Rating: 
Summary: You have to give this book 5 stars, IF...
Review: Do you like clever, intelligent comedy? If so, you should see what Al Franken says in this book. It's an enjoyable read for all colors of the political spectrum, as long as you don't take it too seriously. However, if it was really meant to be guerrilla politics using comedy to get away with it (like "Stupid White Men.." was), then I would suggest that we Americans step back, and look at ourselves, and see how far we have drifted from "first principles" of right and wrong, and re-institute our original standards as so aptly presented in such books as Remick's "West Point Character Leadership..." and Bennett's "Book of Virtues". You have to give this book 5 stars, IF it is really meant to be fair and balanced, and IF it is not meant to be guerrilla politics, and IF it isn't meant to cleverly demean people.
Rating: 
Summary: I write political books now, yes, its me.."Al Franken"
Review: Do you remember the skit from the old SNL shows in the late 70's when "Al Franken" used to do this hilarious bit where he basically didn't say anything meaningful but inserted his name, "Al Franken", into every other sentence? I remember that name being superimposed at the bottom of the screen, "Al Franken", and laughing out loud. That was some funny stuff. Too bad he "peaked in the 70's" (to borrow a line from the late Phil Hartman).So, why isn't he funny anymore? Granted it's hard to top the, "yes it's me...Al Franken" bit, but I truly expected better. So, he wants to write political books now. So, he wants to take on O'Reilly, and other Right-Wing pundits. That's cool, there sure is enough opportunity. So why didn't he? He spends a whole chapter telling how O'Reilly thought he won an award for a show it turns out he didn't? WOW. Hold the presses. What is this, Jr. High? I'm sure he can do better than this? His chapter on sex education was so lacking in basic common sense that I kept looking for the punch line. Are we supposed to think abortions and teen sexually transmitted diseases are a good thing? Is this what Liberals believe nowadays? I find that hard to believe. Nonetheless, when the only thing you can do is slam an idea that is sound because people fail to execute it, and then offer no suggestions of your own, you leave yourself open. Franken does so here. I think that his extended comic on "Supply Side Jesus" had some merit. This is too bad, in that many are in fact corrupting the Faith for monetary gain. So I will give him some credit for at least trying here. Overall, I guess that if you are a liberal you will cheer this book, if for no other reason than he supports your worldview, but as an independent who doesn't agree with either Left or Right extreme offered, I just thought it was pretty ordinary and not very funny. I miss the good ole days with the "yes it's me...Al Franken". Can we get that back again?
Rating:
Summary: Conservatives in power are lying to you on a daily basis
Review: Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. While your at it, pick up Michael Moore's Dude Where's my Country? Seriously. It's so incredibly important to the future of this country that we stop allowing this BS immediatly. Why do you think there are so many investigations into the current administration? It's all coming out. Fox news and the other right wing media propoganda machines are churning out the news as they see fit, only allowing you to see what it is they want you to see. I wish I was as informed and well spoken as Mr Franken. I'm planning on reading his other books soon. Please, read the book. The Bush administration has been saying your getting a tax cut? Guess what, you're not (unless of course you make the top 10% of the salaries in this country) chances are your not, and because he's cutting taxes for his rich buddies YOU will be the one paying the deficit. STOP LETTING THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS READ THIS BOOK!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Fair and balanced???! This is POLITICS folks.....
Review: Doesn't anybody really realize that political tracts (commentary in book form) are neither fair nor balanced...from EITHER SIDE! The best way to conduct political research is by reading books about the same subject from varying angles and making an informed decision based upon the sum total of the facts. So, for reviewers on here to fan the flames of conservatism or liberalism in response to this book is total lunacy. FOX News really screwed this up for themselves. Much like our (hehehehe) "beloved" president who thinks wearing an Army jacket and appearing in Baghdad for a surprise Thanksgiving dinner is going to score him election points NEXT YEAR, FOX tried to use this book as a piece of propaganda in favor of themselves and their news channel...and it has failed terribly. Don't they realize that the American people love the media...and if you put something in their face...whether it be pro-cause or against, people are going to read it? I am sure that Mr. Franken is loving all of the publicity given to him by FOX...even though he is the exact opposite of what they support. And...to the small little war between smutpusher and Mr. Harlow...might I add a couple cents. First, it seems that Mr. Pusher has a problem with name calling. Not once in Mr. Harlow's reviews/retort did he call Mr. Pusher a name. Strange, Conservatives always accuse Liberals of name calling....but it sure seems that they are the ones doing the most of it. Go figure. *shrug* Second, FOX News seem to be more "dweebish" than Mr. Harlow....seeing as how they are the ones feeding the popularity of this "liberal" tome. Third, at least Mr. Franken probably isn't preoccupied with McCarthyism like Ms. Coulter. That fact alone scares me. I honestly tried to read her book, but I just couldn't get past 30 pages....the prose was so below my intelligence...I just got bored with it. I don't think I would get that way with Mr. Franken. And...I am not even going there with Mr. Hannity. So, read all of these books with caution. Make sure that you read across the political spectrum...and make decisions for yourselves! Don't rely on these folks to feed you their political agendas! Make them for yourselves! And good luck to smutpusher and Mr. Harlow....may your review war end in peace. PS....I am neither Republican or Democrat...give me Independent thinking any day!
Rating:
Summary: Funny and thought-provoking
Review: Don't believe the right-wing ideologues who try to disparage the book; it's enormously entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Angry Leftist buffoon spouts off again
Review: Don't bother with this garbage. If it's anything like his previous annoyingly whiny diatribes, it's just more mind-melting liberal gobbity gook designed to derail the massive conservative momentum of the last decade. Mr Franken is SO upset that American voters have given the GOP the majority in both Houses of Congress, the nations' Governors mansions AND the White House that his angry liberal rhetoric is at an all time screeching high. Don't give this guy any encouragement. Buy Bill O'Reilly's book instead...much better reading !
Rating:
Summary: Al Franken is a meat gazer
Review: Don't encourage this propogandist to keep spreading his disease of single-minded thinking and malcontent for the current governemt. If America is to flourish and thrive as a beacon of democracy we need to rid ourselves of these bonds of partisan politics; we should start thinking for ourselves instead of hoping on the bandwagon and simply agreeing with a society of dualism where your very livlihood is decided by either democrats or republicans. Aren't we the people as the majority limiting ourselves when we allow only two choices for our Representatives, Senators, and President/Vice President on the ballots? The media focuses on the two powerhouse parties, which allows democrats and republicans to control the people of America. They are simply out for their personal gains and use rhetoric, an ancient skill that was taught and used by the Athenian literate in Classical Greece, to persuade others into thinking their argument is correct. I do not have a bias, I don't necessarily agree with either Al Franken or his arch enemy, Bill O'Reilly. I believe when you read this book you should use caution and not take his personal biases and views, which are supported by evidence that he found while researching, as THE truth. Anyone can find evidence to support what they are arguing if they really try. Use critical thinking and you will be alright.
Rating:
Summary: Don't read this crap
Review: Don't even bother to read it - I certainly haven't! Franken is just a brainwashed liberal like all the rest of 'em. "Take more money from me please, Big Brother Government. Please don't protect me and my family from terrorists. Protect serial killers from capital punishment, but, oh yeah, could you please help slaughter more unborn children?"
-Thanks, Al Franken
Rating:
Summary: Don't even bother...all lies...no fact whatsoever!
Review: Don't even waste your money on this trash. Franken and his ilk are what's ruining the United States with spinning lies and BS! Nothing but bull, bull and more bull!!! No real American patriot would even read, let alone buy into the rubbish Franken writes. He's a loser and his book stinks out loud! Be a real American and buy Bill O'Reilly's new book!
Rating:
Summary: Bottom Line - Al Franken just ain't very funny
Review: Don't get me wrong. I have to give Al credit for selling a book just by a clever title. His book on Rush Limbaugh, though now inaccurate due to Limbaugh's weight loss, grabbed attention just by its sheer rudeness.
Now he takes on the entire right wing with his new book. I mean, really, is it any big secret that politicians are lying to us? Franken's real problem is that he paints just as broadly as those he attempts to indict. The mark of a great political satirist (and there aren't many) is to point out the folly of our leaders/public figures without making us hate you while you do it. Here Franken utterly fails.
It's a real shame, however, because he's a bright guy. He has, unfortunately, been brainwashed by his long relationship with academia and the entertainment business. His prose, while sometimes attempting humor, always contains that sharp edge of liberal elitism that seems to imply that you are stupid if you don't agree with his opinion. Save your money, and invest in a library card to check-up on our leaders yourself, instead of depending on a partisan who may need checking-up on himself.
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