David Whoreowitz reviews Franken's "Lies..." (He doesn't like it!)

[FlashHarry]

For those of you who can stomach it, here's Horowitz' review in the LA Times.

Here's a typical moment:

Which raises an interesting question. Where did a comedian like Al Franken get the time, research power and expertise to cover such a wide range of subject matters, almost all of which are out of his normal depth?

The answer, which Franken himself provides, is Harvard. It seems that the Kennedy School of Government there called him up and offered him a fellowship.

Harvard told him, "You can run a study group on a topic of your choosing," and, yes, the study group can be about how Republicans are racists and liars.

He had to write something, but he could use 14 students to provide him with his research and write as much of it as he cared to let them. All under the auspices of the university.

By disclosing these facts with the breathless candor of a kid who has stumbled into a toy store where the merchandise is free, Franken has exposed for all who care to look a national educational disgrace.


Although liberals like Franken regularly complain about the unfair advantage "big right-wing think tanks" provide to the Republican cause, Harvard and in fact the entire Ivy League constitute infinitely larger left-wing think tanks that serve the Democratic cause. (For comparison, Harvard's endowment, according to the latest figures, is $17.5 billion; the Heritage Foundation's is $63 million.)

[soupkitchen]

1. In other words Whorowitz is mad he wasn't mentioned in the book.

[Sagan]

2. ha ha ha ha ha!

Note, very little and extremely weak defense of Franken's assertations. Just general grumbling about HOW he arrived at the truth. Not the truth itself.

Fuck off, Whorewitz.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Horowitz' brain tumor has been acting up again

Although liberals like Franken regularly complain about the unfair advantage "big right-wing think tanks" provide to the Republican cause, Harvard and in fact the entire Ivy League constitute infinitely larger left-wing think tanks that serve the Democratic cause. (For comparison, Harvard's endowment, according to the latest figures, is $17.5 billion; the Heritage Foundation's is $63 million.) (Emphasis bkl)

The entire Ivy League is liberal? Every penny of the $17.5 Bln goes into active left-wing advocacy?

The NeoCons are beginning to sound just plain silly.

--bkl

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FlashHarry]

6. Actually, he did, and lauds them in his book.

Basically, Harvard asked him to join the Kennedy School of Government as a Fellow, but he had to hold a 'study group.' Franken asked if his could be a study group on 'how to research a book,' and Harvard agreed.

[papau]

8. You mean smart people researched the book - and found RW lies!

Amazing.

Horowitz' does not say the RW does not lie - hell - he can't - he just says that using smart folks from Harvard to prove that the RW lies is unfair.

<grin>

Sounds like a Fox News editorial!

:-)

:toast:

:-)

[trogdor]

9. Actually, it's 14...

...and they're called TeamFranken. Nice to have the fact you contributed to a NYT #1 bestseller on your resume.

[wryter2000]

10. It was 14

He was a visiting scholar and was invited to run a small seminar-type class. His description of what they did was pretty tongue-in-cheek, but seminars of that type are done all the time.

Trust me, you get a lot more education working on a project like this than reading books and taking tests. (Not that I'm against reading books and taking tests. Well, maybe the tests.)

UC Berkeley Ph.D., 1988

[bowens43]

14. Why?

What's wrong with using all available resources? All journalists operate in a similar manner, they use research assistants. Nothing wrong with it, nothing dishonest about it.

[Richardo]

15. Especially since he credits them explicitly and fulsomely...

...and includes a group picture and bios.

Oooooo, that tweachewous twickster is twying to pull a fast one!

[JHB]

5. <GASP>

I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that Franken would be part of an arrangement...

...that sounds suspiciously like Horor-wits' own "not a REAL job" gig with Scaife-funded outlets.

[Richardo]

7. Poowh wittle baby - him gots him's feewings huwt....

Note how he only complains about the method and backing for the research, and does not contest ONE bit of the content of Franken's arguments.

Not one.

HA!

[wryter2000]

11. That's really amazing, when you think of it

All the outrageous things Franken says in his book, and all this moran could do is to criticize academia for left-wing bias. IOW, "Franken was right, but I don't like his book."

[RobertSeattle]

12. Shocking: Someone writes a poltical book and uses researchers!!!!!!

Ann Coulter: "You can do that?"
Hannity: "You mean I don't have to just make things up?"
O'reilly: "I'm not going to spend any of my 4 Million/year salary on reseachers - and that's no spin."

[FlashHarry]

13. LOL!!!

Good point! Who need researchers when you're simply making shit up!

[CShine]

16. Well, I personally AGREE with Horowitz when he says........

........that many major universities are basically left-wing thinktanks. That God for them too! I'm not about to apologize for them for one second. Pretty pathetic to see Horowitz whining about it. He should just go back to spewing his usual blind hate.

[FlashHarry]

17. Damn intellectuals, with their 'brie and cheese!'

Another great quote, brought to you by George W. Bush!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. Did anyone notice David didn't refute anything from Franken's book?

Nope- all he could do was cry "FOUL" because Franken was afforded an opportunity to rightfully blow Coulter et. al. right out of the water.
A fucking deer in the headlights. What a pathetic waster Horowitz is. He should go smoke some dope like he used to.