Ted Cruz Continues Fight Against Al Franken on Net Neutrality

I dislike everything about Senator Ted Cruz. Superficially, I'm annoyed by his perpetually creepy face and his annoying, mosquito-buzzing-by-your-ear voice. More seriously, it pisses me off how he plays to his base. But does he believe his own patter? Is he a patronizing douche, who calculatedly throws red meat to the savages? Or is he an egotistical ignoramus who believes that whatever claptrap falls out of his mouth is the truth?

Say what you want about Senator Al Franken, but he's genuine. He knows what he's talking about, and he believes in what he's saying. In the case of Net Neutrality, Franken--who has championed the idea for years--is explaining what it is, in reality. Ted Cruz calls it "ObamaCare for the Internet," and makes rotary phone analogies, neither of which makes a lick of sense in regard to the subject. Cruz is outmatched here, but to paraphrase President Obama again, "Please proceed, Senator."

[Excerpt]

Ted Cruz Hits Back At Al Franken On Net Neutrality

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) responded on Monday to comments made by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) about net neutrality, the latest exchange in what is becoming an ongoing, public back-and-forth. The debate began when Cruz dubbed the concept "Obamacare for the Internet." Franken said in an interview on Sunday that Cruz has no idea what he's talking about. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Gays Punted from Immigration Reform

Now see, the guy on the left you can call anything you want. Mary. Miss
Scarlett. But the guys on the right? I'm disappointed, but I don't think
they're homophobes. Image from DailyKos.

I'm not sure where I come down on this one. What it boils down to is, leading Democrats fought for Senator Patrick Leahy's amendment that would allow legally married gay couples to petition for their spouses to get legal status, if they are foreign born. Republicans balked, and will kill the immigration reform bill if it doesn't include discrimination. Ain't that sweet? And the Democrats--as they are wont to do have pulled the amendment. This includes some pretty staunch liberals, including Charles Schumer and Al Franken (a personal fave).

Some gay activists--as they are wont to do--are going full-bore against those Democrats, and presumably the President. So, one of my favorite bloggers--John Aravosis of AmericaBlog.com--has the Senators emblazoned with "HOMOPHOBE" in red letters. Yikes. Me, I'm not quite so reactionary. And I don't believe Leahy and especially Franken in particular are homophobes. I think they're pragmatists, and they really want this legislation to pass. The Republicans are holding it hostage, because they insist upon enshrining their bigotry into law. To me, it is the Republicans who are the villains in this, the question is whether the hostage negotiators did a bad job.

And I get it, I do. It sucks, but I do. The Supreme Court's decision in June could render the question moot, if we get federal recognition for legally married couples. If that happens, I've gotta think it would be at most some changes to verbiage. This situation is ultimately a reminder that gays are still not completely equal in this country. We're still treated as though we're criminals or some alien "other." I mean, can you imagine if this fight was over married interfaith couples? Married mixed race couples? But even I will concede that though we've made amazing progress in civil rights, we have a ways to go. And we have a whole generation that might need to shuffle off before we get there. Unfortunately, I'm right behind them!

[Excerpt]

Immigration Reform Amendment For Gay Couples Withdrawn

Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) had to make what the New York senator called an "excruciating" decision on Tuesday to come out against including LGBT couple provisions in their immigration reform bill, citing the need to keep the fragile balance in the "gang of eight."
Sounding disappointed, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) withdrew the amendment after debate during a markup on the bill. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Sen. Al & Franni Franken for Marriage Equality in Minnesota

I knew I was a fan of Al Franken for a reason! Even though my fandom dates back to 1975, as a pre-teen watching Saturday Night Live.  . . LIVE. . .I just knew it was more than just the "Al Franken Decade!" This was a guy with his finger on the pulse.

Al Franken Calls Out Focus on the Family for Lying About Gay Families

I love this guy.

Al Franken Seeks Answers from Apple on iPhone and iPad Tracking

Images from source, TPM

So, Big Brother is Steve Jobs? I suppose it could be worse. I mean, he's something of a cult leader, I guess. And many of his legion of fans are kind of snobby and elitist. But it's better than finding out that it's Glenn Beck. 

[Excerpt]

Al Franken To Steve Jobs On iPhone Tracking: I Want Answers



Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) wants answers. After reports Wednesday that Apple's iPhones and iPads secretly store information of the user's location, Franken wrote Apple CEO Steve Jobs a strongly worded letter. . .
 
Read more at: Talking Points Memo

Sen. Al Franken's Ideas for Spending Cuts

Image from source, Minnesota Independent



There are names of political figures and pundits, left or right, that will cause an immediate eye-roll, and dismissal by many on the opposiite side of the political aisle. It would be difficult, for example, to convince me that Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh or Michele Bachmann is entirely right about anything. It's not exactly open minded, but I'm not exactly uninformed about those people either. Figures from the left who might arouse the same sort of reaction on the right would be people like Rachel Maddow, Bill Maher and Senator Al Franken.
Now, I personally don't think that the examples I gave are opposite sides of the same coin. I happen to think that  the examples I listed are more thoughtful and intelligent, not to mention truthful. I also think that their detractors probably have less of a genuine knowledge of their views, having gotten them mostly second-hand. But I get it, through the political prism, they're seen as opposites.

Even so, take a look at this common sense list of ideas from Franken on places to cut spending in the budget. There's no wild-eyed ranting here, these are straight ahead good ideas. And he didn't even mention the "Franken Donut Hole" that would keep the cap on Social Security Taxes in place at $106,000, but then start taxing again at $1,000,000 and up. That would be a great idea.

[Excerpt]

Sen. Franken offers three ideas to help cut government spending



OpEd piece by Sen. Al Franken – It’s easy to agree that we should cut government spending. It’s harder to agree on what government spending we should cut.


We can’t just say, “Let’s cut $500 billion” or make vague promises about “increasing efficiency.” Serious budget proposals should be clear about exactly what we’d be cutting, saving, and sacrificing. . .

Read more at: HomeTownSource

Victoria Jacson the Tea Party's Al Franken?

Image from source

Please. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) has taken a lot of crap from conservatives, most undeserved or uninformed. My personal belief is that Franken's open rivalry with Bill O'Reilly is at the root of conservative hatred for the Senator, even if they don't realize that genesis. It just started the ball rolling. But whatever you think of Franken, a comparison of him to Victoria Jackson is just ludicrous. They were both on Saturday Night Live. It ends there.  Franken graduated with honors from Harvard. Jackson went to the school of Glenn Beck. 'Nuff said.

[Excerpt]

‘SNL’ Alum Victoria Jackson, The Tea Party’s Answer to Al Franken



This weekend’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) provides right wing leaders like Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich and Tim Pawlenty an opportunity to flex their ideological muscle ahead of potential 2012 presidential campaigns, but the event’s not all lectures and politicking. There’s also entertainment, including a performance from ‘Saturday Night Live’ alum Victoria Jackson, who may very well be the Tea Party‘s answer to Sen. Al Franken. . .
 
Read more at: DeathAndTaxesMag.com

Al Franken Schools Republicans on Tax Breaks and Unemployment Extensions

This is a long read, but it's a really good one. Now, I know that Senator Al Franken has a large contingent of detractors, but I believe that stems from his long-running feud with FOX "News" host Bill O'Reilly. He's a very smart guy, and his views really do need a wider audience.

[Excerpt]


Floor Statement: Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance


M. President, I was presiding this Monday when one of my friends on the other side of the aisle was speaking on the floor on a very important topic. He said, "We need to do everything to see that the deficit does not increase." Now, less than a week later, he is going to vote to increase the deficit by $700 billion. That's an impressive reversal, don't you think? . . .

Read more at: Al Franken

UPDATE:

A Recount in Minnesota: The Sequel

Image from the Washington Post

One of the stories I followed closely on the blog was the 2008 Al Franken/Norm Coleman battle for US Senator from Minnesota. I've been a fan of Franken's since the early days of Saturday Night Live, and followed his political career from his series of books, to his radio show on Air America Radio. Were it not for that, I probably wouldn't have known who Norm Coleman was.  But reading about him after hearing who he was, my opinion of his was rather low. Rhymes with coosh.

Anyway, in the epic battle that followed the 2008 election, the votes were so close (with Coleman marginally ahead), a state-required recount was ordered. Along the way, Coleman loudly played the victor, and Franken was a bit more subdued.  Franken eventually prevailed, and eight months later was seated as a Senator.  Right-wing world spun off its axis declaring dirty tricks, voter fraud and anything else they could think of, though evidence doesn't support that conclusion.  They're still sore about it.

But did you know that it's happening again, in the same state? Me either. This time its the governorship, and isn't making much of a media splash. But the story--and its players--is a pretty interesting read. If the Democrat wins, the Republicans will squeal that he stole it. If the Republican wins, they'll high-five and have libertygasms all over the place (and they'll claim the Dems tried to steal it).  Either way, it could be interesting to watch.

[Excerpt]

Lights! Camera! Action! 'Recount'

Now playing in a political theater near you: "Minnesota Recount: The Sequel."



Like most sequels, the cast might not be quite as star-studded as the original, and the plot lines and the suspense might be, well, lamer. . .

. . .Democrat Mark Dayton leads Republican Tom Emmer by close to 9,000 votes, or 0.42 percentage points — according to unofficial results from Tuesday's gubernatorial election, a difference that requires a state-funded hand recount of every ballot. . .

Read more at: TwinCities.com

No More Frankens? The Real Story.

Image from Politico

The Republicans are still sore about the Sen. Al Franken (DFL-Minn.) victory after a long recount in 2008.  All through the state-mandated procedure, they were crying foul, claiming dirty tricks and cheating. Former Sen. Norm Coleman played along, going so far as to pretend that he'd won, and that Franken was a sore loser who should give up. Then, after it was all said and done, Franken won, and Coleman got involved in organizations that make those charming political ads we've been treated to for the last several months.

There's a group out there called No More Frankens determined to stop a similar thing from happening again. Which is puzzling, since what happened in Minnesota is what is supposed to happen, by law. But the "voter fraud" bogeyman--though he is rare indeed--is a prime issue for a lot of conservatives. I think it's mostly a pretext for voter intimidation from the right, but hey, just my opinion.  But before we get into what are sure to be several contested races on Tuesday (and bellyaching likely from both sides), what really went down in Minnesota in 2008?  Here's one take.

[Excerpt]

NoMoreFrankens? A Closer, Factual Look At The Minnesota Senate Recount



It seems almost certain that there's going to be a recount - or two or three -- come Wednesday somewhere in the United States, maybe in Nevada for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, maybe in Alaska where write-in ballots could determine Sen. Lisa Murkowski's fate, and even, some pundits believe, Sarah Palin's.



It's going to be fun. . .

Read more at:  TPMCafe

Senator Al Franken on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Tuesday, the Republicans in the Senate (joined by two gutless Democrats) filibustered the defense bill.  Two amendments to the bill, the "Dream" act--an immigration bill--and a authorization to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) caused friction, but the reasons given for the filibuster don't really jibe with reality.  More on that later. First, one of my favorite Senators, Al Franken of Minnesota, had good things to say about ending the archaic policy. I thought I'd share.

Sen. McConnell Tells Sen. Franken the Senate is Not SNL

Image from MEDIAite

All right, Sen. Mitch McConnell, if the Senate isn't Saturday Night Live, what are you doing in that turtle getup?  Oh, right. . . Listen, for as much guff as the right-wing has given Al Franken for having been a comedy writer and performer (deriding him as a "clown," alleging that a PhotoShopped picture of him in a diaper and bunny ears is real), they've forgotten two things.  1) Franken has talent. 2) Franken is smart. If the Senate were SNL, it would be an improvement. Right now, the cast of cartoon characters on the right side of the aisle ought to be knee-slappingly hilarious. Intentionally.  Instead, we laugh at them to keep from crying. 

[Excerpt]

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell To Sen. Al Franken: "This Isn’t SNL"

It seemed inevitable that someone would say this to Sen. Al Franken before his tenure in Congress was over. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, fed up with Franken’s alleged various funny faces and eye-rolling during his speaking time, went up to the senator after his allotted time and derisively reminded him that “this isn’t Saturday Night Live, Al. . .”

Read more (with video) at: MEDIAite

Sen. Al Franken at Netroots, on Corporations and Net Neutrality

Good stuff.

Did Illegally Voting Felons Put Sen. Al Franken Over the Top?

Image from source, FOX "News"

Ugh, here we go.  Here's what the always "fair and balanced" (ahem) has to say. . .

[Excerpt]

Felons Voting Illegally May Have Put Franken Over the Top in Minnesota, Study Finds

The six-month election recount that turned former "Saturday Night Live" comedian Al Franken into a U.S. senator may have been decided by convicted felons who voted illegally in Minnesota's Twin Cities.



That's the finding of an 18-month study conducted by Minnesota Majority, a conservative watchdog group. . .

Read more at: FOX "News"

I will certainly hold a skeptical attitude until something other than a "conservative watchdog group" weighs in.  But you can count on FOX "News" to pound this story just like they did the (fake) ACORN story, the (fake) "New Black Panthers" controversy, and endless others.  Things I wanna know:  1) Is it being alleged that Franken has orchestrated or knew anything about this rush of felonious voters? 2) Is it being alleged that these illegal voters only voted for Franken? 3) If not, how many illegal voters voted for Norm Coleman? As many as voted for Franken? More?  These are important questions toward the relevance of the story.

Sen. Robert Byrd Dead at 92

I don't have a lot to say about Senator Robert Byrd, as I didn't really follow his career. I know he had some heinous things in his past (such as membership in the Ku Klux Klan), and that he also did quite a lot to redeem himself in his later years.  I'm personally of the belief that there ought to be an agreed upon age--not necessarily mandatory--that Senators, House Representatives, Supreme Court Justices and the like retire.  But that's a different subject for a different day. Here is Senator Al Franken (man, I love typing that) talking about Byrd.

Sen. Al Franken Vs. Jason Mattera

I've said before that I'm a big fan of Al Franken. And in this video--where a wannabe conservative "gotcha" journalist tries to corner Franken--I like him even more. He's no dummy, and he's incredibly civil to this little prick*, who called him "Senator Smalley," alluding to Franken's Stuart Smalley character. The lack of respect and incivility of the right* is getting mighty irksome, but Franken handled it well.



Found at: Joe.My.God.

*NOTE: As a blogger, I don't feel any need to be civil or respectful of idiots like Mattera. So there.

Al Franken on Buying Gold

Current Senator, one-time Saturday Night Live alum Al Franken once christened the 1980s as the Al Franken Decade. At the time, the economy was in the crapper, and everyone was talking about buying gold. Sound familiar? Here was Al's advice in 1980.


View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Senator Franken Schools Senate on Principle

I wrote often about Senator Al Franken's torturous fight to actually get seated as Senator. But I haven't often enough taken note of just how good Franken is at his job. Time to amend that. Here is Franken, taking issue with Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), and his so-called principled stand in blocking a measure that extends COBRA and unemployment benefits. Franken rightly puts into context the utter lack of concern of Bunning and his colleagues on fiscal matters during the Bush Administration. And reminds them of the enormous budget surplus squandered by Bush and the Republican Congress.

Senator Al Franken Shuts Down Joe Lieberman on Senate Floor

Hee hee hee!

Franken: Medical Bankruptcies in Countries w/Universal Care Zero

I knew that having Al Franken as Senator would be a good thing.

[Excerpt]

Franken Schools Right-Wing Analyst On Medical Bankruptcies In Countries With Universal Care: ‘It’s Zero’



Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled “Medical Debt: Can Bankruptcy Reform Facilitate a Fresh Start.” The hearing examined medical bankruptcies in America, and witnesses included CAP fellow Elizabeth Edwards and Kerry Burns, a Rhode Island mother who was forced into “financial ruin” by her late son’s medical bills. . .

Read more at: Think Progress