Franken On Right Wing Judicial Activism

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Supreme Court
Posted on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:25:09 AM EST
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Franken On Right Wing Judicial Activism | 57 comments (57 topical)

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Seeing (5.00 / 3) (#2)
by eric on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:32:58 AM EST

that "D - Minnesota" makes me feel very proud.

Time to work... (none / 0) (#44)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:29:53 PM EST

...on the 6th CD now?

Parent

Now that (none / 0) (#46)
by eric on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:32:32 PM EST

is a Herculean task. There isn't much hope for the sixth. I know it well, it's where my office is. :(

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I guess... (none / 0) (#51)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:52:37 PM EST

...every State has to have at least one whackadoodle in their elected officials.

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Things are looking up (none / 0) (#52)
by eric on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:58:35 PM EST

Just read this in the Strib:

Sen. Tarryl Clark to run for Michele Bachmann's seat in 6th District

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: A 3-way run-off... (none / 0) (#53)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 02:11:00 PM EST

...amoungst the DFL'ers? Will that get bloody and devisive?
Hopefully, the more moderate residents of the district are getting fed-up with the antics of the incumbent and are ready for a change.
After all, that's what finally did Musgrave in out here.

Parent

Well, I hope (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by NYShooter on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:49:28 AM EST

Whatever he's on, he shares with the rest of the Senate.

Score one for the good guys.

Very bright man. Not a lawyer. (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by oculus on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:51:29 AM EST

Who wrote this? BTD?

Al is great! (5.00 / 3) (#8)
by sallywally on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:52:03 AM EST

I've admired him ever since I heard him on Air America. I hope he becomes a real liberal force in the Senate, and pokes giant holes in the validity of the Blue Dogs and the "centrist" Dem views.

: Franken has the policy chops. (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by Fabian on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:59:12 AM EST

All he needs are the political wiles to know how to make the most of his Senate seat.

Parent

That's What I'm Talking About (5.00 / 2) (#28)
by bselznick on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:32:56 PM EST

Wow. How do i help more comedians get elected before the GOP and Blue Dogs pass a bill making comedy a Federal crime, "Sir, Are you now or have you ever been a comedian?" I wouldn't be surprised.

As I've said before ... (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:14:29 PM EST

I'm just glad we have someone in the Senate who KNOWS he's a comedian.

Watched it live yesterday (none / 0) (#1)
by andgarden on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:26:22 AM EST

Go Al (none / 0) (#3)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:41:29 AM EST

I am impressed. Never been a big fan of his, but he is quickly winning me over.

I'll allow you in line (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:47:41 AM EST

but you're in the back :)

Parent

lol (none / 0) (#9)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:52:31 AM EST

Do not find him sexy in the least, I have met him (lunch at my friends house) and sat with him for an a couple of hours with just me and a mutual friend or two.

Not a nice person, imo, but clearly someone good to have on our side.

Parent

If you had listened (none / 0) (#10)
by Fabian on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:57:02 AM EST

to his radio show, you'd probably be a fan. (Unless you were a conservative wingnut.) Franken's show stood out because Franken was a wonky host and liked to have guests on who could do in depth policy discussions. I'm glad he won his Senate bid because I would have been REALLY mad if I lost out on two years of Franken's radio show for a failed bid.

I don't know any current nationally carried show that compares to what Franken did.

Parent

Agree 100% (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by ruffian on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:14:41 PM EST

I have listened at least a few times to most of the Air America and other lefty shows, and none has been as good as his in the way he dissected the issues and poked holes in the wingnuts. All in an entertaining way, at least to me. (Morning Sedition was great too.)

Still looking for a radio home since he left, but I'm glad to have his voice where it counts.

Parent

Heard Him (none / 0) (#15)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:05:51 PM EST

On one of those air america shows. Made me nauseous. Last thing I want to hear is someone ranting on the radio sounding like a right winger going off even if the words are from the left.

Talk about grating..

Parent

He was a little ranting (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:08:57 PM EST

but it was the peak of the Bush administration and the solid Republican lock. People seemed like they all had PTSD, stood around shellshocked and couldn't even get pissed yet. I was losing my mind too :)

Parent

Yeah (none / 0) (#20)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:14:59 PM EST

But if you did not listen to the words, but the sound, it was exactly like am radio right wingers ranting. Not my thing. I would rather read than listen to others go on, high pitched and all. I agree with him, don't need to be ranted at..

Parent

Disagree with your take (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by brodie on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:19:55 PM EST

on AF on the radio, and I heard a fair number of his shows in the several yrs he was on.

Mostly the times he would raise his voice and rant were when he had a knucklehead winger on who just refused to listen to the facts and reason --e.g., a frequent guest was a clueless Limbaugh-worshipping RW friend -- or one time with an equally clueless and dishonest Juan Williams. I recall he really went off on Juan.

Good for Al I say. JW and his like need more tongue-lashings of the sort Franken dished out that day.

Parent

: OK (none / 0) (#23)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:21:51 PM EST

I only heard him a couple of times when the show first came on. Never listen to the radio, or teevee, anyway. His show wasn't enough to change my habits.

Parent

And yet, strangely, you ... (none / 0) (#22)
by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:21:49 PM EST

chose the name "Squeaky."

;)

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Well (none / 0) (#24)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:22:53 PM EST

I do not think it is worthwhile discussion to get into monkiers, robot, do you?

Parent

: I proud to stand ... (5.00 / 2) (#26)
by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:27:02 PM EST

behind a long line of Robots and Porters.
A mix of Asimov and Pullman.
What's better than that?
;)

Parent

He's just flat sexy to me (none / 0) (#12)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:01:16 PM EST

But I'm glad he's tamed his hair a bit more these days. There must be a milkman involved in this drama somewhere. My husband has the same hair, but it looks spiffy short.

Parent

Squeak (none / 0) (#13)
by eric on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:02:51 PM EST

are you from MN?

Parent

: No (none / 0) (#14)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:03:29 PM EST

NYC

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Yuk (none / 0) (#18)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:12:01 PM EST

Oh, I did think he was really funny on Sat night live, whenever I saw a clip. No teevee but did see clips on the internet.

You misunderstand my point. The guy has a mean streak combined with a giant ego. Dark, in person, to say the least. Nothing like the way he was on teevee.

I think that what he has, makes for a good politician, and a bad friend.

Not eager to have a beer with Reid, sorry to disappoint you, or suggest that you have no idea about who I enjoy sharing company with.

Parent

Oh (none / 0) (#45)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:30:47 PM EST

That makes sense, now. Seemed odd from you at on face value..

Parent

: Yes (none / 0) (#57)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 04:28:56 PM EST

He was exactly as would have imagined him to be, had I not suspended disbelief, or been open to a variant of the norm.

Parent

Sexy Beast! (none / 0) (#4)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 11:46:20 AM EST

Some females don't (none / 0) (#50)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:44:21 PM EST

think so....or maybe they do ;-). Did you know that Franken was recently physically attacked by a person of the female persuasion.

Parent

: Maybe he gets off (none / 0) (#60)
by Peter G on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 05:26:25 PM EST

on having his nose sucked like that. Chacun a son gout.

Parent

I've always found him to be insufferable. (none / 0) (#25)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:26:48 PM EST

I met him a few brief times here in LA and know people who know him and worked with him.

He is a very good speech maker and an excellent debater (in that he can effortlessly cut his opponent to pieces), however I'm not sure those skills are what's necessary to be an effective senator.

Only time will tell I suppose.

There are no "effective" Senators (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:29:23 PM EST

because the Senate itself is ineffective.

Parent

andgarden? (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by oculus on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:36:37 PM EST

Parent

: you know what I think (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by andgarden on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:54:20 PM EST

Parent

Or they're very effective ... (none / 0) (#30)
by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:38:26 PM EST

and what is occurring is exactly what they want.

Just to take the opposite cynical view.

Parent

I do not think so (none / 0) (#31)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:44:38 PM EST

They are not smart enough.

Think David Broder level of intelligence..

Parent

But the people who ... (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:47:54 PM EST

really control them might be.

Think "Yes, Minister."

Parent

Good point (none / 0) (#33)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:50:08 PM EST

Parent

Maybe in the executive branch (none / 0) (#38)
by andgarden on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:05:22 PM EST

The legislative branch doesn't have enough staff. It's mostly an asylum.

Parent

Those 1,500 page bills ... (none / 0) (#39)
by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:12:30 PM EST

are written by someone.

Parent

Executive branch, lobbyists, overworked (none / 0) (#41)
by andgarden on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:14:53 PM EST

committee staff.

Parent

: And not going to ... (none / 0) (#47)
by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:32:51 PM EST

tit-for-tat with you.
You understood my point.

Parent

Heh (none / 0) (#35)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 12:51:05 PM EST

Parent

Being articulate and intelligent enough to make (none / 0) (#42)
by esmense on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:23:51 PM EST

concise, critical arguments -- with examples! --rather than just resorting to ad hominem attack and demagoguery ("Obama is a socialist." "Sotomayer is a racist." "Democrat health care will kill old people." "Empathy is a code word for activist.") certainly is a desired skill -- although one not frequently encountered among those currently holding office in Washington.

I suspect it may not be Franken's manner of argument, but rather the truth and effectiveness of his arguments, that you find "insufferable."

Parent

It is actually him I find insufferable. (none / 0) (#48)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:36:52 PM EST

As I thought I communicated in my comment, I've met him and known people who've known and worked with him looooooong before he got involved in politics.

Parent

As far as I am concerned (none / 0) (#56)
by Fabian on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 04:28:24 PM EST

A Senator has to be respectful of and responsive to only their constituents.

Everyone else? Fair game! It's a job, not a popularity contest.

Parent

Actually it is kind of a popularity contest. (none / 0) (#58)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 04:40:25 PM EST

If you're 'popular' among your fellow lawmakers, you're a lot more effective in helping your constituents.

The more 'popular' you are the more game you got. You've got to build alliances.

That said, I think he'll probably be a pretty sharp horse-trader in that rodeo we call congress.

As I said, time will tell.

Parent

Franken's had successful careers (none / 0) (#59)
by Fabian on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 05:03:04 PM EST

and worked with teams. He doesn't strike me as a novice when it comes to working with people. Working with politicians is another story!

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: He's left more than a few folks (none / 0) (#61)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 05:43:45 PM EST

in my industry shredded in his wake.
Time will tell how he does in his new fraternity.

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I had a very difficult boss (none / 0) (#62)
by sallywally on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 07:23:54 PM EST

very scary to me, brilliant and proud and had an Irish temper. But what she did and the policies she set were right on. She brought our medical school at Ohio State out of the narrow, local world into the national and international scene. I was scared sh*tless of her for four years but loved her then and still do. She's long gone, first to the American Red Cross and now at US News. Everything she did was out of principle. No politics, no dissembling.

Some people could never get over her temper and biting comments, but she was right, and that is what counted.

I feel the same way about Al Franken. If he's got a dark side, fine - as long as he keeps things cogent and well-founded in the service of liberalism.

Parent

: I hope he does for the State of Minnesota (none / 0) (#63)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jul 30, 2009 at 12:18:50 AM EST

what your boss did for Ohio State. I'm not sure that's the kind of guy he is though.

Parent

It's morning in America! (none / 0) (#49)
by Spamlet on Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:41:11 PM EST

Franken On Right Wing Judicial Activism | 57 comments (57 topical)

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