BuzzFlash Reviews
October 21, 2005
The Truth, With Jokes (Hardcover)
by Al Franken
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Al
Franken's hot-off-the-press book (official release date is October 25)
-- need we say more?
Although all his recent books have been political, "The Truth" is
probably his most frontal attack on Bushevism to date. On page 193, for
instance, he states unequivocally, "Bush is lucky that he had a
Republican Congress, or he almost certainly would have been impeached
and imprisoned." (There's also a phony blotter of LSD on the page,
which Franken claims is the only way you could possibly understand Bush's
contorted, deceptive, changing Social Security policy.)
And Franken means it. While the subtitle of the book notes "with
jokes," this is a rather robust broadside about how Bushevism is
destroying our nation and threatening world peace. Being Franken, wry
humor emerges at times, but Franken is clearly, as listeners of his Air
America show know, truly baffled by how Bush and his cabal are getting
away with highway robbery, death and economic destruction, not to mention
the shredding of our Constitution.
In addition to being a comic, Franken is a shrewd analytical thinker.
The Daily Show is fantastic at using humor to expose the truth behind
the manufactured news of the Busheviks. But Franken goes a step further.
He actually takes on the Bush propaganda and debunks it through reasoned
arguments, with a droll comment tossed in now and then.
When you think about how wishy-washy most of the Democratic Leadership
is, it's just so damn refreshing to read Franken take on the Republicans
with "The Truth." Democratic leaders are so intimidated by
the myths, fictions and lies created by the RNC and the White House that
they believe that they have to move closer to the deceptive GOP image
of America in order to win elections. But, Franken, who is mulling a
Minnesota U.S. Senate run against Norm Coleman, doesn't see any reason
not to simply tell it like it is.
"The Truth" reflects Franken's style of commentary and interviewing
on his Air America program. He is very careful to establish the facts
and build his case based upon reason. If he weren't a comic, he would
have made a good lawyer.
Franken closes "The Truth" with a letter to his grandchildren
(written at some point in the future) entitled, "The Resurrection
of Hope."
"Senator Franken" -- Hey, it sounds good to us. How many politicians
share your world view, care about our national well being, and make you
laugh?
We can't wait to read his letters to his future constituents in Minnesota
after he wins back Paul Wellstone's seat from the all-time turncoat weasel,
Norm Coleman.
In the meantime, get "The Truth" now from Al Franken.
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