Rating: 
Summary: Fair and Balanced View of Franken's Mind
Review: It is good that Al got the free publicity, because he is making money off of folks who, like me, are reading this book to see what the fuss is all about. Unfortunately, this product demonstrates a poor quality of humor that leans heavily on the author's personal bias and a need to profit from the common practice that the liberally leaning media and entertainment industry has to devour it's own. I am speaking specifically of bashing the conservative and, yes even moderate members of the industry. In this case Franken has taken the low road of political hypocrisy and attempts to bash certain elements of what he calls "The Right" for bashing "The Left". In order to appreciate this book (or any of Franken's political humor for that matter), one must be capable of completely ignoring the fact that certain elements of the infamous "vast right wing conspiracy" have learned the lessons taught by decades of hard core politicking by the Democratic Party's ultra "liberal" wing ("The Left" as opposed to "The Right"). These lessons include "if you say it enough, it will become true", "if you wag your finger, then you must be sincere", "if something bad happens to you, it's not your fault - so sue" and "(Pick a nightly news anchor's name) said it, so it must be true". What Franken tries to develop is that these lessons are only for those with "liberal" thought (notice I said "thought", because the limo-liberals and SUV-environmentalists in this country are immune to their own ideas). He feels that anyone in the media and entertainment industry who does not agree with that premise is wrong, despite the fact that the conservative organizations and individuals in the industry are for the most part a silent minority (similar to conservatives in my state). He then tries to wrap his sub-standard, personally biased, political analysis with the label of "parody" and "satire". I enjoy good political satire and parody. Well, this is not good at all. It is just not funny, and since that is the supposed purpose of this literature, well... lack of evidence suggests that the case should be dismissed. Al Franken is not funny in person, as a writer or in any other manner. So as I said... "It is good that Al got the free publicity, because he is making money off of folks who, like me, are reading this book to see what the fuss is all about." Actually, I borrowed it; I couldn't waste money on this sort of stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: A Refreshing Change
Review: It is great to finally see a serious attempt to provide a counter opinion to the neo-con nonsense half of this country seems to be feeding on right now. Despite what a number of the reviewers want to believe, the facts are researched and correct; another fresh approach when compared to Coulter, Hannity and O'Reilly. It will make you laugh if nothing else!!!
Rating:
Summary: lies and the lying liars who tell them
Review: It is hard for me to believe that this book was published. The information contained therein is personal bias,innuendo, rumor and conjecture written with venom and a poison pen. Franken is what's wrong with politics today. Classic example of the pot calling the kettle black.
Rating:
Summary: Look who's Talking!!!
Review: It is ironic that the biggest idiot alive got a book deal so he could compete with one of the biggest jerks in the entire world (Michael Moore). The vast majority of Americans are sick to death of the negative minded high school dropouts from Saturday Night Live and beyond trying to preach politics absent any credentials whatsoever. These books are stupid and point to the fact that Al Frankin is a Big Fat Idiot. Anyone who buys or reads this garbage deserves to have the same amount of time, money and energy gone forever from their lives with no compensation other than the knowledge that they can never regain it for the rest of his or her natural life. What a waste!
Rating:
Summary: 'bout time
Review: It is nice to see a political analyst take the time to research what goes in print. Even though he is not a typical journalist, he helps provide a real look at distortions from the mainstream media. Forget the "grab a soundbite and run it into the ground. Franken leaves it to us to decide what is right and what is true bull.
Rating:
Summary: Funny but also very wise
Review: It is perhaps ironic that the most powerful voices of the left in America are those of Michael Moore and Al Franken who are both comedians. Franken's book is an unashamed wake up call to those who call themselves liberals to go out and fight and to re-take the political ground which has been won by the right over the past twenty years. He suggests that this is not an easy task as the media is conservative and radio is dominated by right wing ideologues. However his book is a demonstration of a means of fighting the good fight. Franking demonstrates clearly that one of the tactics of the right in America is the oft-repeated bald face lie. If a lie is repeated enough it becomes a factoid that enters the political debate and if not countered can become an accepted truth. He lists countless examples of lies. Not factual mistakes or opinions but lies and shows how the conservative press seldom question them. This has led to the success of Bush and the Republicans in gaining the Presidency and more recently dominating congress. The chapters on Ann Coulter are not earth shattering in saying anything new but Franken says it with a sense of humour lacking in others who have exposed her. The chapter on the media and on talk show hosts again is revealing. Sometimes populists books are disregarded by serious academics as not researching what is a complex world. However sometimes populist books go to the very heart of a problem and expose it in a way that the most serious academic study cannot. Franklen's is one such book. One of the more entertaining and funny books to come out in years.
Rating:
Summary: Fair and Balanced
Review: It is starting to annoy me how many people who obviously have not read the book, talk about the book title saying, "A Fair and Balanced Look." If you read the book, or acutally knew what you were talking about, you would realize that it is an ironic quote, relating to Fox News who's Slogan is "Fair and Balance." When anyone with half a brain should know it is obviously not. The same goes with his oldre book "Rush Limbaugh is a ig Fat Idiot." It is ironic because Rush uses these kind of derogitory remarks in his "discussions." So continue with the hypocracy and mark this letter unhelpful.
Rating:
Summary: Finally some sanity
Review: It is such a relief to know that intelligent (and hilarious) critique of the government is still permissible in this country. Franken's scathing, intelligent and thouroughly researched condemnation of the hypocracy, dishonesty and corruption of the Bush administration and the right wing extremists in America is truly welcome for liberals and moderates whose patriotism is questioned everytime they suggest that the current right wing policies may not be the best course for the country and the world. Even those who disagree with Franken's politics will probably find themselves laughing at his razor wit and even though the debunking of the right wing is truly vicious at times, there is also an underlying decency and a deep sense of justice in Franken's writing.
Rating:
Summary: hmm what what this guy on.
Review: It is true. Everyone on the cover,, including AL Franken tells lies.
Rating:
Summary: Hillarious and informative
Review: It is truly shocking to learn how much lying goes on in our media. I hope more books like this one come out and expose even more. The more lies watchdogs like Franken expose, the more afraid people will be to lie to our faces.
|
