdotes all the more powerful. The other, unstated, purpose of the book, and one I truly hope succeeds, is to inspire readers to do what it takes to repair the grievous state of our Union.
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