Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them

[msmcghee]

I just finished reading (for the first time) Al Franken's new book. What a great read. I'd highly recommend this book to all DU'ers.

And not just because of the content - I'm sure we all get off on anything that further exposes the hypocracy and lies of those currently running (ruining?) things in this country.

But I was surprised at the quality of the writing and the pure entertainment value of the book. And then, Franken seems to tap into something else that's hard to pin down. Maybe it's the way he connects implicity with a better path - of simple honesty and humility in how we treat each other. For example, his chapter on his (setup) trip to Bob Jones University as a possible college for his son ended with his admission that he felt a little bad about having done so - and that those people he met there were really pretty good folks.

Anyway, I'm no book reviewer but I thought I'd pass along my thoughts on this in case anyone is thinking that a comedian couldn't possibly have as much to say in a book about politics as perhaps Joe Conanson, for example. IMHO Al does - and he says it on several different levels.

Cheers

[wtmusic]

1. Agree

and he should have felt bad about the Bob Jones sidestep. What is the purpose of antagonizing others and wasting their time because we don't agree with their beliefs?

[Bandit]

13. Okay ~ I believe we should all own slaves.

Should you have anything to say about my beliefs? I am in the education industry and influence young minds.

[mistertrickster]

2. I totally agree . . . I finished it two days ago . . . BUY IT NOW

Can't recommend it enough. It's hilarously funny, humane, thought-provoking, and honest. It's also remarkably thick--he's got a lot of stuff worth reading about.

Worth the 18 bucks . . . the best pop-political view you'll read this year.

[RobertSeattle]

3. Yep

The BJU and the Chickenhawk Short Story are the weakest parts of the book - but the rest is awesome.

The one thing I was surprised about in the Conason Big Lies book is that he didn't have a summary chapter - the book ends fairly abruptly.

[liberalnurse]

4. I'm reading it now....

I find it comforting to have my feelings validated and to get an "inside look" at some of the insane right.

[damnraddem]

6. 'get an "inside look" at some of the insane right'

Insane right? Please, must you be so redundant? ;-)

[zonmoy]

9. redundant

while sane right would be an oxymoron.

[damnraddem]

5. I'm in teh middle of it and love it.

The thing is that he so well establishes how the neocons screw up or make up their facts -- so he'd better be squeeky clean. Has anyone been able to check on any of Franken's facts? You can be sure that the neocons will be trying. In that regard, given how they make things up, it's interesting that I have yet to hear any scandal mongering about Franken's assertions. But we can be sure that the neocons will sooner or later make up lies with which to attack the book.

As Franken notes a neocon saying: "I don't have time to debunk the facts."

[msmcghee]

8. The record is not ambiguous.

Of all the liberal books that have come out in the last 2 years - I don't think anyone has actually shown any serious mistakes or errors, much less the outright lies that virtually every RW screed is full of.

It still amazes me how far the media go to avoid this obvious, stark reality in their book reviews.

Fortunately, we have DU, Buzzflash, MHO and a few other gems that we can turn to for a clearer picture.

Edit: Changed headline spelling.

[spooky3]

12. We can thank Harvard for TeamFranken

...because this team of 10-15 students obviously did a great job of checking facts and were probably well aware of how important it was that there were no screwups. This probably also enabled Al to be more ambitious in what was undertaken.

[Woodstock]

15. That's priceless!!!

Sold, I'm going to get it now.

[Cat Atomic]

7. Very funny stuff.

It's pretty insightful as well. There's a section where he's talking about different sorts of patriotism. He describes the Hannity/Fox News brand of patriotism as being comparable to the way a 4 year old loves his mommy (anyone who criticizes mommy is bad), while others love their country the way an adult loves someone- they want to be honest about their faults in order to help them improve.

I don't think that's a Democrat vs. Republican division, but rather an adult vs. idiot division, and the right wing media targets idiots.

[msmcghee]

10. Welcome to DU Cat Atomic

Good example of one of the many insights in there.

PS - I like your handle. B-)

[Cat Atomic]

14. Hey, thanks. :)

I was actually here for awhile, then left for a long trip. When I came back, I discovered that I had to re-register, and now I am a newbie again! :P

Its like... Internet Oil of Olay- I'm young again! :p

[CatWoman]

11. oh goody -- another feline

welcome to du!!!

:hi: