Author and political satirist Al Franken kicks off Cambridge Forum's 37th year of public programs with a talk on "Democracy in the Age of Dubya." Drawing from his book, *Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right* (Dutton, October 2003), Franken employs his trademark wit and insight in a discussion of the state of American democracy under the administration of George W. Bush. He debunks the myth of a liberal bias in the media and takes aim at the conservative organizations and individuals who perpetuate it. Does political satire address topics that traditional media does not? What role do entertainers and satirists play in the political process?
Al Franken is an American satirist, comedian, best selling author, and radio host with a predominantly liberal point of view. Franken was half of the comedy duo "Franken & Davis" which wrote for and performed for NBC's Saturday Night Live. He is currently the host of Air America Radio's flagship program, The Al Franken Show. He is currently the junior US Senator from Minnesota, and is a member of that state's affiliate of the Democratic Party.