Al Franken's new book....

[Flying_Pig]

Just finished Al Franken's new book, "Lies And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them - A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right". Overall, I enjoyed the book, and several chapters were outstanding. Much of it was serious in tone, providing few genuine belly-laughs. It was a book more of knowing smiles and smirks, than out-loud laughs, but then, the subject matter was quite serious: right-wing lies, and the damage "they" have done to the country.

His comments on Paul Wellstone, who was a friend, were quite poignant. And, Franken outs the Republican/media hit job that was done on the Wellstone tribute event, ...it will make your blood boil!!

His story about meeting Barbara Bush was quite funny, leaving no doubt, she really is, "Queen Bitch". Like mother, ...like son.

The most surprising thing I learned from the book, is that Al supported the war in Iraq, and even did a bit for Clear Channel, at one of their propaganda rallies, something he now sincerely regrets. Al says he was swayed by the Bush regime's lies, and no doubt, though he doesn't say it, by the PNAC/AIPAC/JDL/Likud propaganda, urging our nation to war.

Near the end of the book, he has this to say:

".....We've got to be willing to throw their lies in their face. When we say, 'Hey, Dr. Wolfowitz, didn't the Clinton military do a great job in Iraq?' And they say, 'Fuck you!' We've doesn't come right back and say, 'No, Fuck you! That's how we're going to win this thing. Truth to power baby."

Was the book worth the money? Yes, and no. If I had to do it again, I'd wait for the paperback (Sorry Al!).

Next up, some comments on Scott Ritter's new book, "Frontier Justice", and then on to Joe Conason's, "Big Lies".

[illini]

1. Noooo Check out Molly Ivins "Bushwacked".

Im about half way through it. Cant put it down. Franken's book was great. Worth every penny in my estimation. I have started to buy more "lefty" books. We cant expect good informative books to get popular just by Fox suing the authors. We need to make sure we support a movement back to balance by using our $$$$$$$$$. :smoke:

[leesa]

12. Yes to Molly. Her book is great. I never know how she can maintain

her humor and decorum knowing all she does about the Bush Crime Family. When I bought this book, I noticed that there must have been about a thousand copies of O'Really's new book on display. They were having to reduce it by 30% and apparently they STILL weren't moving! Funny.

[Dudley_DUright]

2. I am reading the same stuff

but just slightly ahead of you. You will love Joe's book. Although not laugh out loud funny like Franken's, Conason book is as engaging and entertaining as anything I have read in a long time.

[gristy]

3. Books on my list

I want to read Bushwacked and Big Lies, as you folks recommend. But I am trying hard not to buy them for another 3 weeks. Got too much that I need to get done. I just may have to unplug this damn computer...

[Flying_Pig]

4. Ah well, Fall is here, rain and snow not far behind, ...

It'll be good reading time soon. Nice to have a selection of liberal books out to read by the fire....

[virtualobserver]

5. whether you are illiterate or not......

the audio version (read by Franken) is so wonderful. I highly recommend it.

[Flying_Pig]

6. I bet that would be good!!!

:hi:

[calimary]

7. I read that barbara bush part. Everything they say about her is true.

I've heard it said that "nobody does mean like barbara bush." If I'd been there in that first class section when her imperiousness told him she was through with him, I'd have stepped in and said "...well, mrs. bush, I think in November 2004, most of America will say it's through with YOU, too!"

I've also heard it said that duhbya is HER BOY. No wonder he's so mean-spirited. Learned it at his mother's teat.

[salin]

8. I enjoyed Al

have started Ritter, have Clinton Wars, Big Lies, and Krugman's new book all waiting in line to be read.

[Lugnut]

9. So many books.....

So little time. :) I finished "Clinton Wars" (excellent) and am about 1/3 of the way through Al Franken. So far, so great. Conason's book is in the wings. Next on the "To Buy" list (through DU, of course) is Molly.

[Hogarth]

10. I'm just into the Ann Coulter lies ...

... and the fact that she can get away with that, and make tons of money in the process, gives me a headache. She is indeed a snollygoster.

[Brucey]

11. The first half of Franken's book is fantastic,

I loved it, and was laughing hysterically at several spots, he is witty. What's nice is that he nails them with the truth. Of course he's a big supporter of Israel, so was in favor of the Iraq invasion in the beginning, thinking it would help protect Israel. Now he finally sees the light - this invasion is only going to make things worse. Saddam was contained and could have been dealt with diplomatically. Violence only begets violence. The ends do not justify the means. Just heard Wolfowitz on CSpan saying how great it will be with Saddam gone... but he never mentions the immorality of what they did to accomplish their ends. Nor does he seem to see that there were other ways of helping innocent people besides dropping bombs on them, inviting terrorists into their land, occupying their country with 150,000 foreign troops, looting their religious artifacts, and destroying their security from looters and thugs.

[leesa]

13. I know these books are expensive, but it's important to support

progressive authors. Make sure to pass the book along to as many people as you can. The doctor I work with is now reading my copy of Al's book. He is a Muslim and probably too busy to be deeply involved in politics, so I am very curious to hear his perception of the book (most of the points made were old news to us)