Earlier today I met political activist Al Franken. He was at the Borders on State Street signing copies of his latest book: Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look At The Right. Unlike Madeleine Albright who did not speak at her book signing last week, Al went on for 20 minutes blasting all the usual suspects (Fox News, Bill O’Reilly, Ann Coulter, President Bush, Vice President Cheney, etc.). He started off by talking about his encounter with Bill O’Reilly last June at BookExpo in Los Angeles. He mentioned that he challenged Bill who he characterizes as a pathological liar with information obtained while searching Nexis. Bill, who felt ambushed, got upset and tried to respond by saying that unlike Al, he doesn’t call people liars. Al responded by saying “evidentially he doesn’t watch his own show.” Bill got even more upset and repeatedly told Al to shut up. Al then went on to talk about how Bill (the bully) ran to the teacher (Fox News) to have Bill punished (sued) for trademark violations. He indicated that the suit which was laden with irony was literally (not figuratively) laughed out of court. After bashing Bill and Shawn Hannity another Fox News personality who he said was up Newt Gingrich’s ass from 1994 – 1998 (no wait, 1995), he then went on to talk about the Bush administration. In fact he blasted both Bush I & II, for losing over 2 million jobs during their presidency. Re the war, he indicated that while he strongly supports the troops, President Bush has many questions to answer re motivation for starting war in Iraq. As of today, no weapons of mass destruction have been found. Al concluded his talk by saying that Bush II had squandered the surplus from the Clinton year, the good will of the American people and the world at large since 9-11. As such, the most partisan administration ever, needs to be removed from office in 2004. So he challenged those within the audience to get involved to work and work and work. He suggested getting involved with Wellstone Action or any other local political organization. Btw, Al mentioned that Bush’s 2004 campaign slogan would be: “Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.” Yikes!!!
P.S. While in line, I met a fellow blogger. She has a really cool blog called: Young Librarian. Go check her site out sometime. And if you know of any librarian jobs, send her an email. She’s a recent graduate from the University of Illinois.
P.P.S. Two seconds after getting in line, I met a guy who told me he was unemployed and then pressed a card in my hand for Auntie Fashions. From looking at website, looks like they sell t-shirts with political slogans. Go check it out!